Inside the treehouse.
Xia Lin opened her eyes, staring up at the unfamiliar woven-vine ceiling, a hint of confusion flashing through her gaze.
A moment later, she woke up fully and remembered everything that had happened the night before.
Resurrection, contract, transformation, Daddy…
The girl rubbed her eyes with her fingers, then climbed out of bed and sat down in a duck-like posture on the edge, stretching out her arms. A faint, unfamiliar sensation came from around her neck.
Lowering her head, she saw the golden circlet.
She actually didn't really know what it was.
All she knew was that once it was put on, she couldn't seem to take it off.
Of course, she didn't want to take it off, either.
Because it was a gift from Daddy.
And it was the first gift she'd ever received since arriving in this world.
So it had a special meaning to her.
She would treasure it.
Xia Lin touched the circlet around her neck, her face breaking into a pure, innocent smile.
Voices drifted faintly through the window — someone was already up and about.
She remembered Daddy telling her to get up early for breakfast, so she hurriedly got out of bed and headed outside.
Not far away in the open area, she saw a girl about her own size holding a long spear, swinging it through the air, with an elderly lady standing beside her.
It was the first time Xia Lin had seen such a scene, and she couldn't help but walk closer.
Hearing footsteps behind her, the elderly lady turned around, giving Xia Lin a kindly smile. "Good morning, Xia Lin."
Xia Lin stopped in her tracks, looked up at the old woman, and, recalling what Daddy had told her the night before, softly said, "Good morning, Granny Ping."
"Did you sleep well last night?"
"Yes."
"Out for a walk?"
"I'm looking for Daddy!"
"Looking for Mr. Xia?"
"Mm, Daddy told me to get up early and have breakfast."
"Oh, then the food's over that way."
"Okay!"
Madame Ping pointed her in a direction.
Xia Lin's eyes lit up, and she was just about to run off when she suddenly remembered what Daddy had told her last night.
[When someone helps you, say thank you.]
So she looked at Madame Ping very seriously and said, "Thank you, Granny Ping."
Madame Ping chuckled and shook her head. "No need to thank me."
Watching Xia Lin run off in her pajamas, Madame Ping turned back to look at Yaoyao.
"Your master came up with two new spear moves last night."
"Really? Master, you're amazing lately! You've been figuring out so many new moves."
"Don't get greedy, though — you still have to properly understand the things I taught you."
"Mm!"
…
Xia Lin followed Madame Ping's directions to the dining area.
But she didn't see Xia Zhi there — only Xiangling and Guoba were bustling around.
"Good morning, Junior Sister Xia Lin!"
"Good morning, Senior Sister Xiangling…"
"Looking for something, Junior Sister?"
"Where's Daddy?"
"You mean Master? He probably just got up — he'll be over soon."
"Oh!"
"Junior Sister, why are you out here in your pajamas?"
"Pajamas?"
Xia Lin looked down at her clothes, confused.
"Is that… not okay?"
"...Junior Sister, did you just arrive and not have other clothes yet?"
"I do! Sister Xia Ci gave me a bunch."
"Then… do you not like them?"
"I like them! They're all really pretty!"
"Then why aren't you wearing them?"
"I am wearing them. This one is really pretty too!"
Xiangling froze for a moment.
Her junior's eyes looked so innocent — almost overflowing with a kind of clear, silly cluelessness.
"Junior Sister, those are pajamas. You usually only wear them for sleeping at night."
"Can't wear them in the daytime?"
"If you're going to stay inside all day, it's fine. Otherwise, better to change."
"Oh! So that's why they're called pajamas!"
Xia Lin's eyes went wide with a look of pure enlightenment, like she'd just solved some big mystery.
Xiangling felt this new junior sister was a bit adorably dimwitted.
Seeing Xia Lin's hair all messy from bed, she asked, "Junior Sister, did you forget to brush your hair after waking up?"
"Brush my hair?"
Xia Lin blinked, showing that same confused expression that Xiangling was quickly getting familiar with.
"What's that?"
"You didn't… wash up either, did you?"
"Wash up?"
Xiangling couldn't help pressing a hand to her forehead.
But as senior sister, it was only right to look after her junior.
She untied her apron, walked over, and said, "Come on, Junior Sister, I'll take you back and teach you these things."
"Oh! Okay… thank you, Sister Xiangling!"
"No need to thank me."
Back at the treehouse.
As expected, Xiangling saw that the bed, the blankets, and the pillows were all a mess.
She went over to straighten them up.
Xia Lin stood to the side, watching intently.
"From now on, every morning when you wake up, remember to fold your blankets like this."
"Okay!"
"And after about a week of sleeping on them, you have to take the sheets and covers out to be washed."
"Washed?"
"That means using water to clean them — don't worry, I'll show you how when the time comes."
"Okay!"
"All right, the bed's done. Sit down, I'll show you how to tie your hair."
"Okay."
"The easiest style is a simple ponytail, like this."
"I got it!"
"Your clothes — here they are, let me pick one for you. This one should do."
…
Once she'd washed up and gotten dressed, Xiangling brought Xia Lin back to the cooking area, where Xia Zhi was almost done with breakfast.
"Master!"
"Daddy!"
Xia Zhi looked up and smiled. "There you are — go ahead and sit, breakfast is almost ready… Diona, take these plates to your dad and the others to try."
Diona bounded over. "Okay, boss!"
Xia Lin nodded sweetly and headed to the big table.
Most everyone had arrived and was settling into their seats, which made Xia Lin hesitate about where to sit.
Shenhe waved at her with a gentle voice. "Xia Lin, come sit over here."
Cloud Retainer looked a bit surprised at her disciple — she had never heard Shenhe's voice sound that soft.
Xia Lin hesitated, then walked over and sat down beside Shenhe.
"Thank you, Sister Shenhe."
"No need to thank me. Do you know how to use chopsticks?"
"No…"
"I'll teach you."
Shenhe leaned down, guiding Xia Lin's hands, showing her how to hold the chopsticks properly.
Their shoulders lightly brushed together.
Xia Lin sniffed a little, and suddenly caught a familiar scent from Shenhe.
It was… Daddy's scent, the one that smelled so nice…
Xia Lin froze.
And it was so strong… how did this sister manage that… I want to smell like Daddy too…
"Xia Lin?"
"Ah?"
"You spaced out for a moment."
"Oh, I…"
Xia Lin had been about to ask Shenhe about it, but at that moment the food was brought out.
A mouthwatering aroma floated through the air, immediately drawing Xia Lin's attention as her eyes locked onto the dishes.
Shenhe smiled softly. "These are spring rolls."
"Spring rolls?"
"It's spring now, the perfect time for them. Here, I'll get you one."
"Thank you, Sister Shenhe."
"How is it?"
"So good!"
Xia Lin's face was pure bliss.
They tasted way better than the little cakes she'd had last night!
Crispy spring rolls, with golden crumbs clinging to her lips.
Shenhe took out a napkin and gently wiped them away.
Xia Lin turned her head to look at her.
Their eyes met in midair.
And from Shenhe's soft, warm gaze, Xia Lin saw something she'd never felt before.
Her heart gave a strange flutter.
Xia Lin felt confused.
She didn't know why she was feeling this way.
"What's wrong?"
Seeing her space out again, Shenhe asked gently.
"Did you choke?"
Xia Lin shook her head. "No."
"Want another one?"
"Yes!"
Xia Lin looked eagerly at the plate, nodding hard.
Everything else could wait — eating Daddy's food was the most important!
Soon, everyone realized that aside from Guoba, there was now another massive eater in the house.
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