RYEY -Chapter 509 Mistaken for Dad

“Honey, this…”

“This is the little wolf cub Hantong and I caught. I plan to have it guard the farm.”

Li Huan finally remembered the cub’s origin. But such a big and imposing creature—could it really be called a cub? When guests arrived, it would surely scare them.

Especially Lele, who was pregnant. Thinking of this, Li Huan walked toward Wang Zai, intending to confine it. Wang Zai bared its sharp teeth—it sensed danger from Li Huan.

“Awwooo!”

Wang Zai was about to leap when Mai Sui stepped out, waving her small hand. Wang Zai happily trotted toward her. Li Huan widened his eyes and subtly glanced at Cheng Qiao.

Seeing her nod, he realized Cheng Qiao was aware of this. Since that was the case, he let it be. Still, he became curious about this little girl—what was her background?

Mai Sui led Wang Zai outside, letting it play in a vacant area behind the restaurant. She would bring it food shortly.

Though Wang Zai was reluctant to leave Cheng Qiao, it felt an inexplicable pull toward the little girl, obeying her without realizing why.

When Mai Sui returned to the restaurant, it was already bustling with people. Li Huan raised the bottles high, shouting with a strong voice:

“Come, come, come! Tonight we drink until we can’t stand it!”

He had brought all the wine from the small store. Chen Xiaoniu worried—business had been booming, and this was the last stock. If they drank it all, what would be sold tomorrow?

But she understood the importance of today. She glanced at Li Le, and seeing her relaxed, she felt reassured. Her best friend and boss weren’t worried—why should she be?

“Yes, yes, yes! Drink until you’re drunk! If anyone refuses, we’ll make sure they are!”

Qin Guoqing raised his bottle. Li Le’s morning sickness had eased, so she could eat normally. Cheng Qiao had said the baby was developing well—a cause for celebration.

“Well said! Men should act like men. Tonight, anyone who refuses to drink… don’t blame me if training intensity increases tomorrow!”

Qin Daqiang waved his right hand. Xiao Dan was helpless—he couldn’t drink, but he wasn’t worried. Once Qin Daqiang got drunk, he’d forget everything he said.

When the steamed bear paws were brought out, everyone set down their cups. Chopsticks moved like raindrops toward the dish. No one knew when they would have this delicacy again.

The opening banquet ended very satisfactorily. Those who had shouted that they wouldn’t go home drunk didn’t actually get drunk—tomorrow, there were still endless tasks waiting for them, so there was no real chance to overindulge.

Qin Daqiang was even less likely to let his son get drunk. His daughter-in-law was still pregnant, and if anything happened, there would be no time for regrets.

Mai Sui stared at Li Huan, her mouth agape in shock. She didn’t even realize it at first—Cheng Li’s father was so handsome, seemingly overlapping with what she remembered her mother had said.

“Mai Sui, this name was given to you by your father. Your father is the most handsome man in the world, even more beautiful than women.”

“Mai Sui, your father’s eyes sparkle like stars. When he blinks, his eyelashes are like a thick fan, fanning open my heart, your mother’s heart.”

“Mai Sui, I’m sorry you were born without your father. It’s okay, I will love you with all my heart, and you won’t feel lonely.”

“Mai Sui, stay close to Aunt Hantong. Don’t go looking for your father; he doesn’t even know you exist.”

Mai Sui stood up and took a few steps toward Li Huan, tugging at the hem of his shirt:

“Are you my dad?”

Her voice was soft and small, with a clear hint of timidity, but it hit Li Huan and everyone around him like a thunderclap.

“You…”

Li Huan’s first reaction was to look at Cheng Qiao. He could swear that, in this lifetime, besides Cheng Qiao, he had no relationship with any other woman.

“Qiao, my wife, you have to believe me—I would never do anything to betray you.”

Cheng Qiao nodded. Considering Mai Sui’s age, she and Li Huan had been inseparable during this time, so it was impossible for him to have an outside daughter.

“Mai Sui, you mustn’t speak nonsense.”

Hantong jumped up. Mai Sui’s father was a mystery—her mother never revealed a single detail about him, even unto her death.

“Aunt Hantong, Cheng Li’s father is really handsome. My mother said my father is the most handsome man in the world. I’ve grown up seeing many people, but this is the first time I’ve seen the most handsome man. So…”

“So you shouted nonsense. You little girl, how can you be so thoughtless? Don’t you realize your shout could tear apart a happy family?”

Qin Daqiang was furious. Cheng Qiao and Li Huan were his benefactors, the guiding lights on his path—he could not tolerate anyone sullying them.

“I’m sorry, Colonel Qin. I didn’t discipline the child properly. I apologize to Li Huan and Cheng Qiao on her behalf. Mai Sui has never met her real father, so she’s a little hysterical.”

Hantong bowed to Li Huan and Cheng Qiao in apology. If a child is not properly raised, it’s the guardian’s fault. Now that she was Mai Sui’s guardian, it was her responsibility to apologize.

“No, Sister Hantong. I trust Li Huan, and I know Mai Sui misses her dad. That’s natural for a child—you don’t need to apologize.”

Hantong nodded, still feeling unsettled. Which man could make her good friend keep his name secret even unto death? Was this love or hate?

Mai Sui was frightened by Hantong’s tension and backed away, retreating to Wu Xiaolin’s side and grabbing her hand tightly. Only Wu Xiaolin seemed to understand her.

Wu Xiaolin shook Mai Sui off firmly. She had grown up in the military district compound and had seen everything. Suddenly, she suspected that Mai Sui’s closeness was intentional—aimed at Cheng Li.

Look—just now she had pretended to be silly, calling Uncle Li Huan her father. It was obvious to anyone: she had a crush on Cheng Li.

Cheng Li felt Wu Xiaolin’s gaze on him and was a little confused. What was going on? Why did Mai Sui do that, and why was Wu Xiaolin so angry?

Cheng Qiao noticed her son’s expression was off, but now wasn’t the time to question him. Everyone had been stunned by Mai Sui calling “Dad,” so their eyes wavered as they looked at Li Huan and Mai Sui.

Actually, handsome people tend to look similar. From a certain angle, Mai Sui did resemble Li Huan a little. But seeing Cheng Qiao so calm, and Colonel Qin’s visible anger, they knew the child had recognized the wrong person.

Besides, Hantong was apologizing on the side. It was likely just a child longing for her father. Poor girl—she had lost her mother and had never seen her father. Truly a tragic situation.