VHBF – Chapter 10 The Playboy Daddy (Part 10)

Picking up bottles and selling scraps for money—this was something Yinyin had experience with. Back when she was being raised by that woman, they survived by scavenging bottles.

That fierce woman never gave her food or money. It was only because of the kindhearted uncles and aunties in the neighborhood, who saw her looking pitiful yet delicate and cute, that she occasionally got something to eat.

But even so, Yinyin still went hungry two meals out of three every day. Picking up bottles and selling them for money allowed her to save enough to buy those one-yuan-and-fifty-cent packets of bread at the convenience store near the neighborhood gate. She could even buy two candies for ten cents each, to sweeten her little mouth. That was the only luxury Yinyin could afford.

So, in the eyes of this three-year-old dumpling, collecting trash meant earning lots of money, doing lots of things—it was the best idea she could think of!

“Uncle System, am I awesome?” She couldn’t tell Daddy about this, so Yinyin bragged to the system instead. She wasn’t just any ordinary little kid—she could support herself!

Luo Sheng froze for a moment when he saw the sparkle in the dumpling’s eyes, so full of excitement. It was as if, the very next second, if he said yes, she would sling a cloth sack over her shoulder and go out to pick up bottles to support her dad.

Mrs. Luo, standing to the side, couldn’t help but laugh through tears, sweeping away the heavy gloom that had lingered since hearing about her husband’s car accident.

This tiny child was truly a little sweetheart. Who knows how Mr. and Mrs. Bai raised her before—she was so sweet she made people ache with tenderness.

She deliberately straightened her face and teased, jealous, “So our family is bankrupt now. Daddy has no money to spend, and Grandma has no money to spend either—we’re going to go hungry. If Yinyin is going to support Daddy, does that mean you won’t support Grandma anymore?”

The little dumpling heard this and frowned deeply, really counting on her chubby little fingers as she muttered to herself, “One bottle sells for ten cents… I can collect thirty in a day… that’s only thirty dimes…”

Her little brows furrowed tightly. Based on her previous experience, bottles were hard to find these days, and they didn’t sell well—one bottle only fetched ten cents. What could she do with just thirty dimes a day?

She thought for a moment. “How about… how about Yinyin eats less, and saves her share for Grandma?”

When she said this, the little dumpling was very conflicted, and it hurt her heart. She knew what hunger felt like. But Daddy’s mommy was her Grandma, and Grandma was so good to her.

She nodded her little head and quickly added, afraid Grandma would feel jealous, “Daddy is still growing and needs to eat more.”

These were Daddy’s own words to her before—Daddy once told her, “Yinyin is growing and needs to eat more.” Now the dumpling just borrowed the line and swapped herself for Daddy.

She was afraid Grandma would get jealous. Grown-ups always said people needed to eat to grow. If she put it that way, Grandma would definitely understand!

Mrs. Luo: “…”

She glanced at her son, whose face she couldn’t tell was red or black, and then burst out laughing. “Oh… yes, Daddy is still growing. Yinyin really takes such good care of Daddy!”

The little dumpling puffed out her tiny chest and tilted her head up proudly. Of course she did!

Yinyin was the best Yinyin. Daddy loved her the most!

With this innocent, adorable little dumpling stirring things up, the hospital room no longer felt heavy and gloomy. Instead, it became warm and cheerful.

The three of them stayed at the hospital, even having dinner there. After dinner, the dumpling clung to Daddy, wanting to play a clapping game. She thought Daddy would be impatient and tell her to shut up—after all, this Daddy hated being bothered the most. The little dumpling only tried to act cute and coax him twice, already bracing herself for rejection. When she finished speaking and saw Daddy frown, she hurriedly waved her chubby hands and said, “It’s okay if Daddy is busy, Yinyin can play alone.”

The man frowned and stayed silent for a moment. Then he lifted his big hand, looked at it, and hesitantly asked, “How… do you play this?”

Mrs. Luo: “…”

Goodness gracious—did the sun just rise in the west? Her son was actually going to play games with a child???

Was this really the same little tyrant who exploded at the slightest touch and had zero patience?

The dumpling didn’t think that far. Her eyes sparkled with surprise. “Daddy, you’re going to play with me?”

She didn’t even wait for Daddy to answer, afraid he would change his mind. She quickly grabbed his big hand with her soft little paws and demonstrated while talking. “Daddy, like this. When I do this, you have to do this.”

“You can’t do it like that, or you’ll lose.”

“Daddy, if you lose, you have to let Yinyin pinch your nose!”

Her tiny soft hands clutched the man’s big one, her expression serious, her voice soft and milky, echoing through the cold hospital room. The stark white sheets and walls seemed to turn pink, yellow, and rainbow-colored.

The dumpling asked if Daddy remembered the rules.

Luo Sheng stiffly lifted his hand, his expression carrying a hint of roguishness. “Tsk, this is so easy. Who wouldn’t know?”

The dumpling clapped her hands. “Yay! Daddy is the best!”

“Okay then, let’s start!”

Mrs. Luo watched from behind, just waiting to see her son make a fool of himself.

“Haha! Daddy, you did it wrong!”

“Daddy, you messed up again!”

“Daddy is so silly! Yinyin will share some of her smarts with you!”

“Daddy, bring your face closer. Lower… I can’t reach!”

The dumpling raised her short arms as high as she could, but still couldn’t reach the man’s nose. In her soft little voice, she told him to lower his head more—she needed to pinch Daddy’s nose as punishment!

Her warm, soft little hand pinched his straight nose gently, seriously giving it a squeeze before letting go. “Daddy, don’t move! Yinyin still has to pinch three more times. Daddy lost four times in total!”

This was a clever dumpling who kept clear accounts, even with her own father!

Luo Sheng: “…”

When she was done pinching, the dumpling stood up on the bed, face level with Daddy’s head. She leaned closer and cupped his face in her tiny hands, blowing softly on his nose. “Doesn’t hurt, right? Yinyin was very gentle!”

Luo Sheng: “…”

Damn it, my face hurts, okay?!

Mrs. Luo: Hahahahahahahahaha!

The dumpling had a good schedule—before nine o’clock, she was already nodding off, her little head bobbing as her consciousness started to blur.

She forced herself not to sleep yet and looked around. When she didn’t see Daddy, she asked Grandma where he was.

Just then, Luo Sheng walked in. The dumpling immediately pounced on him, holding up her chubby hands. “Daddy, hug.”

Since he had lost at the clapping game earlier and promised to obey the winner all day, Luo Sheng’s face looked impatient—but his hands moved swiftly, picking up the dumpling.

The dumpling took advantage of the situation, wrapping her arms around his neck. “Daddy, Yinyin is so sleepy.”

And with that, she curled up in his arms and drifted into deep sleep, her breathing faintly carrying a sweet milky scent.

Luo Sheng’s body stiffened for a moment before he sat down on the bed. The dumpling’s tiny hands clung tightly to his clothes, refusing to let go. She seemed restless even in her sleep, burrowing deeper into his arms.

When she finally found a comfortable position, she sank into slumber again, her tiny mouth slightly open, breathing softly like a little kitten.

Luo Sheng originally meant to put her back on the bed, but then he hesitated. For some reason, he simply let her sleep in his arms, half-reclining on the narrow hospital bed with his eyes closed.

When the dumpling woke up the next day, she was clutching one of Daddy’s shirts. A young nurse told her that Grandpa had woken up!

Inside the ward—

Mr. Luo still had an oxygen mask on his face, his complexion pale and weak. Mrs. Luo was holding his hand, talking softly.

She saw the dumpling walk in, clutching a man’s shirt, looking dazed and sleepy as if she hadn’t fully woken up yet.

She waved her over and called the dumpling to come closer. Then she smiled at her husband. “We really have to thank our Yinyin this time. She’s our little lucky star—she brought you back from the King of Hell’s hands.”

“The doctor even said if it had been any later, your life couldn’t have been saved. People always say children carry spiritual energy—look, isn’t that true?”

The dumpling was fully awake now. She rubbed her eyes, stood by the bed, and said seriously to Grandpa, “Grandpa, you need to get better soon.”

Mr. Luo was deeply touched. This child was so obedient, it made him ache all the way to his bones. The way he looked at her was no different from looking at his real granddaughter.

Yinyin thought for a moment, furrowed her little brows, and said seriously, “Yinyin is going to collect bottles to support Daddy and Grandma. I can’t afford to support Grandpa too. So Grandpa, you need to get better soon and come pick bottles with Yinyin.”

She nodded her little head firmly. “We have to be self-reliant!”

Mr. Luo: “…”

Well, so much for feeling touched.

Mrs. Luo laughed so hard she had tears streaming down her face. She chimed in, “Old Luo, Yinyin isn’t wrong. You better get well soon. Otherwise, the four of us—while the three of us eat buns, you’ll have to drink cold water!”

Mr. Luo: “…”