There were no further incidents at the military camp. Yang Yi was sent back that same evening, inevitably dead drunk, though he managed to expel some of the alcohol using his inner energy, so he wasn't completely knocked out.
It was still Xiao Yan who drove the jeep to drop Yang Yi off at the main gate of Jiangcheng Media University. After getting out of the car, Yang Yi stood there dazed for a moment.
"Did I forget something?" Yang Yi finally shook his head and went home to sleep. "Never mind, probably just the booze."
He had indeed forgotten something. The dagger he had thrown that morning was still lying pitifully in the grass, gazing up at the moonlight!
It wasn't until a few days later, when the dagger was discovered by a gardener trimming the lawn, that rumors of a possible wandering robber near Jiangcheng Media University spread across campus, sparking panic among the students still staying there...
That was when Yang Yi finally remembered he really had forgotten to retrieve the dagger.
But that was all in the past. This trip to the military camp was a rare instance of his true identity being exposed, and the ripple effects were slowly expanding.
After Yang Yi's speech at the military district, news of it inevitably leaked into his book fan circles. Though the spread was slow, within a few days, many people in the book review section were buzzing with discussion.
"I heard the author himself was in the military?"
"I heard Yang Yi is incredibly skilled, even beat up some special forces soldiers?"
"Haha, I remember a post before where a reader who claimed to be a special forces soldier analyzed that the details in the novel were very realistic, and Yang Yi must also be a retired special forces soldier! At the time, people mocked him, saying it was impossible, that novelists have the most imagination, how could someone writing about special forces actually be one? Now look who's been proven wrong!"
"Exactly, being able to write detailed descriptions of women's cosmetics or hair ties doesn't make you a cross-dresser, but writing accurate and detailed special operations definitely means you're a special forces soldier! After all, that kind of experience is pretty rare! Without personal experience, how could you write it so well? Now that I know Yang Yi's identity, I'm relieved. All you weaklings come over and kneel before the special forces boss!"
"You guys are making us all curious. What does Yang Yi actually look like? Is he handsome? How old is he? Married or not? Why is there still no information about him online?"
"Same question!"
"Yang Yi's books sell so well, and he doesn't even hold a signing event? That's too much!"
"Exactly, editor, I know you're reading this. Hurry and tell the author to come out and hold a signing event. We want to meet him in person!"
"If he holds a signing event, I'll definitely support it! I already bought the book when it was released, but if he comes to Shanghai for a signing, I'll buy ten more copies on the spot to give away!"
"Agreed!"
But these calls were all in vain.
Yang Yi still didn't want to be a public figure. He ruthlessly rejected Fu Jun's repeated requests for signing events and also turned down Qiyue's invitations to attend offline activities.
There were really too many things to deal with. Running the shop and spending time with his daughter were the real priorities!
...
The day after Yang Yi returned, he went to pick up Xixi. The little girl had called early in the morning, clamoring, "Is Daddy still caught in that scary place and hasn't come back yet?"
When he arrived at Mo Fei's house, Yang Yi felt a bit embarrassed as he nodded to the nanny, Aunt Zhu, who opened the door. Last time he was here, he hadn't been so friendly. Because of that incident, the atmosphere between Aunt Zhu and Yang Yi was awkward, so she found an excuse and retreated to her own room.
"Daddy, I was so worried about you!" Xixi, truly her father's little sweetheart, immediately threw herself into his arms as soon as she saw him, her voice sweet as she called out.
"Worried about what? Isn't Daddy fine?" Yang Yi smiled and pinched the little one's nose.
Mo Fei was just starting to pack up. As she folded some of Xixi's clothes and put them into the suitcase, she complained, "Spoiled by you for a few days, she's getting more and more mischievous. She's only been home for two days, and she's already clamoring every day to go back to Daddy's place!"
"Because Daddy makes delicious food for Xixi!" Xixi pouted, unconvinced.
Mo Fei pursed her lips and pretended to be very wronged, saying, "So if Mommy doesn't make delicious food for Xixi, does Xixi not want Mommy anymore?"
"No, no, how could Xixi not want Mommy?" The little girl quickly waved her hands.
"Then what should we do?" Mo Fei teased her.
Xixi tilted her little head, thought for a moment, and then said innocently, "Mommy can live with Daddy and Xixi! Then Daddy can make delicious food for Mommy too!"
Yang Yi didn't say anything on the side, just listening with interest.
Mo Fei caught sight of Yang Yi's smiling face and rolled her eyes at him. As she handed him the luggage, she kicked him.
"What was that for?" Though it didn't hurt, Yang Yi was still baffled.
You two mother and daughter are bickering, and I, just watching, get caught in the crossfire?
"Nothing!" Mo Fei snorted.
As they were about to leave, Mo Fei called Yang Yi back. She hesitated for a moment and said, "Oh, right! After I finish this round, I'll take half a month off starting the second half of the month. Then I'll find a kindergarten for Xixi with you."
"What's a kindergarten?" Xixi asked curiously.
"A kindergarten is a really fun place!" Mo Fei coaxed.
"For this half month, I think I'll stay at your place," Mo Fei added quickly, explaining, "But it's because Xixi always wants to be at your place. I need to spend time with her."
"Great! Great!" Xixi cheered happily first. "Mommy is going to live at Daddy's house!"
"Uh, okay," Yang Yi nodded.
This reaction was a bit lukewarm! Not even as enthusiastic as Xixi! Mo Fei said somewhat dissatisfied, "What? You're not happy about it?"
Yang Yi protested, "When did I say that? You're welcome to stay as long as you want!"
At that moment, Mo Fei seemed to notice something. She suddenly grabbed the luggage bag in Yang Yi's hand: "Wait a minute, don't leave yet. Come here, let me see!"
Yang Yi was confused as she pulled him under the bright living room light. Xixi was also put down.
"Yang Yi, squat down!" Mo Fei commanded.
"What?" Yang Yi was completely bewildered but obediently squatted down.
Xixi watched curiously from the side.
As soon as he squatted down, Yang Yi suddenly caught a whiff of a faint fragrance. Mo Fei, dressed in casual homewear, walked up to him, but before he could take a good look, his face was cupped in her hands and gently tilted upward.
Looking up from below, Mo Fei's flawless, delicate face was still breathtakingly beautiful, truly perfect from every angle!
But Mo Fei frowned. She gently touched the corner of Yang Yi's mouth, where there was still a trace of a wound, and asked suspiciously, "What exactly did you do yesterday? How did you get hurt?"
Seeing that he couldn't hide it, Yang Yi had to confess honestly: "I went to the military camp, and inevitably had to spar with their experts. I accidentally took a punch. But it's fine, I still won!"
"How can you be so reckless? Why did you have to fight someone?" Mo Fei ignored his win or loss and said urgently, "Your lip is split. Does it still hurt?"
Yang Yi didn't know why, but he felt a warmth in his heart. This minor injury was nothing compared to the wounds he had suffered in his past life, but in that life, no one had cared, no one had ever shown him such concern!
"It's nothing, just a small injury!" Yang Yi comforted her. "Actually, I was careless. If I had been more serious, he wouldn't have touched me!"
"You're still saying that! Fighting is always wrong!" Mo Fei scolded. "Are you hurt anywhere else? Let me find something to clean it up for you..."
"Uh, okay, I was wrong. But really, there's no need. It's just a small injury, and there's nothing else wrong..." Yang Yi stood up, gently holding back the anxious Mo Fei, and persuaded her.