Coming out of the nanny's room, Yang Yi finally had a moment to take in Murphy's house.
One word: lavish!
Though it was only a little over a hundred square meters, Murphy's house was located in the prime, pricey coastal district! And the decor was equally luxurious—never mind the furniture; just look at the walls and floors: top-tier tiles, Persian rugs, and unique wooden light fixtures embedded throughout.
For Xi Xi's sake, Murphy had even removed the tiles from every corner of the house and replaced them with gold-toned soft padding, like something you'd see in a high-end club, but the materials were likely more refined. Similarly, all the furniture had no sharp right angles; even if they did, they were sanded down smooth and wrapped in color-coordinated cushions. The protection for Xi Xi was thorough and flawless!
From these details, Yang Yi could almost feel Murphy's deep care for her daughter—a love pure and untainted.
When Yang Yi found Xi Xi's room, that feeling became even clearer. The little girl's room was practically a dream castle crafted by Murphy: wallpaper on all four walls, cartoon-shaped cabinets, a corner full of toys and plushies—this was probably the "fairy-tale world" every child dreamed of, wasn't it?
Xi Xi was curled up sweetly in bed, sleeping in her cartoon pajamas. Yang Yi sat down beside his daughter and noticed the smile tugging at the corners of her lips. Was she dreaming of seeing her dad, so happy?
But as he prepared to take Xi Xi away, Yang Yi hesitated slightly.
If Murphy heard from the nanny tomorrow that her daughter was gone, what kind of blow would that be?
Though Yang Yi was annoyed by Murphy's unpredictable moods, he didn't deny her love for Xi Xi. Clearly, she had given far more than he had!
But was this kind of love, lacking in companionship, really a good thing?
Besides, Yang Yi had promised Xi Xi that when she woke up tomorrow, she would see her dad!
Yang Yi's gaze hardened. He gently lifted Xi Xi up. The little girl, still sound asleep, wrinkled her tiny nose but curled up against her father's chest and drifted back into a deep sleep.
Yang Yi first wrapped her in her little blanket, then used nylon straps from his small shoulder bag to secure Xi Xi to his chest.
Before leaving, he wrote a note: "I'm Xi Xi's dad. Tell Murphy I've taken Xi Xi back. No need to panic."
He stuck the note on the door, so when the nanny woke up tomorrow, she'd see it before realizing Xi Xi was missing.
After that, Yang Yi retraced his steps. Even with Xi Xi in his arms, his ability to scale walls and leap across obstacles let him get back to the car smoothly.
...
The next morning, a ray of sunlight streamed into the bedroom, warming the big bed.
The little beauty lying in bed furrowed her brow, her long lashes fluttering, but she wasn't awake yet. She just turned over, presenting her little bottom to the sun.
But soon, as if a thought was calling out in her heart, Xi Xi rolled back, slowly, slowly, opening her hazy eyes.
But at that moment, Yang Yi was in the kitchen preparing breakfast for Xi Xi! He had no idea she would wake up so early.
"Daddy?" The little girl in her nightgown, her hair tousled, rubbed her eyes and opened the bedroom door herself, walking out.
Yang Yi heard the noise from the kitchen and poked his head out, smiling. "Good morning, Xi Xi!"
Xi Xi was still in a daze!
She stared blankly at her dad for a long moment before remembering the situation. Snapping back to reality, the little girl got excited all at once. She ran barefoot toward her dad, shouting, "Daddy, I missed you so much!"
Worried Xi Xi might trip without her slippers, Yang Yi quickly dropped the spatula and strode over, scooping her up in one go.
"Daddy!" Once in her dad's arms, Xi Xi clung to his neck, refusing to let go. "I missed you so much!"
"Daddy missed you too!" Yang Yi affectionately ruffled her little head. He first carried her back to turn off the gas stove.
Yang Yi washed her face and combed her hair, and Xi Xi finally shook off her earlier daze. She asked curiously, "Daddy, was it really the little dwarves who brought Xi Xi to you?"
"That's right. After Daddy got your call, he said to the little dwarves: 'Kind, lovely little dwarves, could you bring Xi Xi to my house? She misses her dad!' And then, in the middle of the night, they brought you over!" Yang Yi smiled, spinning a story along the lines of Xi Xi's imagination.
"But, Daddy, why didn't you wake Xi Xi up? Xi Xi never got to see the little dwarves!" Xi Xi pouted.
"That's because the little dwarves are very shy! They don't want to be seen, so after they brought Xi Xi here, they left." Yang Yi tried hard to keep the lie going. "If they're seen, the little dwarves won't help next time!"
Xi Xi quickly waved her hands and said, "Then Xi Xi won't look! Next time, Xi Xi still wants the little dwarves to help!"
...
While Xi Xi happily ate breakfast with her dad, Murphy's call came right on time.
Yang Yi hesitated briefly but still answered the call in front of Xi Xi.
"Yang Yi, tell me quickly, Xi Xi is with you!" Murphy's voice was trembling with panic, even tinged with tears. Her usual composure was nowhere to be found.
"Calm down first. Xi Xi is indeed with me. I brought her back." Yang Yi sighed inwardly and spoke calmly.
"I don't believe you! Let Xi Xi talk to me!" Murphy was on the verge of sobbing.
Yang Yi had no choice but to hand the phone to Xi Xi. The little girl took it and, hearing her mom's voice, said happily, "Mommy, I'm having breakfast with Daddy!"
"The little dwarves brought Xi Xi to Daddy's place! Xi Xi is so happy!"
"Mommy, what's wrong? Don't worry about Xi Xi! Daddy is here!"
A moment later, the phone was back in Yang Yi's hand. Murphy gritted her teeth and said, "Yang Yi, what kind of mess have you done?"
This time, Murphy couldn't take it anymore. She was beyond furious!
Yang Yi stepped away from Xi Xi, taking the phone to the balcony, and said calmly, "Xi Xi called me and said she missed me."
"Do you know what you did is illegal? Do you?" Murphy was almost hysterical.
"Why, when you're on a business trip, won't you let me take care of Xi Xi? Instead, you leave her at home with a stranger?" Yang Yi countered.
"Because, because..." Murphy couldn't finish. Her pride wouldn't let her argue like a jealous woman. "Anyway, Xi Xi can't stay with you!"
"Have I not been good enough to Xi Xi?" Yang Yi asked. "Why does it bother you so much that Xi Xi is with me?"
Murphy didn't want to continue. The thought of Yang Yi with another woman filled her with bitterness.
"I have things to do. Tomorrow—no, I'm coming back right now!" With that, Murphy hung up.
Leaving Yang Yi standing there, baffled.
It seemed the storm had passed for now?