In the main hall of the tavern, Ye Jin lazily leaned back in his chair and said nonchalantly, "What's all this fuss about? I didn't even get to use the little surprises I prepared for them."
Two parrots flew over and perched on Ye Jin's shoulders, one on each side. "Too weak! Too weak!" squawked one.
"Useless! Useless!" chirped the other.
Ye Jin stood up, patting his shoulders. "Quiet down, you two. Keep a good eye on the door. If anyone else tries to come in, just toss them out."
The parrots circled around before settling into their cage. "Toss them out! Toss them out!" they repeated.
Ever since Liu Lingxiao had met Xu Yan's parents, she and Ye Jin had become increasingly brazen in their behavior.
Although they had just parted ways the night before, Xu Yan bounced into the tavern early the next morning.
The tavern's main door was wide open, and Xu Yan happily skipped inside. "Ye Jin!" she called out.
Ye Jin had been in the kitchen preparing breakfast for Xu Yan since early morning. He called back, "Yan Yan, why are you here so early again?"
Too embarrassed to admit she had missed him, Xu Yan giggled, "I came to hang out with you!"
Ye Jin took her hand, and they stood together by the oven, waiting for the cake to bake. "Do you have classes today? Send me your schedule so I can pick you up after class."
Xu Yan pouted, "I don't have classes today! Besides, last time you came to find me at school, someone took pictures and posted them on the school forum."
Ye Jin was surprised. "Why?"
Xu Yan looked troubled. "I don't know. My brother saw it and pulled my ear."
Ye Jin couldn't help but laugh. "It's all my fault. I'll be more careful next time."
Xu Yan let out a haughty huff. "That's better..."
She curiously looked around the kitchen, then suddenly remembered something. "Ye Jin, can you still turn into Ti Zi?"
Ye Jin gently held her delicate fingers, absentmindedly watching the oven. "Of course. Why do you ask?"
Xu Yan covered her mouth, giggling secretly. "Then turn into Ti Zi for me next time!"
Ye Jin was about to agree but then asked, "Why?"
Xu Yan looked innocent. "Ti Zi is so soft and cuddly. It feels super comfortable to hug."
Ye Jin wrapped one arm around her. "You'd be just as comfortable hugging me now."
Xu Yan struggled away in disgust. "No way! I'd rather hug my carrot plushie."
Ye Jin pulled her back. "Stop squirming, or I'll tickle you."
Xu Yan grumbled as she leaned against him. "You're always bullying me!"
Ye Jin replied with a straight face, "This isn't bullying. It's just the way of the world – the strong prevail."
Xu Yan: "?"
She was convinced. "Fine!"
As the oven dinged, Xu Yan watched in horror as Ye Jin reached in and grabbed the baking tray with his bare hands.
She nearly stuttered in panic, trying to swat his hands away. "Y-y-you! Let go!"
Worried she might burn herself, Ye Jin quickly raised his hands. "Yan Yan, it's fine. Just don't touch it yourself."
Xu Yan belatedly realized, "Aren't you afraid of getting burned?"
Ye Jin guided her towards the main hall. "How could I be? I didn't actually touch the tray."
Xu Yan observed for a moment, bewildered, then hesitantly accepted this seemingly magical occurrence.
Suddenly, she snapped back to reality. "This is clearly magic!"
Ye Jin leisurely cut a slice of cake and handed it to Xu Yan. "Hmm? Would Yan Yan like to learn?"
Xu Yan's eyes sparkled. "Is that possible?"
Ye Jin pondered for a moment. "You could learn some simple tricks."
Xu Yan thought about it too. "I'm just curious, really. It doesn't matter if I learn or not."
She wasn't particularly interested, so after finishing her cake, she carelessly dragged Ye Jin off to play with the parrots.
Ye Jin indulged her every whim and naturally didn't say much.
He watched as Xu Yan cupped her face in her hands and poked one of the parrots on the head, murmuring, "Little parrot~"
The small parrots thought this human girl was a bit silly, but they didn't dare say so.
Instead, they cheerfully played along, "Little girl! Little girl!"
"Little girl! Little girl!"
The three silly creatures chattered away for quite a while, making Ye Jin feel a twinge of jealousy.
He pulled Xu Yan up. "Yan Yan, you woke up so early again today. Do you want to take a nap?"
Now that he mentioned it, Xu Yan did feel sleepy. She wrapped her arms around Ye Jin and looked up at him. "Can I sleep in your room?"
Ye Jin discreetly glanced at the two parrots, then half-carried Xu Yan upstairs. "Of course. Yan Yan, my room is your room."
And so, Xu Yan was successfully lured away.
As soon as they entered the room, Ye Jin pushed out a large box. "Yan Yan, you didn't get a chance to look around properly last time you were here."
Xu Yan crouched in front of the big box. "Don't tell me this is full of snacks?"
Ye Jin nodded matter-of-factly. "That's right, all your favorite snacks." He then turned on the TV. "Do you want to watch cartoons?"
Xu Yan, who had been feeling touched, suddenly perked up. "Yes!"
Ye Jin, looking as if he had anticipated this, calmly took out a DVD and put on a cartoon.
Despite being on a disc, the cartoon's picture quality was excellent.
Xu Yan instinctively sat on the floor with snacks and drinks, her gaze shifting to the TV.
Ye Jin didn't disturb her, just sat beside her, gently wrapping an arm around her slender waist.
As Xu Yan watched, she suddenly turned back, holding up the chips in her arms. "Want some?"
In the dimly lit room, Ye Jin looked down at the little girl in his arms. He couldn't help but smile, suddenly leaning down to kiss her.
Feeling the coolness on her lips, Xu Yan's face involuntarily flushed. "Y-y-you..." Her voice gradually weakened, "You're being naughty."
Ye Jin was genuinely happy. He playfully pinched Xu Yan's cheek. "So what if I'm being naughty?"
Blushing, Xu Yan set the snacks aside under Ye Jin's gaze. She then knelt on Ye Jin's lap, wrapped her arms around his neck, and made an effort to kiss him back.
The young girl's voice was soft but carried a hint of stubbornness. "T-then... I'll be naughty too!"
Ye Jin's eyes were full of tenderness. "Mm, Yan Yan, I don't mind if you continue being naughty."
Xu Yan looked up at him and playfully bumped her forehead against his. "Hmph!"
Ye Jin couldn't help but laugh and cry. He lifted Xu Yan off his lap, "Are you silly? Did you hurt your forehead when you bumped it?"
Xu Yan was quick to complain, "It hurts!"
Only Ye Jin would humor her like this: "Then let me rub your forehead for you."
Xu Yan no longer paid attention to the cartoon. She whined and accused Ye Jin, "You won't let me sit on your lap!"
Ye Jin held her with one arm while rubbing her forehead with the other hand, "I didn't say that."
Xu Yan draped her legs over Ye Jin's lap, "But you just lifted me off!"
Ye Jin's expression remained unchanged, "Yan Yan, you're still young. There are some things you don't understand yet."
