Invincible Dad

In that instant, Xu Lai's mind concocted countless scenarios. One of which is my sister-in-law setting up her phone to record a video, planning to blackmail me for the rest of my life.

But then he heard Ruan Lan's soft, delicate voice. "Brother-in-law, I'm sorry about what happened a few days ago."

Xu Lai was baffled. What is she sorry about?

He said, his head aching, "First, put your shirt down."

"Okay, it's down."

At Ruan Lan's words, Xu Lai turned around. He pressed a hand to his forehead. "What kind of trick are you trying to pull?"

"Brother-in-law, do you remember your socks from the other day?" Ruan Lan said cautiously. "I heard from a classmate that you shouldn't sell personal items to strangers. It's easy to get cursed by them."

"...And that's the 'big deal'?" Xu Lai's mouth twitched. Who was he? Afraid of a curse? He wished the buyer would sign up for a monthly subscription; he'd even throw in a buy-one-get-one-free deal.

"It's not a small deal! When it concerns you, anything is a big deal!" Ruan Lan declared solemnly, then added in a tiny whisper, "Because you're my family."

A warmth spread through Xu Lai's heart. Family, huh? It seems Ruan Lan has truly accepted me as her brother-in-law. That's great!

But… Why did you lift your shirt?

As if seeing the question marks forming over Xu Lai's head, Ruan Lan carefully explained, "My classmate also said that in her hometown, you have to show your belly to express sincerity when you apologize."

Xu Lai was speechless. "The customs in your friend's hometown are… quite unique," he said oddly.

"She's a new transfer student. I heard she used to live deep in the mountains," Ruan Lan said mysteriously. "Oh, right! According to Xiaoxiao and Lili, she can communicate with animals."

Xu Lai sighed. "Alright. Is there anything else?"

"Nope." Ruan Lan blinked, a mischievous smile playing on her lips. "Could it be you were expecting something else, brother-in-law? Hmm, I get it. You didn't get a good look at my little belly, did you?"

As she spoke, she made a show of lifting her shirt again, her face holding a heart-fluttering, coquettish charm.

However, Xu Lai didn't play along with Ruan Lan's teasing. Instead, he flicked her on the forehead twice.

The once-charming Ruan Lan was instantly tearing up from the pain. "Aaaah! Stop hitting my head! I'm already stressed out from studying for exams. What if you make me dumber!"

"As if you aren't already," Xu Lai scoffed. What kind of normal person would believe a custom about showing your belly to apologize?

Either Ruan Lan's new classmate was messing with her, or her new classmate wasn't human. Only some animals expose their bellies when surrendering or capitulating in a fight, which could be loosely applied to an apology.

Ruan Lan was not happy. She muttered, "You're the dumb one. Hold out your hand."

Confused, Xu Lai held out his hand.

Ruan Lan swung her palm toward his. Xu Lai thought his sister-in-law was about to hit him out of shame and anger, but instead, he saw three White Rabbit candies land in his palm.

"Yiyi said you didn't eat much this morning, so she told me to give you some of the candy I bought for her," Ruan Lan said with a complicated expression. "I don't know where my niece heard that eating too little can make you faint. It's not like you have low blood sugar."

After speaking, she left with an inscrutable sigh.

Looking at the candy in his hand, Xu Lai smiled and unwrapped one, popping it into his mouth.

That little girl. This candy is so sweet. It's a sweetness that warms my very heart.

***

Xu Lai carefully tucked the two remaining candies away. The day at the school's medical office continued to be peaceful. The only minor incident was a female student who dislocated her own arm by swinging it too enthusiastically while exercising on the sports field.

The girl sat in the infirmary, whimpering, "It hurts so much, I could die."

Having practiced medicine for years, Liu Nanwei had seen it all. She quickly reset the girl's arm, prescribed some medication, and sent her on her way with a wave.

At nearly five in the afternoon, Xu Lai stood up and stretched, getting ready to go pick up his daughter from kindergarten. He didn't ride a cloud; he took the subway instead.

At this time of day, the subway wasn't packed, but it was far from empty. Xu Lai found a seat in the corner of the car. Before long, he heard a gentle voice.

"Excuse me, may I sit here?"

"Go ahead," Xu Lai said calmly, glancing at the speaker.

The woman was dressed in a white tracksuit and wore a pair of lensless frames, giving her a pure and youthful appearance. Her ears were especially beautiful—slightly pointed, making one want to reach out and touch them.

She sized up Xu Lai cautiously and spoke softly. "You're Dr. Xu Lai, right? I'm Yun Xi, a student from Dongli University."

"Yes," Xu Lai nodded.

He had already smelled Ruan Lan's scent on her. And he could tell her true identity wasn't human; she was a rabbit monster. This must be the new transfer student Ruan Lan was talking about.

Seeing Xu Lai's indifferent response, the girl mustered her courage and said, "I know of you. You are the strongest expert in the thirteen cities of Jiangnan and the owner of Mount Haitang's Spirit Vein. I have a favor to ask of you."

Xu Lai tilted his head. "Why should I help you?"

The girl asked tentatively, "Then… could you help me, brother-in-law?"

Xu Lai's expression froze.

"Lan Lan said that if I call you brother-in-law, you'll help me," Yun Xi said expectantly. "Xiaoxiao and Lili said so too."

Xu Lai's face darkened. I don't need this many sisters-in-law!

"So it's not going to work?" Yun Xi stood up, looking dejected. "I'm sorry for bothering you."

Xu Lai thought she was leaving, but instead, she grabbed the hem of her shirt. She looked as if she was about to reveal her belly, her face full of self-reproach.

Xu Lai quickly stopped her. "Don't lift it. Sit down and talk. Just... sit down."

Surprised but visibly pleased, Yun Xi sat back down. "I'm not actually human," she said nervously. "I'm a monster."

"I know. A rabbit monster," Xu Lai replied calmly.

"Huh?" Yun Xi looked bewildered, shocked that Xu Lai had seen through her true identity.

"So, what is it? I'll hear you out before I decide whether or not to help," Xu Lai said flatly.

"My family originally lived in the Changbai Mountain range, but recently, many foreign monsters have appeared. Changbai Mountain has become very dangerous, so my parents…" Yun Xi's eyes reddened as if she were about to cry.

"Were they all eaten?" Xu Lai asked sympathetically. "Are you asking me to help you get revenge?"

"No," Yun Xi whispered. "My parents weren't eaten, but it's very dangerous there now. They fled south with me to East Sea City. That's why I'm asking for your permission for us to live in East Sea."

"...If you want to live here, just live here. What does that have to do with me?" Xu Lai asked, bewildered.

"B-but we're monsters," Yun Xi said cautiously. "Monsters have designated residential and activity zones. If we want to live in human residential areas, we need official approval. Otherwise, the Martial Dao Association will execute us. And lately, the East Sea Martial Dao Association hasn't been issuing residency permits for monsters…"

Xu Lai understood. So this little rabbit monster needs approval from the humans to stay in East Sea City, and I'm publicly known as the strongest person in Jiangnan. That's why she came to me. She wants me to put in a good word with the Martial Dao Association. The word of a Martial Ancestor would certainly carry some weight.