The scene before his eyes was completely beyond Jiang He's expectations.
He had thought that Chi Zhenshan was being so solemn in order to speak about talents, growth, the future, or training.
He never expected it would actually be…
Urging marriage?
Even Chi Zhilei hadn't expected this.
Her face instantly turned red.
"Dad! What nonsense are you talking about! We've only just met, there's absolutely nothing like that between us!"
"Zhilei, calm down first. I know you two haven't known each other for long…" Chi Zhenshan smiled, as if what he had just said was nothing surprising at all.
"But you…"
"But."
Chi Zhilei was about to speak, but Chi Zhenshan cut her off.
He said, "There's not much time left for you two to slowly get to know each other."
Chi Zhilei was left speechless.
Chi Zhenshan's smile gradually faded, and he spoke solemnly.
"A week ago, I wouldn't have interfered with your feelings and choices."
"You're still young. You have plenty of time to waste, to enjoy the beauty of youth, to slowly find someone suitable to spend the rest of your life with."
"Zhilei, no matter who you chose in the past, I would only have given you my blessing."
"But…"
"Now, things have changed."
"The end is coming. Not just for you two—everyone's time is running out."
"In times like this, I'd rather there be someone to protect you when danger arrives."
The living room echoed with Chi Zhenshan's serious words.
Hearing this, Jiang He finally understood his thoughts—
As a father, Chi Zhenshan simply wanted to find a support for his daughter when the end could arrive at any moment.
It had nothing to do with feelings or anything else.
He simply valued Jiang He's potential.
The problem was…
Uncle, I am the World Destroyer!
Even Old Jiang at the side could hardly keep from laughing, turning his head with a half-smile as he looked at Jiang He.
Chi Zhilei also understood what Chi Zhenshan meant.
Her expression gradually calmed, though her face still carried a faint blush.
She asked, "Dad, what about you?"
Indeed, Chi Zhenshan was not only her father but also a top-tier A-rank Transcendent.
He was clearly someone more reliable—why entrust her to someone else?
"I'm not enough." Chi Zhenshan's eyes grew distant, as if recalling something.
But soon, he smiled again: "Marriage is just a formality. If it feels too rushed, you two can spend more time together first, slowly cultivate some feelings."
"Xiao Jiang, I won't hide it from you. In fact, I've already investigated you."
"What I said today isn't only because of your talent, but also because of your character and integrity."
"After all, I'm entrusting you with my daughter—I couldn't possibly ignore that…"
Jiang He: "…"
How should he put it? Chi Zhenshan and Chi Zhilei were truly cut from the same cloth—equally straightforward.
Even things like secretly investigating someone could be said so bluntly.
But because of this directness, Jiang He couldn't dislike him.
He could only scratch his head awkwardly, not knowing what to say.
"And let me tell you, Zhilei looks outgoing and generous, but she's actually shy inside, just like her mother…"
"She may have a lot of friends, but she's never had a boyfriend. Back in middle school, when three boys confessed to her, she was so embarrassed she skipped school for several days…"
"Oh right, let me tell you another secret. When Zhilei awakened her talent, she cried in her room for a whole week before coming out…"
Jiang He: "…"
Seriously? As the mayor of Central State, Chi Zhenshan even knew exactly how many times his daughter had been confessed to?
Being a daughter-con really was terrifying.
"Dad, say one more word!!!"
This time Chi Zhilei was truly overcome with shame and anger, almost grief-stricken.
She shot up from her chair, grabbed Jiang He by the wrist, yanked him up, and dashed out of the house with him in tow.
"Wait, my shoes—" Jiang He hadn't even managed to change shoes before bang! The door slammed shut, shaking the air.
Truth be told, for the door to withstand such force was proof enough of its sturdy material.
"Tch." Chi Zhenshan shrugged helplessly in the living room.
See, his daughter was just easily embarrassed.
He looked across the table.
Old Jiang was still seated there, not leaving.
Chi Zhenshan asked, "Old Bai, what do you think of the two of them?"
"Suitable, extremely suitable." Old Jiang grinned.
"I knew it!" Chi Zhenshan beamed.
He raised a hand, and the wine cabinet beside him opened.
Two fine bottles of wine and glasses floated out, pouring themselves into two cups, which landed gently before them.
"I don't know why, but when I first met you, I felt a sense of familiarity… shall we?"
"Cheers!"
As the sound of glasses clinked, hearty laughter filled the room.
Now was parents' time.
…
Outside the villa, on the tree-lined path.
Without Chi Zhenshan's nagging voice in her ears, Chi Zhilei's face gradually returned to normal, though still faintly flushed.
She let out a breath and gave a small, apologetic smile: "Sorry, Jiang He. I didn't think my dad invited you to dinner just to say such things…"
"It's fine." Jiang He shook his head slightly, recalling Chi Zhenshan just now, and couldn't help laughing.
Rather than a lofty A-rank Transcendent, it was this fatherly image that felt closer to him: "Uncle Chi is pretty interesting."
"Interesting? He used my embarrassing moments as jokes!" Chi Zhilei huffed, then uncharacteristically showed a trace of sadness.
"Actually, he wasn't like this before."
"Ever since last week's attack by the Arc Light thugs, he's been unable to fully recover from his injuries. He was depressed for nearly a week before finally bouncing back a few days ago."
"If it were before, he wouldn't be so anxious to entrust me to someone else…"
Chi Zhenshan wasn't like this before?
Jiang He recalled what White Crane had said, and suddenly understood.
Although Chi Zhenshan had healed, last week he truly had been abandoned by the Council when he was gravely injured.
Having gone through such an experience, how could he not hold a grudge?
In fact, his urgency to entrust Chi Zhilei might not be without other reasons…
"Sorry for making a fool of us." Chi Zhilei shook her head and smiled again.
"Don't mind what my dad said."
"Tomorrow is the next real battle. This time we'll truly be entering the Abyss, so you should rest well!"
"I'll still be needing to cling to your thigh!"
"How can supporting each other be called clinging to a thigh?" Jiang He smiled.
"Without you, my endurance would be cut in half…"
"Then I guess I still have some value as a pendant." Chi Zhilei laughed, her eyes curving.
Chatting with Jiang He, she walked with him all the way to the villa district entrance before stopping.
After bidding Jiang He goodbye, she watched his back fade into the distance, then suddenly called out.
"Jiang He."
"What is it?"
Jiang He turned back to see her standing under the streetlamp, her earlobes flushed red like ripe cherries.
Actually, what my dad said…
"…Safe travels."
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(˶ᵔ ᵕ ᵔ˶) ‹ (TL : Support me @patreon.com/c/Gooberilla) OR buymeacoffee.com/gooberilla, ill treat ya with extra chapters