Chapter 84: The Demonic Daughter

“Yaya!” As soon as she entered the grand hall, Tang Wei rushed forward in excitement, throwing her arms around the little girl and bursting into tears.

Perhaps it was rare to see her mother in such a state, the little girl looked awkward and uncomfortable, twisting a little in Tang Wei’s embrace. Seeing her mother cry so sorrowfully, she unusually refrained from causing trouble, waiting quietly for her to let it all out.

Once Tang Wei calmed down, the little girl finally couldn’t hold back: “Mom, you guys are so lame! It took you this long to find me. I’m really disappointed. I thought you were supposed to be so amazing, but it turns out you’re just ordinary!” Ah! They thought a little hardship might make this little demon behave better, but she was still exactly the same!

“You rotten child, still making snide remarks! Do you realize your disappearance nearly turned our world upside down? And now you’re still whining here.” Tang Wei, exasperated, looked at her with an expression that showed how much she couldn't stand her.

Yaya ignored her mother’s look and replied righteously, “Mom, is this my fault? You gave birth to such a pretty and adorable daughter, but you didn’t keep a proper eye on me and let me get kidnapped. Now you’re blaming the victim? Mom! I’m still a child, you know? Stop being unreasonable!”

Tang Wei was so infuriated by her words that her face twitched, yet she had nothing to retort. After all, it was the adults’ carelessness that led to this; how could she blame the child? But Yaya’s bluntness left her not a shred of dignity!

Xiao Ling watched the mother and daughter bicker, seeing Tang Wei losing ground, and quickly stepped in to rescue her, offering a way out: “Alright, you two are as close as ever—always arguing the moment you meet. I really can’t take it! Yaya, did anyone give you trouble this time?”

Hearing Xiao Ling’s words, Tang Wei remembered her daughter was the victim, quickly grabbing Yaya’s hand and asking, “That’s right, Yaya. When they took you, did anyone hurt you? Are you injured anywhere? Were you hungry? Oh! How foolish of me—Yaya, do you want something to eat now? Should I go get you some food?”

“Geez, Mom! You’re bombarding me with so many questions, how am I supposed to answer? You really haven’t changed at all—still so scatterbrained!” Yaya, with the air of a miniature adult, looked at Tang Wei disdainfully, as if Tang Wei were the naughty child.

Tang Wei rolled her eyes, shook her head, and sighed helplessly, “Fine, I won’t stoop to your level. So, tell me—how have you been these days?”

“I thought it was pretty fun!” Yaya replied, her innocence shining through.

“Pretty fun?” Tang Wei was thoroughly defeated. While they had been worried sick out there, she had been having a grand time. Was she trying to infuriate them?

“Yes! You don’t even know! That old man was hilarious. Every time I played a trick on him, he was nearly beside himself, but he didn’t dare hit me! Whatever I wanted, he’d rush to get it for me, or else I’d drive him mad!” Yaya didn’t see anything wrong with this, happily recounting her mischief.

Tang Wei shuddered at the thought. Thank goodness Yaya had been kidnapped; if she’d stayed home, who knew what havoc she’d wreak? Suddenly, Tang Wei felt immense sympathy for Zhang San. Of all people to kidnap, he chose this little demon! No wonder Zhang San had been so awkward and hesitant—he must have worried about losing face. And everyone at home had been worried sick, while Yaya acted as if she’d been off on a tour.

Tang Wei didn’t want to hear any more. She turned to Xiao Ling and asked, “Xiao Ling, what’s Xiaoxuan doing? Why hasn’t he come back after so long?”

Xiao Ling suppressed a laugh, thinking, “Sister, aren’t you a bit impatient? It’s only been a few minutes at most!” But she answered steadily, “Don’t worry, Sister. Zixuan went out to gather some information. He’ll be back soon!”

“Mom, Auntie! You’re both so rude, totally ignoring me! I was just getting into the story!” Unable to bear their disregard, Yaya pouted and complained.

“Little brat, I can’t listen to you anymore. If I keep going, I’ll be tempted to smack you! I don’t know how Zhang San managed to endure you without resorting to violence. I should learn from him! He must have had headaches every day thanks to you!” Tang Wei shamelessly declared, now viewing Zhang San with newfound respect.

Yaya nodded confidently, saying, “Yeah, that old man was actually pretty fun—besides his love for beautiful women, he’s a good playmate! He’s even more interesting than Uncle Li at home. Mom, can I ask you something? That old man wants to improve his cultivation. Why not let him be my playmate? You could help him with his cultivation too—after all, you have plenty of oddities and treasures, so helping him wouldn’t cost you anything. Then I won’t bother you all the time. What do you think?”

“A playmate that old?” Tang Wei questioned, but then reconsidered. For her own sake, having someone else bear the brunt wasn’t such a bad idea. She couldn’t help but worry about Zhang San—would a lifetime with this little demon drive him to suicide? But really, if someone was willing to help, why not? She replied, “If he’s willing, it’s not my concern. You can discuss it with him yourself.”

“Heh heh heh! Great! I’ll talk to him myself!” Yaya looked cunningly triumphant, and Tang Wei wondered if this was another one of her schemes. Why was she so sly about a playmate?

Tang Wei pondered, sensing something was off. Suddenly, a thought flashed through her mind and she asked, “Yaya, tell me honestly—why do you want him as a playmate, and why won’t you bother us anymore? What are you really planning? You’d better be upfront, or your playmate idea is finished!”

“Mom, you’re no fun! Can’t you let your daughter keep a private secret or two?” Yaya clung to Tang Wei’s hand, trying to act sweet and persuade her to reconsider.

“Hurry up! Your grandparents aren’t here, that trick won’t work on me!” Tang Wei ignored her daughter’s pleading, pressing her sternly.

With no one to help, Yaya simply let go and confessed, “I just want the old man to take me out and play. He knows all the roads and treats me well, and with a bit more cultivation he’d make a good bodyguard. If I’m out playing every day, I won’t bother you all!”

“No way. You’re about to start school, and when we get home you’ll be training with us. If you only think about playing and don’t learn anything, what will you do in the future? Why don’t you learn from your brother—reading more books is good for you!” Tang Wei sternly rejected her proposal.

“Mom, you’re really becoming a typical mother—so naggy! If I were like my brother, you’d still have a headache. Look at me now—do I really need to go to school? I’m a genius, and geniuses walk their own path! Anyway, I don’t care. If you don’t let me go out, I’ll make sure everyone has a headache. Don’t think I won’t dare!” Yaya boasted gleefully, even daring to threaten her mother.

Xiao Ling, seeing Tang Wei about to explode, quickly intervened, “Alright, alright! Let’s talk about this later. Look, Yaya’s all smelly—she needs a bath. Sister, weren’t you going to find her a protective talisman? You should go to the artifact room now! Zixuan will be back soon and needs to take Yaya out—there’s no time!”

“Ah! I have to go out again?” Yaya pouted, complaining at the prospect.

“Didn’t you want to go? Didn’t you say it was fun? What’s there to be afraid of?” Tang Wei grinned mischievously, enjoying her daughter’s discomfort.

Now Yaya finally panicked, protesting, “It’s fun with the old man, but after I was taken, they locked me alone in a room. They feed me well, but there’s no one to talk to—I’m bored to death!”

“That’s not my problem. If you don’t behave, there are others to take care of you. I’m actually glad!” Tang Wei laughed gleefully, leaving Yaya fuming.

Seeing the two about to argue again, Xiao Ling quickly took Yaya’s hand and said, “Bath time! Bath time!” After all, Xiao Ling had raised Yaya, and cared deeply for her. She didn’t approve of Tang Wei’s tough style at all, and decided to take Yaya aside and gently explain things herself.