An Jing noticed Xiao Xingxing's displeasure and said, "Your father cares about you and wants to protect your safety. He's not interfering with your normal studies or life."
Xiao Xingxing reluctantly hummed, accepting this explanation.
Xiaoxiao, however, was indifferent. "That's fine. We just have to wait for him to find us."
An Jing nodded, observing Xiaoxiao's cold, emotionless demeanor when mentioning Alva.
He felt a pang of sadness, realizing Xiaoxiao had no emotional connection with her biological father over the years. Her eyes held a coldness that was unusual for a child her age.
An Jing smiled at them. "You haven't eaten yet, have you? I'll take you to the hotel restaurant. After we eat, Xingxing, you can go back to school. I'll stay with Xiaoxiao, and I'll contact you when Alva arrives..."
"Uncle Xiao," Xiaoxiao interrupted, calling him Uncle Xiao for the first time.
She had previously refused to acknowledge him, but today she finally spoke, though not as "Dad."
He responded to the unfamiliar address with mixed emotions.
Xiaoxiao glanced at her brother Xingxing. "If you can convince my dad, you need a reason that convinces him. Xingxing and I have thought of one. Let him tell you."
"Oh, you've already figured out how to convince Alva?" An Jing asked, surprised. "Let's go to the restaurant. We can talk while we eat. I rushed here and only had some unappetizing airplane food on the flight."
"Okay," Qin Yuxing nodded.
The three of them went to the hotel restaurant. After ordering, Qin Yuxing was still hesitant.
However, he had considered it repeatedly and realized there was no other way to convince Alva except for the reason Xiaoxiao had proposed.
Xiaoxiao had lived with Alva for these past few years and should understand him better.
When most of their dishes had arrived, Xiaoxiao subtly nudged Qin Yuxing's foot under the table, signaling him it was time to speak.
Qin Yuxing decided to use this reason to get Xiaoxiao to study at school. As for her affairs after she came of age, they could figure that out later.
He finally told Xiao Anjing the reason Xiaoxiao had devised to convince Alva.
After hearing it, An Jing looked at Xiaoxiao and asked, "You're really willing to promise Alva that you'll fulfill the engagement with the Duke, and you want me to guarantee it, with Xingxing also vouching for you?"
Xiaoxiao nodded firmly.
An Jing knew without guessing that this was Xiaoxiao's idea, not Xiao Xingxing's.
"You need to understand that even if this convinces Alva, you won't be able to escape this engagement. Since I'm vouching for this, neither Xingxing nor I can help you later; we'll have to honor our guarantee. You... you really need to think carefully..."
"I've thought about it. Trading the engagement for a few years of freedom is worth it," Xiaoxiao said.
Qin Yuxing hesitated again, wanting Xiaoxiao to reconsider, but she secretly tugged his sleeve, signaling him not to persuade her.
"I understand," An Jing said, surprised that the children had thought everything through and only wanted him to act as a tool with his adult status. "Don't just talk; eat."
As Xiaoxiao and Xingxing ate, he glanced at Xiaoxiao, wondering if she was still the same little girl as before.
Her mental growth was too rapid, giving him a sense of unfamiliarity and a feeling that the distance between them was growing.
Midway through their meal, they saw a group of people enter the restaurant.
The man at the front, wearing a brown trench coat, was tall with deep-set eyes. It was Alva.
He was followed by a group of bodyguards in black, their presence suggesting they were ready to take Xiaoxiao away directly.
An Jing and Xiao Xingxing stood up simultaneously, blocking Alva.
"Mr. Alva, please don't rush. Let's discuss this in the room," An Jing said politely.
Alva said coldly, "I know Xiaoxiao's running away has nothing to do with you, and I won't trouble you. Please let us pass."
An Jing replied, "That's right. But have you ever considered why Xiaoxiao ran away..."
"Because of this brat," Alva said, looking at Qin Yuxing.
An Jing shielded Xiao Xingxing behind him and said to Alva, "It's not his fault either. Your methods of educating Xiaoxiao are problematic. You should really think about whether this kind of parenting can raise her well."
"That's none of your concern. We nobles all grow up like this."
"But what about yourself? Growing up in such an environment, didn't you also leave home for a long time, only returning to inherit the estate when your father was near death?" An Jing had learned about his past before entrusting Xiaoxiao to him.
Alva was silent for a few seconds. "What exactly are you trying to tell me?"
"Let's talk in the room. Do we have to stand here and talk?" An Jing retorted.
Alva nodded slightly in agreement and went to the room with An Jing and the others, instructing his accompanying bodyguards to wait outside the door.
As soon as the room door closed, Xiaoxiao spoke first. "Dad, I know running away like this was wrong. But I just wanted to come to Xingxing brother's place to see what school is like. Ever since I moved into the castle, I haven't been to school a single day."
"You don't need to go to school. You can receive a better education at home than at school. Why expose yourself to the influences of lower classes?" Alva was very angry when he came to find her, but with Xiao Anjing and the boy present, he was suppressing his rage.
Xiaoxiao said with a hint of tears, "But I'm so lonely staying in the castle alone. I need classmates, friends, and confidantes. I'm your daughter, not your prisoner!"
Alva disagreed. "Is there a prison as big as my house? How can you be a prisoner in such a large house and castle? What have you been doing outside? If I hadn't found a way to make that boy shut up forever, you would have been thrown into prison by now!"
Xiaoxiao exclaimed in surprise, "You... you captured Wood, what did you do to him?"
"He confessed everything to me. I put him in a mental hospital, otherwise, your entire life would be ruined!" Alva lost control of his temper.
"Who is Wood?" Xiao Xingxing asked, confused.
Xiaoxiao looked at him. "I'll explain later."
Alva grabbed Xiaoxiao. "As a noble lady, you engaged in petty theft. If this gets out, your entire life will be ruined!"
"I didn't have any identification and no money. If I hadn't gotten Wood's help, how could I have come to Xingxing brother's school?" Xiaoxiao said righteously. "You forced me! Am I even your biological daughter?"
"You are my biological daughter, but unfortunately, your bloodline is not pure enough," Alva said, glaring at her.
Xiao Xingxing stepped forward and pulled Xiaoxiao back, trying to protect her. "Uncle Alva, you should respect Xiaoxiao. Even if it's for her own good, you shouldn't impose what you believe is right on her. This way..."
"I'm talking to my own daughter, and it's not your place to interrupt!" Alva found Qin Yuxing extremely displeasing.