CHAPTER 49: RETIRE?

Her small, triumphant laugh echoed through the quiet apartment.

Yuanfeng pinched the bridge of his nose, trying not to laugh out loud.

Retire?

He was tempted to tell her that he could retire ten times over if he wanted to, considering he literally owned three research firms, a software company, and half the stock shares in one of the biggest conglomerates in the city, but where’s the fun in that?

He crossed his arms and continued to watch her from the doorway, a soft smile curling his lips.

"Little fool," he thought fondly, "does she really think I’m too poor to afford her snacks?"

He recalled the other day when she had solemnly refused to buy new crayons because, and he quoted:

"Daddy works so hard. I don’t need fancy colors. I’ll mix red and blue to make purple myself!"

The way she said it with those sincere, shiny eyes nearly killed him on the spot.

He would’ve bought her the entire art store right then and there, but she’d probably scold him for being "financially irresponsible."

Yuanfeng sighed, amused and exasperated all at once. "She’s so serious about saving money," he murmured, "when she doesn’t even know her father has money rolling around with no use."

Later that evening, Huaijin came running to him with her grand "business plan," holding her drawing notebook like an executive carrying an important contract.

"Daddy! I’ve finished!" she announced, hopping onto the couch beside him and flipping the pages with the authority of a seasoned CEO. "Behold! The Sweet Moon Project!"

He leaned back, pretending to be serious. "Sweet Moon Project, huh? Sounds like a national space program."

"It’s not space! It’s food!" Huaijin huffed. "We’re going to sell mooncakes in the kindergarten’s Mid-Autumn Festival fair, and then we’ll use the money to... to..." she paused dramatically, eyes lighting up, "...buy you a car that doesn’t break down every morning!"

Yuanfeng choked. "W-What?"

She crossed her arms, puffing her cheeks. "Daddy, our car makes that weird crrrk-crrrk noise every time it moves! You deserve a better one! You shouldn’t walk to work! It’s dangerous!"

"Dangerous?" he repeated, blinking in disbelief.

"Yes!" she nodded seriously. "What if it suddenly explodes? Or a tire rolls away? Or—"

"Okay, okay," Yuanfeng interrupted quickly before her imagination took them both into a disaster movie. "You’re right, it’s... uh, not the best car."

She pointed at him proudly. "See! That’s why we’re going to earn money together! I’ll handle the sales, you’ll handle the adult stuff, and together we’ll be rich!"

He looked at her sparkling eyes and couldn’t help it; he laughed. A full, deep laugh that made her puff her cheeks in protest.

"Daddy!" she complained. "Why are you laughing? I’m serious!"

"I know you are," he said, catching his breath, "and that’s what makes it so cute."

"I’m not cute! I’m an entrepreneur!"

"Yes, yes, Miss Entrepreneur," he chuckled, ruffling her hair. "So, how do you plan to make these mooncakes? You’ve never baked before, have you?"

"I’ll learn!" she said proudly, slamming her little hand on the notebook. "I watched cooking videos in my past— uh, I mean, I saw it on TV!"

"Hmm." Yuanfeng rubbed his chin in mock contemplation. "Cooking videos, huh? Alright then, Chef Chi. What do you need?"

"Flour, eggs, lotus paste, and Daddy’s muscle power!"

"Muscle power?" he repeated, amused.

"Yup!" She grinned. "You’ll knead the dough for me! I’m too small to crush it properly!"

He chuckled again, shaking his head. "So you’re the boss, and I’m the laborer?"

"Of course!" she said without hesitation. "You’re my number one employee!"

"Ah, my little capitalist..." Yuanfeng sighed dramatically, "So cruel to her hardworking father."

Her eyes sparkled with pride, but then her expression softened as she looked up at him. "Daddy, when we sell these, I’ll make sure to give you the biggest share, okay?"

He blinked. "My share?"

"Yup! You’ll be the investor! Every business needs one!"

He laughed quietly. "I think you’ve been reading too many magazines, little one."

"Maybe." She grinned, licking a bit of dough off her finger. "But I’ll make you proud, Daddy. You won’t have to work so hard anymore."

His heart squeezed at her words.

If only she knew that he wasn’t tired because of a lack of money, he was exhausted because he was pretending not to have any.

He could buy her a palace if he wanted to, but that would destroy the simplicity of her life. The modest warmth she carried now, the way she valued little things, that was priceless.

Letting her think he was just a struggling researcher was the best protection he could give her.In a world full of greed and eyes watching the Chi name, the last thing he wanted was for his little girl to be dragged into the business battlefield he secretly ruled from the shadows.

So he’d play along and be the poor researcher so that she could keep her innocence and dreams a little longer.

***

The Mid-Autumn Festival arrived in full splendor, colorful lanterns swayed in the wind, the scent of sweet osmanthus drifted through the air, and the moon hung high like a watchful guardian.

The city’s three most prestigious schools had joined forces to host this grand event, and the entire campus had transformed into a festive wonderland of stalls, music, and laughter.

But for Chi Huaijin, this wasn’t just about festivities or fun.

This was business.

Standing beside a modest little stall under a paper lantern that read "Huaijin’s Handmade Delights!", the small girl wore a proud grin as she adjusted the ribbons on her apron.

Her round cheeks were dusted with flour, her hair tied into two puffy buns, and her big eyes gleamed with excitement.

She had spent the last few days preparing the mooncakes, cookies, and small dessert treats with her father’s help.

Behind her, Chi Yuanfeng leaned lazily against a nearby tree, one hand tucked into his pocket and the other holding a thermos of tea.