Invincible Dad-Chapter 564 Fragile Self-Esteem_1
Chapter 564: Chapter 564 Fragile Self-Esteem_1
Whether Deng Xiaoyao was a great fortune or a great calamity, no one could be sure; only history could be the judge.
But as Deng Xiaoyao walked step by step from Penglai Island toward East Sea City, the tribulation clouds above his head were seen by many.
BOOM!
One after another, bolts of tribulation thunder crashed down.
Deng Xiaoyao continued walking as if nothing was wrong, trekking across the sea surrounding Penglai Island. The stooped old man was walking right on the surface of the water.
Although the waves rose and fell, his steps remained as steady as if he were on solid ground.
Along the way, numerous sea demons tried to devour the old man, but they all exploded the moment they got close. Their vital essences were instantly absorbed by the Demon Sword on his back.
As if this wasn’t enough, the Demon Sword broke free from Deng Xiaoyao’s grasp and plunged directly into the depths of the sea.
In the blink of an eye, not a single living creature remained within a ten-mile radius. The shriveled corpses of marine life floated on the surface of the water.
Normally, as the Heavenly Dao, Sikong Jiu should have instantly detected such an event and intervened. Even if he didn’t act personally, he would have at least increased the power of the heavenly tribulation tenfold, or even a hundredfold.
But ever since leaving Haitang Court the day before, he had been focused on restoring Earth’s spiritual energy.
After that, Sikong Jiu had entered a deep sleep in order to break through to the next level.
The one hundred Ten-color Immortal-grade Spirit Stones from Xu Lai wouldn’t expire, but the spiritual treasures Sikong Jiu had gathered from all over Earth would lose their potency over time.
Due to a strange twist of fate, the Demon Sword on Deng Xiaoyao’s back, a weapon that should never have been unleashed, had been freed from its seal.
Of course, the Pavilion Master of Penglai had also played a part in this.
...
「Haitang Court.」
It was seven in the morning.
Ruan Tang, dressed in a camisole nightgown, leaned her hands on the windowsill, watching the sun cast a beautiful golden glow over the sea. The sea breeze fluttered the curtains and toyed with a strand of her hair.
Xu Lai wrapped his arms around her from behind and gently tucked the stray strand of hair behind his wife’s ear.
"You only went to bed at three," he whispered. "Why not sleep a little longer?"
Ruan Tang rolled her eyes dramatically. The only reason she’d stayed up so late was that Xu Lai had been too energetic.
Xu Lai rested his head on Ruan Tang’s shoulder and took several deep breaths. "Honey, you smell so good."
"I’m hungry."
Ruan Tang’s face reddened as she pushed Xu Lai away; the rascal’s hands were starting to wander again.
"I have to go to work soon," she chided. "Stop fooling around!"
"Alright," Xu Lai said, sounding a little disappointed. He then added, "Honey, tomorrow’s Saturday. How about we go out for a walk in the evening? We don’t have to get up early, anyway."
"What about Yiyi?"
"Isn’t Ruan Lan around?" Xu Lai asked.
If not now, when would he make use of his little sister-in-law? She was the perfect person for the job.
"Okay," Ruan Tang said, tempted. After being married for so long, they’d rarely had any real time alone together.
She turned, stood on her tiptoes, and planted a kiss on Xu Lai’s lips. "How about we bring a tent and camp out for the night?"
Xu Lai looked her up and down for a long moment, as if he were seeing her for the first time.
"What’s with that look?" The way he was staring gave Ruan Tang goosebumps.
"I never knew my wife was so adventurous." Xu Lai flicked her nose. "Since you’re the one who requested it, I have no choice but to agree."
"Huh?" Ruan Tang’s embarrassment turned to outrage as she swung her fists, which landed harmlessly on Xu Lai. "You lecher! Where is your mind? Now hurry up and cook!"
She hadn’t been thinking about *that* at all. She simply wanted to lie in a tent with Xu Lai, watch the sunset, and gaze at the starry sky together.
"You got it."
Xu Lai headed downstairs to make breakfast. He paused at the door and said earnestly, "Honey, remember to pack a change of clothes. Oh, and those new designs your company made are quite nice. Remember to bring a set."
Ruan Tang grabbed a throw pillow and hurled it at him.
...
「One hour later.」
After breakfast, Xu Lai drove his daughter to school and his wife to her company. Ruan Lan, no longer lazing in bed, was in the car with them.
Ruan Lan protested indignantly, "Sis, you can’t do this! Xiaoxiao and Li Li are waiting for me to go to school with them!"
"You have to pick up Yiyi tonight, so don’t even think about skipping class," Xu Lai said.
"Huh?" Ruan Lan froze for a second before her expression turned mischievous. "Oh, I see."
Yiyi blinked her big eyes and asked innocently, "Daddy, is there a reason you can’t pick Yiyi up tonight?"
"Don’t ask," Ruan Lan said, hugging her niece and chuckling. "Let’s just say the answer isn’t for little kids."
Sitting in the front passenger seat, Ruan Tang glanced back calmly, and Ruan Lan immediately fell silent.
"Then Mommy and Daddy, you two go get busy. Yiyi will be a good girl and wait for you at home," Xu Yiyi said in a soft, sweet voice. "I’ll also keep an eye on Auntie for you."
"What?" Ruan Lan’s face darkened. "Yiyi, I’m the one who’s supposed to be watching you!"
"Auntie is a child who never grew up, too."
"I’m an adult!" Ruan Lan said, disgruntled.
Yiyi blinked her big eyes, her gaze falling on Ruan Lan’s figure before she sighed mournfully. "Then I feel even sadder for Auntie."
"???"
Ruan Lan followed her niece’s gaze, and her eyes instantly welled up with tears. "Stupid Brother-in-law, stop the car! I want to get out!"
Xu Lai said helplessly, "Xu Yiyi, you can’t talk to your aunt like that."
"Sob..." Ruan Lan said with teary eyes, "You’re the only one who’s nice to me, Brother-in-law."
"Sometimes you can’t tell the truth," Xu Lai instructed. "You have to tell some white lies to protect an adult’s fragile self-esteem. Understand, Yiyi?"
"Oh, okay." Xu Yiyi nodded her little head, not quite getting it. After pondering for a moment, she finally declared, "Auntie has an amazing figure!"
After speaking, the little girl began to mutter nervously, "It probably won’t thunder during the day, right?"
Ruan Lan glared fiercely at Xu Lai. "Sis, aren’t you going to do something about your husband and your daughter? Your little sister’s tender, fragile heart has been seriously wounded!"
"They aren’t wrong," Ruan Tang said calmly.
"Wow, a married daughter really is like water splashed out of the house," Ruan Lan grumbled indignantly. "Just wait! One day, I’ll show you all what ’a mountain from the front, a peak from the side’ truly means!"
"Good luck," Xu Lai and Ruan Tang said in unison, their tone dismissive.
Only Xu Yiyi encouraged her. "Keep trying, Auntie! You’re the most dazzling when you have a dream. You’re super pretty!"
"My niece is still the cutest," Ruan Lan said, pinching Yiyi’s cheek in praise.
She had completely forgotten that it was her adorable niece who had struck the first blow...
After dropping off Yiyi and then Ruan Tang, Xu Lai finally took his sister-in-law to Dongli University.
He thoroughly enjoyed his work that entire day. In truth, it wasn’t much work at all—just drinking tea, reading the newspaper, and occasionally listening to Liu Nanwei tell racy jokes to tease Zhou Feng.
Just then, an uninvited guest arrived at Sea Temple Island.
It was an old man walking on the surface of the sea. He was hunched over, carrying a massive black-and-red sword on his back. Above his head hung a large cluster of tribulation clouds, constantly unleashing bolts of tribulation thunder that failed to harm him in any way.
Instead, all the tribulation thunder was absorbed by the giant sword on his back.
He was none other than Deng Xiaoyao from the Penglai Sword Pavilion
Chapter 564 Fragile Self-Esteem_1
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