Chapter 2

I was taken aback and turned to look at him.

He half-closed his eyes, a gentle light in his gaze.

My heart started to race, but I felt a bit stifled as I said, "It's just a rumor. A girl secretly slipped me a love letter, and the teacher caught us."

Jason responded, "Really? Actually, I don't mind if you date, as long as it doesn't affect your studies."

I was annoyed by his teasing tone, as if watching his child date was amusing.

"Stop overthinking! It never happened!"

Jason couldn't help but laugh. He ruffled my hair and said, "If you say so."

I turned my head away in frustration.

Jason was fundamentally an open-minded person.

Other parents often wanted to control their children, meddling in every minor thing.

But he let me be free.

Since I started middle school, he often didn't come home for weeks.

No matter how bad my grades were, he never scolded me.

At most, when called by the teachers, he'd give me a slap on my head and tell me to try harder next time.

He was indulgent to the point that as long as I was alive, it was fine.

His only bottom line for me was no violence.

Any time I crossed that line, he would sternly reprimand me.

For example, when I was little and playing in the park, if another kid took my toys and I fought back, he'd punish me for such small things and sulk for a while.

I was scared but could only seek his attention by causing trouble.

Jason finished applying ointment and patted my waist. "Alright, go back to sleep."

I sat up next to him, slowly buttoning my shirt. "Can I sleep with you tonight? I only come home once a week now because of boarding school."

Jason looked at me with a smile. "You're almost taller than me now, still acting like a baby?"

I blushed immediately. "No way! I'm just up to your shoulder."

Turning away, I muttered, "You just punished me without considering my dignity."

Jason propped his head on his hand and smiled. "It’s not like I want it. When you make mistakes, you have to get punished."

See? How authoritarian he was.

I looked at him discontentedly.

Jason nodded towards the inside of the bed. "Then sleep on the wall side. I need to get up early to make you breakfast."

I immediately perked up and jumped into bed quickly.

Jason came over slowly and lay down.

As soon as he got under the covers, I snuggled up to his shoulder, finding a comfortable spot for myself.

Jason wasn't annoyed.

He half-closed his eyes and looked at me carefully. "When you were little, you were so guarded. Who knew you'd become clingy as you grew up?"

I felt a bit ashamed.

Just as I was about to move away, Jason pulled me back.

He adjusted my pillow and covered me properly. "I wish you could grow up slower. The world doesn't need more boring adults."

I put my hand on his waist. "If I never grow up, you'd be afraid to raise me, since I'd be a monster."

Jason snorted lightly and denied, "Who says that? As long as I'm willing."

I tentatively asked, "What if I really am? A monster in others' eyes..."

I looked at him cautiously. "If one day I made an unforgivable mistake, would you abandon me?"

In the dark night, Jason opened his eyes.

In the bright reflection of his eyes was an odd hint of doting affection. "No. If you make mistakes, I'll punish and teach you. But from the moment I adopted you, no one can erase your existence. Not even myself."

My nose tingled with emotion.

Only I knew how firm Jason's resolve was.

I hugged his waist and rested against his warmth as if those cold from past memories had faded away.

He gave me a comforting kiss on my forehead and threatened, "Stop overthinking. If you don't wake up tomorrow morning, I'll spank you."

I chuckled through tears and replied, "Okay."

And then I drifted into sleep.