Douluo III — Morning — Bai Family Villa
Na'er opened her eyes on the large, soft bed.
"…"
She blinked blankly at the unfamiliar ceiling.
After sitting up slowly, she noticed Bai Chen seated at a desk not far away. He was focused on his computer screen, browsing information while jotting notes onto paper with serious concentration.
Quietly, she slipped off the bed and tiptoed toward him.
Before she could even reach his side—
"Awake? Did you sleep well?"
He didn't turn around.
"—!"
Na'er froze mid-step.
Bai Chen didn't look back, nor did he press her. His eyes remained on the screen, pen moving steadily.
After a long pause, she answered softly,
"I… slept very comfortably…"
It was the truth.
Her memories were fragmented and chaotic. But since she first remembered anything at all, she had been wandering the streets.
Let alone a luxurious villa—
She had never even slept on a proper bed before.
"That's good."
Bai Chen finished writing the last word, set down his pen, and turned toward her with a gentle smile.
"From today onward, this is your room. And this is your home."
"Um…"
Na'er asked timidly,
"Don't you still need your father's permission?"
She had overheard Bai Chen and Xue E's conversation yesterday.
As far as she knew, she hadn't been officially adopted yet.
"It's fine."
Bai Chen's tone was confident.
"No matter what, I'll convince him."
His certainty wasn't baseless.
As the direct recipient of that man's affection, Bai Chen knew exactly how much his father doted on him.
With their family's wealth, adopting a little girl was nothing.
Beep beep beep—
His wristwatch chimed.
Bai Chen glanced at it and grinned.
"Speak of the devil. Come on, Na'er. Let's go meet Dad."
"De… devil?"
She repeated the unfamiliar phrase in confusion as he grabbed her hand and pulled her out of the room.
Soon, she saw him.
Bai Chen's father.
The moment she looked at him, she knew—
They were undeniably father and son.
The man looked like Bai Chen decades into the future—handsome, dignified, naturally imposing.
Without exaggeration, in his youth, he could have conquered countless hearts with his face alone.
"Dad!"
"Xiao Chen!"
Unfortunately, all that imposing presence vanished the instant he saw his son.
He strode forward with a bright smile, scooped Bai Chen up into his arms, and laughed heartily.
"I heard you awakened the Dark Demon Evil God Tiger? Impressive! No one in human history has ever successfully awakened that martial soul. As expected of my son!"
"Master… you really shouldn't spoil the Young Master so much."
Xue E couldn't help but interject.
The man shot him a look.
"You have no right to say that, Little Xue. In terms of spoiling Xiao Chen, you're no better than I am. Don't act innocent."
This man was Bai Jiaming—a highly successful industrial magnate in Skysea City's shipbuilding industry.
His cultivation surpassed even Xue E's—he was already a Soul Sage.
Despite the overall rise in cultivation standards in Douluo III, Soul Sages were still elite among ordinary soul masters. Most high-level soul masters were absorbed into top organizations like Spirit Pagoda, War God Hall, Shrek Academy, and Tang Sect.
Outside those institutions and hidden families—
A Soul Sage was top-tier.
Bai Jiaming's strength alone qualified him to serve as mayor of a second-tier city like Eastsea City if he wished.
Thanks to such a father, Bai Chen's childhood in this timeline had been his happiest.
In his previous life, he had also been an orphan.
That made Bai Jiaming's presence all the more precious.
Over the years, father and son had gotten along seamlessly. Bai Chen's maturity—sometimes frighteningly so—had even unsettled Bai Jiaming.
Which was precisely why—
Upon hearing about Bai Chen's recent actions, he had dropped everything and rushed home.
Bai Jiaming's gaze shifted toward the small silver-haired girl peeking from behind a wall.
He raised an eyebrow and smiled.
"That must be the girl Xiao Xue mentioned—the one you want me to adopt?"
"Yes, Dad. Please."
Bai Chen bowed deeply.
"Hmmm…"
Bai Jiaming stroked his chin theatrically, as though troubled.
Then he looked directly at Na'er.
"Well then, little one. I see Xiao Chen's determination. What about you? Are you willing to come to our home?"
"Let me make one thing clear—don't assume life here will be easy just because the house is large. Wealth brings its own burdens. If you join this family, my expectations will be very high."
"Master…"
Xue E began to protest, but Bai Jiaming raised a hand sharply to silence him.
His eyes remained fixed on Na'er.
Silence.
She hesitated.
Instinctively, she glanced toward Bai Chen—
And met his warm, smiling gaze.
That gentle look sent a quiet warmth through her chest.
Finally—
She nodded.
"…I'm willing."
"Excellent!"
Bai Jiaming burst into hearty laughter.
Turning to Xue E, he said,
"Prepare the car. We leave in ten minutes to handle the paperwork!"
"Yes!"
Xue E visibly relaxed.
He had objected earlier not because he disliked Na'er—on the contrary, she was adorable—but because it had seemed improper.
Now that the head of the family had decided—
There was nothing more to say.
Besides—
He himself had once been adopted by Bai Jiaming's father.
Though he insisted on calling himself a servant, the Bai family had always treated him as family.
Seeing Na'er now—
He felt an unexpected closeness.
She must never be treated differently because she's adopted.
She will be raised as a true member of the Bai family.
That day—
Bai Chen gained a little sister.
And news that the Bai family had gained a daughter spread swiftly through Skysea City's business world.