Manipulative Harem God

"Xiao Yu, could you... call me 'Godfather'?" Zhang Wei's request was soft, almost hesitant, recognizing the weight of the term and its implications.

"Gasp!"

Li Xiaoyu blushed, the color deepening on her cheeks, a mix of shyness and the dawning realization of the bond being formed.

It was a significant step, one that seemed to shrink the distance between them with a single word.

Despite her initial reticence, Zhang Wei's gentle persuasion, coupled with her mother's encouraging nod, finally coaxed the word from Li Xiaoyu's lips.

"God...father," she whispered, her voice barely audible, yet carrying with it an undeniable warmth that resonated deeply within Zhang Wei.

"!"

The simple address, so hesitantly offered by Li Xiaoyu, struck a chord in Zhang Wei's heart, reminder of the innocence and bravery of youth.

He chuckled internally, 'Newborn calves really aren't afraid of tigers,' marveling at the courage of the young to fearlessly walk into his den.

Zhang Wei, now officially vested with a title that carried both responsibility and affection, looked down at the young girl in his lap, his heart swelling with a protective instinct he hadn't anticipated.

"Li Xiaoyu," Zhang Wei began, his voice soft yet carrying a firm promise, "as your godfather, I vow to support you, guide you, and ensure that your path forward is filled with opportunities and happiness. This is my promise to you, and to your mother."

"Mhm..." Li Xiaoyu, still nestled in the safety of his lap, offered a small, tentative smile, the weight of the moment not fully comprehended but felt on an instinctual level.

She nodded, her actions speaking louder than her still-measured words.

Li Liying observed this exchange, her maternal instincts fiercely protective yet quietly hopeful.

The doubts that had momentarily clouded her thoughts began to dissipate, replaced by a cautious optimism.

"Mr. Zhang," she addressed him, her voice steady, "this is a significant step. I entrust my daughter's well-being to you, not just in the industry but as a guiding figure in her life. I hope you understand the depth of my trust."

Zhang Wei stood, carefully setting Li Xiaoyu back on her feet.

He turned to face Li Liying, his expression solemn. "Ms. Li, I fully comprehend the gravity of your trust and I do not take it lightly. Li Xiaoyu will be under my wing, and I assure you, she will be treated with the utmost care and respect. My home will always be a haven for her, and...you."

"!"

Li Liying was momentarily taken aback by Zhang Wei's parting words.

'This man!' she thought, unable to do anything but stare at him, a mix of surprise and mild embarrassment painting her cheeks a soft hue of pink.

His teasing gaze prompted an awkward smile from her, and in an attempt to steer the conversation away from increasingly personal waters, she broached a new subject.

"Mr. Zhang, when might you and your 'wife' be able to visit again?" She delicately emphasized the word 'wife', a gentle reminder of the boundaries before he ventured too far into sensitive territory.

The ripple of confusion and emotions he stirred within her was unexpected; she was bewildered by how this young man could unsettle her composure so effortlessly.

Zhang Wei, his smile undiminished, responded with ease, "Don't worry, it will likely be next month. I'm due to leave for a business meeting in few days."

"Oh," Li Liying replied, her nod subtle, as she processed this information.

Meanwhile, Li Xiaoyu, whose interest had been piqued, blinked in curiosity. "Business meeting?"

??

At her whispered inquiry, both adults turned their attention to her, Zhang Wei's gaze softening.

"Hm?" he mused, before a spark of spontaneity lit his eyes. "Would you...like to come as well?... To travel?" he proposed, opening the door to possibilities.

"..."

Li Xiaoyu paused, her gaze drifting towards her mother in silent query. Her mother remained silent, offering no clues or encouragement.

With a blend of hope and hesitation, she ventured, "Does this mean I get to visit cool places and maybe skip school?" Her question, so childlike and earnest, brought smiles to the adults' faces, reminding them of the purity and simplicity of childhood.

However, Li Liying gently shook her head, her response tinged with a firm resolve. "Mr. Zhang, not this time. She's busy in exams next week, and it simply isn't feasible for her move away." Her tone gave away an undercurrent of hesisation about entrusting her daughter to another's care, indicating a preference to keep a watchful eye on the situation for now.

Zhang Wei, with an easygoing shrug, admitted his query had been more in jest than earnest.

Shifting his attention back to Li Liying, he posed a different question, "Ms. Li, does Xiaoyu have any particular thing she likes?"

Mulling it over, a spark of realization lit up Li Liying's expression as she unveiled, "Sketching, recently, this little artist has been spending a lot of time inside her room!"

"Is that so?" Zhang Wei, his curiosity piqued, turned his gaze to Li Xiaoyu, who confirmed with a shy nod.

He let out a hearty laugh, the warmth in his voice unmistakable. "What a coincidence—I also love sketching!"

!!

His laughter filled the room, a sound rich with warmth and surprise, as he effortlessly pulled out his checkbook and penned a check for an astonishing one million HLD. "Ms. Li, consider it a gift for Xiaoyu from her godfather," he declared warmly. "Invest in some top-notch drawing equipment for her."

"In the meantime, I'll take a look at her sketches and offer her some pointers," he continued, rising to his feet and effortlessly scooping up Li Xiaoyu, whisking her away to her room on the second floor in a swift motion.

"Huh?" Li Liying's voice faltered in disbelief. "W-Wait! Isn't this a bit too much?" Her protest faded as Zhang Wei swiftly spirited Li Xiaoyu away, leaving her to sigh and press her hand to her forehead in resignation.

Sigh...

Glancing at the nearly empty bottle of wine, a fleeting, uneasy thought crossed her mind. 'I didn't just trade my daughter, did I?' The thought was absurd, yet it lingered, accompanied by a heavy sigh.

She had hoped for Zhang Wei to become Xiaoyu's godfather, believing it would provide her daughter with security, even if she chose not to pursue acting.

Yet, everything had happened with dizzying speed, sparking a twinge of regret in Li Liying for not consulting Xiaoyu first.

Yet, despite her misgivings, there was a glimmer of reassurance in the reliability she sensed in the young man.

Though she couldn't ignore his lingering gaze, which often strayed to her cleavage, betraying his inner thoughts.

"!"

An absurd thought suddenly jolted Li Liying's mind, compelling her to slap her cheeks in an attempt to shake it off.

She was keenly aware of her allure; as a widow, it seemed almost everyone was vying for a piece of her. Yet, Li Liying remained committed to honoring her late husband, steadfastly rebuffing Ye Feng's advances.

With Zhang Wei, however, she saw not just a potential father figure for her daughter but also a protective shield against the future's uncertainties.

She thought that if only Ye Feng could demonstrate the same reliability as this young man, she wouldn't have to hesitate.

Ye Feng, oblivious to the fact, didn't understand how a mere display of wealth could instill in women a profound sense of security and reliance, potentially altering their perceptions.

'Father figure!' The thought made Li Liying blush with a mix of ambition and whimsy.

Whoosh!

In a sudden gesture, she seized the wine bottle, tilting it back for a hearty swig, her cheeks flushing red.

"Haaah... What have I done? I'm so dizzy now..."

Li Liying muttered, her expression turning solemn as she acknowledged her impulsiveness.

The room resonated with the sound of her frustration as she slammed her hand on the table.

Bam!

Moments later, she succumbed to sleep right there, vulnerable and unguarded.

Meanwhile, upstairs, Zhang Wei closed the door behind him with a click, letting out a sigh of relief.

Click!

"Xiaoyu..." He murmured, his smile broad and lingering.

"Hm?" Li Xiaoyu looked up at him, a flicker of confusion in her eyes.

"I'm going to teach you a few secret drawing techniques. You mustn't reveal them to anyone, understood?" Zhang Wei said, his voice cloaked in mystery.

Li Xiaoyu's lips pursed in hesitation.

Why did she get the impression that this man still saw her as just a child?

Nevertheless, she agreed, recognizing her mother's good intentions and the potential benefits of having a godfather.

"Godfather... Will I truly have the chance to meet... Xu Qing and the others?" she inquired, her voice tinged with hope, while Zhang Wei settled on the floor beside her, grasping the pen and gently directing her hands across the paper.

Zhang Wei's brows shot up in astonishment. "You wish to meet Xu Qing?"

Xiaoyu nodded vigorously, her eyes alight with excitement. "Yes! I've watched her in dramas like 'Echoes of the Ancient Bridge' and 'Whispers of the Court', and Sister Qing's acting always leaves me enchanted," she exclaimed, her admiration for the actress evident in her voice. "The way she brings characters to life, it's like she paints with emotions on scenes. It's magical!"