Hearing her voice, Noa frowned.
Then, without hesitation, he stepped forward and threw his arms around her.
It was a tight hug.
The warst and deepest expression of love humans could experience.
"I knew you would co back," she murmured, her previously sharp voice softening with his touch.
"Yeah..." Noa muttered.
He was awkwardly patting her back, embracing the warmth he was feeling.
Mia pulled back after a while.
She punched him strongly on the arm, just like when they were kids. "Don’t you dare disappear again," she scolded, her reddened eyes proving how much this reunion ant to her.
"I won’t," Noa promised dryly.
"Where have you been?" the father, Evan, suddenly questioned, nearing them both and forcing them into a second hug.
"I-I... It’s a long story," he answered, his head hanging low in sha.
After the mother passed away five years ago, the family took it hard.
Especially Noa, who, as the oldest child of the household, vowed to look after the family, but slowly drifted away.
He had chased jobs, money, and love.
And failed at all of them...
Given the responsibilities he took, the distance wasn’t intentional at first.
But slowly, it beca easier to avoid them.
Seeing how his father struggled and Mia missing her mother put holes in his heart.
’I was so immature. I abandoned them when we needed each other the most,’ Noa thought, regretting his past.
However, now he had everything he needed to ensure that the sa thing wouldn’t happen.
"I liked the manga you bought for ," Mia said, locking eyes with him. "And Dad is also enjoying the big TV. I think he has been watching sports gas every night."
Noa offered them the warst smile he could summon.
As a changed man, as a Dinsional Tycoon, and a being who governed the most prestigious shop in the universe, he knew what to do.
The solution had always been right before his eyes.
Now he would be more honest with his feelings and ensure that they would live in harmony.
But—
Before that, Mia crossed her arms.
She began softly, her tone both curious and teasing.
"So, who was she? Why did she co here and ask us to give her money? She didn’t look like your friend."
"She is his ex," the father guessed right away. "The one he planned to marry?"
"That bitch?" Mia exclaid, glaring at Noa.
He, however, couldn’t take this embarrassnt and changed the topic.
"Let’s forget about her. She won’t trouble us any longer, and I’m not planning to give her any money. I have more important matters to deal with you two."
"Is it about the kid you brought with you?" Mia asked, curious. "There is no way she is your hidden child."
"No," Noa could only deny when the entrance room creaked open.
Yun Qiqi walked in, her short but swift movents masking whatever she did outside with Karen.
"She won’t cause any more trouble," she announced proudly, darting her eyes around the room.
And when her eyes landed on Mia, she stopped.
Then, without hesitation, she rushed forward and lunged at her neck with a wide, mischievous grin. "Big Sister Mia!" she yelled, hugging her before Mia could even react.
"Uh... what?" strangled, she barely uttered.
Mia had a bewildered expression on her face, glancing for help at Noa.
"Who is this child?" the father asked, frowning.
Yun Qiqi pulled back softly, still holding Mia’s hand. "Big Brother Noa told about you. He said you are noisy and a troublemaker, just like ."
"Really?" Mia said, narrowing her eyes.
Suddenly, Noa felt a cold glare, and a chill went down his spine.
Yun Qiqi wasn’t done.
Not yet.
"Yun Qiqi always wanted to have a big sister as well. Now I have one," she said cheerfully, hugging Mia one more ti.
Her enthusiasm was like a plague.
Her actions, words, and above all, the cuteness left Mia and her father stunned, wondering where Noa found such a strange girl.
Especially since Yun Qiqi spoke with a weird dialect and dressed like she had just stepped out of a historical drama.
"Explain," Mia and Evan said simultaneously.
Of course, Yun Qiqi was just as talkative as always, not allowing Noa to say even a single word.
"You must be Father!" she said eagerly, bowing deeply.
anwhile, Mia was shooting him glares that scread questions Noa couldn’t find a mont to answer.
"I t Brother Noa in his shop," Yun Qiqi decided to drop her lore. "I was alone, hungry, and dirty, so he decided to shelter . But that’s not the important part here."
She paused, letting the listeners digest her words.
Then continued her speech, a smile never fading from her adorable face.
"I beca his sworn sister," she started, her tone warming. "Now he allows to live in his store, and I’m helping him manage his employees."
"Store?" Evan repeated, his brows raising.
"That’s where I work. I will take you both soti," Noa responded, trying to dodge the question.
He wanted to avoid this topic for a little longer.
At least before his father.
"So..." Mia trailed her words, looking at Noa and Qiqi with interest. "He was doing good. Thank you for looking after him."
Mia patted her head and combed her hair. "I am glad he t soone like you."
"Yun Qiqi is also happy to beco his family," the girl said, her voice full of affection. "Now you two are my family as well, right?"
She spoke innocently.
Mia and Evan exchanged glances.
It might have been a hard decision for others, but they made it quickly and surely, enjoying Yun Qiqi’s presence.
"Of course you are, sweetie," Mia said. "Consider your older sister and tell if Noa bullies you."
"Hee-heee," Qiqi giggled.
She was in a great mood, and her laughter filled the room.
The next few hours went just as Noa had dread about. It felt both warm and familiar, allowing him to relax.
But then—
"Mia, can we talk for a minute? I want to see your mana collection," Noa lied, leading her towards her room. "Dad, can you look after her?" he said to Evan as well, leaving drowsy Yun Qiqi with him.
The man nodded.
As for Mia, she followed Noa without a word.
"What’s happening?" she asked suspiciously upon entering the room.
"I have a favor and an offer for you," Noa said, his heart racing. "I think you are going to love it."
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