'SEE YOU MORNING' 046 Framework of Order

The work on the third day came to a smooth end. Finally, they could enjoy a quiet moment during dinner. The sky outside the window was overcast. Only the dim lights inside the inn streamed through the glass windows onto the snow-covered ground, creating a warm yet lonely atmosphere. It seemed that such surroundings always drew people closer to one another.

"Working alongside so many young men today, is there anyone who fits your type?" Li Haojun chatted with Kesiya over their meal.

"Why do you ask that?" Kesiya replied, her expression cold.

"I just grew curious about your taste." Seeing her frosty manner, Li Haojun realized his question was inappropriate.

"I told you before. I can feel you, and I feel nothing for the others."

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have brought it up. I was just worried." Li Haojun fell short of words for a moment.

"Worried about what? That I might regret choosing you?" Kesiya stared straight into Li Haojun's eyes with an iciness he had never seen from her before.

"Ah, yes. I... I still can't believe things have turned out like this."

"I may not be like Malaya, who seems to see through everything, but I know exactly what I want." A faint smile tugged at the corners of Kesiya's mouth as she spoke.

"I'm sorry. I'm always afraid I'll hurt you." Li Haojun reached out to hold her fingers, looked into her eyes, and shook his head helplessly.

"When did I ever say you had to take responsibility for me?"

"No."

"Did I ask you to marry me?"

"No."

"I only need you to love me when you are by my side."

Li Haojun set down his tableware and held both of Kesiya's hands. He gazed into her eyes, hoping the warmth of his touch could melt her cold look.

"It's my fault for upsetting you. Let me make it up to you somehow, alright?"

A bright smile finally appeared on Kesiya's face. "Very well. Buy me a drink. Red wine will do. I can't have anything with a high alcohol content."

"Sure." Li Haojun cheerfully went to the service counter to fetch the wine and glasses.

Yet he hesitated the moment they raised their cups to drink. After taking a small sip, Kesiya asked, "Why aren't you drinking?"

"Uh..." Li Haojun leaned close to her ear and whispered, "I don't trust these people. I'm afraid the wine might be spiked with knockout drops. If we both pass out, who will protect you?"

Before he could finish, Kesiya burst into hearty laughter. Her laughter chased away the gloom from earlier far better than the wine could. Li Haojun laughed awkwardly across the table, then spoke.

"Does the young lady approve? Take it slow for now. I'll join you in a little while." He felt embarrassed, knowing he was essentially using her as a tester.

"You want me to taste it first?" Kesiya asked, showing no sign of anger.

"I didn't think about that until I brought the wine back." Li Haojun explained.

Kesiya did not get upset. She took a few more sips, then picked up the bottle and read to herself. "One hundred percent Syrah grapes, thirteen percent alcohol." She then shifted her gaze from the wine to Li Haojun.

"You called me a young lady just now. Whose young lady am I exactly? Even I have no idea."

She lowered her head and continued drinking. The red wine seemed to embody the bitterness of her unknown origins. Not wanting her mood to sink further, Li Haojun waved his hand in front of her to distract her.

"Kesiya, hey Kesiya. How about being my young lady? Would that work? Please?" He stared at her anxiously after speaking, fearing he had upset her again.

"Really?" Kesiya looked up at him.

"Really. Will you?" Li Haojun answered earnestly.

"Isn't Emily your young lady?"

Li Haojun hesitated for a moment. Qin Wenjing had never asked to take such a role, so he figured there was no harm in his promise to Kesiya. He replied firmly, "No. She never wanted that title. She is my companion. So you shall be my young lady." He finished quickly and waited for her reply.

Kesiya looked into his eyes for a long while before she spoke. "Very well. From today on, I will be your daughter. You must love me like a father loves his daughter."

"My dear daughter." Li Haojun took her hand.

Kesiya took another sip of wine and held the glass out to him with a smile. "Drink with your daughter."

She slowly lifted the cup to his lips. There was only a little wine left, and he drank it all.

They shared several more rounds of drinks before Li Haojun put the remaining half bottle away.

"That's enough for a little fun. Don't drink too much."

"Alright." Kesiya smiled and agreed.

Li Haojun then fetched two large bottles of drinking water from the counter. He supported Kesiya as they walked back to their room. When he turned on the lights, he saw her face was flushed. The rosy tint across her fair skin made her look exceptionally charming.

"Sit down and sober up a bit." He helped her onto the edge of the bed.

"I'm fine, just a little dizzy. Lying down is more comfortable." She pulled Li Haojun down beside her and rested her head against his chest, falling silent.

Staring at her flushed cheeks and the gentle rise and fall of her chest, Li Haojun sensed a rare vulnerability in her. Usually calm, quiet and occasionally playful, she had let down all her guards tonight and laid her emotions bare. He wondered what had stirred such feelings within her.

She had drunk more than usual, and her breathing grew slightly heavy. Li Haojun gently stroked her cheek and brushed her bangs back behind her ears.

Kesiya turned her head, her eyes glistening with tears as she began to cry. Her tears soaked into the front of his shirt.

"What's wrong? Did something sad come to mind?" Li Haojun asked anxiously.

"No. I'm happy."

Confused, Li Haojun used the hem of his cotton shirt to wipe away her tears.

"Daughter... it took twenty years to finally find you." Kesiya spoke in a choked voice.

Li Haojun finally understood she longed for the warmth of a family. He quickly suggested, "Then let Emily be your mother. We'll be a family, okay?"

"No. I'm all grown up now, and I don't need a mother. Since she never appeared, I don't want one anymore. All I want is you, Father."

"Very well. I will stay by your side always." Beads of sweat formed on Li Haojun's forehead. He chided himself for failing to understand what she truly needed. He fell silent, holding her tight in his arms and studying her peaceful features. He realized she was acting like a spoiled child, something she had never done around him before. Having set aside all her defenses, she had entrusted her heart to him and poured out the hardships she had endured over the years.

He held her gently, watching her steady breathing as she seemed to drift off to sleep. He placed a pillow under her head, then went to take a shower. After washing the underwear and socks he had worn over the past two days, he returned to find Kesiya still lying there. Somehow, she seemed no older than a twelve-year-old girl. Li Haojun found himself wondering if she was the little girl he had seen many times in his dreams. Though the child in the dream was much younger, he had always felt deep down that she was his daughter.

He wondered why Qin Wenjing had never wanted to have a child with him. Then he thought of his own lost memories and understood her hesitation. Could it be that they once had a daughter together?

Kesiya's presence stirred up a whirlwind of thoughts in his mind. He drank several big gulps of cold water, its crisp taste easing his tangled thoughts. Seeing she showed no signs of waking, Li Haojun helped her take off her outer clothes, loosened the belt of her corset, pulled off her socks, and covered her with a blanket. He figured she must have dirty undergarments as well, but he could not find any. She was indeed a meticulous girl.

He picked up her socks instead. They were a pair of pink cotton socks embroidered with cute cartoon carriages. As he washed them in the bathroom, his mind drifted back to the lonely days of her past. He pictured her growing up with only a sister for company, with no other relatives by their side. It felt as if he was watching over them through every passing day and night, making up for the companionship he had failed to give her long ago.

The foam from the soap faded away under running water. He did not wring the soft little socks hard, fearing they would stretch out and lose their shape. Instead, he squeezed out the water gently in his hands and shook them lightly. A few drops splashed onto the mirror in front of him. As Li Haojun reached for a towel to wipe it clean, he caught sight of Kesiya standing in the doorway behind him, watching him with a blank expression.

Li Haojun stared at her reflection in the mirror and smiled silently, as if they were two souls meeting after a long journey through time.

They gazed at each other for a long time before Kesiya walked closer. Li Haojun turned around.

"Father." Her voice broke on the single word, and she threw herself into his arms.

Li Haojun held her trembling body and stroked her hair softly. He leaned down to her ear and whispered, "My daughter."