Start with iron blocks, upgrade them into armor summoners.

"You're here? Come in and have a seat."

Xing Yun nodded and went inside.

In the living room, Yangyang and Su Nian were sitting on the carpet with several picture books spread out in front of them.

Yangyang was holding a red crayon and was carefully drawing something on a piece of paper.

"Dad!" Yangyang looked up, saw him, her eyes lit up, and she wanted to run over, but after glancing at Bai Zhiqing, she sat back down. "Aunt Bai told me to finish my drawing first."

Xing Yun couldn't help but laugh: "Then you draw it."

"Hmm!" Yangyang lowered her head and continued applying the ointment.

Bai Zhiqing brought a glass of water from the kitchen and placed it on the coffee table: "Sit down, they still need to paint for a while."

Xing Yun sat down on the sofa, took the water glass, and said thank you.

Bai Zhiqing sat down on the single sofa next to her and quietly watched the two children draw.

The living room was quiet, with only the scratching of crayons on paper and the occasional whispers between Yangyang and Su Nian.

"You don't look well," Bai Zhiqing suddenly said.

Xing Yun paused for a moment: "It's nothing, I just didn't sleep well."

Bai Zhiqing glanced at him but didn't ask any further questions.

There was a moment of silence.

"Miss Bai," Xing Yun said.

"Um?"

"Why...why are you so nice to Yangyang?"

Bai Zhiqing paused for a moment, then smiled: "Because she's cute. And Niannian likes her; it's rare to have a friend she gets along with."

Xing Yun stared at her profile, trying to find a clue in her expression.

But Bai Zhiqing's expression was very natural, as if she were saying something that was taken for granted.

"It must be tough for you to take care of Yangyang all by yourself." She turned to look at Xing Yun. "I'll help if I can. We're neighbors, it's only right to help each other out."

Xing Yun didn't speak, but simply nodded slightly.

Just then, Yangyang ran over holding up a drawing: "Dad! Look!"

Xing Yun took it. The painting still depicted four people, but this time it showed them playing together.

"It looks good." Xing Yun patted Yangyang's head.

"Of course!" Xing Yangyang proudly raised her little face, then turned to look at Bai Zhiqin, "Aunt Bai, can we come play again tomorrow?"

Bai Zhiqing smiled and nodded: "Anytime is fine."

Xing Yangyang cheered and pulled Su Nian to the room.

The living room fell silent again.

Xing Yun stood up: "I'll take Yangyang back first. Thank you for your help today."

"No trouble at all." Bai Zhiqing also stood up and saw him to the door.

Yangyang ran out of the room, carrying her schoolbag and holding the painting in her hand.

Goodbye, Aunt Bai! Goodbye, Niannian!

Su Nian stood at the door and whispered, "Goodbye, Yangyang."

Bai Zhiqing stood at the door, watching Xing Yun lead Yangyang down the stairs.

She didn't go home and close the door until they disappeared.

……

When Yangyang got home, he went to wash his hands by himself, and then sat on the sofa to continue looking at the painting.

Xing Yun stood by the window, looking at the dark night outside.

The lights were still on in Bai Zhiqing's apartment, which was located in the direction of the three buildings downstairs.

He stood there for a while, then turned around and squatted down next to Yangyang.

"Yangyang," he said.

"Hmm?" Yangyang looked up.

"Dad wants to discuss something with you."

"What is it?"

Xing Yun paused for a moment, then said, "If... Daddy takes you somewhere to stay for a few days, where there are lots of other children, teachers giving lessons, and activity rooms to play in... would you like that?"

Yangyang blinked: "Where to?"

"A place where...Dad works."

"Where does Daddy work?" Yangyang tilted her head. "Doesn't Daddy work at a recycling center?"

Xing Yun paused for a moment, then smiled: "Yes. There are special places for children to stay there."

"What about Niannian? Is Niannian going too?"

Xing Yun's throat tightened: "I don't want to go. But you can see your father every day."

Yangyang lowered her head, twisting the hem of her clothes with her fingers, and thought for a long time.

"What about Aunt Bai?"

"Aunt Bai isn't going either."

Yangyang's lips pursed, and her eyes reddened, but she didn't cry.

"Can I bring toys?"

"able."

"Can I bring a painting?"

"able."

Yangyang sniffed: "Well... okay then."

She rushed over, hugged Xing Yun's neck, and buried her face in his shoulder.

"Dad, you're coming to pick me up."

Xing Yun hugged her, his voice a little hoarse: "I come every day."

Yangyang nodded, let go of her hand, and ran to her room to pack her things.

Xing Yun stood there, watching her back, and then took out the white access card from his bag.

He took out his phone and sent a message to Zhou Hai:

"I'll bring my daughter over tomorrow morning."

A few seconds later, Zhou Hai replied with a single word:

"it is good."

……

The next morning, when Xing Yun was woken up by her alarm clock, it was already broad daylight.

He reached for his phone on the bedside table, and a dull pain shot through his right shoulder.

The wound hasn't healed yet. Although the medicine Zhou Hai gave me is quite effective, the injury won't heal in a day.

The phone screen was lit up, showing several unread messages.

The first message was from Zhou Hai: "I've already made arrangements. Your room is in Block B, Room 5. Don't go to the wrong one."

The second message was from Li Pengfei: "Old Xing, that shop closed yesterday, they said it was due to a gas leak. Are you alright?"

The third message was from Bai Zhiqing: "Yangyang left her water bottle at our house. I've already filled it with water and will give it to you in a bit."

Xing Yun replied to their messages one by one, then stared at Bai Zhiqing's message for a few seconds, typed a few words, deleted them, and only replied with two words: "Okay, thank you."

He put down his phone, sat up, and got out of bed.

Passing by Yangyang's room, I found she was still asleep, her even breathing filling the small room.

As Xing Yun passed by, she gently closed the door and went into the bathroom.

His complexion in the mirror wasn't very good; the repeated high-intensity battles had made recovery a problem for him.

At seven o'clock, Yangyang woke up on his own.

She ran out of the room, holding the painting in her hand, and held it up to Xing Yun: "Dad! I want to give this to Niannian!"

"Okay." Xing Yun squatted down and tidied her messy hair. "Give it to Niannian when you see her later."

"Will Aunt Bai come to see us off?" Yangyang asked.

"Um."

Yangyang happily ran off to change her clothes.

At 7:30, Xing Yun led Yangyang downstairs.

Bai Zhiqing was already waiting downstairs, with Su Nian standing next to her, holding a plush rabbit in her arms.

"Good morning." Bai Zhiqing smiled when she saw them and handed the water bottle to Xing Yangyang, who ran over.

"Good morning." Xing Yun nodded.

Yangyang took the water bottle and ran over to Su Nian, pulling her hand: "Niannian! This painting is for you!"

The two little girls huddled together, chattering away.

Xing Yun followed behind, watching this scene with mixed feelings.

If Yangyang hadn't gotten the summoner, would he have been able to have a complete childhood?

But as long as the Walderly Church exists, Yang Yang will be in danger every day he stays outside.

Xing Yun clenched his fists; the Walderley Cult had already devised a way to bring about their own demise.