Not to mention, deep down, he only treated her as a daughter and a young child.

Dai Chukong’s sudden confession last time had scared Qi Bufan. Qi Bufan had been hiding from Dai Chukong all these years and did not dare to see her. He had also re-examined their relationship.

However, Qi Bufan realized that his feelings for Dai Chukong were the same as before. He would be her safe haven. She could do whatever she wanted by his side. She could play outside without restraint. When she was tired, she just had to remember to come back.

He would be there forever, shielding her from the wind and rain.

He could be her father, her friend, and her brother, but he could not be her man. That was the bottom line.

When he thought of this, Qi Bufan immediately felt a headache. His heart was the one who was injured, and his head hurt. When Lang Zhan saw that Qi Bufan seemed to be troubled by something, and there seemed to be a hint of worry between his brows, he could not help but ask, “Why are you sighing?”

It was said that the onlooker sees things clearly.

Qi Bufan thought that he had a good relationship with Lang Zhan. Sometimes, this person could be considered considerate when he was serious. He asked him, “Old Lang, if the person you care about the most is a relative who has taken a wrong path and you know that that path is wrong so you want to stop her, but no matter what method you use, you will hurt her…”

After a slight pause, Qi Bufan saw that Lang Zhan had listened to him and even revealed a thoughtful and curious expression. Then, he continued, “If that’s the case, will you still stop her?”

Lang Zhan asked, “Is it a big mistake?”

“It’s doomed.”

Lang Zhan’s expression turned serious. “Then we have to stop her.”

“It might hurt her…”

“We still have to stop her.”

Lang Zhan said, “You know that she took the wrong path. As her relative, you have the responsibility and obligation to correct her. Don’t you think so?”

“That’s true…”

Qi Bufan knew Lang Zhan’s attitude, so he did not pursue the matter further. This person was a smart person. As he chatted more, he would definitely know what was going on.

At this moment, the door was pushed open from the outside.

Dai Chukong came in with the porridge. Her expression was very calm, and Qi Bufan could not tell if she had heard what he had just said. “The porridge is ready. Let me feed you.”

Dai Chukong picked up a spoon, blew on it, and handed it to Qi Bufan.

Qi Bufan opened his mouth and ate it. The porridge was light, smooth, and watery, which was very suitable for him to eat now. Qi Bufan said, “It’s only been a few years, but you’ve already learned to cook.”

In the past, Dai Chukong did not know how to cook.

When she was in her hometown, her grandma had cooked for her. Later, when her grandma died, Qi Bufan brought her to Binjiang City. When she lived here, Qi Bufan would cook for her.

She had not expected Dai Chukong to learn how to cook after only a few years.

For a moment, Qi Bufan felt melancholic.

Dai Chukong smiled. When she smiled, her eyes curved and she looked much more approachable. She said, “People will grow up eventually. They have to learn to take care of themselves.”

That made sense, but since Dai Chukong was really so sensible, Qi Bufan felt reluctant.

He was used to taking care of Dai Chukong. Suddenly, he realized that his daughter had grown up and no longer needed him to cook for her. He actually felt disappointed.

Lang Zhan watched the interaction between the father and daughter. He noticed a phenomenon but did not say anything.

After finishing half a bowl of porridge, Qi Bufan expressed that he could not eat anymore. Only then did Dai Chukong let him go. “Then I’ll wash the dishes and pour you some apple juice later.”

“Okay.”

When Dai Chukong took the bowl out, Lang Zhan spoke.

“Is your relationship with Chukong not good?”

Qi Bufan was stunned for a moment before asking, “Why do you ask?”

Lang Zhan said, “When you were talking to her, she refused to call you Dad.” When Lang Zhan thought about how the two of them were not biological father and daughter and how Boss Dai had died to save Qi Bufan, he had his concerns. He asked worriedly, “Does Chukong not like you? Did she blame you for Boss Dai’s incident?”

Lang Zhan himself did not believe this question.

He felt that Dai Chukong’s attitude towards Qi Bufan was very good. He could not find anyone else who was more attentive and considerate than her. However, she just did not open her mouth to call him father, so Lang Zhan could not help but think more.

Qi Bufan was surprised.

Lang Zhan was really observant.

Qi Bufan said, “Perhaps it’s the rebellious phase?”

Lang Zhan did not think that was the case. “She’s already near her twenties, yet she’s still rebellious?”

“What’s impossible about that?”

“Is that so?” Lang Zhan muttered, still feeling strange.

Qi Bufan looked at Lang Zhan silently with a frown on his face, but he could not think of anything. His heart could not help but tremble. It seemed like he had to deal with this matter as soon as possible. Otherwise, if more and more people saw through it, it would not be good for Chukong’s reputation in the future.

Dai Chukong made up her mind to make Dai Chukong give up.

In the next few days, Dai Chukong realized that Qi Bufan had been avoiding her. He would still talk and laugh with her and was very concerned about her, but in terms of physical contact, he always avoided her.

In the first two days, Dai Chukong could still feed him and wipe his face. Now, even when she fed him, Qi Bufan asked the nurse called Tong Jiao to come.

Dai Chukong was not stupid. She naturally knew that Qi Bufan was subtly distancing himself from her at this moment, not giving her any hope.

Dai Chukong was sad for a few days.

That morning, Dai Chukong came back from having breakfast outside and saw Tong Jiao wiping Qi Bufan’s legs. She stood by the door and stared at Tong Jiao’s hands, which were wandering around Qi Bufan’s legs. She felt angry and indignant.

He would rather let a strange woman touch him than let her get close to him. He was really heartless.

Dai Chukong stayed outside the door and did not disturb them.

After wiping his thigh, it was time for his private parts.

Dai Chukong saw Qi Bufan stop Tong Jiao. Then, Tong Jiao put down the towel and walked towards the door. Dai Chukong hurriedly dodged. When Tong Jiao left, she returned to the door.

Dai Chukong quietly pushed the door open and walked in. She saw the man behind the curtain slowly standing up and wiping his body with difficulty. He might have touched his wound when he bent down and suddenly snorted.

That groan was full of pain.

Dai Chukong’s heart ached when she heard that.

She almost couldn’t help but run up and help Qi Bufan wash up.

However, she could not do it.

She knew that the man must be in a sorry state now, and she was the last person he wanted to see at this moment. Dai Chukong bit her lips, and her eyes gradually filled with tears.

Was it that hard for him to accept that she liked him?

…

On this day, Qi Bufan went for a checkup, and his injuries recovered quite well.

Dai Chukong said, “You must be tired of staying in the ward. I’ll use a wheelchair and push you to the courtyard to bask in the sun, okay? It’s winter, and many flowers have withered, but the roses in the small courtyard on the first floor of the hospital have all bloomed. I saw them this morning.”