Chapter 4

I opened the door to a man covered in snow.

I tilted my head and looked at the person before me, asking with confusion:

"Who are you?"

Though I didn't yet know who this person was, the increasingly hot crystal necklace revealed his identity.

Before the person could speak, my dad and mom, who had heard the door open and come over, saw him. Dad reached past me and grabbed the man's hand.

"Fortune teller, you're finally back."

It really was my godfather. I held the crystal necklace and poked Dad with my other hand:

"Dad, quickly bring godfather inside. He's covered in snow and must be cold."

Dad came to his senses and hurried to lead godfather inside. Hearing me so tactfully call him godfather, godfather ruffled my head hard as he passed me.

After everyone sat down, godfather—who had seemed mysterious and like a big boss behind the scenes—suddenly hugged me and started wailing.

"My poor goddaughter, you've suffered these ten years. Wuwuwu, it's all godfather's fault for being useless."

I froze. Dad hadn't told me godfather was like this.

I looked pleadingly at Dad and Mom, but they were as bewildered as I was, indicating they couldn't help.

I raised my hand with difficulty and patted godfather's back.

"Godfather, *cough cough*, let go of me. *Cough cough* You're holding too tight."

Hearing my strained voice, godfather quickly released me.

Only then could I see his appearance clearly.

Quite handsome—sword-like brows and starry eyes, with tears on his face he hadn't wiped away. His thin lips parted as the whole family's attention focused on him.

Then godfather loudly blew his nose and said awkwardly to my dad:

"Could you give me two tissues? I need to blow my nose."

The whole family was stunned by this awkwardness. Though tissues were clearly on the table, Dad pretended not to see them.

"Oh my, we're out of tissues. I remember there are new ones in the bedroom. Wait, I'll go get them for you right away."

Dad escaped into his and Mom's bedroom like fleeing. Mom awkwardly picked at her fingers on the spot, then suddenly remembered something and pulled me up to scold me.

"Who told you to say that unlucky word just now? It's New Year's, how inauspicious. Quick, spit it out, spit it out."

I numbly thought this must all be an illusion, following Mom's instructions and spitting repeatedly...

After godfather blew his nose and went to the bathroom to wash his face, the four of us sat together.

I felt that if shoes weren't blocking us, our three-bedroom, one-living-room home could instantly become fifteen bedrooms and five living rooms. After all, everyone gets their own fantasy three-bedroom apartment.

Finally, godfather broke the silence, touching my head.

"Oh my, you've grown so big. I still came back too late, missing so many years of my precious daughter's life, letting my daughter suffer."

My dad also said politely:

"Not at all, not at all. We've been doing well."

Then the two men looked at each other and laughed awkwardly.

Just then, Dad's phone rang, breaking the atmosphere.

Dad glanced at the caller ID, and his expression immediately changed.