After freshening up in the bathroom, Iris sat on the couch facing Long Tengfei. The others gave the father and daughter privacy by leaving the room.
Jin Liwei instructed one of his subordinates to order some food, while he rested at a nearby empty private waiting room. Dom called Tang Yiyi to inform her of what happened to Iris and her current condition, and also called home to ask for some change of clothes and toiletries for the three of them. They left in such a hurry that they weren't able to take anything other than the clothes that they were wearing, their wallets and phones. Cao Guang went somewhere to make some business calls.
Inside the room, the father and daughter studied each other, not saying anything.
Iris was very curious about this man who fathered such a spoiled, unreasonable brat as the original Iris. He was a good father when it came to providing for his children. However, his hands-off approach of parenting and lack of outward show of affection contributed a great deal to his estranged relationship to his daughter, especially since the original Iris was someone who craved constant attention. Because she couldn't get the attention she desired from her family, she turned to the public to give it her, even if it was the wrong kind of attention.
At the moment, she didn't have any special feelings for this man. He was basically a stranger to her. But since she was now Iris, Long Tengfei was now her father in this life. It wouldn't hurt to repair the relationship between the father and daughter.
"Hello, father. How have you been?"
"I'm alri―" He cleared his throat, embarrassed that his word got stuck. He tried again. "I'm alright. Thank you, Xiulan...my daughter. How have you been…I mean, how are you feeling now? Do you still feel unwell?"
"I'm feeling much better, thank you."
Silence.
Long Tengfei didn't know what to talk about with his daughter. He was feeling awkward. He opened his mouth but closed it again, unsure of what to say to her.
On the other hand, Iris didn't feel awkward at all. She was busy observing this man who was now her father.
"Congratulations on your album 'Rebirth'."
"Thank you."
Silence.
Long Tengfei cleared his throat. "I bought a copy, I mean some copies of your album."
"Thank you. Would you like me to sign them for you?"
His eyes lit up. "Of course! Yes, yes. That would be great."
"Alright. Just have them delivered to my place and I'll sign them."
"How about you visit home, maybe join us for dinner? Then you can sign the albums then? But only if you want to, of course, and if you have the time." Immediately, he felt unsure of his invitation. Was it a good idea? What if she rejected him like before?
"Sure. When's a good time?"
"It's fine if you don't want to. You don't need to force―ah? What? You want to come?"
She tilted her head to the side, looking at him, confused. "Didn't you want me to come?"
"Yes, yes! Of course I want you to come," he quickly said. Joy flooded within him, but he controlled the expression on his face. 'Be cool, Long Tengfei,' he mentally told himself. However, he couldn't stop his eyes from pricking.
When he married Yang Jiahui, his daughter swore that she would never step foot back to the ancestral residence ever again. His wife tried to invite the girl several times for a meal but she was always rudely rejected and even insulted. She wanted to build an amicable relationship with her step-daughter. After many attempts, however, Yang Jiahui had no choice but to give up. The girl seemed to hate her very much.
But now this daughter of his agreed to visit home for dinner? This was a miracle!
"Anytime is fine. Just give me a call whenever you want to come." He hesitated but decided to try testing her reaction. "Your Aunt Jiahui would be excited."
Iris nodded. "What does she like? I'll bring something for her when I come."
A lump suddenly lodged itself in his throat and his eyes watered, but he forcefully pushed these sentimental feelings away. He didn't want his daughter to see her father crying in front of her. He cleared his throat. "You don't have to bring anything. Just bring yourself."
"Just tell me what she likes, father. It's not a big deal."
Although he wondered why his daughter stopped calling him "daddy" like she used to before, he was feeling happy that they were having an actual conversation. Before, she would only talk to him whenever she wanted him to buy something for her. If he refused to buy whatever she asked for, she would throw a tantrum and refuse to talk to him until she wanted something again.
It seemed that his daughter had really matured this time. She was more sensible and calmer. Perhaps she had already outgrown her calling him "daddy", that was why she was now calling him "father" instead. Besides, "father" sounded more dignified so he wouldn't complain.
"Alright. Your Aunt Jiahui likes good tea."
"Oh. That's great. I like good tea as well. I'll bring some tea when I come over then. How about you, father? What would you like?"
He blinked. Eh? Was she asking HIM what he would like? Someone pinch him, please.
"Hm? Father?"
"I…I sure would like a bottle of liquor." His daughter was going to give him something for the first time. Of course, he wouldn't miss this opportunity. He wouldn't ask for something too extravagant, but if she really gave him something, then it would be very special to him.
"Hmm…I don't really know much about alcoholic drinks. I'll have to ask Liwei. Alright, I'll bring your wife tea and liquor for you, father."
He nodded, unable to stop himself from smiling. He couldn't wait to tell his wife that his daughter was coming over for dinner. He hoped that it would be soon…no, tonight! Wait, she still had to stay at the hospital today for further monitoring. Maybe tomorrow night! Hopefully, she would be discharged by then. He would speak with Dr. Ching later and ask.
He wanted to ask Xiulan when she would like to come over, but was worried that he would sound too pushy. He had to be patient and wait for her call.
Today was the happiest day of Long Tengfei's life in a long time. He hoped that his relationship with his daughter would continue to improve. Perhaps he could reintegrate her into the family and cement her position with the Longs. As the family head, he wanted his legitimate daughter to be fully accepted by everyone, especially by those stuck-up Long elders. After all, Xiulan was their heiress whether they liked it or not.
"Xiulan, thank you."
Iris smiled. "You are my father. It's only natural."
"Indeed, I'm your father," he replied, fighting the tears threatening to spill over his eyes. "And you're my daughter."
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