Chapter 46: Father Constellation

As Ethan walked along the dirt path, his mind wandered. Two incredible women had shown interest in him. Was he trying to rekindle an old love? Or should he open his heart to a straightforward, capable village secretary?

Suddenly, a loud shout from behind broke his thoughts.

"Oh, Ethan! You're not old, but why are your ears so bad? I've called you three or four times, and you didn't even hear me!" An old woman from the Yang family hurried over, holding a little girl in her arms.

Ethan blinked. "What's wrong?"

The old woman huffed. "What else? Everyone's gone to the village meeting about land distribution. Missy's grandmother went too and left the little girl behind. She asked you to watch her for a while. Missy, call him."

The little girl beamed up at him. "Daddy Ethan!"

Ethan choked on his own breath, coughing violently. By the time he recovered, the old woman had already scurried off, leaving the little girl standing there, looking at him expectantly.

F*ck.

"Dad, are you okay?" Missy asked, her voice laced with concern. "Did you catch a cold? Here, have this candy. Mommy said it will make me stop coughing, so it'll help you too!" She stood on her tiptoes, trying to shove the sweet into his mouth.

Ethan's heart trembled. He knelt, eyes reddening. Memories of his parents' deaths washed over him, and he recalled the aching emptiness he'd carried for so long. Looking into the little girl's clear eyes, he smiled softly and opened his mouth, accepting the candy. Then he wrapped her in a tight hug.

"Come on," he said, voice thick with emotion. "Let's go home. Daddy's making red-braised pork for you tonight."

Back at his house, Ethan wanted to make sure the kitten wouldn't accidentally scratch the little girl, so he took out a small vial of spiritual water and let her, the kitten, and Blackie each have a sip.

The effect was immediate on the animals. The kitten's eyes grew brighter, and it responded eagerly to Ethan's words, rubbing against his leg with newfound affection. Blackie, already much larger than an ordinary dog, sat proudly like a guardian, its black fur gleaming in the sunlight.

As for Missy, there wasn't any visible change, but she seemed happier, her laughter filling the house as she played with the animals. Ethan figured that the spiritual water probably affected humans differently.

The two children — the little girl and the kitten — clambered onto Blackie, who tolerated them with surprising patience. The massive dog sat there with an expression of quiet pride, as if it had suddenly become the parent of these two playful "babies."

By the time Ethan finished cooking, Suzie and Natalie still hadn't come back. Checking the clock, he frowned. It was already half-past noon. Irritated, he picked up his phone and dialed Natalie's number.

"Hello?" Natalie answered breathlessly.

"What do you mean, 'hello'? Do you know what time it is?" Ethan snapped. "Why aren't you back for lunch? Work will always be there tomorrow. Are you planning on making me eat alone? Huh? If you're not coming back, I'll eat with the little girl first. I'll let Blackie have your share!"

"Oh! Sorry, sorry! I'll head back right away!" Natalie said hurriedly.

Suzie glanced over at her, puzzled. "What's wrong?"

Natalie blushed slightly, a hint of happiness in her eyes. "It's Ethan. He's upset we're late for lunch. He said if we don't go back soon, even Blackie will eat our share."

Suzie let out a startled yelp and grabbed her phone. "Ah, it's already past noon?! Dammit, let's go back! Old man Walter, from now on, remind us at 11:30 sharp to stop working and eat. And tell any villagers who come during lunchtime that if it's not urgent, their land rent will double!"

"Got it, got it!" Walter chuckled, watching the villagers scatter faster than rabbits after hearing the secretary's orders.

Back at Ethan's house, the meal turned into a hilarious free-for-all.

"Aunt Suzie! Burp — I saw the last piece of pork first! Why did you take it?" Missy pouted, rubbing her full belly.

Suzie wiped her mouth, looking equally stuffed. "Oh, you greedy little thing. I only took it so you wouldn't eat too much and burst! I'm saving you, see?" She patted her stomach and started pacing. "Agh! I ate too much. Ethan, if you dare make the secretary fat… I swear I'll chop you up!"

"No! Don't chop my dad!" The little girl wailed, clutching Ethan tightly. "I don't want another dad! I want this Dad Ethan!"

Natalie's face turned crimson, her heart skipping a beat. Was this Ethan's doing? Did he make her daughter call him that? Her mind raced, but the warmth spreading through her chest made her smile.

Suzie, ever the teaser, smirked. "Aiya, what's so great about this dad of yours? If I chop him up, I'll get you a new dad — rich and handsome, who treats your mommy even better."

"Noooo!" Missy burst into tears. "I only want Dad Ethan!"

"Okay, okay! Don't cry!" Suzie waved her hands frantically, then dug into her pocket. "Look, elder sister has this beautiful toy! Here, you can have it."

The little girl hiccupped but accepted the toy, sniffling softly.

That night, after everyone had gone to bed, Ethan slipped into the Ring Space to train.

He practiced the Ease Immortal Spell, feeling the flow of spiritual energy through his veins. Then, he grabbed a chicken and placed it at the far end of the bamboo forest. Retreating about twenty meters, he took out his pistol and aimed.

The first few shots missed, sending the chicken flapping in terror. Ethan wiped his sweaty palms and focused. Slowly but surely, his accuracy improved. Soon, he was hitting the target consistently.

Satisfied, he soaked the pistol in spiritual water and fired again. To his amazement, the bullets traveled farther and faster. The Ring Space wasn't large — only about four thousand meters across — but after imbuing his weapon with spiritual energy, the entire space felt like a mere forty meters to his eyes.

By the time he emptied his last magazine, dawn was breaking. He emerged from the Ring Space, feeling proud. He might not be a true sharpshooter yet, but he was getting closer.

Smiling, Ethan stretched and got to work preparing breakfast. It was going to be a good day.