Chapter 426: The Unattainable Fatherly Love
Xu Chang thought he must be hallucinating from missing his daughter too much.
How could his little girl, who was enjoying life in Taoyang, possibly be here in Changjing?
He shook his head and rang the doorbell.
As he waited for a few seconds, he noticed that the courtyard house had been cleaned, indicating that someone planned to live here permanently. It was likely someone Su Tao knew, which meant he could visit occasionally.
While he was lost in thought, he sighed—if only Taoyang and his residence in Changjing were just a ten-minute walk apart.
At that moment, the door opened, revealing Su Tao’s bright smile.
Xu Chang was stunned on the spot, stepping back. “You—”
Before he could finish, a little girl with a colorful headband, looking like a pretty gift, ran out excitedly and called out, “Dada!”
Daddy’s home.
Xu Chang felt like he was dreaming as his daughter jumped into his arms.
He held her tightly, his vision blurring with tears.
It was real… It wasn’t a dream.
Su Tao watched them with a smile, but through the sunlight filtering through the courtyard, she caught sight of the silver strands hidden in Xu Chang’s black hair.
Her heart ached a little—and felt a bit envious too.
Would she ever experience such fatherly love in another lifetime?
It wasn’t until Xu Chang coaxed Alice to sleep that he quietly left the room and returned to the courtyard. Seeing Su Tao leaning against a tree, he hesitated, unsure how to speak.
Rationally, he knew Su Tao couldn’t have arrived in Changjing by normal means.
Given the city’s strict entry and exit policies, he would have been the first to know if she had come through the gates.
That meant… this was one of her mysterious abilities. It was unbelievable.
Su Tao smiled at him. “Uncle Xu, do you like your gift?”
Xu Chang laughed wryly. “I love it—but you nearly scared me to death. I thought I was dreaming. When did you buy this house?”
He deliberately avoided asking how she had brought Alice here. If Su Tao wanted to tell him, she would. He respected her privacy and secrets.
Su Tao shook her head. “A good friend gave it to me. I just finished cleaning it up and plan to stay here occasionally.”
Xu Chang’s heart skipped a beat. “Occasionally?”
Su Tao grinned. “Yes, occasionally.”
She gestured toward a door on the left. “Open it and take a look.”
Xu Chang had a suspicion, and his heart pounded as he quickly crossed the courtyard and opened the door.
A familiar dizziness hit him—and the next moment, he was standing in the lush little ranch he knew so well, filled with chickens and ducks.
He stood there with his mouth open, unable to close it for a long time.
When he finally stepped back into the courtyard of the Changjing house, his hands trembled slightly.
He looked at Su Tao, his lips quivering as he struggled to suppress the overwhelming emotions surging within him. After a long silence, he finally choked out a single, hoarse word:
“Thank you.”
At that moment, Xu Chang felt immense gratitude.
His daughter was the most precious person in his life, but Changjing also needed him. The vast distance between them had forced him to choose between family and duty.
It had weighed on his heart every day—he felt he had failed as a father, always prioritizing the nation over his child.
But today, with a single portal, that insurmountable distance vanished.
How could he not be grateful? How could he not be moved?
Su Tao beamed, flashing her white teeth. “It’s no big deal. You’re welcome.”
They strolled through the courtyard, chatting casually until Alice woke up. Together, they set up a grill and had a barbecue in the yard.
The delicious aroma wafted over the high walls, teasing the noses of the envious neighbors while laughter filled the air.
After the meal, Alice began to miss her treehouse and pet chicken.
Though she couldn’t speak, her soft whines made her feelings clear.
Xu Chang held her hand and gently led her back through the portal. He tucked her into bed in her treehouse, watching her peaceful sleeping face with a sigh.
If it weren’t for Su Tao, even tucking his daughter in at night would have been an unattainable luxury.
“Is she asleep?” Su Tao poked her head through the door and whispered.
Xu Chang nodded, carefully closing the door behind him. He felt a little embarrassed—Alice had been living a pampered life in Taoyang, and her chubby little face showed it.
He wanted to repay Su Tao, but no matter how much he thought about it, there was nothing he could offer her.
What Taoyang had, he didn’t.
What he had, Taoyang didn’t need.
With a bitter smile, Xu Chang made a silent vow to treat Su Tao like his own daughter from now on.
He would give her as much love and care as he gave Alice.
At that moment, his communicator buzzed urgently. Afraid of waking Alice, Xu Chang answered it quickly.
His assistant’s panicked voice came through: “Minister! Where are you? Hurry to Changjing First People’s Hospital—General Liao… he’s—he’s not going to make it!”
Xu Chang’s expression changed as he immediately rushed toward the portal—but then he stopped abruptly.
After a brief three-second hesitation, he turned back and grabbed Su Tao’s hand.
“Come with me to see someone.”
Before Su Tao could react, he had already dragged her out of the courtyard, into his ministerial vehicle, and sped toward the hospital.
“Uncle Xu, who are we going to meet?” she asked.
Xu Chang didn’t answer, too focused on getting there in time. Practically pulling her along, he led her straight into a hospital room.
Inside, the current president and a group of high-ranking federal officials were already gathered around a hospital bed.
Each of these people held immense power—any one of them could shake the nation with a single word.
When Su Tao appeared, all eyes turned to her in unison.
They recognized her instantly and instinctively made way for her.
With reddened eyes, Xu Chang knelt by the bed and softly said to the frail, dying general:
“General, look who I’ve brought to see you.”
Su Tao, still bewildered, stepped forward.
The elderly general, his life hanging by a thread, struggled to focus his cloudy eyes on her.
He seemed to recognize her, trying to speak but only managing weak, incoherent sounds.
Xu Chang held the old man’s hand firmly. “Yes, General. It’s her—Su Tao from Taoyang Base.”
