Madam, Please Behave-Chapter 214: Don’t Run Away

October 1st.

Clear skies.

Even though it was already October, the weather remained scorching hot.

Sitting on the sofa, Liu Changqing unconsciously bounced his right leg. His gaze flickered around the room before landing back on the cup of freshly poured tea on the coffee table in front of him.

After staring blankly for a moment, he picked up the cup and downed its contents in one go.

As his throat moved with each swallow, he let out a long breath and placed the cup back onto the table. He then plucked a tea leaf from the corner of his mouth, flicking it into the nearby trash bin with his fingers.

After that, he pulled out his phone, checked the time, and his expression became a little anxious.

Turning his head toward the tightly shut bathroom door, he called out, “Xiazhi, are you done in there?”

“Almost… Ugh, just a little longer!”

Hearing the strained voice of his daughter, Liu Changqing sighed helplessly.

Today was the day of Liu Xiazhi’s competition.

Early in the morning, he had picked up An Yuanyao, and once everything was ready, the whole family had been prepared to set off. But at the last moment, an unexpected situation occurred—

Liu Xiazhi suddenly clutched her stomach, her face turning pale, before dashing into the bathroom.

Since then, Liu Changqing had stayed behind while Liu Zhiyue helped carry their belongings and took a taxi with An Yuanyao to the competition venue.

Now, looking at his phone, Liu Changqing realized twenty minutes had passed.

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Normally, his daughter would have finished long ago, but today, it seemed… different.

The wall clock above the TV ticked away, but since it had long been broken, its time was inaccurate.

Frowning slightly, Liu Changqing realized that if this went on any longer, they really would be late.

Thinking for a moment, he stood up from the sofa and strode toward the bathroom door.

Through the frosted glass panel, he could faintly make out a figure inside.

Raising his hand, he knocked lightly on the door. “Did you eat something bad? Why is it taking so long?”

“I’m almost done… just a little more.”

Liu Xiazhi’s voice came from inside, but something about it felt… off.

Somehow, it didn’t sound like she was actually using the toilet.

Suspicious, Liu Changqing knocked again before reaching for the doorknob and pressing down on it.

It was locked.

“Xiazhi, what are you doing in there? Are you even sitting on the toilet?”

“I… I’m trying! Dad, stop talking to me!”

Hearing her response, Liu Changqing immediately sensed that something wasn’t right.

After a moment of contemplation, he let go of the doorknob, turned around, and walked to his bedroom.

Opening the bedside drawer, he retrieved the spare keys for all the rooms in the house.

Then, he quickly returned to the bathroom, inserted the key, and turned it twice.

With two distinct clicks, the lock disengaged.

“Dad, wait!”

Before he could even pull the key out, Liu Changqing pushed the door open.

His daughter’s voice didn’t stop him in time.

The moment the door swung open, his expression froze.

Liu Xiazhi was crouched in front of the toilet, staring at him in shock.

She wasn’t using the toilet at all. Instead, she was in a very strange position.

Letting go of the door, Liu Changqing stepped forward in confusion.

He walked over slowly, crouching down until he was at eye level with his daughter, who was staring back at him with wide eyes.

He reached out and gently turned her to face him directly before cupping her little face in his hands.

Applying slight pressure, her delicate features scrunched up, making her look comically distorted.

Feigning a strict tone, he asked, “What are you hiding in here for?”

“I… I wasn’t hiding…”

Even as she answered, her eyes instinctively darted to the side, avoiding his gaze.

It was a clear sign of lying.

Liu Xiazhi had always been a simple and straightforward child. Her emotions were written all over her face—whether she was happy, sad, or angry, it was always easy to tell.

And whenever she lied, she would act nervous.

Just like she was doing now.

Liu Changqing couldn’t understand it. He didn’t know why she would hide in the bathroom like this.

But considering today’s circumstances and the fact that she had been in here alone for over twenty minutes…

The answer became clear.

“You don’t want to go to the competition, do you?”

“I do!”

“Tell me the truth. I don’t want to hear any lies.”

His voice was firm as he gently lifted her little face a bit higher.

Lowering his head, he pressed his forehead against hers.

Closing his eyes, he whispered, “My Xiazhi isn’t the kind of girl who lies. Tell Daddy—why don’t you want to go?”

“Dad…”

Liu Xiazhi’s lips parted slightly as she softly called out to him.

Her big eyes stared at her father’s face, taking in even the tiniest details—like the tiny speck of dried eye crust near the corner of his eye.

After a moment of hesitation, she reached out and wiped it away for him.

Feeling her touch, Liu Changqing let go of her face, allowing some space between them.

He lifted his arm and rubbed his eyes with his fingers.

Damn. He hadn’t washed his face properly.

“I don’t not want to go…”

Liu Xiazhi lowered her head, staring at the floor tiles beneath her feet, eyes unfocused.

“I’m just scared…”

“What are you afraid of?”

“In the past competitions, I always made it to the top ten… but every time… Mom never seemed happy about it…”

Her words made Liu Changqing’s expression darken slightly.

His gaze settled on his daughter, who was crouching beside the toilet, looking dejected.

Her small hands fidgeted with her fingers as if trying to distract herself from her own emotions.

“I’m scared that if I don’t do well this time… Dad, you… you won’t be happy either…”

Her eyelids lowered as she curled into herself, her voice growing so soft it was almost inaudible.

“I’m scared that you won’t like me anymore…”

“…”

Liu Changqing had been about to ask another question, but hearing these words, his throat tightened.

He hadn’t expected this.

He hadn’t expected her to be avoiding the competition for this reason.

Staring blankly at his daughter, Liu Changqing remained frozen for a few moments.

Then, as if coming to a realization, he reached forward, lifted her up, and pulled her into a hug.

Standing up, he smiled down at her.

“You silly girl… How could I ever stop liking you? As long as you try your best, no matter what place you get, my love for you will never change.”

Reaching out, he hooked his finger under her tiny nose and gave it a gentle tug.

“Don’t be scared. Daddy… will always be right here, watching over you.”