I shall say whatever I like, I dare you to flog me otherwise!

Puffing her cheeks in an overt sign of defiance, she openly provoked him.

His face sunk as the girl jumped up from her seat and slipped away with a look of false nonchalance. "Everyone, please enjoy your meal. I have to try and find something nice to eat in the kitchen."

She escaped into the direction of the kitchen after that.

Ruan Qingtong could not help feeling embarrassed.

Even though she was his niece, the way the girl spoke to the general was just too daring.

Moreover, Zhan Muqian was never a gentle and forgiving senior figure and kept his distance from everyone, including Chenchen. So why would he make an exception for his niece?

Who is that girl exactly? Why is she daring enough to revolt against the general?

Ruan Qingtong waited for Zhan Muqian's reaction.

The man took her provocation in his stride. Unperturbed, he continued his breakfast, commenting at the same time, "This little girl is still in the rebellious phase. Please forgive her for being rude."

The woman furrowed her brows while her son opened his mouth and asked, "Godfather, just now the sister mentioned growing something which it's supposed to grow. Can you explain to Chenchen what it means?"

His mother flushed at the kid's innocent question, and was about to stop him when the man caressed the little boy's head and replied smilingly, "The sister is referring to her hair. Her hair is growing fast, but not her intellect. Chenchen, you must be a good boy and don't learn to be like her, alright?"

The boy nodded in acquiescence. Staring at the man with wide, open eyes, the little kid seemed dazed by the man's explanation.

Although he had not eaten much of his breakfast, he put down the utensil in his hands, got up and said, "Chenchen, finish your food. Your godfather is busy here. I"ll bring you to the amusement park on another day."

…

With his long legs, General Zhan strode in the direction of the kitchen.

The girl could hear her tummy rumbling when she drew close to the kitchen.

She had to admit that she was hungry after all, despite her loss of appetite earlier on.

There were a variety of breakfast selections on the kitchen counter.

Picking up a piece of bread, she threw it into the toaster and then piled it with milk and peanut butter after toasting it. As she was munching through, she almost choked on it when she saw the man approaching.

Cough, cough! She stared, wide-eyed. "Why are you here in the kitchen?"

Seemingly without a trace of emotion, the man appeared calm and composed as he walked up to her. Towering over the girl, he questioned, "Why are you having bread in the back kitchen when you can have it at the dining table? Why? Are you afraid that someone might snatch it from you?"

She could detect his sarcasm in his interrogation. Looking rather embarrassed, she swallowed the toast in a hurry, rolled her eyes at him and said, "I prefer to eat toast that's fresh from the toaster. It's tastier this way. General Zhan, you're micromanaging me!"

She felt a fleeting pinch on her waist when Zhan Muqian actually hurled her off the ground, and sat her on the marble kitchen top.

She resisted his action unhappily. "Zhan Muqian, what are you doing? Why do you care about me toasting bread? I'm so irritated by you!"

The man was really tall.

Even when she was seated on the marble top, he was still half a head taller than her.

She shifted restlessly under his oppressive presence. Realizing that she was wearing a skirt that did not leave much to the imagination, she subconsciously drew her thighs closer to each other.

Her self-defensive act did not escape the general's eyes.

Hooking his lips into a sneer, he propped his figure lightly against her and conveniently placed himself squarely between her knees.

She could feel the heat rising from her neck, and all the way up to her face as her knees were forced apart…

"Zhan Muqian, what are you doing?!"

The man dipped his head low, and allowed his warm, moist breaths to spray on her tender skin as he spouted his threat, "Do you still dare to rebut me again in the future?"

The little tigress gave him a warning glare without hesitation. "I'll say whatever I like. I dare you to flog me otherwise!"

With a cool snort, he kneaded his big palm at her soft waist and said, "Flog you? It looks like you like the kitchen. Do you want me to use your favorite object… to hit you?"