“Dad!”
As soon as they entered the neighborhood, Tasha ran towards Billy, shouting and running.
Zeph Knight and Sharon Mendoza followed behind, smiling.
Billy had already called Zeph Knight on the way back from the airport, so the three of them had been waiting in the neighborhood square for a long time.
“Tasha!”
Billy hurried to meet her, lifting the little girl over his head and spinning her around.
It had been over a year since they last saw each other, and Tasha had grown quite a bit. She was no longer a little child.
“Dad, why did you take so long to come back? Tasha missed you so much!” After a while, Tasha sobbed on Billy’s shoulder.
“Tasha, don’t cry. Dad missed you too!” Billy stroked Tasha’s head gently.
A sense of guilt rose in his heart.
He owed his daughter so much.
From her birth until she turned five, he had never been there for her. During those five years, Harleen had endured the ridicule and mockery from the Knight family on her own.
Later, he came to Ozin and recognized his daughter.
He thought that after resigning from his military position, he could enjoy some family time in Ozin.
It was a way to make up for the five years of absence and owe to both mother and daughter.
But in Ozin, he couldn’t stay put for even a year before he started traveling again, spending less time with his family.
Especially later, when both he and Harleen went to the Forbidden Ruins Space and couldn’t come out, they were gone for nearly two years.
During those two years, Tasha stayed in Ozin with her grandparents, feeling lonely.
As a father, he was inadequate!
And he didn’t know when this kind of life would end!
It seemed like there was no end in sight!
He really wanted to stop and spend more time with his daughter at home!
But he knew very well that he didn’t have the courage to enjoy the joy of family life. It was too far away for him!
“Dad, Mom, thank you for your hard work!” Billy then turned to Zeph Knight and Sharon Mendoza who were approaching.
“Don’t mention it. It’s you who has been working hard!” Sharon Mendoza smiled and replied.
“Don’t stand here, let’s go home. I’ve already prepared dinner. We can eat and chat at home!”
“Okay!” Billy smiled and responded, then carried Tasha and walked towards home.
“Dad, you said on the phone that Mom went to a faraway place. When will she come back?” After returning home, Tasha stopped crying and asked.
“Your mom will be able to come back and see Tasha in a little while!” Billy wiped away Tasha’s tears.
“How long exactly?” Tasha continued to ask.
“When it’s winter break, your mom will be able to come back.” Billy smiled and said.
“It’s still so long…” Tasha’s tears welled up again.
“Tasha, your dad is here to see you, isn’t that enough?” Sharon Mendoza said as she busied herself at the dining table.
“Mom is busy with work. When she’s done, she will come back to see you quickly.”
“… Okay…” Tasha choked up again after a few moments and asked again, “Dad, what about Aunt Felicia? Why hasn’t she come back?”
“Your aunt went to Casey’s house. She will come to see you with Casey in a few days.” Billy responded.
“And Stout, he will come to see you in a while too.”
“Really?” Tasha’s eyes lit up.
“Of course!” Billy smiled in response.
“That’s great!” Tasha was very happy.
“Tasha, aren’t you going to school now? Tell Dad about the fun things at school!” Billy continued.
According to his and Harleen’s plan, they were going to send Tasha to school in the capital city.
After all, at that time, Billy thought he would stay in the capital city in the future.
But plans couldn’t keep up with changes, and he didn’t expect so many things to happen later.
Since neither he nor Harleen were in the capital city anymore, it didn’t make sense for Tasha to go to school there.
It was better for her to stay in Ozin where she knew many familiar faces and where Zeph Knight and Sharon Mendoza wouldn’t be bored.
“Okay!” Hearing this, Tasha immediately became excited.
Then she started talking non-stop with Billy. It was clear that she was having a good time at school.
After a while, the whole family sat down at the dining table and ate while chatting.
Throughout the meal, Tasha didn’t stop talking. She kept telling Billy about what happened at school.
In the following days…
Billy had a leisurely time. He would send Tasha to school in the morning, pick her up in the afternoon, and help her with homework in the evening.
During the day when Tasha was at school, Billy would study Inscription Array Art at home.
Occasionally, he would play chess with Zeph Knight or chat with Sharon Mendoza.
On weekends, the family would go on picnics in the countryside.
Life was comfortable!
Two weeks later, Felicia and Casey arrived in Ozin.
Tasha had been raised by Harleen and Felicia together since she was little, so she had a very good relationship with Felicia.
Since Felicia came back, Tasha’s smile had never stopped.
To some extent, Felicia could ease Tasha’s longing for her mother.
On the twentieth day, Stout came to Ozin from the Secret Essences Sect.
When Tasha saw Stout, she was equally happy. She immediately asked to be lifted high up in the air when they met.
For the next few days, Billy arranged for Tasha to take time off from school so that she could play freely for several days.
Happy times always passed quickly.
Unconsciously, a month had passed.
On this morning, Billy and his family boarded a military plane from Ozin to the capital city.
This time, Tasha seemed relatively calm. Although she couldn’t control her tears completely, it wasn’t as intense as before.
This might be because Billy promised her that when winter break came, she would come back with her mother to see her.
At around eleven o’clock in the morning, Billy and his family arrived at SHADOW SECT in the capital city. Azure Dragon and Night Orchid were already waiting for them.
After a quick meal at SHADOW SECT, they flew towards Ether Mountain.
Over an hour later, they landed at the foot of Ether Mountain.
“Young Master!”
Adam and two others quickly walked over.
“Uncle Fabian, Uncle Adam!” Billy greeted them along with his family.
“Young Master, Peak Master has been waiting for quite some time. Let’s go up the mountain.” After exchanging pleasantries, Adam said.
“Okay!” Billy nodded in response.
Ten minutes later, they arrived at the reception hall in the inner courtyard.
Eliza Rice, Sebastian Fennimore, Shep Ravenwood, Roger Meskill, and other core members of Ether Mountain were all present.
After a month had passed, everyone’s injuries had healed.
“Peak Master, Elder Sebastian!” Billy first bowed to Eliza Rice and Sebastian Fennimore.
Then he turned to greet Shep Ravenwood and Roger Meskill among others one by one.
“It’s about time. Let’s go up!” After everyone finished exchanging greetings, Eliza Rice stood up and led everyone out of the main gate.
Then they flew towards the top of Ether Mountain.