Hearing Qian Yu's reply, Xia Chuan was momentarily speechless.

Over the years, this wasn't the first time he'd asked her about reclaiming her mother's belongings. But as she grew older, Qian Yu seemed increasingly reluctant to face her deceased mother's memory.

In fact, she even felt a trace of disdain toward her mother's past decision to take her own life.

When Xia Chuan first met Qian Yu, she had cherished her mother's photo dearly. But now...

Xia Chuan didn't know what to say. He could only let her be.

"Do as you wish..."

Xia Chuan let out a soft sigh and continued eating breakfast.

Unusually, Qian Yu didn't argue back. She simply picked up a steamed bun and started eating. But with her eyelids slightly lowered, she was clearly distracted.

After that, neither spoke at the table. The only sounds were the TV news broadcast and the rustling leaves outside the balcony.

"Qian Yu, it's getting late. Hurry off to school. I'll handle the dishes," Xia Chuan said after checking the time.

"Oh..."

Qian Yu replied softly, then got up to pack her things for school.

Seeing her listless demeanor, Xia Chuan felt worried. He even regretted bringing up the topic.

But he didn't know how to comfort his daughter.

After all these years, his inability to offer comfort hadn't improved one bit.

So he could only watch her leave with concern.

Before Qian Yu opened the door, she sensed his gaze and turned back. Her face flushed slightly as she shouted defiantly:

"Look, look! Had enough? Pervert Xia Chuan! Keep staring like that and I'll call the police! And... I'm fine. Just in a bad mood. Don't worry..."

Her voice grew softer until only she could hear it.

It was a simple statement, yet Qian Yu found it embarrassingly sentimental.

Her cheeks reddening further, she didn't wait for his reply and hurried out the door.

Xia Chuan chuckled softly at her reaction. Looking at the empty doorway, he smiled and replied:

"Got it..."

After tidying the house, Xia Chuan checked the time and headed for the door.

His phone suddenly rang. Pulling it out, he froze at the caller ID.

With a strange expression, he answered the call...

Ten minutes later, Xia Chuan rushed to Qian Yu's school after taking leave from work.

Her homeroom teacher had just called about recent issues requiring his presence.

Honestly, the news shocked him.

Xia Chuan knew Qian Yu well. At school, she was always top in studies and character—polite, beautiful, and effortlessly graceful with classmates. Nothing like the sharp-tongued girl she was with him.

Some might fear jealousy or bullying, but Qian Yu trained in judo and Chinese martial arts. Once, she'd taken down three grown men alone. Her combat skills rivaled Xia Chuan's prime.

He'd always been completely at ease about her. Good grades, gentle manners—teachers never called to complain.

But today, the homeroom teacher—who'd only contacted him once at semester start—suddenly reported problems. This startled Xia Chuan deeply.

Nervously, he arrived at the school.

Classrooms were in session, so the corridors were empty.

Following the phone directions, he found the teacher's office.

Xia Chuan straightened his clothes and entered.

The large office held neat rows of desks piled with textbooks and lesson plans. Most teachers were teaching, leaving only a few working.

Standing at the door, Xia Chuan felt lost. He'd met Qian Yu's homeroom teacher just once and barely remembered him.

Just then, a woman at a corner desk waved him over.

Xia Chuan pointed to himself questioningly. She nodded, so he walked closer.

Up close, he saw a young, pretty woman with short hair dressed in men's clothing.

"Are you Qian Yu's homeroom teacher?" Xia Chuan asked uncertainly.

"Yes. I'm her teacher. Surname Bai—call me Teacher Bai." His voice was slightly hoarse, giving an androgynous impression.

"Ah, I'm Xia Chuan. Qian Yu's... father." He'd almost said "guardian" but chose "father" instead.

"I'll call you Mr. Xia. Let's sit to discuss your child's matter." Teacher Bai pulled over a chair.

Xia Chuan sat down.

"Teacher Bai, how did you recognize me as her parent?"

"Mr. Xia, we met once before. I remember you clearly."

Seeing his bright smile, Xia Chuan felt ashamed. After just one meeting, he was remembered...

"Let's skip that. I called about Mo Qian Yu. After much thought, I felt you should know." Teacher Bai's brows furrowed slightly.

"Her grades dropped?" Xia Chuan asked worriedly.

"No. She's always top three in her grade."

"Bullied? Or bullying others?"

"Uh... you might not know, but she has a nearly hundred-member fan club at school. No one dares bully her. And she'd never bully anyone—you know her tsundere personality."

Her personality? Sharp-tongued and tsundere, Xia Chuan thought awkwardly.

"Then what's wrong with Qian Yu?" Xia Chuan was bewildered. What else could it be?

After a long silence, Teacher Bai said hesitantly: "Qian Yu... she's... involved in an early romance."

Even Teacher Bai hadn't expected the exemplary Qian Yu to start dating so soon. Such a well-behaved child—who deceived her?

Xia Chuan visibly froze.

Teacher Bai showed understanding. No parent accepts this easily.

But as he prepared to comfort Xia Chuan, the man suddenly exhaled and patted his chest:

"What's the big deal? Just an early romance. Nothing serious..."

"Huh?" Teacher Bai was momentarily speechless. Just an early romance... and nothing serious?

"Mr. Xia, stay calm? I said early romance! She's barely half a semester into high school! Aren't you shocked?"

"It's normal. Qian Yu's beautiful. Many must've confessed already. I'm not surprised she accepted someone." Xia Chuan felt smug. Truly my daughter—even in love, she's ahead.

"Hey, that's not the point! She's a high schooler! Dating young harms her growth!" Teacher Bai was frantic. Are you really her father?

"Ah? Teacher Bai, you're outdated. Today's teens—all except hopeless singles and FFF Club members—date. Romance is part of youth."

"But early romance never ends well! They're too young to understand!"

"No good results? That's from parents and teachers interfering too much."

"Their grades drop too fast because of dating, so we—"

"Teacher Bai, love's power is great. With proper guidance, they motivate each other. Your pressure causes tragedies."

"Are you really... Qian Yu's father?" Teacher Bai's voice trembled.

"Ah? Teacher, how can you say that?" Xia Chuan laughed heartily. "Her happiness matters most. I won't interfere with Qian Yu and her boyfriend. They can handle things."

In that moment, Xia Chuan felt noble and majestic. Qian Yu, no need to thank me. Dad can only help this much...

Teacher Bai was speechless. Then he completely snapped. With a bitter, trembling smile, he said:

"Mr. Xia, did I ever say her romantic interest is... a boy?"

His voice echoed with the rustling leaves.

Xia Chuan froze. His smile slowly faded.

"—NANI?!!!!!!"