"Miss Mo Yao, I have something important to tell you. Could you please shake off the sleepiness first?"

Xia Chuan dragged Mo Yao out of bed early that morning.

"What is it?"

Mo Yao still looked half-asleep, rubbing her eyes.

"It’s about Qian Yu."

The moment Xia Chuan mentioned Qian Yu, Mo Yao snapped fully awake.

"First, her sleeping habits. Do you know she’s been climbing into my bed these past two nights?" Xia Chuan’s expression turned utterly serious.

"That’s just because she adores you," Mo Yao huffed, arms crossed. Her own daughter preferred sleeping with someone else.

"Miss Mo Yao, I don’t think you grasp the real reason…" Xia Chuan shook his head.

"What real reason?"

"Affection plays a part, yes. But the main reason is *you* cling to her while sleeping. Think about it—it’s summer. Sweltering hot. How can she not overheat when you hug her all night? Naturally, she seeks cooler spots."

"How do you even know I hug Qian Yu in my sleep?"

Mo Yao frowned in confusion.

"Oh, I just observed your sleeping posture and—" *thump!*

Before Xia Chuan could finish, a pillow slammed into his face.

"You were watching a girl sleep?! Per…vert…"

Mo Yao crossed her arms, her fair face flushed.

Strangely, being called a pervert sent a flicker of excitement through Xia Chuan. *Uh-oh. Feels like some weird kink’s about to awaken.*

"That’s not the point! Let’s solve this. Why not let Qian Yu sleep in my room? It’s cooler here."

Sensing danger, Xia Chuan swiftly changed the subject.

"No!" Mo Yao’s sudden shout startled him.

"Why not? Afraid I’ll kidnap her? You can trust me—"

"It’s not that. Though we’ve only known each other briefly… I believe in your character."

Mo Yao cut him off again, her voice dropping to a near-inaudible whisper:

"It’s because… if Qian Yu isn’t there… I have nightmares."

A trace of sorrow flashed in her eyes.

Xia Chuan heard her clearly despite the softness.

"Are you… afraid?"

He knew the shadows of that incident still haunted her.

Mo Yao froze, then nodded slowly.

Silence stretched between them.

"Did Sister Wang Yin tell you?"

Mo Yao finally broke the quiet.

"Yeah."

"So… you must look down on me. For being a dirty woman?" Her voice cracked. No matter how strong she pretended to be, recalling that event shattered her. Each memory pushed her to the edge of collapse.

"What nonsense, you silly woman. There’s nothing to look down on. What’s done is done. You just have to move forward. Though… I guess I’m not exactly qualified to preach."

Xia Chuan fumbled—he’d never been good at comforting people. His own words sounded hollow even to him.

"You don’t understand. That incident ruined everything. If Qian Yu hadn’t come into this world, I’d have killed myself without hesitation. Even now… I dream of that dark house. The endless despair. Only when Qian Yu’s in my arms do I find the will to live. Do you know what these years have been like? Discrimination. Gossip. Betrayal. How can I forget? Yes, I *am* weak. Pathetically, utterly weak…"

Tears streamed down Mo Yao’s face.

Despite being a mother, she was still just a girl.

"Mommy…"

Qian Yu’s tiny voice called out. Too young to understand, she could only watch her mother cry.

Seeing Mo Yao’s tears, Xia Chuan froze.

*Of course she’s heartbroken.* He’d dragged up buried trauma in a city where no one knew her past. Any woman would shatter.

But.

Some wounds must face the light. You can hide for a while—but not forever.

Xia Chuan steeled himself. He gripped Mo Yao’s shoulders, locking eyes.

"Look at me."

His voice held a strange power. Mo Yao’s tears stopped—briefly. Then she sniffled again.

"I… I can’t see! Your bangs are covering your eyes, wuwu…"

"Ah…"

Xia Chuan had forgotten his own hair. "Then… look at my bangs!"

The absurd line slipped out. But he needed to say what came next.

Mo Yao obeyed, staring blankly at his forehead.

Xia Chuan took a deep breath.

"I know how hard it is for a young woman to raise a child alone. But why call yourself weak? Raising Qian Yu all by yourself—that’s proof of your strength."

"Heh. I just use Qian Yu as my crutch. I tell myself I’m raising her… but she’s the only thing in this world truly mine. She won’t betray me. Won’t mock me. She’s just… my excuse to keep breathing. I’m worthless."

Mo Yao’s emotions spiraled out of control.

"You say that, but… do you know how you look at Qian Yu? So tender. Like you’d give her your whole world."

Xia Chuan slowly released her shoulders.

"No… I don’t…"

Mo Yao still resisted.

"But that’s who you *are*, Mo Yao. Beautiful. Kind. Graceful. Why call yourself dirty? Shouldn’t someone like you be an angel?"

"An angel? No, no…"

No one had praised her in years. Heat rose to her cheeks.

"You survived that horror. So tell me, Mo Yao—what challenge can’t you overcome now? Toss that nightmare away like trash. It’s *over*. Look ahead. Your future isn’t behind you—it’s waiting."

"But… I don’t know how to face it alone."

Her tears had dried, but worry still shadowed her eyes.

"Who said you’re alone? Sister Wang Yin and I—we’re your family now."

"Family?"

Mo Yao blinked.

"The kind who lean on each other. Who lift each other up."

Xia Chuan clarified gently.

*Family?*

"But I… I’m not worthy."

"Nothing’s impossible. We *will* walk this path. Together."

Xia Chuan spoke with quiet certainty, forcing a warm smile.

Mo Yao didn’t reply. Tears fell again—but this time, Xia Chuan let them flow. This girl who always hid her pain behind smiles needed to break.

After a long while, Mo Yao wiped her face.

"I’m sorry. You must think I’m ridiculous."

"Nah. If nightmares strike again, I don’t mind being your backup pillow."

Xia Chuan grinned cheekily.

"Get out! Who’d want a pervert as a pillow?!"

Another pillow thumped him.

Watching his flustered expression, Mo Yao’s lips curved into a faint smile.

Xia Chuan suddenly checked his watch. *Late!*

"Mo Yao, I’ll handle Qian Yu’s school runs from now on."

Wang Yin had mentioned the daycare’s location—it was on his way to school. Perfect.

"No! I can’t trouble you—"

Mo Yao waved her hands frantically.

"Huh? You clock out at six. How can you bear making Qian Yu wait that long?"

Xia Chuan played his trump card.

"I…"

Mo Yao’s protest died instantly.

"Good. Now get some extra sleep."

Xia Chuan scooped up Qian Yu and headed for the door without waiting for a reply.

"Be careful on the—!"

By the time Mo Yao called out, they were gone. Her voice trailed off unfinished.

She stared at the empty hallway, gaze lingering.

"So gentle…" she murmured, lost in thought.

---

Xia Chuan reached Qian Yu’s daycare in no time.

"Her mom’s tied up today. I’m handling drop-off," he told the receptionist.

"And you are…?" The teacher eyed him skeptically.

"Her bro—uncle." He almost said "brother," then corrected himself.

"Daddy!" Qian Yu chirped just as Xia Chuan thought he’d dodged the question.

"Daddy?" The teacher stared at the high-school-uniform-clad boy in disbelief.

"No, I’m not her fa—" Xia Chuan started to deny it, but Qian Yu’s eyes were already welling with tears. He sighed. "Yes. I’m her father."

Instantly, Qian Yu beamed.

*Playing me, kid?*

"You’re awfully young to be a dad. Her mom’s young too. You two are just…"

"Ma’am, I only *look* young. I’m actually in my twenties." Xia Chuan scrambled to patch the lie.

"Then why the school uniform…?" Doubt lingered in her voice.

"Costume! I work as an extra actor."

*Even I don’t believe that.*

"Oh! I see."

Shockingly, she bought it.

*If Xia Chuan knew her thoughts, he’d choke:*

*With that face? No wonder he’s just an extra.* She glanced at his long bangs.

"I’m late for work. Please take good care of Qian Yu." Xia Chuan edged toward the exit.

"Come on, little Qian Yu. Wave goodbye to Daddy." The teacher guided the girl’s tiny hand.

"Bye-bye!" Qian Yu’s voice was sweet as honey.

"Bye." Xia Chuan waved back.

---

He sprinted away from the daycare.

*Parenting’s no joke.* From today, he was a full-time babysitter—with more chaos ahead.

Yet… his life didn’t feel so dull anymore.

Because life…

Without him even noticing…

Was quietly changing…