In the days that followed, Xia Chuan picked Qian Yu up every day.
Mo Yao worked at a bakery and didn’t get off until 6:30 PM. Though that was fairly early, it still felt late for him since school ended at 5.
A week passed like this.
Ever since he started taking care of Qian Yu’s commute, Xia Chuan felt their bond growing stronger. She called him "Daddy" more often too—which brought him no small amount of trouble.
Still, whenever he saw Qian Yu’s adorable face, all his worries melted away.
Xia Chuan didn’t even realize he was unconsciously developing "loli-loving tendencies."
By the time Xia Chuan carried Qian Yu back to the dorm, it was nearly 6 PM.
Mo Yao hadn’t returned yet, so he took Qian Yu to his room first.
"Hungry, Qian Yu?" Xia Chuan asked, already chopping vegetables.
Qian Yu nodded eagerly.
Hearing this, Xia Chuan suddenly turned around, crouched down, and looked at her—half-cut cucumber still in hand.
Qian Yu tilted her head in confusion.
"Qian Yu," Xia Chuan negotiated gently, "if you want dinner, you can’t call me ‘Daddy’ anymore, okay? These past few days, strangers keep giving me weird looks because of it. And if I keep picking you up, your teacher will recognize me soon. It’s time we set things straight."
"Waaah!"
The moment the words left his mouth, Qian Yu’s eyes welled up. Panicked, Xia Chuan tossed the cucumber aside and pulled her into a hug.
"Don’t cry, Qian Yu, don’t cry! Daddy was just teasing you."
After a long while, Qian Yu finally stopped sobbing. Xia Chuan set her down gently and returned to the kitchen.
"Guess I won’t be changing that anytime soon," he sighed, resuming his chopping.
---
"Off work, Xiao Yao!"
"Auntie Tian, let me help you close up first," Mo Yao called to the elderly woman tidying the cash register.
"Thanks for your hard work," Auntie Tian chuckled warmly.
Mo Yao worked at a bakery that had stood for over thirty years. Auntie Tian, its owner, had run it alone since her husband passed away five years ago. Her children had urged her to retire, but she refused to let go. Now in her sixties, she still opened the shop every day.
When Mo Yao had hit rock bottom, it was Auntie Tian who gave her this job. She owed this woman everything.
"Xiao Yao, there’s something I need to discuss," Auntie Tian said suddenly.
Mo Yao paused her work. "What is it?"
"Ever since you joined us, business has boomed. I think it’s time for a raise."
Thanks to Mo Yao—the pretty face behind the counter—the bakery had drawn crowds, especially male customers.
"Because of me?" Mo Yao first thought of her bread. She wasn’t just a cashier; she was also a baker. Her cooking might be mediocre, but her pastries were exceptional.
"No need, Auntie Tian. My bread might be good, but my current salary is already generous." Only after speaking did she grasp the real reason. She wasn’t lying—Auntie Tian paid her well above standard. After living expenses, she still had savings.
Auntie Tian blinked, then burst out laughing. "First time I’ve met someone refusing a raise!"
"When I desperately needed work, you gave me a chance. That’s how I can support Qian Yu. That kindness means more than money," Mo Yao said earnestly.
"Alright, alright. No raise then. But you *must* take this." Auntie Tian produced a lunchbox.
"What’s this...?" Mo Yao opened it slowly. Inside were...
Fresh sandwiches.
"My special homemade ones. Guaranteed unique flavor."
"Auntie Tian—"
Mo Yao tried to refuse, but Auntie Tian cut her off:
"Even if *you* won’t eat them, your neighbor might. You’ve troubled him enough—shouldn’t you thank him?"
"*Him*?" At the mention of Xia Chuan, Mo Yao’s heart skipped.
She snapped back to find Auntie Tian grinning mischievously. Flustered, Mo Yao pouted:
"A-Auntie Tian! That’s embarrassing!"
"So... taking them home?"
Mo Yao hesitated, staring at the sandwiches. Her mind flashed to Xia Chuan eating them.
"...Thank you, Auntie Tian." She finally accepted.
"I hear you mention your neighbor often, but I know little about him," Auntie Tian mused while wiping counters.
"Auntie Tian! Stop being so nosy!" Mo Yao huffed.
"So my little Xiao Yao’s been swept off her feet already?" Auntie Tian fake-sighed.
"*Auntie Tian!*" Mo Yao’s fair skin flushed crimson.
"Fine, fine. Young people hate old folks prying. Who’d confide in a wrinkly old lady like me anyway..." Auntie Tian turned away, shoulders slumped in theatrical loneliness.
"Auntie Tian... alright, I’ll tell you. Just stop that." Mo Yao couldn’t bear it. After months together, she saw this woman as family.
(Unbeknownst to Mo Yao, Auntie Tian’s face lit up with a triumphant smirk. She knew exactly how to reel this soft-hearted girl in.)
*Sorry, my sweet Xiao Yao.*
Since Auntie Tian stayed silent, Mo Yao continued:
"Well... I don’t really know him. We’ve only known each other a week. But he’s quiet, yet somehow... cheerful? He can seem strict with me sometimes, but I always feel his warmth. When he’s near, I feel safe. Like nothing could ever scare me."
"Auntie Tian? Are you listening?" Mo Yao turned—
Only to be pulled into a tight hug.
"So my Xiao Yao *is* being swept away!" Auntie Tian wailed, fake tears streaming.
"Auntie Tian! That’s nonsense!" Mo Yao’s face burned again.
---
After helping close the shop, Mo Yao bid Auntie Tian goodbye.
Night had fully fallen. Streetlights glowed like guiding stars along her path home.
Thinking of the two waiting for her, warmth flickered in her chest.
She tucked the sandwich box into her small bag and walked toward the lights.
---
By the time Mo Yao reached the dorm at 7 PM, she headed straight for Xia Chuan’s room.
He met her at the door before she even knocked.
His usual hairstyle hid his eyes beneath long bangs—his face unreadable. But Mo Yao was used to it.
Seeing him, she remembered her talk with Auntie Tian. Her cheeks flushed again.
"I’m exhausted today. Take these leftovers home—you won’t need to reheat them. I just finished cooking. Take Qian Yu too; I need rest." The dim hallway hid Mo Yao’s blush.
Weary, he placed Qian Yu in her arms and handed her a lunchbox.
Mo Yao nearly dropped everything, fumbling to balance the child and box.
Xia Chuan gave Qian Yu a soft smile, then turned to Mo Yao:
"Return the box anytime. Eat, then sleep early. See you tomorrow."
---
After closing the door, Xia Chuan collapsed onto his bed. He never imagined raising a kid would be this draining. If *he* was worn out after just one week, how had Mo Yao managed while working full-time?
He grew more impressed by this single mother by the minute.
In the days ahead, he’d keep supporting her—and Qian Yu. At least he wouldn’t feel so alone anymore.
"*Why am I overthinking this?*" He grabbed fresh clothes and headed to the shower.
---
Back in her room, Mo Yao set Qian Yu down and placed the lunchbox on the table.
She touched its warm surface, her heart swelling.
Inside were homely dishes: minced pork with eggplant, garlic stir-fried baby bok choy—the box nearly overflowing. She popped a slice of pork into her mouth. The familiar taste flooded back.
"*Oh!*"
She’d forgotten to give Xia Chuan the sandwiches. But tomorrow would do. He needed rest now.
She set Qian Yu on the floor.
"Did you have fun today, Qian Yu?" Mo Yao nuzzled the girl’s cheek.
Qian Yu beamed, babbling cutely:
"F-fun!"
That smile melted Mo Yao’s heart.
"My Qian Yu is the sweetest!"
In the tiny apartment, mother and daughter smiled at each other—a quiet warmth filling the space.
