"Daddy~~ Are you going to the bathroom?"

The moment I slipped my arm out, Dian Dian stirred awake. That drowsy, honeyed voice made my heart melt.

If anything in this world could top this bliss, it’d be You Lin lying beside me too—wife on one side, daughter on the other. That’s true fulfillment. That’s all I’ve ever wanted.

"Daddy’s well-rested now. I’ll go check on Mommy. You keep sleeping, okay…?"

I smoothed Dian Dian’s messy hair. My touch was feather-light, yet it still woke her.

*Don’t kids stay asleep once they’re out? Is her sleep troubled? Did she skip her bedtime milk?*

"Mmm~~ No~~"

She clearly didn’t want me to leave. Her tiny hand clamped onto my sleeve, eyes half-shut in that hazy space between dreams and wakefulness—but her grip stayed stubbornly tight.

"Dian Dian, think: we slept hours. Mommy’s all alone out there. Wouldn’t you feel scared if you were by yourself in this room? Daddy’ll go comfort her. You rest here, alright?"

"Okay then…"

Just as I’d guessed—reason with her, and she drops the tantrums. Her fingers loosened. Seconds later, soft snores drifted from her lips.

*Mwah—*

"Good girl. Tonight, Daddy’ll cook your favorites!"

"No green peppers… or carrots…"

"Deal, deal!"

I couldn’t help but chuckle.

*Is she even asleep? Those veggies really haunt her—even in dreams.*

"Whatever Dian Dian says goes. Zero peppers or carrots tonight. I’ll handle Mommy. Sleep tight!"

I tucked her blanket snugly around her shoulders and tiptoed out.

Normally, work steals all my rest—five or six hours max. No lazy mornings. But today? Slept straight from dawn till afternoon. My energy’s fully recharged. I’m itching to burn it off somewhere.

…

*Crack—*

*Crack—*

*Crack—*

The moment I stepped into the hall, rhythmic crunching filled my ears—like nutshells shattering in perfect time.

Downstairs, You Lin sat alone on the sofa. A giant bag of walnuts spilled open on the coffee table. Beside it sat a jar half-filled with shelled kernels.

"Wifey~~ Missed me these past hours?"

I plopped down beside her. Under the lamplight, her legs glowed porcelain-smooth. My hand drifted over them instinctively. That first touch—silky, unreal—still made my pulse jump. I remembered our early days: how I’d fumbled like a fool just feeling this skin. How did she grow such flawless legs? How does she keep them this perfect?

"Shouldn’t *I* be asking *you* that? Still enjoying the view?"

"Absolutely! My wife’s legs are world-class!"

"Flatterer. Open up."

*Ah—*

I accepted the walnut piece. I’m not big on dried fruit, but this was You Lin’s labor.

Honestly? If she handed me the shells right now, I’d chew them dramatically and spit them out.

"But this many? Can we even finish them?"

She must’ve bought ten pounds. Not exactly fresh fruit—and with just three of us at home, we’d get sick of them.

"Why not? I’ll grind them with peanuts and sesame later. Morning porridge for Dian Dian…"

"Such a hassle? Can’t we just buy it?"

Stores are packed with ready-made mixes. Plenty safe for kids. Why put her through this tedious peeling?

"Ye Xi! Is Dian Dian even *your* daughter? Store-bought and homemade aren’t the same!"

You Lin shot me a glare, poking my temple hard. Her disapproval was scalding.

"My bad… My queen is wise. My queen is tireless…"

Survival instinct kicked in—I heaped praise on her effort.

Truth is, I’d never have time for this meticulous work. She’s always been the better parent. On Dian Dian’s care, I’ve got no say.

"But walnuts can wait. Cuddle first."

My left arm slid under her shoulders; my right hooked under her knees. With a startled gasp, I lifted her onto my lap.

"What’s gotten into you? Dian Dian’s not here, so your inner wolf wakes up?"

You Lin sensed my shift. She set down the nutcracker and wrapped her arms around me.

"Earlier, I was too drained to hold you properly. Now? Different story…"

"Mr. Ye, may I ask… what exactly are your hands *doing*?"

A soft laugh escaped her. She pressed closer, shrinking the space between us until her body seemed to melt into mine.

"Miss You, ever heard of universal *R*-attraction?"

"Don’t… Dian Dian… might wake up…"

"Relax. She’s dead asleep. Nothing’ll happen."

"Well then… maybe… we sneak a little snack first?"

"Study! Now!"

Perfect agreement. Dian Dian claimed the bedroom. The study was our only option.

I hoisted You Lin up. Absence sharpens longing—months apart had piled up too much hunger.

"Ye Xi~~ Am I heavy?"

"You’ve never been heavy—not since we were kids. Even when we’re old, I’ll carry you. Always."

*Ding-dong—*

*Ding-dong—*

Our whispered words died as the doorbell doused my heat like ice water.

"Guess… we save it for tonight?"

You Lin glanced toward the door. She straightened her clothes after landing, but her flushed cheeks still glowed.

*Slap-slap-slap—*

"Can I swear later?"

I slapped my own face, trying to cool down. If not for Dian Dian sleeping upstairs, I’d have pinned You Lin to the sofa right then—just like in our dating days.

All four parents are globe-trotting. Who’d visit our villa now? Worst timing ever.

I prayed the face at the door would be familiar. If it’s salespeople or lawyers? I’m complaining to security. This gated community has barely a dozen houses. How’d they bypass the access cards?

"No swearing. Go open it. I’ll wait right here. We’ve got *plenty* of time for our ‘snack’ after."

A kiss from You Lin melted half my irritation. I ruffled my sleep-mussed hair and trudged toward the door—then froze halfway.

"Wait. Aren’t I the head of this household? Why *me*?"

I turned back. You Lin just smiled warmly.

Only family knows I’m whipped. To outsiders, Ye Xi’s word is law. What if it’s some CEO? They open the door to see me scrambling while my wife sits regally on the sofa… that’d look odd, right?

"What do *you* think? My legs are jelly. You want strangers seeing me like this?"

"…"

Her reply hit me like lightning. *Idiot. Of course.*

This side of her belongs only to me. Let the world think I’m henpecked. I *like* being tamed by my wife.

…

…

*Click—*

"LIN!!! Where’s LIN???"

The visitor shrieked before even seeing my face—then her tone flipped 180 degrees when she recognized me. Pure disdain.

I’d wondered if I could swear. With Tina here? Absolutely not.

"What brings you here?"

"Vacation! And to see my Lin-Lin. Move, move…"

No one would believe it: Destiny, the superstar, hugging two giant plush toys, zero celebrity airs.

Thanks to her, Dian Dian’s room overflows with stuffed animals. At this rate, we’ll need an extension soon.

"Lin-Lin?"

"Why didn’t you tell me you were coming? Keeping secrets from me now?"

You Lin had been stuck on the sofa when I opened the door—but hearing Tina’s voice, she rushed out for her long-lost friend. She took the plushies first, then pulled Tina into a fierce hug.

For a heartbeat, I felt invisible. Best to vanish quietly and leave them to their reunion.

"Oh, Ye Xi—why are you back so soon?"

Tina finally noticed me after settling on the sofa. That question… still as clueless as ever. Some things never change.

"Sis? This is *my* house. Where else would I be?"

Coming home to my wife and kid is normal. Isn’t that why "wife, kids, warm bed" is a proverb?

"Everything settled?"

"Mostly…"

I turned to brew tea in the kitchen. Can’t recall the last time I served guests. Last was probably when I poured tea for all four parents after proposing to You Lin—my grand speech sealing our engagement.

Back then, we’d just started dating. But for our families, "dating" meant forever. No take-backs.

"And Dian Dian? Where’s my baby?"

"Sleeping. You came a bit early…"

You Lin fed Tina a walnut kernel. *Exactly what I was thinking*, I mused.

"A bit early..."

If only she’d come two hours later. Dian Dian would’ve woken up by then, and You Lin and I would’ve finished what we were doing. That’d be a happy ending for everyone, right?

"Early? Any later and it’ll be dark. It’s not safe for a girl like me to drive alone at night."

"It’s all fate!"

Tina naturally had no idea what emotions I felt when I said that.

If she’d come a little later, You Lin and I could’ve wrapped things up. If she’d come earlier, it might’ve cooled my unignited desires. But she had to show up just as I was all set. Wasn’t this meant to torture me?

"Linlin, what’s wrong with him? Why’s he acting so weird?"

"How should I know?"

You Lin chuckled softly, stood up, leaned close to my ear, and whispered gently.

"Enough complaining. Worst case, I’ll help you out tonight..."

"Really?"

My pupils dilated instantly. I turned to see You Lin’s seductive gaze, her luscious red lips radiating irresistible allure. Even I couldn’t withstand her temptation right now.

Suddenly, Tina’s arrival felt valuable. If I could, I’d wish she came every day—interrupting me daily!

"Wanna pinky swear on it, Mr. Ye Xi?"

You Lin wiggled her pinky finger, half-joking.

"Forget it. I’ll cook. I promised Dian Dian I’d make her food."

Pinky swear? As if!

You Lin would never refuse me anyway. Since she’d brought it up herself, she wouldn’t back out. Beaming, she headed to the kitchen but returned seconds later.

"Oh, Tina, want to order dishes? I worry what Dian Dian likes might not suit your taste..."

Ever since You Lin and I became parents, we lost our own hobbies. Whatever Dian Dian loves, we love too—even cartoons I hated since childhood, I now enjoy watching with her.

I never got to be a stay-at-home dad, but I’d have been an amazing one.

"Isn’t that improper? You’re my boss..."

Tina’s smile seemed forced. True, I was her direct superior now. But hadn’t she forgotten something?

"Have you ever treated me as your boss, Miss Tina?"

Back when I was clueless in high school, she was already a world-famous diva. I’ve only run Tianxing a few years—my seniority pales next to hers.

Most importantly, she’s You Lin’s best friend. When You Lin and I dated, she pushed us together constantly.

We’re less boss and subordinate, more friends. Her politeness now was just an act—I saw right through it.

"Oh... caught me. Then no more formalities! Same menu as last time: beef short ribs, curry sesame shrimp, miso-baked cod, and puff pastry oyster soup. Thanks..."

"You remember that clearly?"

When did I last cook for Tina? Soon after Dian Dian was born, I think. Remembering dish names after so long—Tina really was impressive.

"Hurry up, Mr. Ye Xi! If Dian Dian wakes up crying from hunger, I’d love to see how you soothe her."

"Yes, yes!"

Rubbing my head helplessly, I walked to the kitchen. Dian Dian hates bell peppers and carrots. What should I make her?

I’d only just returned after so long—I couldn’t let her down.

"Linlin, let’s check on Dian Dian. It’s boring here. Even if she’s asleep..."

"Fine, but be gentle. No hugging and kissing her nonstop again!"

"I know, I know. I’ll restrain myself this time, okay?"