I need a moment to process this. Until then, Xiao Xian would just have to wait.

The terrifying nature of a yandere…

No one knows that better than I do.

Only then did I realize Ye Xiao Xian’s sudden appearance had made me forget to cook dinner entirely. Too late to start now. I gathered the teacups, carried them to the kitchen, washed them carefully, and set them on the counter.

Stepping back into the living room, I heard Xiao Xian letting out soft whimpers—fainter than before. Outside, the sky had deepened into dusk. The room was dark, so I switched on the wall lamp. The glow wasn’t harsh; it flowed gently, like water.

I threw on my coat, grabbed my keys, and stepped outside. Click. The lock sealed behind me. Xiao Xian was alone now.

I remembered being scared of the dark as a kid, too afraid to sleep alone. She seemed brave… But Xiao Xian? If… *if* she really was my daughter, maybe she’d inherited my fear of the dark. What troubled me more: who did she get her yandere tendencies from? My senior?

No way. Absolutely not. My gentle university senior—how could she ever be a yandere?

And… judging by Xiao Xian’s words, my future self sounded like a scumbag? Impossible. I dreamed every day of dating her, marrying her, building a life together. If future-me actually married her? That’d be my greatest wish fulfilled—the happiest man alive.

How could I possibly cheat…?

With Xiao Xian in the picture, divorce was unthinkable. Divorce scars a child’s heart, twists their future. If I chose that path anyway… I’d hurt not just my senior, but Xiao Xian too.

…Am I really that kind of person?

Dusk settled outside. A cold gust swept past—I shivered. Spotting a clear road, I crossed to the convenience store nearby. Dinner. Also… how do you even take care of a little girl? I wasn’t ready to be a dad.

The store wasn’t far, but my mind was tangled with Xiao Xian. The trip felt endless. By the time I stepped out, night had fully fallen. I glanced up at the dim moon and headed home.

Xiao Xian’s key—I’d turned it over and over in my pocket—was nearly identical to mine. Only the faint wear marks told them apart.

Time travel?

Could it really happen? Mystery after mystery crowded my thoughts.

Back home, I rushed the veggies, fruit, and discounted beef into the fridge. Tonight: instant noodles. Tomorrow’s meals. I’d also grabbed potato chips, soda, and snacks—*for her*.

Then I entered the living room. Under the soft cool-toned light, Xiao Xian lay curled on the sofa, eyes closed like she was asleep.

I tiptoed closer.

Her eyes fluttered open instantly.

We stared—one big, one small. Her lying down, me standing. She instinctively shielded her butt… *I* was the one who spanked her.

I sighed and sat beside her. She sat up too, hugging her knees, gaze locked on mine. She should’ve hated me. But I saw no hatred there.

Silence.

After a moment, her eyelids dipped slightly. Still quiet.

Then—

Her small frame leaned gently against my chest. I froze.

And her whisper hit me like a wave. My nose stung.

"Dad… I miss you. Please come back… live with me and Mom… okay?"