I couldn’t resist stroking her head. This time, she was especially docile—like a little kitten craving affection. Then she snuggled into my arms, her tiny head resting against my chest, murmuring softly.

“Daddy…”

My heart melted. Setting aside Ye Xiao Xian’s inherent dark side and yandere tendencies, she was simply an adorably cute little loli: naive, seeing the world with pure simplicity, free of scheming, deeply attached to her parents. Just like now—curled in my arms, calling me “Daddy.”

That feeling was indescribable. Even as a virgin who’d never dated, I couldn’t help imagining a future with a wife and daughter.

So, Ye Huaixian—you beast! What madness made you abandon Senior and Xiao Xian?!

*Ahem.* I was cursing my future self… though I still couldn’t believe it.

But now I get it: the future isn’t set in stone.

No matter what hardships my future self faced, Xiao Xian coming to me *now* was a turning point—like that rust-covered key, traveling through years to return to my hands. Did I hold such a key too?

Put simply, Xiao Xian’s time leap made far more sense as an attempt to change me… than to kill me.

Since my relatives’ bratty kids always feared me, I had little childcare experience. So I just did what felt right: gently stroking Xiao Xian’s head, softly patting her back as it rose and fell slightly with each breath. She clung to me, face buried deep in my chest, lost in thought.

—Gurgle…

“…”

Xiao Xian looked up, flustered. “I’m… sorry, Daddy.”

The sound came from her stomach—she was hungry. No need to apologize for something so natural. Was my future self really that stern, humorless adult?

I almost smiled, about to say, “I’ll make you instant noodles,” when Xiao Xian spoke first:

“Daddy… are you hungry? I’ll cook noodles for you…”

“…”

Wait—that was *my* line! Not the phrase itself, but logically: whether as a high schooler now or a dad later, *I* should be cooking for her! She’s just a little loli, probably first grade!

No kid that young should be in the kitchen.

Sensing my hesitation, Xiao Xian added softly:

“Daddy rarely comes home… Mom’s busy… I’m often alone. He taught me to cook noodles. Every time I do, it feels like he’s here. I’ve always wanted to cook for him… Now… I finally can…”

Oh no. Done for. A little loli’s about to make me tear up.

To hell with instant noodles!

“Do you like spicy food?” I asked suddenly.

“…Since Daddy likes it… um, a little.”

“Good. I’ll go light on the chili. Be a good girl—just a little longer.”

No more braised beef instant noodles.

“I’ll make you real braised beef!”