After saying goodbye to Xiao Xian, I added a few reminders: “If someone knocks, check through the peephole first. Never open the door to strangers.”

“Not even if they offer you candy—especially lollipops!”

“Alright, alright, I’m not *that* silly!” Though protesting, Xiao Xian’s voice carried a hint of joy. She’d rarely received this kind of care from her dad before. Now they lived and ate together—and he was still worrying about her after leaving home.

A warm, gentle breeze seemed to brush against Xiao Xian’s little heart, leaving it cozy and light.

I knew Xiao Xian wasn’t foolish—she inherited my genes, after all—but I still couldn’t help worrying.

Honestly, there were times I’d forget to lock the door when heading out and felt far less anxious. Back then, Xiao Xian simply wasn’t there.

I walked all the way to the street’s end and glanced back. Xiao Xian was still at the doorway, stretching her neck to watch me go—just like a little puppy eagerly awaiting its owner’s return.

Then again… lolis really are like this: sweet and angelic when obedient, mischievous little devils when throwing tantrums.

The walk from home to Lanling High School wasn’t short, so I’d gotten used to waiting for the bus at a certain corner. The morning air in Jiangshan City was crisp and fresh. I took a deep, blissful breath and closed my eyes.

Just then, a voice as melodious as a dawn lark or midnight nightingale rang out behind me. My expression shifted slightly in surprise.

“Y-ye Huaixian… Good morning.”

She’d spoken my name with a trace of hesitation, yet still chose to greet me.

I turned and shot a casual forty-five-degree sideways glance at the girl behind me.

Her voice had felt familiar from the start—and now I was sure. I knew her.

Not closely, though. We barely acknowledged each other’s presence in class. Exchanged greetings only a handful of times.

She was my classmate—but far more notably, she held a title everyone recognized.

In Class 3, Grade 1, she was unanimously voted class beauty by all the boys… Lin Muke.

Also, in a way, my superior. She was class president; I was vice.

Meaning we’d once been rivals for the role.

Why had she suddenly greeted me? And… I’d never seen her on this route before. What was happening today?

Though questions swirled in my mind, I offered a gentle smile out of courtesy.

“Morning, Lin Muke.”

Her face lit up at my reply. She grabbed her bag and jogged over to walk beside me.

If Fang Liancheng or any of the guys saw this, they’d probably scold me:

“—Ye Huaixian! With eyebrows that loyal-looking, how could you betray the revolution?!”

I pushed the thought aside and fell into easy conversation with her, like ordinary friends.

At home, I was a full-on “otaku.” But outside? Survival instinct kicked in. I transformed into a well-rounded, sociable guy—knowledgeable about everything, calm under pressure. Many girls found that responsible… even manly.

…Ah, even *I* feel shy praising myself like this.

Lin Muke and I headed toward the bus stop. Her being here felt odd, but I didn’t press.

Then—a gaze. Scrutinizing me from behind.

I spun around.

Everything unchanged: the flower shop with fresh blooms, the cake shop wafting sweet cream, morning-open stores lining the street. Few pedestrians, all glued to their phones.

Just my imagination…?

I apologized to Lin Muke. She shook her head. “It’s fine.”

I didn’t notice the flustered look she quickly hid.

Unbeknownst to Ye Huaixian, the moment he turned away, a tiny, sneaky head peeked from the flower shop doorway—face flushed with tension and excitement, relieved she hadn’t been spotted.

An adorable little girl in a simple white dress, strikingly beautiful. Side by side with Lin Muke, their resemblance was uncanny—as if she were Lin Muke’s younger self.

She watched the two figures walking away… and smiled.

“Great! Mommy finally got close to Daddy.”

“At this rate… our family of three reuniting isn’t far off!”