Chapter 1: “You’re Late, Daddy.”

Ding dong.

Wang Peizhen glanced up from his instant noodles, eyebrow raised.

Who could it be at 8:42 PM? He wasn’t expecting anyone.

Apartment life in a new city came with plenty of unexpected knocks—delivery mistakes, neighbors looking for lost packages.

Still chewing, he padded to the door in his worn socks and opened it lazily.

And then he froze.

Standing outside was a tiny girl—no more than five—wearing a pink hoodie, sparkly shoes, and the biggest pout he’d ever seen.

Her arms were crossed, cheeks puffed like she was ready to scold the world.

She looked up at him, narrowed her eyes, and pouted.

> “You took forever to open the door, Daddy!”

He blinked.

“…Sorry, what?”

The little girl didn’t wait for an invitation. She marched inside with all the confidence in the world, dragging a bunny-shaped backpack behind her.

Peizhen turned slowly, watching her settle herself neatly on his couch, swinging her legs like she belonged there.

> “It smells like you’ve only eaten instant noodles for two days straight. Mama was right.”

“Mama…?” he echoed blankly, still standing by the door like a statue.

The girl gave him a look. Like he was the crazy one.

> “I’m your daughter, obviously. And no, I’m not lost.”

“Yes, I know your full name.”

“Yes, I came alone.”

“No, you can’t call the police.”

Peizhen’s mouth opened. Then closed. Then opened again.

“…Okay. Let’s just slow down.” He ran a hand through his hair. “You’re saying I’m your—dad?”

She rolled her eyes.

> “Wang Peizhen. Born in Jiangcheng. Top of your class in high school. Now in your third year of med school. Lives alone. Very bad at cleaning.”

“…Okay, stalker,” he muttered under his breath.

But the girl just grinned proudly, as if she’d proven her identity.

Peizhen scratched his head. “Look, kid… I think you’ve got the wrong person.”

That stopped her.

The brightness in her eyes dimmed just a little. Her voice softened.

> “No… I don’t.”

> “I came all the way here because I had to meet you. Before it’s too late.”

His chest tightened unexpectedly.

Before what is too late?

And just as he was about to ask, the girl stood up and held her arms open wide.

> “Anyway. I came from really far away. So hug first. Questions later.”

Peizhen didn’t move.

“…You’re serious?”

> “Completely.”

And At that moment—between the ridiculousness of the situation and the strange warmth blooming in his chest—Peizhen hesitated.

Then he crouched down slowly and pulled her into a gentle hug.

She fit too easily in his arms. Too perfectly.

“…What’s your name?” he whispered.

The girl rested her head on his shoulder and whispered back, like it was a secret only he could hear—

> “Ruoyu. Wang Ruoyu.”

Peizhen’s heart skipped a beat.

He didn’t know where she came from, or why she felt so familiar…

But something in him whispered—his life had just begun to change.

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