Chapter Two: "No Eating Cold-Cold!"

"A biological relationship does indeed exist. Biologically speaking, you are her father."

"Understood. Thank you, Officer."

Hanging up the phone, Lu Jinqiao was still slightly dazed, yet he also felt a sense of inevitability, a quiet *so it really is true* settling over him.

Looking down at the little girl in his arms, who was intently playing with his tie, Lu Jinqiao's lips curved into a sudden smile.

"So you really are my daughter, hm?"

With that, he lifted her up high in the air.

Suddenly hoisted aloft, An'an was a little dazed at first. But when she looked down and met Lu Jinqiao's smiling eyes, she burst into a giggle.

"Papa~"

An'an reached down with her short little hands, patting her soft, chubby belly. "An'an's tummy is hungry. Want food-food."

Only then did Lu Jinqiao realize the little thing hadn't eaten all day. Annoyed at his own forgetfulness, he immediately carried her out.

Earlier that afternoon, driven by some inexplicable impulse, he had Assistant Lin buy a stock of baby supplies.

Lu Jinqiao prepared the formula with surprising deftness. After gently swirling the bottle with one hand, he tested the temperature on his wrist before handing it to An'an.

An'an took a sip, her eyes instantly lighting up. "Sweet~"

Smiling, Lu Jinqiao sat on the sofa with her in his arms, wondering how he was going to break the news to the boy at home that he suddenly had a little sister.

The thought of his son's stubborn temperament gave him a slight headache.

Having finished her milk, An'an's little belly was round and full. Clinging to her bottle, she looked up at Lu Jinqiao. "Papa, hold me."

A sweet, milky scent wafted from her as she spoke. Perhaps Lu Jinqiao was already looking at her through a father's rose-tinted glasses, but he couldn't help but feel she looked like a freshly baked, fluffy little pastry straight out of the oven.

It made him want to scoop her up and nuzzle her.

He set the bottle down on the table, gently held her under her arms, and buried his face in her neck, inhaling her sweet scent as if cuddling a kitten.

"Huh?" An'an squeaked.

She had no idea what her papa was doing, but it tickled.

She kicked her short little legs, trying to wiggle her belly away from him.

Having had his fill of cuddling, Lu Jinqiao raised his head. Looking at the slightly disheveled little tot, a sudden surge of pride welled up in his chest: *This is my little girl.*

When they arrived home, Uncle Lin walked out to open the car door, only to see Lu Jinqiao already stepping out. The master turned back and carefully lifted something out of the back seat.

Uncle Lin, his professional smile frozen on his face, blinked. *Wait, what on earth is the Master carrying?*

"Uncle Lin, have the kitchen prepare some food suitable for a toddler. Also, get some clothes for a girl of about two or three years old," Lu Jinqiao gave the orders as he strode past, cradling An'an in his arms.

Uncle Lin nodded instinctively. "Right away, sir."

Then it registered. *A toddler?*

*Whose child? The Master's? I must tell the Old Master!*

"And by the way, don't tell my father yet."

Lu Jinqiao turned his head, locking eyes with Uncle Lin, who had just slipped his phone out of his pocket.

Uncle Lin: *...Well, isn't that awkward.*

With a smooth flick of his wrist, he slipped the phone back into his pocket, acting as if it had never left.

An'an wrapped her little arms around Lu Jinqiao's neck, her large eyes blinking with curiosity as she stared at Uncle Lin. When the butler looked her way, she shyly ducked her head behind Lu Jinqiao's shoulder, only to peek out again a moment later with a sweet, tentative smile.

Uncle Lin's heart melted. *Oh my goodness, what an adorable little girl!*

Once she was washed and changed, Lu Jinqiao tucked An'an into bed. He leaned back against the headboard, pulling up his laptop to finish some leftover work for the day.

Having napped all afternoon, An'an was wide awake and bursting with energy.

She pressed her tiny hands against the mattress, kicked her legs, and twisted her body like a little pretzel until she finally managed to roll onto her side. Letting out a soft huff of relief, she pushed off with her other arm, successfully pushing herself up onto all fours.

Since she wasn't very steady on her feet yet, she crawled, inching her way over until she scrambled onto Lu Jinqiao's lap.

Lu Jinqiao had noticed her movements from the start. He had remained quiet, curious to see what she was up to.

Seeing her successfully scale his lap, he pressed a fist to his lips to hide a chuckle.

An'an looked up, tilting her head in confusion.

The climb had exhausted the little girl. She collapsed against him, panting dramatically, and tried to pat his chest in a grown-up manner. But since her arms were too short, she ended up patting his stomach instead.

"Papa, so tired," she mumbled solemnly.

Lu Jinqiao set his laptop aside and pulled her closer against his chest. "An'an, do you want to watch cartoons?"

An'an tilted her head. She didn't quite understand, but she made sure to reply anyway. "Watch?"

Lu Jinqiao ruffled her soft, fluffy hair, then pulled the laptop back over to search for cartoons, letting her choose.

The little girl's eyes shined, her mouth parting in wonder.

"Wow!"

Lu Jinqiao watched her reaction and continued scrolling. Suddenly, An'an pointed.

"This one?" Lu Jinqiao asked.

An'an shook her head. "Papa, watch the sheep-sheep?"

Lu Jinqiao nodded. "Alright."

It seemed the little girl had a soft spot for sheep.

When the show got exciting, An'an clapped her hands and kicked her feet in delight. But when a wolf caught one of the sheep, she quickly covered her eyes with her tiny hands, only peeking out again once the little sheep managed to escape.

She looked up at Lu Jinqiao. "Papa, don't eat the sheep-sheep!"

Lu Jinqiao chuckled softly. "Okay, we won't eat them."

Satisfied, An'an turned back to the screen.

After a few episodes, her eyelids began to droop. Noticing her sleepiness, Lu Jinqiao gently laid her down and tucked her in.

As he went to step off the bed to put his laptop on the desk, he felt a faint tug on his clothes. Turning around, he saw that the fast-asleep An'an was tightly clutching the hem of his shirt in her tiny fist.

Lu Jinqiao gently pried her fingers loose. After setting the laptop down, he quickly slipped back into bed beside her.

In that brief moment, the little girl's brow had already creased, her tiny face puckering as if she were about to wake up.

Lu Jinqiao turned onto his side, pulling her close and gently patting her back.

Enveloped in his familiar warmth, her expression relaxed, and she drifted back into a peaceful sleep.

Lu Jinqiao had assumed he wouldn't be able to sleep with someone else in his bed, but he surprisingly drifted off to the rhythmic sound of her soft breathing.

When he woke up, it was nearly noon. Normally, he would have been sitting in his office hours ago.

The space beside him was empty.

After washing up and heading downstairs, he spotted the little girl crawling all over the living room carpet. Surrounding her were several household staff members—usually the picture of solemn professionalism—now wearing incredibly silly, adoring grins.

An'an giggled delightedly. When she grew tired of crawling, she sat on the carpet, spread her little arms, tilted her head, and delivered a devastating blow of cuteness with her sweet baby voice.

They were practically bickering over who would get to hold her next.

Watching them, An'an thought they were playing a game. Instead of reaching out to be held, she just clapped her hands and giggled.

Perhaps his presence was simply too commanding, or perhaps it was a father-daughter connection, but An'an suddenly turned her head and looked right up at Lu Jinqiao, who was standing on the stairs.

Her face lit up with a brilliant smile. "Papa!"

Hearing this, Uncle Lin chuckled and waved his hand as he turned around. "Little Miss, don't tease us. How could the Master possibly—"

His voice trailed off as their eyes met.