"Don’t leave me," Hua Xiaomo’s voice was soft, yet her every word seeped into the man’s ears.

He looked at her face, and she at his. At that moment, she saw the radiance in his eyes. Right then, he didn’t know why, but he felt they saw themselves reflected in each other’s gaze.

In her mind’s eye, she saw that familiar, handsome face.

Has he come? Has he really come? Has he truly come to my side? But why would he still come?

He had already caused her such profound pain. If possible, she would rather never see him again. But it seemed as though fate always opposed her, always making it impossible for her to escape him.

Five years ago, she was pregnant with his child; she gave birth to Candy. Five years later, he returned to City A, and she encountered him once again. Yet, he once again took possession of her, leading her to become pregnant with his second child. Tragically, she was so heartbroken she couldn’t bring herself to keep this child; she truly couldn’t.

Because I felt it was a mistake, an error in existence. Indeed, since it had ended, since we had missed our chance, why go back? It’s better to forget it all!

Zi Yunsui was still by her side. Hua Xiaomo’s mind was a turbulent mess, and her eyes were tightly closed. She seemed afraid to open them, fearing that if she did, she would instinctively resist his closeness.

They both felt the sudden surge of attention between them. Why is this mutual awareness so intense right now? Zi Yunsui wondered. Perhaps it was because tonight, she was too enchanting, or perhaps because he simply couldn’t control his feelings for her. He truly wanted to be with her, but her repeated rejections had left him on the verge of despair.

"Xiao Mo, I love you," Zi Yunsui said, his handsome face etched with a slight frown as he stared at her. At that moment, he only wanted to lose himself in her eyes, to merge with her very soul.

Hua Xiaomo raised her head to look at him, but her gaze was filled with the image of Qi Longbing.

Is he asking me? But why would he ask me like this? Hasn’t he always taken me whenever he wanted, without ever asking? What does he mean by asking me now?

"Why do you treat me this way? Do you like me?" Hua Xiaomo stared at him. At this moment, she felt a little intoxicated. If only we had never met, perhaps then, none of this would have happened.

But what was done, was done; they couldn’t pretend it hadn’t occurred.

"I... I like you too," Hua Xiaomo finally managed, looking at him, her heart also feeling intoxicated. If only we could start over.

"I love you, Xiao Mo!" Zi Yunsui said, smiling at her, his eyes shining with a brilliant light.

At that moment, he wondered if this was stirring emotions long buried deep within. He truly liked her so much, but now he felt unable to voice the depth of it.

Perhaps this can only happen in a dream. I want to hold her tightly, to truly express my feelings, even if only in a dream. That would be wonderful too!

He didn’t care about the outcome; he just didn’t want to leave her again. In fact, no matter what she might say, he wouldn’t leave her. He wanted to be her man; even more, he wanted to be Candy’s father.

Zi Yunsui looked at her, his eyes burning with an intense flame. At that moment, he felt himself losing control. He genuinely liked her; he no longer wanted to deceive himself with empty words. He simply couldn’t leave her.

"From this moment on, we will always be together," Zi Yunsui said, holding her close.

From now on, they would truly be a family. He would treat her well, and he would treat Candy well. He would cherish Candy as if she were his own daughter. He even found himself thinking about tomorrow; it would be best if they could get their marriage certificate then.

Five years. He had loved her deeply for five years, and this was the first time he had dared to love her so boldly.

"Xiao Mo, I will love you for a lifetime. I will be Candy’s father, and I will take care of you both for a lifetime. From now on, stay with me, you two. I won’t let you suffer or be wronged," Zi Yunsui said with a smile, then gently tucked her in.

In the middle of the night, Zi Yunsui suddenly felt thirsty. He got up, poured himself a glass of water, then wandered through the living room and into the kitchen. Feeling a bit hungry, he opened the fridge. Spotting some noodles, he quickly boiled water to make a bowl for himself.

Just then, he noticed the door to the adjacent room slowly creaking open. Candy was up too; apparently, she hadn’t been able to sleep either.

"Brother Zi Yunsha, I want to eat noodles! I’m so hungry! Could you make some noodles for me?" Candy asked with an innocent smile. At that moment, she seemed especially dear to Zi Yunsui.

Indeed, Zi Yunsui now lived with them. He stayed on the first floor, while Candy and her mother resided on the second. For Candy, it was a happy arrangement.

However, Candy didn’t know who Zi Yunsui had been with earlier that night.

"Sure, Little Candy. Brother Zi Yunsha will make you some noodles. Just sit nicely in the dining room, okay?" Zi Yunsui said with a smile.

Looking at Little Candy, he found her incredibly endearing. He had promised Candy before to be her father, and she had also asked him to be. He truly wanted to be with Candy and Hua Xiaomo; that way, they would have a complete family.

Once Candy started school, she wouldn’t have to endure other children pointing out she didn’t have a father. Such comments would be painful for him to hear, and deeply upsetting for Candy.

"Yes, yes, Brother Zi Yunsha, I want to eat noodles! Hurry up and make some for me! Oh, I want noodles with lean meat and egg. I really, really want noodles with lean meat and egg! The chicken soup noodles Mama made were so delicious, the taste was unforgettable! Brother Zi Yunsha, you have to make me noodles with lean meat and egg too!" Candy chattered, then, with an eager look at Zi Yunsui, she bounced over to the dining table and sat down, waiting for him to make her noodles.

Zi Yunsui went into the kitchen and bustled about. After some time, he emerged with two steaming bowls of noodles. He placed the smaller one in front of Candy.

"Candy, quickly try the noodles Brother Zi Yunsha made for you. Are they as delicious as the ones your mother makes?" Zi Yunsui asked with a gentle laugh, his eyes full of tenderness as he looked at Little Candy.

Little Candy eagerly slurped her noodles. Lifting her head, looking very satisfied, she declared, "Brother Zi Yunsha, the noodles you made are so yummy! They’re just as delicious as the ones Mama makes! I love eating noodles made by Brother Zi Yunsha!"