But what if they recognized each other? What if Qi Longbing tried to take Candy’s custody? What would she do then? She truly didn’t dare to imagine the aftermath.

Hua Xiaomo looked at Qi Longbing and said, "President Qi, what a coincidence!"

Her words were filled with awkwardness; her face flushed slightly. At that moment, she really didn’t know what to say. Perhaps it was better to say nothing at all!

"Is she your daughter?" Qi Longbing asked, a hint of suspicion in his eyes.

Caught off-guard by his question, Hua Xiaomo’s face grew even more embarrassed. She forced a smile. "She’s the daughter I adopted."

Then, Hua Xiaomo held Candy a little tighter in her arms and looked at him. "Sorry, President Qi, let’s talk another time. I need to take Candy home now."

Having said this, Hua Xiaomo quickly brushed past Qi Longbing, then took Candy downstairs and got into her car.

Candy sat in the passenger seat, looking at Hua Xiaomo in the driver’s seat. Curiously, she asked, "Mommy, am I really the daughter you adopted?"

When Hua Xiaomo heard this, she thought for a moment and then said to Candy very seriously, "Candy, in the future, when you’re in front of that uncle, talk less and interact with him less, okay?"

She was genuinely worried about certain things and didn’t know if her words had raised Qi Longbing’s suspicions. Still, no matter what, she felt she could not let anyone take her daughter away. She couldn’t be without Candy.

"Mommy seems really scared of that uncle. But Mommy, he’s really handsome, isn’t he? Almost as handsome as Brother Zi Yunsha!" Candy said with a laugh, looking at Hua Xiaomo’s worried face, her little mouth turned up slightly.

"Alright, let’s not gossip about this now. I’ll take you home. How about I make your favorite lobster for dinner today?" Hua Xiaomo said with a smile. Seeing her daughter happy and playful by her side, her heart settled a bit more.

Candy was her life. How could she be without Candy? Without her, she truly couldn’t imagine how she’d continue to live.

"Yes, yes! Mommy, you’re the best! You’re going to make lobster for me. I love lobster the most! And, I want to eat lots and lots of delicious food, and I also want snacks. You have to buy me snacks, Mommy," Candy said, her little face beaming like a crescent moon.

Hua Xiaomo looked at Candy and stroked her hair with one hand. Deep down, she was mulling over some things, but thinking about them now seemed superfluous. No matter what, she would not let anyone take her child away.

"Now, sit tight, let me fasten your seatbelt, okay, my little treasure?" Hua Xiaomo said with a smile. She then secured Candy’s seatbelt, inserted the car key, released the handbrake, started the car, and quickly drove off.

Qi Longbing still stood in the hospital corridor. He watched through the window as the luxury car sped off into the distance, a subtle darkness crossing his eyes.

That little girl is her adopted daughter?

It was really strange. Why would she adopt a daughter? Besides, that little girl, from her eyes, nose, and even her mouth, clearly looked like a miniature version of him. If someone said she wasn’t his biological daughter, he wouldn’t believe it. This matter must have a reason, right? It couldn’t be that simple.

Qi Longbing left the hospital and soon returned to his hotel. He then instructed his subordinates, "Investigate the obstetrics and gynecology records of the major hospitals in City B. I need data from four or five years ago. Check if a woman named Hua Xiaomo gave birth to a child."

The major hospitals in City B were only a few. Given Hua Xiaomo’s status, she likely wouldn’t have gone to smaller hospitals for the delivery. Therefore, he hoped to find some leads through this investigation!

"Yes, President Qi." His subordinates quickly responded and hastily departed.

Qi Longbing approached the window, his eyes glinting thoughtfully. He slowly poured himself a glass of Lafite, his mind racing with various issues, especially the events of four or five years ago. The little girl was about that age, around four or five. Suddenly, he remembered there was a prestigious school next to that hospital.

Right, how could he have forgotten? He should visit that prestigious school to inquire. Maybe the teachers there would know more about the relationship between the little girl and Hua Xiaomo.

Soon, Qi Longbing left the hotel and went straight to the prestigious school next to Zhongshan Hospital.

He successfully found Candy’s homeroom teacher, as well as the principal.

But from them, he learned that Candy was already five years old and that her relationship with Hua Xiaomo did not seem like one of adoption.

"Thank you, I have a better understanding now. I appreciate your time!" Qi Longbing said, forcing a smile, before promptly leaving the school.

This time, he didn’t return to the hotel but instead wandered the streets. He found it very strange, and despite mulling it over repeatedly, he struggled to understand what had truly happened five years ago. Whose child was she? Was she really adopted by Hua Xiaomo? But the likelihood of her adopting a child seemed incredibly slim.

While Qi Longbing was wandering the streets, a girl suddenly walked towards him from the opposite direction.

She wore a pink dress, with long, straight hair framing a very pure and innocent-looking face.

However, Qi Longbing, engrossed in his thoughts, paid no attention to her and didn’t even notice her as they passed by.

This made Xiao Qing quite embarrassed. She had to turn back, and looking at Long Bin, she called out softly, "President Qi, what brings you here?"

Only then did Qi Longbing turn his head to look at the newcomer. His gaze settled on the innocent-looking girl as he slowly asked, "And you are?"

Xiao Qing was taken aback. Good heavens, he actually didn’t remember her! Was she that ordinary-looking? But all the men in the company remembered her after just one glance. How could President Qi forget her so quickly?

They had just gone shopping together yesterday, and he even bought her a pair of shoes! How could he forget her so soon? Oh dear, what was going on?

"President Qi, I’m Xiao Qing, secretary to Hua Xiaomo, the chairman of Purple Demon Immortal Inquiry Company!" Xiao Qing said, her large, watery eyes full of innocence. She looked at Qi Longbing. He had forgotten her, but she remembered him vividly; she simply couldn’t forget his kindness.