"So, you’re saying you don’t want me to take on the responsibility of being a father? Are you also trying to deprive me of my right to be a father?" Qi Longbing’s voice grew stern as he looked at her. How could she be so selfish?

Even if she didn’t consider him, she should think of the child. The child has the right to know who her father is and, moreover, the right to know that her father can provide her with the life she truly desires.

The daughter of the great CEO of Qi Imperial Court—her future is bound to be brilliant.

Hua Xiaomo’s expression turned conflicted. She hadn’t expected Qi Longbing to discover that Candy was his daughter. But there was no way she would let him take her daughter; she couldn’t live without her daughter either.

After a long silence, Hua Xiaomo finally said slowly, "Then what do you want, President Qi? My child and I are living well in City B. We’ve grown accustomed to life here. This simple life suits us, and we don’t want any changes!"

"I don’t know if you can understand this, but you have your own family. If you like children, I believe Miss Pan would be very willing to have them for you. I just hope our adult issues don’t involve the child, alright?" Hua Xiaomo looked at Qi Longbing and continued slowly, "That’s all I can say for now." There were some things she truly couldn’t let go of.

"Do you really want me to resort to legal means to reclaim my rights as a father?" Qi Longbing’s voice grew cold.

Hua Xiaomo looked at him, her eyes suddenly wide with fear. The hand holding her cup trembled. Qi Longbing reached out and grabbed her arm, his grip tight.

Hua Xiaomo froze for a moment, then looked at him. "Qi Longbing, I really can’t live without Candy. Please, don’t fight me for her, alright?"

"She is my daughter. How could it be called fighting you for her?" Qi Longbing said, still holding her arm, feeling her tremble with fear.

But why didn’t she accept him back then? If she had been willing to make even a small change for him, perhaps the three of them wouldn’t be in this situation now!

"Qi Longbing, I’m begging you, please? Candy will be very well taken care of. Just don’t interfere in her life anymore, alright?" Hua Xiaomo pleaded, tears welling in her eyes, unsure what else she could say.

She hoped this peace could last forever; she didn’t want any changes in her and Candy’s lives.

Seeing her expression, a faint sense of pity stirred in Qi Longbing.

He gently took the cup from her hand and pulled her into his embrace, hoping the warmth from his chest could lend her some strength.

"Xiao Mo, when will our family of three finally be together?" Qi Longbing murmured, looking at her, his eyes dark and profound.

Even after knowing Candy was his daughter, was he still unable to bring her back, to bring them both to his side? Or was he fated to endure the agony of being separated from his own flesh and blood? Could it be that, in this lifetime, he would never be able to acknowledge her as his own?

Hua Xiaomo’s heart jolted slightly as she listened. She looked at him. "Qi Longbing, why be so stubborn? Actually, Miss Pan is wonderful; she’s very suitable for you."

"She’s very suitable for me? Is that just what you see on the surface? Is it like how Qi Imperial Court and Warner World seem like a good match? But you don’t realize they are only suited for cooperation, not for life together. If they were to live together, they would be miserable, and it would make everyone uncomfortable. You simply can’t see this fundamental incompatibility," Qi Longbing replied coolly, suppressing the unhappiness within him.

"Qi Longbing, can we please not talk about this? I think it’s better if our lives don’t change," Hua Xiaomo said firmly. She just wanted to convey a simple point to him: she didn’t want change. That was all.

Qi Longbing looked at her. He knew this would be the outcome. He knew that if he talked to her, she would have this attitude. She clearly didn’t want him to acknowledge his daughter, nor did she want him to have the rights of a father.

It was the same old story: she still wanted to reject him, still wanted to prevent him from re-entering their lives.

Well, given her attitude, he would have to do things his way.

"I’m sorry, but I will take my daughter," Qi Longbing said, clearly noticing Hua Xiaomo’s agitated expression.

Hua Xiaomo stared at him in disbelief. She hadn’t expected Qi Longbing to be so resolute. She had thought that if she pleaded, he would speak kindly and agree to her request.

But seeing the determination in his eyes, she was truly worried, terrified that he would take Candy away.

If that happened, she felt all her hard work and struggles would lose their purpose.

"If you insist on this, Qi Longbing, I will not compromise! I will never let you take my daughter!" Hua Xiaomo declared, pushing him away. But in that instant, Qi Longbing pulled her firmly back into his embrace.

"What on earth are you thinking, Hua Xiaomo? You got pregnant with my child and would rather give birth in secret than tell me a single word? What do you take me for?" Qi Longbing stared at her, a sudden wave of exasperation washing over him.

He really couldn’t fathom what she was thinking.

One thing was certain, though: Hua Xiaomo did not want his daughter to return to his side, nor did she want them to acknowledge each other!

"I’m sorry. What happened back then was just a mistake," Hua Xiaomo said, a faint blush of embarrassment on her face.

"A mistake? You actually call it a mistake? Fine! Even if it was a mistake, why did you give birth to this ’mistake’ then?!" Qi Longbing’s tone was laced with an unbearable anger.

Hua Xiaomo felt conflicted and looked up at him. "Qi Longbing, can’t you be a little more rational? Please, can we not dwell on this issue? You already have a family. You have your wife."

"Don’t talk to me about that right now. Regarding Candy, do you plan to hide her from me for her entire life? Do you intend for her never to acknowledge me as her father?" Qi Longbing demanded, his expression turning severe.

"Candy is my daughter. That is an unchangeable fact. Hua Xiaomo, no matter how you deny it or try to prevent it, Candy is still my daughter! She and I will acknowledge each other sooner or later. You can’t stop that," Qi Longbing stated bluntly to her.

Then, looking into her eyes, he saw his own reflection there. But he desperately wanted to know: was there truly any place for him in her heart?