Shocking! A three-year-old brings his aloof mother to their door.

The familiar scent of her father and the warmth of his embrace instantly dispelled her initial shock.

Tongtong nestled in his arms, her little hands touching her flat belly. She tilted her head up, and in the dim light, looked at Mo Ye with her big, watery eyes, complaining pitifully, "Daddy... Tongtong's tummy is hungry~ It's growling..."

That soft, sweet baby voice was like a feather gently tickling the tip of my heart.

Mo Ye couldn't bear to scold her. He turned on a soft wall lamp in the living room and carried Tongtong to a high chair by the dining table. "Sit still, Daddy will get you a small cake. But you can only eat a little, it's too late."

"Mmm!" Tongtong nodded vigorously, her eyes crinkling into crescent moons with a smile.

Mo Ye took out a small cake, placed it on a small plate in front of her, and then turned and went into the kitchen.

He deftly boiled water, preparing to cook two bowls of light plain noodles. After thinking for a moment, he also cooked a small boiled egg for Tongtong separately.

Just as he brought out the cooked noodles and peeled eggs, he heard light footsteps from the second floor.

He Wanqing, wearing a silk slip dress, appeared at the stairwell, clearly having been awakened by the noise.

Her long hair was loosely draped over her shoulders, with a few strands playfully clinging to her cheeks. Gone was the sharp, aloof air of the day; under the warm yellow light, her skin was like jade, her eyes languid, revealing an unguarded softness that was exceptionally captivating.

She saw the restaurant lights, her daughter eating cake, and Mo Ye holding a bowl of noodles, and paused slightly, "What's going on here...?"

She usually checks on Tongtong habitually, and when she finds the area around her empty, she immediately feels a pang of anxiety and goes looking for her.

Mo Ye looked up and saw her. His gaze softened naturally, as if filled with tiny starlight. He shook the bowl in his hand and said gently, "Tongtong is hungry. She got up to find something to eat. I cooked some noodles. Why don't you have some too? It's light, it'll be fine."

He Wanqing walked down the stairs, her gaze falling on the cream on Tongtong's lips and the half-eaten cake in front of her. She frowned disapprovingly and subconsciously said:

"She ate so much tonight, is she hungry again? She'll become a big fat girl soon." Without realizing it, her foot slipped slightly on the smooth floor, and her body swayed slightly.

Mo Ye instinctively tried to help her, but she had already steadied herself.

"Be careful," he said helplessly, placing the noodles on the table. "Kids digest quickly. Here, eat some while it's hot."

He Wanqing looked at the bowl of clear soup noodles, with a few scallions floating on top, the aroma simple yet tempting.

Looking at her daughter happily eating cake next to her, she finally sat down at the table.

After she sat down, the first thing she did was reach out and gently move the cake plate in front of Tongtong to her side, away from the little one's "attack range".

Tongtong was enthusiastically scooping with her spoon when she watched helplessly as her "treasure" was moved away. Her little mouth pouted, and she was about to protest when He Wanqing glanced at her indifferently and pushed the small hard-boiled egg in front of her: "Eat this. You can have the cake tomorrow."

Thus, in the restaurant late at night, this scene unfolded: Mo Ye and He Wanqing sat facing each other, quietly eating clear soup noodles, occasionally making soft slurping sounds.

Tongtong, on the other hand, held the small boiled egg and nibbled on it earnestly like a little hamster, occasionally stealing a glance at the cake that her mother had "confiscated."

After quickly cleaning up the dishes, Mo Ye took Tongtong to brush her teeth carefully.

The little guy stood on his special stool, facing the mirror, gargling in front of him, looking both serious and comical.

Mo Ye gently wiped her soft, porcelain-white face clean with a warm towel. Suddenly, Tongtong tiptoed and planted a kiss on his cheek with the sweet scent of children's toothpaste. She said softly, "Thank you, Daddy! Daddy's the best!"

Then, holding Mo Ye's hand with one hand and trying to pull He Wanqing with the other, she pleaded in a childish voice, "Daddy, Mommy, let's go to sleep together!"

Mo Ye had planned to go back to his guest room after putting Tongtong to sleep, but perhaps it was the sudden fatigue from working late into the night, or perhaps it was the warmth and comfort of having his daughter nestled in his arms. Lying down next to Tongtong and listening to her even breathing, his own eyelids grew heavier and heavier... In the end, he fell into a deep sleep before his daughter, his breathing becoming long and even.

Before long, Tongtong also fell into a deep sleep surrounded by her father's reassuring presence.

The night grew deeper, and all was quiet.

On the large bed, Mo Ye was fast asleep, with Tong Tong curled up in his arms.

He Wanqing, who had been lying quietly to the side, opened her eyes.

In the darkness, her senses seemed to become exceptionally sharp.

That familiar itching sensation, like a tiny electric current coursing through the skin, resurfaced.

She turned her head to the side, using the dim light filtering through the curtains to look at Mo Ye's sleeping silhouette and listen to his steady breathing.

The thoughts that were suppressed by reason during the day quietly peeked out under the cover of night.

She waited a few minutes to make sure the father and daughter beside her were in a deep sleep. Then, with extremely careful and gentle movements that wouldn't disturb anyone, she moved the sleeping Tongtong little by little to a position further inside the bed, so that she could continue to sleep peacefully while hugging her rabbit doll.

Then, holding her breath, like a nimble yet cautious fish, she silently moved into Mo Ye's arms, taking Tong Tong's place.

When her back pressed against his warm chest, and when his unconscious arm naturally wrapped around her waist... He Wanqing could almost hear her heart pounding like a drum in the silence.

An indescribable, immense sense of security and satisfaction, like warm seawater, instantly overwhelmed her, soothing all her subtle restlessness.

She found reasons for herself in her mind, with a self-deceiving sense of self-righteousness: What's wrong with giving a hug?

A legal husband, licensed to work.

It is justified.

Seemingly sensing the adjustment of the "pillow" in his arms while asleep, Mo Ye unconsciously moved slightly, gently rubbing his chin against the top of her head, tightening his arms around her waist slightly, and patting her back twice in a sleepy voice, as if coaxing the "little one" in his arms to sleep.

He Wanqing froze instantly, as if all the blood in her body had rushed to her face. A little voice inside her screamed: He's awake?! He found out?!

She dared not move, and even her breathing stopped for a few seconds.

Only when she was sure that his even breathing hadn't changed and that the patting motion was just an unconscious act during sleep did she suddenly relax, letting out a long, silent sigh, her cheeks burning hot.

In the darkness, no one saw the faint, sweet smile that played on her lips, a smile that was both triumphant and shy.

My body was enveloped by that long-awaited warmth and sense of security, and all the itching and emptiness were dispelled.

Like a cat that has finally found its perfect nest, she curled up contentedly, her consciousness gradually fading.

The last conscious thought crossed my mind: As long as... I wake up earlier than him tomorrow morning... no one will know...