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

She tilted her head, her big eyes still brimming with tears, and scrutinized Mo Ye, as if trying to determine the truthfulness of his words.

After a while, she made a request in her childish voice: "Then...I want to ride on Daddy's shoulders!"

As long as she doesn't cry, everything is negotiable!

Mo Ye secretly wiped away a cold sweat, and readily lifted the light little dumpling up, letting her sit steadily on his shoulders. For safety, he also firmly held her two restless little legs with his hands.

"Wow—!" Suddenly her view opened up, and Tongtong stopped crying and burst into laughter, her silvery laughter echoing all the way. "So tall! Daddy's so tall!"

Hearing the happy laughter on his shoulder, Mo Ye felt inexplicably relieved.

He tentatively asked, "Tongtong, where's your mother?"

Tongtong looked around curiously, then answered matter-of-factly, "Mommy's working! Doesn't Daddy know?"

Mo Ye blushed and continued to guide her, "So... how did Tongtong find her father?"

Mentioning this, Tongtong immediately puffed out her little chest proudly, pulled out the "evidence" from her bear backpack—Mo Ye's ID card that had been missing for four years—and shoved it right in front of him: "Look! Tongtong found it!"

When that familiar ID card, with its slightly worn edges, came into view, Mo Ye's eyes widened instantly, and his breath caught in his throat for a moment!

"Where...where did you find this?!" His voice trembled with shock.

"I found it in the photo album that Mom hid!" The little dumpling had a smug look on his face that said, "Praise me for being smart."

Mom... photo album... ID card...

Several keywords strung together, like a key, clicked open the floodgates of memories from that chaotic, hazy, and taboo night that had been sealed away for four years.

That woman with the scent of fruit... the wrong hotel room... a bizarre night... and the few glaring banknotes and the missing ID card on the bedside table the next morning...

Could it really be such a coincidence?!

Mo Ye suddenly turned his head and carefully examined the small dumpling on his shoulder.

With trembling hands, he took out his phone and flipped through his childhood digital photo album to compare.

They're not completely unrelated, but... exactly the same!

Those eyebrows, those nose, that curve of her lips when she smiles... she's practically a female version of Xiao Moye!

If this child isn't Lao Mo's illegitimate daughter, then the only explanation is—she's Mo Ye's daughter!

It was the result of his one night of passion...

The latter result is clearly more convincing.

This realization struck him like a thunderbolt, exploding in his twenty-two years of smooth sailing life.

He had never even been in a serious relationship, yet he was suddenly told he was going to become a father.

This buffer space... is far too small!

He needs time to calm down and process this bombshell news that could upend his life.

He took a deep breath, steadied his slightly weak arms, and, with the little darling on his shoulder, headed towards the nearest cafeteria. "Tongtong, are you hungry? Daddy... how about we go get some yogurt?"

"Okay, okay!" Tongtong swung her short legs, holding the yogurt her father had bought for her, and drank it with great satisfaction.

She's found her dad; she's the happiest girl in the world!

Meanwhile, the He family villa was already in complete chaos.

When Zhou Yuanchao discovered that Tongtong was missing, he was terrified and mobilized almost all available manpower to search for her in and around the villa area.

When He Wanqing received the call, she was in a meeting. Upon hearing the news of her daughter's disappearance, she felt dizzy and almost fainted.

Tongtong is her life, her source of joy.

But she quickly calmed herself down.

Tongtong is different from other children. She is exceptionally intelligent and even has a photographic memory, an ability that her family has never had before.

Moreover, although Tongtong is clever and mischievous, she would never get lost for no reason; it's only possible that she left on her own premeditated basis.

She rushed home immediately, suppressing her heart palpitations, and asked Zhou Yuanchao in detail about all of Tongtong's unusual behavior that day.

When Zhou Yuanchao mentioned in frustration that he had helped Tongtong look up information about "Mo Ye" and discovered that Mo Ye was at S University, He Wanqing was struck dumb, and her face turned deathly pale.

That name... that name she tried to forget and bury over four years!

The only and most unexpected man in her life!

Zhou Yuanchao suddenly realized, "Miss, you mean...the young lady...she went to S University to find...to find that Mo Ye?!"

"Hurry to S University!" He Wanqing's voice trembled almost imperceptibly as she grabbed her car keys and rushed out.

Mo Ye stood at the grand entrance of S University, holding the soft little dumpling in his arms.

A gentle breeze in early summer carries the fragrance of sycamore trees.

He looked down at Tongtong, who was clinging tightly to his neck and burying her face in his shoulder, and guessed that her family must be on their way.

Sure enough, less than ten minutes later, a sleek Maserati Quattroporte smoothly pulled up in front of them.

The tinted car window slowly rolled down, revealing a figure in the driver's seat.

"It's Mommy's car!" Tongtong's eyes lit up, and she pointed at the car with her little finger. Then, as if she remembered something, she buried her face even deeper into Mo Ye's neck, only revealing her big, round eyes as she secretly observed him.

Looking at the luxury car in front of him, Mo Ye's guess was confirmed. From Tongtong's fine clothes and handmade leather shoes, he knew that the girl came from a wealthy family. However, the level of this car still made him raise his eyebrows slightly.

He had just learned from Tongtong's chattering description that her mother's name was He Wanqing.

He silently recited the name in his mind. It sounded beautiful, carrying the gentle elegance of the Jiangnan water towns.

The car door opened, and a foot in an exquisite high heel landed first, revealing a slender ankle and a beautifully shaped calf.

Mo Ye's gaze involuntarily shifted upwards, and his heart skipped a beat for no apparent reason.

When He Wanqing stood completely in front of him, the surrounding air seemed to fall silent for a moment.

She wore a well-tailored off-white suit skirt, with an upright posture and a cool demeanor.

Her long hair was tied into a low bun, revealing her smooth, full forehead and slender swan neck.

Her features were exquisitely delicate, yet a layer of frost remained between her brows and eyes, like a snow lotus that could not be plucked from a snow-capped mountain.

Mo Ye had to admit that she was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen in real life, without a doubt.

Even the school beauty would probably pale in comparison to her.

He quickly shook off the inappropriate "dirty thoughts" in his mind and forced himself to calm down.

He Wanqing's gaze first fell anxiously on Tongtong, and after confirming that she was safe and sound, her tense shoulders relaxed almost imperceptibly by a millimeter.

She reached out her hand, her voice clear yet undeniably authoritative: "Tongtong, come here."

Tongtong hugged Mo Ye's neck even tighter, snuggling closer into his arms, and timidly called out, "Mommy..."

He Wanwan's outstretched hand froze in mid-air, her expression growing even colder.

Mo Ye felt the dependence and tension of the small body in his arms, and smiled awkwardly at He Wanqing, trying to ease the atmosphere: "Ms. He, hello."

He Wanqing's gaze finally settled on Mo Ye's face, her eyes scrutinizing him as if trying to see through his skin to his inner self. She nodded slightly, her tone distant: "Mr. Mo."