Yun Xuefei’s eyes widened as she looked at him, her breathing a little hurried.
But she quickly recovered and said, "How have you come back... Tang Yuan’s birthday isn’t here yet."
"My work in Yangdong City has concluded, and I won’t be leaving again," he said, gazing deeply at her. "From now on, I can spend more time with you... with our daughter."
Yun Xuefei seemed not to notice the shift in his words, stunned for a moment before saying softly, "...Come in."
After speaking, she led the way into the living room.
The living room floor was scattered with toys and drawing books; a small figure lay in the middle, already asleep. She had two pigtails sticking up, her cheeks a rosy red in slumber.
Yun Xuefei, seeing this, a hint of helpless indulgence crossed her eyes as she smiled: "She fell asleep again..."
She walked over, lifted her daughter from the floor, and called softly, "Tang Yuan."
The little girl woke up suddenly, her eyes wide, "Mommy, I wasn’t asleep!"
"Still saying that..." Yun Xuefei tapped her nose with a playful tone, "Didn’t I tell you to let me know when you’re sleepy, so I can take you to your room to sleep?"
"Mmm..." the little girl responded, rubbing her eyes, and when she opened them again, a tall and imposing figure had appeared before her.
Startled, she said, "Mommy, there’s someone!"
"...Tang Yuan." Huo Yanzhao’s voice was hoarse to the extreme, looking at his daughter’s round apple cheeks, his throat choked up so much that he could barely make a sound, "It’s Daddy."
Yun Xuefei also smiled, touching her daughter’s face: "Don’t you remember? Daddy has come back."
"Daddy..." the little girl murmured, trying to recognize Huo Yanzhao’s features.
She knew she had a daddy who would come back every year to spend time with her and bring her gifts, but...
The little girl blinked in confusion and couldn’t recall what Daddy looked like in her memory. After all, seeing each other once a year was hardly enough for a child her age to keep a firm memory. ᴛhis chapter is ᴜpdated by NoveI★Fire.net
"Tang Yuan doesn’t remember Daddy?" Huo Yanzhao felt a pang of bitterness in his heart upon seeing the unfamiliarity in his daughter’s eyes, "Have you forgotten the roller coaster ride Daddy took you on?"
"Ah..." It seemed as though the little girl suddenly remembered, her eyes curved in delight, her voice clear, "You are Daddy!"
Huo Yanzhao let out a sigh of relief, feeling all the waiting and unease dissipate with the little girl’s confident assertion of "Daddy."
"Is it okay for Daddy to hold you?" he said softly.
The little girl looked at Yun Xuefei, and seeing encouragement in her eyes, she happily stretched out her arms, "Yeah!"
Only then did Huo Yanzhao take her into his arms.
The little girl’s body was extremely soft, still carrying a hint of baby’s scent, which stirred Huo Yanzhao’s heart.
"Daddy, you really are Daddy." The little girl, nestled in his arms, suddenly giggled.
Perhaps the secure embrace had kindled her familiar memories.
"Is last year’s advance squad I bought you still around?" he asked with a smile.
"Oh, right, the advance squad was a gift from Daddy." She spoke excitedly, "I really love them, I have them line up and battle every day! I like the Little Captain the best!"
As she spoke, she couldn’t wait to drag Huo Yanzhao to show him her subordinates.
Yun Xuefei stood quietly aside, watching the silhouettes of father and daughter.