The light in three pairs of eager eyes suddenly dimmed.

Yu Yingze had been happily clutching the straps of his backpack, but upon hearing that their father wasn’t coming, his excitement disappeared completely.

Again. It was always like this.

Every time they planned to do something together, there was always some work-related issue that seemed more important than them.

Yu Yingze thought he had gotten used to it, but at that moment, the familiar sense of suffocation returned, leaving him so upset that he couldn’t utter a word.

Yu Mingxi, who was older, wasn’t surprised. He was sensible and understanding, and he never threw a tantrum over such things. But even so, the disappointment was inevitable.

“I’ll watch over Yingze and Yuanyuan, Dad. You can go take care of your urgent matters without worry.” Patting his younger siblings on the head, Yu Mingxi gently reassured his father, his tone sounding more like he was comforting Yu Jinxiao instead.

The disappointment on the faces of the three children was evident. Yu Jinxiao could sense it, but he couldn’t give them the response they wanted.

If it had just been a work issue, he could have asked Gao Zhou to adjust his schedule. He didn’t want to break a promise he had made to his children.

But this time, the matter was serious, and he had to handle it personally.

Since he received the news early that morning, he knew he would have to give up the outing with his children.

At that moment, a phrase Yuanyuan had once said echoed in his mind—

“Daddy, why do you even lie to little kids?”

She was right. Just yesterday, he had promised them so firmly that they would go together.

But overnight, things had changed.

The more Yu Jinxiao thought about it, the more frustrated he became. The dark expression on his face grew even more terrifying.

Yu Mingxi, oblivious to what was really going on, assumed the stress was from the work situation and that’s why his father seemed so upset.

“Daddy isn’t coming?” Yuanyuan’s baby voice piped up again, still not quite understanding the situation.

Before Yu Jinxiao could respond, Yu Mingxi crouched down to explain, “Yuanyuan, Daddy has an urgent work matter to deal with, so he can’t come with us. But don’t worry, big brother and Uncle Gao will go with you. Is that okay?”

“Okay!” The little one quickly brightened up again, twirling around Yu Mingxi’s legs excitedly. “Yuanyuan wants to see fishies! And penguins!”

“I knew it.” After holding it in for a long time, Yu Yingze finally muttered a complaint.

“Yingze, it’s not Dad’s fault. If it weren’t for something really urgent, he’d definitely go with us,” Yu Mingxi said, soothing Yuanyuan before turning to comfort Yu Yingze.

But after so many disappointments, Yu Yingze was not easily consoled.

He crossed his arms, his cheeks puffed up in anger, refusing to look at his father, even when Yu Jinxiao offered a soft explanation.

“Second brother, second brother,” Yuanyuan wriggled under Yu Yingze’s arm, her chubby little hand reaching out, “Yuanyuan will play with you! Are you happy? Yuanyuan’s so happy!”

Her big, shining eyes looked at him with sincerity. Suddenly, Yu Yingze couldn’t stay mad anymore. His heart warmed as if the tightness in his chest was easing.

He glanced at Yu Jinxiao but deliberately didn’t show too much excitement. He just held Yuanyuan’s hand and said, “Let’s go. If we’re late, there’ll be a line.”

“Alright, Mr. Yu… we’re heading out now!” Gao Zhou quickly followed after the three kids heading toward the door.

Yu Mingxi and Yuanyuan each held one of Yu Yingze’s hands, keeping him from dwelling on his frustration.

As Gao Zhou caught up, Yuanyuan held up her free hand, “Uncle Gao, hold hands.”

Feeling honored, Gao Zhou offered his finger to the tiny hand, “Of course, of course.”

Watching them walk away, Yu Jinxiao felt like the odd one out.

The whole family was going out to have fun—even his assistant and driver were going along.

Meanwhile, he was stuck dealing with an infuriating situation.

The villainous blood in his veins stirred—he suddenly felt an urge to break something!