Early in the morning on the weekend, Liang Xianzhang was awakened by a subtle sound. He got up as usual, gently tucked the quilt around Zhou Yi, who was still sleeping beside him, put on his pajamas, and opened the bedroom door.

As soon as the door creaked open, he felt a small hand grab his pants, followed by the weight of a little body pouncing onto his calves.

Liang Xianzhang looked down to see his daughter, holding his calf with one hand while dragging a rabbit doll almost as large as herself with the other. She smiled up at him and cheerfully called, “Dad…”

She immediately plopped down on his feet and opened her arms for a hug.

This had become a familiar morning routine ever since she was able to walk.

Without hesitation, Liang Xianzhang bent down, picked her up, and gently tapped her nose. “You sneaked out of your crib again.”

The baby in his arms blinked up at him innocently, her wide eyes making it clear she had no idea what she had done wrong.

Liang Xianzhang couldn’t help but smile at her, his heart softening as he looked at her round face, which resembled both Zhou Yi and his own. Her bright, round eyes were so like Zhou Yi’s—clear and deep, yet filled with a childlike wonder. When she looked at him, it tugged at his heartstrings.

He wasn’t upset with her; he was just worried she might hurt herself climbing out of her crib on her own. With a resigned sigh, he called her by her nickname, gently repeating what he’d said countless times before, “Xi Zhao, you can’t climb out by yourself next time.”

Hearing this, Liang Xizhao rubbed her cheek against his, nodding enthusiastically. She then pointed toward the bedroom and asked, “Where’s Xiaoyi?”

“Xiaoyi is still sleeping…”

After a moment of thought, she said, “Then the baby will sleep with Xiaoyi…”

Liang Xianzhang chuckled softly and gently refused, “Baby will eat first, and Xiaoyi will wake up after breakfast.” He knew well that, full of energy as she was, putting her in the bed with Zhou Yi would likely wake him up instantly.

Liang Xizhao, however, was easily appeased. Eating was something she enjoyed, and she was always eager to dive into the delicious food awaiting her.

Carrying her downstairs, Liang Xianzhang was met by the hired nanny, who had already prepared breakfast for her. As he placed his daughter in the high chair, he skillfully fastened the bib around her neck. The nanny handed him a bowl of porridge, which had chopped meat, vegetables, and fried egg pancakes mixed in.

Liang Xizhao was now proficient with a spoon. Initially, she had been fed by her family, but seeing everyone else eat with spoons and chopsticks sparked her curiosity. So, Liang Xianzhang had given her a children’s spoon to get used to, patiently guiding her hand until she quickly mastered the skill.

Now, she not only held the spoon confidently but also enjoyed generously scooping food and offering it to him.

Liang Xianzhang leaned over and pretended to take a bite from the spoon. “Thank you, Dad has eaten it.”

Liang Xizhao nodded, pleased, and then offered a bite to her lop-eared rabbit doll before happily feeding herself.

The whole meal took more than half an hour, but Liang Xianzhang didn’t mind. He sat beside her, watching patiently as she ate. He answered her questions from time to time and wiped her hands and mouth when needed.

She was the result of the union between him and Zhou Yi, a child so adorable it felt almost unbelievable every time he looked at her.

Before Liang Xizhao was born, both he and Zhou Yi had wondered if they were truly ready to become parents. After all, their child had been an unexpected blessing. Liang Xianzhang and Zhou Yi had only recently married, and then the susceptible period struck. Shortly after, Liang Xianzhang’s Q period arrived, leading to a lapse in control despite his usual precautions.

Afterward, Liang Xianzhang had been wracked with guilt, blaming himself for causing Zhou Yi so much pain during childbirth. He even underwent Alpha insemination surgery to ensure such a situation would never happen again.

Though the pregnancy had been an accident, both of them eventually decided to keep the baby. In the months that followed, they bought dozens of books on parenting, learning all they could. But the more they learned, the more nervous, anxious, and uneasy they became.

Parenting was far more complicated than they had expected. It wasn’t just about providing financially; emotional support and understanding were just as important.

The parenting manuals were full of advice—listening more, understanding more, caring more. They emphasized the importance of knowing what to do when your child faced difficulties or was upset. The constant anxiety from reading these books kept Liang Xianzhang up at night.

But he didn’t want his worries to affect Zhou Yi, who was already enduring so much with the pregnancy. So, he kept his concerns to himself.

That was until one day, when they went for a check-up together, and Liang Xianzhang couldn’t suppress his anxiety any longer. In the doctor’s office, he ended up vomiting, and it became clear that something was wrong.

The doctor diagnosed him with “pregnancy-associated syndrome,” a psychosomatic condition triggered by psychological stress. The doctor advised him to take it easy, stay positive, and communicate more with people around him.

Zhou Yi, noticing that something was off, patted him comfortingly, “Relax. You’re just too anxious.”

Liang Xianzhang looked down at Zhou Yi’s belly, then gently wrapped his arms around him. “Actually, I’m a little scared that the child we brought into this world might not be happy enough, and I’m afraid I won’t be a good enough father.”

Zhou Yi lovingly ran his fingers through his hair, cupping his face in his hands. “You’re rich, you can cook so many delicious meals, and most importantly, you’re handsome. You’re already the best dad in the world.”

Liang Xianzhang’s eyelashes fluttered. “Really?”

“Of course! Our baby will love you just like I do.”

“Dad… Dad…”

Snapping out of his thoughts, Liang Xianzhang realized that his daughter was calling him. He quickly responded, “What’s wrong?”

“The baby is full…” Liang Xizhao said, her little arms opening wide.

Liang Xianzhang smiled, leaning over to lift her into his arms, settling her comfortably.

Liang Xizhao snuggled into him, rubbing her face against his affectionately, her eyes bright. “Dad, let’s go find Xiaoyi…”

Liang Xianzhang looked at her fondly, a soft smile on his lips as he gently touched her chubby face. “Of course, sweetie.”

Despite all the parenting books they’d read, nothing had prepared him for the true experience of parenthood. Sometimes, he still felt unsure of himself. But one thing was clear: He was committed to being there for her, offering his love and guidance as she grew.