That day, Ye Fan was preparing to go out. She had arranged a time with Cheng Ping to visit her home and teach her daughter piano.

Ye Fan had been to Cheng Ping’s house a few times already. Cheng Ping’s daughter, Yan Xiaoxiao, was eight years old. It was because Xiaoxiao had been pestering her mother to learn piano that Cheng Ping specifically invited Ye Fan to teach her.

As Ye Fan walked to the door, Dudu quietly followed her. Without a word, he somehow knew she was heading out.

Dudu stood silently, not saying a word.

After putting on her shoes, Ye Fan noticed Dudu still standing behind her. She crouched down and said softly. “Mom will be back in two hours, okay?”

Since Ye Fan often went out, she had taught Dudu how to read the hour hand on the clock.

Dudu was very smart and learned it quickly.

In his soft, sweet voice, Dudu replied, “Okay.” Worried he might feel upset, Ye Fan spent some time playing with him before leaving him in the care of Aunt Li. Only then did she step out.

Thanks to the popularity of Undercover on the Bund, Ye Fan had gained a fair bit of fame. The character she portrayed was a hot topic among fans.

Now, whenever Ye Fan went out, some fans would recognize her. To avoid being noticed, she usually wore glasses, which helped her stay under the radar.

When she arrived at Cheng Ping’s house, she removed her mask and rang the doorbell.

“Big sister’s here!” Xiaoxiao exclaimed joyfully. At home, Xiaoxiao often had no one to play with, and because Ye Fan was so patient, Xiaoxiao adored her piano teacher.

Ye Fan bent down and patted her head with a smile. “Xiaoxiao looks so pretty today.”

Xiaoxiao smiled, her crescent-shaped eyes curving beautifully. “Big sister is pretty too,” she said, tilting her head. “Just as good-looking as my cousin.”

Ye Fan glanced at Xiaoxiao, assuming the cousin she mentioned must be around the same age as her.

In reality, Cheng Ping had Xiaoxiao later in life, so her cousin, He Han, was more than a decade older than Xiaoxiao.

Ye Fan’s piano lessons with Xiaoxiao lasted only 40 minutes. An eight-year-old child had limited focus and couldn’t concentrate for too long.

As Ye Fan was getting ready to leave, Cheng Ping stepped out of the kitchen. “Why don’t you stay for dinner?”

Ye Fan smiled and shook her head. “Thank you, but my family’s waiting for me at home.”

Ye Fan had mentioned to Cheng Ping before that she was a small-time actress and could only teach for a short term.

Cheng Ping, knowing her daughter’s fleeting interests, was already surprised Xiaoxiao had stuck with piano for this long.

She didn’t press further. “By the way, I’ve been keeping up with the drama you’re in,” Cheng Ping said. Initially, she had started watching the series because of He Han, but she was surprised to find Ye Fan acting in it as well.

“You’re doing a great job.” Cheng Ping added.

Ye Fan felt a little shy. “I’m still learning. I’m not as good as you say.”

After saying goodbye to Cheng Ping, Ye Fan headed home. She had promised Dudu she’d return early, and once she made a promise, she kept it.

Walking out of the house, Ye Fan quickened her pace, eager to get back home.

Just then, a black car approached from the opposite direction. The driver was He Han, who happened to be in the area for something that day.

He Han rested his hands on the steering wheel, his expression as cold and detached as ever.

As Ye Fan walked past He Han’s car, his movements paused slightly.

Turning his head, He Han caught sight of her. His gaze lingered on her for a few seconds.

She was wearing glasses, her dark, silky hair casually draped over her shoulders and framing her face. In the sunlight, she exuded an effortless kind of beauty.

For some reason, even though he couldn’t clearly see her face, He Han felt she looked familiar.

His eyes narrowed slightly, their depths darkening.

Still, He Han didn’t dwell on the thought of who she might be. He pulled his gaze away, slowing his car as it gradually came to a stop.

Ye Fan walked straight ahead without sparing a glance at the person in the car. She didn’t care in the slightest.

The two passed each other, just missing an encounter.

Ye Fan hurried back home. When she opened the door, she saw Dudu sitting on a small stool by the entrance. The moment he saw her walk in, he dashed toward her with open arms.

Aunt Li emerged from the kitchen. “Dudu couldn’t sit still. He insisted on waiting for you to come back, so he brought over a stool and sat here on his own.”

Dudu was a smart boy. Ye Fan had told him what time she’d return, and he had been watching the clock the entire time.

His chubby little body felt quite heavy as Ye Fan scooped him up. She adjusted her hold and spoke to him softly. “How about we go shopping together today, sweetie?”

Dudu wrapped his arms around her neck and rested his face on her shoulder. He nodded obediently.

The idea of going out with his mom made Dudu visibly excited. A big smile spread across his face as he replied in his sweet, childlike voice, “Okay!”

Not staying home for long, Ye Fan carried Dudu and headed out.

The large supermarket was some distance away, so they’d need to take a car to get there. Holding Dudu in her arms, Ye Fan walked toward the neighborhood’s main gate to hail a taxi.

Not long after, Dudu began kicking his little legs. Ye Fan immediately stopped and asked, “What’s wrong, sweetie?”

Dudu’s wide, round eyes gazed up at her, unblinking. “I’m heavy. I’ll walk on my own,” he said seriously.

Ye Fan couldn’t help but recall the last time she had taken Dudu out to play. They had come across a mother and her child. The child had begged to be carried, but the mother, exhausted, had told them they had to walk on their own.

Dudu had a remarkable memory. Whenever he overheard adults talking, he would remember their words immediately.

Children were like blank sheets of paper—simple and pure. As long as someone guided them, they could learn incredibly fast.

Ye Fan said gently, “But you’re still a little baby. Mommy can carry you for a while longer.”

Dudu was firm, shaking his head. “No.”

Ye Fan had no choice but to set him down on the ground. She reached out her hand and took his tiny one. “How about this instead?”

Only then did Dudu nod in agreement.

Since the neighborhood gate wasn’t far, Ye Fan figured Dudu wouldn’t get too tired. Holding his small hand, she flagged down a car and headed to the nearest supermarket.

The supermarket wasn’t crowded. Dudu followed closely by her side, making it easy to keep an eye on him. Ye Fan’s main goal wasn’t shopping—she simply wanted to give Dudu some fresh air. Their household supplies were more than sufficient, but she thought of getting Dudu some snacks.

“Sweetie, stay close to Mommy, okay?” Ye Fan said, carrying a shopping basket in one hand and holding Dudu’s chubby little hand in the other.

The supermarket had a maze-like layout, and if Dudu let go of her hand and ran off, it would be nearly impossible to find such an adorable, chubby child again.

As it turned out, Ye Fan was worrying for nothing. In Dudu’s heart, nothing mattered more than his mom. He followed her closely, step by step, never giving her a reason to fret.

While Ye Fan crouched by a shelf, selecting items, Dudu stood beside her, using his plump little fingers to poke at a row of candies.

“Mommy, candy! It’s sweet!” he said, his voice full of excitement.

The last time Ye Fan had let Dudu taste a little candy, she hadn’t allowed him to eat much. Yet, that sweet flavor had left a deep impression on him.

Not wanting Dudu to eat too much sugar, Ye Fan gently pulled his hand and led him away from the candy aisle. She pointed to the yogurt section. “This is sweet too. How about we get this instead?”

Dudu remembered the taste of yogurt. After thinking for a moment, he nodded.

“Mommy.”

Ye Fan suddenly felt someone wrap their arms around her leg. The voice wasn’t Dudu’s.

Looking down, she froze in surprise. A little girl she had never seen before was clinging to her leg and calling her “Mommy.”

The girl looked about the same age as Dudu. Her face was red and tear-streaked, her nose running as she cried. She must have gotten separated from her mom.

The moment the little girl called Ye Fan “Mommy,” Dudu’s small face scrunched up in displeasure. He immediately tightened his grip on Ye Fan’s hand and glared at the girl with wary eyes.

Ye Fan didn’t notice Dudu’s reaction. Squatting down, she asked the little girl some questions, but the child was too young to explain anything. Left with no choice, Ye Fan took Dudu’s hand in one of hers and the little girl’s in the other, leading them to the front desk.

Fortunately, the little girl’s mother had just arrived at the counter, on the verge of tears, ready to make an announcement about her missing child.

When Ye Fan showed up with the girl, her mother nearly broke down in relief.

After reuniting with her daughter, the woman thanked Ye Fan profusely, her gratitude evident.

Ye Fan returned to pick up the basket she had left by the shelf. Once she had paid for everything and was ready to leave the supermarket, she noticed something was off about Dudu.

He clung tightly to her hand, not saying a word.

One glance at his little face made it obvious—he was upset.

Ye Fan led Dudu to the supermarket’s seating area and crouched down in front of him, meeting his gaze at eye level.

“What’s wrong, sweetie?”

Dudu avoided her, turning his head to the side with his lips pressed into a pout. He looked like he was on the verge of tears.

Ye Fan felt a bit flustered. She had no idea what had happened to make Dudu so upset.

Staying patient, she coaxed him softly. “Dudu, if something’s bothering you, you can tell Mommy. Why are you unhappy?”

Dudu’s long lashes drooped, and a tear clung to them, ready to fall.

“You’re my mommy. Mine, only mine,” Dudu mumbled in a small voice. Though quiet, his tone was firm, as if he desperately wanted Ye Fan to understand. He repeated his words, emphasizing them.

Dudu was almost three years old now. He understood a lot and could express himself quite clearly.

Ye Fan quickly realized that the incident with the little girl calling her “Mommy” had likely made Dudu feel insecure.

Gently, Ye Fan stroked Dudu’s soft earlobe and cupped his chubby cheeks, looking into his round, watery eyes. “Sweetie, you really love Mommy, don’t you?”

Even though Dudu was still upset with Ye Fan, he nodded.

Dudu felt deeply wronged. He loved his mommy, no doubt about that, but someone had almost taken her away from him.

Ye Fan continued speaking gently, her tone soothing. “That little girl loves her mommy too, which is why I helped her find her.”

“But Mommy is only yours. You are always my number one.”

Ye Fan wasn’t sure if Dudu fully understood her words, but she repeated them patiently, hoping he would.

After what felt like a long moment, Dudu suddenly leaned forward and planted a tiny kiss on the tip of Ye Fan’s nose.

That small, soft gesture landed delicately, warming Ye Fan’s heart instantly.

Her heart felt like it had turned into a puddle of sweetness.

After the kiss, Dudu snuggled into Ye Fan’s arms, reverting to his usual cheerful self.

In his own quiet way, he had expressed his feelings: he had forgiven her.

=^_^=