Ji Xuan glanced at Xiao Ruoguang but ultimately kept his mouth shut. Instead, he turned to Xiao Yu and asked, “What did the doctor say about your discharge?”

Xiao Yu replied in a faint voice, “The doctor said I can be discharged anytime. What, were you hoping I’d make a miraculous recovery from being paralyzed? Sigh… I’ve been here so long, they’re probably sick of seeing me.”

Ji Xuan nodded. “Alright, I’ll have someone take care of it tomorrow.”

Xiao Yu shot him a look. “What do you mean ‘take care of it’? It’s not like I died or something. Just say you’re coming to pick me up. Don’t forget the second-floor room by the window! And remember to leave the clothes behind. See you!”

Ji Xuan: “……” Damn, I didn’t even say anything yet.

Then Xiao Yu turned to Xiao Ruoguang. “Xiaoguang, come on, say goodbye to your ungrateful wolf of a father.”

If Xiao Yu hadn’t said it, Ji Xuan wouldn’t even have remembered. Once she brought it up, he finally asked, “Can we do something about Xiaoguang’s habit of calling me ungrateful dad?”

Xiao Yu blinked and put on an innocent doll-like face. “Hmm? Let me think…”

Ji Xuan: …If she has to think about it, that means she can change it.

Xiao Yu said, “I think it’ll be tough. But I can talk to him about it.”

Ji Xuan said, “Alright then, go ahead and talk to him.”

Xiao Yu sighed. “Xiaoguang’s had it rough. Until yesterday, he didn’t even know he had a dad. I couldn’t bear it anymore, so I told him. He found you through my contact list.”

Ji Xuan nodded, then paused and frowned. “Wait a second… In your contacts, don’t tell me it’s…”

Xiao Yu gave a solemn nod. “You know, first impressions are really important for kids. I didn’t plan it… I really didn’t…”

Ji Xuan cut her off. “Just tell me what to do.”

Xiao Yu let out a small “Oh,” then said casually, “No need to do much! Xiaoguang, from now on, don’t call him ‘Ungrateful Dad.’ Just ‘Dad’ is fine. Sounds better to other people.”

Xiao Ruoguang didn’t even ask why. He shouted in a long, childish voice, “Okaaay~!” Then turned to Ji Xuan and said sweetly, “Bye, Daddy.”

Ji Xuan: “……”

He suddenly realized something and snapped, “If you could’ve explained it that clearly, why didn’t you do it yesterday?!”

“Yesterday?” Xiao Yu looked at him like it was the most obvious thing in the world. “You didn’t ask.”

Ji Xuan nearly spat out a mouthful of blood. So if I hadn’t asked, how long was I going to be stuck being “Ungrateful Dad”?

Xiao Ruoguang thought for a moment, then turned to Xiao Yu and asked, “Mom, if Daddy isn’t ‘Ungrateful Dad,’ what kind of daddy is he?”

Xiao Yu hummed thoughtfully, but before she could answer, Ji Xuan quickly jumped in, “Daddy’s last name is Ji, sweetheart. Just calling me ‘Daddy’ is enough—no need to add anything else.”

Xiao Ruoguang nodded seriously. “Then does Sister have the last name Ji too?”

Ji Xuan nodded. “Yes, her name is Ji Yu. She has the same last name.”

Then, with innocent curiosity, Xiao Ruoguang asked, “Daddy, then why is my last name Xiao?”

Ji Xuan: “……”

Caught completely off guard, he reflexively turned to look at Xiao Yu.

Xiao Yu simply gave him a sweet smile.

At that moment, Ji Yu chimed in, “Well, you don’t live in our house, so of course you don’t have the Ji surname!”

Xiao Ruoguang’s eyes went wide as he looked at her. “Wait… I’m not Daddy’s kid?”

Ji Yu replied, “Hmm~ I don’t know!”

Xiao Ruoguang looked at Ji Yu, then at Ji Xuan, and finally turned to Xiao Yu. “Mom, don’t kids usually have the same last name as their dad? Mine’s different from Daddy’s… Does that mean I’m not his child?”

Ji Xuan quickly jumped in, “Of course you’re my child!”

“Then why don’t I live in Daddy’s house or have his last name?”

Ji Xuan froze again, completely stumped. He could only turn to Xiao Yu for help.

Smiling calmly, Xiao Yu answered with one line that settled it all: “Because you live with Mommy, so you have Mommy’s last name—Xiao.”

Xiao Ruoguang’s eyes lit up with understanding. “Ohhh! Right, I’ve always lived with Mommy!”

Ji Xuan: “……” Wait… that actually works? That’s allowed?

Ji Yu looked at Xiao Yu, just as puzzled. “Then if Mommy ever moves in with us, what last name would I have?”

Ji Xuan: “……” Is that how this works now?

Xiao Yu gave her a gentle, loving smile. “Then you’d have two last names to choose from! If you want to be Ji, be Ji. If you want to be Xiao, be Xiao.”

Ji Xuan: “!!!”

Then Xiao Yu turned to Ji Xuan with a pleasant smile. “Right?”

“Right? Right your head! You think you can just change surnames whenever you want?” Ji Xuan practically exploded, his whole body bristling like a cat.

Xiao Yu replied coolly, “Are you dumb? Who cares what she says her last name is? We’re not changing it on the household registration. She can call herself whatever she wants.”

Ji Xuan: “……” So we’re just openly lying to kids now, huh?

Ji Yu didn’t quite get what they were arguing about, but after thinking it over, she said, “Then I’ll stick with Ji! If I change to Xiao, I’d be Xiao Yu… just like Mommy.”

Xiao Yu raised an eyebrow. “Not bad, sweetheart. How did you know Mommy’s name is Xiao Yu?”

Ji Yu beamed at the praise, crossed her arms, tilted her chin up proudly, and said, “It’s written at the foot of your bed! I can read, you know. I know lots of characters. I can even write short essays! The kids in my class can’t—they’re still stuck on phonics!”

Xiao Yu nodded in approval, while Xiao Ruoguang, standing nearby, lowered his head in embarrassment. Ji Xuan noticed and quickly reached out to pat his head. “Once we’re back, Daddy will talk to your sister’s kindergarten. You’ll get to go to school too, okay?”

Xiao Ruoguang’s eyes lit up, wide and sparkling. “I can really go to school?”

Ji Xuan nodded firmly. Xiao Ruoguang threw his arms around him, his voice trembling with emotion. “Thank you, Daddy! You’re the best dad ever!”

That made Ji Xuan feel like he was floating on air. Then Xiao Ruoguang added, “Daddy, let me walk you to the door!”

Still riding the high, Ji Xuan nodded eagerly and let Xiao Ruoguang lead him out by the hand.

Back inside, Ji Yu frowned and muttered angrily under her breath, “Stupid old man, ditching the old for the new. Hmph.”

Ban Zhenye could only smile and take Ji Yu’s hand gently. “Come on, say goodbye to Mommy.”

Ji Yu turned to Xiao Yu. “Bye, Mommy.” Then after a pause, she blushed and added softly, “I’ll come with them tomorrow to bring you home.”

Xiao Yu gave her a warm, motherly smile. “Mommy will be waiting. And don’t forget—you did something really wonderful today, so make sure to tell Teacher Yi.”

Ji Yu tilted her head cutely, giving that classic little-girl pose, and asked, “Tell her what?”

Xiao Yu tried to lift her hand but found she couldn’t, so she simply smiled again with that gentle, motherly warmth. “Silly girl, of course you should tell Teacher Yi that you’re going to help bring Mommy home tomorrow! Teachers love well-behaved, thoughtful kids. That way, when you ask for time off, not only won’t she be upset—she’ll praise you for being such a filial, caring child.”

Ji Yu’s eyes widened. “Really? Will Teacher Yi like me even more if I do that?”

Xiao Yu smiled confidently and answered without hesitation, “She will.”

Ji Yu nodded seriously.

Ban Zhenye: “……” What just happened here?

=^_^=