Little Yuanyuan , who had been caught red-handed in her attempt to get out of school, lowered her head, holding her small paw with the tiny bloody hole, trying to look innocent.

“School is non-negotiable. You’re going, no discussion,” Yu Jinxiao mercilessly shattered her final hope.

After a moment of silence, the resigned little dumpling pitifully raised her head and quietly asked, “So… we’re really going out to play tomorrow?”

Thinking about how she’d be starting kindergarten next week, Yu Jinxiao figured giving her a little treat wasn’t a bad idea.

“Yes, we are. Where would you like to go?”

Yuanyuan stayed quiet for a while, then suddenly started waving her little paws around, excitedly saying, “Grass, food, and sunshine!”

Yu Jinxiao pieced together her key points. “So, a picnic?”

“Uh… I guess so?” Yuanyuan wasn’t exactly sure what it was called.

The weather had been good lately, and tomorrow was supposed to be sunny, but not too hot. A picnic sounded like a great plan.

With the plan set, Yu Jinxiao called Gao Zhou to make arrangements for the outing. Later, when his two sons returned home from school, he announced the plan for the next day.

Yu Mingxi and Yuanyuan were thrilled, skipping around hand-in-hand, but Yu Yingze didn’t seem to share their excitement.

His overly calm demeanor left Yu Jinxiao feeling uneasy.

“You don’t like picnics?” Yu Jinxiao asked.

Yu Yingze casually took off his backpack. “It’s not that. I just think that tomorrow morning, something work-related will come up, and in the end, Uncle Gao will be the one taking us.”

“…” Yu Jinxiao couldn’t even argue.

He guiltily reflected on how many times he had canceled plans, and after trying to count, he realized… he couldn’t even remember how many.

Seeing through his father’s thoughts, Yu Yingze added, “Six times. We’ve had six plans to go out, and every time, they were canceled the next day.”

“This time, I promise it won’t happen,” Yu Jinxiao instinctively assured him.

To outsiders, Yu Jinxiao was known as a reliable business partner and a decisive boss. But to his own son? He was someone who broke promises, stood people up, and tricked little kids…

Not exactly a glowing reputation.

“Don’t get your hopes up too much. That way, you won’t be as disappointed,” Yu Yingze said, already used to the pattern. He wasn’t expecting his dad to break the curse of being stood up.

But Yuanyuan’s ears perked up at this.

Daddy stood them up that many times?!

Would tomorrow’s picnic be canceled too?

Worried, Yuanyuan had a restless night, filled with random, confusing dreams that left her exhausted by morning.

“Knock, knock,” Yu Mingxi’s voice came through the door. “Yuanyuan, it’s time to get up. It’s almost 10 o’clock.”

So late?!

The little dumpling rolled out of bed, not even bothering to put on shoes as she dashed out, zooming past Yu Mingxi and heading straight for her father’s room.

“Daddy! Are you still going to the picnic?” The anxious little one urgently needed confirmation.

A calm voice came from inside the cracked door. “I’m not going.”

“What?” Yuanyuan’s face crumpled in disappointment, tears threatening to spill.

Her daddy wasn’t coming after all!

But then the door opened, and there stood Yu Jinxiao, looking completely different from his usual self. He was dressed in a light yellow knit sweater, paired with white jeans, and had a striped jacket casually draped around his neck.

This… this didn’t look like his usual work outfit!

“Just kidding, silly. Go wash up and have breakfast. Once you’re ready, we’ll head out,” Yu Jinxiao ruffled her messy hair, his voice suddenly filled with warmth and affection.