Even as clueless as she often was, little Yuanyuan could tell something was wrong.

She let go of the legs she was hugging and looked up, trying hard to see who the person was… only to realize it was a complete stranger.

The man had an awkward smile on his face, likely just passing by and unexpectedly grabbed by a little girl calling him “Daddy.” For a moment, he became a father out of the blue.

“Oh no, Yuanyuan hugged the wrong person! So sorry, uncle!” Yuan Yuan quickly released him, embarrassed, shuffling her feet and lowering her head, her cheeks flushed.

The man waved it off with a laugh. “No problem, no problem.”

Honestly, having such a cute and playful daughter would make anyone feel like a winner in life! He wouldn’t mind, but alas, the adorable daughter belonged to someone else.

After a brief moment of embarrassment, Yuanyuan recovered quickly, skipping away to look for the real person she was seeking. This time, after carefully checking the face, she spread her arms wide and exclaimed, “Daddy! Why are you so late today?”

Yu Jinxiao didn’t immediately hug her. Instead, he shot a cold glance at the passing man, sending a chill down his spine as he hurried away.

“I got caught up with work,” Gao Zhou quickly stepped in to explain. “But you did great, Miss Yuanyuan! You waited patiently at the gate without wandering off.”

“Teacher Su and Uncle Security said I shouldn’t leave or go with strangers,” Yuanyuan proudly raised her hand, pointing in a specific direction, “and Brother Shen Ji said the same thing!”

“Huh? You ran into him?” Gao Zhou looked around curiously but saw no one.

Shen Ji, being as withdrawn as he was, had already quietly slipped away, not wanting to interact further with anyone.

“Yeah! Brother Shen Ji goes to school over there,” Yuanyuan pointed again. Gao Zhou and Yu Jinxiao exchanged glances.

How strange.

How could Shen Ji afford to attend that school?

The school in question was one of the most prestigious in Jiangcheng, second only to the one attended by Yu Mingxi and Yu Yingze. The tuition fees were astronomical, and the school even required a background check on the parents. It wasn’t a place just anyone could get into.

Both Yu Jinxiao and Gao Zhou had met Shen Ji’s uncle and family, and their financial situation certainly didn’t suggest they could afford such an expensive school.

To put it bluntly, their economic situation was below average, let alone having the means for such a high-end education.

Gao Zhou, who had always thought Shen Ji was a poor boy, now found the situation even more puzzling.

However, not wanting to discuss this in front of Yuanyuan, both men changed the subject and quickly ushered her into the car.

Yuanyuan, having met Shen Ji, was in a great mood. After dinner, she hummed happily while wandering around the yard, searching for Dahua.

Not finding Dahua, she suddenly remembered something, bouncing up and down as she intercepted Yu Jinxiao at the entrance of his study.

“Daddy! Let’s go roll around on the grass this weekend!” The cheerful little one raised her arms in excitement, her eyes sparkling as she made the suggestion.

Roll on the grass?

Who would want to do such a silly thing?! Yu Jinxiao didn’t even consider it and immediately rejected the idea, his lips curling as he looked down at her. “No.”

What?! Daddy refused without even thinking!

The little girl, who had been sure she would get her way, froze in place. A second later, she jumped in place. “Why, Daddy, why?? Rolling in the grass is so much fun!”

“There could be bugs, or worse, dog poop,” Yu Jinxiao replied flatly, “If you roll around in the grass, all of that will end up in your clothes and hair.”

The little one, who had never considered this possibility, fell into silent contemplation.

She was a clean little kitty after all, and getting too dirty… didn’t seem like such a great idea.

“Then how about a picnic instead? That’s clean, right?” she suggested, eyes bright with hope.

“Also no.”

“Meow???!” The little girl was devastated.

“I’m going on a business trip tomorrow.”

Yuanyuan tilted her head, not liking the sound of those words: “Business trip” sounded like something bad.

“You’re going to leave home for a few days, aren’t you?” she asked, eye-wide in shock.

The little girl’s face filled with dismay: “!!!”