“Ah… daydreaming.”

Brother Jiang scratched his head and glanced at Uncle Yang, hoping for some guidance from the elder. But Uncle Yang looked just as bewildered, clearly unfamiliar with such a situation.

“Is this Yuan Yuan’s bed?” Little Yuan Yuan crawled out of the drawer and flopped onto the bed in a starfish position. “Wow, it’s so soft!”

Ah, she still seems like a normal little kid after all.

The room’s overall tone was pink and white, neatly arranged, though it lacked a bit of that lived-in warmth.

Once Aunt Chen’s purchases arrived, the room immediately felt cozier. Cute plush toys, a pretty lamp, a pink carpet… everything fell into place.

Along with the room decor, a bunch of new clothes arrived. Aunt Chen carefully counted and put them all in the wardrobe.

That afternoon, with the sun blazing outside, Yu Jinxiao rushed home right after his meeting. As soon as he walked in, a bright red banner nearly blinded him.

Yu Jinxiao: !!!

Why on earth was that thing hanging there??

After dropping off the little girl earlier, he’d rushed back to the office for a meeting and completely forgot about the banner.

“Uncle Yang!” His angry voice echoed through the hall.

Uncle Yang had a bad feeling but figured there was no avoiding it. Whether he faced it now or later, it would hurt either way. He braced himself. “Yes, Mr. Yu?”

“Who told you to hang that thing?”

“It was… the little miss.”

Yu Jinxiao scanned the room, his face dark with frustration. Then a small figure at the top of the stairs stepped forward. “Daddy! You’re back!”

“Who told you to hang that red cloth?” He stomped toward her, clearly having lost his calm. “Do you think it’s for warding off evil spirits?”

“…” Yuanyuan stared at him, dazed, and after a long pause, she asked curiously, “What does ‘taking matters into your own hands’ mean?”

Yu Jinxiao took a deep breath, reminding himself: Keep it simple. Keep it calm.

“That banner is not allowed to hang,” he pointed at it for emphasis, “Understand?”

“Why can’t it hang?” Yuanyuan shrunk her neck in, looking up at him cautiously.

Her reaction was just like a kitten caught doing something wrong!

“Uncle Yang, take it down right now.”

“But, Daddy…” Yuanyuan was genuinely confused.

Back at the orphanage, if she won any little prize, she would proudly display it for all to see.

Why did adults seem so dismissive when praised? She couldn’t wrap her little head around it.

Uncle Yang glanced guiltily at the little girl before grabbing the ladder to take down the banner. Before he could store it away, Yu Mingxi came home from school and walked right into the scene.

“Dad… why are you home so early? Huh? Yuanyuan’s here again? And… what’s that red…”

A lot of surprises hit Yu Mingxi at once, and he didn’t know what to focus on first.

“Big brother, big brother! This red banner praises Daddy!” Yuanyuan bounced up and down, showing it off.

Yu Jinxiao’s temples throbbed. He wanted to pull the little girl over and cover her mouth, but he was a step too late.

“Anti… trafficking… hero?” Yu Mingxi read each word slowly, his eyes wide with amazement. “Dad, did you catch a criminal?”

“Yes, yes!” The little girl nodded like a spring, bouncing even higher. “Teacher Li said Daddy caught a bad guy!”

Yu Mingxi patted Yuanyuan’s head, then looked at his father in shock. “Really?”

Yu Jinxiao: “…”

“Is what Yuanyuan said true?” After a few seconds of silence, Yu Mingxi suddenly jumped up, grabbing his father’s sleeve. “Dad, you’re amazing!!!”

Yu Jinxiao was momentarily taken aback.

It was the first time he’d seen Yu Mingxi express his emotions so openly and enthusiastically.

His son’s eyes were filled with admiration and pride.

Not only Yu Mingxi but also the little one beside him, who stared at him with the same gleaming, admiration-filled eyes—multiplied by 1000.

“And… what about this banner?” Uncle Yang hesitated, unsure whether to toss it or keep it.