Holding a picture book, Huo Qin looked down at the suddenly appearing milky-white bundle in his arms, his long amber eyes questioning in the warm light: "?"

Chaochao gripped his arm intently, her two pale pink bunny ears bobbing on her head, and her sweet, childlike voice was filled with sorrow—

"Daddy, don't you love me anymore?"

Huo Qin's expression froze for a brief two seconds before he quickly and calmly said, "Love."

Just a second before Chaochao, her face contorted with sorrow, opened her mouth, he continued calmly, "It hasn't faded; I still love you the most."

Chaochao, who had been building up her emotions, suddenly choked up. She blinked her watery eyes blankly and said in a muffled voice, "Then why did you stay so far away from me today, Daddy..."

Because I'm afraid you'll be dancing with tree branches in your dreams and accidentally snap them.

Huo Qin sighed slightly, and finally asked without changing his expression, "Really? I didn't notice."

He moved closer, picked up a lively little rabbit and tucked it into the blanket. "Don't catch a cold. If you do, you'll have to sleep alone."

Upon hearing that Daddy had accidentally moved too far away, Chaochao naturally forgave him immediately!

She sweetly clung to Huo Qin's arm, listening as the man slowly and deliberately told her little stories about the Red Queen.

The sleepy little dumpling opened her mouth and let out a big yawn. A hazy image of the daytime battle with the three monsters floated into her mind. And so she held her sword, looking majestic and awe-inspiring…

The little dumpling, with its eyes half-closed, mumbled, "Daddy... I can... protect you now too..."

She will always protect Daddy... just like Daddy protects her... When she grows up a little more, she'll be able to fight five, six, or seven monsters...

Huo Qin's gentle voice paused slightly, and a faint smile appeared at the corner of his lips.

"Just like this! Whoosh!"

The little dumpling, with its eyes closed and a solemn expression, suddenly made a gesture as if drawing a sword—

The clenched fist slammed into Huo Qin's stomach, freezing the smile on his face for a long, long time.