After a moment of silence, Yu Ci said, "...Hmm."

"That's not enough!" Taking the initiative, Chaochao nudged Yu Ci's forearm. "Brother, you go cook, I'll talk to them~"

But Yu Ci was still worried, his brow furrowing slightly, his handsome face appearing exceptionally gentle in the sunlight. He bent down and lifted Chaochao from the stool, placing her on the armchair beside him, his voice as soft as the lily of the valley by the window:

"How about we sit here and talk? Xiaohua can hear us too."

The boy's movements were as gentle as if he were handling a fragile porcelain doll. Chaochao readily accepted the suggestion and obediently sat down on the soft cushions of the recliner, but her round eyes suddenly lit up.

Before Yu Ci could react, the small figure had already darted out from under his arm.

"Oh, I know!"

"I can play songs for the little flowers and grass!"

Chaochao took out the tablet she brought from home, tapped it with her little finger, and selected the theme song of "Green Green Grassland".

As a result, the song was quickly switched off after only five seconds of the intro.

No! The lambs love to eat grass, and they'll get more and more scared if they hear this. What should we do?

Finally, Chaochao played the theme song from Ultraman Tiga.

The food in the kitchen was still cooking. Yu Ci glanced at Chaochao, who was sprawled on the recliner. The little girl was bathed in the sunlight streaming in from the window, listening to the energetic music, and her little feet were swaying and tapping to the beat.

He felt relieved and quickly went to check on the taro balls in the pot. Two minutes later, when Yu Ci came out to check again after serving the food—

Instead of the little dumpling who should have been reclining in a chair listening to music, she was now comfortably nestled on the sofa, clutching a Peppa Pig pillow, watching TV with great focus and rapt attention.

The television in front of me was already showing the highlights of Ultraman Tiga's battle against the monsters.

Having already listened to the background music, which kid could resist watching an episode?

Little Chaochao was completely absorbed in watching the show and didn't even notice someone coming out of the kitchen.

Yu Ci: "..."

When did she turn on the TV?

But at least the living room was closer to him than the balcony. Seeing her watching TV peacefully, Yu Ci turned around and went back inside.

In the kitchen, wisps of smoke rose and were drawn into the range hood with a whoosh. A tall, slender young man wearing an apron was preparing the last dish.

Suddenly, a fluffy, round head came close to my side.

"Why did you come over?" Yu Ci paused, then thought for a moment. "Is the TV broken?"

That's a strange question.

Chaochao shook her head, puzzled, and said in a rather frank, childlike voice, "I came to keep my brother company."

As soon as she finished watching the most crucial fight scene, she immediately paused the TV and ran to find her brother Yu Ci.

The boy paused slightly upon hearing the voice.

Before the little dumpling could blink and ask a question, he looked away and quietly sped up the cooking: "Dinner will be ready soon."

Chaochao tiptoed and sniffed the ginger slices on the cutting board.

Yu Ci caught a glimpse of it out of the corner of his eye and immediately called out, "Wait—"

A familiar burning sensation shot straight to her eyes, and startled, Chaochao immediately took a step back. However, she couldn't defend herself; her nose itched, and glistening tears began to well up in her eyes.

Ugh! It really is it!!!

Upon seeing this, Yu Ci immediately stopped what she was doing and turned to get a tissue.

The little dumpling, who had been ambushed, immediately pointed at the cutting board and complained, her deep, childish voice filled with grievance: "Brother Yu Ci! It's this!"

After she finished speaking, she couldn't help but sniff.

At this moment, memories flooded back. One second Chaochao was filled with righteous indignation, the next she suddenly let out a long sigh as if moved by emotion:

"Back then, I used to cook soup for my brother with ginger and tears in my eyes."

As he finished speaking, the boy's fingers, which were holding the tissue, paused almost imperceptibly. He felt that the surging emotions he had felt at the time had become distant and blurry; he only remembered that they were so intense that his heart was about to suffocate, but now, looking back, it was as if he were looking through a hazy veil.

On the other hand, I find children's words and actions really cute and funny.

He knelt down, gently wiping away the scallions that had gotten on Chaochao's nose, a tender smile playing on his lips.

"Okay, I understand."

The little dumpling folded a tissue and blew her nose, her watery almond-shaped eyes looking over in confusion.

What do you know?

Now I know why the ginger soup was salty that day.

Yu Ci's eyes curved slightly, and her voice was as gentle as a spring breeze: "No wonder it tastes so good."

It wasn't until dinner time that Chaochao noticed that besides taro balls, there were also lemon pan-fried chicken and salt and pepper shrimp on the table, which looked very appealing. These were the dishes she had been hesitating to choose!

Not to mention that Yu Ci also cooked a vegetable dish and a soup.

She's practically the best cook around her, besides Aunt Ning and her mother-in-law.

"Brother Yu Ci...you're so amazing..."

Chaochao stood by the table, looking completely dazed, so engrossed in the aroma that she couldn't move. Yu Ci had to carry her to a specially raised dining chair.

A smile unconsciously crept onto Yu Ci's lips as he was praised, but after he sat down, watching Chao Chao skillfully manipulating children's chopsticks and intently adding food to her bowl, an inexplicable impulse suddenly compelled him to call out her name:

“...every morning.”

"Huh, what's wrong?" Chaochao, who was focused on the dishes, actually heard his voice and looked up with her bright eyes to ask him.

...Why didn't Ganfan turn on the blocking system this time?

Yu Ci pursed her lips slightly. Impulsiveness was indeed not advisable. As soon as she opened her mouth, she began to regret it.

He wanted to say that he was sorry for the harm his nominal father had caused her, and that although President Huo had always built an impenetrable wall around her, it was not an excuse to let it go unpunished. He also wanted to say that he had made Gu Kai pay a heavy price, but he was worried that Chaochao would find him dangerous and terrifying because of this.

If even a hint of fear or a desire to escape were to appear in those clear eyes...

He's going to go crazy.

Yu Ci calmly foresaw how she would eventually lose control.

If the system knew what Yu Ci was thinking at this moment.

She'll definitely be yelling in a frenzy, "Hey, have you forgotten that Chaochao witnessed you beating up your gambling uncle?!"

All thoughts flashed by in an instant.

Yu Ci thought, at least wait until after dinner.

The boy raised his eyebrows, a slight smile curving his lips: "No..."

"Brother Yu Ci, are you unhappy?" A hint of nervousness appeared on Chao Chao's soft and sweet face across from her, and at the same time, she silently pushed the mountain of rice bowl that she hadn't yet eaten towards her.

She wanted Yu Ci to eat more.

Just like small animals sharing delicious food, they comfort their injured companions by feeding them generously.

Despite the anticipation and elaborate rituals I put into preparing my first meal.

Because he is important.

At this moment, Yu Ci stared at the small bowl that had been pushed to her side, her expression slightly stunned: "I..."