Huo Qin put his hands under her armpits and lifted Chao Chao up like he was holding a puppy.

Chaochao shakily opened her tightly closed eyes and met Huo Qin's gloomy face, then looked down at the clear water stains on his collar.

She lowered her head, her voice soft and trembling at the end: "I'm sorry..."

Waaah, Chaochao was wrong... She'll never climb high again...

The system's emotions were like a rollercoaster ride throughout the entire process. After a moment of calm, it spoke seriously for the first time: "Chaochao, you did make a mistake. It's very dangerous for a child to do this without adult supervision. Just because you got away with it the first time doesn't mean you'll be lucky every time."

Fortunately, Huo Qin happened to be passing by and was quick-witted and nimble-fingered.

While providing systematic education, there was also a sense of heartache. Chaochao wasn't being naughty; she simply wanted to finish washing up.

It has memories of seeing things from before.

Grandma Zhou was old and frail, and later she was maliciously neglected by the Sun family of three, so Chaochao got used to taking care of herself.

The system sighed softly: "Chaochao, you have a father now, you can rely on him."

Chaochao froze. Dad... Daddy? But Daddy doesn't want to talk to her now...

For more than ten seconds after she apologized, Huo Qin remained silent with a somber expression.

Chaochao wondered if her father disliked her because he thought she was naughty...

Huo Qin lowered his eyes in deep thought, his brows unconsciously furrowing, the surrounding air almost stagnant under the terrifying pressure. He suddenly noticed that the little bundle he was still holding was trembling slightly.

Like a helpless little animal whimpering softly, tears fell like pearls from a broken string, landing with a "plop" on his hand.

Huo Qin's arm suddenly stiffened.

The powerful CEO Huo, who dominates the business world, is now at a loss when faced with a crying three-year-old child.

"Don't cry," Huo Qin said firmly.

System: ...Men are all such jerks! The baby's crying so badly and they don't even know how to comfort him? (Muttering curses)

"Waaah—"

Her father even scolded her… Chaochao choked with sadness.

Seeing her lower her head and cry timidly, Huo Qin couldn't help but chuckle.

So you're still afraid of him after all...

His heart sank uncontrollably, and just as he was about to put Chaochao down—

The child squirmed, looked up at him with a pitiful expression, her watery eyes seeming to strongly accuse him. Chaochao stretched out her lotus-root-like arms, and Huo Qin unconsciously adjusted his posture, the little dumpling nestling into his arms.

Her small hands wrapped around his neck, her soft cheeks nestled against his shoulder, like a neglected fledgling bird, longing and uneasy.

Huo Qin was stunned.

He heard the child sobbing beside him: "Dad, is Dad still angry...? I... I didn't mean to..."

Warm tears slid down his bare neck, seemingly seeping into his eternally icy exterior.

Coming to his senses, Huo Qin raised his hand and stiffly patted her back.

System: This hand looks unnatural, like a prosthesis.

“It’s not your fault, it’s my oversight.” Huo Qin’s throat bobbed, and he finally said in a low voice, “These heights are… a bit difficult for you.”

He was indeed ill-considering; when arranging the room, he forgot that she was only a three-year-old child, barely the length of a corgi when she stood up.

"How did you wash up last night?" Huo Qin suddenly remembered.

The little corgi paused for a moment, then buried its head in his neck, hiding and remaining silent.

Huo Qin: "..."

It turns out he was a repeat offender.

He put Chaochao down, squatted down, and looked directly into her eyes: "You can't climb on the lid again next time, understand?"

He paused, then added coldly, "...You can ask me for help."

The system immediately perked up its ears: Hmm? Next time?

Chaochao blinked her moist almond-shaped eyes and nodded softly, "Okay~"

Huo Qin himself didn't realize that his eyes had softened a bit.

Next, Huo Qin personally helped her brush her teeth and wash her face.

During breakfast, Chaochao reached out her hand, and although Huo Qin felt awkward, he still lifted her onto the chair—a chair with two raised cushions.

When Huo Qin went back to his room to change out of his wet suit and came out again, the doorbell rang.

Upon opening the door, a woman in her fifties came into view. She smiled and said, "Hello, Mr. Huo, I am Ning Ying. Sister Song recommended me to your place."

Huo Qin nodded slightly. "Hello."

Ning Ying noticed the little girl sitting at the table as soon as she entered the room.

Chaochao held a soup spoon in one hand and looked at her with a puzzled expression.

Ning Ying was immediately delighted to see her.

She stepped forward and smiled kindly at her: "Hello Chaochao, I'm the aunt who takes care of you. You can call me Aunt Ning."

"Hello, Aunt Ning~" Chaochao greeted obediently.

Aunt Ning immediately beamed with joy, "Oh! This child is so lovable."

At this moment, Huo Qin prepared to go out.

Chaochao noticed and asked, "Is Daddy going to work?"

Huo Qin had completely gotten used to the child he had just met yesterday calling him "Dad," and when she asked him, he simply gave a faint "Mmm."

Chaochao asked expectantly, "Can I come along?"

"No," Huo Qin refused without hesitation. "I'm very busy today."

Today was indeed a busy day, with three or four important meetings, making it difficult for Lin Cheng to find time to deal with her affairs.

So, we made an exception and let her stay for another day.

Huo Qin thought.

"Oh." Chaochao was annoyed for a second, then cheered up. She carefully reminded him, "Then Daddy, be careful when you go out. Don't step in the dog's poop, and don't bump into the glass. Oh, and did you bring Tangtang?"

Not taking Tangtang with me when I go out is a top priority.

Huo Qin: ...

He vaguely understood why the child looked so disheveled when they first met.

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