Mom had already gone on a business trip once before, and this time Dad was still around, so Si Xiaotie’s stress reaction wasn’t as severe. She slept soundly all night.

Beicheng had entered late autumn, and the weather was getting colder and colder.

The moment she woke up in the morning, Si Xiaotie sneezed several times in a row.

“Hachoo! Hachoo!”

She rubbed her nose and sat on her little bed, eyes still closed, habitually calling out,

“Mommy.”

After waiting a while without hearing her mother respond, Si Xiaotie finally opened her eyes.

Only then did she remember that Mommy had gone away on a business trip.

She felt sad for a short moment before climbing down from bed, her little legs touching the floor first.

“Daddy!”

She toddled to the door and stood on tiptoe to press down the handle.

“Daddy!”

The moment the door opened, she saw her father already walking over.

She spread her arms, and he picked her up.

Still sleepy, she leaned against her father’s broad shoulder and rubbed her nose again.

“Daddy, do I have school today?”

“No. Today’s Saturday.”

He carried her downstairs.

“We’re going to your brother’s house later to play bumper cars.”

The little girl instantly woke up.

Excited, she exclaimed,

“Can I invite Gu Yiyi and Yuanyuan too?”

“Yes. Daddy will call their parents later.”

“Yay!”

She planted a loud kiss on his cheek.

“Bumper cars!”

Dad carried her to the dining table for breakfast.

Si Xiaotie looked around left and right but didn’t see Grandma Chen, so she could only use her own tiny hands to push the hair around her ears back.

After watching her struggle several times, Si Yuming finally noticed.

He got up and returned to the master bedroom, searching Lin Ke’s vanity before finding a black hair tie.

Then he stood behind the little girl.

He’d tied Si Xiaotie’s hair several times before, but never very well.

Lin Ke always couldn’t bear to watch and would helplessly take over.

This time, Si Yuming copied what he remembered from the child’s mother.

First, he used a comb to smooth out the girl’s soft hair.

Then he gathered it with one hand while the other stretched the hair tie around it twice.

Finally, he tidied the loose strands around her forehead.

The result actually seemed pretty decent.

The little girl gave him enthusiastic praise.

“Daddy is amazing!”

The praised man sat down in a noticeably better mood to continue breakfast.

After a while, Si Xiaotie was nearly done eating.

Holding a tiny bun in her hand, she stated clearly,

“Daddy, I miss Mommy.”

Si Yuming glanced at the time.

At this hour, she should’ve just boarded the plane.

Only late last night had he finally seen her message saying the trip had suddenly been moved up and her flight was early this morning.

Patiently, he explained,

“Mommy’s on the plane right now. We have to wait until she lands.”

“How long?”

“If everything goes smoothly, about ten hours. When Grandpa Sun goes down, we can call Mommy.”

Si Xiaotie nodded seriously.

“Mhm. Then Xiaotie will wait until Grandpa Sun goes down.”

After breakfast, the father and daughter prepared to head to the old mansion.

Si Yuming dressed her and put socks on her.

When it came time for shoes, the little girl wanted to wear her caterpillar Crocs.

He refused.

Lin Ke had specifically reminded him last night that temperatures had dropped recently and he couldn’t let her catch cold.

When the car entered the old estate, Si Xiaotie pressed herself against the window.

The moment she spotted the bumper cars in the garden, she nearly jumped up.

“It really is bumper cars!”

She turned around, eyes sparkling with expectation.

“Daddy, when are Gu Yiyi and Yuanyuan coming?”

“Yuanyuan’s mom said she’s busy today. Gu Yiyi will come later.”

The little girl looked disappointed.

“Okay then…”

But that tiny disappointment vanished completely the moment she saw her older brother.

The bumper cars had only arrived yesterday, and Qin Mancheng hadn’t played with them yet either.

He looked just as excited.

“Uncle, can we go play bumper cars now?”

They were children’s bumper cars, but Si Xiaotie was still too young.

Si Yuming didn’t quite trust letting her drive alone.

“Your uncle will ride with you later.”

Then he glanced toward the house.

“Where’s your mom?”

At the mention of his mother, sadness flashed through the boy’s eyes.

“Mom’s not home.”

Although his mother still acted normal in front of him, he knew something was wrong lately.

Whenever she was alone, she seemed unhappy.

And he didn’t know where his father had gone either.

He hadn’t seen him in days.

Qin Mancheng forced a smile and took his little sister’s hand.

“Xiaotie, let’s go look at the bumper cars first.”

“Mhm! Hurry hurry hurry!”

At nine-thirty, the roar of a motorcycle engine sounded from the gate.

Hearing it, Si Xiaotie—who’d been examining the bumper cars in the garden—immediately lifted her head and ran over on her tiny legs.

“Gu Yiyi! Gu Yiyi’s daddy!”

Si Yuming happened to walk into the garden at that moment too.

Looking outside, he saw a man dressed in black riding gear astride an eye-catching black motorcycle.

Nearby, the little girl ran toward him excitedly.

The man removed his helmet, smiling.

“Morning, Xiaotie.”

“Hehe, good morning Gu Yiyi’s daddy too!”

She practically glued herself to him.

Si Yuming frowned slightly.

After greeting her, the man looked toward the estate.

Their eyes met across the distance.

A moment later, Gu Yiyi’s father nodded before lowering his head to speak to his son.

“Yiyi, play at Xiaotie’s house. Call Dad before you come home.”

“Mhm!”

Gu Yiyi’s father put his helmet back on, swung one leg over the motorcycle, and before leaving cast one final glance at the enormous estate hidden within the bustling city.

The last time his son had visited Si Xiaotie’s house, his mother had said the little girl lived across from the kindergarten and was usually picked up by her grandmother.

So they’d naturally assumed Xiaotie came from an ordinary family just like theirs.

Who could’ve imagined she actually lived in a place like this—something money alone couldn’t buy?

And that man standing by the gate radiated a presence that clearly screamed “not ordinary.”

Internally, he clicked his tongue.

Gu Yiyi, you somehow became friends with a little princess.

The motorcycle roared before turning sharply.

Si Xiaotie waved wildly.

“Bye-bye Gu Yiyi’s daddy!”

The man coolly raised a gloved hand.

“Bye, Xiaotie.”

Once the motorcycle disappeared, Si Yuming walked over to the three children.

Gu Yiyi greeted him quietly,

“Hello, Uncle.”

Then he secretly hid half behind Si Xiaotie.

Xiaotie’s dad was terrifying!

Even scarier than teachers!

Si Yuming noticed the little boy’s expression and movements but merely smiled.

“Alright. Everyone get in the cars.”

Qin Mancheng was almost eight and could drive one himself.

Si Yuming accompanied Si Xiaotie, while the estate butler accompanied Gu Yiyi.

The garden was spacious.

Soon, the joyful laughter of three children echoed nonstop through the grounds.

Even though the bumper cars weren’t very fast, Si Xiaotie’s happiness was beyond description.

“Daddy～ I’m flying again!”

“Mhm.”

“Daddy～ Can I drive by myself?”

“No.”

“But I wanna drive alone like Brother!”

“Then wait until you grow as big as your brother.”

“Hmph. Mean Daddy.”

A while later, excitement returned.

“Daddy! Hurry! Overtake Gu Yiyi!”

After overtaking him, she shouted happily,

“Yay～ Xiaotie is the fastest!”

After countless rounds, the three children finally learned what exhaustion felt like.

The moment they entered the house, sweaty all over, Si Xiaotie stripped off her jacket and ran for water.

Si Yuming picked up the discarded clothing behind her and helped her put it back on.

“You can’t take it off. You’ll catch cold.”

“But Daddy, I’m hot.”

“Even if you’re hot, you can’t take it off. Rest first.”

He poured water for all three children.

“Drink slowly. Don’t choke. Same for you, Yiyi.”

“Got it～!”

“Got it～!”

It was Gu Yiyi’s first time seeing such a huge house.

As he drank water, he curiously looked around.

Seeing this, Si Xiaotie proudly introduced it.

“This is my brother’s house～”

Then she grabbed his hand.

“Come on! Let’s go find the earthworm babies that are hibernating!”

She still remembered to call out,

“Brother too～”

Qin Mancheng absolutely did not want to go.

He quickly refused.

Now that Si Xiaotie had a friend, she no longer needed her brother.

The two noisy little children ran outside together.

Si Yuming glanced aside and noticed Qin Mancheng sitting neatly alone on the sofa, unable yet to hide his emotions.

He walked over and sat beside him.

“Manman unhappy?”

The boy looked at his uncle, wanting to say something but not quite daring to.

Si Yuming asked again,

“Where did Mom go?”

Qin Mancheng’s lips trembled sadly.

Finally, he revealed the childish expression expected of a seven-year-old.

“Uncle… did Mom and Dad fight?”

Si Yuming fell silent.

He didn’t know how to answer.

No matter what, this situation would hurt Qin Mancheng.

“Manman, how old are you this year?”

“Almost eight.”

“How do Mom and Dad treat you?”

The little boy answered logically,

“They’re very good to me. Mom loves me a lot. Dad doesn’t look after me as much as Mom, but I know he loves me too.”

“Do you and Xiaotie argue sometimes?”

Qin Mancheng almost said no immediately, but after thinking carefully, he asked uncertainly,

“Xiaotie isn’t scared of earthworms, but I am. And she doesn’t listen to me. Does that count as conflict?”

“Yes.” Si Yuming nodded.

“Then would you dislike Xiaotie or dislike Uncle because of that?”

“Of course not.”

“So every person—including parents—will have conflicts and problems. But that doesn’t affect how much they love Manman.”

“But…” Unlike three-and-a-half-year-old Si Xiaotie, nearly-eight-year-old Qin Mancheng wasn’t so easy to comfort. He still looked sad.

“But I still don’t want Mom and Dad to fight.”

Once again, Si Yuming had no answer.

He could only rub the boy’s head gently.

“When Mom comes back, you have to bravely tell her you’re scared. Don’t secretly feel sad by yourself. You’re the big brother, remember?”

“Mhm!”

Qin Mancheng nodded firmly.

When Mom came back, he would definitely tell her.

He was really scared of Mom and Dad fighting.

He just wanted Mom to be happy.

Half an hour later, the two children finally returned from outside.

Si Xiaotie’s face was full of disappointment.

“Daddy, I couldn’t find the earthworm babies.”

“It’s okay. We’ll look again in spring.”

Si Yuming brushed dirt off her clothes.

“Go wash your hands with Yiyi and get ready to eat.”

“Hachoo!”

Right after he finished speaking, Si Xiaotie let out an earth-shaking sneeze.

The man frowned.

“You caught a cold?”

“No～”

The girl rubbed her nose and ran off toward the bathroom on tiny legs.

After lunch, the three children played together a little longer.

By around three in the afternoon, they sent Gu Yiyi home, while the father and daughter stayed at the old estate.

Si Yun still hadn’t returned.

When Si Yuming called her, she only said she had things to handle outside and would come back later.

He originally wanted to discuss Qin Mancheng and Qin Ru with her, but she sounded hurried and hung up after only a few sentences.

Si Xiaotie’s cold worsened.

After several dramatic sneezes during the afternoon, her nose started running too.

Si Yuming had the family doctor come over.

After checking her, the doctor confirmed it wasn’t influenza, just an ordinary cold.

No medicine was prescribed.

The doctor only instructed them to monitor her carefully, drink warm water, and seek treatment if she worsened or developed a fever.

But the normally energetic little firecracker became limp the moment she got sick.

By dinner, she barely had the strength to eat.

Si Yuming lifted her onto his lap and held her against his chest while feeding her the porridge Auntie had specially cooked.

“Baby, eat a little.”

“Mm… Daddy…”

Her tiny voice had turned hoarse.

Her eyelids drooped heavily.

She had no appetite at all.

Si Yuming set down the spoon and looked at Qin Mancheng across the table.

“Manman, eat by yourself. After dinner, shower and sleep. If anything happens, come get Uncle.”

“Mhm.”

Qin Mancheng glanced worriedly at his sick little sister.

“Xiaotie, get better soon.”

After his uncle carried Xiaotie upstairs, the little boy lowered his head and continued eating.

A tear suddenly dropped into his bowl.

When he got sick, his dad had never held him like that.

Nor fed him personally.

He was so jealous of his little sister.

Qin Mancheng wiped away his tears with the back of his hand and shoveled a huge spoonful of rice into his mouth.

After finishing the bowl, he obediently did as his uncle said.

Picking up his watch phone, he sent his mother a voice message:

【Mom, when are you coming back? I miss you so much.】

……

This wasn’t the first time Si Yuming had cared for a sick Si Xiaotie.

Before she turned one, the family still lived at the old estate.

Before she was one and a half, he still remained in Beicheng too.

But at the time, after the old master passed away, the company had fallen into chaos.

He’d been overwhelmed with work, constantly leaving early and returning late.

Once, both the child’s mother and Si Xiaotie got sick at the same time.

He took several days off.

One-year-old Xiaotie developed a fever.

Children couldn’t take too much medicine, so someone had to watch her constantly.

At night she’d seem better, only for the fever to return the next day.

He hadn’t slept for three straight days.

Afterward, she frequently caught colds and fevers too.

Whenever he was in Beicheng, he’d stay home a few extra days.

Si Yuming carried the little girl onto the bed, tucked her beneath the blankets, and adjusted the room temperature.

He turned to get water.

But sensing his movement somehow, the little girl mumbled sleepily,

“Daddy…”

He crouched beside her and comforted softly,

“Daddy’s just getting water. I’m not leaving.”

“Mhm…”

After feeding her a few sips, he lay down beside her too, pulling her into the crook of his shoulder while gently patting her back like he used to when putting her to sleep.

“Go to sleep. Daddy’s here.”

But despite feeling miserable, Si Xiaotie still remembered something important.

She opened her eyes slightly and asked weakly,

“Daddy… did Grandpa Sun go down yet?”

Si Yuming smiled faintly.

“He did.”

Then he picked up his phone from the bedside table and messaged Lin Ke, asking whether she had arrived.

While waiting for her reply, Si Xiaotie asked,

“Where did Mommy go?”

“Moscow.”

“Where’s Moscow?”

“A very beautiful place. The place where Mommy’s dreams came true.”

“Can Xiaotie go too?”

“Of course.”

“Daddy, what’s a dream?”

“It’s doing something you truly love.”

Lin Ke finally replied.

A video call connected.

Before his daughter even saw the screen, Si Yuming saw Lin Ke first.

After eight or nine hours on a plane, exhaustion was visible on her face.

The husband and wife looked at each other through the screen.

The tension between them from before suddenly seemed calm and still.

Lin Ke spoke first, sounding completely normal.

“Where’s Xiaotie?”

Normally, Si Xiaotie would’ve enthusiastically grabbed the phone to chatter with her mother.

But today she lacked the strength.

So Si Yuming simply propped the phone in front of her.

The moment Lin Ke saw her daughter’s listless appearance on screen, she immediately asked anxiously,

“What’s wrong with Xiaotie?”

The little girl complained pitifully,

“Mommy, my nose is blocked… I gotta breathe with my mouth… feels bad…”

From outside the camera frame, Si Yuming explained,

“The temperature difference between day and night’s been big lately. She caught cold last night, then sweated a lot today too.”

He pinched the little girl’s cheek lightly.

“Didn’t you secretly take your clothes off outside?”

Si Xiaotie hmphed guiltily.

Si Yuming looked back toward the phone.

“The doctor came already. She’s fine.”

Lin Ke still looked worried.

“Watch her tonight. Be careful in case she gets a fever.”

“I know. I’ll sleep with her.”

“Baby.”

Lin Ke called gently.

“Mommy arrived safely. Sleep with Daddy tonight and drink more water, okay?”

“Mmm… Mommy…”

The last of Si Xiaotie’s stubborn energy lost to sleepiness.

She closed her eyes and drifted off against her father’s chest.

Si Yuming took the phone, wanting to say something more to Lin Ke.

But on the other side, she turned her head to speak with a colleague nearby.

After finishing, she looked back at the screen without meeting his eyes.

“I just got to the hotel. I’m hanging up first. Call me if anything comes up.”

“Lin—”

Beep.