After the welcome ceremony at Jianghua Kindergarten ended, the children were led back to their classrooms by the teachers. Now came the moment when parents had to part with their little ones.

Gu Xingyi and Xia Xiyao hid behind the window, watching their little Nainai, their hearts aching.

Gone was the curiosity and excitement Nainai had shown when they first arrived.

Now she sat there, so tiny, perched quietly on her little stool, hugging her knees. Her long eyelashes blinked slowly, her big eyes shimmering with tears, and her small lips were pursed in a pitiful pout.

Unlike the other children who were crying and fussing loudly, she just sat there quietly, tear after tear rolling down her cheeks like little golden beans.

The sight made Gu Xingyi’s heart ache deeply. He had the urge to charge into the classroom and carry Nainai home. Forget kindergarten—who needs it!

Beside him, Xia Xiyao gently tugged on his sleeve. He turned to look at her. She had her head down, and though her voice was soft and sweet, there was a trace of firmness in it.

“Let’s go~ Every child has to go through this moment.”

Gu Xingyi was silent for a while, then finally nodded. He glanced one last time at Nainai in the classroom, then took Xia Xiyao’s hand and walked toward the kindergarten gate.

The sunlight outside was harsh, and Gu Xingyi’s mood was anything but bright.

Part of it was not wanting to see Nainai so sad. But more than that, as he watched her, it felt like time folded over—and through her, he caught a glimpse of what Xia Xiyao must’ve looked like as a child.

If anything, little Xia Xiyao must’ve felt even sadder than Nainai did now.

No family around her, a tiny little girl sitting all alone on a stool, quiet and subdued—not crying, not making a fuss, lips quivering in silence, with nowhere to voice her sorrow.

Nainai didn’t just have Xia Xiyao’s eyes—even her personality was somewhat similar.

From the smallest details, you could see the bigger picture.

That’s what truly broke Gu Xingyi’s heart. When Xia Xiyao was a child, her personality must’ve been even more obedient than Nainai’s.

But it wasn’t just obedience—it was the way she carefully observed others, trying her best to behave, to please. So much so that even after growing up, she was still so gentle and soft, so timid and hesitant, as if she’d accepted whatever life threw her way.

Just like last time—even the way she loved him was cautious and careful. She’d even tried to offer her body just to express how much she cared.

Gu Xingyi felt awful just thinking about it. He didn’t want her to be like that. He wanted her to live more freely. He wanted her to cry when she felt like crying, to throw a tantrum when she felt like it, and to speak her mind without fear.

But Gu Xingyi didn’t know how to make that happen. All he could do was hold her hand and take her home.

After returning home, it was clear that neither of them was in high spirits.

Gu Xingyi turned on the TV and randomly clicked on an entertainment show, trying to lighten the mood. Xia Xiyao curled up beside him with her phone, texting someone—he didn’t know who.

The show wasn’t all that entertaining. Gu Xingyi only glanced at it a couple of times before losing interest completely.

He turned to look at Xia Xiyao instead—compared to the TV, she was definitely easier on the eyes.

Compared to when Gu Xingyi first transmigrated here, nearly two months had passed, and Xia Xiyao was clearly healthier now. Back then, she’d been way too thin.

Now, wearing her floral dress, Xia Xiyao looked fuller and more radiant. Gu Xingyi couldn’t help but reach out, lifting her calf onto his lap and gently pinching the soft flesh of her leg.

Mm~ not bad! The texture was great!

Startled by Gu Xingyi’s sudden move, Xia Xiyao yelped and immediately sat upright, looking at him in a fluster.

“Y-You… what are you doing?”

“I’m your husband. What are you so nervous about... I was just checking if you’d gained a little weight. And I’m happy to report—you have! Quite a bit, actually.”

Gu Xingyi replied with a completely serious expression.

Xia Xiyao gave him a skeptical look—was it really something he couldn’t figure out without getting hands-on?

That said… having her legs draped over Gu Xingyi’s lap like this, half-lying down, actually felt kind of nice…

Xia Xiyao shot Gu Xingyi another cautious glance. Seeing that he really didn’t seem to have any ulterior motives, she finally relaxed and went back to looking at her phone.

But Gu Xingyi noticed her fair little feet still fidgeting restlessly—clearly, she was still a bit nervous inside. He kept up his innocent expression, while his hands gently massaged her calves.

The comforting sensation made it hard for Xia Xiyao to focus on her phone. Her eyelashes fluttered rapidly, but she forced herself to keep up a calm facade, pretending to be absorbed in her messages.

In contrast, Gu Xingyi was thoroughly enjoying himself. Xia Xiyao’s legs felt amazing—smooth, soft, just the right amount of firmness.

Truly the kind of legs that make a man want to play with them for a lifetime.

Unfortunately, that relaxing moment didn’t last long. It was already time to prepare lunch.

“I’ll go make lunch!”

With a hint of regret, Gu Xingyi retracted his hands, gently placing Xia Xiyao’s legs back on the sofa. He stood up and said casually before walking toward the kitchen.

Xia Xiyao looked up at him as he walked away, her gaze full of reluctant affection.

Thinking about lunch reminded her of Nainai again. She wondered whether Nainai would get used to the kindergarten food. After all, the meals Gu Xingyi cooked were truly delicious!

She had prepared all of Nainai’s clothes herself, but things like her water bottle, tableware, and bedding had been provided by the kindergarten.

As Xia Xiyao was thinking about Nainai, her phone suddenly rang. Snapping out of her daze, she glanced at the screen.

It was a call from Yun-jie.

She had just been chatting with Yun-jie about work matters on WeChat—why was she suddenly calling now?

“Hello? Yun-jie? What’s up? Something urgent?”

Xia Xiyao answered the call.

She knew that Yun-jie wouldn’t call unless it was something important.

“Hey, Xiyao, yeah, I needed to ask you something. The second round of the finals is just a few days away, and the company plans to bring in guest singers. They want to know if you have anyone in mind. If not, they’ll assign a veteran singer from our label to duet with you.”

Xia Xiyao went silent for a moment. Her left hand, resting at her side, unconsciously clenched the hem of her clothes.

“Yun-jie… you already know. The theme is love duets, and… I do have someone in mind.”

“You mean Gu Xingyi, don’t you?”

Yun-jie’s slightly tired voice came through the receiver. Xia Xiyao pressed her lips together and didn’t respond.

“Xiyao, are you sure about this? You know Gu Xingyi isn’t a professional singer. Compared to the veteran performers in terms of vocals and stage presence, he doesn’t have any real advantage.”

“And… have you even talked to him about it? Did he agree?”

Listening to Yun-jie, Xia Xiyao looked up toward the kitchen at Gu Xingyi’s figure busy preparing food.

“You know, Yun-jie.”

Xia Xiyao paused there. She didn’t say the rest—she knew Yun-jie understood what she meant.

“You really are… always tugging at people’s hearts. I just wish you’d change this part of yourself, you know?”

“Alright then, I’ll reject the company’s offer on your behalf. As for Gu Xingyi… well, I’ll stay out of that. That’s between you two as a couple. Yun-jie just hopes you’ll be happy.”

Yun-jie’s voice softened with indulgent affection. Xia Xiyao tucked her legs beneath her on the sofa, rubbing the calf that Gu Xingyi had just been kneading, then looked again toward the kitchen at his busy back.

She whispered gently:

“Mm~ I will be.”

After the call ended, Xia Xiyao spaced out for a moment. Deep down, there was one more thing she hadn’t said aloud.

And that was:

“I’m already really happy~”