Little Sweet Orange nodded, then vigorously shook her head.
Her brother said that their biological daddy must have broken Mommy's heart, and anyone who made Mommy sad was not a good person.
Little Sweet Orange nestled into Jiang Shuyin's arms, hugging her tightly with her fair, tender arms. "My brother and I only want Mommy. We don't want a daddy."
Exhausted from the day's activities, the little girl soon fell asleep.
Jiang Shuyin tucked her in and went to check on Little Yiyi in the other room.
Little Yiyi had bathed himself and, without needing her company, had already fallen asleep obediently.
Jiang Shuyin closed the door softly.
"Ayin," Li Zeqian called, standing on the balcony and waving to her.
Jiang Shuyin walked over. Li Zeqian handed her a glass of red wine. "That Mr. Lu is the biological daddy of Little Sweet Orange and Little Yiyi, isn't he?"
Jiang Shuyin nodded in silence.
"What do you plan to do now?"
Jiang Shuyin's mind was in turmoil. She hadn't figured out what to do yet.
If she hadn't seen Little Sweet Orange interacting with Lu Yan, she might never have wanted to let Lu Yan know about the children's existence.
However, the harmonious scene of the father and daughter on the beach was simply too beautiful.
Even though she had gone through untold hardships to give birth to the children, she couldn't deprive them of their right to a father's love, could she?
It was just that she worried once Lu Yan learned about the children, he would forcefully snatch them away from her.
"I haven't decided yet."
Li Zeqian stared at her for a few seconds. After a moment of silence, he asked, "Over the past few years, I haven't been the only one pursuing you. There have been quite a few suitors, but you rejected all of them. Aside from the children, it's also because of that man, isn't it?"
Jiang Shuyin's fingers tightened around her wine glass.
To say that it had absolutely nothing to do with Lu Yan would be a lie.
He was her first man, and also the man who had left an indelible shadow on her.
Now, she harbored a deep-seated fear of men stemming from the very depths of her soul.
She dared not get too close to them, let alone develop a romantic relationship.
She had no intention of dating in the future, much less getting married.
In this lifetime, having Little Sweet Orange and Little Yiyi was enough for her. She wouldn't ask for anything more.
"Zeqian, I know how you feel, but I still have to say the same thing. We can be friends, and we can be business partners, but anything else is inappropriate. You are not getting any younger either; you should find a partner who is a good match for you."
Li Zeqian gave a bitter smile. "I even promised Little Sweet Orange today that I would try my best to be her daddy!"
Jiang Shuyin raised her glass and clinked it against his. "You deserve better."
Looking at the heavily burdened Jiang Shuyin, Li Zeqian hesitated to speak.
In her heart, that man was actually still there, wasn't he?
It was just that the man had hurt her too deeply in the past, so she didn't dare to admit it or face it.
Otherwise, how could she have gone through so much trouble to bear that man's children?
Through their three years of interaction, Li Zeqian realized that she was a woman who was soft on the outside but tough on the inside. Once her hardened heart had been cracked open by someone, it could no longer make room for anyone else.
Li Zeqian inexplicably felt a surge of envy and jealousy toward that man!
...
The next day.
Qin Xiaoxiao had not yet woken up. Lu Yan went alone to the Western restaurant where Little Sweet Orange had played the piano the night before to have breakfast.
"Sir, you are the daddy of the little girl from last night, right?"
The restaurant manager walked up to Lu Yan holding a small pink backpack. "The little girl left this here last night."
Lu Yan took the bag. "Alright, I'll give it to her."
After breakfast, Lu Yan headed to the hotel where the little girl was staying.
"This is the bag of Li Zeqian's daughter. When they come down, please hand it over to her."
The receptionist checked Li Zeqian's information and shook her head. "Sir, Mr. Li and his family already checked out and left at six o'clock this morning."
Lu Yan's cold, handsome features suddenly tensed.
They had only arrived yesterday, and they had already checked out and left this morning?
The attractions on this island required at least three or four days to fully enjoy.
Having traveled thousands of miles to get here, there was no reason to leave in such a hurry, right?
Harboring his doubts, Lu Yan unzipped the little girl's backpack.
Inside, there was a pack of wet wipes, a smartwatch phone, and a few small packets of snacks.
Lu Yan took out the smartwatch. He tapped the screen, intending to find the little girl's contacts, only to make an unexpected discovery—
In the photo on the screen, the little girl was looking up, kissing a woman's cheek.
And the side profile of that woman looked exactly like Jiang Shuyin.
Lu Yan's sharp brows immediately furrowed.
Was this woman actually Jiang Shuyin herself, or someone else who bore a resemblance to her?
His jaw tight, Lu Yan closely examined the woman being kissed by the little girl on the screen.
Although it was only a side profile, he was already certain that it was Jiang Shuyin herself.
What was her relationship with the little girl?
Was she her daughter?
Three years ago, when he asked her where the child was, she said she had an abortion.
Could it be that she had given birth prematurely?
Did she not have the abortion back then?
At the thought of this possibility, Lu Yan's heart began to pound uncontrollably.
...
Inside a hotel suite.
Qin Xiaoxiao slipped out of the man's embrace. She picked up her phone to check the time.
It was already nine in the morning.
She forcefully nudged the man who was still fast asleep. "You should go."
She turned on the lights in the room and looked down at her own body.
It was covered in red marks.
She took out a mirror to check her neck; it was also covered in red marks.
She wouldn't be able to go out and see anyone for the next few days.
"I told you last night not to leave marks on my body. Why didn't you listen?" she glared at the man reproachfully.
The man got out of bed and slowly put on his dress pants, looking noble and elegant.
He turned around, exposing his bare back to her. "Look at what you've scratched me into."
Qin Xiaoxiao pouted her red lips. "How much longer do we have to sneak around? I really don't know why my daddy won't let us be together."
A complex emotion flashed through the man's eyes, and he remained silent.
Qin Xiaoxiao picked up a pillow and threw it at the man. "I can't spend time alone with Lu Yan looking like this either. It's so hot on the island, I can't exactly wrap myself up like a dumpling, can I?"
Hearing Qin Xiaoxiao mention Lu Yan, the man bent down, his long, distinct fingers pinching her chin. "Are you interested in Lu Yan?"
Qin Xiaoxiao was noncommittal.
Besides the man in front of her, she was indeed interested in Lu Yan.
But Lu Yan was cold and unromantic. Even when she offered herself to him, he remained as indifferent as a block of wood.
Qin Xiaoxiao glanced at the man. "I'll give you one last chance. If you still can't convince my daddy to agree to us being together, we'll end this relationship from now on."
The man said nothing more. After finishing getting dressed, he strode away.
Inside a dark commercial vehicle, Lu Yan and his subordinate watched the man emerge from the hotel.
"Captain Lu, do you know why Third Master Qin disagrees with Qin Xiaoxiao being with that man? They are well-matched in status and look quite suitable together."
Lu Yan narrowed his eagle-like eyes, his gaze meaningful. "Of course, it's because there are unspeakable secrets." He paused, changing the subject. "Have someone contact Director Zhou and tell him to call Qin Xiaoxiao back to film."
The subordinate was slightly taken aback. "Aren't you going to stay and vacation with her here?"
Lu Yan glanced at the small backpack in his arms, a flash of complexity in his eyes. "I have some personal matters to handle over the next few days."
...
Yuzhou Island.
Jiang Shuyin took the children out for a fun-filled day.
In the evening, a bonfire party was held on the island. Li Zeqian and Little Yiyi weren't interested and stayed in the hotel room to rest. Little Sweet Orange wanted to go, so Jiang Shuyin had no choice but to accompany her.
With a gentle breeze blowing, everyone gathered around the fire, singing and dancing in a relaxed and cozy atmosphere.
Little Sweet Orange was as happy as a little bunny, skipping and jumping the whole time.
The bonfire party also featured a chili-eating contest. Whoever could finish the designated amount of chilies within one minute would win the title of 'Spicy King,' earning a free night's stay in an overwater villa cabin, along with an exquisite gift.
Among the gifts was a limited-edition Barbie doll that Little Sweet Orange loved.
However, despite her love for it, she wouldn't ask her mommy to go up and compete in eating spicy food.
The Carolina Reaper, known for its devilish heat, is one of the spiciest chilies in the world.
Only a handful of people went on stage to participate.
Just as the host was about to announce the start of the competition, a figure dressed in black suddenly jumped onto the stage.
The moment the man landed on the stage, Jiang Shuyin and Little Sweet Orange were dumbfounded.
"It's actually Cool Uncle!" Little Sweet Orange exclaimed.
Jiang Shuyin's gaze fell on the small backpack Lu Yan placed on the stage.
Wasn't that Little Sweet Orange's backpack? Why was it in his hands?
Little Sweet Orange also saw her backpack, finally remembering that she had dropped it at the Western restaurant the night before.
"Mommy, Cool Uncle came to bring me my backpack."
After Lu Yan took the stage, he drew cheers from quite a few women.
He wore a black polo shirt and dark trousers, looking rugged, cold, and untamed.
Many women were captivated by his handsome face and outstanding aura.
Standing on the stage, Lu Yan swept his deep, sharp eagle eyes over the audience below.
Soon, his gaze locked onto Jiang Shuyin and Little Sweet Orange.
Meeting his eyes, Jiang Shuyin's heart skipped a beat. It was already too late to try and take Little Sweet Orange away.
His investigative skills were simply too strong.
Even if she could avoid him for a while, she couldn't avoid him forever.
He must have already sensed something.
The competition quickly began, with a total of five participants.
The host placed ten Carolina Reapers on the plate in front of each person.
Some didn't recognize this type of chili and, thinking it wasn't spicy, swallowed one whole.
As a result, they spat it out the moment they ate it, coughing incessantly, tears streaming down their faces from the heat.
"This is insanely spicy, right?"
"It's so spicy it could kill someone."
This kind of chili had an intense flavor that shot straight up into the eyes and nose.
Even just a small bite made the lips and tongue feel like they were roasting over an open flame, an unbearable heat.
In less than twenty seconds, three people quit the competition in a row.
Only Lu Yan and another burly, strong man were left.
After eating three, the burly man was profusely sweating, his eyes barely able to open, his expression extremely twisted and agonized.
In contrast, Lu Yan, with his cold and hard features, calm expression, and freezing aura, became the most striking sight on the stage.
He ate them one after another, as if he couldn't feel the spice at all.
"Wow, wow, wow, Cool Uncle is so amazing! He has eaten five more than that other uncle now."
Jiang Shuyin frowned deeply.
Just standing offstage and smelling the scent of that chili made her feel the heat.
Yet he managed to keep a straight face, even though his lips were already red and swollen from the spice.
In the last ten seconds, the burly man clutched his stomach and slumped to the ground, mouth wide open, panting continuously.
Lu Yan did not give up, though. In the final few seconds, he finished the last chili.
The scene erupted with enthusiastic applause.
Although Lu Yan's expression remained fairly calm, the sweat on his forehead kept dripping down his chiseled jawline.
He won first place and received the corresponding rewards.
The key to the villa cabin, as well as the limited-edition Barbie doll.
He walked toward Little Sweet Orange.
Little Sweet Orange clapped excitedly. "Uncle, you are so amazing!"
Lu Yan handed the Barbie doll and the cabin key to Little Sweet Orange, then put the pink backpack on her back. "Little girl, can Uncle give you a hug?"
Little Sweet Orange turned to look at Jiang Shuyin. "Mommy, can I let Uncle hug me?"
Looking at Lu Yan, who was covered in sweat and pale from the spice, Jiang Shuyin gave a slight nod.
Little Sweet Orange threw herself into Lu Yan's arms.
After hugging Little Sweet Orange for a few seconds, Lu Yan released her. Without saying a word, he rushed straight toward the restroom.
His stomach felt like it was on fire, a burning pain spreading through it, and he threw up violently.
More than ten minutes later, he came out of the restroom.
Unexpectedly, the woman he thought would avoid him again was now standing outside, holding a bottle of mineral water.
Lu Yan took the water and rinsed his throat.
He looked behind her but didn't see Little Sweet Orange; the little girl must have gone back to the room.
After pressing his thin, cold lips tightly together, he asked point-blank, "Is Little Sweet Orange my daughter?"
