"Sweetie," Lin Yuxi called, glancing toward the bedroom door. "The food is ready."
Lin Yuxi, twenty-seven and raising a daughter alone, placed the last dish on the table. She twisted her long black hair into a neat bun, her white blouse and knee-length skirt already hinting at the workday ahead. Even without makeup, there was a quiet elegance about her.
The bedroom door opened, and a small girl stepped out, her hair tied into neat pigtails. She looked like a tiny replica of her mother—same dark eyes, same delicate features—but her expression was far too calm for a four-year-old.
The table was set neatly, a small vase of fresh flowers softening the simple arrangement. The scent of steamed dumplings and stir-fried vegetables lingered warmly in the air.
The little girl walked over, her pigtails swaying gently.
"Mom, don't call me sweetie." Her tone was flat. "I'm not a baby."
Lin Yuxi laughed softly and helped her into her seat. "Alright, my little cutie pie."
"That's worse," the girl replied without missing a beat.
Lin Yuxi picked up her chopsticks, amused. "Then what should I call you?"
The little girl looked up seriously. "You gave me a name, didn't you?"
She picked up a dumpling and took a small bite.
Lin Yuxi smiled. "I know. But I like calling you cute names."
"Then why give me a name if you won't use it?" Chaoxing muttered, chewing calmly.
Lin Yuxi simply shook her head and continued serving her food.
After a moment, she asked casually, "Your godmother just got back from her trip. Do you want her to come over today, or would you prefer Nanny Xu?"
"Nanny Xu." Chaoxing replied immediately.
Lin Yuxi raised a brow. "You don't miss your godmother? She's been gone for a month. I'm sure she brought gifts."
Chaoxing's gaze shifted toward the shelf overflowing with dolls.
"I don't miss her," she said plainly. "And I don't want her strange gifts."
Lin Yuxi suppressed a sigh.
Mo Lixue had a serious obsession with buying dolls—far too many dolls. Most of them came with elaborate princess dresses that didn't even fit Chaoxing. No matter how many times Lin Yuxi suggested practical presents, her friend remained stubborn.
"We can't always rely on Nanny Xu," Lin Yuxi said gently. "She has her own life too."
Chaoxing blinked. "Her job is to take care of me. What else would she need to do?"
For a moment, Lin Yuxi had no answer.
Technically… her daughter wasn't wrong.
Still, she tried again. "Your godmother really wants to see you. Just today. Tomorrow I'll stay home."
Chaoxing studied her mother carefully. "Only today?"
"Yes. Only today."
The little girl tapped her chopsticks lightly against her plate. "What about dinner? I'm not eating anything Miss Mo cooks."
Lin Yuxi laughed quietly. That was understandable. Mo Lixue's cooking could only be described as catastrophic.
"We'll eat out when I pick you up."
Chaoxing nodded once. "That's acceptable."
The rest of breakfast passed in peaceful silence, broken only by the gentle clinking of utensils.
Afterward, Lin Yuxi cleared the table while Chaoxing retrieved their bags. She refilled the food bowl for their Pomeranian, Ting, making sure he had enough to eat before they left.
Ting had been a birthday gift for Chaoxing's third birthday—meant to keep her company while Lin Yuxi worked. Unlike most children, Chaoxing had chosen a simple, elegant name for him.
Sometimes, Lin Yuxi wondered if her daughter had inherited her maturity from her father.
She herself wasn't particularly exceptional.
But Chaoxing…
She was different.
As they prepared to leave, Lin Yuxi helped her daughter adjust her schoolbag. Just then, her phone rang.
Mo Lixue.
"Where are we meeting?" her friend's voice came through brightly.
"Let's meet at the restaurant near Chaoxing's school," Lin Yuxi replied. She had only just sent a message. It seemed Mo Lixue had called the second she saw it.
After ending the call, Lin Yuxi locked the door and they headed out.
The morning air was cool and fresh as she hailed a taxi.
Soon, they arrived at Chaoxing's school—an elite kindergarten known for its demanding curriculum and impressive facilities. Though she wasn't wealthy, Lin Yuxi had worked tirelessly to afford it. No matter what it cost her, her daughter would have the best.
As Chaoxing stepped out of the taxi, Lin Yuxi called after her, "Sweetie, I'll pick you up later, okay?"
Chaoxing didn't turn around.
She simply walked through the school gates as if she hadn't heard a thing.
Lin Yuxi smiled helplessly.
A few minutes later, the taxi stopped in front of her workplace—a towering luxury mall.
She stepped out and entered the sleek building.
The mall's interior gleamed in white and gold, understated but unmistakably upscale. The lower floors catered to ordinary shoppers, while the upper levels belonged to the city's elite.
Without hesitation, she headed for the elevator.
The second floor. The clothing section.
Her promotion had brought a better salary.
But it had also brought trouble.
Most notably — Mei Loufei.
And Mei Loufei had never hidden her hostility.