Qi Sen’s palm clenched tightly, the pain biting in—but he felt nothing.

After a long silence, he finally said,
“Alright. I’ll go home tomorrow.”

When the call ended, he couldn’t help wondering:
Back then, when he left Can-Can for the Nine Heavens…
Was it just like this?

So painful he couldn’t even breathe.

—

Gu Chi’s phone had been ringing off the hook.

Frustrated, he stared at the phone that had just been snatched away by his dad and muttered urgently,
“I’ve got something really important! My baby’s about to be sent to an orphanage!!”

Gu Jueyan snorted.
“Aren’t all your dragon toys in your room already?”

“Not those! I mean my Can-Can! Dad—can’t you adopt her for me?!”

Gu Jueyan continued fiddling with the phone, unfazed.

Gu Chi was exhausted.

“Dad, as long as you agree to adopt Can-Can, I’ll do anything!”

Even if it meant staying up all night studying… even if it meant finally preparing to inherit the family business just so his dad could retire early—he’d do it.

Gu Chi looked like a soldier on his way to a heroic death.
He was ready to kneel. Really—he’d kneel if that’s what it took!

But the condition Gu Jueyan gave caught him completely off guard.

“If you stop buying toy dragons, I’ll adopt Can-Can.”

Gu Chi nodded without hesitation.

Gu Jueyan was stunned.

This brat agreed… that fast?

The normally shrewd man couldn’t have guessed that Gu Chi was currently muttering to himself like a man possessed:
“Don’t buy for myself—buy for my daughter. Raise a kid and buy dragons. Perfect.”

Author’s Note:
Gu Chi: !!! My baby’s finally gonna have a real home!!

—

Chapter 15 – Can-Can

By the time Gu Chi had finished discussing the adoption with Gu Jueyan, it was already deep into the night.

The sky outside the balcony was dark. The villas stood silent, their lights all extinguished, sleeping peacefully beneath the gentle moonlight.

Only one room was still lit—Gu Chi’s.

He paced back and forth, unable to sleep just thinking about how in a few days, he’d finally get to bring Can-Can home.

He imagined buying her sweet candy, pretty little dresses, holding her tiny hand to take her to kindergarten…

The excitement just wouldn’t let him rest.

Suddenly remembering something, he picked up his phone to call Tao-Tao—then smacked himself on the forehead and quickly hung up.

It was so late—Can-Can was definitely asleep.

From childhood until now, the only thing Gu Chi had ever loved was dragons. He never imagined that at the age of twenty, he’d suddenly fall head over heels for a soft little radish sprout of a girl—quiet and cuddly when happy, puffed-up and pouty when mad.

She spoke in a milky little voice, didn’t know a single written word, and still earnestly tried to reason with him by counting on her chubby fingers.

That ridiculous contrast made her even more lovable.

Such an adorable radish sprout—he was going to raise her properly. If anyone dared to bully her, he’d kick them straight into the next life!

—

The Can-Can who filled Gu Chi’s dreams was currently sleeping soundly.

Just before dawn, her tiny feet twitched under the blanket, her face rubbing against the pillow like a fluffy kitten. Her chubby hand scratched at her cheek, and her lips smacked softly as she drooled a string of spit.

No one knew what kind of delicious treat she was dreaming about.

Tao-Tao sat at the bedside, watching her with a smile.

Qi Sen knocked just after six.

“Here to pick up the little princess so early?” Tao-Tao asked. “She’s still sleeping.”

She remembered what Qi Sen had said to Can-Can the night before and opened the door while making room for him to come in.

But Qi Sen didn’t move. He stood in the hallway, glanced briefly at Jiang Ying standing behind him, and said quietly,
“I’m not going in.”

He handed Tao-Tao a card.
“If you don’t know how to use it, just give it to Pei Shen. I’ve already sent him the password on WeChat.”

Tao-Tao stared in confusion.
“What… is this for?”

Qi Sen didn’t answer. He just kept talking, calmly and steadily:
“In a few days, when the police can’t find Can-Can’s parents, they’ll take her to the welfare center. Someone will go adopt her. Just keep an eye out. After the adoption, Can-Can will still live with you and Pei Shen.”

“But by then, our Can-Can can go to kindergarten like all the other kids and grow up happily.”

“As for Pei Shen—his chemistry competition is in three days. You can’t cook, so go buy some good chicken soup from a restaurant and bring it back for him. Keep feeding him nourishing food. Over time, he’ll get stronger.”

It was the longest speech Tao-Tao had ever heard from Qi Sen.

But not once did he mention himself.

“What about you, High God?” Tao-Tao asked.

Qi Sen said nothing. He simply raised the card in his hand again, silently urging her to take it.

Tao-Tao slowly reached out, her fingertips brushing the cold surface of the card—

—and just then, a groggy little voice called from behind:

“Second Brother?”

Can-Can had come barefoot, her tiny feet padding softly across the carpet as she ran over and grabbed the corner of Qi Sen’s shirt.

“Big Brother, are you here to take Can-Can home?”

Qi Sen crouched down and gently smoothed her messy hair.

Last night, he’d tried calling Gu Chi one last time. No answer. This morning, the phone had gone straight to voicemail.

There was no one else left who could help.

From the hallway, Jiang Ying finally spoke, smiling sweetly.
“You must be Can-Can? I’m your brother’s mother. I came to take him home.”

Qi Sen’s hand froze, just for a moment.

He slowly let go and, in a soft voice, said,
“Can-Can, how about living with Third Brother from now on? He’s always lived alone. He’s really scared. But you’re a brave little princess—you can protect him, right?”

It was the same comforting trick Qi Sen used to coax Can-Can into sleeping with Tao-Tao.

But this time… it didn’t work.

Can-Can looked at Qi Sen, then glanced at the jeweled, elegant lady behind him. Her voice was quiet and confused.
“Then what about Second Brother?”

“Second Brother is going home now.”

Can-Can’s lips quivered.
“To the gold and silver treasure home?”

“Mn.”

Her head lowered. A mist of tears welled up in her beautiful almond eyes.

She whispered with a trembling voice,
“Second Brother… you’re a big liar. You said you’d take me home today.”

She flung his hand away and ran back to the bed.

Pulling the heavy blanket over herself, she buried deep inside.

No matter how Qi Sen called her after that—she didn’t respond.