The baby slapped me, and I said, "Sit on my lap and slap me."

Thinking of his father, a barely perceptible coldness flashed deep in Wen Yu's eyes, but it vanished in an instant.

Su Qingyao's charming yet earnest appearance at this moment resembled a kitten with its fur standing on end, questioning him, which made Wen Yu's heart soften.

He couldn't help but chuckle softly, his chest heaving, as he pulled the person back firmly into his arms.

"It was my oversight; the baby is right."

His voice carried a hint of indulgent laughter, but also a touch of seriousness.

"We have to proceed step by step, without skipping any steps."

He paused, his fingertips twirling a strand of her soft hair in an intimate and natural gesture.

Actually, my mother has known about you for a long time.

Su Qingyao looked up in surprise, her long eyelashes fluttering like butterfly wings. "Ah? Auntie... already knows?"

"Yes." Wen Yu nodded, his eyes gentle and sincere.

"She saw your photos a long time ago and said..." He deliberately softened his tone, a smile spreading across his eyes.

"The baby's eyes are like they're filled with stars; she looks like a really nice girl. She even whispered something to me..."

He leaned close to her ear, lowered his voice, and said with a hint of boastful helplessness, "It's her son's good fortune that he was able to catch up with you; he's really marrying above his station."

Su Qingyao's cheeks flushed crimson at a visible speed, and small bursts of joyful fireworks exploded in her heart.

She subconsciously pouted, trying to suppress the ever-increasing curve of her lips.

But the smile in her eyes and the barely concealed joy she exclaimed revealed her happiness, like a cat that had stolen some dried fish.

"Auntie...do you really say that?" Her voice softened involuntarily, carrying a sweet disbelief.

"Husband swears," Wen Yu raised three fingers, his expression serious, but his eyes were so tender they could drown a person.

"Every word is true, more real than real gold."

He seemed to suddenly realize something, his gaze falling on her face with a hint of eagerness.

"Judging by the time, it should be around 7 a.m. in the US, and your future mother-in-law is probably having breakfast."

As he spoke, he took his phone out of his pocket.

"Why not seize the day? Let's have a quick video call to get to know each other. Let her see just how wonderful the guy her son is dating really is!"

Before Su Qingyao could react, a video call invitation was sent with a light tap of her finger.

"Wenyu!"

Su Qingyao gasped in fright and tried frantically to stop him, but it was too late.

The screen lit up, displaying the message "Connecting...".

Her heart pounded, and she instinctively tried to dodge, but Wen Yu's arms, as if he had anticipated this, held her firmly, making her unable to move.

Su Qingyao's cheeks burned, her eyes glared at him in a panic, and she couldn't help but pinch him hard.

Wen Yu let out an exaggerated shout, but the corners of his mouth held the pleasure of a successful prank. He patted her back reassuringly with a smile.

A few seconds later, the video call connected.

Soon, a woman dressed in beige silk loungewear, with a gentle and elegant demeanor, appeared on the other end of the screen.

The background is a brightly lit corner of a restaurant, with an exquisite European breakfast laid out on the table.

She looked exceptionally young, with smooth skin and a smiling face.

She exudes a composure and elegance that seems to have been exceptionally kind to her by time, making her look nothing like a mother of a 21-year-old son.

That face bore a striking resemblance to Wen Yu's, especially the straight nose and defined jawline.

But on her face, these lines were softened just right, combining to create a more refined and beautiful appearance.

Her eyes were clear and gentle, and when she looked at the screen, her heartfelt doting and affection almost overflowed.

"Yu Bao?" Ruan Xinhe's cheerful voice drifted over.

"Did the sun rise in the west today? Calling Mom so early on video, is there some good news to share?"

Su Qingyao was so nervous that she didn't know what to do. When she heard this affectionate and childlike address, she was stunned for a moment.

She subconsciously looked up at Wen Yu, her eyes filled with surprise and a hint of suppressed laughter, and repeated softly.

"Yu... Bao?"

A rare crack appeared on Wen Yu's usually composed and controlled expression, and a hint of embarrassment flashed across his eyes.

I was so busy entertaining the baby and meeting my mom that I forgot to coordinate with my mom beforehand.

Never, ever call your baby by this nickname!

He protested several years ago, saying that he was already a capable man and that having such a mushy nickname was bad for his image.

However, Ms. Ruan listened with a smile on her face, but turned around and continued to do her own thing, claiming that "in a mother's eyes, you will always be a treasure."

At this moment, his secrets were unexpectedly exposed in front of his own little girl.

Wen Yu's ears burned slightly. He cleared his throat, trying to remain calm, tightened his grip on her arm, and gave Su Qingyao a look that said, "Don't laugh."

Su Qingyao received his warning look and quickly pursed her lips, trying to suppress the upturned corners of her mouth.

But the mischievous smile in those bright, sparkling eyes couldn't be hidden, like a kitten that had stolen some candy.

On the other side of the screen, Ruan Xinhe clearly saw the fleeting embarrassment on her son's face, as well as the obvious girl standing next to him.

The smile in her eyes deepened, carrying a hint of understanding and mischief.

"This must be Yaoyao, right? What's wrong, Yubao? You're hiding her from Mommy. Come out and let Auntie take a good look."

Wen Yu sighed helplessly, knowing that he couldn't avoid this "nickname controversy".

He adjusted the angle of his phone to ensure that Su Qingyao was fully framed in the shot, while also showing most of his own face. His voice returned to normal, carrying a hint of barely perceptible indulgence.

"Mom, stop it. Yaoyao is shy, don't scare her."

"What do you mean I'm making a fuss?" Ruan Xinhe said reproachfully, but her gaze fell gently on Su Qingyao's face.

"Hello Yaoyao, I'm Wenyu's mother. Just call me Aunt Ruan. Don't listen to this kid's nonsense. Auntie is the kindest and most approachable person, isn't she?"

Su Qingyao was touched by the familiar and natural interaction between the mother and son, and her initial tension dissipated.

She put on her most polite and well-behaved smile, and said in a clear voice, "Hello Aunt Ruan, I am Su Qingyao, it's a pleasure to meet you."

She paused, but couldn't help glancing at Wen Yu, and added in a low voice.

"Auntie... the little boy you called Yubao was so cute."

"Pfft—" Ruan Xinhe laughed without any restraint, her eyes crinkling.

"Right, right? I also think it suits him perfectly."

Ruan Xinhe smiled broadly, completely ignoring her son's dark expression, and continued to reveal more details with great interest.

"Auntie will tell you a secret: this was something Wenyu himself asked for when he was little. He said that other mothers call their children 'baby,' and he questioned why I didn't call him that."

There were faint blue veins throbbing on Wen Yu's forehead.

He could almost imagine what his mother was going to say next—it was a "dark history" that he absolutely did not want his baby to know!

"What can I do? Of course I have to indulge my own child, but I never expected this kid to grow up and deny everything, and even refuse to listen to me..."

"mom!"

Wen Yu interrupted, his tone tinged with embarrassment and pleading.

"I made this video to introduce Yaoyao to you, to show you my future daughter-in-law! Not for you to dig up my past or expose my shortcomings!"