Shocking! A three-year-old brings his aloof mother to their door.

He Wanqing took everything in, a slight smile playing on her lips. She changed into her outdoor clothes and picked up her car keys:

"Let's go, I'll see you off."

The morning sunlight streamed through the car windows, flowing into the interior like a warm, golden river.

Tongtong pressed her face against the car window, her little nose almost touching the glass, watching the scenery rushing past outside, humming an off-key nursery rhyme.

The car smoothly drove into the S University campus.

The campus was quieter than usual on the weekend, but a few students still walked by carrying books, and the crisp sound of dribbling could be heard from the basketball court.

He Wanqing parked her car near the teaching building.

Mo Ye got off the bus carrying several bags.

Tongtong carried her little schoolbag and clutched the remote control for the mini tank tightly in her arms, saying it was her secret weapon.

"Daddy, hurry up!" Tongtong couldn't wait to see those familiar uncles and aunts.

Mo Ye closed the car door and was about to turn around when the driver's side window slowly rolled down.

He Wan rested one hand on the steering wheel and turned her head to the side.

The morning light outlined the delicate contours of her face, and her eyelashes cast a small shadow under her eyes.

Her lips moved slightly, her voice softer than usual, yet still retaining her characteristic cool and aloof quality:

"I'll pick you up tonight."

Mo Ye paused slightly and turned to look at her.

As their eyes met, he seemed to catch a fleeting, almost awkward expectation in her eyes.

He nodded, his smile gentle: "Okay, we'll wait for you."

"Goodbye, Mommy!" Tongtong waved her little hand, her voice sweet and soft.

He Wanqing's gaze lingered on her daughter's bright smile for a moment, then swept over Mo Ye's face before she nodded slightly and rolled up the car window.

The car slowly drove away, merging into the light and shadow of the tree-lined paths on campus.

Mo Ye held Tongtong's little hand and walked towards the familiar science and engineering teaching building.

Tongtong skipped and hopped, her little leather shoes making a crisp "tap-tap" sound on the stone pavement, like a string of cheerful musical notes.

However, this joy was met with a "crush" the moment they stepped into the classroom.

As soon as Mo Ye pushed open the back door, a petite yellow figure darted in like a cannonball past his legs—

"Tongtong's here!"

The childish announcement was like lighting a fire in the forest.

The next second, a suppressed gasp and commotion erupted from the back row of the lecture hall.

"Ahhh, it's Tongtong!"

"The little one is here!"

"Quick, quick, let me see!"

The students who were originally scattered around—most of them were Mo Ye's classmates, and a few "Tong Tong fans" from other classes who had heard about it—rushed over as if drawn by a magnet.

Within seconds, Tongtong's location was completely surrounded.

Mo Ye herself was squeezed to the door by the "crowd," and almost dropped the bags she was carrying.

He looked at the scene before him with a mixture of amusement and exasperation—his daughter had become the center of attention at this mini fan meeting.

"Oh my, Tongtong's little pigtails are so cute today!"

"Let me touch your face, sister~ Wow, it's so soft!"

"These forearms are so chubby, they feel amazing!"

"Your tummy is so full, what delicious food did you have for breakfast?"

Hands reached out from all directions, patting her head, pinching her face, rubbing her arms, and some even gently poked her belly.

Tongtong was stunned by this sudden "all-around contact". Her big, dark eyes widened, her little mouth was slightly open, and she was completely bewildered.

She felt like a teddy bear in a supermarket, being squeezed and manipulated at will, with no "human rights" whatsoever!

A suppressed, excited whisper erupted from the crowd:

"Ahhh, I touched it! It's so soft!"

"It smells so sweet and milky! It's so cute!"

"What an adorable little creature! Can I steal it and take it home?"

Tongtong finally snapped out of her daze, her little face scrunched up, and she yelled in a cute but fierce way:

"You...you're not allowed to touch her anymore! Tongtong's going to get angry!"

She puffed out her cheeks, trying to make the fiercest expression, but with her chubby face and big, wet eyes, the intimidation was practically zero; instead, she looked more like a little kitten baring its teeth and claws.

The onlookers were utterly charmed by her pouty little face, inwardly screaming:

Quick! Shout again!

But seeing that the little guy was really getting anxious, he barely managed to restrain his impulse and awkwardly withdrew his hand.

Seeing that everyone had finally stopped, Tongtong puffed out her little chest and nodded with satisfaction—see, she still has the temperament of a "leader"!

She tiptoed to take out the carefully packaged mango pomelo sago from the small cart next to her and began to distribute it to the older brothers and sisters around her.

"Tongtong made this with her parents!"

As she handed out the food, she tilted her little face up and earnestly introduced it, her eyes sparkling, "It's so delicious!"

Everyone took the crystal-clear glass bottle, and when they looked at the fair-skinned, tender little dumpling in front of them, whose face seemed to say "Praise me!", they felt their hearts melt.

Someone whispered, "Tongtong, have your parents ever told you how much you're worth?"

Someone nearby immediately chimed in, "What color burlap sack does Tongtong like? How about pink?"

"Isn't the government encouraging people to have children? I think this is a good thing."

"Natural childbirth is so painful, it's nowhere near as quick as 'easy' delivery..."

Although these words were spoken in a low voice, they still reached Mo Ye's ears without missing a single one.

His face darkened, and he stepped forward, pulling Tongtong back into his arms like a mother hen protecting her chicks, shielding her completely in front of him. He forced out a single word through gritted teeth: "Get lost."

Everyone protested when they saw the adorable little creature being "hidden":

"Mo Ye, how can you be so stingy!"

"Exactly! Let us play a little longer!"

"Tongtong isn't just yours!"

Mo Ye sneered and glanced around:

"If Tongtong were your daughter, would you be willing to let someone pet her like that?"

They've probably been hiding at home for a while now, not even allowed to leave the house.

These words struck a chord with everyone.

Everyone looked at each other, then reluctantly shut their mouths—yes, if they had such a precious daughter, they would probably hide her even more carefully than Mo Ye.

The school bell rang just in time, finally relieving the awkward situation. Everyone reluctantly returned to their seats, their eyes still fixed on Tongtong.

Mo Ye carried Tongtong to the back row and looked around the classroom, but did not see Shen Qing and Wang Jie.

Skipping classes in college isn't unusual, so he didn't pay much attention, assuming those two rascals had overslept again.

Unexpectedly, after about ten minutes of class, the back door was quietly pushed open a crack.

Two furtive figures crouched down and slipped in, sitting down on either side of Mo Ye.

Mo Ye turned his head and was startled.

Shen Qing and Wang Jie both had sunken eyes, dark circles under their eyes as if they had been punched twice, and pale faces with bloodless lips.

He exuded a sense of dejection, as if all his energy had been drained, and he even walked with a light, unsteady gait.

..........