Five years after my wife's death, she came back!

Shang Nian's joy was palpable.

Students riding bicycles and carrying bags walk by on campus from time to time, as well as groups of primary and secondary school students led by their teachers to visit. Occasionally, you can also see kittens lying lazily in the grass, swishing their tails.

Shang Nian squatted down in front of a little orange cat and poked its soft little belly with her hand.

The kitten gave her a listless look, then buried its head and went back to sleep.

Shi Ying squatted down beside her: "Does Niannian like kittens?"

Shang Nian nodded.

Shi Ying began to consider the possibility of kidnapping one from the school and taking it back.

Shang Chenyan stood behind the two of them, his gaze involuntarily softening.

A gentle breeze rustled the withered leaves overhead, and the bright sunlight shone on Shi Ying's face, revealing the soft downy hairs and the blush on his cheeks.

"But taking care of a kitten is hard work. You have to feed it, bathe it, and clean up its mess. If Niannian adopts one, she has to be responsible for it and can't give up halfway."

Shi Ying kept talking, while Shang Nian looked thoughtful.

Shang Chenyan said, "I'll take her to a pet store another day. If she likes one, she can keep it at home."

"Look how understanding your father is," Shi Ying said with a smile, patting Shang Nian's head.

When she was little, she wanted to bring home cute stray cats and dogs, but her dad never agreed, and the two would argue. At that time, Shi Ying would think that when she grew up, she would move out and live alone, and raise whatever she wanted.

But later, my father passed away, and even arguing with him became a luxury.

Shi Ying's mood dipped for a moment, but she quickly recovered and said with a smile, "Shall we go to the playground?"

She leaned closer and whispered in Shang Nian's ear, "Lots of handsome young men play soccer there."

Shang Nian nodded.

Shang Chenyan didn't hear what the two of them were whispering about, but he could tell from Shi Ying's expression that she was up to no good.

The university playground is the most vibrant place for youth. A few couples are sitting scattered in the stands, while below are people exercising and taking walks. Shi Ying led Shang Nian to find a place to sit down.

There were a few boys playing football on the green field, and it was quite a pleasant sight to watch from a distance.

Shang Chenyan glanced at her enthusiastic expression out of the corner of his eye, unsure whether to feel good or bad.

He liked seeing her happy.

But her happiness at this moment stemmed from seeing other boys.

Never mind, as long as it's not Shang Yu.

He had already informed Professor Yang before coming today that he would keep Shang Yu locked in the lab all day and prevent Shi Ying from running into him.

Anyway, Yingying would never like these little kids. She has said many times before that she likes mature and stable men.

Shang Chenyan became slightly more confident.

Shang Nian leaned against Shi Ying's chest and pointed down.

"Does Niannian want to go play too?"

Shang Nian nodded.

Shi Ying shook her head: "That won't work. Those older boys are very strong. If you want to play soccer, you can only play with kids your own age."

Shang Nian pursed her lips and looked at Shang Chenyan.

"No." The man's refusal was even more resolute.

Shang Nian's face fell.

But the next second, Shang Chenyan said, "Tomorrow Dad will contact the school for you, and you can play with other children at school."

Shang Nian blinked, her expression unreadable.

Shi Ying was taken aback for a moment by his sudden words. After recovering, she lowered her head and asked Shang Nian, "Does Nian Nian want to go to school?"

Shang Nian tilted her head and thought for a long time before finally nodding slightly.

Shi Ying was relieved. She ruffled Shang Nian's hair and said, "Niannian can go and experience it for a few days first. If you're not happy, come back and tell us."

"If you have anything happy to share, you can come back and share it with your sister."

Shang Nian nodded vigorously.

*

The midday sun was quite strong, making Shi Ying drowsy, and Shang Nian's eyelids were also drooping.

"Are you tired?" Shang Chenyan's voice was clear and melodious, like a babbling brook flowing through the mountains, dispelling Shi Ying's drowsiness.

She looked at Shang Nian, who was leaning on her arm and almost closing her eyes, and said, "Let's go back. Nian Nian looks tired."

"it is good."

Shang Chenyan patted Shang Nian's cheek: "Get up, walk by yourself."

Now that she's going to school, she needs to gradually develop independence. Even though he can take care of Shang Nian for the rest of his life, he hopes his daughter can stand on his shoulders and become an even better person.

Shang Nian rubbed her eyes, obediently stood up, and used the railing to get off the stands.

There was a small soccer field outside the plastic track, where some little boys were playing. To enter or exit the playground, you had to pass through there. Just as the three of them were passing by, an out-of-control soccer ball flew towards Shi Ying.

"Be careful!"

Anxious voices rang out on the football field. Shang Chenyan felt a gust of wind rush past his ear. He quickly grabbed Shi Ying's arm and pulled her in front of him.

With a "bang," the soccer ball slammed heavily into his right shoulder.

Shi Ying was pulled and, losing her balance, was held in the man's arms. She turned around in surprise.

Shang Chenyan frowned slightly, his gaze turning cold and sharp as he swept it across the group of people running towards him.

"I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry!" the boys apologized repeatedly.

Seeing that they didn't do it on purpose, Shang Chenyan didn't bother to argue and said coldly, "Be more careful next time."

"I'm so sorry, would you like to go to the infirmary?"

"No."

Shang Nian stood beside him, looking up at him with red eyes. Shang Chenyan forced a smile and said, "Dad is fine."

He patted Shang Nian's head: "Let's go home."

Shi Ying quickly pulled away from his embrace and asked with concern, "Mr. Shang, should we go to the hospital?"

"No need, it's probably just a little swollen. They didn't hit hard enough, so they didn't injure any bones or tendons."

Shi Ying subconsciously reached out and touched his shoulder, feeling somewhat guilty: "Are you really alright? Let's go back quickly, take off your clothes and check."

Her fingertips touched him through his clothes, and Shang Chenyan suddenly stiffened, his heart pounded uncontrollably, and his blood rushed.

She touched him!

Noticing that he seemed to be trembling, Shi Ying felt even more guilty; he must be in a lot of pain.

"Let's go quickly."

Shi Ying pulled him out, and Shang Chenyan stared blankly at her slender fingers gripping his hand. He clenched his fist tightly with his other hand, trying his best to suppress the ecstasy in his heart.

The parking spot wasn't far. Shang Chenyan opened the car door and shoved Shang Nian inside first. Shi Ying stood behind him, and suddenly a scene flashed through her mind.

The playground, the sunshine, and a soccer ball speeding towards you.

A figure pulled her into an embrace, and she heard a low groan in her ear.

Shi Ying watched his retreating figure and murmured:

"Have we... met somewhere before?"