Jiang Ruoqiao preferred to handle things swiftly and decisively.

She wasn’t one to deceive herself — the paternity test had to be done as soon as possible. Delaying it wouldn’t change the result. As someone with a strong sense of her own image to uphold, she had to eliminate every factor that could potentially affect her future while it was still in the bud.

Which meant the paternity test couldn’t be done in Jing Shi.

She decided to take Lu Siyan to Ling Shi.

Beyond that, she couldn’t risk being recognized. The previous afternoon she had already bought a number of items — a wig, clothes, shoes — and now she would disguise herself completely, aiming to reach a level where even her own mother would walk right past her.

Under her skilled hand with makeup, paired with the wig, a pair of plain-lens thick-framed glasses, and a work suit entirely out of keeping with her usual style, she looked in the mirror and became a completely different person.

There was absolutely no way this would backfire.

Over the years of following online drama, she had absorbed invaluable lessons from the experiences of others.

Of course, being prepared for the worst was always wise.

If Lu Siyan’s existence never came to light, then everyone would be happy. But she also needed to prepare for the worst-case scenario — what if, one day, it got exposed? Doing the math on the ages, if someone accused her of having a child at fifteen, that would be a complete and total disaster. So the previous day, after saying goodbye to the father and son, she had quickly reached out to several old friends to ask if any of them had photos from back then.

All of them responded with varying degrees of confusion.

Her explanation was perfectly reasonable: “I’m worried that someday if I become famous, people will say I’ve had plastic surgery. I want to start organizing my photos and videos from childhood through now — they’re solid proof.”

Her friends: “What the actual…”

“I kneel to you…”

“Jiang Xiaoqiao, please just go become a celebrity already. Being your fan means never worrying about a scandal.”

It was precisely because of Jiang Ruoqiao’s near-extreme caution throughout her entire life that she had, to date, never experienced anything resembling a scandal or public embarrassment.

The few boyfriends she’d had all parted with her on good terms, and every single one of them could be called a model ex. If anyone tried to throw dirt at her, those guys were all on record swearing that if she ever needed anything, they’d be there for her without question.

She never left anyone a single piece of leverage against her. Even with people she’d had friction with, things never escalated to an actual falling out.

She had made a habit of always thinking through the worst possible outcome and preparing for it in advance.

Jiang Ruoqiao: 【When the entertainment industry belongs to your family, that’s when I’ll become a celebrity. Sending love~ 】

Once the photos and videos were gathered, she would gradually release them on her social account under a “nostalgia” theme.

First: proof that her face was completely natural and untouched.

Second: in case Lu Siyan’s existence ever got exposed, no one could wrongly accuse her of getting pregnant as a minor.

Perfect.

Jiang Ruoqiao set out for Lu Yicheng’s home.

Looking at the address Lu Yicheng had sent by text message, Jiang Ruoqiao let out a sigh.

Good thing she’d already come to terms with everything and was no longer treating Lu Yicheng as a future husband — otherwise, she might genuinely start wondering how much water had flooded into her future self’s brain.

It turned out nothing was beyond Lu Yicheng.

When Lu Siyan first appeared, Lu Yicheng had had no idea how to care for a small child. He hadn’t believed he’d be any good at it. Yet one week later, he had become increasingly adept at the role of a hands-on father.

That very morning, he had brought the child to the bathroom.

He squeezed out the expensive toothpaste for him.

After Lu Siyan brushed his teeth in his half-asleep state, Lu Yicheng ran through his whole routine — washing his face, then tidying his naturally curly hair until it looked ready for a commercial shoot.

All while keeping breakfast on track at the same time — completely organized, not a single step out of place.

Your body was the foundation of everything, and Lu Yicheng wasn’t too hard on himself when it came to food. Since Lu Siyan arrived, breakfast had become even more substantial. During the break, Lu Yicheng rarely bought breakfast outside.

That morning: soft-boiled eggs, fresh milk, and glutinous corn on the cob.

Father and son ate in identical fashion — one corncob each.

“She’ll take you to get tested today,” Lu Yicheng said.

Lu Siyan was completely calm. “I know. They’re going to pull out some hair again, aren’t they.”

If Lu Yicheng and Jiang Ruoqiao had been a bit older, they might have had the emotional awareness to think about the child’s feelings — worried about whether he might be traumatized. But right now… they were too young. Just being able to accept what had happened as quickly as they had, and shoulder parental responsibility for it, was already no small thing. The identity of “parent” carried such weight. Never mind Jiang Ruoqiao — even Lu Yicheng hadn’t yet fully adjusted to the fact that he had a son.

Fortunately, Lu Siyan was an emotionally resilient child. Or perhaps he was simply very smart — smart enough to accept the reality in front of him, and smart enough to accept that his parents didn’t love him yet.

Maybe some children were just like that.

No matter whether their parents loved them or not, before they’d been hurt enough times, they would pour out their love for their parents without reservation.

Lu Yicheng nodded. “Be good and do what she says.”

“Nobody listens to her better than I do,” Lu Siyan declared. “When it comes to listening to her, I’m first place. Dad, you’re only second.”

Lu Yicheng: “……”

He didn’t believe that.

“It’s true. A’Min says that when Dad and I see Mom, we’re like mice spotting a cat.” Lu Siyan added.

Lu Yicheng raised a hand in a “stop” gesture. “Hold on — I don’t think that’s something to be particularly proud of.”

“Oh right — I keep meaning to remind you, don’t call her Mom for now.” Lu Yicheng repeated the reminder. “Not in public either. It’s fine for me, but she’s young and obviously a student. If a five-year-old calls her Mom in front of strangers, people will notice her and start wondering things. That’s not good for her.”

Lu Siyan: “……Do you think I’d dare?”

Then he asked: “So what do I call her in public?”

Lu Yicheng: “Ask her yourself.”

Just then, Lu Yicheng’s phone buzzed. It was a text message from Jiang Ruoqiao.

“She says she’ll be downstairs in ten minutes. Get ready.”

Lu Yicheng filled Lu Siyan’s water bottle and led him downstairs.

Why so promptly?

Because Lu Siyan had said: “Mom hates waiting for people the most. Dad, don’t you remember — once she and I waited ten minutes for you, and Mom said…” At this point, the young child paused, doing his best to imitate Jiang Ruoqiao’s manner of speaking with impressive accuracy: “Lu Yicheng, were you flying in from overseas?”

Lu Yicheng was caught off guard for a moment. Maybe because Lu Siyan’s impression was so amusing, a faint amusement crept into his eyes.

The two of them headed downstairs.

Jiang Ruoqiao walked into the old residential complex and spotted the strikingly good-looking father-son pair from a distance, standing under a large tree.

Good.

She’d said ten minutes — they were already down here early, so she wouldn’t have to stand around like an idiot waiting for them.

The two of them, one tall and one tiny, were quite the eye-catching pair.

Lu Yicheng went without saying. Though he was often described as gentle and mild-mannered, there was no denying that his warm, approachable presence made people feel safe. A younger female student had once mentioned that if she stepped into an elevator late at night and Lu Yicheng was already in it, she’d feel as at ease as if she’d walked into her own home. He inspired a sense of security and comfort. Perhaps that was also why the parents of his tutoring students all liked him and trusted him so readily.

Today he was wearing a loose white short-sleeved top — his forever-constant casual trousers, and a pair of canvas shoes.

He had a straight, lean build, and stood with perfect posture.

A lot of tall guys these days had a habit of hunching. He didn’t. He stood like a white poplar — back straight, shoulders square. “Stand tall when standing, sit straight when sitting” — that phrase could have been written for someone like him.

Lu Siyan, too, was clearly the product of his parents’ finest qualities combined.

His natural curls alone were a charming bonus. His eyes were bright and lively, he still had the soft roundness of baby fat, his cheeks were chubby, and his skin was fair — just like one of those stylish kids you’d see in trendy posts.

Jiang Ruoqiao spotted them at once.

But the father and son pair didn’t recognize her even as she walked right up to them.

It was Jiang Ruoqiao who spoke first: “Lu Yicheng.”

Lu Yicheng turned toward the voice, and his gaze stalled, locking onto the woman standing two meters away.

The woman had a head of instant-noodle curls.

She wore a grey work skirt that was clearly a size too large.

She had on a pair of heavy black-framed glasses, and even her complexion looked sallow.

Lu Yicheng was uncertain: “Jiang Ruoqiao?”

Jiang Ruoqiao walked up to him quickly. “It’s me.”

Lu Siyan was also thoroughly bewildered.

“Mo—” He had been about to say “Mom,” but remembering Lu Yicheng’s instructions, his reflexes kicked in and he pivoted at lightning speed: “Ma-*jesters*! Where did this heavenly beauty come from?!”

Lu Yicheng: “……”

Jiang Ruoqiao burst out laughing.

She laughed often, but most of the time it wasn’t a genuine, uninhibited laugh.

This time it was real.

This laugh lent a few strokes of color to her camouflaged, unremarkable appearance.

She walked over and reached out to ruffle Lu Siyan’s curly hair. “Not bad at all, little guy — I absolutely love that mouth of yours.”

Lu Siyan took the opening immediately, rising up on his tiptoes to nuzzle his head into her palm, “I only ever tell the truth — and the truth is, you’re a heavenly beauty no matter what~”

Lu Yicheng found this unbearably saccharine.

How did those words even come out of his mouth?

He quickly redirected. “Why are you dressed like that?”

Jiang Ruoqiao said with a completely straight face: “Does it not look good? This is actually the trending makeup and style this year.”

Lu Yicheng: “……”

He had come to the conclusion that he might genuinely have no sense of fashion.

He was truly baffled. Perhaps his taste was simply too unconventional, too out of step with what was popular.

“Alright then.” Lu Yicheng glanced down at his watch. “I have one hour in the morning and one in the afternoon. I should be free after about three-thirty.”

Jiang Ruoqiao: “Got it.”

Even the ID she’d prepared for the paternity test was fake.

Using her real information was something she would never, ever do in this lifetime.

Since Lu Siyan’s smooth-talking had made her laugh and put her in a good mood, she extended her hand now with bright, smiling eyes: “Come on then, handsome — your time belongs to me today.”

Lu Siyan grinned broadly, flashing a row of white teeth, and without the slightest reluctance to leave Lu Yicheng, he took her hand: “My pleasure.”

Lu Yicheng rubbed his forehead.

What exactly was his future self doing, raising this child?

His son had turned into a total smooth-talker. Far too slick for his own good.

—