"Xu Mengyao."
Seeing the beautiful woman at his door, Lin Chen froze for a moment.
Memories from three years ago surged into his mind.
Back in his senior year, he'd rented an apartment outside the school. Xu Mengyao, a sophomore, was the cold and aloof campus belle of their university.
One night, he saw her looking terrified. When he went up to ask what was wrong, she begged him to take her home.
After they arrived, Lin Chen intended to call the police.
But the flushed Xu Mengyao suddenly began taking off her clothes. She'd been drugged. She stopped him from calling the police.
That night… was like a dream.
Lin Chen never imagined he would be the first man in Xu Mengyao's life.
But the next day, she left.
She even dropped out of school and went abroad to study.
"Xixi, come here."
"Call Daddy."
Xu Mengyao looked to the side as she spoke.
A cute little girl timidly stepped out from behind her and walked up to Lin Chen.
Her big, beautiful eyes stared at him. "Are you my daddy?"
Lin Chen was stunned speechless.
He looked at Xu Mengyao in disbelief.
Xu Mengyao said calmly, "I got pregnant with Xixi from that night. The doctor said my health is poor, and I might only be able to carry one child in my life. So I gave birth to her."
"I originally planned to raise her myself and not disturb you, but other kids have dads, and Xixi wants a dad too."
"And I've been busy lately."
"Can you take care of Xixi for a while?"
Right then, an unfamiliar voice suddenly rang out in Lin Chen's mind:"Super Daddy System activating. Host, don't doubt it—this little girl in front of you is your daughter."
"This system will help you become an invincible super dad."
Lin Chen's heart filled with joy.
A super adorable daughter appearing out of nowhere… and he awakened a Super Daddy System?
Was this the rhythm of rising to the peak of life?
"Xu Mengyao, please come in."
Lin Chen said.
Xu Mengyao shook her head. "I won't go in. Xixi is your daughter—don't doubt that. You can do a paternity test if you want. But there is nothing between us."
"Xixi, he's your daddy."
"You've been talking nonstop about wanting to find Daddy, right? Other kids have dads — and Xixi has a dad too."
She squatted down and kissed little Lin Xiaoxi.
"Daddy."Lin Xiaoxi called out sweetly.
That one word melted Lin Chen's heart completely.
"Ah…!"
"Xiaoxi, you're so good."
He said awkwardly, a bit overwhelmed.
Xu Mengyao stood and handed him a business card. "This is my contact information. Call me only if there's something important. If it's not important, don't call."
"The suitcase has Xixi's clothes. She's a bit picky with food, so you'll need to pay extra attention."
Lin Chen asked, "When is Xiaoxi's birthday?"
"March 6th. She's a little over two now. Just send her to kindergarten when the time comes."
"Xixi, listen to Daddy, okay?"
"Mommy has things to do. I'll come see you again in a while."
Lin Xiaoxi nodded. Like a tiny adult, she said, "Mommy, don't be scared being alone, okay? I'll stay with Daddy for now. Daddy must be very lonely."
"Mm."
Reluctantly, Xu Mengyao turned and left.
Lin Chen bent down and picked Xiaoxi up.
She resembled him a lot. Plus the system's confirmation — this adorable little girl was undoubtedly his daughter.
"Daddy, I'm so happy!"
"Other kids have dads, and now I have a dad too!"
Xiaoxi said excitedly.
Lin Chen carried her with one arm and brought the suitcase inside with the other. The suitcase looked expensive.
"Daddy, your place is so small."
Xiaoxi looked around.
Lin Chen rented this apartment — one bedroom, one living room. Not big, but enough for one person.
With Xiaoxi, it suddenly felt cramped.
The living room was especially small; Xiaoxi wouldn't have space to play.
"Xiaoxi, was your home big before?"
She nodded. "Uh-huh. Mommy's house is really big, like a castle. But Mommy sometimes isn't home, and I'm with two aunties. I'm not happy."
"I like Daddy and Mommy."
Lin Chen kissed her little cheek. "Daddy likes Xiaoxi too. Daddy will find a bigger house in the next couple of days."
The company hadn't been doing well and he was laid off last month.
Fortunately, he'd always been thrifty, and the company gave him some severance. He had sixty to seventy thousand yuan saved.
"Daddy, why don't you live with Mommy?"
Xiaoxi asked curiously.
Though she acted mature, she didn't understand these things.
Lin Chen rubbed her small head. "Xiaoxi, let Daddy ask you something. Has Mommy brought any other uncles home?"
After what happened between him and Xu Mengyao — and since they had a daughter — he naturally had feelings for her.
But if she had someone else, he wouldn't bother. No matter how beautiful she was, he didn't want to be cheated on.
"No."
Xiaoxi shook her head.
Lin Chen's eyes lit up. Then there was still hope.
Three years ago, Xu Mengyao was a campus belle, stunningly beautiful. Now, she looked even more gorgeous.
If he could win her heart… that would be wonderful.
"Xiaoxi, play for a bit."
"Daddy's going to unpack your things."
He smiled and pulled the suitcase into the bedroom.
When he opened it, he froze.
Inside was a bag — filled with bundles of cash.
He counted: sixty thousand.
There was also a note:
"Lin Chen, this is enough living expenses for you two for three months. I know you're temporarily unemployed. Take good care of Xixi first. Once she starts kindergarten, you won't need to watch her anymore."
Lin Chen muttered inwardly — Xu Mengyao really planned everything out. Afraid he'd mistreat Xiaoxi, she even gave him living expenses.
But he didn't intend to use a single cent.
Xiaoxi was his daughter. Raising her was his responsibility. He didn't need her living expenses.
Soon, he finished sorting her clothes.
Then the system spoke again:"Host has unpacked the suitcase. System space unlocked. System space: 1,000 cubic meters. Any object you touch can be stored."
Lin Chen was stunned.
Unpacking a suitcase unlocked system storage?
1,000 cubic meters wasn't massive, but more than enough. A normal villa didn't even have that much interior volume.
"Store."
With a thought—
The bag of cash disappeared into the system space.
A second later, he retrieved it easily.
Store, retrieve — smooth and effortless.
"Awesome!"
Lin Chen was overjoyed.
Even without other benefits, a 1,000-cubic-meter system space was enough to earn him a fortune.
"Life really is full of surprises."
"Single for twenty-four years, and suddenly I have an adorable daughter."
He muttered to himself.
He was happy — yet also a little lost.
Becoming a dad overnight wasn't something he could adapt to so quickly.