1122 - Chapter 29.2

Yan Nanchen gripped the doorframe, his knuckles whitening from the force. He lowered his eyes. “I’m sorry. I didn’t handle that situation well back then, and I never got the chance to apologize. It’s my fault you differentiated into an Omega.”

“Yan Nanchen.”

Hearing Jiang Yi call his name softly, his voice subdued, Yan Nanchen’s chest tightened. “What is it?”

“I was part of the recessive Secondary Differentiation Population. Secondary differentiation would have happened to me sooner or later. But I was still lucky because I was an adult.” Jiang Yi looked down at his sleeping daughter, his eyes reddening involuntarily. “But, if a newborn is part of the dominant Secondary Differentiation Population, they don’t have the strength to endure that kind of pain.”

Yan Nanchen thought Jiang Yi was talking about their daughter, Qiao Qiao. He quickly moved to the bedside, crouching down in front of Jiang Yi and looking up at him anxiously. “Is Qiao Qiao also part of the Secondary Differentiation Population? Has she already undergone genetic testing?”

Seeing Yan Nanchen’s reaction, Jiang Yi was completely certain Chu Beiheng hadn’t told him about Da Bao. And as for himself, he didn’t have the courage to bring it up either.

This was a hurdle in his heart that he could never overcome.

Losing this child undoubtedly carved out half of his heart, but he couldn’t entirely blame Yan Nanchen for the accident. What weighed on him more was the helplessness, why was he part of the Secondary Differentiation Population? Why did such a terrifying genetic mutation like the dominant outbreak exist, capable of snatching away a vibrant life in such a short time?

“Qiao Qiao isn’t.”

Yet Yan Nanchen detected an overwhelming sorrow in Jiang Yi’s tone. He stared intently. “Then why are you so upset?”

Jiang Yi didn’t want to dwell on the topic and shifted the conversation. “Tomorrow, the Neptune Research Group will visit the Galaxy Research Institute for an in-depth discussion on upgrading this genetic testing technology. I hope we can find a breakthrough this year so that pregnant individuals can accurately determine their child’s genetic condition during pregnancy and avoid tragedies.”

As he spoke, a hand brushed against the corner of his eye.

“Yi Yi, you still resent me deep down, don’t you?” Yan Nanchen wiped away Jiang Yi’s tears with his thumb. “I promise you, I’ll do everything in my power to make this happen. This year, I will find a new testing technology to overcome this hurdle and help more of the Secondary Differentiation Population. Please don’t cry. Just trust me one more time.”

Jiang Yi simply looked at Yan Nanchen. After what felt like an eternity, he said, “I can tell you this, I came back this time for the child, not for you.”

Yan Nanchen didn’t catch the underlying meaning. “I know Qiao Qiao is my daughter. I also know how hard it was for you to give birth to her back then not for me, but for your own life, to take responsibility for yourself. But no matter what, Qiao Qiao is still my flesh and blood. Treating her well and raising her is my duty as a father.”

“And taking care of you that’s my debt to you. For five years, I never once looked after you. So everything I do from now on is what I owe you. You don’t need to feel any burden.”

“Yi Yi, I don’t expect you to forgive me or to be with me again. But I want to take care of you. I want to raise this daughter with you. It’s my debt and my responsibility to you over these five years. Just accept it, okay?”

Jiang Yi’s mind went blank. Perhaps during the year he spent deciding to return, he had imagined what it would be like to see Yan Nanchen again. But he hadn’t prepared for a moment like this where Yan Nanchen would say such things. How was he supposed to respond?

Between him and Yan Nanchen, there seemed to be a thin layer of paper just a single sheet that he couldn’t bring himself to pierce.

It kept him from taking another step forward.

“Mmm, Daddy, I’m hungry.”

Just then, Qiao Qiao’s sleepy, milky voice piped up. Perhaps she had just woken up, sounding like a little spoiled sweetheart, her voice soft as she tugged at her father’s sleeve.

The child’s presence temporarily interrupted their conversation.

Jiang Yi turned and saw Qiao Qiao sitting up, rubbing her drowsy eyes with tiny hands, her hair tousled. He lifted her out of the blankets. “Didn’t you have a snack earlier? How are you hungry again so soon?”

Qiao Qiao yawned, then noticed her “good friend” crouched by the bed, his face freshly washed. Her lips puckered in displeasure. “Hey, Yan Nanchen! Why’d you wipe off the makeup I drew on you so fast? Hmph!”

She crossed her little arms and glared at him indignantly.

Jiang Yi heard his daughter address someone like that and, while gathering her long hair in his hand, looked down at her: “Jiang Nianqiao, is this how Daddy taught you to behave? Can you just casually call adults by their names?”

Qiao Qiao glared resentfully at Yan Nanchen.

Yan Nanchen quickly raised both hands in defense: “No, I haven’t removed my manicure.” His hands still bore Qiao Qiao’s handiwork, complete with gemstone rings that could practically blind someone.

The moment Jiang Yi saw the manicure, he immediately pursed his lips and averted his gaze, afraid he might burst out laughing.

Seeing the manicure, Qiao Qiao’s pout relaxed slightly. Then she looked up at her father: “If I can’t call him Yan Nanchen, what should I call him? Friends always call each other by their names, and big friends are friends too. Friends should be equal! He calls me Qiao Qiao, so I’ll call him Chenchen, okay?”

Jiang Yi: “…” This little girl had truly been influenced by Chu Beiheng’s unconventional parenting methods. Sometimes he was left speechless because, well, she did have a point.

“Yan Nanchen is fine, Chenchen is fine too. It doesn’t matter you can call me whatever you like,” Yan Nanchen said, brushing aside a strand of Qiao Qiao’s hair that had fallen onto her cheek, his gaze full of adoration. “Friends are equals. Qiao Qiao is right, we’re friends, aren’t we?”

“Exactly!” Qiao Qiao lifted her chin proudly, like a smug little kitten.

Jiang Yi hesitated but ultimately said nothing, sighing softly as he began tying up his daughter’s hair.

Seeing this, Yan Nanchen felt an itch to try. Tentatively, he asked, “Qiao Qiao, can I help you with your hair?”

“Of course!” Qiao Qiao nodded eagerly.

Jiang Yi gave Yan Nanchen a doubtful look. “You know how to tie hair?”

He himself had spent ages learning from Chu Beiheng just to manage simple ponytails and pigtails for his daughter. He never could master those intricate, dazzling hairstyles Chu Beiheng effortlessly created.

Yan Nanchen shook his head. “I don’t, but I can learn.” Then he bent down to ask Qiao Qiao, “Can you teach me?”

Qiao Qiao nodded. “Of course! I’m sure I can teach you.”

Jiang Yi: “…”

Just when he thought they might actually achieve something, he stared at the messy high ponytail on his daughter’s head, with loose strands everywhere.

And yet, the two of them stood in front of the mirror admiring it for the longest time.

“How is it?”

“Hmm, super cool, Chenchen! I think you did great. The loose hair is so stylish just like me! It makes me look like a boss!”

“All thanks to Teacher Qiao Qiao. It’s as pretty as the hairstyle you gave me.”

“Right? Right!”

“Qiao Qiao, how about I treat you to dinner tonight?”

“Sure! Next time, I’ll treat you!”

Jiang Yi fell silent.

Truly, one dared to teach, one dared to learn, one dared to praise, one dared to agree, one dared to invite, and the other dared to reciprocate.

Night had fully descended, the city’s neon lights and towering skyscrapers illuminating the bustling evening.

Jiang Yi never expected his daughter, this little turncoat, to switch sides so quickly. Back in the U.S., she had solemnly promised him she would never get along with First Dad.

Truly, a woman’s heart is as unfathomable as the ocean.

Outside the hotel, the three of them had originally planned to go elsewhere for dinner. Before getting into the car, Yan Nanchen walked to the trunk and turned to Jiang Yi and Qiao Qiao. “Qiao Qiao, I have a surprise for you.”

No girl could resist a surprise, and Qiao Qiao was no exception.

As the trunk slowly opened, pretty little fairy lights lit up, and numerous macaron-pink balloons flew out, tethered inside the car so they wouldn’t float away. Then, an entire trunk full of limited-edition Barbie dolls came into view, dazzling under the colorful lights.

This entire trunk of rare Barbie dolls instantly won Qiao Qiao over.

“Oh my god, you’re so romantic~” Qiao Qiao gasped, her mouth hanging open in shock, before cupping her cheeks and cooing shyly in a sweet, childish voice, “I love it so much~”

At that moment, Qiao Qiao was still completely absorbed in her beloved Barbie dolls, entirely oblivious to the meaning behind the enormous bouquet of ninety-nine jasmine flowers placed among all the limited-edition gifts.

Nestled within the jasmine bouquet was a card and a small black velvet box.

Can you give me one more chance

Jiang Yi’s gaze skimmed over the contents of the card and the small black box, pausing for two seconds before realizing the parking lot outside the hotel was bustling with people. It felt as if countless eyes were watching them, and an indescribable embarrassment washed over him. He quickly reached out and pushed the trunk shut.

“We’ll look at it later.”

“Ahh, Daddy, I wasn’t done yet!!” Qiao Qiao had been counting the Barbie dolls on her fingers when her father abruptly closed the trunk. Her little face scrunched up in a pout. “These are gifts from my friend! Are you jealous because you don’t have any?”

Jiang Yi: “…” He smirked and pinched his daughter’s nose. “Jealous? Why would I be jealous? I have some too, you know.”

The moment the words left his mouth, he regretted it.

What kind of nonsense was he saying, competing with his daughter?

Then, a soft chuckle sounded behind him low, slightly hoarse, yet brimming with tenderness, the kind that sent shivers down one’s spine.

Jiang Yi: “…” What’s so funny?

“You both do.” Yan Nanchen closed the trunk, then opened the rear car door, resting a hand on the roof as he glanced at the father-daughter pair still standing behind the car. His gaze lingered on Jiang Yi, who refused to look at him, and his lips curled into an indulgent smile. “I wouldn’t play favorites.”

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