Gradually regaining consciousness, Michelle felt a buzzing pain in her brain, as if it was about to split open.Yesterday, she caught a cold and to make matters worse, her boss was pushing her for drafts, demanding they be turned in before midnight. She had no choice but to down two cups of Americano, not daring to take any cold medicine, and began to work on the draft.After finally finishing, Michelle quickly swallowed a few cold tablets and collapsed into bed without even taking a bath.When she woke up, her head was aching severely, and she thought she might have a fever.As she was thinking, she felt a soft little thing snuggling in her arms, also nuzzling against her neck.The little thing murmured unclearly, its voice sounding somewhat weak: "Mommy, Lizzy is uncomfortable."Michelle: ????The word "Mommy" fully awakened Michelle, and she was completely shocked.When did she have a child that could already talk?A person who has been solo for twenty years, unexpectedly becoming a
In the author's original outline, there was no mention of Lizzy's birth mother. This woman didn't even warrant a name. It seemed the character was hastily introduced by the author without a preconceived name in mind. Given the context of the outline, Michelle deduced that her character should know who Lizzy's father was, yet the secondary male lead was unaware of Lizzy's existence. This discrepancy perplexed Michelle. The only explanation she could fathom was that she, within the story, intentionally kept Lizzy's existence a secret from him. Yet it puzzled her that she'd then so casually seek out the male protagonist later on. Michelle typically refrained from critiquing the drafts provided by her superiors. Everyone has their own vision. She wouldn't impose her ideas onto her boss's work, so she simply let the inconsistency slide. As she rummaged through the house, Michelle couldn't find any fever-reducing medicine suitable for Lizzy, let alone basic cold medicine. Her mood grew comp
With a nonchalant tone, Eleanor remarked to Michelle, "We should conduct a paternity test." If the child had unmistakably resembled Alex, she might have let it go. But the child bore no distinct resemblance to him, making it difficult not only for her to believe but also to convince both Alex and the Ye family. Michelle wasn't surprised by Eleanor’s suggestion; it was inevitable. However, the last thing she wanted now was a face-off with Alex. Hence, she replied, "Agreed, but let's postpone it." With a facade of maternal concern, she continued, "The child is ill and needs to recuperate." Eleanor merely hummed in agreement. Internally, Eleanor pondered, 'How does a paternity test interfere with the child's rest?' But she chose to keep these thoughts to herself. Michelle was increasingly anxious to leave the Ye residence, suspecting that the man who had stepped out for a date (or perhaps a matchmaking meeting) was due back soon. Just as she was about to bid her farewell, Eleanor fixed
With a gentle laugh, Eleanor said to her son, Alex, "The little one beside her is Lizzy Xia—she's your daughter." Alex immediately recalled the "friendly advice" the butler had offered him earlier. It seemed the old man truly did have his best interests at heart. On the outside, Alex appeared unaffected, a portrait of composure. But inside, he felt as if he were weathering a storm. He took a brief look at his "daughter." He thought, 'She doesn't resemble me in the slightest. If you're going to play such a trick on me, at least bring a child who looks a bit like me!' He was speechless and bewildered by the ongoing charade but knew he had to maintain his poise. Moving his gaze from the child's face to the woman beside her, he said in a deep voice, "It's been a long time." Facing him, Michelle took in the tall, handsome man before her—mature and composed. Yet she didn't recognize him, even though he was supposedly the father of her child. After a moment of stunned silence, Michelle ech
Upon hearing Alex’s suggestion for a paternity test the next day, Michelle didn’t hesitate. “Alright, let’s do it tomorrow then.” She had no doubts about the results; Lizzy was Alex’s child. Eleanor’s face, however, had lost its earlier color. Just moments before, she had adamantly proclaimed that there were things her son “would never do,” only for him to essentially refute her words directly. Eleanor felt as if she had been publicly contradicted, and now, no matter how she looked at Alex, irritation bubbled up. It irked her, especially considering how fervently she had just defended him. She hadn't imagined her son could be this type of person. There was now a hint of disdain in her gaze towards him. Before Alex’s return, Eleanor had initiated a brief investigation into Michelle. While the information wasn’t particularly exhaustive, she had managed to gather some basic data about her age, education, and work history. What surprised her was that Michelle, despite her young age, had
In truth, Alex had considered the possibility that Lizzy was his child. However, the odds seemed slim. For starters, she bore no resemblance to him. Moreover, Lizzy’s demeanor gave no hint of such a reality. Based on these factors alone, it was challenging for Alex to believe that Lizzy could be his daughter. In fact, at one point, he even suspected that Michelle and Lizzy were part of some elaborate scheme contrived by Eleanor to deceive him - a trick that she was entirely capable of executing. The previous night, Michelle had asked if he hoped Lizzy was his daughter. It wasn't so much that he hoped against it; rather, the thought had never seriously crossed his mind. The revelation that Lizzy was indeed his flesh and blood caught him entirely off guard. Outwardly, he remained composed, but inwardly, he was in utter turmoil. Over the years - no, decades, really - Eleanor’s propensity for mischief had only sharpened. But her teachings for the young Alex had always been virtuous. From
Michelle felt that perhaps Alex had misunderstood her intentions. "No, not perhaps. He had definitely misunderstood," she thought. Gently, Michelle said, "Mr. Ye, I actually have no plans of getting married." Alex responded, "Don't worry. I'm not the kind of man who shirks his responsibilities. I'll fulfill my duties as a husband and a father." She looked at him, her expression slightly troubled, as if she was wrestling with something. "Mr. Ye, it's truly not necessary," Michelle whispered. She genuinely didn't entertain the thought. Wouldn't he prefer just paying her off? After pondering a moment, Alex assured her, "I'll handle things on my family's side. You don't need to worry." "I'll take care of everything, ensuring you won't face the slightest grievance," he added. Michelle's face remained expressionless. "I'm done pretending," she thought. She said to him earnestly, "When I say I don't want to marry you, I mean we are not a good fit.” Such a frank refusal left Alex mom
Alex thought he had been too naïve. He had assumed Eleanor was simply being helpful due to her ample free time when she offered to assist with Lizzy's preschool preparations. Little did he realize, Eleanor was merely passing the buck. Alex glanced at Lizzy and met her expectant gaze, suppressing a chuckle. Lizzy was indeed at the age where she should be attending preschool and mingling with peers of her age. He was aware that Michelle didn’t want to deal with Lizzy's school matters, which left an unsettling feeling in his heart. But considering that over the years, it was Michelle who took care of Lizzy alone, it seemed only fair that now it was his turn. Pushing away those unsettling feelings, he said, "If Michelle truly doesn’t have the time, I can handle Lizzy's preschool admission." Hearing this, Michelle expressed profound gratitude. "Thank you so much, Mr. Ye.” She wished that all matters concerning Lizzy could be left to Alex, wanting to distance herself entirely. Michelle slo
Alex Ye had once imagined that their baby might be like Lizzy: soft, sweet, and utterly adorable, like a heart-melting marshmallow. However, their baby and Lizzy, the marshmallow, were nothing alike.Ella was not the type of baby who craved affection. Even before she could talk or walk, she rarely smiled or showed interest when adults tried to play with her. If Michelle tried to engage her, she'd give a minimal reaction. But if it was Alex or Lizzy, she'd simply close her eyes and pretend to sleep.In front of a baby, not everyone is treated equally.Thus, both Alex and Lizzy felt a bit defeated.Eleanor Ye, however, was quite surprised by Ella's demeanor. She remarked to Alex, "You were just like this as a baby. When your dad and I tried to play with you, you wouldn't even look at us."So, Alex realized that the baby's temperament was inherited from him; he was the root cause of it all.Even though Ella wasn't particularly sociable, it didn't stop Alex and Lizzy from showering her wi
Lizzy Xia was deeply troubled by the birth of her younger sister. She had often heard adults say that younger sisters were delicate, needing constant pampering, love, and affection. They shouldn't be scolded or disciplined. So, with a little sister in tow, what was she supposed to do?This dilemma haunted Lizzy daily, distracting her so much that she even forgot her routine of seeking affection from her mom.One day, after returning from kindergarten, Lizzy's first instinct was to check on her baby sister, bypassing her usual routine of seeking affection from Michelle. It had been quite some time since she had shown her mother her typical, childlike affection, and Michelle couldn't help but feel puzzled.She asked her husband, "Do you think Lizzy doesn't like me anymore? Why doesn't she come to me for cuddles anymore?"Alex, taken aback by the change in Lizzy's behavior, hadn't expected Lizzy's affection for her sister to surpass her love for Michelle. He had previously assumed that
Lizzy Xia suddenly didn't like her "little brother" that much, because he was bullying her mommy!Her naughty "brother", even though he was still in her mommy's tummy, already knew how to kick!He's such a little rascal!Since the mischievous "brother" was still in her mommy's belly, Lizzy dared not voice these complaints in front of her mother. She was afraid that the naughty “brother” would hear and continue to tease her mother.Thus, Lizzy decided to confide in her father.She scurried with her short little legs into the study to find Mr. Ye, who was once again working overtime.She pouted, looking quite upset, and told him, “Daddy! Little brother is being naughty. He keeps bullying mommy!”Hearing the slightly aggrieved childish tone, Mr. Ye couldn't help but set aside his work and sighed.Alex Ye lifted his daughter onto his lap, his voice gentle, “What did the little brother do?”In reality, they didn't know whether Michelle Xia was expecting a boy or a girl. But, in Lizzy's min
While Alex Ye pondered how he might explain the situation to his little girl, Lizzy Xia interjected with visible concern, “Mommy is sick. We need to take her to the doctor!”“Not only that, she’ll need shots and medicine! Last time I was sick, I had to get shots and take medicine. So Mommy will need the same!”Hearing the urgency in Lizzy’s voice, Alex paused before reassuring her, “Don’t worry, Lizzy. Mommy isn't sick.”Relieved, Lizzy thought to herself, "Good, as long as Mommy isn’t sick." However, with her round, inquisitive eyes fixed on Alex, she pressed, “Then why is Mommy always sleeping?”She recalled that, in the past, whenever she returned from kindergarten, her mother, Michelle Xia, would be hard at work writing, always available for a cuddle. Now, it seemed all Michelle did was sleep, depriving Lizzy of her cherished snuggles.Pondering her question, Alex seemed momentarily at a loss. “I honestly don’t know,” he finally admitted.Disappointed in her father’s response, Li
That same night, Michelle Xia was sleeping alongside Lizzy Xia. Lizzy was a well-behaved child when she slept, barely moving when nestled in Michelle's arms, which made it quite a comfortable experience for Michelle. Of course, sleeping next to Mr. Ye was also comfortable, but it could sometimes be exhausting. Moreover, Mr. Ye always woke up early and would occasionally playfully disturb her sleep.Michelle strongly believed that part of her recent fatigue was because she was waking up too early in the morning. She had hoped that by sleeping with Lizzy, she could catch a few more moments of sleep since Lizzy wasn’t an early riser like Alex Ye.However, the next morning, a blaring alarm startled Michelle from her sleep. The sudden loud noise made her heart jump, thinking for a moment she might be having a heart attack.Lizzy, still groggy from sleep, slowly climbed out of bed. She found the source of the noise and turned off the alarm. As she did, realization dawned on her. She had hi
Shortly after the birth of her baby brother, whom they affectionately called "Liam", Lizzy Xia would frequently pester Michelle Xia to let her visit him. It was evident that Lizzy adored her little brother immensely.One day, Michelle curiously asked her daughter whether she would prefer a younger brother or sister. Without hesitation, Lizzy solemnly replied, "I don't want Mommy to be in pain. I don't need a brother or a sister." Michelle was momentarily stunned by the child's sincere expression, then laughed softly, ruffling Lizzy's hair. How could her child be so endearingly considerate at such a young age, empathizing with her mother's discomfort?Michelle had a vague intuition that something might be amiss when she realized her menstrual cycle was off. Recalling the past, it dawned upon her that it had been a while since her last period. Upon mentioning her suspicion to Alex Ye, he looked at her with an "I thought you'd never notice" expression. Alex commented, "I was expecting y
Michelle Xia woke up to find something warm and soft tucked into her embrace, providing an added comfort. Without a second thought, she knew it was her sticky little daughter, Lizzy, who must have sneaked into her bed for some shared slumber. Even though she was now awake, Michelle was in no hurry to rise, especially with a snuggly little one in her arms. The desire to stay in bed was even stronger. Lizzy, despite being an early riser unlike her mother, was half-awake. Sensing Michelle's alertness, Lizzy too came to full consciousness.Lizzy Xia's voice was soft and sweet as she cooed to Michelle Xia, wanting kisses, cuddles, and to nuzzle against her cheek. Yet, she carefully avoided mentioning why she was on her mother's bed.Michelle playfully asked the little one, "Lizzy, how did you end up on mommy's bed?"With wide innocent eyes, Lizzy feigned innocence, saying, "Because mommy wanted Lizzy to sleep with her, so Lizzy appeared on mommy's bed!"Michelle tried to stifle her laugh
Recently, Michelle Xia's temperament and personality had shifted. According to her, it was because of the pressure of writing. In addition to that, some of her previous employers would incessantly chat with her, hindering her progress and adding to her agitation.However, when facing Lizzy Xia, Michelle was as gentle and patient as ever.Even when Lizzy became overly clingy or seemed bothersome, Michelle did her best to maintain a calm demeanor. In reality, Michelle was never a fan of children. But when confronted with the sweet softness of Lizzy, it was nearly impossible for her to stay mad. Especially since Lizzy resembled her so much and had an irresistible charm. Every pout or plea from Lizzy rendered Michelle helpless.One Saturday, after Lizzy and Sophie Ye had finished their painting class at a graffiti museum, Lizzy rushed home to show Michelle her creation. Lizzy was genuinely gifted in drawing, and with time, she had learned to convey her thoughts through lines and colors. A
Lizzy Xia promised to give her unicorn toy to Liam, and when she made promises, especially to kids, she kept them. Though parting with her toy was painful for her, the thought of little Liam, who was afraid of the dark and would cry when awakened by nightmares, tugged at her heart. She couldn't bear the idea of him being scared. The next day after kindergarten, Lizzy hurried home. Clutching her unicorn toy, she entered Michelle Xia's room. Approaching Michelle's computer desk, Lizzy gently tugged at the hem of her mother's skirt. Lizzy noticed that her mom had been wearing skirts a lot lately. Before, Michelle had always favored long pants, especially those unattractive blue-gray jeans. Lizzy caressed the skirt's fabric, thinking about how pretty it looked. Michelle had been engrossed in her writing. An old employer had reached out, and she'd been chatting with him. But now, this little clingy bundle of joy had caught her attention. After sending a message to her former boss, Michel