"President Lin, can you come with me to pick up Anan? She misses you a lot."

"Mhm."

"Thank you."

Lin Ping smiled sweetly, linking her arm through Lin Shen’s as they left Wanda.

5:00 PM.

The entrance to Xinxing Kindergarten was crowded with parents waiting to pick up their children.

Amid the bustling crowd, a beautifully dressed and radiant young woman drew quite a few stares.

Her youthful outfit, a blouse and pleated skirt, outlined a sexy and graceful figure. The gold necklace around her neck further highlighted her air of wealth.

And the handsome young man with his arm around her was even more eye-catching.

Although there seemed to be a bit of an age gap between them, they looked exceptionally well-matched standing together.

When Anan came out of the kindergarten with her group of classmates, she spotted Lin Ping and Lin Shen in the crowd at a glance and immediately began waving and shouting excitedly.

"Mama! Shen!"

"Anan."

Lin Ping walked over and squatted down, hugging Anan tightly before asking with a smile.

"Did you have fun at kindergarten today?"

"I did!" 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

Overjoyed, Anan began telling Lin Ping all about the fun things that happened in class today, not forgetting to praise her as well.

"Mama! You look so young and pretty today! And you’re wearing something sparkly around your neck!"

"This is a gift Shen gave to Mama."

Lin Ping smiled gently.

"Shen also bought you lots of pretty little dresses. Remember to thank him later, okay?"

"Really?!"

Anan’s lively, big eyes instantly lit up. When she saw Lin Shen walking over, she immediately lunged forward, hugged his leg, and jumped up and down as she said excitedly,

"Shen! Thank you for buying me pretty dresses! I missed you so much!"

"You’re welcome."

Lin Shen dotingly patted Anan’s head. Seeing them so close and affectionate filled Lin Ping with endless happiness.

’A "father figure" really is beneficial for Anan’s development.’

’I made the right decision!’

"Let’s go."

Lin Shen held Anan’s left hand, while Lin Ping held her right.

The three of them, looking just like a family, got into the Jaguar XFL. They drove to a small nearby restaurant for a simple dinner before heading home.

8:00 PM.

Xingfu Li, Building 5, Unit 3, Apartment 102.

As soon as they got home, Anan couldn’t wait to put on one of the dresses Lin Shen had bought for her. She then asked with a wide grin,

"Shen! Am I cute?"

"Very cute."

"Hee hee."

Anan sat on Lin Shen’s lap and gave him a sweet kiss on the cheek before saying happily,

"I like you so much, Shen! I wish you could be part of our family."

"Then would you want Shen to be your daddy?"

This time, it was Lin Ping who proactively asked Anan.

Previously, she had avoided the subject mainly because she was afraid Anan was too young. With a child’s sensitive and complex emotions, she worried the idea of a "stepfather" might make her uncomfortable.

But after Anan’s recent interactions with Lin Shen, their relationship had been growing closer and closer.

Lin Ping discovered that her daughter’s attitude toward Lin Shen showed none of the rejection or dislike she might have for a stranger.

On the contrary, she was full of affection for him.

Anan had even stressed multiple times that she hoped they could become a family with Lin Shen.

This gave Lin Ping a clear signal.

That’s why she decided to broach the subject tentatively today.

Unexpectedly, Anan’s reaction was one of extreme excitement.

"Of course! Shen is so nice to you, so you must like him a lot too, right, Mama?"

"Mhm."

The child’s innocent frankness made Lin Ping blush beet-red. She stammered, unsure of what to say, and could only manage a shy "mhm."

But then Anan continued,

"So, Mama, when are you going to marry Shen? I want to see you in a wedding dress!"

’A wedding dress?’

Anan’s reminder made Lin Shen’s eyes light up.

’Now *that’s* a serious buff!’