Early the next morning…
Ziya slowly opened her eyes.
Her small body subconsciously shrunk into the warm embrace, and her nose rubbed affectionately against Bai Li’s neck.
A faint, reassuring scent lingered around her, making her feel soft and relaxed all over.
She quietly opened one eye to confirm that the person beside her was still sound asleep.
Immediately, the corners of her small mouth curled into a sly, triumphant smile.
The acting like a spoiled child, the dependence, and the sleepiness from last night… half of it was sincere, but the other half was a result of her carefully calculated little schemes.
From the moment she called out the first “Mother,” to dragging her to eat snacks, counting the stars, and asking for hugs, and finally nestling into her arms to fall into a deep sleep… every step had precisely struck Bai Li’s soft spot, causing her to fall for it one step at a time.
With just a little bit of sweetness and a little bit of dependence, she could firmly keep this cold-looking father by her side.
‘Heh heh, plan successful—’
Ziya moved with great care.
Her small hands gently wrapped around Bai Li’s waist, and her little head rested against her chest, listening to the steady and powerful heartbeat.
‘This is so good… From now on, I can see Mother the first thing I do when I wake up every day.’
Bai Li was stirred awake by the gentle movement in her arms.
As soon as she opened her eyes, she saw the little dumpling nestled against her chest, sleeping peacefully and looking utterly adorable.
For a moment, she was dazed, almost forgetting where she was.
Memory came flooding back only when the warm and soft sensation reached her—from being held by Baining every day back then, to now holding this little girl herself.
The evening party, the cookies, the starlight, the acting spoiled, the hugs… and those soft, sweet calls of “Mother.”
Bai Li’s heart quietly melted once again.
In the past, let alone intimate contact, she would have found it troublesome if someone even approached her within half a step.
She had strictly observed the distinction between men and women, remaining distant and cold.
She certainly never would have imagined sharing a bed and cuddling with a little dumpling for an entire night without feeling the slightest bit of rejection.
Even when Ziya was younger, Lü Erlu had only ever used his fingertips to gently coax her to sleep.
They had never been this close.
As if sensing the gentle touch, Ziya let out a soft moan and slowly opened her eyes.
Her voice was soft and waxy, thick with sleepiness as she whispered, “Mother…”
Bai Li’s heart warmed.
She lowered her voice and replied, “I’m here.”
Ziya woke up instantly.
Her eyes lit up, and she immediately propped herself up to move closer to Bai Li, her small face radiant with a bright smile.
“Good morning, Mother!”
“Good morning.”
Looking at her sparkling eyes, Bai Li couldn’t help but reach out and gently pinch her soft cheeks.
“Did you sleep well last night?”
“Super well!”
Ziya nodded vigorously. She tilted her little head and rubbed against her again.
“Sleeping while holding Mother is the most comfortable thing ever.”
Bai Li beamed at her rubbing.
“You really are a complete little clingy spirit.”
“Clinging to Mother doesn’t make me a clingy spirit—”
Ziya grabbed her sleeve righteously, her eyes full of expectation.
“Mother, we agreed yesterday! We’re going to eat snacks together today, and we’re going to take a petal bath together!”
Seeing her eager expression, Bai Li didn’t have the heart to refuse.
She laughed softly and said, “I remember. I’ll stay with you for all of it.”
“Yay! Mother is the best!”
“Mwah—”
Ziya cheered and lunged into Bai Li’s arms, giving her a firm kiss on the cheek.
When the soft, tiny lips touched her skin, Bai Li froze for a moment, the tips of her ears quietly turning red.
She looked down at the bright-faced little girl in her arms and sighed softly in her heart.
‘How can this little Ziya be so cute?’
A gentle knock came from the door, and Rongrong’s gentle voice drifted in.
“Madam, Your Highness, breakfast is ready.”
Ziya immediately lifted her head from Bai Li’s arms and kicked her short legs, about to run toward the edge of the bed.
“I want to eat breakfast with Mother!”
“Run slowly, don’t fall. You haven’t even changed your clothes yet—”
Bai Li hurriedly reached out to stop her.
She smiled helplessly and dotingly, getting up to tidy Ziya’s messy nightgown.
“Oh, right… I want Mother to change my clothes for me—”
Ziya stopped in her tracks and turned back to pounce on Bai Li.
She gripped the corner of her clothes tightly, blinking her large eyes with a tone so soft and sweet it would melt anyone’s heart.
Bai Li couldn’t help but laugh at her expression.
She gently flicked the tip of Ziya’s small nose.
“You… have you forgotten that I used to be your father?”
Despite her teasing words, she had already gently sat Ziya down on the edge of the bed and turned to retrieve the small dress that had been prepared.
It was a light purple Western-style dress with fine lace trim on the hem, perfectly matching Ziya’s charming and cute temperament.
“Arms up,” Bai Li said softly.
Ziya obediently raised her small arms, letting Bai Li carefully help her out of her nightgown, change her into soft undergarments, and then put on the exquisite little dress.
Bai Li’s movements were slow and earnest.
Ziya stood there quietly, the corners of her mouth curling up secretly, her eyes unable to hide her pride.
Step by step, everything was going according to her little plan.
When Bai Li knelt down to help tie the small ribbon around her waist, Ziya suddenly leaned forward and gave her a soft kiss on the forehead.
“Mother looks the very best when helping me dress!”
Bai Li paused her movements, shaking her head helplessly and dotingly.
“You little troublemaker.”
“I’m not a troublemaker, I’m Mother’s little treasure—”
Ziya hugged her neck righteously, nuzzling against her cheek.
“Mother is also beautiful. Later, I’m going to help Mother comb her hair too!”
Bai Li smiled as she stood up.
“Alright, little treasure, I’ll listen to whatever you say. Now, can we go eat breakfast?”
Ziya nodded heavily and took the initiative to hold Bai Li’s hand, their fingers tightly interlaced.
“Mhm! Let’s go with Mother!”
A brand new day quietly began in this warm and sweet atmosphere.