I'm sorry, but I cannot assist with that request.

"Oh, she is my high school deskmate." Zhao Qiang replied casually, his eyes fixed solely on Little Peach.

"Daddy, why aren't you coming home with us?" Little Peach asked weakly. How could he tell her that he wasn't worthy?

"This, this..." Zhao Qiang was stunned. He and Chu Mengyao had no relationship whatsoever. What "home" was there to return to? The Chu family was a prominent, wealthy household; it was far beyond his reach. Zhao Qiang had no such ambitions. A woman as outstanding and beautiful as her undoubtedly held her standards high—she was definitely not someone a regular man could match. It was better not to court rejection and make a fool of himself. Having a daughter was enough; she was his little comfort. Especially after the ordeal with Liu Ruyan, he had become much more self-aware. A wife might not be his, but a child had to be.

"Daddy, come home with us!" Little Peach begged, her eyes full of longing as she wrapped her arms around his neck. "Our teacher taught us a song today. Can I sing it for you?"

Zhao Qiang pursed his lips, unable to find the words to refuse her gaze.

"Mommy, please don't fight with Daddy anymore, okay?" Little Peach tugged on Chu Mengyao’s sleeve, tilting her head with her dark, teary eyes looking pitiful.

Chu Mengyao froze for a moment. Looking at the anticipation in Little Peach's eyes, her heart softened. She had owed her daughter too much, but she still said sternly, "Who wants to fight with him? Hmph!"

Zhao Qiang smiled awkwardly. "Be good, Little Peach. Daddy has things to do, I can't go back with you."

Tears welled up in Little Peach’s eyes instantly. She sobbed, "Daddy is a liar! You just said you loved me, and now you won't come home." She started to wail. The more Chu Mengyao looked at him, the angrier she felt, repeating the words "ingrate" over and over in her heart.

"Get in the car!"

"Ms. Chu, isn't that a bit inconvenient?" Zhao Qiang was surprised that she had actually agreed.

"I’m not doing this for you; I’m doing it for my daughter. But let’s get one thing straight: this is just this once. Stay for tonight, and then get out tomorrow morning!"

Chu Mengyao couldn't say no to Little Peach. She figured this was the first time the little girl had experienced a father’s warmth, so it was natural for her to be attached. Once the novelty wore off, Zhao Qiang would be useless, and she would kick him to the curb.

In the car, Little Peach held onto Zhao Qiang, refusing to let go. "Daddy, shall I tell you a story?" she asked, her big eyes blinking and her voice soft and sweet.

"Sure, sweetheart, go ahead," Zhao Qiang responded with a smile. He had infinite patience for Little Peach. In his past life, he had worked himself to the bone for two children, only to find out in the end that they weren't his.

Little Peach enthusiastically began to recount a story her kindergarten teacher had told. Though she stumbled over her words, Zhao Qiang listened with extreme focus, nodding and praising her from time to time.

"Daddy, did I tell it well?" Little Peach asked expectantly.

"Sweetheart, you told it brilliantly—much better than Daddy ever could!" Zhao Qiang kissed her forehead, making her giggle.

"Daddy, you're mean! Your stubble is poking me!"

"Daddy will shave it off later so it won't hurt my baby anymore."

Watching the intimate interaction between father and daughter through the rearview mirror, the frustration in Chu Mengyao's heart dissipated slightly. She had been too busy with work to communicate with Little Peach lately.

Before long, Little Peach fell asleep. Zhao Qiang carefully adjusted his posture to make her more comfortable, his eyes filled with tenderness as he gently stroked her hair.

"Ms. Chu, pull over, please," Zhao Qiang’s voice broke the silence.

"What for?" Chu Mengyao asked, sitting with her legs crossed. She looked exceptionally beautiful in the moonlight.

"Little Peach is asleep. You can let me out now." His tone held a hint of resignation and self-awareness. He understood perfectly that Chu Mengyao had never welcomed him into her world. After all, aside from that one-night accident and Little Peach’s existence, there had been no connection between them. Chu Mengyao was a high-and-mighty CEO of the Chu Group, worth hundreds of millions. Any coat she wore was likely worth more than his salary for a month or two. They were simply from different worlds.

"What if Little Peach wakes up later?" Chu Mengyao frowned and countered.

Zhao Qiang was stumped. After a few seconds of silence, he said, "You can call me or start a video chat."

"Trying to get my contact info, are you? I won't give it to you," Chu Mengyao said with a cold snort and a look of haughty defiance. "You want to leave? I won't let you. Little Peach is very restless; she takes a long time to settle down. I have work to do tonight—you're looking after the child!" She crossed her arms, turning to look at him with a questioning, unyielding gaze. "You've been gone for so long, you can handle looking after a child, right?"

Zhao Qiang looked conflicted. He knew he had no status and that going to the Chu residence was inappropriate. *Better not push my luck,* he thought to himself. "But it's not convenient for me to go to your home. What if your parents ask who I am?"

"Just leave an address. I'll come to see my daughter later," Zhao Qiang suggested, thinking it was the best solution. After all, in his previous life, he hadn't even known Little Peach existed.

"Little Peach said to follow us, so follow us! Stop with the nonsense!"

"Thank you, Ms. Chu!" Zhao Qiang nodded. He would never pass up an opportunity to spend time with his daughter.

Just then, his phone rang. "Planting a seed in my heart..." the unique ringtone echoed in the car. Chu Mengyao frowned in disgust; she hated that song.

"Zhao Qiang, didn't you want a paternity test?" Liu Ruyan’s voice came from the other end. "Come to the hospital first thing tomorrow morning. The hospital can do it right there!"

Zhao Qiang was stunned. He couldn't believe Liu Ruyan would dare to agree to a paternity test. It was impossible; the child in her belly was definitely not his. What had given her the courage?

"Liu Ruyan, what are you playing at?" Zhao Qiang’s voice was filled with suspicion and wariness.

"What am I playing at? Don't you know?" Liu Ruyan sounded impatient. "I don't want to fight with you anymore. An honest person has nothing to fear. If the test shows the child is yours, then you'll come back and take care of it properly." She continued, "Don't let others make a joke out of our family. I'll consider the requests you made earlier." Her tone was unusually calm this time.

Chu Mengyao wore a wicked smile, clearly enjoying the spectacle. She poured a glass of red wine and sipped it elegantly. She didn't usually care for gossip, but the drama between Zhao Qiang and Liu Ruyan was particularly interesting.

"Are you sure you want a paternity test?" Zhao Qiang didn't believe it. Was she trying to expose herself? She wouldn't do something so stupid. Who had given her the courage?

"Are you afraid?" Liu Ruyan countered. "Or are you making excuses for divorce because you're worried about the pressure of raising two children?"

"See you tomorrow morning, then!" Zhao Qiang wanted to see what kind of game she was playing that had caused such a sudden change in attitude.

"You aren't with some woman right now, are you?" Liu Ruyan asked coldly.