The butler curled his lips into a smile:
"Mr. Song, actually... Young Master Lu really likes the little miss. He just doesn't show it. Before you picked up the little miss outside the villa, Young Master Lu had already ordered all of us to search for her. He was nearly frantic…"
Song Qingwan clearly saw through the meaning in his words. She curled her lips and waved her hand nonchalantly:
"Alright, don't make excuses for that stinky brat. I've known what kind of character he has since he was little. He's just a sulky gourd—just like his father! As long as he treats my granddaughter well, I won't fight him over her. He can have his Pear."
The butler chuckled. "Thank you, Mr. Song."
She paused, then frowned slightly as if something occurred to her, and corrected herself:
"No, wait, I take that back. Just for today, I won't."
The butler: "…That works too."
One day was still a day.
And the little girl really was too lovable.
If it weren't for the fact that Lu Shao was her biological father, Song Qingwan might truly not be willing to give her up for even one day.
The butler hesitated for a moment, then asked, "Mr. Song, since the little miss is now staying at the Lu residence, then... what about her mother's side?"
"That is a bit of a problem." Song Qingwan fell into thought for a moment. "What's the background of Lili's mother?"
"We haven't been able to find anything yet," the butler replied, shaking his head. "The young miss appeared suddenly at the Lu residence. Surveillance footage didn't capture who sent her. It's difficult to trace. Even asking the young miss probably won't help—she may not know herself..."
"Then don't bother looking," Song Qingwan said directly:
"Anyway, now that Lili's with us, it doesn't matter whether her mother exists or not. That stinky boy Lu Junhan detests women to the bone. Even if we find Lili's mother, he definitely won't marry her. More likely, he'll find her an annoyance. Instead of stirring up trouble, just let things be. We only need one Lili."
"Besides, if her mother truly cares, she'll come looking for her. We don't need to break our backs searching. And if her mother doesn't care—then even better. We'll raise Lili ourselves!"
"Even if one day her mother shows up, tries to take her back, files a lawsuit, and wants to go to court—what of it? Do you think the Lu family's team of lawyers is just for decoration?"
Song Qingwan's long monologue had one clear meaning: No matter who came later, Lili would forever belong to the Lu family. They would never hand her over!
A sharp glint flashed in her eyes, and her tone turned colder.
Because she had said so much in one breath—and also because she thought of the possibility of someone trying to take their little Lili away in the future—she became visibly agitated.
After speaking, she couldn't help but clutch her chest and cough a few times.
"Mr. Song, have you forgotten what the doctor said? You can't get too emotional. You should take your medicine now."
Her assistant hurried over at that moment, unscrewed a medicine bottle, and poured out a few pills into her palm.
Song Qingwan leaned against the table, picked up a bottle of mineral water beside her, and downed the pills in one smooth motion.
Her movements were fluid and practiced—it was obvious she'd been taking this medicine for quite some time. There was no expression of distress on her face.
The butler was startled. "Mr. Song, you're... you're ill? Since when? Does Young Master Lu know?"
"I'm not sick. You're overreacting."
Song Qingwan held the mineral water in one hand and waved her other hand as she sighed faintly:
"Just some old ailments acting up. I'm getting older, so a few lingering problems are unavoidable. It's nothing serious. I just take a bit of medicine."
The butler remained uneasy. "Mr. Song, maybe you should go to the hospital just to be sure…"
"No need. It's just a small problem. There's absolutely no need to go to the hospital!"
"But still—"
"Enough. I know my body better than anyone. I'll go to the hospital if it becomes necessary. Don't make a fuss."
The butler had no choice but to concede. "Alright... as long as you're alright."
The assistant standing nearby seemed like he wanted to speak but hesitated. He opened his mouth slightly, only to be silenced by a sharp, warning glare from Song Qingwan.
Her gaze was cold and commanding, and he instantly shut his mouth.
At three and a half years old, children are in a key stage of growth. They typically go to bed early and begin to get drowsy around seven o'clock.
With everything that had happened earlier, it was already around half past nine by now.
Sure enough, Lu Li—nestled in Lu Junhan's arms—was already rubbing her eyes and yawning repeatedly. Her big black-and-white eyes shimmered with drowsy tears beneath long lashes, yet she stubbornly tried to stay awake.
She wanted to be with her daddy a little longer.
But in the end, her body betrayed her.
Like a tiny chick pecking rice, her little head kept bobbing forward and lightly knocking into Lu Junhan's shoulder. Occasionally, soft snoring sounds escaped her lips.
The noisy commotion around her couldn't rouse her. In her father's arms, she slept deeply and peacefully.
Lu Junhan's brows twitched slightly as he looked down at the sleeping girl who had completely let her guard down in his embrace.
This little thing was really bold—to sleep so soundly in his arms.
Like a pig.
Was she not afraid he'd sell her?
"Daddy…"
Suddenly, the little girl's chubby face rubbed against his shoulder and neck. Eyes still closed, she muttered sleepily and clung tighter to his neck.
Lu Junhan looked down, voice calm, "Huh?"
Hearing his voice and knowing he hadn't left, Lu Li let out a content sigh, relaxed against his chest, and drifted off completely.
Her soft breath tickled his neck like a feather, and her flushed cheeks were warm and lovely.
Watching her sleep, Lu Junhan's cold, stoic expression unknowingly softened.
When Lu Junhan stepped into the banquet hall holding Lu Li, a collective gasp rose from the guests.
Many froze in disbelief.
Was that… Lu Junhan of Haicheng?
And in his arms—was that a child's toy?
No, wait—it was moving. A real child. A living child!
Were their eyes deceiving them? Was the devil himself... hugging a child?
This was the first time anyone had seen Lu Junhan, the man who famously despised children, so close to one. Not only had he not thrown her out—he was gently carrying her in his arms.
And the child was bold enough to sleep like that—wasn't she afraid she'd be fed to wolves?
The disbelief was thick in the air.
Someone quickly pulled a servant aside to ask about the girl's identity.
The butler, eager for the news to spread, told them everything with great clarity.
And so, within moments, the entire upper circle of Haicheng exploded with news—
Lu Junhan has a biological daughter!
Yes, that Lu Junhan who couldn't even tolerate children near him.
And not only that—he spoiled her rotten!
He held her during social functions, refused to let her go, and practically worshipped the ground she walked on!
Meanwhile, the banquet continued in full swing. As the host, Lu Junhan had important matters to handle—this banquet had its purpose.
He handed the sleeping Lu Li to a passing servant and instructed her to take the child upstairs for a bath and rest.
"Daddy…"
As soon as she left his arms, the little girl immediately woke up.
Still heavy with sleep, she blinked her big eyes and frowned in protest:
"I don't want to go upstairs. I just want to be with you!"
"Be good."
The little girl looked up pitifully. "But I just don't want to…"
If she wasn't with Daddy, he might be in danger.
She didn't want that.
Lu Junhan's eyes narrowed slightly as he looked at her. His gaze was deep and unreadable—carrying the same chill that once made grown men tremble.