"Creak... clang."
The sound of the old iron door broke the morning stillness of this rundown apartment building in the urban village.
Yang Yi pulled open the heavy iron door and stepped inside from outside.
He was wearing a tank top, his muscular physique straining the fabric, fine beads of sweat glistening on his slightly tanned skin as if polished with olive oil, radiating sheer masculinity.
But there was something oddly incongruous—his hands were loaded with bags of groceries, making him look like Shaquille O'Neal in a floral skirt, utterly awkward!
Once inside, Yang Yi first peeked into the bedroom, seeing Xi Xi still lying on her side, sleeping soundly, though she had kicked off the blanket, revealing her little bottom wrapped in her underwear. He let out a faint sigh of relief.
After all, he had taken a bit of a risk leaving the little one home alone while he went grocery shopping!
Whether in his past life or this one, Yang Yi kept a regular routine. And because he practiced the inner energy techniques he'd learned from the assassin camp in his previous life, he only needed less than five hours of sleep each day to stay fully energized.
Before dawn, Yang Yi was already up. He started with jump rope and dumbbell exercises at home for over an hour (no choice—the place was cramped and equipment limited), then jogged off to buy groceries, careful not to waste too much time.
......
Today, Yang Yi didn't prepare a Chinese-style breakfast for Xi Xi. He decided to switch things up and meticulously crafted a seemingly simple but intricately layered sandwich!
This wasn't the cheap kind you'd grab at a convenience store!
Yang Yi was picky with his ingredients—the toast, cream, bacon, and vegetarian ham were all premium items he'd bought last night at the imported goods supermarket while shopping with Xi Xi!
And the eggs, lettuce, tomatoes—those were fresh vegetables he'd just picked up at the market!
He pan-fried the bacon, ham, and eggs in butter, then layered them neatly with lettuce and tomato slices on triangular toast spread with cream, topping it with another slice.
Since the little one's mouth wasn't as big as an adult's, Yang Yi specially made it thinner—especially the toast, which he sliced almost transparently thin. Stacked together and lightly pressed, it was only half a finger thick.
But less quantity didn't mean cutting corners. Every layer was carefully thinned and refined, ensuring variety while keeping it mini! With Yang Yi's skills, this richly filled sandwich was no worse than what a top hotel chef could make!
The clearest proof was the sheer joy radiating from Xi Xi's face as she ate!
When Daddy woke her up, the little one was still a bit grumpy!
Yang Yi carried the tousle-haired little girl to wash up. Passing through the living room, Xi Xi saw the sandwich on the table, thought it was the bread she didn't like, and pouted, about to cry.
But after her first bite, she couldn't stop!
"Daddy's sandwich is so yummy!" Xi Xi exclaimed, her cheeks puffed out.
Then, without finishing, she took another bite. The delicious, juicy bacon, lettuce, tomatoes, and other fillings seemed to burst in her mouth, delighting her taste buds.
So good! Xi Xi didn't even bother to drink her favorite yogurt!
"Yummy! Daddy, Xi Xi wants to eat sandwiches tomorrow too!" While Yang Yi was washing the dishes, Xi Xi, as cheerful as a little oriole chirping through the woods, ran over, hugged her daddy's leg, and whined, "Please? Pretty please?"
Yang Yi thought for a moment, but shook his head with a hint of regret, saying, "Tomorrow won't work. Your aunt is coming to pick you up this afternoon."
He added, "When Xi Xi comes to Daddy's place next time, Daddy will make you something delicious again!"
It was true! Yang Yi had a whole repertoire of recipes he wanted to show off to his daughter!
But the little girl's mood dampened. She grabbed her daddy's pants, pouting, "But, but why can't Daddy live with Mommy and Xi Xi? Xi Xi loves Daddy's cooking, and Mommy would love it too!"
Yang Yi paused, a bitter smile flickering across his face. He really didn't know how to answer that.
In silence, Yang Yi finished washing the last dish, dried his hands, then crouched down, picked up the little one, and kissed her drooping face, rubbing his nose against her cheek.
Xi Xi's skin was as delicate as milk. The old Yang Yi used to show affection like this too, but back then, he wasn't used to shaving daily, and his stubble sometimes made the little one shriek.
Luckily, the current Yang Yi not only brought his Virgo perfectionism from his past life but also cherished his "flawless good looks" now. He shaved clean every morning, so Xi Xi didn't have to suffer.
Yang Yi looked at his daughter's pleading eyes and sighed softly, "Daddy and Mommy's situation is complicated. Whether we're together isn't up to Daddy alone. And Mommy has her own difficulties too."
Of course, this was just to comfort Xi Xi. Yang Yi wasn't optimistic about his relationship with Mo Fei. Even though he was no longer the insecure, stubborn Yang Yi of before, would Mo Fei's view of him change?
Or from another angle, could he accept Mo Fei?
People in the entertainment industry—what were they really like?
Yang Yi knew plenty of inside stories from his past life. And the joys, sorrows, betrayals, and scandals in that world—weren't they all too common?
Yang Yi might be interested in music, but he preferred classical music and songs with meaningful lyrics, not the singers themselves.
Xi Xi was still quite sensible. She reached out, wrapped her arms around her daddy's neck, and gave him a smacking kiss, comforting him in return, "Daddy, don't be sad. Xi Xi loves Daddy!"
Yang Yi chuckled softly, reaching out to ruffle the head of this understanding little one.
......
Around three in the afternoon, a loud "bang bang bang" came from Yang Yi's iron door.
Yang Yi, lying on the bed, jolted upright, frowning as he looked toward the door. He'd taken Xi Xi out in the morning and come back late, so the little one was still napping!
Yang Yi didn't need a nap himself, but the little one was so clingy!
Luckily, Xi Xi was sleeping deeply and wasn't woken up.
But who could be at the door?
Yang Yi gently closed the bedroom door and walked over.
The iron door screeched open, and Yang Yi was startled to see a slender, white-collar beauty standing outside, wearing large sunglasses.
Though the big shades covered half her face, there was no doubt she was an absolute stunner!
Her face was slightly lean, but not in a sharp, snake-like way. Her chin was softly rounded, reminiscent of a fairy-like face like Liu Yifei's without the baby fat!
Even with the sunglasses, Yang Yi could sense the delicate contours and soft lines of her face. She'd probably be even more breathtaking without them!
And her figure wasn't bad either!