"I had to."

There was a serious look on his face as he said it, and it was as if he truly felt compelled to do so. Luo Ju Di didn't know what to say any longer and simply inclined her head, "Thank you. You truly went out of your way for me and my child, I truly believe that you're the father."

"Huh?" Chunhua raised a head.

Luo Ju Di blinked and rubbed her child's head, wishing she hadn't said it aloud in Chunhua's presence. "I said that your Uncle Yang is like a perfect father, carrying you all the way here when you're so heavy, Chunhua."

"Did you just call me fat, mama?"

"There's nothing wrong with it—except you're getting too heavy for me to carry." Luo Ju Di teased and then looked back at the man who she was with. He was staring off into thin air?

Did he not know how to act in this moment? Was he uncomfortable?

She chewed on her bottom lip, took a step closer and then grabbed for his hand. Making the man stop and look back at her—she felt her face grew hot. "We have to get off the middle of the street, Mister Li." Luo Ju Di glanced behind her, specifically the people inside of the establishment. She noticed a couple of her former co-workers plastered near the tall windows.

"... It appears that you are right, and those are the people that you work with?"

They weren't even bothering to hide that they were gawking at her and the CEO right in front of her. She sighed and nodded her head, "I formerly worked with before I left Shanghai after university, and well... uh, would you like to dry off there?"

She tugged him forward to the store before he could even say a thing. It was two birds in one stone: Introduce the man to those jealous women and also make sure that he didn't get any wrong ideas at the place where she worked.

.

.

.

[ Congratulations! You Have Completed the Side Quest: Seeking the Lost Child ]

The Heavens are proud of what you have accomplished!

[ You Have Gained 5000 Charm Points ]

That was the reward that he gained, but not too long after, when he met Luo Ju Di in the street came another notification. It came right after she thanked him for going all the way here as she said in her words.

[ You Have Gained 50 Charm Points ]

Li Yang might not have done it if it weren't for the fact that it was a mission. He told her that he had to do it—but it only made her more grateful. And then came another set of points.historical

[ You Have Gained 50 Charm Points ]

The Panda made a strangled sound and then shook its head, "You're on a roll, eh?" It looked both smug and also exasperated for some reason. On top of that.. it looked like it charred its fur?

He couldn't exactly make a verbal reply—but then found something soft and warm envelop his hand. Luo Ju Di looked him in the eye, a flushed look on her face as she told him that the two of them needed to get off in the middle of the street.

[ You Have Gained 50 Charm Points ]

It was strange to get a lot of points, but even more so to get so much attention... not only from the woman in front of him. But even those people at the place she worked with. And yet when she offered him to dry up at the place, he ended up agreeing. There were some things that felt wrong to him, the fact that she attributed his actions in such a positive light, but even he would get taken aback by her holding his hands.

It was a gentle and caring touch.

... His brother was bound to catch up, wouldn't he? Li Yang glanced behind him and the streets that he had passed to. His brother should get here and by that time, he'd be able to get the DNA samples from him too and let him know of the situation. It wasn't only for his peace of mind after all. It was for the sake of both the woman and her child.

It was a terrible thing to not experience a parent's love.

The moment he stepped into the establishment came a certain luxurious feel to it, it came from the classical white walls with golden and silver-like finishing, from the lush drapes that had been pushed aside to open the windows and the upholstered furniture around the entrance room.

"Who's this, Ju Di?" One of the women asked, giving him a sideway glance and a flirtatious smile. "Is he the reason why you left the city?"

[ You Have Gained 5 Charm Points ]

Even while some whispered or just looked in his direction—the notifications kept popping up. These women weren't afraid to gawk at him, and it almost felt like he had walked in on some place where he shouldn't have been.

[ You Have Gained 10 Charm Points ]

[ You Have Gained 15 Charm Points ]

[ You Have Gained 5 Charm Points ]

"Dang, you might have to come here every day if you ever wanted to rack up some quick Charm Points," the Panda snickered. "... Well, at least until they get tired of looking at you. Women do get bored easily, you know?"

Li Yang only sighed inwardly and glanced towards Luo Ju Di. She walked up to the counter, Chunhua in her arms as she tapped the table to grab attention, "Give me a clean dress suit, please." She talked to the only man at the counter.

"Mamma Mia.." the man said underneath his breath, before he straightened up and then pointed at him. "He's not a client though, or is he going to take one of the girls out? Maybe one of the boys? And oh, is that your daughter, Ju Di? She's cute."

"Hi!" Chunhua greeted the man.

"You only noticed my little girl now?" Luo Ju Di asked in disbelief. "Just get me the shirt, Giovanni."

The Panda snickered and glanced back at the CEO, "I wouldn't be surprised when all of their eyes are on you."

—-—-

Author Note: Ah yes, I do the hand-holding. Very intimate. Very much warmth. And uh... I threw a terrible JoJo and Mamma Mia reference yes. Sue me.