She hadn't misheard, had she? What did this little girl just call her son?

"Daddy..."

Qin Shu was so excited she was utterly stunned. She reached out and tugged at her son's sleeve. "Th-Third Son, she just called you Daddy, didn't she? She called you Daddy, right?" A brilliant light instantly burst forth in Qin Shu's eyes.

"What?!" Huo Zhenchuan, moments from death, startled bolt upright in his bed.

"Third Son, when did you have such a big daughter, and you've been hiding her from us for so long?!" Huo Zhenchuan's voice instantly rose, his deep tone almost piercing the roof, his eyes filled with profound shock. Their youngest son had always been steady and reserved, rarely causing them any worry since he was little. But now, he had actually done something like this behind their backs.

"Tell me, who's the child's mother?" Huo Zhenchuan pointed at him, his hand trembling.

"No, you misheard. She's not my daughter," Huo Tingyan said expressionlessly. He was already too lazy to expose his parents' antics.

Unfortunately, his unscrupulous parents couldn't hear a single word he said now. Their eyes were solely on the little girl, completely disregarding his words as nonsense.

The little girl is already calling you Daddy, and you still say she's not your daughter? Who would believe that!

Besides, even if she's not biologically yours, it doesn't matter. Why refuse a daughter who's practically delivered to your doorstep? We'll just "abduct" her home first!

"Little darling, what's your name, and how old are you?" Qin Shu rubbed her hands together slyly, forcing a benevolent smile. She leaned in front of the little girl, grinning like the wolf-grandmother luring Little Red Riding Hood.

"My name is Su Luo, and I'm five years old," the little girl said in her sweet, childish voice, her large, fluttering eyes so adorable they could melt anyone's heart.

"Luoluo, can you tell Grandma where you live, and where's your mommy?" Facing this adorable little one, Qin Shu's voice was as gentle as a spring breeze in March.

"Luoluo has no home, and no mommy. Luoluo has nothing at all." The little girl glanced pitifully at Huo Tingyan. Clearly, her "Daddy's" words had hurt her deeply.

This absolutely broke Qin Shu's heart. She wished she could scoop the little dumpling into her arms and comfort her properly.

"Don't listen to his nonsense! Grandma's house is your home, and from now on, you'll be the Huo family's little princess," Qin Shu said, glaring indignantly at Huo Tingyan.

Even Huo Zhenchuan couldn't help but condemn him: "Pah, scumbag!"

Huo Tingyan: "???"

Was he even their biological son? These unscrupulous parents would rather believe a little girl from unknown origins than listen to a single word of his explanation.

"Really?" The little girl's eyes immediately lit up, her small gaze turning towards Huo Tingyan with a mix of anticipation and nervousness.

"Of course it's real! Don't look at him; what he says doesn't count. In this house, what Grandma says goes!" Qin Shu declared imperiously with a grand wave of her hand, not forgetting to shoot Huo Tingyan a cutting look. It was as if she was blaming him for almost losing her precious granddaughter.

"Exactly, exactly," Huo Zhenchuan nodded eagerly.

"Dad, Mom." Huo Tingyan helplessly rubbed his temples, a headache throbbing intensely. "She's really not my daughter. She's probably someone's lost child. Even if you want a girl so badly, you can't just snatch someone else's, can you?"

"No! Luoluo really is Daddy's daughter!" The little girl was instantly devastated by his words. Shimmering tears welled up in her eyes, but she desperately held them back, refusing to cry. That pained yet defiant little expression just broke Qin Shu's heart completely.

"Don't cry, little darling, don't cry. If he doesn't acknowledge you, Grandma will. We don't need him; come home with Grandma." Qin Shu comforted her softly, gently wiping her tears with a handkerchief, her voice so tender it could melt butter.

"Luoluo has no home, and nowhere to go," the little one said, pouting pitifully, her sweet voice soft and gentle. Her eyes, washed clean by tears, were crystal clear, like two dewy black grapes.