Final Civilization

Chapter 45: Dad?

Han Ming hung up the phone, checked the time, and waited patiently for the kindergarten to let out.

He had subconsciously grown accustomed to using his precognitive ability, especially when encountering key events.

The scene of Yan Duoduo's car accident last time was still vivid in his mind. Out of thirteen replays, twelve times the little girl had died tragically right before his eyes.

This was actually one of the reasons he felt particularly protective of her.

Strictly speaking, even though he was immortal, possessed limitless wealth, could foresee the future, and was akin to a god, he was still an ordinary person.

Ordinary people have ordinary emotions. No matter how calm, composed, and unflappable he appeared at work, as if everything was under his control.

Witnessing a five-year-old girl die tragically before his eyes was something no normal human being could remain unmoved by.

The afternoon sun was a bit dazzling, shining on the glittering gold characters of "St. Mary's International Kindergarten."

This kindergarten exuded an air of luxury at a glance. Inside the fence, the lawn was trimmed like a carpet, and the scent of freshly baked cookies drifted through the air.

The dismissal bell rang. Adorable children, dressed like little princes and princesses, were led away by nannies or drivers, chattering noisily.Han Ming stood waiting at the gate, feeling utterly out of place.

Several bodyguards in black suits and pants stood rigidly beside him, all with stern faces and wearing earpieces, completely clashing with the warm and cute atmosphere around them.

Glances were cast their way from time to time, but many people seemed to take it in stride, even appearing to know exactly which child these bodyguards were here to pick up.

Han Ming understood clearly in his heart. It wasn't really Yan Jing being overly sensitive; arranging extra bodyguards for her daughter's safety was completely reasonable.

"Duoduo, your family is here to pick you up."

A young, well-dressed female teacher led Duoduo out of the building. Duoduo was wearing her kindergarten uniform today. Her little face was fair and clean, her eyes big and dark like two glistening grapes. Her hair was tied up in two little buns, and she clutched a rabbit plushie tightly in her arms. She looked as pretty as a child from a commercial.

The teacher walked out, looked at the group of bodyguards, then at Han Ming standing among them. Unsure of his identity, she smiled politely and asked,

"Excuse me, you are?"

Han Ming was just about to speak when a situation arose.

The little girl looked up, her gaze instantly locking onto Han Ming. Those big eyes lit up "shua" like a switch, a cute smile spreading across her face. She immediately let go of the teacher's hand, rushed over, hugged Han Ming's leg, and shouted in a clear, loud, childish voice:

"Daddy!"

As soon as that word left her mouth, the surroundings seemed to suddenly go quiet.

The smile on the teacher's face instantly froze, then transformed into genuine surprise and suspicion.

In her over a year of taking care of Duoduo, she had never seen Duoduo's father.

The people picking her up were either her mother, Yan Jing, or Auntie Weng.

This unfamiliar young man before her... was the father?

However, at that moment, someone even more shocked than the teacher was Han Ming.

He thought he had misheard and even looked left and right, but everyone else's gazes were fixed on him.

So he lowered his head, meeting the little girl's upturned face and her eyes looking at him. Those eyes, so much like her mother's, held no trace of mistaken identity. Instead, they sparkled with a mischievous glint. Her little mouth was slightly pursed, her expression that of a child who had just pulled off a successful prank.

"Duoduo."

The teacher quickly crouched down. Her voice was still gentle, but the meaning in her words was clear:

"This... is really your daddy? Teacher has never seen Daddy come before?"

As she spoke, she stood up, intentionally or unintentionally positioning herself between Duoduo and Han Ming. Her gaze turned scrutinizing as she looked at Han Ming, polite yet distant:

"Sir, I'm very sorry. Since this is your first time picking up Duoduo, our kindergarten's policy requires us to verify identities clearly. Or, could you call Duoduo's mother right now? I need to confirm this personally."

A few parents and nannies who hadn't left yet also looked over.

Han Ming was completely frozen and speechless, his leg hugged by those soft little arms. He was just about to say something when a bodyguard behind him immediately handed over a phone call.

"Teacher Liu, Chairwoman Yan's call."

The female teacher promptly took it.

On the other end of the line, in the chairman's office, Yan Jing, busy handling matters with her head slightly bowed as she signed documents, said,

"Teacher Liu, this is Yan Jing."

"Hello, Mother Yan."

"I asked Duoduo's father to pick her up today. Has he arrived?"

As soon as these words fell, the movements of several subordinates in the office, including Secretary Jin, all paused simultaneously. Their gazes snapped towards her, expressions filled with astonishment.

Back at the kindergarten, after finishing the call, the female teacher smiled at Han Ming and said,

"So you are Duoduo's father. Your work must be quite busy; it's the first time I'm seeing you pick Duoduo up."

Her words carried a hint of criticism, making Han Ming's face darken. Looking at the mischievous glint in Duoduo's eyes, he could only say helplessly,

"It was my oversight. I'll spend more time with the child in the future."

"Yes."

Hearing this, the teacher smiled and said to Han Ming, "Actually, during a daughter's growth, her dependence on her father can be slightly greater than on her mother. This is actually quite important."

"Yes, yes, yes." Han Ming responded awkwardly.

Having been inexplicably lectured by the teacher like this, Han Ming finally managed to take Duoduo away. The two of them got into the back seat of the Maybach. As soon as the door closed, he looked helplessly at Duoduo, whose face was flushed red, and asked with a smile,

"Who told you to call me that?"

Duoduo clung tightly to his arm, seemingly acting spoiled, but her little mouth was pouted high, wearing an expression that clearly said, "I'm not telling you."

But then, she tugged on Han Ming's clothes with her small hand.

Han Ming had no choice but to lean his ear closer.

A puff of warm, milky-scented breath brushed against his ear as the little girl whispered secretly:

"Mommy told me to call you that."

Han Ming had already guessed it was Yan Jing's idea.

Han Ming leaned back in the seat, his expression unconsciously darkening. He gazed out the window at the streets rapidly receding, and the feeling of being manipulated and used grew increasingly clear in his heart.

Yan Jing's move, using the child to "bind" his emotions, whether it was for some future leverage or merely a mischievous test, made him feel extremely uncomfortable, even somewhat chilled.

It had to be said, this woman's methods of handling men were simply masterful. Especially after learning about Yan Jing's past experiences, he felt even more indignant that she would use a child as a tool.

Seeing Han Ming's darkened expression, Duoduo couldn't help but clutch the corner of his clothes. Those beautiful big eyes were fixed unblinkingly on him, filled with cautious worry.

"Uncle Han, don't be angry with Mommy, okay? Mommy... Mommy thought you would like it if Duoduo called you Daddy."

Han Ming's churning negative emotions paused for a moment. He softened his expression, trying to make his voice sound as gentle as possible:

"Then... does Duoduo herself like calling me that?"

Upon hearing this, Duoduo didn't answer immediately. She lowered her head, her small hand unconsciously rubbing the rabbit plushie's ear, her thick eyelashes drooping like little fans.

After several seconds, she mumbled in a volume almost inaudible:

"Actually... all the other kids... have their daddies pick them up after school."

That sentence felt like a tiny needle, lightly pricking Han Ming's heart.

He smiled slightly and patted the little girl's head. "I like Duoduo so much, how could I be angry? Don't worry, I'll come pick you up often from now on."

"Really?!"

"Really."

The little girl's eyes instantly brightened. "Then, are you still angry with Mommy?"

"If you're good, I won't be angry with her," Han Ming said.

Hearing this, the little girl immediately leaned in, pursed her lips, and gave a crisp 'mwah' on his cheek. Then, with a blush, she giggled:

"Duoduo will be super good~"

Han Ming's heart was struck by a sweet blow. Looking at the little girl's sweet smile, he could only say helplessly,

"Alright, fine. Who told you to be so sweet?"