Transmigration; Married to My Ex-Fiancé's Uncle-Chapter 158; Lu Yuze & Lin Shuyin (h)

The sitting area near the door held a small sofa and bookshelf, leading to the sleeping area where a canopy bed dominated the space.

Yuyan was already awake, sitting up against her pillows with a book in her lap.

She looked ethereal in the morning light, her long silver-white hair, inherited from him, falling in loose waves down her back.

Her pale complexion made her look fragile, delicate, like something that might break if handled roughly

But her eyes, when she looked up at him, were bright and alert and far too knowing for a child her age. But overall, she looked better and healthier.

"I’m okay, Daddy," she said, her smile warm and genuine.

"Good morning. How was your night?"

Lu Yuze felt the tension in his shoulders ease slightly. His daughter was back home with him and all the worries were gone.

He crossed the room and wrapped her in a careful hug, mindful of her health, of how fragile her body could be despite the strength of her spirit.

"Good morning, gorgeous," he murmured into her hair.

"How was your night?"

"It was good," she replied, hugging him back before he sat down on the edge of her bed.

Then her expression shifted, concern creeping in.

"I heard commotion last night Daddy. I saw you dragging her through the corridor. Is everything all right? How is she?"

Lu Yuze’s jaw tightened slightly. He hadn’t expected that she would see them late that night.

Of course, she’d noticed.

His daughter noticed everything.

"Everything’s fine," he said, choosing his words carefully.

"That’s just... usual couple of things, you know."

Even as he said it, doubt crept in.

Had getting married been the right decision?

He had been single for the last twelve years, was his house suddenly getting turned into chaos?

He’d thought having a mother figure would be good for Yuyan, but what if this arrangement overwhelmed his daughter?

What if Shuyin’s chaotic energy and resistance to domesticity created more problems than solutions? How was he going to handle such a situation?

A soft knock interrupted his thoughts.

One of the maids entered, carrying a tray with soy milk and other morning beverages.

"Good morning, Master. Young Miss," the maid said quietly, placing the tray on the nightstand with practiced ease.

"Good morning," Lu Yuze and Yuyan responded in unison.

The maid bowed slightly and left, closing the door with a soft click.

Lu Yuze turned back to his daughter, reaching out to brush a strand of hair from her face.

"Sweetheart, no matter who comes into our lives or what changes, my time and love for you can never be replaced. You understand that, right? I will always love you."

It was important she knew this. She was his priority.

She was his world, his reason for breathing.

Everything else, including his new wife, came second.

Yuyan looked at him with those too-wise eyes, and when she spoke, her voice was gentle but firm.

"I know, Daddy. But that’s not the way a gentleman treats his woman."

Lu Yuze blinked, surprised.

Yuyan continued, her gaze dropping back to her book.

"Women are delicate by nature. They need to be doted on, pampered, treated gently... just like a baby. You’re dealing with a baby, essentially. She can act tough or whatever, but she’s your woman. You need to be gentler with her."

For a long moment, Lu Yuze could only stare at his daughter, his mind struggling to process where this wisdom was coming from.

"Where did you read that?" he asked carefully, his eyes narrowing with concern.

"Who taught you that?"

Yuyan glanced up, her expression turning slightly exasperated.

"Father, we have a topic at school, well, not a topic, actually. It’s an entire subject called Family Studies. We’re being taught about relationships, family dynamics, and emotional intelligence."

She paused, then added with deliberate sarcasm, "If I don’t know these things, that means I attend lessons but understand nothing. Are you saying your daughter is stupid?"

Despite himself doubting, Lu Yuze felt his lips twitch.

"Hehe..."

He was completely stumped.

How could he argue with that logic?

"All right, all right," he conceded, standing up from the bed and changing the subject before she could lecture him further.

"I need to get ready for work. Do you want to accompany me to the office today? Or do you want to stay at home..." 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

Before she had fallen ill, she always accompanied him to his office. It was just a normal routine to them.

Yuyan’s face lit up briefly, then shifted to something more thoughtful.

"No, I’ll stay back home with Momma."

The word hit Lu Yuze, suddenly felt heartache.

Momma.

His chest tightened with guilt and concern.

"She’s going to work," he said gently, hating that he had to burst her bubble but refusing to lie to his daughter, because, he couldn’t force Lin Shuyin to be a mother to her.

He saw the hope in Yuyan’s eyes dim slightly, and it made him question everything all over again.

Was Shuyin the right choice?

Would she ever be able to give his daughter the maternal attention she craved?

"Ooohhh..." Yuyan’s disappointment was visible for just a moment before she masked it, jumping out of bed with forced cheerfulness.

"That’s okay! Daddy, you can go back to your room now. I need to freshen up and get ready!"

With that dismissal, she hurried toward her bathroom, leaving Lu Yuze standing alone in her bedroom.

He shook his head, a mix of pride and sadness warring in his chest.

His daughter was so strong, so resilient, always pushing down her own needs to avoid burdening others.

She deserved better.

She deserved a mother who would choose to stay with her instead of running off to work.

But he’d made his choice, signed the contract, and put the ring on Shuyin’s finger.

Now they all had to live with the consequences.

MORNING CONFRONTATION

Lu Yuze returned to his bedroom to find Shuyin already dressed and putting the finishing touches on her appearance.