Chapter 24: The World Is Vast, but My Beloved Daughter Is the Greatest Treasure-Depois de renascer, recusei-me a assumir o fardo, e a família da minha esposa enlouqueceu.(Estufar-se em uma panela de ferro.)

Chu Mengyao gave a cold snort. In her view, everyone had a musical dream. She once had one too, but lacking both a sense of pitch and any spark of inspiration, she was eventually forced to inherit the family company and shoulder the responsibilities of her lineage. Since she couldn't be a singer or a musician, she decided to start her own music company. Of course, this was her own private venture, having little to do with the Chu family, and business had been poor, losing money every year. If not for her subsidizing it with funds from the Chu Group, it would likely have filed for bankruptcy long ago. The client had been requesting a theme song for people with disabilities for months, and the project had remained stuck because the client was never satisfied. She simply didn't believe that Zhao Qiang could turn the situation around with a set of lyrics he had dashed off so casually.

Within a minute, her phone rang. It was Zhang Haitao from Tianxing Media, who oversaw their film and music projects.

"The lyrics I just gave you—just take a look at them if you want, don't worry about them too much." Chu Mengyao assumed Zhang was calling to ask for approval to use the song, so she spoke dismissively.

"Ms. Chu, where did you find such a master songwriter?"

"What master?" Chu Mengyao frowned, asking back with a look of confusion.

"The lyrics you sent me," Zhang Haitao hurriedly explained, his voice brimming with excitement.

"You don't need to butter me up; I don't need your flattery," Chu Mengyao said, curling her lip. She felt Zhang was just trying to avoid offending her by feigning enthusiasm.

"Ms. Chu, I’m really not flattering you," Zhang said sincerely, his tone urgent. "The lyrics you sent are absolutely brilliant. I sent them to the composer, and he said only a master could write something so exquisite, perfectly blending emotion and rhythm to reach such a pinnacle of artistry!"

A pinnacle of artistry? Chu Mengyao’s mouth twitched. She glanced at Zhao Qiang, who was busy chatting with little Taozi. She found it hard to believe. Did Zhao Qiang actually have a talent for songwriting?

"Are you lying to me?"

"I’m not, really. You'll see once we record the song."

"Fine!" Chu Mengyao hung up. She knew Zhang Haitao wouldn't dare lie to her. Once the song was recorded, she would have to hear for herself if it was truly that miraculous.

Zhao Qiang smiled to himself, not bothering to taunt Chu Mengyao, choosing instead to pretend he hadn't heard. This woman was very proud, and besides, his daughter was in her hands; there was no need to antagonize her.

When the car pulled to a stop, it was at an upscale villa complex. Zhao Qiang realized immediately that Chu Mengyao hadn't taken him to the Chu family estate. This couldn't be the Chu residence; the villa was too small, and there was no one else around. He had heard that the Chu home was a grand estate with a large staff of servants and security. Furthermore, Chu Siqi wasn't here; there was only a nanny named Wu.

"Miss, you're back? And who is this?" Nurse Wu opened the door and immediately spotted Zhao Qiang holding little Taozi. She froze. It was late at night, and she had never seen her mistress bring a man home before. This was a first—truly strange.

She was also a servant of the Chu family, but had been transferred here by Chu Mengyao to take care of little Taozi, and occasionally pick her up from kindergarten. When Chu Mengyao didn't want to return to the main estate, she brought Taozi here for the peace and quiet.

"Nurse Wu, ignore him. He’s just a stranger." Chu Mengyao kicked off her high heels and headed inside, exhausted; she still had meetings to attend after her shower.

"Hello, Nurse Wu!" Zhao Qiang greeted her. Nurse Wu didn't dare be careless, hurriedly inviting him in. Any man brought home by the young mistress must have an extraordinary background.

As he entered, the sight before him left Zhao Qiang stunned. Crystal chandeliers, marble floors, robot vacuums... it was incredibly wealthy and luxurious.

"Grandma Wu, this is my daddy." Taozi’s words left Nurse Wu dumbfounded, though she quickly collected herself.

"Grandma Wu knows." Taozi had often mistaken people for her father before, so Nurse Wu didn't think much of it. When the young mistress first brought the child back to the Chu family estate, it had shocked them all, and the entire city of Emperor knew that the eldest daughter of the Chu family had given birth. However, the mistress claimed she didn't know who the father was, which had infuriated the old master. Over the years, everyone had simply accepted this fact. Since Taozi was born, her father's identity had been a mystery. Lacking a father figure, she would call any man she met "Daddy." Seeing this, Nurse Wu felt a pang of sadness for the poor child.

"Grandma Wu, he really is my daddy!" Taozi said, her innocent eyes wide, looking urgent and sincere.

"Taozi, how about Grandma takes you to bed? Don't bother the gentleman." Nurse Wu didn't take it to heart, assuming it was just more childish chatter, and reached out to take Taozi's hand.

"Nurse Wu, I really am Taozi's father." Zhao Qiang scratched his head in embarrassment, looking helpless, but decided to press the point.

"Huh?" Nurse Wu was completely bewildered, unable to believe her ears. Her mouth hung slightly open, her face full of shock. "You're really..."

"I'm sorry, Nurse Wu. I only found out today that Taozi is my daughter." Zhao Qiang explained hurriedly, sweat breaking out on his forehead, afraid of being mistaken for a heartless man who had abandoned his wife and child.

Found out today? What was going on? Nurse Wu’s mind struggled to keep up.

After Chu Mengyao came out of the shower, Nurse Wu hurried to confirm. "He is Taozi's biological father."

"It's true?" Nurse Wu asked again, eyes wide.

"It's true!" Chu Mengyao nodded heavily. "Nurse Wu, I will tell the family myself. Please keep this confidential for now."

Nurse Wu nodded and retreated to her room in a daze, relieved she didn't have to look after Taozi tonight.

The next morning, Zhao Qiang reached out to touch the soft bundle beside him. "Where's my daughter?" The bed was empty, and he bolted awake in a panic.

"Daddy, wake up! Time for breakfast!" Taozi had been awake for a while, running to the bedside in her fuzzy slippers, her voice bright and cheerful. Zhao Qiang looked at his adorable daughter, a smile instantly blooming on his face as he reached out to scoop her up.

"Daddy, your beard... your beard..." Laughter echoed through the room.

"Sir, breakfast is ready," Nurse Wu called from outside. Since Zhao Qiang was Taozi's father, she felt she had to address him formally.

"Nurse Wu, just call me Zhao Qiang. The relationship between Ms. Chu and me isn't what you think," Zhao Qiang said while quickly getting dressed.

*Oh, nothing between them? Then what did Taozi mean?* Nurse Wu was full of questions. Were young people's relationships this messy?

Zhao Qiang tidied up; he needed to get to the hospital quickly. Liu Ruyan had already called twice, and he had rejected both.

Chu Mengyao sat at the table, eating a steamed bun with gusto while staring at her phone. She wore a long dress with a high slit, revealing glimpses of her porcelain-white legs. Her usually icy face now held a hint of alluring charm from her casual demeanor.

"Daddy, come eat!" Taozi called out, her voice like a silver bell.

At that moment, Liu Ruyan called again. "Zhao Qiang, what is wrong with you?" Her voice was urgent. "Why aren't you at the hospital yet?" She kept calling incessantly, seemingly desperate for the paternity test. The shrill voice coming through the receiver made Zhao Qiang frown.

"Ms. Chu, I have something to attend to, so I'll be leaving now!" Zhao Qiang said helplessly; he had wanted to finish breakfast with his daughter. He realized what game Liu Ruyan was playing, and decided to play along.

"Get going then!" Chu Mengyao didn't even look up, appearing indifferent to his departure.

"Daddy, are you leaving?" Taozi asked weakly.

*Nothing is more important than my daughter.* To hell with the paternity test—would it stop existing if he were late? Zhao Qiang immediately changed his mind, sat back down, and placed Taozi on her chair. "Sweetheart, what do you want to eat? Daddy will get it for you!"