Chapter 2: The System Arrives Just in Time

Ye Xiuxiu looked at the task on the system screen.

She wasn't too happy about it, but she figured it wasn't too bad. She could treat it as a way to pass the time.

However, when she realized she had to suffer for sixty years before she could finally turn things around, her heart sank.

She wasn't afraid of her miserable future—what scared her was knowing it in advance and being unable to change it.

At that moment, Ye Qingping, her father, saw her lying on the bed, staring blankly at nothing.

"Xiuxiu?" he called softly.

She didn't respond.

"Xiuxiu?" he called again, louder this time.

Still no reaction.

His heart tightened with worry. He reached out and gently waved his hand in front of her face, trying to get her attention.

Slowly, Ye Xiuxiu raised her chubby little hands and tried to grab his thumb.

Seeing this, Ye Qingping sighed in relief. "Thank goodness, my baby girl is okay," he muttered.

Hearing her father's voice, Ye Xiuxiu snapped out of her daze and smiled at him.

It was just a normal smile, but Ye Qingping suddenly looked alarmed.

"Xiuxiu, why are you smiling like that? Are you okay?"

Ye Xiuxiu felt offended.

What did he mean by that? She was just smiling normally!

But she couldn't explain herself properly yet, so she could only babble angrily, her little face turning red.

Seeing this, Ye Qingping panicked. "Someone, come quickly! Check on Xiuxiu again!" he shouted. "Make sure her brain is okay!"

Two doctors, who had been waiting outside, rushed in. They carefully examined her, especially her head.

One of them finally sighed in relief. "The young lady is fine. Her injuries were treated properly and have mostly healed."

The other doctor added, "But since she hit her head, she'll still need time to fully recover. The brain is delicate, and she's still very young."

Ye Qingping nodded and waved for them to leave.

Just then, a woman stepped forward, looking at Ye Xiuxiu with a sorrowful expression.

Sighing, she murmured, "It's all my fault. If I had been more careful, Xiuxiu wouldn't have fallen and hit her head."

Ye Xiuxiu slowly turned to look at her.

Second mother?

Was this her father's second wife?

She recalled what the system had told her. This woman was the one who tried to hurt her!

She had just been learning to walk, but this woman had secretly tripped her, making her fall and get injured.

And now, she was acting all sad?

Ye Xiuxiu wanted to glare at her, but suddenly, sleepiness hit her like a wave.

Her eyelids grew heavy, and her vision blurred.

She tried to stay awake, but her body wouldn't listen. Before she knew it, she drifted into deep sleep.

Time passed.

Ye Xiuxiu spent most of her days sleeping, recovering from her injury.

Occasionally, she would wake up and try to take a few wobbly steps, like a little penguin learning to walk again.

Her mother, Bai Qingxia, was extremely worried after the accident. She barely left her side, afraid something else might happen.

She spent most of her time teaching Ye Xiuxiu to talk.

"My dear, say 'Mama'…" she would repeat over and over again, her voice full of love.

Day after day, she kept trying.

Finally, one bright morning, Ye Xiuxiu opened her mouth and clearly said,

"Mother~"

The sweet, childish voice was like music to Bai Qingxia's ears.

Her face lit up with joy. "Qingping, come quick! Our daughter can talk!" she called excitedly to her husband.

Ye Qingping hurried over and picked Ye Xiuxiu up carefully.

The little girl blinked her big, round eyes and said again in her baby voice,

"Mommy~"

Hearing this, Ye Qingping's heart melted.

"Say 'Daddy,'" he said, looking at her expectantly.

"Daddy…" Ye Xiuxiu tried but didn't get it quite right.

"Daddy," Ye Qingping repeated patiently.

This time, she got it right. "Daddy~"

The moment he heard it, Ye Qingping's face broke into the biggest smile.

Overjoyed, he lifted her up in the air and spun her around.

"My daughter can call me Daddy now!" he cheered, his voice filled with excitement.

Ye Xiuxiu felt a little dizzy—she wasn't sure if it was from spinning or from what she saw on the system screen.

Because the task was complete.

[You worked hard to make your father smile again and restore his hopes for you.]

[Mission complete.]

[Reward: One chance to cleanse your marrow and strengthen your bones. Can be used anytime.]

Ye Xiuxiu stared at the system panel in shock.

That was it?

That was all she had to do to complete the mission?

If she had to wait sixty years to make her father smile, that would've been so difficult…

But now, it was so easy.

The system didn't come too early—it arrived at just the right time!

(End of Chapter)