An'an says: No, you have killed cats and dogs.

Anan reached out and touched the red spots on Shen Zhihan’s neck. "Daddy, does it still itch?"

It hadn’t been itchy before, but Anan’s touch made it itch even more.

"No, it’s not itchy anymore. It will disappear today."

"Daddy, it’s my fault for making you suffer."

Shen Zhihan couldn’t help but pinch her cheek. "It’s good that you know. Next time, you have to be even nicer to Daddy."

"Okay, I will be nicer to Daddy, even better."

He pinched her cheek again. Seeing the little one didn’t resist, he asked, "I’m pinching your cheek, why don’t you push me away?"

"Because you’re Daddy. Daddy likes me, so you pinch my cheek, right?"

The smile vanished instantly from Shen Zhihan’s face upon hearing this.

He set Anan down, crouched beside her, gently resting his hand on her shoulder, and asked her very seriously, "What if someone else says they like you, then pinches your cheek? And besides pinching your cheek, they want to kiss you too?"

Anan blinked. "No, they can’t. They’re not Daddy."

"So, only Daddy can do that?"

"Yes! Daddy, is there a problem?"

Shen Zhihan’s face cleared from a frown to a smile in an instant. "No problem. Anan, from now on I won’t pinch your cheek anymore. It was Daddy’s fault. Even if it’s Daddy, if I do something that makes you uncomfortable, you can say no. Your body belongs to you. If someone touches you under the pretense of liking you, without your permission, that’s wrong—especially if it’s in a place that makes you uncomfortable."

Jiang Yue looked at Shen Zhihan in surprise.

Was he teaching Anan how to protect her body from being violated?

She recalled her own childhood. Because she was cute, some uncles would try to touch or kiss her or poke her with their whiskers when she went out, which made her uncomfortable.

Her mother taught her, "Yueyue, anyone who touches you under the guise of liking you, if you feel uncomfortable, you can refuse. People who commit offenses within familiar circles break boundaries step by step to reach their final goal."

Once, she refused the touch of an uncle who got angry and said, "Uncle only touches you because he likes you. You’re ungrateful."

Later, that uncle was exposed for abusing a nine-year-old girl.

Jiang Yue never thought Shen Zhihan was so meticulous in this regard.

She stood quietly as an observer.

She recalled a saying: just the thought that being a parent requires no examination sends chills down my spine.

Not all parents are fit to be moms and dads. Clearly, Shen Zhihan is very qualified.

—

Anan seemed to understand vaguely. Seeing the worry in Shen Zhihan’s eyes, she comforted him like a little adult, patting his shoulder. "I know, Daddy! Don’t worry. If I don’t like something, I won’t do it—that’s the courage and confidence Daddy gave me."

After their chat, the three went downstairs to warm up in the garden before starting their run.

Shen Zhihan, tall with long legs, quickly left Anan behind after a few strides, then disappeared from sight.

Trust no one, but once you trust, don’t doubt.

Since Anan was entrusted to Jiang Yue, Shen Zhihan wouldn’t micromanage but let Jiang Yue take charge.

Jiang Yue accompanied Anan, initially thinking a few hundred meters would tire her out or make her complain, but to her surprise, Anan was serious, her running posture both adorable and earnest, her breathing following the method Jiang Yue taught.

After two kilometers, Anan was done while Shen Zhihan had completed ten.

Father and daughter met at the starting point.

Anan beamed, "Daddy, I finished running!"

Shen Zhihan praised her generously, "Great job, you get extra chicken legs tonight."

"Yay!"

After the run, washing up, and breakfast, Anan walked into school with her small backpack, waving to Shen Zhihan without looking back.

Xia Kexuan was late today; by the time she arrived, the children had finished a class and were in free play.

Qu Bowen and Tian Wenhan were intently listening to Anan’s tale of the Paw Patrol.

When Xia Kexuan saw Anan, her eyes flickered.

Yesterday she had deliberately inquired about Yi Tiancheng and learned he had been arrested.

Looking at Anan’s radiant spirit now, Xia Kexuan shuddered. Could Anan be some kind of demon who brings misfortune to anyone she touches?

"The bad guys wanted to catch me, but the Paw Patrol rushed right in and bit them until they cried, hee hee hee."

Among the kids, Anan’s affinity with animals was no secret.

She was gifted at storytelling, vivid and lively, eliciting awe from her peers.

"Anan, you’re amazing! The dogs are so good to you!"

"Yeah, so I told Daddy to bring the dogs home. But Daddy’s allergic, otherwise, I’d keep one too. Anyone who wants to adopt a dog, sign up with me!"

Qu Bowen immediately raised his hand enthusiastically. "I, I, I want one!"

Tian Wenhan wasn’t to be outdone. "Me too!"

"Great! I’ll tell my dad. I have a phone watch; you can add me as friends," Anan said.

They all had the same model of phone watch and added each other, allowing not only phone calls but also microchats.

"You have to check with your parents! Getting a dog requires the whole family’s permission. When it’s settled, contact me."

Other kids looked a bit envious. "I want a dog too, but my mom says either the dog goes or I go."

"Ha…" Fan Lina couldn’t help laughing. Seeing the kids look at her, she quickly waved her hands. "You guys talk, keep talking. Don’t mind me."

"My mom says animals are dirty; if they lick you, you’ll die."

Anan...

The children talked excitedly among themselves.

Xia Kexuan glanced around and didn’t see Yi Jiayang, which startled her.

"Teacher Fan, is Yi Jiayang absent today?"

"No, he dropped out," Fan Lina said, secretly puzzled. Sui Yu dropped out, now Yi Jiayang too.

They couldn’t possibly have Anan drop out next, could they?

She didn’t want that!

Anan had only been here a week, and she already adored her.

Xia Kexuan’s heart skipped a beat.

She instinctively looked at Anan, a sudden feeling called fear swelling inside her.

Since the moment she transmigrated into Xia Kexuan’s body, she had no reverence for this world, believing it was entirely under her control.

Once she grew older, all the best men in the world would be her devoted followers.

Xia Kexuan always believed this—until Anan appeared.

Xia Kexuan smiled ingratiatingly at Anan. "Anan, I want to adopt a dog too. Can you take me after school today?"

Anan stared at Xia Kexuan solemnly, her words shocking everyone present. "No. You once strangled a cat to death, broke a dog’s leg, and buried it alive."