Love in the Midst of Mistaken Identities

Many parents had brought their children along for registration day in the kindergarten. Xia Ruoxin was the only single-parent there. It was a semi-boarding school, targeting students with an aristocratic background. Parents only needed to pick their children up from school at the end of the day.

The teacher stared in astonishment at the short-haired girl standing before her as she praised the child’s good looks on more than one occasion. She even said that the little girl might even be the most beautiful child in the whole kindergarten.

Once the teacher had laid her eyes on the mother, the fact became apparent to her. It was no wonder that the child was so beautiful. Her good genes came from her mother. However, the little girl looked much prettier than her mother. The teacher was curious about her father’s looks. Judging from their attire, the father must be someone affluent.

“Hi, little girl. Can you tell me your name?” She tried to sound as gentle as possible. Children generally responded better with that tone of voice.

“Rainy.” Rainy smiled shyly as she said her own name.

“Rainy. That is such a nice name.” The teacher flashed a gentler smile. “Rainy, why isn’t your father here with you today?”

Xia Ruoxin was filling up the particulars on the registration form, and her hand started shaking. She had been so concerned with filling her own name in the mother’s column. However, she did not know what to write in the father’s. It was still blank because her daughter had no father.

Rainy held Xia Ruoxin’s hand. Her eyes reddened. She had no father, only a mother.

“Oh...” The teacher was awkward all of a sudden. Had she asked a question that she wasn’t supposed to be asking?

“Mommy, I think she doesn’t have a father.” A little girl dressed like a princess was pouting as she stood beside them. At such a young age, she had already learned to compare. She did not like being inferior to that girl who was prettier than herself. Even that girl’s hair was obviously more beautiful than hers.

“I’m so sorry. My child is ignorant. Please don’t take it to heart.” The child’s mother said as she smiled apologetically. Yet, anyone could have easily seen that there was no remorse in her eyes. They were only a single mother with her daughter. What use was it that her daughter had been blessed with good looks? The mother couldn’t even keep her husband. She was such a loser.

Xia Ruoxin gripped her daughter’s hand tight. Rainy’s reddened eyes caused one’s heart to ache for her. However, Xia Ruoxin was powerless to do anything. Should they give up on this school and go to another one?

A huge shadow fell on her face as she began to loosen her grip. She looked up and saw a man who had carried her daughter.

Tears shimmered in her eyes. Why was he here? He said he wasn’t coming because he had a surgery.

“I’m sorry. My daughter has a shy personality; she’s not very talkative.” Gao Yi rubbed Rainy’s head, and then he scooped her up into his arms. He knew that she must have had a tough time today. Don’t be afraid. Daddy’s here.

He patted Rainy’s back gently and took the pen from Xia Ruoxin’s hand. On the registration form containing Rainy’s particulars, he filled in his name under the father’s column. There was the smell of dust and a light scent of disinfectant liquid coming from his body. His bloodshot eyes proved that he had rushed to get here immediately after his surgery.

“Oh. Hi, how are you?” The teacher looked even more embarrassed, obviously deeply ashamed of her earlier assumption. This man might not be dashing, but he had a carefree and easy feel unlike anyone she had ever met. All in all, he was an attractive family man, and she liked him a lot. It was a pity that he was already attached with such a grown-up child.

One could easily see his love for the child. He was a good father who also made him a good husband. She was envious of the woman who had a happy family.

The family that had stood before Xia Ruoxin had walked away in disgraced. They felt inferior in comparison to her family and were somewhat embarrassed.

“Mommy, did she not have a father? Why is she having one now?” The chattering voice of the little girl from earlier could be heard.

“Ouch. Mommy, stop pinching me. It hurts!”

After that, it seemed that the child’s mouth was being covered. The child’s mother’s face had turned green. Her daughter had not known how humiliating it was for them.

Gao Yi set Rainy down onto the ground. He rested his hand on top of her head. It’s alright. Everything is fine now.

Rainy raised her head and stared at Gao Yi. Both her eyes were still red. Uncle was Daddy—her daddy. She hugged Gao Yi’s thigh.

“Daddy,” she called out in a small voice. It struck a chord in Gao Yi’s heart. Xia Ruoxin’s eyes began to tear up as she felt the pain in her heart. Rainy might not talk much about having a father, but that did not mean that she had not needed or thought of having one.

“Yes, Daddy is here.” Gao Yi’s hand was resting at the top of Rainy’s head. At last, he looked at Xia Ruoxin. Her reddened eyes caused his heart to ache. From the way she looked, she must have been bullied earlier. If only he had arrived sooner.

How could he not worry about this woman?

It was evident that she was a woman whom he would always be worrying about.

“Gao Yi, I...” Xia Ruoxin wanted to say something, but she stopped herself when she saw Gao Yi shook his head. He was implying to her that it was not the time and that Rainy was more important. It suddenly dawned on Xia Ruoxin, and she nodded to signal that she had understood him. Their child was going to start schooling soon, and they shouldn’t let the little girl have any second thoughts.

The classroom in the kindergarten was beautifully decorated in bright and extremely interesting colors and filled with things that a child would like. The teacher stood in front of the classroom while she explained the different kinds of arrangements that the school had made, from the children’s education to life in school. Everything was done very well to perfection. From the parents’ point of view, the school would be lightening their otherwise busy schedule. One could see from their relaxed expressions that they were very satisfied.

Rainy was sitting on Gao Yi’s lap. There was no particular reason why he had chosen this school. It was simply because this school was the closest to their home. He could swing by to pick Rainy up from school after work and so could Xia Ruoxin.

He took Xia Ruoxin’s hand in his. “What do you think? Do you feel assured?” he asked, seeking her opinion. If she was not satisfied, he could always find another school.

Xia Ruoxin stared while he held her hand. There was no objection from her. She never knew how to reject him. Besides, there were many people around, and he was right. Their priority was the child.

“There’s no need to. This place is great.” There was nothing that she disliked about the school. It was well-equipped with everything that a child would need. Rainy was constantly looking around in curiosity, scrutinizing the place. Other than the initial minor interlude which had caused her some unhappiness, she seemed to be in high spirits.