Mr. Li Jianguo had once believed that his life would be filled with joy and fulfillment, but those hopes were shattered with the untimely death of his first wife. Left to raise their daughter Aizen on his own, Jianguo found himself overwhelmed by grief, unable to provide the warmth and affection that his young daughter so desperately needed.

When he remarried, it was more out of a sense of duty than love. His new wife, however, brought with her a daughter, Aria, whose lively and cheerful nature quickly captured Jianguo’s heart. At just three years old, Aria was already the light of the household, her laughter filling the halls with a joy that Jianguo thought he would never feel again.

Aizen, now five, often watched from the sidelines as her father doted on Aria. She was a quiet child, having learned early on that her father's affection was something she couldn't count on. While Aria played with her toys in the living room, giggling as Jianguo watched over her, Aizen would sit by the window with her book, her small frame hunched over as she tried to make herself invisible.

The sun was setting, casting a warm glow across the living room as Mr. Li Jianguo sat on the floor with Aria, who was engrossed in building a tower with her blocks. Her small hands carefully stacked each block, her tongue peeking out in concentration.

“Look, Daddy! It’s so tall!” Aria exclaimed, her eyes shining with pride.

Jianguo chuckled, ruffling her hair affectionately. “Very impressive, Aria. You’re getting better at this every day.”