"Oh…" A stunned gasp escaped Sanzu's lips as he took in the scene unfolding in front of him. It was late, well past midnight. It wasn’t anything new for Sanzu to come home so late; after all, the life of a criminal and being the right hand of a gang leader came with sacrifices. He had rather expected to find you and your daughter in a blissful sleep.

Instead, as soon as he crossed the threshold into the living room, you both jumped off the couch, screaming loudly, "Happy birthday!" He noticed the cartoon playing in the background and the simple-looking cake standing on the coffee table, which made his heart melt. Was it the life he expected for himself? No. But he couldn’t be happier.

"You minx, you remembered…" Sanzu chuckled, catching his little daughter as she ran into his arms. "Isn't it too late for you to be awake?" he teased, gently tickling her side upon seeing her slightly tired expression. He could see the exhaustion on his daughter's face; it wasn’t rare for her to stay up this late, but he also knew how stubborn she could be.

"Dada looks like Pinkie Pie," your daughter laughed sweetly, holding a string of Sanzu's hair. He smiled and looked at you, warmth in his eyes.