Frederick Fairfax had hired a chef to cook all of Olivia Young’s favorite dishes, as well as those beloved by her parents.

As for the others, he didn’t bother.

Pleasing his wife and future in-laws was all that mattered.

"Lily, do you like the food?"

Olivia Young gave a small nod.

It was delicious. Everything was exactly to her taste.

She started to wonder if someone in the house was secretly working for her.

"If you like it, have some more." Frederick Fairfax longed to feed his wife.

But his wife was still young right now.

With his future in-laws sitting right there, he had to restrain himself.

Even Grace Gordon didn’t put food into Olivia Young’s bowl, so neither could he. Not even with the communal chopsticks.

"Mm, okay."

Olivia Young’s tone was distant and polite when she answered him.

Frederick Fairfax actually missed the fearless Olivia Young from his own time, who never hesitated to toy with him like he was her pet, wrapping him around her little finger—a side of her that was just so captivating.

Though, this younger Lily was undeniably adorable too.

If he didn’t get to pinch her cheeks today, he was sure he’d be up all night.

After dinner, when Olivia Young stood up, he followed her outside.

"Lily!"

Olivia Young sat on the swing. "Why do you keep calling me so intimately?"

Frederick Fairfax stood by, gripping the swing’s ropes and gently rocking her. "The truth is, I’m actually from ten years in the future. Eventually, you’ll marry me, and we’ll have an adorable daughter named Yana Young—whose name you came up with."

Never having dated anyone, Olivia Young stared at him with big, panicked eyes.

"Time travel??? Frederick Fairfax, that’s ridiculous. I don’t believe it."

How could he just show up and say they’d be married! Come to think of it, Frederick Fairfax used to not believe her when she said he was the father of their child. Were they just destined to go around in circles like this?

Frederick Fairfax crouched down. "If you don’t believe me, you can ask me anything."

"Which college did I get into?"

"Harvard. You’ll study law, go abroad for five years before you return."

Olivia Young had applied to several schools, Harvard among them—the very place she most wanted to go.

"That doesn’t prove we get married. I have a childhood friend, and I don’t like you."

"That childhood friend of yours, hmph." Frederick Fairfax sighed. "After you went abroad, he found someone to replace you."

"A stand-in?"

A stand-in—really!

"I just went abroad. It’s not like I died! Why couldn’t he come visit? Getting a substitute—what’s that about?" Olivia Young’s fists clenched tight.

But right now Grace Gordon hadn’t actually done anything, so she couldn’t really confront him about it.

"Exactly! That’s why you were so angry."

"And that’s why I got together with you?"

"No, you actually fell for me before you even came back. It was love at first sight." Frederick Fairfax’s ears went slightly red. "Lily, you’ll really love me in the future!"

Will she, though? Olivia Young couldn’t help but doubt it.

"I still don’t believe you."

Seriously, it sounded way more likely that Frederick Fairfax just liked her right now and was using this bizarre story to get her attention.

She’d never heard this kind of pickup line before.

"Wife~"

"Don’t call me that!" Olivia Young was startled.

She leapt up. "I’m going home!"

"Let me add your contact info!"

Frederick Fairfax blocked her path. "Lily, please~"

Was she really supposed to like a guy who looked all tall and cool but was actually this clingy?

Yet Olivia Young still exchanged contact details with him.

When she returned to the main hall, Grace Gordon was looking for her.

"What did you two talk about?"

"Nothing much. He was just talking nonsense." Olivia Young didn’t believe a word from Frederick Fairfax.

Even though their social circles largely overlapped, she had barely interacted with Frederick Fairfax before.

Upstairs, Frederick Fairfax watched from the second floor, seeing Grace Gordon and Olivia Young stroll back home side by side.

He couldn’t imagine how many times a scene like this had played out before—growing up as childhood sweethearts, returning home together every day.

Grace Gordon had it so easy in the past.

He would have to fight and claw for his wife’s affection.

Coming on too strong from the start just might scare her off.

Tonight, a little restraint was necessary.

After his shower, Frederick Fairfax lay down and sent Olivia Young a simple "Good night."

She didn’t reply.

Why not? No cell service? Surely she wasn’t asleep yet?

Frederick Fairfax already missed his wife from ten years ahead.

Since he was here, what about his future self? Did the 21-year-old version inherit all his memories and body?

Was his other self happily holding his wife and child, living that cozy family life, while he was stuck in the past, chasing after his future wife—who didn’t even believe him?

At least he could draw on his old project experience to avoid trouble and keep things running smoothly.

In the days that followed, he didn’t run into Olivia Young at all. He was busy at work, and she was back in school.

Before long, Saturday rolled around.

[Frederick Fairfax: Movie, this weekend?]

[Olivia Young: Can’t. I’ve got plans.]

Plans? Assistant! Give you thirty minutes—find out what she’s up to.

Less than half an hour later, information came back: Olivia Young was off to a piano competition.

Now that she’d already been accepted into a foreign university, she didn’t need to take the college entrance exam. Her teachers couldn’t care less what she did with the remainder of her senior year, and since it was the weekend, neither did her parents.

Without hesitation, Frederick Fairfax bought a ticket to chase after his wife.

When he arrived, the organizers personally greeted him and escorted him to the very front row.

His film had come out last year and made quite a splash—he was a star everywhere he went.

But all he cared about was winning his wife’s heart.

Bored and restless, Frederick Fairfax watched, his mind filled only with longing: When would his wife come out?

He wanted to sneak backstage.

Would he be able to catch a glimpse of her behind the scenes?

Calling an 18-year-old his wife—wasn’t that kind of creepy?

None of the contestants had expected a celebrity like Frederick Fairfax to show up, and some were so flustered with excitement that they nearly slipped up onstage.

Offstage, someone shouted backstage:

"Frederick Fairfax is here!"

"That’s the Frederick Fairfax! The one who acted with Jian Jiaren—he looks way better in person than on screen!"

Olivia Young was there just to boost her résumé, to make her application look more impressive.

There’s no way Frederick Fairfax had chased her here… right?

Nope. Time travel just isn’t real.

Keeping a cool head, Olivia Young walked onstage. Frederick Fairfax—front and center—was impossible to miss.

She sat at the grand piano, nodded to the judges, and began to play.

Back when their baby needed music for prenatal development, Frederick Fairfax had played for Olivia Young, but this was the first time he’d heard her perform.

Dressed in a blue ombre evening gown, under a cold white spotlight, she looked like a mermaid swimming upstream, shimmering in the glow.

His wife was stunning!

Wife, wife—

He ached to embrace her.

It felt like an eternity since he’d last held his wife.

After Olivia Young’s performance, Frederick Fairfax bounded onstage with a huge bouquet of Applejack roses.

Olivia Young lifted her skirt—Don’t you dare come over here!

Too late. He was already on his way.

"You played beautifully."

Frederick Fairfax handed her the flowers.

"Thank you," Olivia Young replied with flawless grace, then carried the bouquet backstage.

Frederick Fairfax spoke to the organizers for a bit and then made his exit.

His intentions couldn’t be more obvious.

He was there for Olivia Young—nothing else.