A Warm and Cute Strike (GL) - Chapter 20

The setting sun dipped below the horizon, painting the evening sky with a brilliant sunset. Under the glow of the twilight, the Xiang family villa was bathed in shades of orange, adding a touch of domestic warmth to the luxurious estate.

In front of the villa, the driver retrieved the wheelchair from the trunk. Xiang Nan leaned over and carried the girl from the back seat, placing her gently into the chair.

Qin Xuening gripped the handles of her wheelchair, staring at the house before her as her grip tightened instinctively.

This would be her temporary resting place. No matter how much she trusted the Xiang couple, she couldn’t help but feel nervous now that she was actually at their home. After all, in her past life, she had been pushed into the Chen family by Qin Xinlan in much the same way, only to fall into an abyss.

But this life was different. She had a healthy body; even if she encountered violence again, she had the power to resist. Once her wings were fully grown, she would fly away from here and start a new life with her mother.

As Qin Xuening was lost in thought, the front door of the house creaked open, and a tiny figure came sprinting out.

“Daddy! You’re back!”

The girl’s voice was even sweeter and more endearing than it had sounded over the phone, filled now with heartfelt joy and an openness that radiated the warmth of sunshine.

Xuening instinctively straightened her back, standing on guard.

“Haha, don’t run so fast! Careful you don’t trip!” Xiang Nan strode forward to meet her, leaning down to scoop the little girl up before planting two kisses on her cheeks.

“Mwah—my little baby! Have you been good at home? Did you miss Daddy?”

“Mhm! I did!” Qingnuan beamed with a happy smile, though her little hands kept rubbing at her cheeks.

Every time Daddy kissed her, he left a face full of drool. It felt uncomfortable once it dried, but seeing how happy Daddy was, she felt embarrassed to tell him. It was a real dilemma. Qingnuan felt a tiny bit of distress deep in her heart.

By then, the driver had pushed Xuening up the small path. Seeing this, Xiang Nan set Qingnuan down to formally introduce the two.

Qingnuan studied the person in the wheelchair, her eyes blinking in surprise. Isn’t this the little brother playing piano on Weibo? She felt her heart beat a little faster.

But confusion quickly flashed in her eyes as her gaze landed on Xuening’s shoulder-length hair. In Qingnuan’s world, long hair meant a girl and short hair meant a boy.

So, was this a “little brother” or a “big sister”?

Knowing the moment had come, and to avoid awkwardness, Xiang Nan quickly introduced her: “Nuannuan, this is Qin Xuening. She’ll be living with us from now on. Quickly, call her Sister Xuening.”

Not a little brother? How did he become a big sister?

Qingnuan found it very strange. At that moment, she looked up and met Xuening’s eyes. They were beautiful eyes—dark and translucent, like they were studded with stars. Her gaze was cool and aloof, much like her temperament, yet it made one want to explore and understand her.

Qingnuan’s cheeks suddenly flushed red. The usually outgoing and passionate little girl now shyly hid behind her father’s back, peeking out with the bashfulness of a young girl.

This big sister is so pretty! Even prettier than in the photos! Qingnuan, who had been pining for a “little brother” just moments ago, now had sparkling eyes, clearly conquered by Xuening’s looks.

Actually, being young and lacking much guidance, Qingnuan didn’t have a strong concept of gender yet. To her, the difference between a brother and a sister was just a slight difference in appearance; as long as they were good-looking, she liked them!

If only the big sister would smile. She loved to laugh, so she liked it when others smiled at her too.

To Xiang Nan, Qingnuan’s shyness looked like resistance. He felt a headache coming on and began to regret not explaining things clearly to his daughter beforehand. Now that they were here, would Xuening misunderstand and think the family didn’t welcome her?

This wasn’t what Xiang Nan wanted. While his goal was his daughter’s happiness, Xuening was, in the end, Qin Mo’s child. He didn’t want to hurt this girl who had just suffered a tragedy.

“Nuannuan, that’s not very polite,” Xiang Nan coaxed patiently. “Say hello, or Sister Xuening will be sad.”

Will the big sister be sad?

Qingnuan grew anxious and immediately ran out from behind her father, but she froze again when she met Xuening’s gaze. With red flushes on her cheeks, the girl stole a glance at Xuening before quickly looking back down at her toes.

“Sister Xuening… hello.” The girl’s voice was soft and milky. She twisted the lace ribbon on her dress. After greeting her, she nervously ran back behind her father, hugging his leg while revealing only half of her blushing face.

Seeing that she was willing to greet her, Xiang Nan assumed his daughter was just shy around strangers and breathed a sigh of relief.

As for Qin Xuening, she merely nodded when the girl greeted her, her attitude somewhat cold.

Xuening did not like children.

In her past life, almost every child she encountered was a “brat,” including Qin Xinlan’s children. Despite their innocent and romantic appearances, she firmly believed in the idea that “man is born evil.” These worldly-ignorant children often wore the faces of angels while committing the acts of devils.

She didn’t hold as much of a grudge against those who bullied her openly; rather, it was the children who were obedient in public but showed a different face in private who stayed vivid in her memory.

Because of those children in the Chen family, Xuening had suffered endless grievances and hardships. Consequently, she couldn’t bring herself to like children at all—especially “brats,” who she considered the most annoying creatures on earth.

When Xiang Nan introduced his daughter, she only gave a nod before averting her gaze and zoning out.

Seeing this, the light in Qingnuan’s eyes dimmed a little. Because she had been mistreated by Auntie Chen, her mind was quite sensitive, and she naturally sensed Xuening’s aloofness.

Was I impolite just now and made the big sister sad? Is that why she doesn’t like me? Qingnuan twisted her fingers, thinking dejectedly.

“Mr. Xiang, you’re back!”

Just then, Zhu Lin walked out of the house. she had been in the kitchen preparing dinner and only just noticed the movement outside.

“Yes. Sorry for the trouble.”

“No trouble at all. Little Qingnuan is very sensible.”

After a brief exchange, the three adults moved Xuening’s luggage into the house. While they were moving things, Qingnuan stayed by Xuening’s side. she peeked at her profile, her eyes shining with a desire for closeness.

Sensing her gaze, Xuening turned to look at her.

Oh! The big sister looked at her! This time, Qingnuan didn’t look away. she met Xuening’s eyes and suddenly burst into a happy smile.

In truth, while Xuening didn’t have any desire for closeness with Qingnuan, she didn’t hate her either. This was well-reflected in her gaze, and Qingnuan sensed it, allowing her to breathe a sigh of relief.

Mhm, the big sister is kind-hearted, so she won’t hold it against me. But I must perform well from now on so she knows I’m not an impolite, bad child!

Xuening watched as the child suddenly became high-spirited, looking as if she’d been injected with adrenaline. She was a bit confused but had no intention of asking.

Once the things were moved, Xiang Nan pushed Xuening to the second floor to show her the room—and taught her how to use the elevator since her legs were injured.

Xuening didn’t have special requirements for a place to stay, but looking at the room filled with pink fantasies—looking as if pink bubbles were popping everywhere—the corner of her mouth twitched imperceptibly. She still preferred more muted colors.

“Do you like it? Isn’t it pretty?” Xiang Nan asked.

Qingnuan, following her father, had returned to her usual cheerful self. She was beaming happily, looking at Xuening with an expectant face.

Looking at the father and daughter’s identical “seeking praise” expressions, Xuening paused but ultimately went against her conscience and nodded. This was someone else’s home, after all, and the hosts had put effort into decorating for her; it wouldn’t be right to object.

Next, Xiang Nan took her to the third floor to the music room prepared for her. Seeing the piano, Xuening froze. A flash of genuine surprise finally broke across her usually calm expression.

Her reaction made Xiang Nan feel a bit proud.

“This will be your piano room from now on. The room has been soundproofed, so don’t worry about disturbing others.” Xiang Nan patted her head. This time, Xuening didn’t pull away.

“Do you like it here?”

Xuening gave a slight smile and nodded.

Afterward, they went downstairs for dinner. To welcome Xuening, Xiang Nan had specifically told Zhu Lin to prepare a feast.

The Xiang household didn’t follow a “no talking during meals” rule, so the atmosphere at the table was very harmonious, making Xuening feel a genuine sense of domestic warmth. She hadn’t felt this in a long time. While it felt strange, the anxiety she felt at the start vanished.

She leaned down to drink her soup, but when she saw green onions floating on the surface, her brow furrowed. She silently picked up her chopsticks and began picking them out one by one.

“Sister Xuening…” Qingnuan, sitting beside her, saw her movements, and her little face scrunched up in conflict.

To a girl who had experienced hunger, food was precious. She couldn’t stand seeing food wasted, but she felt saying it directly might be impolite.

Xuening stopped her hand and looked at her in confusion.

“Let me help you!” Qingnuan thought for a moment and moved her small spoon toward Xuening.

Seeing the girl’s enthusiasm, Xuening didn’t want to brush her off, so she put down her chopsticks. She then watched as the little girl used her spoon to scoop up a green onion and pop it into her own mouth.

Seeing Xuening staring, Qingnuan crinkled her eyes and gave a cute, friendly smile before continuing to scoop.

Xuening pursed her lips and looked down at the soup. After the girl had eaten every single green onion, Xuening picked up her spoon and drank in silence.

She actually had a bit of a germaphobia, but the child’s passion and kindness made it hard to refuse…

Forget it. It’s just a little bit of saliva… well, probably…