A Warm and Cute Strike (GL) - Chapter 24

“Director Zhou, you’re too kind.”

Qi Tao hurriedly shook his head, but even as he humored the man, a hint of hesitation remained on his face.

Qi Tao was forty-three years old, a Chinese film and stage actor. In his youth, he had been a household name thanks to several representative works. Although his popularity wasn’t what it used to be, he still commanded a significant level of fame domestically.

Qi Tao was a classic “stern father”—serious, hot-tempered, and holding high expectations for his son. However, because of his busy work schedule, he rarely had time to spend with his boy, leading to a strained relationship between the two.

He sincerely wanted to change the status quo, which was exactly why he had been persuaded by Zhou Ludong to participate in that large-scale outdoor celebrity parenting reality show. He hoped this opportunity would help bridge the gap between father and son. However, celebrities bringing their children onto a reality show was a first for the country; his son would inevitably be exposed to the cameras, which naturally caused him some concern.

The show’s chief director, Zhou Ludong, saw right through his hesitation but pretended not to notice. After all, the contract was signed—it was too late for Qi Tao to regret it now.

The station had been preparing this program for over a year. Just inviting and persuading the guests had taken over six months. To this day, including the newly confirmed Qi Tao and his son, there was still one vacancy left. This had undoubtedly caused Zhou Ludong to worry himself grey, fretting over it day and night.

As long as the guest lineup wasn’t complete, the show couldn’t start filming. As the chief director and one of the creators, how could Zhou Ludong not be anxious?

While saying his goodbyes to Qi Tao, he worried about that final vacancy in his mind. Just as he turned to get into his car, he heard a burst of a child’s laughter coming from the yard of the villa opposite them.

The laughter was crisp and youthful, remarkably pleasant to the ear, and it instantly caught his attention. He looked across the road and, through the railings, saw a young man standing in the yard, lifting a little girl up and letting her sit on his shoulders.

That cheerful, lively laughter belonged to the little girl. Standing beside the father and daughter was a woman; their harmonious appearance clearly marked them as a family of three.

Zhou Ludong had intended it to be a casual glance, but the moment he saw the young woman’s face, he froze.

Isn’t that… Ye Feifei?

While he was dazed, a woman holding something hurried out of the house behind him.

“Director Zhou!” The newcomer was Qi Tao’s wife, Lan Juan. She looked delighted to see him. “I’m so glad you haven’t left yet! Is this your fountain pen? I picked it up in the house.”

“Yes, thank you, Mrs. Qi.” Zhou Ludong quickly took it; he must have dropped it while signing the contract just now.

He tucked the pen into his pocket, but his eyes drifted involuntarily back toward the house across the street. The man and woman had already taken the little girl inside; he could only see their backs from a distance.

He hesitated for a moment before he couldn’t help but ask, “Mr. Qi, that household across the way… couldn’t be the couple Xiang Nan and Ye Feifei, could it?”

The news of Ye Feifei’s secret marriage and child was causing an uproar online, so Zhou Ludong was naturally aware of it.

Qi Tao was taken aback. He was rarely home and didn’t know his neighbors. He instinctively looked at his wife. “Is the Director right?”

“Uh…” Lan Juan shook her head uncertainly. “I’m not quite sure. I don’t think I’ve seen Ms. Ye Feifei, though I have seen Director Xiang Nan a few times…”

Zhou Ludong nodded thoughtfully, bid the Qi couple farewell, and departed.

On the other side of the street, Xiang Nan entered the house, holding his wife’s hand in one and carrying his daughter in the other. The family of three was laughing and talking, appearing perfectly harmonious.

Qin Xuening emerged from the elevator and witnessed this scene. Her gaze faltered slightly as a profound realization hit her—at the Xiang house, she was ultimately an outsider, destined to leave one day.

So where is my home? Is there really a place like that in this world?

The girl asked herself in her heart, knowing no one could answer her. Just as she was about to look away, she unexpectedly locked eyes with a pair of smiling eyes. The owner of those eyes saw her, and the smile on her face grew even more radiant.

“Sister Xuening!” Seeing Qin Xuening, Xiang Qingnuan immediately struggled to get down from her father’s arms.

Having been away for days, Xiang Nan wanted to stay close to his daughter a bit longer, but since his “little princess” didn’t want to be held, he had no choice but to carefully set her on the ground.

“Sister Xuening,” as soon as her feet touched the floor, Qingnuan ran to Xuening’s side like a gust of wind. Taking her hand, she asked, “Are you done practicing the piano? Are you hungry? Do you want some snacks?”

Being cared for like this, the expression on Xuening’s face softened. She didn’t pull her hand away; instead, she reached out with her other hand and patted the little girl’s head, shaking her own head in response.

Having her head patted, Qingnuan smiled sillily. Although the big sister still didn’t like to talk, she had clearly become much closer since the first day, which made Qingnuan very happy.

Xiang Nan also noticed the change in Xuening. Although surprised, upon reflection, it made sense—his little princess was so adorable, who in the world could refuse her?

As for Ye Feifei, she leaned against the bar counter watching the two sisters, her eyes full of mirth. She could feel her daughter’s happiness and see that Xuening had become a bit more outgoing. This proved her original decision hadn’t been wrong, and she felt naturally relieved.

Then she thought of Su Yuyan in the hospital. If only she could be here too, how wonderful that would be… Feifei’s gaze dimmed slightly.

“Mr. Xiang, Mrs. Xiang…” Auntie Lin came out of the kitchen holding dishes. Seeing her employers, she hurriedly offered a greeting.

Ye Feifei gave a cool nod. Auntie Lin was humble, but Feifei couldn’t bring herself to be warm. After the experience with the previous nanny, she wasn’t as easy-going as before.

“It’s time for dinner, go wash your hands first,” Feifei said to the two children, ignoring Auntie Lin.

“Mhm!” Qingnuan nodded obediently, then tilted her head and asked expectantly, “Is there Mommy’s egg noodles tonight?”

Looking at her daughter’s sparkling eyes, Feifei’s heart nearly melted. She asked with a grin, “Does Nuannuan like the egg noodles Mommy makes?”

“Mhm! I love them!”

Feifei was instantly amused and nodded repeatedly. “Alright, alright, Mommy will make them for you right now.”

“My dear wife, is there a portion for me?” Having walked over to the sofa, Xiang Nan’s ears perked up, and he immediately doubled back, asking with a cheeky grin.

Highly satisfied that her culinary skills were being recognized, Feifei laughingly agreed. Finally, she stroked Xuening’s little cheek and smiled. “Little Xuening, wait until you taste your Auntie Fei’s specialty. I guarantee you’ll never forget it!”

Surrounded by this family of three, Xuening felt a faint warmth flow through her heart. Seemingly infected by their smiles, she also curled her lips slightly and nodded at Ye Feifei.

Qingnuan watched from the side, her little face flushed and her round almond eyes shimmering with light.

That evening, the family finished dinner amidst laughter and huddled together on the living room sofa to watch TV.

Xuening had intended to return to her bedroom, but the little “tot” kept holding her hand. Seeing this, Ye Feifei simply picked her up and sat her on the sofa. Then, mother and daughter leaned against her on either side, which made her a bit stiff.

Meanwhile, the great Director Xiang, who had been squeezed onto another sofa, watched silently as Xuening was embraced from both sides—and both his wife and daughter looked incredibly happy…

So jealous, but I must keep smiling.

He silently picked up the remote and turned on Mango TV. Tonight was Saturday, the day the talk show “Jingjing Speaks” aired, and the guests for this episode happened to be him and Ye Feifei.

Feifei was startled and told him to change the channel, but Xiang Nan turned a deaf ear. Soon, the commercials ended, and the show began.

Because they had discussed it beforehand, Feifei and Xiang Nan were quite open with their affection on the program.

“Mhm, I’m my husband’s ‘fangirl.’ Back then, I was so infatuated with him that as soon as I hit the legal marriage age, he talked me into getting our certificate…”

Hearing his wife confess her love for him on the show, Xiang Nan finally felt a bit more balanced. Feifei’s face turned bright red; she hadn’t felt much while recording, but sitting in front of the TV now, she found it incredibly embarrassing. She glared at him, thinking he shouldn’t be playing this in front of the children.

“Mommy, what’s a ‘fangirl’?” just as Feifei was about to grab the remote, Qingnuan suddenly asked.

Looking down at her daughter’s innocent expression, Feifei couldn’t help but give Xiang Nan a reproachful look. It’s all your fault! Quickly, think of how to explain this to our daughter!

Xiang Nan felt quite innocent. He organized his thoughts and explained to Qingnuan, “If there is someone that Nuannuan likes very, very much, then Nuannuan is his fangirl.”

“Is that so?” Qingnuan tilted her head to think, then suddenly looked at Qin Xuening and said with a giggle, “Then I am Sister Xuening’s fangirl~”

Xuening froze. Seeing the gazes of all three people land on her after the girl’s words, no matter how calm she usually was, a faint blush crept up the tips of her ears.

“Does Nuannuan like Sister Xuening that much?” Ye Feifei was the first to react. she pulled her daughter close and asked softly.

“Mhm, I like her very, very much!” Qingnuan answered crisply.

After speaking, she seemed to remember to be shy. Her little face turned red as she plunged into her mother’s arms, then lifted her head to steal a peek at Xuening.

“Nuannuan likes her sister so much…” Ye Feifei, holding her daughter’s soft little body, felt a surge of maternal affection. She hugged her and suddenly turned to ask, “What about Xuening? Does Xuening like Nuannuan?”