Diva Alpha Meets Her Biological Daughter on a Parenting Variety Show - Chapter 18

“Mom, we’re back.”

In the foyer of the Ning family villa, Ning Xueqing led Mengmeng by the hand. The driver and the housekeeper helped with the luggage, while Ming Nuo walked at the very back.

Mengmeng had just woken up, a red sleep mark still visible on her soft, white cheek. She rubbed her eyes and urged Ming Nuo behind her, “Nuo Nuo Mammy, hurry up!”

Although Ning Xueqing had repeatedly stated that there was no need to buy gifts, Ming Nuo insisted on not meeting an elder empty-handed—especially since this elder was Ning Xueqing’s mother.

This was Ming Nuo’s first formal visit to the Ning family home; etiquette was paramount. She had previously arranged for her personal assistant to deliver a genuine antique bird-and-flower painting she kept in her collection to the gates of the villa complex, picking it up upon her arrival.

Ming Nuo hurried over clutching the scroll box, smoothing her stray hairs as she ran. “Coming!”

Ning Xueqing looked at the painting case in her arms with an affectionate, chiding gaze. Ming Nuo caught the look and shyly touched the long hair at the back of her neck, assuming Ning Xueqing was about to say again that she shouldn’t have brought a gift.

However, this time Ning Xueqing didn’t stand on ceremony. Instead, she stepped to Ming Nuo’s side and whispered into her ear, “Thank you for the painting. My mother is going to absolutely love it.”

Ming Nuo hadn’t been sure if Ning Zhixuan would like it, but hearing Ning Xueqing say this was like taking a sedative; a bit more confidence found its way into her smile.

As they spoke, a figure emerged in the living room. Ning Zhixuan was dressed formally, having taken the care to paint her brows and put on jewelry. Seeing Ming Nuo, she beamed with joy and quickly reached out to gently steady her arm, gesturing for her to enter. “Miss Ming, please, have a seat. I’ve been looking forward to your visit.”

Flattered by the warm reception, Ming Nuo quickly nodded and greeted her, “Hello, Auntie Ning. I apologize for the sudden intrusion.”

Ning Zhixuan invited her to sit in the center of the sofa and handed her a teacup. “What ‘intrusion’? I’m an old fan of yours; I’ve been hoping you’d come over for a visit.”

“Thank you for your support, Auntie Ning.” Ming Nuo presented the painting case with both hands. “Auntie Ning, you are an artist. I once went to an auction with a friend and bought this painting. Although I don’t understand much about it, I thought it was beautiful. I hope you will accept it.”

“You’re far too kind!” Ning Zhixuan took the case with both hands and immediately withdrew the scroll to view it, her eyes lighting up. “Wonderful. A sketch by Huang Quan—this is the kind of thing one encounters only by chance. Miss Ming, you’ve given me such a precious gift; how am I to thank you?”

Seeing that Ning Zhixuan genuinely liked the painting, Ming Nuo felt completely at ease. She said happily, “I’m just glad you like it, Auntie Ning. I’ve heard that in art, one doesn’t speak of thanks; a great work should be collected by an artist who understands its value.”

“Oh, my.” Ning Zhixuan sighed with appreciation, looking at Ming Nuo for a moment with feigned jealousy. “Such an excellent girl—talented at singing, thoughtful of others… you are wonderful in every aspect. I like you immensely.”

“Qingqing,” Ning Zhixuan turned to call to Ning Xueqing, who was helping Mengmeng wash her hands.

“Yes, Mom,” Ning Xueqing answered from the bathroom.

Ning Zhixuan looked at Ming Nuo with a smile and called out to her daughter across the distance, “Tell me, how is it that I couldn’t give birth to a girl as lovely as Miss Ming?”

Hearing those words, it felt as though a confetti cannon had gone off in Ming Nuo’s heart; flowers seemed to bloom throughout her chest.

Ning Xueqing intentionally put on a pouting expression. “Mom, now that you’ve met Ming Nuo, are you already tired of your old daughter?”

Ning Zhixuan proudly displayed the scroll in her hands. “Well, she is certainly sweeter than you.”

“Hahaha, I thought she was only sweet to me; turns out she’s just born sweet.” Ning Xueqing laughed, sitting down in the armchair next to Ming Nuo. She told Ming Nuo, “You’re even sweeter to my mother. I’m starting to get jealous.”

Ming Nuo’s eyes curved as she politely sipped her tea.

Of course she had to be sweet. To Ning Xueqing, and everything related to Ning Xueqing, Ming Nuo could turn into a literal stick of sugarcane. As long as her “Sister” kept that smile on her face.

Mengmeng ran over in her little dinosaur slippers, hugging the adults one by one.

“Mommy!”

“Grandma!”

“Nuo Nuo Mammy!”

“Hey there, my little treasure.” Ming Nuo caught the soft, dough-like little girl, carefully plucking a drop of water from her bangs. She asked softly, “Is Mengmeng hungry? Shall we eat first, and then make pineapple cakes and chestnut cakes together?”

“Yes! I want Nuo Nuo Mammy’s sweets too!” Mengmeng raised her hands excitedly, bouncing in Ming Nuo’s arms like a jumping rice ball.

Ming Nuo looked up to find Ning Xueqing sitting nearby, watching her intently with a radiant, tender smile that sent ripples through Ming Nuo’s heart.

The dining room was bright, with large floor-to-ceiling windows letting in the sunlight from the summer garden. A large table filled with delicacies had all been prepared by Ning Zhixuan herself.

Ning Zhixuan first ladled a bowl of pork rib soup for Ming Nuo, but Ming Nuo quickly passed the first bowl to Mengmeng.

Ning Zhixuan noted the gesture, the corners of her mouth curling up slightly. “It’s just a home-cooked meal; I hope it suits your palate.”

Ming Nuo quickly replied, “It does! The aroma alone has made me starve. You’re a wonderful cook, Auntie Ning.”

Ning Zhixuan smiled and looked down. “Now that I’m older and staying home, aside from painting, I just learn a few home-style dishes online.” She then pointed a finger at Ning Xueqing sitting on her left. “Unfortunately, I learned too late to teach Xueqing anything.”

“You, on the other hand, Miss Ming—your cooking techniques in the variety show looked very practiced. You must help out at home often? Unlike our Xueqing, who only knows how to sleep in. Your mother is very lucky.”

Ning Xueqing gave a helpless smile. “Mom, why are you criticizing me while praising her?”

Ming Nuo said with a mix of modesty and alarm, “Auntie Ning, you flatter me too much. Please, just call me Ming Nuo. I was interested in cooking when I was young, so I learned a bit of everything. Xueqing focuses on acting; everyone has their own specialty.”

Hearing this, Ning Xueqing lifted her chin proudly and said to Ning Zhixuan, “See? She’s still on my side.”

Ming Nuo loved seeing her free-spirited, boastful smile. It was like a firework blooming over the sea—dashing as it pierced the clouds, then falling into the ocean to scatter like stars in a lover’s eyes.

“Listen to you, being so vain.” Ning Zhixuan turned back to Ming Nuo, specifically taking an empty bowl to fill it with good food using serving chopsticks. She said, “Ming Nuo, I saw on the profile card that you’re from Qu County. Have you settled down in Shenjiang now?”

Ming Nuo quickly chewed and swallowed. “Yes, I went to university in Shenjiang and stayed here to work after graduation. Once I saved enough money, I bought a house for my mother; she still lives there.”

It was a standard apartment—good for seven or eight years ago, but an old neighborhood now. Ming Yan had mentioned a few times wanting to move into a villa with her, but Ming Nuo said it wasn’t convenient given the nature of her work. Instead, Ming Yan asked Ming Nuo to buy her a new luxury flat, which was expected to be delivered next year.

Ning Zhixuan nodded. “I see… you’re a very diligent and motivated child. It’s not easy for young people to make their way these days. Maintaining your image and connections for work must be expensive and stressful. As a mother, my heart goes out to you children. While you’re taking care of your family, you should also do things to make yourself happy.”

Ming Nuo was suddenly reminded of Ming Yan’s anxiety regarding her “financial luck,” and a sense of powerlessness washed over her. Her gaze drifted for a moment before she forced a smile and replied, “Yes, you’re right, Auntie.”

Ning Zhixuan continued, “When you earn money, buy more of the things you like—food, clothes, skincare, makeup, jewelry, shoes, bags, and hobbies. By the way, besides music, do you have any other interests or hobbies?”

Ming Nuo was stumped. Interests… thinking back, for all these years, her singing had been cultivated by Ming Yan as a professional skill for earning money. Aside from music, she really didn’t know what she was good at.

“Crafts,” Ning Xueqing chimed in with a smile. She was carefully deboning fish for Mengmeng, mixing the flakes with broth for her to eat.

This was an aspect Ming Nuo hadn’t even considered. “Eh?”

Ning Xueqing reminded her, “Puzzles, origami, models—in the broad sense, things that require patience. Once when we were filming and you did some pottery, even the master of that intangible cultural heritage praised you for having talent. You made several ceramic vases in one go.”

Ming Nuo realized she was right. She had the strange illusion that Ning Xueqing had become the person who knew her best, even though they had only met a few times a year before this.

This broad definition of “crafts” included baking. Especially traditional pastries; making the puff pastry layers is difficult. Many beginners get stuck at the start, but Ming Nuo had succeeded on her first try when she learned. She was very patient when teaching Ning Xueqing and Mengmeng.

As the two adults and the child made sweets, Ning Zhixuan set up a canvas and watched quietly, painting their busy figures.

After finishing the pineapple cakes and chestnut cakes, there were still many ingredients left. Mengmeng was having so much fun that she pestered Ming Nuo to teach her more. Ming Nuo used the remaining materials to make several of the girl’s favorites: salted egg yolk pastries, jujube paste cakes, taro mochi…

After spending the whole afternoon in the kitchen, Ming Nuo finished dinner with Mengmeng as the sky gradually grew dark.

Ming Nuo glanced at the time. Ning Zhixuan noticed, called Mengmeng over to whisper something, and then hugged her. Mengmeng nodded with a giggle and ran to Ming Nuo, throwing her arms wide. “Nuo Nuo Mammy! Stay at my house tonight!”

Ning Xueqing shot a sharp look at Ning Zhixuan, who smiled back at her calmly. Ning Xueqing lowered her gaze, her eyes full of complex emotions. She gestured for the child to come over. “Mengmeng, we’re not filming the show right now.”

Mengmeng sensed her mother’s tone was more serious than usual and felt a little scared, hugging Ming Nuo even tighter. “Mommy… I want Nuo Nuo Mammy…”

Mengmeng’s voice was soft and piteous, making Ming Nuo’s heart ache. She quickly held Mengmeng and looked for Ning Xueqing’s opinion. “I don’t mind; I don’t have anything else to do during the break between filming. I’d like to spend more time with Mengmeng, if it’s convenient.”

Ning Xueqing gave an apologetic smile. “Of course it’s convenient. I’m very grateful you’re willing to stay with her.”

Mengmeng excitedly ran in circles around the living room. “Yay! Nuo Nuo Mammy is staying with me! Now Mommy and Mammy can both tell me a story tonight!”

“Mommy, Mommy, I want that big storybook set we just bought. Go get it for me!”

Ning Xueqing stroked her head dotingly. “We’ll read it when it’s time for bed.”

Mengmeng pulled her toward the stairs. “I want it now!”

“Alright, alright.” Ning Xueqing smiled at Ming Nuo. “I’ll take Mengmeng to get the book first.”

“Okay.”

Once they entered the children’s room, Ning Zhixuan led Ming Nuo upstairs as well. “Ming Nuo, we have a clean guest room ready. Let me show you to your room.”

“Thank you, Auntie.”

The guest room was right next to Ning Xueqing’s bedroom. Ning Zhixuan smiled and opened the door. The decor was simple, with fresh, warm-toned furnishings. The window was half-open, and the evening breeze brought in the fragrance of greenery.

“There are new toiletries and clothes in the closet. Take a look; I’ll go down and help the housekeeper tidy the kitchen.”

The door was gently closed from the outside. Ming Nuo pulled back the pure white curtains and set her bag on the desk. Inside a glass bookcase, a row of albums was neatly arranged.

Chinese Music Rising Star · Ming Nuo

New Power of Rhythm · Ming Nuo Brand New Original Album

2018 Ming Nuo Golden Melody Awards Deluxe Collector’s Edition

…

Ming Nuo opened the bookcase. There were two full rows of albums—from her first collaborative album ten years ago when she debuted, to her latest single released last autumn. Whether they were pre-sale versions, deluxe editions, or reprints, every single one was there.

On the shelf below the albums lay an open collection binder. Ming Nuo recognized it instantly: it contained tickets from all her past concerts over the years. Every ticket was marked from having been scanned, indicating that this person had attended every single show without ever missing one.

Thump.

Ming Nuo’s heart gave a sudden leap.

Was this collected by Ning Xueqing?

A romantic and impractical fantasy sprouted in her heart: Could Sister Xueqing possibly like me just a little bit…

“Ming Nuo, thank you for being willing to stay. How do you find this room—”

Ning Xueqing pushed the door open and stepped in, her voice cutting off abruptly.

Ming Nuo turned, still holding the binder. When Ning Xueqing saw the pages upon pages of concert tickets in her hands, a deep blush slowly spread across her cheeks.