Diva Alpha Meets Her Biological Daughter on a Parenting Variety Show - Chapter 25

The program guide, wearing a large straw hat, arrived late. Seeing her, the guests knew that the endurance-testing mountain climb was about to begin.

The guide handed each of the four families a map. The production team had already used markers to highlight the starting point, the finish line, and the designated route up the mountain.

Mount Guan-yun stands at an altitude of nearly 3,000 meters. While not exceptionally high, the mountain range is rolling and continuous, rich in flora and fauna, and home to the famous “Sky-Mending Stone” colorful pools and Butterfly Valley.

There are currently three developed tourist routes; the fastest takes only a day and a half to summit, while the slowest takes four or five days. Considering the children’s stamina and the show’s visual appeal, the production team chose the route with the most attractions and the most winding, gentle paths.

The first destination for the four little families was the most popular parent-child interactive spot in the Mount Guan-yun scenic area—the Butterfly Valley Children’s Park.

Hearing that they were going to catch butterflies and visit a “Jungle Adventure” amusement park, the children cheered and surged forward with full energy. Nora, the nature-lover and the oldest of the children, led the way with vibrant energy, leaving several parents trailing behind.

The first hour or two of the climb went smoothly. The children chatted and laughed, looking at the pleasant scenery as they climbed the stone steps. A tiny unknown flower or a wiggly caterpillar was enough to catch their attention—not to mention mountain streams blocking the path, wading through shallows, and the occasional ancient stone bridge carved with dragons and tigers. The children took photos of everything and crowded around the guide to hear her introductions.

As time passed and noon approached, the sun grew harsher and the mountain road steeper. Not just the children, but even the adults were drenched in sweat and breathing unevenly. The children began to wither: some wanted water, some needed to go to the bathroom, some wanted a nap, and some asked the guide crossly if she was a liar and if Butterfly Valley even existed.

Mengmeng’s cheeks were as red as sunset clouds. She leaned into Ning Xueqing’s arms, huffing and puffing. Ning Xueqing wiped her sweat with a wet wipe and fanned her with a small handheld electric fan.

“You’re a bit hot. How about a little more water?” Ning Xueqing pinned back the girl’s bangs and loosened her bandana to let the heat escape. Mengmeng was too tired to speak and merely nodded weakly.

Ming Nuo felt a pang of heartache. She moved behind them, using her body to block the stinging sunlight filtering through the leaves.

“Xueqing, have you wiped her back yet?” Ming Nuo noticed the back of Mengmeng’s clothes was soaked through.

“Not yet.”

“Let’s wipe it. Sweat trapped inside makes it easy to catch a cold.”

“Okay, let me get a sweat towel.”

Ming Nuo opened Ning Xueqing’s backpack. “I’ll do it.”

Suddenly, the sound of a little girl crying erupted from a stone bench ahead. As soon as the wail broke out, the surrounding birds and insects fell silent.

“Waaaa! My feet hurt so much! Mammy, my foot is broken! My toe fell off! I can’t walk! My legs hurt too! I’m not climbing, I want to go home, turn on the AC, and watch All Four Seniors Love Me starring Mammy!”

Little Pea wailed toward the sky, tears streaming down her face. Between sobs, she mimicked the weak female supporting character from her mother’s drama, hugging herself: “A real woman should never let her princess get hurt.”

Chi Shu, carrying the extra-large tent, was so exhausted her neck was flushed red. Little Pea’s sudden breakdown caught her completely off guard. She crouched by the bench, wiping Little Pea’s sweat. “My little Princess Pea, I know you’re tired. I’m tired too. But we agreed to finish the show, didn’t we? Mama promised to take you to play after we’re done. Don’t you really want to see her? Stop crying, princesses get wrinkles if they cry too much.”

Little Pea immediately covered her mouth, asking through tears, “Do five-year-olds get wrinkles too?”

Chi Shu was stumped. After stammering for a while, she said with zero confidence, “They come early.”

Little Pea gasped and hurriedly used both hands to wipe around her eyes.

Ji Lang, who had been leaning against a tree spraying sunscreen, walked over. She unslung her hiking pack with one hand, strapped it to her front, and crouched down, reaching out to Little Pea. “Get on. I’ll carry you.”

Little Pea’s teary eyes blinked. “Mama Lang, can you? even Mammy can’t climb anymore. Can you carry me up the mountain?”

Ji Lang laughed. “Of course. I could carry your Mammy up the mountain. Come on.”

Little Pea carefully climbed onto Ji Lang’s back, wrapping her arms tight around her neck. “Mama Lang, you smell so good.”

Ji Lang checked the map and followed the lead guide. “I know, right? Your Mammy refuses to admit it.”

Little Pea frowned in confusion—she clearly smelled very nice. “Mammy doesn’t understand ‘nice smells.’ Mama Lang, you’re so good. You buy pretty clothes, you carry me, and you smell nice.”

“Heh, then are you willing to listen to me?” Ji Lang held her head high, her smile brilliant.

Little Pea nodded. “Mm.”

Ji Lang said, “Dou-dou, remember this: a real woman should never let herself down. A crown is something you give yourself. Be a princess when you’re little; be a king when you’re grown.”

They left Chi Shu behind. Chi Shu sat on the ground to catch her breath, drank a large bottle of water, and wiped her sweat with a towel draped around her neck. The other three families passed her one by one.

Ning Xueqing helped Ming Nuo with some of the gear, while Ming Nuo hoisted Mengmeng onto her back. As they passed Chi Shu, Ning Xueqing looked back and felt she looked truly piteous. She whispered to Ming Nuo, “Should we wait for Xiao Chi?”

Ming Nuo also felt it was a bit sad that Chi Shu had been ditched by her partner and daughter, so she set Mengmeng down on a bench to rest a bit longer.

“Are you okay? Do you feel unwell?” Ming Nuo handed Chi Shu a bottle of sugar-salt water for energy.

“Thanks, I’m alright.” Chi Shu took it and lowered her head in silence.

Mengmeng sat between Ming Nuo and Ning Xueqing, leaning in her mother’s arms. While Ning Xueqing fanned her, she chatted with Chi Shu. “Xiao Chi, the cameras have followed the group ahead. They aren’t recording right now. I heard you say earlier that after the show, Little Pea’s mother would see her.”

Chi Shu’s personality was casual; she didn’t shy away from the topic. “Yes.”

Ning Xueqing had noticed before that Little Pea’s upbringing was complicated. After these few days of contact, she was certain Little Pea’s living environment was even worse than she had imagined. Out of maternal sympathy and a sense of unease, she wanted to talk to Chi Shu about the child’s education. “You’re participating in the show as a single parent. Pea’s mother isn’t with you now—does Pea not see her normally either?”

Chi Shu thought for a moment and looked toward the distant forest. “It’s difficult.”

Ning Xueqing and Ming Nuo’s expressions both darkened. Ming Nuo asked softly, “Does Pea’s mother only agree to see her if you participate in the show?”

“Yes,” Chi Shu replied.

“That’s bartering with a child.”

“Having a condition to negotiate is better than nothing. At least Pea can still see her. Some moms have kids and then just don’t want them anymore,” Chi Shu said with a bitter laugh, her tone intentionally light.

Ning Xueqing lowered her eyes, her hand gripping the small fan tightly. Yes, some moms have kids and then don’t want them. They can just throw them away.

Just like her. She was merely a step on her other parent’s path to promotion and wealth—a blood bag. Let alone negotiating terms; from the moment Ning Xueqing was born, that woman had viewed her as a burden.

Chi Shu sighed. “Pea is used to the luxury of her mother’s house. After we split, most of Pea’s child support was paid by her mother. I have no acting skills, my public reputation is poor—you both know how I used to get my roles… Anyway, for now, I just want Pea to be healthy and happy.”

Ning Xueqing frowned, her voice turning unusually sharp. “A child is incredibly malleable, especially in the preschool years. You can teach her so many things. Even if you can’t give Pea the high-end life of your ex, your acting salary is enough to guarantee a good life. When basic material needs are met, the most important thing is to protect the child’s heart, to let her feel surrounded by love and security. If you blindly pursue a so-called ‘high quality of life,’ bow your head to your ex, and lack self-confidence, the child will see that. She will feel very insecure.”

“Chi Shu, you need to let Little Pea know that she has you—a Mammy who can hold up her whole world.”

Chi Shu froze. A spark of light appeared in her misty eyes. She paused and looked at Ning Xueqing. “Thank you, Teacher Ning. That’s the second time I’ve heard that viewpoint. I was hesitating, but hearing you say it too makes me feel it’s correct. You’re amazing, Teacher Ning. Mengmeng is truly adorable.”

“The second time?” Ning Xueqing asked curiously. “Who else said that to you?”

Chi Shu tilted her chin toward the high stone steps ahead. “Ji Lang.”

Ning Xueqing smiled. “Then I think she’s a good partner. Xiao Chi, try to get along well with her.”

As she spoke, she turned and smiled at Ming Nuo, her gaze as tender as water.

Chi Shu, seeing the chemistry between the two, couldn’t help but ask: “So, are you two for real?”

Ning Xueqing smiled and said nothing. Ming Nuo replied with a serious face: “What’s for real?”

Chi Shu made a zipping motion over her mouth. Fine—she’d just ship them in secret and enjoy it herself.

They finally arrived at Butterfly Valley. The production team arranged for the group to set up tents and have a picnic, followed by two hours of rest. In the afternoon, they would compete in catching butterflies and crossing high-altitude plank bridges in the Jungle Park, with the evening as free time.

The Miraculous Vouchers won in the competition could be exchanged for dinner ingredients. Mengmeng worked very hard at catching butterflies, but unfortunately, she couldn’t beat Nora, who caught insects in the park regularly. She took second place.

After the competition, Nora discovered a Global Natural Collectibles Exhibition behind the Jungle Park. It featured rare butterflies from around the world, as well as insects, shells, plants, minerals, and more. Nora pulled Mengmeng along, wanting to take a look, but was stopped by security. “Children can’t go in. This exhibition is not open to the public, sorry.”

“We’ll just look from the door and won’t talk.”

“No. These are all private collections. Go play in the amusement park.”

Nora pleaded several times, but it was no use. She left dejectedly.

Ming Nuo went to exchange vouchers for ingredients, while Ning Xueqing sat in front of the tent setting up a stove. Mengmeng walked back with Nora, sat on the ground with a pout, and told her mother about being rejected by the security guard.

Ning Xueqing comforted her daughter. “Where some people welcome us, others will refuse us. Feeling sad about being rejected is a normal emotion. We have to allow ourselves to feel down and give it a little time to get better. Think about it, baby: if you held a birthday party and a stranger you didn’t invite suddenly said they wanted to join and eat your cake, what would you think?”

Mengmeng pouted. “I’d be unhappy. I wouldn’t want them at my party.”

Ning Xueqing pinched her daughter’s lips playfully. “Exactly. So, if we haven’t received an invitation from someone else, we can’t visit their party.”

Although Mengmeng was still a bit unhappy, her expression softened. “Mm~”

Someone walked toward them on the camping area path. “Teacher Ning Xueqing.”

Ning Xueqing looked up. It wasn’t a familiar staff member; the newcomer was a woman in a business suit with a name tag pinned to her chest.

“Hello, I am Xiao Li, the Executive Manager of Monca Auctions. We are organizing the exhibition at the Butterfly Valley Museum. My supervisor heard you were here recording a show and specifically sent a gift for you.”

“Thank you, but I cannot accept it.”

“My supervisor insisted I give this to you.” Xiao Li gave a slight bow, left the gift, and walked away.

Ning Xueqing encountered fans like this often and didn’t find it strange. The gift bag was unsealed. Inside was a set of exhibition invitations—one large and one small—and an exquisite specimen of a Goddess Morpho butterfly. She picked up the bag, intending to hand it back to the museum reception.

“Mengmeng, play with Sister Nora for a while. Mommy is going to the museum for a bit and will be right back.”

The museum, shaped like butterfly wings, sat by a mountain lake. The fences were filled with fresh flowers, and posters introducing collectors from all over the world lined the path.

Ning Xueqing reached the museum entrance. The guard stopped her. “I’m sorry, ma’am, this exhibition is not open to the public.”

“I’m not going in. Help me give this to the people from Monca Auctions.” Ning Xueqing held the bag out to the guard.

Just as the guard was about to take it, a rush of cold AC air poured out from the revolving glass doors. Two greeters bowed and pulled back a beaded curtain, and a low voice drifted from inside: “Let her in.”

The guard immediately bowed respectfully. “Distinguished guest, please enter.”

Ning Xueqing stood still, her expression gradually turning cold.

A gray figure slowly stepped out of the revolving doors. A female Alpha with crescent brows and starlit eyes—no more than twenty years old—wearing a custom blue-gray suit with a vertical-striped tie in a Windsor knot. A black satin ribbon was tied at the end of her long hair, falling down her straight back.

The guard bowed and backed away. “President Ji.”

“You sent this?” Ning Xueqing didn’t wait for the Alpha’s answer before thrusting the bag at her.

The woman didn’t catch it. It fell to the ground, and a crack appeared in the glass of the specimen frame inside.

“If you’re working, then work properly.” Ning Xueqing turned to leave.

The Alpha’s eyes lowered gloomily. She leaned down to pick up the cracked butterfly frame. “That year you said the Goddess Morpho from Peru was beautiful. I lived in the Amazon for a year.”

“Ning Xueqing, I came to see you and the child.”

The lake water reflected the silhouettes behind the flowering trees. Ming Nuo, holding a bag of ingredients, gazed silently at the two of them.