Diva Alpha Meets Her Biological Daughter on a Parenting Variety Show - Chapter 29

“Care” is a neutral word. When interpreted literally, it doesn’t lean toward any specific emotional bias.

Many people “cared” about this question regarding Ning Xueqing, but for her to ask it of Ming Nuo in this particular atmosphere, it was unlikely to be entirely devoid of emotion.

The crux of Ming Nuo’s dilemma in answering lay right there: what was Ning Xueqing’s purpose in using a neutral term to create such an ambiguous feeling? What answer was she looking for?

If Ning Xueqing had specific thoughts about this matter, she could have asked if Ming Nuo liked her or if she minded it—both of which would have allowed for a clear stance.

After some deliberation, Ming Nuo decided to follow Ning Xueqing’s lead. Since she asked in that style, Ming Nuo would answer with the same tone.

Ming Nuo lowered her head shyly and found a square napkin on the table. She handed it to Ning Xueqing first before slowly wiping her own hands. “I care. I don’t think there’s a person on the internet who doesn’t care. You are so beautiful and so wonderful—to think of who could have won your favor, and then to have a baby as cute as Mengmeng… I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t curious.”

Ning Xueqing listened intently, her curved brows smoothing out as she crumpled the tissue in her hand into a ball. “True. My mother has asked me many times as well.”

If even her own mother didn’t know, it went without saying how curious everyone else was.

Opinions on the internet were divided: some said Ning Xueqing was secretly married, some said she was kept by a benefactor, and some said she had unfortunately lost her virtue and had to give birth due to physical reasons… there was no conclusion despite all the guessing. However, everyone agreed on one point: the other half of the child’s genetic contribution must also have possessed top-tier visuals.

If a grandmother doesn’t know who her daughter’s partner was, and a child doesn’t know who her Mammy is—should an outsider even ask about a truth Ning Xueqing was unwilling to clarify even to those closest to her?

Ming Nuo did not want to leave an impression of being offensive.

She spoke unhurriedly: “Curiosity is a naturally occurring psychological state; I can’t eliminate it. But the mouth and brain belong to me, and I can control them. Who someone loves, who they stay with, and whether they want children are all a person’s individual freedom and right. As long as she is willing and living comfortably, that is what matters. I won’t disturb someone else’s life; I respect the privacy of others.”

She wasn’t sure if she was overcomplicating a simple question.

In any case, having just experienced that unpleasantness and learning about Ning Xueqing’s painful family history, Ming Nuo absolutely could not bring herself to say to a mentally fragile Ning Xueqing: “I like you, and I’m willing to be the ‘Ma’ to a child you had with another Alpha.”

Ming Nuo wanted Ning Xueqing’s tense nerves to relax. She wanted her to know that whether it was the mother who abandoned her or the secret of who Mengmeng’s other parent was, Ming Nuo would not pry, would not pass judgment, and certainly would not interfere with her life under the banner of “love.”

Ming Nuo tossed away the soiled napkin and picked up the bottle of sweet juice from the table. She gave it a shake, turning the cartoon lemon with its silly grin on the label toward Ning Xueqing.

“So, Sister, I hope you live comfortably and happily. Nothing is more important than you yourself.”

Ning Xueqing’s gaze lingered on the lemon on the label for a few seconds. She suddenly realized that out of all the drinks in the vending machine, Ming Nuo had bought a bottle of Lemon C.

If there was a reason, it was simply because Ning Xueqing liked this flavor.

In the past ten years, whenever Ning Xueqing encountered Ming Nuo on shows, on sets, or at events, if others asked if she wanted coffee or black tea, Ming Nuo would always say: “A cup of plain water, thank you.”

As a singer, she naturally had to take care of her throat. Ming Nuo would steep some malva nuts and monk fruit in plain water; there was nothing strange about that.

How could someone used to drinking medicinal water frequently buy sweet and sour drinks? In fact, every time they met, Ming Nuo would conveniently recommend a new berry juice or grapefruit grape drink to her.

Ning Xueqing suddenly thought: perhaps Ming Nuo hadn’t actually been “successfully influenced” by her to like sweet and sour drinks.

—When your attentiveness is given to another woman, she has already memorized you in silence.

Because you normally wouldn’t notice the crack at the edge of the very bottom step.

Unless a tiny flower happened to grow out of that corner.

From the seed waking up and absorbing nutrients to breaking through the crack and blooming in the wind—the sheer perseverance of that flower’s growth had gilded the passing years.

A tiny flower in the crack of a corner, wishing for you to be comfortable and happy.

Ning Xueqing took a deep breath, looking toward the mountain spring outside the gazebo. The shimmering ripples reflected the swaying green mountains. “I’ve changed some of my thoughts. I used to think that if I was afraid of something, I should just hide so no one could find it. Now I think I need to talk and be understood. Some things aren’t that scary.”

Ning Xueqing reached her hand behind Ming Nuo’s shoulder, picking up the strand of hair that had been singed while protecting her. “Such nice hair. What a pity.”

Ming Nuo glanced at it. “Oh, that? It’s fine. It’ll grow back in a few months.”

Ning Xueqing flattened it with her finger and gave it a little squeeze. “Shall I trim it for you when we get back?”

A spark of light appeared in Ming Nuo’s eyes. “Do you know how to cut hair?”

“A little. I’m not very good, but I promise it won’t look bad.”

“It’s fine even if it looks bad. I can just tie it up.”

Ning Xueqing smiled as she gathered Ming Nuo’s hair. “Don’t trust my skills? I cut all of Mengmeng’s hair.”

Ming Nuo laughed. “I trust you.”

If she could, it wouldn’t be just a strand of hair. She had so many more things she wanted to give to Ning Xueqing.

Like the first dazed glance upon entering a dream and waking from it.

Like the faint, intoxicating warmth behind her ears.

And the “Visible Only to You” updates that would wait for a reply in every season—spring, summer, autumn, and winter.

The mountain mist drifted away, revealing a clear crescent moon. From time to time, the cries of birds and beasts echoed from the high forest.

In the camping area, a tiny campfire flickered outside the tent. Ming Nuo added branches to the fire and boiled some noodles.

The tent flap unzipped, and Ning Xueqing poked her head out, looking through her bag for something.

Ming Nuo asked softly, “Is Mengmeng asleep?”

Ning Xueqing found the talcum powder. “Mm. She played like crazy with Nora and the others tonight; as soon as she brushed her teeth and hit the pillow, she was out. I saw Mengmeng’s neck was a bit red, so I’m going to put some of this on her.”

“Okay. I boiled some noodles; do you want to eat some in a bit?”

“You eat first. I’m not very hungry.”

Ning Xueqing went back inside the tent.

Ming Nuo used a stick with glowing embers to drive away flying insects, then dished out the noodles to let them cool.

Across the gravel path stood an extra-large tent with “two bedrooms and a living room.” Three silhouettes were sitting inside, seemingly playing cards. After a while, Chi Shu came out to throw away some watermelon rinds. Ming Nuo walked over and peeked inside.

“Ming Nuo? Is something up?”

“I’m looking for Ji Lang.”

Chi Shu had a “I totally get it” expression. “I understand. This period is a great opportunity; otherwise, once the show is over, there’s no way you’d run into a top investor like her.”

Ming Nuo: “No, you’ve misunderstood. I’m not looking for an investment.”

“Ah? Then you don’t… have feelings for her, do you?”

“Not that either!”

“What are you two whispering about out there? Two Alphas acting all mushy. Come in and let me see.”

Ming Nuo and Chi Shu shut their mouths immediately and walked into the middle area of the large tent. Cartoon playing cards were spread across a folding table. Ji Lang was holding Little Pea, teaching her how to dye her nails with red flower juice.

“Mama Lang, this nail polish is so pretty.” Little Pea giggled, showing off her small hands.

“I have a children’s makeup kit at home. I’ll give it to you when we get back and teach you how to apply eyeshadow.” Ji Lang pinched Little Pea’s cheek. “We’ll dress our little princess up beautifully.”

Ji Lang looked back at the two Alphas, her gaze landing on Ming Nuo. After a moment’s thought, she curled her lips and told Chi Shu to take Little Pea to wash up, while she led Ming Nuo out of the tent.

Their fire outside had long since died out. Ji Lang used a stick to sweep away the ash and let Ming Nuo sit on a camp stool.

“Did that ‘little lunatic’ cause you trouble?”

Little lunatic… It seemed Ji Lang knew everything perfectly well. It made sense; even if Ji Lang had maintained a “not close, don’t touch” vibe at the dinner, how could the daughter of a top-tier wealthy family not know about family affairs?

Ming Nuo didn’t mention anything related to Ning Xueqing. “Yes. They had a lot of people and electric batons. In the heat of the moment, I lied and used you as a shield. I came to apologize.”

“That’s fine; no need for an apology. You can even use Ji Yinqi as a shield next time. Want her phone number?”

Ming Nuo laughed and waved her hands. “No, no, thank you, Ji Lang.”

Ji Lang chuckled, the corners of her mouth curling up. “You’re welcome. I actually quite like your songs.”

“Really? Which one?”

“Uh…” Ji Lang looked at the sky, tapping her chin with her finger.

Ming Nuo couldn’t help but laugh. She wouldn’t dream of exposing her. She stood up. “Then get some rest. I’ll head back now.”

Ji Lang waved her off, then turned to see Chi Shu hiding at the tent entrance. Ji Lang pinched the ticklish spot on Chi Shu’s waist. “Got a crush on Ming Nuo?”

Chi Shu choked on her own spit. “I like Omegas.”

Ji Lang crossed her arms, sizing her up. “Is your ‘technique’ any good?”

Chi Shu felt weird being looked at like that; she hugged herself and stepped back. “What?”

Ji Lang pulled the zipper of the tent door and locked it. “Making love.”

Chirp-chirp, tweet-tweet. The sound of crickets echoed through the grass.

The mountain dew was heavy, and the temperature dropped at night. Ming Nuo laid an extra moisture-proof mat under her sleeping bag, opened the top roller blind, and looked up at the night sky through a transparent cover.

The summer stars were very bright, twinkling and blinking. Ming Nuo thought of her star bracelet, but because they had call functions, all three bracelets had been confiscated by the production team. Now they couldn’t be filmed wearing the family bracelets as a family of three.

She guessed Ning Xueqing had forgotten that rule when she bought them; she surely wouldn’t have bought a family bracelet for her on purpose.

“Ming Nuo, are you asleep?”

Ning Xueqing’s soft voice came from the other side of the partition.

Ming Nuo hurriedly grabbed a short-sleeved shirt and pulled it on before opening the zipper. “Not yet, what’s wrong?”

“I…” The zipper pull on the edge of the partition shook as Ning Xueqing fiddled with it from the outside. “Can I come in?”

Ming Nuo looked down, pulled the towel-blanket up a bit, and reached out to pull the zipper down. Ning Xueqing knelt with one leg on the moisture-proof mat, leaning over and looking up to meet her eyes.

Ning Xueqing suddenly averted her gaze, her face turned to the side as her lips curved. Her form-fitting skirt clung to her curves, and the starlight from above cast a creamy white highlight on her thigh.

Ming Nuo’s first instinct was to look behind her. “Mengmeng—”

A soft touch pressed against her lips. Ning Xueqing’s smooth curls fell across Ming Nuo’s chest.

“Shh.”