A Warm and Cute Strike (GL) - Chapter 10

After mother and daughter finished the bowl of egg noodles, Ye Feifei had a clear understanding of the situation. Suppressing her towering rage, she coaxed her daughter back to sleep before heading downstairs with the tray.

Handing the dishes over to Zhu Lin to wash, she walked to the floor-to-ceiling window and called her manager, Cheng Hong, recounting every detail of the abuse Xiang Qingnuan had suffered.

Ye Feifei’s seductive almond eyes seemed to spit fire. Gritting her teeth, she said, “Sister Hong, I want to sue. I’m suing the domestic service agency, and I’m going to make sure that nanny rots in jail!”

“Feifei, calm down first.”

Cheng Hong hadn’t expected this either, and she was feeling restless. When she first met Ye Feifei, the girl was a fresh university graduate from an acting program with a very recognizable look. Cheng Hong had signed her on the spot, only to find out shortly after that Feifei was pregnant.

It was then she learned that this girl had registered her marriage with her first love—a penniless rookie director—before even graduating. At the time, Cheng Hong was furious, but Feifei was determined to have the child even if it meant paying a penalty for breach of contract. Cheng Hong had no choice but to let her be.

When Ye Feifei returned to the industry after giving birth, she was at a career low. Meanwhile, Xiang Nan—whom Cheng Hong had once looked down upon—successfully counterattacked with several low-budget films and began his rise to fame. Knowing their relationship, Cheng Hong decided to go all-in on Feifei. After several years of floating in the industry, Feifei finally exploded in popularity this year, successfully becoming an A-list star.

As for these two career-driven rookie parents, they had zero experience in child-rearing. Cheng Hong had been the one to help find the domestic service agency. They had changed nannies due to moving and work shifts, and Cheng Hong had personally vetted the resume of the last one.

Her name was Chen, in her forties, with four children of her own. Though her education was limited, she seemed honest, tight-lipped, and experienced. Her professional reputation was decent, so they had finalized the hire.

Cheng Hong hadn’t expected to be so wrong. Thinking of this, she asked, “You can sue, but do you have evidence?”

Ye Feifei was momentary speechless. After a moment, she said, “Zhu Lin can testify. That damnable woman left Nuannuan in the bathroom; she almost drowned!”

“That alone is only enough to get the agency to fire her. To sue her, the evidence isn’t sufficient.”

Cheng Hong happened to be at her computer. She did a quick search and asked, “Are there injuries on the child? If so, get a medical report from the hospital. As long as it reaches the level of minor injury, I can send her to prison.”

Ye Feifei thought back and shook her head. “No, only her little hands are swollen.”

“Then it’s difficult. A lawsuit requires direct evidence. Aside from the question of whether a child can testify in court, even if she could, her words only count as a statement. Without physical evidence, it won’t work.”

“Then what do I do?” Ye Feifei grew anxious. “I can’t just let this go! Is there no other way?”

There were ways, of course, but Cheng Hong had no intention of letting Feifei actually go to court. With Feifei’s hot temper, there was no guarantee entertainment reporters wouldn’t find out, leading to an exposure of her marriage and child… Haha, she wouldn’t let that happen.

“Stop being angry for a moment. Luckily we found out early and the child is fine. Have someone take her to the hospital tomorrow for a full check-up to make sure there are no lingering issues.” Cheng Hong adjusted her glasses. “As for that nanny, we can’t do anything illegal, but within the rules, it’s quite possible to make it so she can never find work in A-City again. Leave that to me.”

Ye Feifei pursed her lips. Unwilling as she was, she agreed since Cheng Hong had put it that way. “Fine. You’d better have someone give her a good beating. I only slapped her once, and it wasn’t nearly enough!”

“Don’t worry, she won’t have it easy,” Cheng Hong promised, then shifted the topic. “As for you, you must return to the set tomorrow.”

“But…”

“No ‘buts.’ I’ve already given you three days. The crew has moved up the filming for supporting roles and extras. If you don’t show up tomorrow, it will definitely affect the progress,” Cheng Hong said sternly. “You can’t make the entire crew stop and wait for you!”

Ye Feifei bit her lip. she knew Cheng Hong was right. The company had invested hundreds of millions into this period drama; as the lead, her role was the heaviest. It hadn’t been easy for Cheng Hong to secure those three days.

“I understand…” She had wanted to spend more time with her daughter, but it seemed she’d have to get through this period first.

After hanging up, Ye Feifei called Xiang Nan’s mobile. She confirmed that Su Yuyan and Qin Xuening were doing well. Once she knew there were no surprises, she breathed a sigh of relief. She studied her script for a while until late at night, then went into Xiang Qingnuan’s bedroom and drifted into sleep while holding her daughter.

The morning sun spilled into the room, bringing light to the dim interior. In the pink-decorated bedroom, two beauties—one large and one small—lay embraced on the princess bed, looking like a queen and princess from a fairy tale.

When the first ray of light hit, the little princess in her mother’s arms opened her eyes. Qingnuan covered her mouth for a delicate yawn, then rubbed her eyes. Seeing Ye Feifei sleeping beside her, she grinned. Smelling her mother’s scent and feeling her warmth, she closed her eyes again.

But soon, the alarm clock rang.

Ye Feifei woke with a start. Afraid of waking her daughter, she quickly turned off the alarm, only to look down and see her daughter staring at her with wide, innocent eyes.

She blinked, then smiled and kissed the girl’s forehead. “Good morning, Nuannuan.”

“Good morning, Mommy!” Qingnuan stretched and sat up. “Is Mommy going to work?”

She asked so naturally that Ye Feifei felt a pang of guilt. She stroked her daughter’s cheek and said apologetically, “Nuannuan, I’m sorry, Mommy can’t stay with you today.”

Qingnuan was already used to it. She threw herself into Feifei’s arms and tilted her head. “Will Mommy come back tonight? I want to eat the egg noodles you made.”

After last night, the bond between mother and daughter had undoubtedly deepened. Little Qingnuan was now bold enough to act spoiled.

“Mhm, I’ll try to come back early tonight.” Ye Feifei looked at her daughter and suddenly asked, “Nuannuan, do you have a wish?”

“A wish?”

“Mhm. Is there anything special you want?” Guilt made Feifei desperate to make it up to her.

The little girl tilted her head to think, then suddenly grinned, revealing a brilliant smile. “I want a big brother!”

“A big brother?”

“Yes! The kind of brother who will protect me and play with me!”

Feifei’s guilt intensified. She pulled her daughter into a hug. She could feel her daughter’s longing, but… but where was she supposed to conjure a brother from?!

In the end, Ye Feifei boarded the van with a heavy heart. Zhu Lin was left behind to look after Qingnuan. Having learned her lesson, Feifei had already contacted someone to install surveillance cameras in the house so she could monitor her daughter at any time.

“Fishy, do you think Mommy will grant my wish?” Qingnuan leaned on the table, talking to her goldfish. “I really want a brother…”

The goldfish swam through the water plants, its expression seemingly hesitant. Qingnuan knew the fish wouldn’t answer; she just used it as a confidant. She nibbled on a mung bean cake while browsing Weibo on her tablet.

She had asked Sister Lin for the mung bean cake. Just as her mother promised, the mean auntie was gone; now she could eat whatever she wanted just by asking Sister Lin. She was incredibly happy.

But people are always greedy; now that her basic needs were met, she wanted more—like a brother.

“This little brother is so handsome!”

On the tablet screen was a new update from Xiang Nan’s Weibo. It was a repost from a netizen praying for musician Qin Mo’s widow, hoping she would pull through. The post featured nine photos, one of which was taken when Qin Mo’s daughter performed on stage at age seven.

She was wearing a tuxedo with a neutral short haircut. Though young, she already had a certain flair. She was facing sideways to the camera, soft light falling on her. She was focused intently on the piano, her left hand on the keys and her right hand raised at the moment the photographer caught the shot.

Qingnuan couldn’t understand the text on Weibo. she just stared at the photo, completely mesmerized.

The goldfish watched her, its tail swaying slowly. Suddenly, with a flick of its tail, a tiny golden speck detached and landed perfectly on the back of Qingnuan’s hand, merging into her skin…