A Warm and Cute Strike (GL) - Chapter 31

The breakfast time was brief, and the Xiang father-daughter duo finished quickly. Next came the segment for changing into travel clothes and packing luggage.

Since Nuannuan is a girl, the cameramen Lin Hai and Li Yue tactfully stayed out of the room while she changed. They only entered with their cameras once Xiang Nan called them in.

Xiang Nan’s luggage had been packed long ago, and there were no restrictions on what they could bring. This segment was mainly to see what celebrity babies would choose to take on a long trip. From these small details, the audience could get a glimpse of the children’s personalities and deepen their understanding of them.

Lin Hai’s camera was focused on Nuannuan, while Xiang Nan was instructed to watch from the side without helping. At the moment, the little girl was folding her small dresses. Almost every piece was pink or white, brimming with a “girly heart” that matched her bedroom.

“Nuannuan’s dresses are so pretty,” Xie Sha said from off-camera, coaxing her into conversation.

Hearing the compliment, Nuannuan beamed at her. “Thank you, Sister. I think they’re very pretty too.”

That soft, adorable smile combined with her sweet, milky voice instantly melted Xie Sha’s heart. She remembered how, just a moment ago downstairs while she was sneaking a photo with her goddess, Ye Feifei had kindly held her hand and said:

“Nuannuan is still young, and Xiang Nan doesn’t have much experience taking care of children. I hope you can look after them a bit…”

Xie Sha felt that even if the goddess hadn’t spoken, just for that one “Sister” from little Nuannuan, she would definitely take care of her. She vowed to do her best to showcase the girl’s warm and “moe” side; she couldn’t be the only one won over!

Having inadvertently gained a steadfast “Auntie fan,” Nuannuan remained blissfully unaware. After thanking Xie Sha, she turned back and neatly placed her folded clothes into the suitcase one by one. Her movements were practiced, as if she did this often, which caused a flash of heartache in Xiang Nan’s eyes.

“Nuannuan is so capable!” Xie Sha praised without hesitation.

This time, Nuannuan only gave her a smile before looking down to pack a transparent bento box. Inside were two croissants left over from breakfast. She tilted her head in thought, ran over to grab her tablet, placed it carefully inside, and finally closed the suitcase.

“Little Nuannuan, what are you looking forward to most on this trip?” Xie Sha asked.

Nuannuan’s small hand, which was pulling the zipper, paused. She glanced at Xie Sha, then looked back down and continued zipping. Just as Xie Sha thought she didn’t understand or didn’t want to answer, the little girl said seriously:

“Going home.”

“Go… Going home?” Xie Sha wondered if she had misheard. “Why? Aren’t you excited to play with the other children?”

“I am,” Nuannuan’s expression was a bit puzzled. “But Sister asked what I am looking forward to most.”

Xie Sha realized she was having trouble following the girl’s logic, but she pressed on: “Then why is little Nuannuan looking forward to going home most?”

Following Xie Sha’s lead, Lin Hai had already focused the lens on the girl’s face. He believed the audience would be just as curious as he was.

Under the lens, Nuannuan pursed her lips and gave a shy smile. Her almond eyes seemed to hold the stars; at this moment, she was so beautiful one couldn’t look away.

She replied crisply: “Because Sister Xuening is at home waiting for me.”

The girl spoke with an innocent matter-of-factness, as if it could be no other way.

Lin Hai stared through the viewfinder, feeling that her affection for this “Sister Xuening” was almost overflowing from the frame. One couldn’t help but feel a sliver of curiosity and envy toward this mysterious sister. What kind of person could command such love and devotion from this little angel?

While the crew members were muttering to themselves, Xie Sha’s curiosity was piqued once more. However, since Xiang Nan didn’t seem inclined to explain, and she was a field director rather than a reporter, she could only have the editor take note of it for the studio interview later.

Unaware of the questions her answer had raised, Nuannuan scrambled up, grabbing the handle with both hands and huffing and puffing as she tried to pull the suitcase upright. Seeing this, Xiang Nan finally couldn’t help but go over to give her a hand.

“Thank you, Daddy!” Nuannuan said with a smile. Then, remembering something, she asked, “Daddy, can I bring Fishy too?”

“Who is Fishy?” Xie Sha blurted out.

“It’s him, my little goldfish!” Nuannuan pitter-pattered to the window to show them the fish in the tank. “His name is Fishy. He’s very good!”

The little goldfish wiggled its chubby body, staring curiously at the sudden influx of people in the room. Looking at the girl’s expectant gaze, Xie Sha almost gave in, but luckily Xiang Nan had stronger resistance. He shook his head and said, “Be good, Nuannuan. The little goldfish would die of the heat outside. We’ll play with him when we get back, okay?”

Nuannuan was disappointed, but for the sake of Fishy’s safety, she obediently dropped the matter.

“Daddy, if I’m not home, will Fishy be hungry?” Nuannuan asked again about the fish’s well-being just before they stepped out the door.

“No, Auntie Lin is here.”

“But what if Auntie Lin forgets?”

“It’s okay, your Sister Xuening is here.”

At the mention of Xuening, Nuannuan immediately quieted down and even nodded solemnly, leaving Xiang Nan caught between laughter and tears.

Soon, Xiang Nan boarded the crew’s car with his daughter. Across the street, the Qi father and son had already departed ahead of them. Once inside the car, Nuannuan didn’t sit down immediately; she knelt on the seat, peering out the back window.

“Nuannuan, sit down properly so Daddy can buckle your seatbelt,” Xiang Nan said, turning back after closing the door.

“Daddy, it’s Sister Xuening!” Nuannuan pointed at the rear window, speaking happily.

Xiang Nan followed her gaze and saw a slender figure standing on a second-floor balcony. The girl wore a chiffon nightgown that reached her ankles. She leaned lightly against the railing as a gentle breeze stirred her shoulder-length hair and the snowy-white hem of her dress.

Under the morning sun, her silhouette was as beautiful as a leading lady from an art-house film. The elegance and tranquility she exuded made it easy to overlook her actual age.

Xiang Nan was captivated. As a director, his grasp of light, shadow, and visual composition was excellent; he was already mentally composing a series of cinematic frames.

“Mr. Xiang?” Xie Sha, sitting in the passenger seat, called out after seeing through the rearview mirror that they hadn’t sat down yet.

“Sorry, we’ll be ready in a second.” Xiang Nan snapped out of his thoughts, realizing they were still filming, and settled Nuannuan into her seat.

Nuannuan, having heard the reminder, stuck her tongue out at her father. She stole one last glance at the figure on the balcony and, regardless of whether Qin Xuening could see her, gave a little wave before sitting down properly. Xiang Nan buckled her in, and the driver started the engine.

Standing on the balcony, Qin Xuening watched the motorcade drive away. She didn’t look away until the vehicles vanished at the end of the road.

The filming for Daddy, Where Are We Going? would take about 72 hours. Did that mean she wouldn’t see her “Little Sun” for the next three days?

She had only just left, yet Xuening already missed her…

Because the first filming location was a village near the capital, the Xiang and Qi families departed a bit later than the others. Three other families had reportedly boarded planes in the early hours of the morning and faced a much more bumpy journey.

Inside the van, a fixed camera recorded every detail of the interaction between the Xiang father and daughter.

“Sweetie, are you tired?” Xiang Nan patted her head. “Sleep for a bit if you are.”

“I’m not tired at all!” Nuannuan shook her head, then pointed outside. “Daddy, look! There are so many trees!”

“Yes, I heard the village we’re going to has mountains, water, and lots of trees,” Xiang Nan nodded.

“Then Sister Xuening would definitely love it!” Nuannuan said with a laugh.

Xiang Nan was helpless against his daughter’s inability to go three sentences without mentioning Qin Xuening, but he was relieved to see her so lively. He and his wife had neglected her too much in the past; now, he only wanted to be by her side and let her grow up carefree.

Following her lead, he asked, “Does Xuening like trees very much?”

“Mhm! Every day after Sister finishes her piano practice, we go play in the yard,” Nuannuan nodded excitedly. “Sister especially likes sitting under the tree. She says she’s listening to the tree talk, and the birds, and the wind… I listened for a long time but couldn’t hear it. Daddy, don’t you think Sister is amazing?”

Xiang Nan was taken aback and gave a wry smile. It reminded him of Qin Mo; that guy had been just as “mystical” when they were kids. Perhaps it was a trait of musicians.

“And Sister knows so many words! She knows everything I don’t!” Nuannuan’s eyes were practically glowing.

That had happened during Xuening’s second week at the house. Nuannuan saw that Xuening always read before bed, so she had brought over her own tablet, not wanting to be left out. The tablet was loaded with storybooks; though she couldn’t read well, she enjoyed the pictures. She had waited expectantly by Xuening’s side until the older girl felt too self-conscious to continue.

“What is it?” Xuening had asked, looking up from her music score.

“Sister Xuening, are you finished?” Nuannuan had pounced on her, acting spoiled. “Will you tell me a story?”

“…”

Qin Xuening didn’t like to talk, but every time she saw those wet, deer-like eyes, she couldn’t stay firm. Eventually, she agreed to read her one page a day.

~

On the highway, the car traveled leisurely. Inside the van, Xiang Nan listened to Nuannuan’s stories in silence. He sighed inwardly; it was no wonder she loved Qin Xuening so much. Even when he and Feifei were home, she still preferred to sleep with her sister.

Nuannuan continued her enthusiastic praise: “So, Daddy, don’t you think Sister Xuening is su—per great and su—per amazing?”