A Warm and Cute Strike (GL) - Chapter 37

Xiang Nan was quite surprised, not knowing why Zhou Ludong would bring this matter up again. He was just about to refuse when, somehow, images began to flash through his mind—scenes from his time recording the reality show with his daughter.

Those constant cries of “Sister Xuening” seemed to still echo in his ears, and the image of his daughter secretly hiding under the covers and weeping on the first night surfaced before his eyes.

Aside from the initial fear of a strange environment, it was mostly because she missed her Sister Xuening, wasn’t it? It was a bit heartbreaking to think that his daughter had now grown so accustomed to sleeping with Xuening that she didn’t even want her own father anymore.

As a grown man, he couldn’t very well squeeze into one bed with a pair of little sisters. So, on the days when Ye Feifei wasn’t home, he could only keep watch over an empty room, feeling the classic “lonely, empty, and cold”…

Xiang Nan’s face was full of bitterness, but realizing he was getting sidetracked, he quickly pulled his thoughts back.

“Mhm, let’s meet and talk.” After a moment of hesitation, Xiang Nan decided to meet with Zhou Ludong. “Do you have time tomorrow? This afternoon? Fine, let’s meet at the usual place.”

After hanging up, Xiang Nan left the study and first took a peek into the third-floor music room.

Unsurprisingly, Qin Xuening was practicing the piano. Now that the plaster casts were off her legs, she could flexibly use the pedals while practicing; as a result, the sound of the piano was undoubtedly more beautiful and tranquil.

His gaze then fell on the open space in the center of the music room. A carpet had been spread there, with two tables placed in the middle. One held tea and snacks, while the other held pens and paper, where the little girl was sprawled out, diligently writing characters.

That was the homework he assigned her every day. Despite her young age, his daughter had good focus and patience; she was studious and didn’t think about slacking off. He firmly believed this was inherited from his own good character; after all, given his wife’s impatient temper, she wouldn’t have such persistence. Of course, he only dared to grumble this in his heart, not daring to actually boast in front of Ye Feifei.

After watching for a while, Xiang Nan closed the door and went downstairs to call Ye Feifei’s agent, asking her to send Zhu Lin over to help him look after the children while he went out.

“Sure, no problem,” Cheng Hong replied readily. Then, her tone shifted, and she asked sharply, “Ah Nan, do you really plan on being a stay-at-home dad?”

Although Cheng Hong was happy with this outcome—at least Ye Feifei could work in peace—she felt that this wasn’t a decision a typical man could make.

“Hehe, yeah,” Xiang Nan replied candidly.

“So, no more filming?” Xiang Nan wasn’t part of Huashi Company, and the higher-ups actually really wanted to poach him.

“No plans in the short term. I’ll wait a year or two. I’ve pushed too hard these past few years; I need to take a proper break.”

“Alright then. If you have a new project, you must let me know in advance. Don’t be polite with me if there’s something I can help with!”

“Will do, definitely.”

After some more small talk, Xiang Nan hung up. Once he coaxed the two children into their afternoon nap, he left the house in Zhu Lin’s care and drove to meet Zhou Ludong.

In a coffee shop downtown, Zhou Ludong took a sip of his coffee, glancing at his watch from time to time and peering down through the glass window.

This was already his second cup of coffee. He had arrived a bit early and could only sit there waiting for Xiang Nan.

“Director Zhou, sorry to keep you waiting.” Xiang Nan stepped into the coffee shop on time. Seeing Zhou Ludong in the corner, he hurried over and shook his hand.

“Not at all, not at all! I just got here myself.” Toward Xiang Nan, his junior alumnus, Zhou Ludong was thick-skinned enough to claim a connection, but his attitude was quite eager and humble.

After all, a film director and a variety show director were not on the same level—especially since Xiang Nan was truly talented and recognized by the audience.

Xiang Nan ordered a black coffee and sat across from Zhou Ludong. “Director Zhou, you asked to see me; what’s on your mind?”

“Junior Brother Xiang, it’s about what you mentioned last time—bringing another child on the show…” Zhou Ludong got straight to the point. “I wanted to ask, is that child the daughter of the late musician Qin Mo—Qin Xuening?”

Zhou Ludong had later learned about the relationship between Qin Xuening and the newly revealed Xiang couple through Weibo and related reports. Connecting that to the “Sister Xuening” mentioned by little Qingnuan, he arrived at this bold guess.

Xiang Nan didn’t answer, but his expression said it all.

“And your point is, Director?”

“I specifically reported the situation to the station leadership. We finally decided that our crew can make an exception and allow Qin Xuening to participate in the recording…” Zhou Ludong said, emboldened.

Actually, the reason his show had been delayed for nearly two years—aside from the difficulty in finding celebrity babies—was that the show wasn’t viewed favorably. Zhou Ludong dared to innovate and be the first to “eat the crab,” but not everyone was willing to give him the chance to try.

If it hadn’t been for the recent “Singing Restriction Order” issued by the state, which hit several of Mango TV’s music shows, he wouldn’t have caught the opportunity. He still wouldn’t know when the show could be filmed.

Thus, he was under great pressure and had been thinking about how to increase popularity so the premiere’s performance would look good. After seeing the edited footage, he became interested in the “Sister Xuening” Qingnuan kept talking about.

“Director Zhou, I think you might have misunderstood. Xuening has not agreed to be on the show, and I am not her legal guardian; I have no right to decide this.”

Xiang Nan shattered Zhou Ludong’s dream. “Moreover, given that her leg injury hasn’t fully healed, her current physical condition might not be suitable for the show.”

Zhou Ludong’s mind raced. The fact that the injury hasn’t healed is actually better; playing the sympathy card will be more effective then.

He lowered his guard and asked cheekily, “Junior Brother, is there really no room for negotiation?”

Before, it was Xiang Nan asking him to bring a person on; now the roles were reversed. But Zhou Ludong didn’t mind. He had acted according to the rules before, and doing such a thing in the first episode would indeed have been bad for both parties. But now, with the first two episodes as a foundation and Xiang Nan’s daughter mentioning “Sister Xuening” multiple times, he could totally use that as a hook to create a “special guest.”

“Whatever the conditions, Junior Brother, just name them. If I can do it, I’ll agree!” Zhou Ludong promised.

Xiang Nan curled his lips and finally relented, agreeing to talk to Qin Xuening again. As long as she agreed, the girl’s aunt would be easy to convince. However, if Xuening really agreed, the production team could not engage in excessive or false publicity regarding her background.

“I don’t want your station to shape this child’s screen image through ‘selling misery.’ Also, it would be best if her screen time isn’t too much. I agree to bring her on the show only because I hope she can interact with people more and become more outgoing.” Xiang Nan’s expression was very serious.

“After the show airs, her life will definitely be affected. But I hope to minimize the pressure and harm from public opinion. Do you understand, Senior Brother Zhou?”

Zhou Ludong frowned, his fingers tapping on the tabletop, clearly deep in thought.

“Junior Brother, you know that if this child is on my show, we will inevitably have to mention her identity…”

“That, I can understand.”

Zhou Ludong nodded. Other things could be let go, but he had to fight for this point no matter what.

Thus, the two of them proceeded to discuss some details. After some back-and-forth negotiation, Xiang Nan finally secured the right to confirm the segments involving Qin Xuening before they were broadcast.

Initially, Xiang Nan proposed recording the second trip first to see the reaction and Xuening’s physical condition before deciding whether to continue with the third. But Zhou Ludong refused, requiring at least two recordings.

Xiang Nan finally nodded in agreement, but all of this was based on one premise: Qin Xuening agreeing to be on the show.

Xiang Nan had a bit of a headache, but Zhou Ludong was in high spirits. He even mentioned that the editing for the first episode was complete and there would be a media preview in two days; Xiang Nan could come watch if he was free.

After Xiang Nan agreed, the two said their goodbyes.

“Junior Brother, I’ll wait for your good news!” Zhou Ludong patted Xiang Nan’s shoulder and left with a light step amidst Xiang Nan’s wry smile.

The ever-efficient Xiang Nan went home that night and sought out Qin Xuening again. While his daughter was bathing, he took her to his study.

Not knowing what he was up to, Xuening sat quietly, waiting for him to speak.

“Xuening, about what I told you last time—bringing you and Qingnuan on the reality show together—would you like to reconsider?” Xiang Nan sat behind the desk, twirling a fountain pen.

Xuening froze. Hasn’t the reality show already started recording?

“The director said that if you want to go, they can arrange for you to participate in the second recording.”

Xuening pursed her lips. Although her face showed clear resistance, she didn’t refuse as decisively as before.

Xiang Nan noticed the change. His eyes flickered as a brilliant idea struck him. After thinking for a moment, he said, “There’s still a week before the second recording. You can think it over carefully.”

Xuening glanced at Xiang Nan and nodded hesitantly.

Perhaps if Xiang Nan had pushed a bit harder just now, she might have agreed. The more time she was given to think, the more rational she became, and the harder it was to make a decision…

After Xuening left the study, Xiang Nan called Zhou Ludong and made a series of requests. Once the other party readily accepted, he hung up.

Two days later, Xiang Nan drove the two children to Mango TV’s headquarters in A-City. After meeting with the pre-arranged staff, they were taken to a screening room.

“We were going to arrange for you to attend the preview, but the seats seem to be full. Since you have two children, we’ve put you here instead.”

The staff member turned on the TV in the screening room and left them alone.

“Daddy, what is this place?” After holding it in the whole way, Qingnuan finally asked.

“This is the TV station.” Xiang Nan ruffled his daughter’s head and gave Xuening a half-smile. “I’m going to show you the first episode of the show we recorded.”

Qingnuan nodded innocently, but Xuening realized what was happening. Xiang Nan probably wanted to use the fun content of the show to attract her and get her to agree to participate, right? But she felt he was likely to be disappointed…

After the theme song, the show quickly got into the meat of things. At first, Qingnuan watched with great interest. When she saw her father and mother appear on the screen, her eyes widened and her small mouth opened slightly.

Soon, the camera arrived at a familiar bedroom door. Knowing what was about to appear on the screen, Qingnuan suddenly jumped up and ran to block the TV.

“Sister Xuening is not allowed to look!” Her small face was flushed red, her eyes sparkling with shyness and embarrassment.