A Warm and Cute Strike (GL) - Chapter 41

Xie Sha and cameraman Lin Hai finally caught up with little Qingnuan just as she reached the third floor. Seeing her prepare to push open a bedroom door, Lin Hai quickly set up his camera, adjusting the focus and lighting to center perfectly on the doorway.

The little girl stood on her tiptoes and excitedly turned the handle. As the door swung open, the faint sound of a piano suddenly grew loud, drifting out of the room and into the ears of Xie Sha and Lin Hai.

Though they weren’t experts in music, they could somehow hear a sense of struggle and hesitation within the notes. However, as the little girl burst into the room, the melody gradually smoothed out, turning soft yet infused with a newfound resolve.

Lin Hai followed Qingnuan’s lead, moving the camera into the room. He captured the image of a girl sitting at the piano, looking as mysterious and ethereal as an elven sprite.

She was about seven or eight years old, slender and delicate, wearing a snowy-white dress. She sat bathed in sunlight, the soft rays making her skin appear almost translucent.

The little “cutie” who had led them into this tranquil world had already run to the piano. She didn’t disturb the girl playing; she simply stood by her side, small hands resting on the edge of the piano, standing slightly on her tiptoes as she listened intently to the music.

Finally, the girl pressed the keys, letting the final note echo through the room for a long time. She slowly withdrew her slender hands and rested them on her lap. Sensing the child’s gaze, she tilted her head slightly, and their eyes met.

Qingnuan stared straight at Qin Xuening, thinking that Sister Xuening looked even prettier than before—she simply couldn’t look her fill.

“Sister Xuening—” she called out sweetly, immediately remembering why she had come.

Standing nearby, Xie Sha and the crew saw the cool, aloof girl at the piano suddenly curl her lips into a slight smile. Though it was only a faint grin, it was like melting snow—radiant and soft, making it impossible for anyone to look away.

Lin Hai stared at the viewfinder, mesmerized. He hadn’t expected to capture such a perfect sequence of shots under these circumstances. He didn’t know if the editors would keep this part in the final cut, but if possible, he wanted to petition the director to use it at least as a “behind-the-scenes” extra, or even keep it for his own private collection as a memento.

As for Xie Sha, she was already intoxicated by the beautiful scene before her. She had only learned this morning that a “special guest” would be joining this episode—none other than the “Sister Xuening” that Nuannuan had been constantly mentioning.

The information she received only noted that this “Sister Xuening” was the daughter of the late musician Qin Mo, and that her name was Qin Xuening. There weren’t many other clues. However, as a fan of Ye Feifei, she knew a bit about Qin Mo. He was the husband of the Goddess’s best friend and had tragically passed away in a car accident recently, an event heavily covered by the news.

She knew Feifei and Xiang Nan had been helping out at the hospital, and she had admired the Goddess’s loyalty at the time. She never expected the couple would eventually take Qin Xuening into their own home. Seeing how close little Nuannuan was to her sister, she knew exactly how well Xuening was being treated. As expected of my Goddess—not only is she beautiful, but she’s so kind-hearted! Thinking this, Xie Sha’s affection for the two girls grew.

She gazed at Xuening; she had truly never seen a child so exquisite. Her “vibe” was completely different from the adorable Nuannuan, but together, they were incredibly pleasing to the eye! As a “visual lover,” Xie Sha felt deeply satisfied.

“Sister Xuening, I’m going to record the show with Daddy. Do you want to come with us?” Qingnuan asked tentatively, looking at her sister.

Xuening looked up, glancing at Xie Sha and Lin Hai. Xie Sha’s silly grin froze. She could see that the girl’s expression cooled significantly when looking at them, which made her feel nervous. Wait, shouldn’t the Chief Director have cleared this beforehand? Why does Xuening look so reluctant?

“Sister Xuening…” Qingnuan’s hand dropped, her voice losing its energy. Is it still a ‘no’ after all?

Just as she was feeling disappointed, the big sister reached out and squeezed her hand, then patted the top of her head. Under Qingnuan’s dazed gaze, she gave a light nod.

Qingnuan blinked, unable to believe her eyes. She had worked so hard for so long without Xuening ever relenting, and today… today she actually agreed?!

“Really? Sister Xuening, you really agreed to come with me?” the girl confirmed, still in disbelief.

Xuening looked at her, smiled slightly, and nodded again.

“Yay—!” Qingnuan cheered, throwing her arms around Xuening’s waist. “Sister Xuening is the best! I love you the most!”

Xuening blinked. Receiving such a bold declaration of love was unexpected, but a surge of joy rose in her heart, and the smile in her eyes deepened.

Lin Hai, shoulder-mounting his camera, loyally recorded the interaction between the two girls. Xie Sha breathed a massive sigh of relief, growing excited at the thought of this girl joining the episode.

“It looks like Nuannuan’s wish has come true,” Xie Sha laughed, continuing the prompt. “Mhm!” Qingnuan nodded vigorously, holding Xuening’s hand.

“Since Daddy Xiang’s task is complete, shall we go find him and continue our journey?”

“Okay,” Qingnuan replied obediently. When Lin Hai’s camera moved closer, she offered a radiant smile like a little sun, letting everyone feel her joy. She let go of Xuening’s hand and, under the crew’s watchful eyes, ran to the side to considerately fetch Xuening’s crutches.

“What’s this?” Xie Sha looked confused.

Xuening took the crutches and propped herself up, ignoring Xie Sha’s query.

Qingnuan became her spokesperson. While supporting her, she said, “Sister Xuening’s leg was hurt before. It’s better now, but the Doctor Uncle said she can’t stand for too long…” Suddenly remembering something, Qingnuan paused. She turned to Xie Sha and asked, “Big Sister, can we take Sister Xuening on the show with us?”

“Of course,” Xie Sha nodded with a grin. Being called “Big Sister” by the little cutie felt as sweet as honey.

Qingnuan nodded, then asked what was truly on her mind: “Then can Sister Xuening not have to go find food? I… I’ll give her the food I find, okay?”

Everyone else, including the Xiang couple who had been eavesdropping at the door, was stunned. Xuening was also taken aback. Looking at the little girl’s back, she felt a warm current flow through her heart.

“Uh,” Xie Sha recovered quickly, teasing, “If Nuannuan gives hers to Sister, won’t Nuannuan have nothing to eat?”

Qingnuan struggled with the thought for a moment before shaking her head. “It’s okay, I’m good at being hungry.” She then added, “And I… I’ll work hard to find lots and lots of food so everyone can eat their fill!”

Xie Sha’s expression grew even softer. She marveled at how such a sensible and caring child could exist. If all children were like little Nuannuan, probably no one would ever NOT want kids.

Hearing this, Xuening opened her mouth to speak, but Xie Sha beat her to it: “Don’t worry, Nuannuan. Your Sister Xuening is our special guest; she doesn’t have to participate in the missions.”

“Really? Thank you, Big Sister!” Qingnuan laughed and thanked her happily. She turned back to Xuening, stuck her tongue out playfully, and reached out to support her again.

Xuening rubbed her head, her gaze so soft it seemed it could melt into water. At this moment, she felt filled with courage—to face the eyes of strangers and the unknown world.

In the end, Xuening was pushed out of the house in a wheelchair to save time, as it wouldn’t do to have her walk slowly with crutches.

“Goodbye, Mommy!” Qingnuan leaned out the car window, waving her small hand to Ye Feifei. Her lively, happy demeanor was a world away from the reluctant parting of the first trip. Xiang Nan felt a bit of a sting in his heart; looking at Xuening, he sighed inwardly, realizing his “one-on-one” time with his daughter was officially over.

“Goodbye, sweetie! Stay safe!” Feifei waved, said a few words to Xuening, and finally bid farewell to her husband.

After their car left, the Qi father and son emerged across the street under the guidance of their staff. Standing at the gate, the young boy froze as he watched the production vehicle drive away.

That… that girl sitting next to Uncle Xiang… was it her? The girl named ‘Xuening’ who plays the piano? Why is she in the crew’s car too?

“Xiao Jing, why are you just standing there? Get in the car,” Qi Tao urged from inside the vehicle.

Qi Jing got in and pointed at the car ahead. “Daddy, did you see that?”

“See what?” Qi Tao looked puzzled.

“I saw…” Qi Jing rolled his eyes. “I saw that in Uncle Xiang’s car, besides little Nuannuan, there was another girl.”

“Really?” Qi Tao looked ahead, but the Xiang car had already turned the corner. “Maybe you saw wrong?”

Qi Jing peered out, unsure. “I don’t know…”

Since the first episode, the relationship between Qi Tao and his son had softened significantly. Seeing his curiosity, Qi Tao asked their field director, “Xiao Jin, are Xiang Nan and the others on the same flight as us?”

The young director nodded. “I believe so.” Since both groups lived close and had the same destination, the crew had organized a unified flight.

“Then maybe we’ll run into them at the airport.” Seeing his son look excited, Qi Tao nodded to himself. “Xiao Jin, let’s head out then. We don’t want to miss the flight.”

Following the Xiang family, the Qi family’s car set off. Qi Jing looked at the car ahead, feeling a mix of anticipation and nervousness. Since the first recording, he had been waiting at home for Nuannuan to bring her sister over to play, but he had waited in vain. A few days ago, he finally gathered the courage to knock, only to be told by the nanny that they were out.

Seeing the girl’s silhouette in the car today… did it mean she was joining the show too? At the thought, the boy couldn’t stop smiling. He looked around, grabbed his father’s sunglasses, and used the reflection to secretly check his appearance.

Confirming his hair wasn’t messy and his clothes looked cool and tidy, Qi Jing gazed at the blue sky, realizing he had never looked forward to a trip this much.