A Warm and Cute Strike (GL) - Chapter 42

In the airport departure lounge, Xiang Nan and his group were waiting to board.

Since the airport was crowded and they didn’t want to cause a disturbance, the cameramen had stopped filming. This allowed Qin Xuening’s slightly tense nerves to finally relax.

“Sister Xuening, there are so many people here!” For as long as she could remember, this was the first time little Qingnuan had been to a place like an airport, and she was visibly excited.

Qin Xuening looked at her. Seeing the girl so happy, her own mood was affected, becoming lighter. However, she only watched her quietly, listening to her talk and nodding from time to time.

Xiang Nan, watching from the side, felt a slight headache coming on.

It seemed that once they were out in public, Qin Xuening regressed into that child who was as quiet as a ghost. From his observation, she hadn’t said a single word to Xie Sha or the others since they met today.

He wasn’t entirely sure if her being in this state on the show was a good thing, but for now, the fact that she could take this first step was at least beneficial for her growth.

He recalled what she had said to him in the study that night: “I’m not like other children… I might not be able to act like a normal child…”

Xiang Nan couldn’t help but sigh inwardly.

For now, he could only take it one step at a time. He just hoped that spending the next few days with other children would help the girl open up and become more cheerful. He worried that she was far too heavy-hearted for someone so young—what would she do in the future?

“Sister Xuening, are we really going to fly up into the sky later?” Qingnuan gazed at the blue sky through the glass window. A plane streaked past her eyes, soaring into the clouds and quickly vanishing over the horizon.

Xie Sha, listening nearby, smiled to herself. She found the little girl incredibly adorable, especially those large, blinking eyes. While her “vibe” was completely different from her mother’s, she was just as captivating; one couldn’t help but keep looking at her.

“Is this little Nuannuan’s first time on a plane?”

“Mhm!” Qingnuan nodded to her, then continued talking to Qin Xuening. “Sister Xuening, what do you think it feels like to fly in the sky?”

What does it feel like to be in the sky? Xuening looked out the window, a look of reminiscence appearing in her eyes as she pondered how to answer.

“Xie Sha! Lin Hai!”

Just then, another group approached. A young man among them greeted Xie Sha and her team from a distance. Xiang Nan looked closely and realized it was Jin Ling, the field director for another group, leading the Qi father and son along with their cameramen.

Qingnuan’s attention was also drawn away. Seeing familiar faces, she waved her small hand cheerfully and shouted, “Uncle Qi, Brother Xiao Jing!”

Qi Jing’s eyes lit up when he saw her, and he quickened his pace. But just as he was about to respond, he froze in his tracks the moment he saw Qin Xuening sitting beside her.

“Ah Nan, little Nuannuan, long time no see!” Qi Tao approached and smiled down at Qingnuan. “I’m so glad Nuannuan still remembers me. Uncle is very happy.”

“Hehe—” Qingnuan gave him a shy smile. She had a quite a deep impression of this tall, thin Uncle Qi.

Sitting still, Qin Xuening suddenly sensed a gaze. Following her intuition, she looked over and saw a little boy.

Qi Jing’s face stiffened, and he quickly looked away to talk to Qingnuan. “Nuannuan, long time no see. How have you been lately?”

“Mhm, super good! What about Brother Xiao Jing?”

Xuening watched them quietly. Though her face showed nothing as they talked and laughed, her hand resting on her knee tightened.

She naturally remembered Qi Jing; he was the boy who had walked Nuannuan to the door that day… She pursed her lips and silently looked away.

Xiang Nan stood up and exchanged a few words of small talk with Qi Tao. Qi Tao then turned his gaze toward Qin Xuening; he was indeed curious about this extra little girl.

“Come, let me introduce you.” Xiang Nan took the hint. He gripped the handles of Xuening’s wheelchair and pushed her forward slightly. “This is Xuening. She’ll be recording the show with us this time. Please look after her.”

Qi Jing studied the girl in front of him, feeling she was even more beautiful than he had imagined. He hurriedly introduced himself:

“Hello, I’m Qi Jing. Qi as in… ‘Qi jia zhi guo ping tian xia’ (regulating the family and ruling the state); Jing as in ‘liang chen mei jing’ (beautiful scenery). I… I’m seven years old!”

Qi Jing was so nervous he stammered. Faced with the boy’s expectant gaze, Xuening only gave a faint nod, not bothering to speak. Qi Jing waited for her to introduce herself, but seeing she had no intention of talking, the light in his eyes gradually dimmed.

However, while Xuening remained silent, someone else spoke for her.

Qingnuan took her hand and leaned against her, saying with great pride: “This is my Sister Xuening! Her family name is Qin, as in Qin Shi Huang (The First Emperor); Xue as in ‘Snow White’; Ning as in ‘peaceful.’ She is seven and a half years old!”

Xiang Nan had taught her many characters lately. Now, besides her own, she could write the names of Xiang Nan, Ye Feifei, and Qin Xuening. When teaching her, Xiang Nan would give her extra context, which helped her memorize a lot of knowledge.

“Sister Xuening is older than Brother Xiao Jing, so Brother Xiao Jing has to call her ‘Sister’ just like me.”

Qi Jing hesitated for a moment. He looked at Qingnuan, then at the cool-faced Qin Xuening, and finally accepted his fate. “Sister Xuening…”

Xuening looked up at him.

To her, Xiang Qingnuan was an exception, but for other children, she possessed a natural lack of favor—especially for a little brat who stayed so close to her Nuannuan and tried to attract her attention.

People often talked about “childhood sweethearts.” They might just be friends now, but in the future…

In Xuening’s mind, images of the boy growing up, pursuing her Nuannuan, and marrying her and taking her home flashed involuntarily…

No, no, stop!

Xuening took a deep breath. Though she knew this was a long, long way off, Nuannuan was so cute that she didn’t believe anyone wouldn’t like her. She had to raise her guard now and keep a close watch for her sake.

Puppy love or anything like that—absolutely forbidden!

Her eyes narrowed slightly as she gave Qi Jing a deep, meaningful look.

Qi Jing felt his face heat up. He wasn’t yet at an age to understand romantic feelings; he just thought Qin Xuening was pretty and played the piano so well, so he wanted to know her and talk to her. Being stared at like that, and remembering his stammering just now, he quickly puffed out his chest, wanting to leave a good impression so she would play with him in the future.

Seeing his eagerness to show off, Xuening became even more convinced he was “coveting” her sister. Her expression grew colder. She gave a single nod, took Nuannuan’s hand, and moved to the side with her.

Qingnuan looked at Qi Jing, then at Xuening, and tilted her head. Though she sensed something, she didn’t say anything, obediently staying by Xuening’s side and happily trying to make her talk.

Xiang Nan watched the two sisters walk away and said to the Qi father and son, “Sorry about that. Xuening is… quite a quiet child.”

Though he didn’t want to play the sympathy card, he was even less willing to see Xuening be misunderstood or disliked. From spending time with her, he knew she was actually a tender-hearted and very sensitive child.

“Haha, it’s fine. I heard Nuannuan say her surname is Qin?” Qi Tao’s expression shifted, looking thoughtful. “Could her father be… Qin Mo?”

Xiang Nan was surprised he guessed it. He gave a hesitant nod. Regardless, this was a fact that could not be hidden forever.

“Then it’s no wonder…” Qi Tao understood.

He didn’t say anything more, which left Qi Jing very curious. But since the two adults didn’t elaborate, he couldn’t push and kept his questions to himself.

Soon, they boarded the plane. After a two-hour flight, they finally arrived in S-City.

Qingnuan remained excited the entire time. After getting off the plane, she asked Xiang Nan longingly, “Daddy, can we take the plane again when we go back?”

“Does our baby like flying that much?” Xiang Nan carried her onto the shuttle bus.

“Mhm! Looking down from the plane, everything on the ground gets so small, it feels super fun!”

“Then once the show is over, how about we take a plane and travel the world?” Xiang Nan placed his daughter in a seat next to Qin Xuening.

Qingnuan thought about it, then tilted her head toward Xuening, her almond eyes sparkling. “Is Sister Xuening going? If she goes, then I’ll go.”

Xiang Nan then looked at Xuening. “How about it? Will Xuening join us?”

Xuening wasn’t particularly interested, but being stared at by the father and daughter—especially by Qingnuan’s expectant eyes—she couldn’t bear to let her down. She eventually surrendered and answered softly, “Mhm.”

“Haha, Sister Xuening is the best!” Qingnuan grabbed her arm, squinting and nuzzling against it like a satisfied kitten.

Looking at his daughter’s adorable appearance, Xiang Nan’s heart nearly melted. He had only mentioned it in passing, but now he began to seriously plan where to go on vacation. “We’ll see if Mommy is free then. The four of us can go on a vacation abroad.”

“Mhm! Okay!”

Talking and laughing, the group reached the hotel arranged by the crew. Xiang Nan and Qi Tao went to the front desk to check in. Because it was crowded, Qingnuan and Xuening stayed in the lobby with several staff members to wait.

Qi Jing also stayed by their side. Before leaving, his father had told him to protect the girls and not let any bad people get near. He took his duty very seriously, standing guard and watching every passing stranger as if they were a kidnapper.

Because it was near the weekend, the hotel was busy. Since the show hadn’t aired yet, no one recognized the children, though their striking appearances caused passersby to steal extra glances.

Xuening hated being noticed like this. it reminded her of her past life—the version of her without legs, growing up under people’s pointing and staring.

“Sister Xuening.” Qingnuan suddenly took her hand.

Called back by her voice, Xuening snapped out of her thoughts. She looked down and saw the little girl leaning on her knees, looking up and smiling at her. That smile was as bright as the morning sun, melting the ice in her heart.

In that moment, she felt the surroundings go quiet. The annoying people and the stinging stares disappeared, leaving only the girl’s bright smile and the deep joy in her eyes.

Xuening’s expression shifted, and she squeezed the girl’s hand in return. It felt… as if she were holding the whole world.

“Hehe,” Qingnuan chirped happily. “It’s so good to have Sister Xuening with me. This time will definitely be super fun!”

“Mhm.” Xuening stroked her head, a shallow smile rippling in her eyes.

The two angel-like girls huddled together whispering secrets. To onlookers, the scene was harmonious and aesthetically pleasing to the extreme.

Xie Sha finally couldn’t help herself. She raised her phone and snapped a photo of them looking at each other, then secretly sent it to her goddess, Ye Feifei.

Just then, a little girl, led by several staff members, walked in from outside the hotel. Seeing Qingnuan and the others, her eyes widened in surprise, and she greeted them with great joy:

“Sister Nuannuan! Brother Xiao Jing!”