A Warm and Cute Strike (GL) - Chapter 45

Qin Xuening was stunned by the little girl’s request.

What did she mean by “I’ll only get up if I get a kiss”? Did she want her to actually kiss her?

Xuening recalled that day when the little girl had pressed a morning kiss onto her forehead. She knew that abroad, this was just a common way of greeting, but for someone like her with a slight obsession with cleanliness, it was a difficult custom to accept.

That was a gesture reserved for… very close people, right? So, had she and Xiang Qingnuan already reached that level of intimacy?

She looked at the girl before her, who was huddled tightly against her side. She could feel the warmth radiating from her body and catch the faint, fresh scent of her shampoo.

The girl showed only half her face from beneath the covers, her large, watery eyes gazing up at her with such soft “moe” appeal that Xuening couldn’t bear to make her sad or utter a word of refusal.

This little girl was so crafty, always using her piteous and lovely side to soften her heart, then seizing the opportunity to invade her inner world and push her boundaries back further and further. And yet, Xuening… found it sweet.

Sunlight filtered through the screen window into the room, casting a soft glow on the girl leaning against the headboard. She leaned down slightly, fulfilling the little girl’s request, and gently pressed a kiss onto her forehead.

Qingnuan blinked. Feeling the soft, warm touch on her brow, she covered her small mouth with the blanket and let out a series of giggles.

Xuening pulled away instantly. As she straightened her back and saw the girl’s eyes crinkling into crescents—smiling so sweetly as if she had just encountered the best thing in the world—the tips of Xuening’s ears turned red, yet her face instinctively wore a trace of a doting smile.

“Is it really that making you happy?” She reached out and pulled back the girl’s blanket.

“Of course!” Without the blanket, Qingnuan smiled like a kitten that had successfully stolen a treat. “I love Sister Xuening the most!”

Hearing this, the smile in Xuening’s eyes overflowed. She reached out to ruffle the girl’s hair and said, “Time to get up.”

“Okie-dokie!” Qingnuan sat up abruptly.

She watched Xuening, and just as Xuening turned to fetch her a change of clothes, she gave a mischievous grin. Pressing down on Xuening’s shoulders, she leaned in like a fluttering butterfly, pecked her forehead lightly, and quickly “flew” away.

Xuening froze. She looked at Qingnuan, only to see the girl who had successfully carried out her sneak attack giggling. “Daddy taught me that one must return favors in kind.”

With her eyes curved and her smile so well-behaved and lovely, anyone who saw her would find their heart turning to mush, unable to find fault with her.

“Hey, why do I feel like someone’s talking about me?”

Just then, a man’s voice drifted in from the doorway.

They looked toward the sound to see Xiang Nan standing there, holding two large bowls. The scent of food drifted into the room on the breeze. Qingnuan gave a cheer and made a move to hop off the bed.

Xiang Nan quickly set the bowls on the table and went over to help his daughter change before carrying her down. The three of them sat together, happily eating their breakfast.

It was another day of recording. Xuening remained the same; once they were outside, she wore an expression that kept others at a distance, softening only in front of the Xiang father and daughter.

This inevitably gave Xiang Nan a bit of a headache. After all, this was a reality show. A small behavior might be magnified infinitely on TV, and with so many internet trolls out there, he was naturally worried. But on second thought, progress comes in small steps. The fact that Xuening agreed to come out was already a solid first step; he believed things would improve over time.

While Qingnuan didn’t understand complex philosophies, she had already become good friends with the other children over the course of these two sessions. She hoped Xuening would like her friends too, so she worked hard to act as a bridge between them, ensuring the relationship between Xuening and the likes of Qi Jing didn’t become too strained.

On the whole, the five families were blending quite well.

In the evening, after dinner, the production team didn’t immediately let the fathers take the children back to their houses. Instead, they had them wait in the courtyard where they had eaten.

As night fell, the small town outside the courtyard gradually became lively, and the lanterns hanging in the yard were lit, emitting a soft, hazy glow.

It turned out today was the annual Thousand Lantern Festival. A temple fair was to be held in the ancient town, and lanterns hanging everywhere were being lit. The townspeople would gather to admire the lanterns in the streets and listen to opera at the temple fair. This was likely the liveliest time of year for the town.

The theme of this episode was promoting traditional culture, so Zhou Ludong naturally wouldn’t miss such a golden opportunity and organized this impromptu night activity. However, because the lighting was poor at night and the crowds were mixed, he didn’t set any difficult tasks. He simply had the children carry the lanterns they had chosen at the start, take a stroll through town, listen to opera at the fair, and solve some riddles.

Qingnuan carried her white rabbit lantern, having changed into a small ruqun (traditional jacket and skirt) specially prepared by the crew. With her hair in double buns and her bright, sweet smile, she looked so endearing that people wanted to hug her and plant a few kisses on her chubby cheeks.

Xuening also changed into a cross-collared ruqun. Seeing her exceptional aura, the makeup artist didn’t give her double buns but styled her hair like a young maiden, highlighting her soft and classical elegance.

“Sister Xuening is so pretty!” Qingnuan said with a giggle, looking adorable.

“You too.” Xuening stood up from her wheelchair. Though her leg wasn’t fully healed, walking slowly was fine.

Click, click— The nearby cameraman captured the scene.

Xuening pursed her lips, took Qingnuan’s hand, and followed the main group toward the temple fair. Walking on the stone slabs under the glow of a thousand lanterns, the two girls holding hands looked as beautiful as a dream. It felt as if they had traveled through a thousand years, appearing as if they truly belonged to that ancient era.

“Sister Xuening, those lanterns are so pretty!” Qingnuan pointed at the lights, her voice full of excitement.

“Mhm.” Xuening gazed at the beautiful night scenery, suddenly feeling glad she had accepted Xiang Nan’s proposal and come along.

“But…” Qingnuan looked up at the newly dressed Xuening, her bright almond eyes seeming to contain the stars. “None of them are as pretty as Sister Xuening!”

“…”

Not knowing how to respond, Xuening silently looked away. In the orange glow of the lanterns, her skin flushed a faint red.

Thus, the group spent an unforgettable night at the Thousand Lantern Festival, creating the most beautiful memories for one another…

On the third day, the outdoor recording was finished. Led by the crew, everyone set off back to A-City to complete the interview segments in the Mango TV studio.

“Our first episode will air next Friday night. For next Wednesday’s premiere ceremony, the crew will arrange transportation. We look forward to seeing all the fathers and children again!”

After arranging the pickup time for the premiere, Xiang Nan took the two children and boarded the crew’s car to head home.

“Daddy, what’s a premiere ceremony?”

“It’s a ceremony held before a program airs for the first time.”

“So what are we going to do?”

“Hmm, probably walk the red carpet, take photos, and do some interviews.”

“Oh, I see.” Qingnuan nodded as if she understood.

“Don’t be afraid. Daddy is here; I’ll be with you.” Xiang Nan took his daughter’s hand, a bit worried she might feel overwhelmed at such a large event.

Qingnuan tilted her head and asked, “Will Sister Xuening be with me too?”

“…”

Feeling a deep sense that his status was under threat, Xiang Nan gave a firm shake of his head. In truth, it was because Xuening hadn’t appeared in the first episode; as a special guest, the production team required her identity to remain confidential for now.

“Oh, okay…” Qingnuan responded gloomily. She then hugged Xuening’s arm and stopped paying attention to Xiang Nan.

Xiang Nan, sitting in the passenger seat: “…”

Why do I feel like my status in the family is becoming more and more precarious? How can I salvage my grand image in my precious daughter’s heart? Waiting online, quite urgent!

Xiang Nan’s heart was roaring, but he couldn’t let it show. So angry, but I must keep smiling.

After arriving home, Xiang Nan retreated to the master bedroom to call his wife and “heal his wounds.” Xuening returned to her room and called the hospital to ask the caregiver about her mother’s condition.

Qingnuan eavesdropped for a bit before remembering something and rushing back to her own bedroom. Seeing the fish tank on the windowsill with the little goldfish swimming safely in the water, she breathed a sigh of relief.

“Fishy, were you good while I was away?” She leaned on the windowsill, giggling as she poured some food into the tank.

Seeing her, the goldfish—which had been looking quite mopey—instantly perked up. Wiggling its tail, it emerged from the plants and happily blew bubbles.

Qingnuan watched it, touching the glass of the tank near its head. Somehow, thinking of Xuening’s phone call and the image of Auntie Su in the hospital bed, the smile on her face dimmed.

“Fishy, when do you think Sister Xuening’s mommy will wake up?” she murmured to herself.

The goldfish glanced at her, then swam away to eat the food floating on the surface, pretending not to hear. But after two bites, it stole another look at its little owner. Seeing her sad face, a flash of pity appeared in the fish’s eyes.

But then it remembered being stuck at home alone for the last few days… its gaze hardened. It flicked its face to the side and continued eating.

Not listening, not listening! I’m definitely not helping the human who stole my little owner, hmph!

On Wednesday morning, Xiang Nan took the formally dressed Qingnuan to the premiere of Daddy, Where Are We Going?.

He thought his daughter would have stage fright, but after leading her onto the red carpet, he found her stage presence was incredibly stable. Her lively and cheerful nature seemed to be fully unleashed; even facing the barrage of cameras, she didn’t show a hint of fear. She was like a luminous object; though young, she already possessed the charm to draw everyone’s gaze.

After the premiere ceremony, at 9:00 PM on Friday, Daddy, Where Are We Going? officially aired on Mango TV.

With the first episode out and the momentum from the premiere, a wave of “warm and moe” fever swept across the internet almost overnight!