Diva Alpha Meets Her Biological Daughter on a Parenting Variety Show - Chapter 44

Ming Nuo was worried, but deep down, she felt it was mostly a case of having a guilty conscience.

Because she desired Ning Xueqing, she couldn’t help but over-interpret her every move. Even a single look or a turn of the head prompted her to overthink.

Ning Xueqing’s acting skills went without saying; she didn’t need to follow the script word-for-word. By adding her own interpretation and making appropriate changes, she could achieve a far better effect. Currently, neither the director nor Azat had called for a stop, which meant they were satisfied with Ning Xueqing’s adjustments.

Everyone on set was behaving like a perfect gentleman; Ming Nuo was the only one whose mind was wandering.

She reproached herself for her lack of composure. It had been over six years since Listening to the Waves in the Bamboo Sea. She had grown from a girl in her early twenties into a superstar in the music world, and her experience and character had matured rapidly—yet she was still so green that she couldn’t handle Ning Xueqing’s acting.

It was only now that she realized her understanding of Ning Xueqing would increase over time, but her heart’s reaction to her wouldn’t weaken in the slightest; it would only grow more intense.

The Omega in her arms was visibly clinging to the crook of her neck. Ming Nuo applied a bit more pressure with her left hand on Ning Xueqing’s waist, afraid she might slip due to an unstable center of gravity. As Ning Xueqing’s lips drew closer, Ming Nuo heard the heartbeat in her chest grow increasingly rapid.

Thump-thump.

Thump-thump.

A feather-light breath of heat brushed past Ming Nuo’s earlobe. A shiver shot down her spine, and her hand stirring the hot milk trembled slightly, creating chaotic ripples in the milk pot.

Just a bit more… and they would touch…

Ming Nuo held her breath, not daring to look down. Under the pressure of the cameras and several pairs of eyes, she stole a glance downward with her peripheral vision.

Just as her nose was about to brush against Ming Nuo’s ear, Ning Xueqing tilted her face up and smiled as she delivered her line: “You’re home so early today.”

This line was originally supposed to be said after the milk was boiled and brought to the table in cups, but Ning Xueqing moved it forward, naturally transitioning the change in movement.

Ming Nuo paused for a moment before responding: “I wanted to bring the freshest things to the child and to you.”

The milk was ready. Ming Nuo served it while Ning Xueqing stepped aside to pick up the freshly gathered flowers. The golden rays of morning light streamed through the window, illuminating the delicate petals and Ning Xueqing’s smiling face.

Mengmeng took a sip of milk, a ring of white foam sticking to her mouth, and ran between her “Mammy” and “Mama,” giving them both a big hug.

The camera transitioned to the pasture outside the window, then cut to several artistic shots: green grass by a stream, a calf wearing a bell, and finally back inside the stone house for a close-up of the Xixue Plateau Milk on the table. In the background, the figures were blurred; Ming Nuo held the child with one hand and rested her other hand on Ning Xueqing’s shoulder, leaning down to press her lips gently against the top of her head.

“Excellent!” Azat stood up excitedly. “Perfect! Thank you to both teachers and little Mengmeng.”

As the camera crew finished up, Azat brought over gift boxes for them.

Ming Nuo knew her acting was clumsy. Aside from reacting to Ning Xueqing’s spontaneous changes, she had followed the script’s procedures strictly. In her eyes, the most heartwarming final shot of the scene—her holding Mengmeng and lightly kissing Ning Xueqing’s hair—was also suggested by Ning Xueqing. The original script had simply described the family of three hugging happily.

Sure enough, the source of her warmth was Ning Xueqing. Sister was so good at making changes. She had given her a chance to kiss her hair.

“Ming Nuo, try this. Mengmeng says it’s delicious.” The film crew had left. Ning Xueqing tidied the dining table; everything they had just made was edible. She also opened the gift box, which contained dried blueberry cheese curds—that was what Mengmeng liked.

Ning Xueqing had already torn open the packaging, squeezed out a small piece, and was holding it with the wrapper to feed Ming Nuo. Having been fed by Ning Xueqing several times before, Ming Nuo was slowly getting used to it, and her lips parted naturally.

Mengmeng, who was drinking honey milk, let go of her straw and said, “Mommy didn’t feed me just now.”

Ning Xueqing laughed. Ming Nuo hurriedly turned her head and coaxed the child: “Mommy will feed Mengmeng first.”

Mengmeng gave a mischievous little smile, caught her straw, and continued drinking. “I’m already five. I can eat by myself. Mommy, feed Nuo Nuo Mammy.”

Ming Nuo felt an immediate wave of shame, feeling like a giant baby even more childish than a five-year-old, needing Sister to take care of her. She took the blueberry cheese curd directly from Ning Xueqing’s hand. “I can certainly eat by myself too.”

Ning Xueqing looked at her empty hand. “You two are actually competing.”

Mengmeng chuckled. To show she had grown up, she reached into the basket for a boiled egg, tapped it on the table, and rolled it. “I can even peel eggs for Mommy.”

Ming Nuo then sliced the horse sausage and distributed it onto their plates. “I can slice meat sausages for you.”

Mengmeng wasn’t allowed to use knives. This time, Ming Nuo seemed to have the upper hand.

Mengmeng pouted, looked at Ming Nuo, then at her Mommy, and burst into giggles. Ning Xueqing smiled, stroking Mengmeng’s head in the morning light and smoothing Ming Nuo’s hair behind her ear. The bouquet of meadow flowers, still damp with dew, bloomed serenely in front of the window reflecting the blue sky and green fields.

The morning was cool, with a slight chill still lingering by the shores of Yao Chi Lake. After midday, the sun hung high, drenching the rippling water in light. The water temperature gradually warmed, making it the perfect time for a boat trip.

At 1:30 PM, the speakers in the four cottages notified the guests to gather at the lakeside pier. The four families arrived at the shore where four rowing boats were moored. Each boat had a different decoration on its bow: a little yellow duck, a white swan, a blue dolphin, and an orange-yellow clownfish.

The children saw the boats and started arguing before the activity even began.

“I want the white swan!”

“I want the dolphin!”

“I want the swan too…”

“The swan is mine! You take the ugly duckling!”

“Why do I have to be the ugly duckling?”

“The ugly duckling grows up to be a swan.”

“Then you’re an old swan right now, bleh!“

The guide came out of the pier’s control room. Seeing the cluster of arguing children, he smiled and clapped his hands, telling the children to return to their parents. Ning Xueqing beckoned, and Mengmeng, who was still making faces at Little Pea, ran back to her mother’s side and hid behind her.

“Mommy, Little Pea said I’m an ugly duckling.”

“She didn’t say you are one. Besides, that boat is a little yellow duck. Don’t we have a little duck toy at home? It’s so cute.”

Mengmeng pouted and nodded. From a distance, Little Pea was still huffing at her.

The guide said, “Yao Chi Lake is an alpine lake. Even in summer, the water temperature isn’t high, making it a natural fishery for raising rainbow trout. As a type of salmon, rainbow trout has delicious, fatty meat with a texture similar to salmon. It’s a trendy food at an affordable price.”

“Do you see the four totem poles in the water?” The guide pointed toward the shallow water area near the shore. Four ox-horn pillars painted with different patterns stood in the middle of the water, with a buoy floating near the water line of each. “Below each buoy is a fish net containing a large rainbow trout. That will be the main ingredient for our dinner.”

“Next, one representative from each family will play Rock-Paper-Scissors. The winner gets to choose their boat first. Once everyone has chosen, you will board at the pier. After you’re ready, we will hold a rowing race. The first family to retrieve their trout and return to the start will win thirty Miraculous Vouchers and an extra gift!”

At the mention of vouchers and gifts, the children’s eyes lit up with excitement.

Pineapple Cake took first place and chose the white swan, ending the swan dispute between Mengmeng and Little Pea from the outside. Mengmeng didn’t have a “princess” complex and didn’t strictly need the white swan. She said defiantly to Little Pea, “Well, now we both just have ‘ugly ducklings’.” Little Pea ignored her with a huff.

Mengmeng asked Ming Nuo to play Rock-Paper-Scissors. Ming Nuo was the second to choose. Knowing Nora liked the blue dolphin, Mengmeng chose the cute clownfish. Whether Little Pea ended up with the yellow duck or the dolphin depended on her and Nora’s luck—

“Ready! Three, two… Rowing race, start!”

Ming Nuo rowed at the stern, Ning Xueqing assisted at the bow, and Mengmeng cheered from the middle: “Clownfish, go! Clownfish, swim, swim!”

They soon overtook the little yellow duck in the next lane. Little Pea sat inside, tearing up. “Mammy, hurry! Hurry up!”

“I’m trying!” Chi Shu sat at the stern in a fluster. At the bow, Ji Lang was clutching her stomach, her face looking pale.

Little Pea asked Ji Lang, “Mama Lang, does your tummy still hurt? We’re going to lose without you.”

Ji Lang’s lips were white as she touched Little Pea. “Sorry, Dou-dou. Mama’s stomach still hurts a lot. I’ll help you win next time, okay? You like swan boats, right? After this session, I’ll take you to the seaside and get you a little swan yacht. How about that?”

Chi Shu: “?”

Chi Shu: “Do you know how expensive yachts are?”

Ji Lang gave a pull on the oar, too tired to deal with her. Chi Shu then remembered her identity and felt her question had been silly. She added, “I mean, that gift isn’t appropriate for a child this small.”

“I’m dying of pain here, can you stop nagging?” Ji Lang’s face grew even paler. Chi Shu shut her mouth.

Because Mengmeng and Little Pea were competing, Ming Nuo noticed the abnormality on Chi Shu’s side. She said to Ning Xueqing, “Something’s wrong. With Ji Lang there, they shouldn’t be trailing us by this much.”

Ning Xueqing also noticed: “Ji Lang seems physically unwell.”

Recalling Ji Lang asking to borrow an isolation patch at Mount Guan-yun, Ming Nuo whispered, “Could it be a side effect of a suppressant injection affecting her period?”

Ning Xueqing looked worried. “Very likely.”

In a private chat, Ji Lang had mentioned once that she chose the sports industry to strengthen her physical constitution; she might have some underlying health issues. It seemed to be related to the Chairperson giving birth at an advanced age, which affected her youngest daughter…

While talking, Ning Xueqing wasn’t paying attention to her hands. An undercurrent surged by the boat, pulling her oar down. The small boat rocked violently. Ning Xueqing hurriedly grabbed the handle on the edge of the boat. Her center of gravity was unstable as the boat pitched back and forth.

Another undercurrent passed, the water spiraling by the side. The entire boat began to spin. Ning Xueqing hurriedly let go of the oar and reached for the handles with both hands. As her right hand brushed against the boat’s edge, she felt a sudden, sharp, tearing pain. Immediately, Mengmeng, sitting in the safety seat in the center, cried out: “Mommy! You’re bleeding!”

Ning Xueqing looked at her arm after the fact. A trail of scarlet was snaking down her fair skin, dripping onto the floor of the boat.

“Xueqing!” Ming Nuo dropped her oar and moved toward her.

Ning Xueqing frowned and immediately pressed her hand against the upper part of her bleeding arm. “Don’t come over. Maintain the boat’s balance. It’s just a scratch, it’s fine. Get the reward for Mengmeng first. I don’t mind these few minutes.”

“But you—”

“Ming Nuo, we’re in an undercurrent. If you come over, the balance will shift and we might capsize. You’ve always put the big picture first. I haven’t been wrong about you, have I?”

Ming Nuo grit her teeth and picked up the oar again. On the shore, the medical team had already arrived. Ning Xueqing waved at them to indicate she was okay and that the race should continue. She then put her injured arm behind her back and smiled gently at Mengmeng. “It’s okay, Mengmeng. Mommy just has a tiny injury. I’ll just put a band-aid on in a bit. I know Mengmeng is even braver than Mommy. Don’t be afraid. Nuo Nuo Mammy will help us get the rainbow trout and win the prize. Let’s cheer for her together, okay?”

Mengmeng looked at her mother worriedly for a moment, her gaze gradually becoming determined. She nodded heavily, leaned forward to blow on her mother’s arm, said “pain go away,” and turned to cheer for Ming Nuo: “Nuo Nuo Mammy! Charge forward!”

Ming Nuo knew Ning Xueqing’s personality—gentle as water, but once she decided on something, she was unyielding. No one could sway her. To get her treated, they had to row back as fast as possible. Ming Nuo was a good swimmer and familiar with water; after passing the undercurrent area, she reached the totem pole, retrieved the fish net, and sped back to the start.

The guide congratulated them on winning the prize, but no one in the winning team cared. They were all crowded around Ning Xueqing, anxious about her injury.

The doctor who had checked Ning Xueqing’s cold that morning helped dress the wound. “Was this a scratch from the boat? I’ll give you a tetanus shot. The wound isn’t deep and won’t leave a scar, but it shouldn’t touch water for a week.”

Ning Xueqing looked at her clothes, which were damp from lake water, and looked troubled. “But I have to shower every day…”

Doctor: “Wipe yourself down for now.”

If she was wiping herself down, there would be places like her back that she couldn’t reach. Ning Xueqing pondered privately, her gaze thoughtful as she looked at Ming Nuo, who was helping support her arm.

Ming Nuo noticed the lingering gaze. “I’m sorry, did I hurt you?”

Ning Xueqing shook her head and leaned her body toward her embrace.

“Ming Nuo, can I borrow you for a few nights?”