Diva Alpha Meets Her Biological Daughter on a Parenting Variety Show - Chapter 9

“Ming Nuo, in two days you’re coming with Mommy to Pingnan Villa to escape the heat. I’ve invited two of my old besties, and a lot of their relatives and friends are your fans. Bring plenty of autographs—honestly, you can just sign anything you have lying around.”

The coffee machine finished its work with a sharp beep. Ming Nuo carried her coffee over and sat on the bay window to read.

“Do I need to take a few dozen selfies with them too?”

“Oh my, my precious daughter! You really are Mommy’s little quilted jacket—so thoughtful.”

Ming Nuo chuckled and turned a page. Chapter 3: Toddler Tantrums—Key Details for Parents.

“Mommy, back when Mother was still around, I don’t recall you being such a fan of traveling.”

Ming Nuo’s other mother had passed away from illness during her senior year of high school. Because many specialty drugs weren’t covered by insurance, the family’s savings had been drained, and their house in the county seat had been sold. Ming Yan had moved back to a self-built house in the suburbs with their remaining belongings, working by day and running a street stall at the edge of town by night to put Ming Nuo through university.

When Ming Nuo entered a singing competition as a freshman, her goal was simply to place and win the prize money. She balanced studying, part-time jobs, and vocal practice. She had encountered scammers who only paid half the daily wage, found pinhole cameras in modeling fitting rooms, and lost half a month’s living expenses to a pickpocket at a wet market… After stumbling time and time again, she learned how to protect herself.

At the time, due to her differentiation disorder, Ming Nuo was assigned to a Beta dormitory. Her roommates at the conservatory all came from well-off families. One particular roommate used to mock Ming Nuo’s “country” style behind her back, yet every time Ming Nuo returned to the dorm after getting paid, she would pressure Ming Nuo into treating everyone to durian mille-crepe cake.

From then on, Ming Nuo understood something: people in high positions do not necessarily feel pity or offer help just because their conditions are better. On the contrary, they might bully and boss others around even more boldly because the person in difficulty lacks resources and power.

Consequently, when Ning Xueqing led her out during that post-competition dinner party years ago, Ming Nuo had been so stunned she made a fool of herself.

It was the Ning Xueqing. A superstar.

So famous, so radiant—and she had actually taken Ming Nuo’s hand.

Ning Xueqing led her out of the private room, took off her own shawl, and draped it over Ming Nuo’s bare shoulders. She told her: “Girls have to learn to protect themselves. If a person or a situation makes you uncomfortable, you have to say no, okay?”

Ming Nuo had stared blankly at Ning Xueqing, her soul captivated by those mesmerizing peach-blossom eyes.

How could someone be so un-photogenic?

She was already beautiful on screen, yet the camera didn’t capture even one percent of her true grace in person.

Seeing Ming Nuo’s lack of reaction, Ning Xueqing assumed she was traumatized by the scene at the dinner. She patted her back comfortingly and took her to the dressing room to rest.

In reality, Ming Nuo wasn’t traumatized.

She was just bewildered. She didn’t understand two things:

How can someone be this wonderful?

Why would someone this wonderful help me?

As she grew up and experienced more, Ming Nuo learned that the world isn’t just black and white. Some people are kind regardless of external circumstances simply because they are excellent human beings.

Like Ning Xueqing.

Ming Nuo pulled herself back to the present and took a sip of coffee. Ming Yan’s voice buzzed from the phone: “When your mother was sick and you were in school, my salary was low. Where would I get the money or time to travel? You have the nerve to ask me! I suffered for the first half of my life for your mother and you, for this family…”

Ming Nuo quickly interrupted: “I know, Mommy. You’ve worked so hard. You’re the best mommy in the world.”

“But Mommy, I can’t go to Pingnan Villa with you.”

Ming Yan: “?”

“What did you say? Why? Aren’t you resting next month? You didn’t even stay with me in Brisbane!”

Ming Nuo set down her coffee cup and kept her tone level: “A new work arrangement came up. I’m joining a crew to film a show.”

Though Ming Yan loved to nag, she didn’t dare interfere with her daughter’s career. She immediately switched to worrying: “You’ve been busy for half a year and they won’t even give you a break… Fine, fine. Stay safe out there, don’t overwork yourself, and find a balance.”

Ming Nuo: “Mm. I’ll have Xiao Zhu bring the signed photos to you. Have fun at Pingnan, Mommy.”

Ending the call, Ming Nuo walked to the living room. A large suitcase lay open on the floor. Her belongings were compressed into one small corner; the rest were gifts for Ning Xueqing’s daughter.

I hope the little treasure likes them.

Ming Nuo smiled warmly, raising her hand to see the half-moon pendant swaying from her phone. She thought for a moment but didn’t remove it.

Ning Xueqing couldn’t possibly be carrying the other half with her.

After the Labor Day holiday, the brand-new parenting show produced by Jinyu TV, Baby’s Miraculous Journey, officially began filming.

The plan was for an eight-episode season filmed over three months. Aside from the first “gathering” episode and the final “revisit” episode, they would film two episodes a month on average—filming for one week and resting the next. Each episode would air shortly after filming.

Four families were participating, each led by a top figure in their field: a celebrity, a famous director, a prestigious university professor, and an “influencer” lawyer. Two were “families of three,” and two were single-parent families. The production team provided a special guest for each single-parent household to form a “temporary family” to co-parent the child.

The public was intensely curious about their domestic lives. People had subscribed to the show’s column long ago, waiting to snatch a look at the first episode in a week. Miraculous Journey was the hottest topic of conversation everywhere.

To maintain mystery, the two special guests were not shown in the trailers. Ming Nuo only knew Ning Xueqing and Xing Cai were participating; she was curious about the other two families and the other special guest.

On May 6th, before dawn, the show’s van arrived outside Ming Nuo’s complex.

“Hello, Teacher Nuo! Welcome to Baby’s Miraculous Journey. We are heading to the ‘Miraculous Town’ to meet the four families.”

After the standard opening, the staff member signaled the cameraman to pause. She excitedly pulled out an album and ran to Ming Nuo: “Ming Nuo! I’ve been your fan for eight years! Can I have an autograph?”

Ming Nuo was caught off guard. Wait, we’re at work… She laughed and signed it.

The staff member wiped her eyes, signaled the camera back on, and invited Ming Nuo into the van. The camera was fixed on Ming Nuo in the back seat.

The staff member sat in the passenger seat and chatted with her. “Teacher Nuo, do you want to know who the four families are?”

“I do.”

The staff member happily handed her a tablet showing the trailer just released by the official account.

Ming Nuo clicked play. “When was this posted?”

The staff member smiled slyly. “Right after the last guest got into the van.”

Ming Nuo watched carefully, her lips curving. “So I’m the last one?”

“Haha, yes. Watch it first, then tell us your thoughts.”

The trailer introduced Xing Cai’s family first: a parkouring cat, a child chasing the cat, Xing Cai failing to catch the child, and an Alpha hiding in a corner because they were afraid of cats.

The second family was a single-parent Alpha and her five-year-old “little princess.” Every morning, the princess required her “Mammy” to lay out a pink carpet, say “Good morning, Princess,” and present the dress she would wear that day.

The third family was a cozy home belonging to a famous idol drama director and an influencer lawyer. Their daughter, the youngest at four, had a sweet smile. She had just promised her “Mammy” not to tell her “Mommy” about the hidden stash of pocket money, only to immediately whisper to Mommy: “Mommy, do you want to look behind the wedding photo frame?”

Ning Xueqing’s family appeared as the finale.

“Long time no see, I missed you all dearly. Hello everyone, I am Ning Xueqing, and this is my daughter, Mengmeng. Come, Mengmeng, say hi to everyone.”

Ning Xueqing’s melodious voice filled the video. The moment she appeared, the bullet comments (danmu) flooded the screen until it lagged.

[My Qing is otherworldly! Infinite charm!]

[Ahhh you’ve finally returned, my goddess! What a cute little goddess!]

[The fairy is beautiful! The little fairy is so cute! Her name is Mengmeng? My sweet little lemon, tell Auntie what color pony carriage you like!]

[Wait, she actually dared to come? Taking the ‘notoriety’ route, are we?]

[Emmm, I thought she was taken by some tycoon, but looking at the kid’s face, it’s clearly a combination of top-tier beauty genes. There aren’t many rich people who look this good, right?]

[There are high-beauty families on the rich list, and they are mega-wealthy… but they definitely wouldn’t look at Ning Xueqing.]

[I know which family you mean. Their heiress is a world-traveling vlogger. You can check her Insta; she’s gorgeous and has amazing taste. Ning Xueqing is definitely punching above her weight +1]

The messy comments made Ming Nuo frown. She hid the bullet comments. The staff member asked, “Teacher Nuo, any thoughts?”

Ming Nuo suppressed the anger sparked by the comments and smiled. “The babies are all so cute, and there are many old friends.”

“Yes, Teacher Xing Cai is your junior, and you’ve worked with Director Xiao Qian before. As for Teacher Xueqing, well, everyone knows you like her work. The only one you might not have had much contact with is Teacher Chi.”

“That’s true.”

The interview continued, and time passed quickly. They reached the destination around 9 AM.

The staff led Ming Nuo to a backstage rest area. “The four families just entered the ‘Miraculous Town.’ They have thirty minutes of free exploration. Once each family has chosen their temporary home, I’ll take you to meet your partner.”

Ming Nuo sat down to look at the map of the town. “Okay.”

The staff member brought over a coded box, opened it, and said apologetically, “Teacher Nuo, show rules state that guests cannot have communication devices during filming. Please turn off your phone and place it in here.”

“Oh, okay.”

Ming Nuo turned off her phone and looked down into the box.

On a lemon-yellow phone case, there was half a moon charm.

Ming Nuo froze. She stared at that crescent moon in disbelief for a long time. Then, she placed the other half of the moon—which she had been gripping tightly in her hand—right beside it.

Ning Xueqing couldn’t possibly be carrying the other half with her.

Except… she was. Ning Xueqing was carrying the half you gave her everywhere she went.