Chapter 21
Bubble pouted, looking aggrieved, with tears welling up in her eyes.
Jiang Yan could tell at a glance that something was wrong with her daughter. She knew that she couldn't help her daughter from a distance, so she could only try her best to comfort her from a distance.
The mother and daughter engaged in a lively and interactive conversation, asking and answering questions.
Duoduo bit her cheek, wanting to run away but worried about being laughed at. She stood aside, clenching her hands, worried that Paopao would expose her.
Surprisingly, Bubble didn't reveal her identity until the call ended.
Duoduo let out a long sigh of relief.
Bubble's personality is like Jiang Yan's; she's a resilient and patient child, holding back a single tear: "Now do you believe me?"
Duoduo bit her lip as she looked at her, a complex feeling welling up inside her.
Clenching her little fists, she muttered indignantly, "This only proves you have a mother, not a father."
She couldn't refute Bubbles' words. She looked up at the sky with melancholy. She had never seen her father, and didn't know where he was or what he looked like.
"I can borrow Bubble's dad!"
borrow?
Everyone was dumbfounded. Dad could actually be borrowed?
His shocking shout left everyone stunned.
Xu Niancheng quickly covered Xu Yirou's mouth, pressed down the brim of her hat, and hurriedly pulled her aside.
Xu Yirou kicked her little feet, made a peace sign with her little hands, and let out a sweet, crisp voice through her fingers: "I can borrow two dads from Bubble!"
Bubble & Dodo: ? ?
Xu Yirou jumped down from her daughter's arms and slapped He Nianzhu's bottom twice like a pat on a pig: "This is my second baby. Bubble, don't you like him? Then I'll lend you my second baby to be your dad."
Afraid that Bubble wouldn't agree, she enthusiastically recommended, "Don't be shy! Just tell me when you don't want Erbao to be your dad anymore. Erbao is very well-behaved; he listens to me!"
These two short sentences drew all attention to He Nianzhu.
He suddenly felt as if he were being pricked by needles, and wanted to cry but had no tears.
Thankfully, I was fully disguised before going out, otherwise being recognized would have been even more embarrassing.
Bubble had seen He Nianzhu's face before and was a big fan of his, so she immediately ran over excitedly to hold her friend's hand.
"Really, Bubble? You're so kind! That Demon Lord is my dad, so we're family now!"
"You're welcome, you're welcome." Xu Yirou beamed. "That's right, we're even closer relatives!"
He Nianzhu: ...
He Nianzhu hesitated, wanting to speak but then stopped. His mother just lent him out like that? Without even asking?
Isn't this a bit too hasty?
"Oh no, that won't do." Bubble suddenly remembered something, her smile gradually disappeared, and she lowered her head apologetically, saying, "I'm sorry, Rou Rou, I can't let the Demon Lord be my father."
"Ah, why?"
“Because Mom said that boys should know how to cook and do housework, otherwise they won’t be able to take good care of me and Mom.” Bubble glanced at He Nianzhu, shook her head and sighed, “The Demon Lord doesn’t know any of these things, so he can’t be my dad.”
He lost his eligibility to run for father.
He Nianzhu was both happy and unhappy. He pouted. His cooking skills were actually not bad, he was just lazy...
Xu Yirou suddenly realized, and waved her hand dismissively: "It's okay, don't worry, I still have Dabao, my Dabao is so handsome."
She tugged at Xu Niancheng's clothes: "Xiaobao, find me a picture of Zhang Dabao."
Isn't this just a matchmaking corner?
Xu Niancheng chuckled to herself. Her older brother probably never expected that he would be set up on a blind date by his mother while he was abroad, especially since the other party's "parents" were just like his mother's little kid.
That's so interesting!
Xu Qingyan rarely takes photos, but Xu Niancheng had a sudden inspiration and found his blue-background ID photo on the company's official website.
The man in the photo has sharp, sculpted features, a neat short haircut, flawless fair skin, slightly pursed thin lips, and an indifferent yet captivating expression.
Xu Yirou took the phone and called Paopao over to look at it. The two little heads were close together, whispering to each other.
"Look, this is my eldest son, isn't he handsome?"
Wow! Is he a big star too?
“No, but my eldest son is very capable. He will earn lots and lots of money and cook lots of delicious food,” Xu Yirou said happily. “He will definitely be a good father and take good care of you and your mother.”
When Bubble heard this, he thought, "He's handsome and hardworking, which is exactly what Mom wants!"
That's wonderful! She's going to have a dad!
Bubble swept away the gloom and transformed back into that sunny and happy kid.
"Rou Rou, could you ask Da Bao's dad to call my mom?" She recalled a scene from a romantic comedy. "He should ask my mom to go to the movies. My mom likes pretty flowers, so remember to pick the most vibrant ones for her."
Xu Yirou nodded and said in a muffled voice, "Yes, leave it to me. I will definitely make sure Da Bao is a good father."
Xu Niancheng glanced at the time: 2 PM in China, 2 AM abroad.
Her older brother usually dotes on her, and as his younger sister, she couldn't bear to see him being woken up in the middle of the night, so she suppressed a laugh and came to his rescue: "Mom, your older brother should be resting now. Why don't you exchange contact information first, and when he wakes up, have him add Mommy Bubble on WeChat?"
"Oh dear, my eldest son is still abroad on a business trip and isn't home yet." Xu Yirou belatedly realized, "Then we can only take your mother to the movies when he gets back."
Bubble: "What a coincidence, my mom is also on a business trip."
The two sensible kids first exchanged their contact information.
Left out in the cold, Duoduo finally couldn't take it anymore and screamed, "What are you two silly kids doing? How could you lend Daddy like that!"
Bubble rolled her eyes at her: "I didn't borrow your dad's money, why are you worrying about this?"
Duoduo: ...So angry, so angry.
"I won't lend it to you even if you want to. That's my dad, humph!"
"I don't care." Bubble proudly stuck out her little bottom. "Look, now I have a mom and a dad, and my dad can make a lot of money, cook, and is even more handsome than celebrities, unlike your dad who is dark-skinned, fat, and not handsome at all."
Duoduo's eyes widened. She knew her father wasn't handsome, but being told that in public was really hurtful to her self-esteem.
She only wanted her father to be ugly in secret, not openly ugly.
"...You! You!" She was so angry that her soft cheeks trembled, then suddenly a brilliant idea struck her. "I'll have my mom steal your dad away and make your mom marry my dad!"
The two kids: "..."
Duo Duo's mother, who had just come out of the toilet, almost fainted.
What are you doing?
"Duoduo!"
The loud shout startled the proud and arrogant Duoduo, who turned around tremblingly and said, "Mommy..."
Duo Duo's mother rushed over in a few strides, pulled her daughter behind her, and scolded her in a low voice: "Don't talk nonsense. How many times have I told you that girls should be quiet and gentle, and not watch those messy things with your grandma all day long."
Duoduo looked aggrieved and pointed at Bubble: "Mom, she said my dad is ugly."
Dodo's mother stared blankly at Bubble.
Bubble's face flushed red, and she hurriedly retorted, "I only said your dad is dark-skinned and fat, I didn't say he's ugly, don't slander me!"
Duo Duo's dad, who had just returned from making a phone call: ...
Oh dear, this couldn't have come at the worst possible time.
Duo Duo's mother didn't expect this to happen, and when she caught a glimpse of her husband's heartbroken departure, she almost burst out laughing.
"Okay, Duoduo, your dad... he's not very fair-skinned or very thin." She bit her tongue and gently advised, "That little kid was just telling the truth. Nobody said your dad is ugly. Don't overthink it."
Duoduo was skeptical. She didn't believe in Bubble, but she believed in her mother. After hesitating for a few seconds, she accepted her mother's explanation.
Duo Duo's mother then turned around and apologized to Qiao Wen and the others, feeling so embarrassed that she wished she could disappear into a hole in the ground.
This was the first time Qiao Wen had dealt with a dispute between her children. Fortunately, it wasn't a big deal. With her mother's guidance, Duo Duo apologized, and the incident was over.
Watching the mother and daughter walk away, Xu Yirou's eyes were firm: "Bubble, don't worry. As long as I'm here, Dabao won't be a dad to other kids. He'll only be your one and only dad."
"Thank you so much, Rou Rou, you're so kind to me QAQ"
Bubble puffed out her cheeks, her inner chuunibyou burning brightly: "I will never let Duoduo succeed. Evil will never triumph over justice. I will protect Mommy and Daddy, and protect Rou Rou."
The two cubs felt a deep connection: "I believe in you."
Just then, the school bell rang, and the dance teacher walked into the classroom: "Alright, children, gather together, class is about to begin."
Parents filed out; the dance class lasted three hours and ended at five o'clock, a time that was neither too long nor too short.
Some parents waited at the door, while others chose to leave. Xu Niancheng and her siblings stayed behind in tacit agreement, while Qiao Wen stood there without saying a word.
Out of respect for her elders, He Nianzhu offered, "Grandma, there's a lounge downstairs. Shall I take you down to rest for a bit?"
Qiao Wen replied politely but distantly, "Thank you, I'm not tired."
As expected, they were refused, and He Nianzhu and Xu Niancheng dared not say anything more.
The dance studio was heated, and the children, dressed in light ballet tutus, stood in a row. Xu Yirou, being younger and shorter, stood in the first row, closest to the teacher.
The little ones had no dance experience, so the first lesson mainly taught them simple stretching.
The dance teacher had long, slender limbs, and her simple, graceful movements exuded a delicate and elegant beauty, captivating the children in the room.
Xu Yirou's eyes were practically glued to her teacher, watching her demonstrate every movement with fascination, and she thought to herself, "My teacher must be a fairy descended from heaven."
She must study hard, inherit her teacher's mantle, and fly to the heavens to become a fairy!
Because she has no dance background and is young, she has difficulty maintaining her balance, and Xu Yirou is prone to falling when she does single-leg movements.
She's chubby and plump, like a bouncy meatball, and she even bounces back a couple of times.
Xu Yirou was not discouraged at all. She happily got up, dusted herself off with her chubby little hands, and continued to try.
Qiao Wen, who was watching from outside the window, frowned slightly, her gaze following the cub.
“The dance studio is padded, so you won’t get hurt,” He Nianzhu whispered to Xu Niancheng. “The safety measures are much better than in our company’s dance studio, so don’t worry about it.”
Their company's dance studio isn't slip-proof or designed to prevent falls; if you get hurt, it's just bad luck.
Xu Niancheng looked straight ahead: "Our mother has such delicate skin that it's hard to completely put my mind at ease."
Normally, if Xu Yirou bumps or bruises herself at home, the three siblings would treat it like a major crisis. Now, seeing Xu Yirou fall down again and again, it's no wonder they feel heartbroken.
He Nianzhu had been to the dance studio and knew that those singing and dancing idols often had bruises all over their bodies after dance practice; almost no one learned to dance without getting injured.
The brother and sister were both very worried.
"Why don't we stop looking and go downstairs to wait?"
"No." Xu Niancheng kept her eyes straight ahead, snapping photos with her phone, and smiled slightly, "I want to record Mom's precious moments!"
She wants to make a happy photo album of her mother's growth, print it out, and keep it as a treasure.
"Then send me a copy after you take the picture," He Nianzhu quickly added before his sister could react. "Good sister, my phone is almost out of battery, I can only rely on you."
"Oh, no problem, no problem." Xu Niancheng raised her chin and smiled sweetly: "As usual, transfer 888, but—this time you have to add a zero."
"..." You brat, why don't you just rob a bank?
He Nianzhu gritted her teeth, opened WeChat, and painfully transferred 8880 yuan after a series of operations.
Xu Niancheng's phone immediately displayed a payment request, and a few seconds later, her bank card also displayed a transaction notification.
Two transfers of the same amount, 8880.
Xu Niancheng waved her phone and said with a smile, "I'll accept the extra money you transferred as a tip. Once it's in my pocket, don't even think about getting it back."
He Nianzhu asked, puzzled, "What are you talking about?"
"The other transaction was transferred by me."
The brother and sister fell silent abruptly, and Xu Niancheng turned to Qiao Wen in a daze.
*
The three-hour dance class flew by, and Xu Niancheng took hundreds of photos from different angles and poses. Except for a few that were so blurry that they were unrecognizable, she couldn't bear to delete the rest.
Xu Yirou is very photogenic, and there's no need for any retouching. Just adjust the filter a little later.
Having been sternly reprimanded by her mother, Duoduo didn't dare to cause trouble for Xu Yirou and Paopao again. She was listless all afternoon, completely losing her previous unruly demeanor.
As soon as get out of class ended, the two kids held hands and ran out excitedly.
Xu Yirou took the initiative to invite Paopao to her home to play, and Paopao was very excited, her face showing her desire to go.
After struggling internally for a while, she reluctantly shook her head: "No, Rou Rou... I still have homework to finish. Mom said I can only go out to play after I finish it."
Xu Yirou blinked, feeling that the word "homework" was distant and unfamiliar.
But she knew that all the children had to do their homework, and Bubble was so pitiful.
"Okay, then I'll play with you after you finish your homework."
Knowing that her best friend wasn't in school, Bubble waved enviously and said:
"Then I'm going home, little one. Have fun, and whatever you do, don't let any adults take you to school. You have to do homework at school, and if you don't finish it, you can't watch TV. It's a miserable experience."
Xu Yirou responded sympathetically: "Don't worry, Rou Rou, I'm an adult. Adults don't need to study or do homework."
Xu Yirou reluctantly turned her gaze away only after her friends had completely disappeared from sight.
"Hello, I'm the parent of one of the children in your class, and this is my daughter." A slightly overweight middle-aged man suddenly walked over with a girl by the hand and introduced himself.
"I just observed that your child has a very good appearance and expressiveness. I was wondering if you would be interested in trying some still photography?"
The brother and sister, whose eyes were the only visible part of their body, stood guard in front of each other with wary eyes.
Seeing this, the middle-aged man took out the movie title from his wallet and handed it over, his attitude sincere: "Our company has been in the children's clothing industry for more than 20 years and has produced many best-selling products. Many child stars have also filmed with our company before their debut. The treatment is definitely generous in the industry. You two can consider it."
Qiao Wen, who held the position of matriarch among the three, unsurprisingly stepped forward to refuse: "Thank you, but we won't consider it."
The He family hadn't fallen so low that they needed a four-year-old child to work and earn money.
Xu Yirou stood on tiptoe: "Mom, what were you saying to this uncle?"
The middle-aged man spoke first, interrupting Qiao Wen, and squatted down, speaking in a gentle tone:
"Little friend, Uncle would like to invite you to be a child model. It's very simple. You just need to wear the beautiful new clothes from Uncle's company, strike a few nice poses, and let Uncle the photographer take a few pictures. We will pay you."
Qiao Wen was very uncomfortable with the other party's behavior and glared at him coldly with anger.
Model, take photos, make money.
Xu Yirou was immediately drawn in, awakening old memories.
She saw a fashion show on TV when she was very young. The models in the video were beautiful, tall, and wore pretty dresses. They walked with an air of nonchalance, and the audience below the stage was full of people who came to watch the show.
It's amazing to be able to walk the runway on such a high stage. From now on, she will add becoming a model to her wish list.
But for various reasons, this wish was not fulfilled in the end, but unexpectedly, now there is an opportunity.
"Okay, okay!" Xu Yirou agreed eagerly. "When can I film it? Now?"
"We also need your parents' permission." Qiao Wen's aura was so fierce that even the usually assertive middle-aged man couldn't handle it and looked at her ingratiatingly.
Xu Yirou smiled, her eyes crinkling, and looked up, pleading softly, "Mom, I want to take pictures! Please let me take pictures."
"Filming isn't as simple as you think," Qiao Wen said, not wanting to give a blunt rejection. "There will be many unexpected difficulties."
Fashion models often wear clothes backwards, wearing winter clothes in summer and summer clothes in winter. Xu Yirou is only four years old. Such a young child doesn't need to suffer like that.
"Mom, what kind of difficulty is it?"
“If you agree, then the photoshoot is a job. As a job, you have to be serious and responsible. You can’t be careless or do whatever you want.” Qiao Wen said meaningfully, “For example, you can’t be like when you’re playing the piano, multitasking and fiddling with things. You can’t just do whatever the photographer asks you to do. Can you stand still?”
"That sounds a bit difficult," Xu Yirou pouted, looking somewhat troubled.
The middle-aged man wanted to try to salvage the situation, but when he met Qiao Wen's sharp gaze, he reluctantly gave up the idea.
After thinking for a long time, the cub made up its mind.
Xu Yirou took a deep breath, her eyes shining: "Brave baby, don't be afraid of difficulties!"
"Mom, I've earned some money so I can buy you a gift. Hmm... I won't move around too much when I play the piano, and I'll try my best not to move when we take pictures."
Even if the photographer touched her, he wouldn't hit her, would he? She's a baby, a child laborer!
"So, please promise me you'll let me go and film it, okay?"
"Grandma, don't you have a black card? Isn't that enough to spend?" He Nianzhu asked, puzzled.
The middle-aged man was startled: a black card?
His expression was sullen. He had long noticed that this family exuded an air of nobility. Not only the young children, but all three adults were exceptionally good-looking and had outstanding demeanor. Ordinary people could not have raised such an air of refinement.
Based on his years of experience and keen eye, he was certain that this family would become a viral sensation if they made a video.
It's a pity that rich people don't lack money, otherwise he would definitely have tried to take over their whole family and make a short drama to test the waters.
"It's different."
The money in the black card was earned by Da Bao, and the card was given to her by Da Bao. It's only natural for her to spend her son's money to buy things.
But if she wants to give her mother a gift, she should earn the money herself to buy it.
Xu Yirou has her own ideas about how to spend money.
Qiao Wen's thoughts raced for a few moments before she finally nodded in agreement: "Then give it a try."
The nature of cubs is that the more you forbid them from doing something, the more they want to do it; simply stopping them only strengthens their resolve to do it.
A typical example of someone who won't turn back until they hit a brick wall.
Why not just grant her wish? Once she's experienced hardship and knows the pain, she'll come back on her own.
Xu Yirou jumped up excitedly: "Yay, Mom, you really are the best mom in the world!"
After agreeing on a shooting time and exchanging contact information, they said goodbye.
*
That night, Qiao Wen returned to the old house and parted ways with them halfway there.
Having experienced separation once before, Xu Yirou's reaction wasn't as strong as before; her daughter comforted her and she stopped crying and started laughing.
On the way back, Xu Yirou winked and boasted, "Erbao, I'm going to be a big star too!"
He Nianzhu found it amusing and deliberately said, "In that case, I'm your senior, Mom. I entered the industry more than three years earlier than you, shot hundreds of magazine covers, and endorsed several clothing brands. From now on, you'll have to call me 'brother' when you see me."
Xu Niancheng seized the opportunity to set a trap, her eyes clear: "In that case, does that mean Big Brother has to call you 'Brother' too?"
"A trivial skill, go back to editing your pictures."
Xu Yirou's focus was on something else: "Erbao, you've shot so many magazine covers?"
“Not much, it’s considered low.” When talking about her old profession, He Nianzhu spoke at length, “This is without me doing any variety shows. It’s just the popularity I get from film and television works every year. If I were to do variety shows, the number of business partners looking for me could circle the earth three times.”
Of course, there's some exaggeration involved; who wouldn't be a little arrogant after achieving fame at a young age?
"!!" Xu Yirou's face showed a heartbroken expression, as if she had missed out on a billion dollars. "Erbao, then you should go on variety shows! That way you'll be a super superstar, and all the kids will be even more envious of me~"
He Nianzhu found it intriguing and raised an eyebrow with a smile: "Mom, don't you always teach us that we shouldn't be competitive? Does this count as being competitive?"
"I've taught you so much, have you all done it?" Xu Yirou snorted lightly. "I'm your mother, and also a goddess."
Once Qiao Wen left, Xu Yirou's domineering motherly nature was revealed, and the child became much more astute.
He Nianzhu felt a chill run down her spine.
His mother... could she be deliberately acting cute and silly in front of his grandmother?
He Nianzhu wanted to stay another day, but the crew needed to do a script reading, and it wouldn't be appropriate for him, as one of the lead actors, not to be present.
So he couldn't accompany Xu Yirou to check out the filming location and rushed to the film set early the next morning.
Xu Niancheng's daily life of raising her child independently begins.
Xu Yirou attends dance classes four days a week, shoots three days a week, and practices piano every day without fail. Her schedule is packed seven days a week, and she is always busy and fulfilled.
Xu Niancheng didn't experience the chaos of her two older brothers opening blind boxes, and her leisurely and carefree state made the two migrant workers fall into silence.
The only minor incident was that many passersby recognized Xu Yirou when she was picking her up and dropping her off. To avoid the trouble of being exposed, she wore the legendary night clothes.
With significantly reduced skin exposure, only the eyes are visible, and security guards are on high alert when passing by jewelry stores.
The design is flamboyant, yet the effect is remarkable.
From then on, no one thought she resembled anyone else.
Life went on peacefully, and one day, Xu Qingyan, who had been away on a business trip for more than half a month, finally returned.
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