Even when facing such an unapproachable sister, Shi Nanbei had no trouble getting her way. Why? Simple: as a child, Nanbei was unbearably cute—hair curling at the ends, big round eyes, fair skin, and a tiny mouth that squeaked out baby-talk whenever she spoke. A child like that naturally attracted attention and affection.
Most importantly, she seemed completely impervious to her sister’s coldness. Instead, she would happily repeat her little mantra:
“Hu…hug…hug…!”
“No.” Zhao Xunyin wasn’t the type to be fond of children, and even when faced with the irresistibly cute Nanbei, she could reason with her calmly. “You have legs. Walk back by yourself.”
Nanbei had been late in speaking as a toddler—she only started saying a barely understandable “Mama” at two years old, leading her mother to suspect she might be slow. If she hadn’t later learned words like “sister,” “rice,” and “hug” while staying with her grandmother, her mother might have genuinely questioned her intelligence.
So naturally, Nanbei couldn’t comprehend Zhao Xunyin’s reasoning. She just giggled and repeated:
“Hug”
Then, in a show of urgency, she took two steps forward, threw her arms around Zhao Xunyin’s leg, and became a miniature, pouting leg-hugging accessory.
Zhao Xunyin: “…”
“Let go.”
Nanbei looked up, her watery eyes fixed solely on Zhao Xunyin.
“Hug”
She was stubborn, indeed.
Zhao Xunyin: “…”
Seeing it in her grandmother’s presence, Zhao Xunyin finally relented and bent down, picking up the milk-scented Nanbei.
At last, Nanbei’s wish was fulfilled. Beaming, she leaned up and planted a sweet kiss on Zhao Xunyin’s face. Zhao Xunyin, slightly disgusted, scolded, “Kiss all you want, but why do you have to leave saliva?”
Nanbei just giggled innocently, utterly clueless.
Zhao Xunyin: “…”
Kids really could be so annoying.
Even though she thought this, over time, Zhao Xunyin grew accustomed to having this little rascal tagging along with her. Later, after leaving Chengdu, dropping out of school, and entering the entertainment industry, she encountered countless people of all types. Yet in the quiet moments of the night, she would sometimes involuntarily think of the little child who had clung to her, insisting on hugs.
According to Nanbei’s grandmother, that child had grown quite a bit.
Would she still remember her?
“Wait, you mean I knew you when I was little?” After hearing Zhao Xunyin’s past experiences—especially about how clingy she had been—Shi Nanbei was skeptical. “Really? Why didn’t I know?”
She hoped Zhao Xunyin wasn’t lying.
Zhao Xunyin saw through Nanbei’s thoughts immediately and, with a slightly exasperated sigh, replied, “It’s normal that you don’t remember. How old were you back then?”
Nanbei paused. “…”
It did make sense; a two-year-old wouldn’t remember much.
Nanbei pondered silently for a while, then suddenly slapped her thigh and, turning to Zhao Xunyin with excitement, asked, “So, does that mean we’re childhood sweethearts?”
Zhao Xunyin: “…”
The assistant driving the car earlier: “…”
Childhood sweethearts? Have some shame!
Yet looking at Nanbei’s eager and hopeful expression, Zhao Xunyin—always soft-hearted when it came to her wife—couldn’t help but nod. “Yes. We’re childhood sweethearts.”
Nanbei’s smile lit up the room, her pearly white teeth practically warming Zhao Xunyin’s chest. How could someone so little be this adorable?
The assistant: “…”
Why do I feel like I’ve been force-fed a huge serving of PDA? What on earth happened last night that made them this clingy? Could there have been some shady behind-the-scenes deal? the assistant thought, secretly concerned.
Traffic in Chengdu was much better than in Beijing or Shanghai, so the three of them reached their destination quickly. With Nanbei’s lively chatter along the way, the trip flew by. Poor assistant, though—she had never been subjected to this much public display of affection from Zhao Xunyin before.
Ugh, this ridiculous, sweet love, it makes you want to cry.
Nanbei’s grandmother, naturally, was aware of their visit. To prepare, she had gone shopping early that morning, and along the way, neighbors couldn’t help asking, “Professor Shi? So many groceries—is your granddaughter coming back?” Having lived in the neighborhood for years, everyone knew she was a retired professor and had a beautiful granddaughter.
“Yes,” she replied kindly, “and her girlfriend is coming too.”
“Oh? Your granddaughter has a girlfriend?” Some neighbors were surprised. Speaking in Sichuan dialect, one remarked, “Time flies! I still remember the last time Nanbei beat up my little grandson, and I went to your house to complain.
Now she’s all grown up and already has a girlfriend?”
“She’s in her twenties now. It’s normal.”
“Do let us know if there’s a wedding coming. We’ll be honored to attend.”
Grandma Shi chuckled. “Of course. You all must come.”
By the time Nanbei and Zhao Xunyin arrived at her grandmother’s building, it was already ten in the morning. The assistant stayed in the car but could be called anytime. Zhao Xunyin, not a strict boss, said kindly before heading in, “You can wander around nearby. I’ll cover the costs.”
“Okay, boss!” The assistant had been ready to play a few rounds on her phone but instantly beamed at the offer. She hadn’t gone shopping in ages.
Nanbei: “…”
Why did she feel a little envious? She also wanted someone to pay for her shopping.
Grandma Shi lived on the 18th floor. While riding the elevator up with Zhao Xunyin, Nanbei noticed Zhao Xunyin looking a bit nostalgic. “It’s been so long since you’ve been here.”
Nanbei recalled Zhao Xunyin had mentioned she used to live in the same building. “You used to live here? Apartment 1803?”
“You remembered?” Zhao Xunyin asked, surprised.
“No,” Nanbei shook her head. “I don’t really remember something from so long ago. I just recalled when you mentioned it. There was an empty apartment next to grandma’s place for years. I thought some rich person had forgotten it.
Turns out it was you.”
Zhao Xunyin fell silent. Nanbei noticed and suddenly realized:
“You didn’t actually forget you owned an apartment here, did you?” With property prices in Chengdu having skyrocketed in the past two years, forgetting an apartment worth millions would be something else.
“No,” Zhao Xunyin answered honestly. “My parents forgot.”
Nanbei: “…”
Wow, her in-laws sounded rich.
Could it be she’d married a wealthy wife?
Arriving at the 18th floor, Nanbei unlocked the door and called out loudly: “Grandma! Grandma? Are you here?”
Grandma Shi came out of the kitchen, slightly annoyed. “I’m not deaf, why are you shouting? I heard you!”
Zhao Xunyin stood politely at the doorway. “Grandma.”
Grandma Shi tilted her head and smiled broadly at Zhao Xunyin. “Xiao Yin! Come in, come in. How many years has it been since you last visited?”
“Many years indeed.”
“Busy with work? You’ve lost weight! Today, I made your favorite braised pork ribs and kelp soup.”
Nanbei watched her grandmother dote on Zhao Xunyin, holding her hand affectionately. For a moment, she felt completely bewildered.
Who was she? Where was she? Did she even have a grandmother?
Grandma called out: “Nanbei? Shi Nanbei! Are you dawdling at the door? Go pour a glass of water for Xunyin.”
Nanbei: “…”
She glanced at her grandmother, then at Zhao Xunyin, smiling so warmly, and felt an even sharper pang of envy. She stomped and turned away in a huff.
Zhao Xunyin: “?”
Grandma Shi, noticing, waved dismissively. “Don’t mind her. I haven’t scolded her lately; she must feel awkward.”
Zhao Xunyin: “…”
Grandma Shi really was Nanbei’s true grandmother.
It had been years since Zhao Xunyin last visited. Before, they only chatted occasionally on WeChat. When Zhao Xunyin got busy, replies could take days. So, Grandma Shi had many questions to ask, especially about Zhao Xunyin’s recent work. Zhao Xunyin explained that her studio had been running smoothly for a couple of years, and she had signed several artists:
“My studio is on track. I plan to pause my own work for a while and study further. As an actor, I’ve reached the peak of my abilities, won the awards I could, and now I want to work behind the scenes.”
What she didn’t say aloud—but was most important—was that she was no longer alone. Having Shi Nanbei changed everything; suddenly, she wanted a home.
And a home, needed someone to share it with.
She had first met Nanbei when she was little. She had thought their encounter would be brief, a fleeting moment before they went separate ways, each finding their own path. But fate had a way of surprising her. In the end, they had become wives, and truly, it was a wonderful coincidence. This time, she wanted to grow up together with that little rascal, by her side.