Nana listened attentively, her sparkling eyes blinking adorably. She nodded, then shook her head, “Nana likes it, but that belongs to Sister Zizi. Mommy said Nana can’t take other people’s things.”
Mia really liked Nana and gave her a thumbs-up, her sweet, crisp voice ringing out, “Nana is so great!”
Nana was the youngest among them. Although she often cried and fussed, it didn’t affect her understanding of right and wrong. Her parents must have taught her well in private.
The livestream audience melted at Nana’s soft, milky voice.
“Nana is so adorable. She already understands these principles at just five years old.”
“What a little angel Nana is! I can’t resist her smile—come give Auntie a kiss.”
“My adorable internet daughter, come to Mommy’s arms.”
“Hahaha, did anyone see Liu Jinzi’s livid expression? She just said Xiao Hu is young and it’s normal for him not to understand, that he needs to be taught slowly. But Nana is two months younger than Xiao Hu, and she’s been taught so well by her parents.”
“Liu Jinzi is just a bit too saintly.”
“I think Yan Jiaojiao was subtly hinting at this issue. If everyone thinks a child’s misbehavior is just due to age, then why are there even younger children who are so well-behaved?”
“Exactly! I really dislike kids who cry and fuss as soon as they’re corrected, making it seem like I’m the one in the wrong.”
“I think what Yan Jiaojiao said makes perfect sense. She was patiently reasoning with Xiao Hu, but he started crying as soon as she spoke, clearly not thinking he did anything wrong. If he isn’t taught now, society will teach him when he grows up, and it won’t be as gentle.”
“This time, I’m on Yan Jiaojiao’s side. If adults indulge children every time they cry, it will only harm them.”
“Am I the only one who feels sorry for Ling Yi? Even though his Rubik’s Cube was taken, he didn’t say a word. His non-confrontational and gentle personality might put him at a disadvantage.”
“…”
The others sitting on the sofa, including the staff on-site, couldn’t help but change their impression of the delicate little girl after hearing Nana’s words.
Nana was the most prone to crying among them and required patience to comfort, but at least she understood what was right and wrong—a rare quality for her age.
Yan Jiaojiao cupped Nana’s little face and praised her, “Nana is so great! How about Sister brings you some delicious milk candy next time as a reward?”
Nana squinted her eyes happily, “Okay!”
Seeing that no one was paying attention to him, Xiao Hu gradually stopped crying. Xiao Hu’s older brother, Xiao Hu, felt sorry for his younger brother and comforted him, even offering his favorite toy car for him to play with.
Zhong Qing wiped Xiao Hu’s tears and said, “Xiao Hu, don’t cry anymore. Let’s go apologize to Brother Ling Yi, okay?”
Xiao Hu seemed triggered by this and pushed her away, “No! You’re all bad people! I’m going to tell Mommy to have you all arrested!”
Zhong Qing was sitting on a low stool without a backrest. When she was suddenly pushed, she immediately fell backward. Just before hitting the ground, a shadow swiftly passed by, and a large hand supported her back.
Lin Qingfeng helped her up and asked softly, “Are you okay?”
Zhong Qing shook her head. She was just a bit startled, not expecting Xiao Hu to have such a fierce temper.
The man’s hand rested on her shoulder, his eyes filled with concern. She cleared her throat lightly, and Lin Qingfeng, realizing, let go of her, pursed his lips, and returned to his seat.
Xiao Hu, meanwhile, hid behind Xiao Hu, knowing he had done something wrong and cautiously peeked at her.Zhong Qing sighed, sensing the bumpy road of future childcare. Without getting angry, she still walked over to Xiao Hu, crouched down, and said gently, “Xiao Hu, do you really dislike this sister?”
Xiao Hu tugged on his brother’s sleeve and shook his head lightly. “Then why did you push her?”
Xiao Hu lowered his head without speaking. Zhong Qing patted his head and said, “Sister isn’t blaming you, but I don’t like it when Xiao Hu acts like this. Can you say sorry to me?”
“Sorry.”
He mumbled an apology, no longer screaming hysterically. Now that his emotions had stabilized, he understood that no one would indulge his temper. Being so young, when he heard her say she didn’t like it, he was afraid Zhong Qing would come to dislike him.
Children fear being disliked by adults.
Zhong Qing accepted his apology with relief and smiled, “Then I forgive Xiao Hu. Let’s pinky promise—no more throwing tantrums or snatching things from others, okay?”
She gently persuaded Xiao Hu, hooking her pinky to communicate with him in a childlike way. Xiao Hu’s eyes were still red, but seeing that his sister wasn’t angry or scolding him, he obediently extended his thumb to seal the promise.
Everyone present watched this scene with relief. Xiao Hu had calmed down and obediently apologized to Ling Yi as well.
Ling Yi nodded in acceptance. Yan Jiaojiao patted his head, and when he looked up and met her smiling face, a faint glimmer flashed in his pupils.
His hair was thick, soft, and pleasant to touch. Yan Jiaojiao couldn’t resist ruffling it a few more times, and he didn’t pull away, simply lowering his head to look at the Rubik’s Cube in his hands.
For dinner, Yan Jiaojiao still freeloaded at Zhong Qing’s place. After all, it was the first day of recording, and the production team didn’t say anything about it.
When it was time to bathe in the evening, most of the children needed help from the adults. Mia, the eldest sister, was already seven years old and went to the bathroom alone to bathe. She came out shortly after, and Xu Mo dried her hair for her, though it seemed like he hadn’t done this for anyone before.
Mia, who had a few strands of hair pulled, pouted, “Brother is so clumsy.”
Xu Mo chuckled softly, fumbling for a while before figuring it out.
Mia checked in the mirror to make sure her hair was completely dry and then sweetly praised, “Brother is amazing!”
Xu Mo didn’t quite understand the child’s mindset—first complaining, now praising—but seeing her smiling face, his heart softened. “Do you want me to tell you a story to help you fall asleep?”
“Sure!”
“What story would you like to hear?”
“The King’s Children!”
“…It’s The Little Mermaid.”
“Oh.”
Yan Jiaojiao was picking out clothes for Ling Yi from his wardrobe. They were all solid colors, with several white and black pieces—there wasn’t much to choose from. Are kids these days so mature and steady?
In Yan Jiaojiao’s memory, the boys from her childhood wore flashy clothes, at least with some patterns.
While she was lost in thought, Ling Yi had already picked out his own clothes. He walked toward the bathroom in his slippers, and she followed. The bathtub was already filled with water.
Yan Jiaojiao turned to the female cameraperson beside her for help. “I don’t have to bathe him, do I?!”
The camera nodded emphatically twice.
What?! A beautiful little fairy like her had to bathe someone else? How absurd!
The camera deliberately gave her a close-up shot, and Yan Jiaojiao hurriedly covered her face.
After struggling internally for a few seconds, she strode into the bathroom with the determination of someone facing certain death.
“Do you… want me to help you bathe?”
She had never bathed a child before and felt a bit embarrassed, her ears slightly reddening.
Ling Yi was taking off his clothes when he heard her voice. He immediately pulled down the hem of his shirt, which he had rolled up to his abdomen, and turned around to look at her warily.Yan Jiaojiao’s face flushed with embarrassment—what was going on? It made her look like some kind of female hooligan!
Ling Yi pointed toward the door, signaling for her to leave. Yan Jiaojiao closed the door and threw a few punches at the air.
After standing outside for a minute, she heard faint noises from inside and still felt uneasy. “Ling Yi, can you manage on your own? Do you need help?”