The little one’s damp hair gradually became fluffy between her fingers.
By the time Ming Zhi had finished blow-drying Little Yu’s hair, she noticed the child’s eyes were brimming with tears.
This startled Ming Zhi: “What’s wrong? Did I burn you?”
Are all kids this fragile? Could she actually die from a burn?!
Ming Zhi recalled a news story she had seen in a short video about parents accidentally rolling over and suffocating their child in their sleep, her expression filled with horror.
“N-no…” Little Yu wiped her tears. “I thought of Sister Xiaotian. Besides her, no one has ever blow-dried my hair before.”
Ming Zhi’s heart clenched.
Mù Fěi had been promoting her image as a loving mother for months, but behind the scenes, she hadn’t even blow-dried her adopted daughter’s hair?
She ruffled the little one’s head haphazardly: “Alright, alright, pick out some clothes.”
Children have short memories, and Little Yu’s attention was quickly diverted.
A three-and-a-half-year-old’s taste was clearly worlds apart from that of a sixteen-year-old girl.
Little Yu picked out a blue tulle dress: “This one! This is Princess Elsa’s dress!”
The dress was covered in sequins, making Ming Zhi frown.
But when Little Yu put on the little dress, Ming Zhi clutched her chest.
Oh! My! God!
How could she be so adorable?!
Little Yu held up the hem of her skirt, looking like a doll that had stepped out of a shop window, her eyes blinking brightly. Ming Zhi’s heart melted instantly.
“Now try this Barbie pink one!”
…
After who knows how long.
Little Yu was exhausted, sprawled on the bed, while Ming Zhi was still full of enthusiasm.
She had finally discovered the joy of dress-up games!
Questioning her mom, understanding her mom, becoming her mom!
She used to scoff at it, but now she was totally hooked!
“Sister, sleepy…” Little Yu rubbed her eyes and yawned.
Only then did Ming Zhi reluctantly stop.
“The bed is here. Do you want to sleep in that one?” The delivery guy had just brought over the bed from the Yún family.
It was a tiny crib, so small that even three-and-a-half-year-old Little Yu had to curl up on it.
Ming Zhi felt murderous rage.
She refused to believe that Yún Fēng and his wife were purely charitable—after Mù Fěi publicly adopted a daughter, she had landed several endorsements for mother-and-child brands!
She had already profited over ten million from Yun Xiaoyu! How could she treat Yun Xiaoyu so poorly?!
Little Yu mustered her courage and asked cautiously, “I want to sleep with you, sister…”
“Oh, whatever.”
Ming Zhi thought she was complaining about the small bed.
Little did she know, Little Yu just wanted to snuggle up with her sister while sleeping.
Tossing the pile of clothes onto the sofa, Ming Zhi went into the bathroom to wash up.
When she came out after her shower, she assumed Little Yu would already be asleep.
To her surprise, the little one was nodding off, struggling to stay awake just to wait for her.
“Sister! Little Yu warmed up the bed for you!” The little one perked up the moment she saw Ming Zhi, chattering excitedly. She even lifted the blanket and patted the bed with her little hand. “Sister, feel if it’s warm~”
…Hmph, who cares.
If she was cold, she could turn on the air conditioner, the heater, or an electric blanket.
What did she need a little kid to warm the bed for?
But once she slipped under the covers, Ming Zhi let out a satisfied sigh—
Whoa~ So warm~~
She had always had poor circulation, with cold hands and feet.
The little one beside her was like a small furnace, radiating warmth endlessly.
“Sister, snuggle~” Little Yu cozied up to her.
Ming Zhi remembered that news story, alarms blaring in her mind, and pushed the little one away.
“No, stay away from me!”
Her tone was stern, sharp as a blade in the bitter cold of winter.
The courage the little one had mustered with such difficulty shattered in an instant, like a bubble popping.
Had she made her sister dislike her?
Little Yu trembled slightly, shrinking further into the corner of the bed.
Realizing she had been too harsh, Ming Zhi coughed twice and drew a line in the middle of the bed. “Ever heard of the ’38th Parallel’? Don’t cross this line, or else I’ll…”
After struggling for a long time, Ming Zhi finally managed to come up with a threat that would be truly intimidating to a child:
“I’ll tell the whole world you’re a little dummy!”
Little Yu nodded, indicating she understood.
“Goodnight, you little brat.”
“Goodnight, sister.”
That night, Ming Zhi slept more soundly than ever.
She woke up because she was too hot.
In her groggy state, she felt something soft and fleshy pressed against her face. Rubbing her bleary eyes, her expression instantly darkened.
“Yun Xiaoyu—!”
The despicable little villain! She actually had her foot on her face!!
The little one was sleeping even more soundly than she was, though her sleeping posture was rather peculiar.
Her bottom was sticking up, her foot was planted on Ming Zhi’s face, but her head was buried under the covers.
Could she have suffocated?!
Ming Zhi jolted awake in alarm and quickly pulled Little Yu out from under the covers.
Thank goodness, she was still breathing.
The little one let out a couple of soft, milky whimpers.
Ming Zhi’s fingers itched. She muttered to herself, “Damn it… no! I can’t! Ming Zhi, wake up! Wake up! Don’t— ahhh~~ so soft”
After guiltily pinching Little Yu’s chubby cheeks a couple of times, her phone suddenly rang.
Ming Zhi jerked her hand back as if she had been shocked.
…Damn it, she had fallen for it again!
Answering the call, she heard Director Chu roaring through the receiver, “Ming Zhi! The live stream is about to start! Where are you and Yun Xiaoyu?!”
A little past seven in the morning was typically a slow time for live streams, but the live stream room for A Loving Family was already flooded with countless viewers!
First, because the variety show’s concept was fresh and its promotion was strong, and second, because the guests for this season each had their own unique backgrounds and brought their own topics!
Rising music star—Ming Zhi!
Beautiful actress—Mù Fěi!
Idol contestant—Pei Xubai!
Child star actor—Yu Sheng!
Wealthy internet celebrity—Lin Senyu!
…
It was said that there would even be surprise celebrity guests appearing later, with one exciting reveal after another!
The night before, the show’s official blog had announced the practice pairings.
The family Ming Zhi was paired with for practice was that of Mù Fěi and Yún Fēng.
Several of Ming Zhi’s original singles were highly popular online, especially her debut song Lemon Soda, which dominated short video soundtracks—even kindergarten kids could sing her songs.
Mù Fěi had been mocked as a “watered-down actress” when she won her Best Actress award, but no matter what, it was still a film award, so it carried some prestige. Rumors circulated that she had married into wealth, and viewers were also eagerly anticipating the reveal of her husband.
Thus, as soon as the live stream began, the comments in Ming Zhi’s personal live stream room were flying fast—
【Wow, Actress Mù looks amazing, she doesn’t look like a mom at all!】
【LOL, it’s not like she gave birth to the kid herself, of course she looks young!】
【Is this chubby middle-aged man her husband? Emmm… a bit disappointed, feels like a beauty paired with a toad】
Mù Fěi’s fans were highly combative and immediately flooded the comments to control the narrative.
【Please focus more on Actress Mù’s work!】
【Seriously, are the haters already here? Just jealous that our sister married into wealth!】
【Everyone knows our sister is beautiful and kind-hearted, adopting an orphan with mental illness. Unlike you, I just feel sorry for her】
Where’s Ming Zhi? Trying to act important in front of seniors? What nerve!
As the comment floated by, hurried footsteps echoed at the villa entrance, and the camera suddenly shifted—