Jiang Qingmei explained with unprecedented patience. After the explanation, Jiang Xiaowei's little face turned bright red, and she lowered her head shyly. "Mom, I'm only five. Why are we talking about marriage…"
"You like the young master, don't you?" Jiang Qingmei's expression was serious.
"I do! Of course I do!" Jiang Xiaowei's eyes sparkled.
Her mind automatically conjured up Qi Jinchen's handsome face—so beautiful that none of the village children could compare. If she could marry a boy like that, she could walk with her head held high wherever she went. The whole village, even the whole town, would envy her!
Jiang Qingmei smiled. "That's right! If you like him, wouldn't you be happy marrying the young master?"
"Happy!!" Jiang Xiaowei had already begun fantasizing about her future life—being with such a handsome and wealthy young master, she'd be admired by so many people, wouldn't she? She'd even seen bodyguards protecting the young master.
She would have lots of followers too, doing whatever she wanted!
People waiting on her hand and foot.
As happy as could be!
Jiang Xiaowei clasped her hands together, stars in her eyes. "Then I could browse the town supermarket whenever I want, and have lots of little dresses and hair flowers?" Girls that age couldn't think too far ahead, and there wasn't much complexity in their minds.
Jiang Qingmei was grinning from ear to ear. "Silly girl, you could eat meat every meal, and have eggs until you're sick of them! Never mind little dresses and hair flowers—you'd have a whole basketful of shoes!"
"Really!?" Jiang Xiaowei's eyes went round.
"Of course. You need to spend lots of time with the young master, understand?" Jiang Qingmei instructed.
Hearing this, Jiang Xiaowei nodded like a woodpecker!
The sun was high, the countryside was vast, with wind blowing and sun shining. Within a few hours, the costume was dry. Jiang Qingmei dressed Jiang Xiaowei in it again, grabbed a bamboo basket of dried persimmons, and led her to the film crew.
By the time they arrived, the crew was resting.
It seemed to be lunch break, and waves of delicious aroma drifted over. Jiang Qingmei and Jiang Xiaowei's stomachs couldn't help but rumble. She stepped forward, smiling like a blooming flower. "Director Yan, this is a small token of my appreciation. For everyone to snack on when they have a moment."
Yan Qiu nodded, not refusing. "Thank you."
Her voice was flat, her manner distant.
Jiang Qingmei tugged at Jiang Xiaowei.
Jiang Xiaowei took a deep breath and stepped forward. "Pretty auntie, I'm sorry!" She bowed—a full ninety degrees, straight and proper—which made Yan Qiu feel somewhat better.
After all, she was just a five-year-old child whose values weren't fully formed.
She'd been spoiled at home and was bound to have a bit of a temper. Knowing her mistake and correcting it made her a good child. Yan Qiu's expression softened, though she remained reserved. "Mm, there's noodles over there. If you two haven't eaten, you can have some."
Jiang Qingmei swallowed and set down the bamboo basket, waving her hand. "I won't, thanks. We made food at home."
"It's fine, I'll head back first."
Jiang Xiaowei didn't understand why her mother was lying—wouldn't it be nice to just eat some? Before her thoughts could wander for even two seconds, she was drawn to the noodles a man brought over. She grinned with pure innocence. "Thank you, uncle!"
Yan Qiu's expression relaxed.
Good—this child could still be saved.
If she could admit her mistakes and correct them, and gradually form new values alongside them in the future, her temperament would change. At worst, if the assistant director wanted a girl, they could just hand Jiang Xiaowei over to him.
With that thought, Yan Qiu called the assistant director over to discuss the matter.
Jiang Xiaowei ate elegantly.
Jiang Qingmei had once said that no matter when, a little girl should act like a proper young lady. When she looked up and saw Jiang Xiaoxiao eating with food all over her mouth, she curled her lips in disdain, thinking to herself that a Jiang Xiaoxiao like this would surely be disliked by Qi Jinchen.
Qi Jinchen frowned in distaste, but still chose to pull out a tissue to wipe her clean. "You should eat like this—chew slowly and swallow carefully, understand?" he taught her patiently.
Jiang Xiaoxiao blinked her innocent eyes.
Her belly was full now.
But the pretty brother was teaching her how to eat.
Jiang Xiaoxiao pondered for a few seconds, then ultimately chose to fill another bowl and imitate Qi Jinchen's manner, eating slowly. As she ate, her little brows furrowed. "Achen Brother, aren't you hungry?"
Qi Jinchen was startled. "I am hungry."
"Then you should eat quickly!" She suddenly stretched her head over and whispered sneakily, "Achen Brother, if you eat this slowly, won't the pretty auntie take your food away?"
Qi Jinchen's heart ached.
He knew this must be because when she used to eat before, that auntie Jiang Qingmei would take her food away, which was why she wolfed down her meals, afraid someone might snatch it.
Qi Jinchen couldn't help but rub her little head. "Don't worry. No matter how slowly you eat from now on, no one will take your bowl away."
"Really…" She was cautious and careful.
Her frail and pitiful appearance was like a meteorite crashing down, landing heavily on his heart. He nodded firmly. "Really! When has Brother ever lied to you?"
Having received his reassurance, Jiang Xiaoxiao grinned wide. "Mm-hm! Xiaoxiao believes Achen Brother!"
Imitating Qi Jinchen's posture, she finished the bowl of rice.
She patted her round little belly, completely satisfied.
This was the best meal she had ever eaten!
No Jiang Qingmei to bother her, and the pretty brother's company—she was so happy!
Yan Qiu crouched down and patted her little belly. "Little belly is like a watermelon—ripe now."
Jiang Xiaoxiao's little face turned pale, and she clutched her stomach, begging for mercy. "Pretty auntie, don't cut open my belly!"
Yan Qiu laughed indulgently, knowing that Jiang Xiaoxiao's little head had conjured up some other terrifying thought. She waved her hands repeatedly. "No cutting bellies. Little belly isn't a watermelon. None of us can cut bellies, right?"
Jiang Xiaoxiao nodded with tears glistening in her eyes.
Yan Qiu truly adored this adorable little child.
Sometimes clever and mischievous, making everyone look at her with newfound respect; other times so innocent and naive, like a little sweetheart who didn't understand anything—Yan Qiu couldn't bear to let her go.
Qi Jinchen blocked Yan Qiu's view. "Mom, what did you do to Xiaoxiao?"
Ever since Jiang Xiaoxiao said not to call her River Imp, Qi Jinchen had been calling her Xiaoxiao.
Yan Qiu noticed this change.
She was overjoyed inside. This son of hers, who was indifferent to everything, had actually taken someone's words to heart one day. This little girl was truly their lucky star!
Yan Qiu raised an eyebrow. "You're already protecting her before she's even married into the family?"
Jiang Xiaoxiao looked at Qi Jinchen, then at Yan Qiu, not understanding what they were talking about. She tilted her little head. "Married into what?" She didn't understand, but that didn't mean Qi Jinchen didn't.
At eleven years old, he was at the age of budding innocence, just at the threshold of first love awakening.
But Qi Jinchen had been exposed to a lot through acting and understood matters of love far better than his peers. He lowered his head and said in a displeased tone, "Little kids shouldn't pry into so many things." He shot an annoyed glance at his own mother.
Yan Qiu covered her mouth and snickered.
If she hadn't seen the little fellow's ears turning pink, she really would have thought Qi Jinchen was angry.
It turned out he was just shy.
Watching her son become more and more humane, learning to care for and cherish others, Yan Qiu's heart, which was on the verge of aging, suddenly burned with excitement, pounding rapidly. She couldn't wait to share this with her husband, found a signal, and dialed.
Before long, a cool, clear voice came from the other end, "What's the matter?"
"Old Qi, guess what I'm about to tell you?" Yan Qiu said excitedly.