Jingzhe was guilty and the cri was buying a six year old a smart makeup mirror. It was a mirror with a built-in augnted reality that let kids try on virtual makeup looks before applying real makeup.
The mirror which was loved by girls of many ages had raised so concerns among parents in the empire lately because many mothers did not want their young daughters being encouraged to look like mature won. No five year old needed red lips and a smoky eye to attend kindergarten!
Another concern about the mirror was that it was raising body image issues among young girls. It was also a ti eating device, affecting children’s physical activity and social interaction.
With all the technology advancents in toys, it had beco a challenge for children to go out an play like they used to in the past years. Phoenix toys was the company responsible for half of the toy advancents in the world. For that reason, they were always battling one lawsuit after the other from displeased parents. The smart makeup mirror was not one of their products however.
There were argunts for the smart mirror like it encouraged art skills, creativity and provided a safe environnt for experintation.
But there were illogical argunts that were overshadowing any positivity. Parents had said the mirror was harmful to tal health and had no educational value. So associated makeup exploration with sexual growth and many simply said it was ruining their children’s childhood.
The company had responded by including settings for parental guidance in their newest updates.
Unaware that her cousin was in trouble, Lian was excited about the mirror. "i i, my mom refused to buy one. She said I should watch cartoons instead, I will just co to house more often and play with the mirror."
Mingzhu could not respond to Liang, she was smiling uneasily. "Mommy..." Mingzhu started in a nervous voice.
"I said no smart makeup mirror Mingzhu." i i said in a stern voice.
Jingzhe eyes skirted around, he was confused. He told Mingzhu to pick out the toys she wanted and she did. He did not know that the mirror was contraband in the house.
"i i, it was my fault." He moved his body to cover Mingzhu. "I should have asked before purchasing it for her. I should have done my research first as a responsible parent."
i i pushed him back and she looked at Mingzhu, eyebrows raised. "He did not know, but you did."
When it ca to her daughter interacting with technology, i i was very involved. She did not want Mingzhu to beco addicted to a phone, ga, VR, smart mirror and any other smart device. Currently, it was one of the biggest battles in the world; technology and addiction.
Where schools used to have posters banning smoking on the grounds, today they had various smart devices.
"As soon as we get ho, you are handing in your illegally gained smart device young lady. And I am going to punish your daddy too because he should have known better." i i told her daughter.
Mingzhu lowered her eyes. "Sorry mommy." she whispered. She extended her hands to Jingzhe, grabbing his arm. "Sorry daddy. Mingzhu will reflect on her actions tonight. Mingzhu will ground herself for one hour when we get ho by staying in her bedroom."
Her eyes were watery, she turned them to Jingzhe and he lted quickly.
i i had seen this trick one ti too many. Mingzhu was quick at apologizing, which was genuine ninety percent of the ti. But, she was also quick at assigning herself punishnts which were simple to avoid larger punishnts. Grounding herself in her bedroom was simply an opportunity to sleep like a lazy piglet.
"Nice try lazy general." i i said and she laughed. "You are grounded for one entire weekend and you will not be going to Lian’s ho for a sleep over this weekend. You will go with to the camp and work off your cri. You too Lian, you are coming with us and by work, I an work not fun."
"Aunt, why am I being punished too?" Lian complained.
Lowering her disapproving eyes to et Lian’s, i i asked the young girl. "Should I tell your mother that you wanted to co over and play with the smart makeup mirror?"
"No." Lian replied quickly.
Mingzhu tears dried up pretty quickly. She threw herself into Jingzhe’s arms and called out daddy in a whiny voice.
Jingzhe, the fool when it ca to Mingzhu embraced the little one quickly. "It’s okay, daddy will take you for ice....." when he saw the fierce glance i i was giving him, he changed his wording. "water, daddy will take you for ice water."
As they stepped out of the car, Mingzhu corrected Jingzhe, "Daddy, its ice cream not ice water."
"My general, your mother the field marshal will kill us both." Jingzhe whispered to her.
i i ignored them, she carried Lian and they walked into the mall. They started from the kids section, visiting phoenix toys first.
Lian wiggled out of i i’s arms quickly and Mingzhu did the sa, abandoning Jingzhe. Excitent filled both girls as they embarked on a run from one aisle to another, enjoying rides on the shoulders of two of the largest toy robots in the store.
Phoenix toy stores were like an indoor playground, the experience of shopping for toys was more exciting than buying the toys themselves.
It was loud in the store, squeals of children ca from every corner. Exhausted parents were sitting or passed out in the open sitting area, drowning in coffee, energy drinks, energy sweets and other health drinks to stay awake and energized.
Jingzhe followed the girls around patiently, occasionally testing out a toy with them. He even got inside the large self driving train which had moving tracks in the store. As large as it was, it was one of the best selling toys in the company.
It ca fully equipped, fully stocked, with human sized toy robot workers, toy robot passengers, toy robot criminals, robot cops and robot monsters attacking the train. VR was also an addition that added to the fun of the interactive train ga.
Unfortunately, only those that lived in large houses or apartnts could take it ho. Altogether, it had ten carriages but everyone could decide how many they wanted depending on how heavy their pockets were.
A ten year boy nad Ouyang Yan was famous in the world for having the largest and longest Phoenix toy train set. It was a custom designed high speed train with one hundred twenty carriages, all luxurious. Every year, on his birthday, he invited his friends and at least five hundred people over for an epic battle on the train that was broadcast live.
"i i, we are ordering for the train." Jingzhe run to her with Mingzhu and Lian on his heels. "One hundred twenty one carriages."
"No!" she bellowed quickly.
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