Huaijin held her breath.
"Chi Huaijin from Sunshine Kindergarten!"
The applause was deafening.
Yuanfeng almost dropped his phone from shock before bursting into proud laughter, clapping like an overexcited seal.
"That’s my daughter!" he shouted.
Although Yuanfeng was screaming and clapping from excitent, having the soul of a grown adult, Huaijin couldn’t help but feel a bit embarrassed.
But Huaijin felt her chest swell, too. A tiny wave of pride ward her heart. She walked up to the stage with small, confident steps, receiving her certificate and ribbon with a bright smile.
When she returned, Yun Jue said:
"...It tasted good."
Just that.
Calm, simple, honest.
But from him, that was the equivalent of a 10-minute speech and fireworks.
She grinned happily. "Thank you, little brother."
Yun Jue’s ears turned slightly red.
But then—
"And next, the award for ’Best On-Stage Performance, Beginner Level’ goes to... Chi Huaijin!"
"Eh?" Huaijin blinked.
The crowd erupted again.
Yuanfeng’s jaw dropped.
This ti, Yun Jue’s friends threw their hands in the air, shouting, "Our little Huaijin is amazing!"
Even Yuanfeng couldn’t help but nod vigorously.
Yuanying froze mid-breath, shocked. But after two seconds, she lifted her chin and clapped, proudly, stubbornly, with a hint of competitive fire sparking in her eyes again.
"Hmph! You’d better be careful! Next ti, I’ll definitely take the first prize!"
Although Yuanying wanted to sound overbearing when she said those words, in Huaijin’s eyes, the act of imitating grown-ups was nothing but cute as she suppressed her smile and nodded, "Yes, yes, cousin, I’ll wait for you too!"
When Huaijin returned this ti, cheeks flushed with excitent, Yuanfeng imdiately lifted her up in a hug.
"You were wonderful," he murmured, kissing her forehead. "Absolutely wonderful."
"But it’s not over," Huaijin said smugly. "There is still my reward."
"Reward?" Yuanfeng blinked.
"Mm." Huaijin nodded seriously. "You promised to make noodles tonight."
"...that was it?" Yuanfeng stared.
"Yes."
He felt his heart lt.
This daughter of his was too easy to satisfy.
The ceremony wrapped up with cheers, confetti, and dancing children.
As families began leaving the campus grounds, Yuanfeng took Huaijin’s hand while Yun Jue walked silently behind them, maintaining a respectful but protective distance.
Huaijin held her certificates and ribbons proudly. She was just about to get into the car when—
A man with a lanyard and a cara crew behind him ran toward them.
"You—! Little girl—! Wait—!"
Yuanfeng imdiately stepped forward, shielding Huaijin with one arm. His expression, calm and elegant monts ago, snapped into the icy, expressionless researcher he pretended to be.
"What do you want?"
The man skidded to a stop, panting slightly.
"Ah—sorry, sorry! I’m not suspicious! I’m a talent scout from Rainbow Entertainnt’s Children’s Division. We were recording the festival. We saw your child’s dance performance earlier and—"
"No," Yuanfeng said instantly.
"You didn’t even let finish!" the scout cried.
"I didn’t need to." Yuanfeng’s voice was cold. "Goodbye."
He reached for the car door.
The scout panicked.
"Wait—wait! Sir— please hear out!" He looked at Huaijin desperately. "Kid, you were great! Your expression, your moves, it was so natural! The producers want you to join our children’s variety show! The pay is good! You’ll get exposure! We would even highlight your pastry-making skills!"
Huaijin blinked.
Oh.
That show.
In her past life, this opportunity went to Chi Yuanying.
It was one of the stepping stones for her cousin’s early fa.
Yuanying had blossod under the spotlight and gained popularity, attention, and confidence, until her downfall much later.
Now, however...
The spotlight was shining on Huaijin instead.
Money, recognition, and resources.
A good opportunity.
She wanted them all.
But—
Father would reject it. Of course he would.
Her father was cautious, overprotective, and deeply unwilling to expose her to the entertainnt industry so early. Not out of suspicion, but out of love.
She could see it in the way his hand tightened protectively on her shoulder.
"No," he repeated. "She is not joining."
But before he could turn away.
Before the scout could despair.
Before the mont could pass—
Huaijin tugged at her father’s sleeve.
"Wait."
Yuanfeng looked down sharply. "No, Huaijin."
"Wait," she repeated, this ti more firmly, eyes steady, mind sharp. "Let talk. Please, Daddy!"
He hesitated.
Then sighed, stepping aside half a step, though still hovering closely like a giant mother hen.
The scout’s eyes brightened with hope.
"Child! Listen—this show is very outstanding! We’re recruiting only three kids this season! If you join, you can—"
"I have a question," Huaijin interrupted politely.
"Yes! Anything!"
"If I join, can I bring one or two more children with ?"
The scout blinked.
"...what?"
"Two children," she repeated with emphasis. "If I recomnd them, can they join the show too?"
The scout was thrown for a mont.
Behind her, Yuanfeng stared.
Yun Jue’s eyes narrowed slightly.
Song Jue, who was sowhere far behind, dragging his mother, shouted, "WHAT SHOW?!"
The scout scratched his head. "Um... it depends. The show requires balanced personalities. We can only accept children who pass the audition and have potential."
"Mm." Huaijin nodded thoughtfully. "I know two."
"Two?" he repeated.
"Yes," she said. "Chi Yuanying and Liang Lingzhi."
This ti, everyone froze.
Even the breeze paused awkwardly.
Yuanying, who had co running over after spotting the commotion, stopped dead in her tracks.
"W—what?!" she squeaked.
Liang Lingzhi blinked rapidly, confused.
Yuanfeng’s brain short-circuited.
He crouched down, took Huaijin by her tiny shoulders, and whispered urgently:
"Why are you helping them enter the entertainnt industry?? You didn’t even ask about you entering!"
Huaijin patted his cheek with her soft hand.
"I only agreed to talk. I didn’t agree to join. Yet."
"Yet?" his heart clenched painfully.
"Mm." She faced the scout again. "Yuanying dances well. So does Lingzhi. Both deserve a chance."
The scout stared at her with awe.
This kid had charm. Soft but confident. Clever but kind. She radiated a natural leadership aura that caras loved.
What a gem.
But more importantly—
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