Gu Yuxuan laughed cheerfully and patted her chest. "It's no problem at all! I'll just be writing my thesis this semester. I don't really have anything on at the moment. Just leave Niannian to a great idler like me."
Yun Muxi flashed her a grateful smile. "Hm. I've already registered Niannian in a kindergarten. She can stay there during the daytime and you'll just have to help pick and drop her off. Of course, if I have the time, I'll do it myself."
Gu Yuxuan lovingly caressed Niannian's head. "Our dearest little princess Niannian is all grown up! You're about to enter a kindergarten!"
Yun Muxi appeared to have thought of something. "Oh right, I'll be going to campus this afternoon. I'll have to leave Niannian to you then. Since I'm done with my thesis, I want to show it to my supervisor. If there's no issue with it, I'll just have to wait for my thesis defense and graduation. I'll be able to make sure of the free time to focus on the filming."
Gu Yuxuan raised her chin to look toward the sky, looking as if she had suffered a great impact. "Is there still any fairness left in this world? I've not even got started but you're already done with your thesis... Sob... Must you crush outstanding heroes so fiercely like this? It's true that one wouldn't get hurt if one doesn't make comparisons! Can you stop yourself from torturing me too much with your super IQ? You've already tortured me since young! My life hasn't been easy! If I'm not as big-hearted as I am, I would've long die from spitting out too much blood!"
Yun Muxi could not stop ridiculing her friend after seeing how exaggerated her response was. "You must use your talkativeness to finish writing your thesis. You'll get enough inspiration if you stop watching so many idol dramas and gaming so much."
Gu Yuxuan denied the logic of Yun Muxi's words. "I'm just following the trend of youngsters and doing what all youngsters do. Who would want to be like hobbyless like you? You don't watch television, go out shopping, join gatherings, sing karaoke, watch films, or play games. You don't even go out to eat! You basically go to and fro from point A to B each day. You're what the stereotypical retiree look like! No, that's not quite right! Retirees these days have an even more interesting life than you because old ladies would at least go out dancing in the square, travel, hike, or use social media..."
Bitterness flitted across Yun Muxi's face. She smiled faintly. "Where would I have the time to do all those things? You need time and money to exchange for such a carefree life."
Gu Yuxuan instantly knew that she had misspoken and a guilty expression appeared on her face. "I'm sorry, Xiao Xi! I shouldn't say these things to you. Just blame my filthy mouth. I'm just shooting my mouth off. Please don't take it to heart. I know you're doing all this for Niannian. You've been juggling your studies, work, and caring for Niannian all these years..."
Niannian might not understand the conversation between the adults but she seemed to have sensed her mother's dejection. She hugged Yun Muxi's calf with her tiny hands and raised her head, staring at the latter with her large and limpid eyes. Yun Muxi's heart immediately softened when she saw how clever and sensible Niannian was. But it was also because her heart ached for Niannian. Niannian had always been more sensible than her peers since a young age and rarely threw tantrums or became stubborn. She was particularly easy to care for, giving Yun Muxi peace of mind. With the help of Gu Yuxuan and Mou Yichen, this child turned three in the blink of an eye. Even though the three of them tried their best to shower her with affection, Yun Muxi still felt like she owed Niannian too much.
Yun Muxi squatted down and rubbed Niannian's little head. "For Niannian, it was all worth it," she said with a gentle smile.
Gu Yuxuan's heart squeezed as she looked at the mother-and-daughter pair. After a moment of silence, she said, "But it's so hard on you to be alone like this. You're only 23 years old and this is your best time. How nice would it be if you can find and marry someone who would love and care for you? There'll be someone to help you, at least."
Chuckling, Yun Muxi shook her head. "Don't I have you and Yichen helping me all this while? I'm very content. I think it's fine just to keep living like this."
Niannian stared at her with her large eyes and said timidly, "Mommy, Niannian wants a father. Can I have Uncle Gong as my father?"
Yun Muxi's heart fell. She then patiently said, "Niannian, please be obedient. You have Mommy, Mommy Xuanxuan, and Daddy Chen. You can't be greedy when you already have so many people doting on you. Most children only have two parents, but you have three. Moreover, Uncle Gong will not be your father. Please don't talk about this anymore. It's not nice if he hears about it."
Niannian lowered her head dejectedly, wearing such a pitiful expression that no one would have the heart to refuse her.
There was something that Gu Yuxuan wanted to say, but dared not to…
...
University Z.
Yun Muxi made a beeline for the faculty office as soon as she arrived on campus.
"Thump, thump, thump!" She knocked gently on the Professor Wang's office door.
An aged but firm voice came from inside. "Please enter."
Yun Muxi pushed the door open and walked in with a smile. "Professor Wang."
Professor Wang was busy writing at the table. He looked up when he heard her voice. "Oh, it's you, Xiao Xi? Come on in. What brings you here?"
Wang Xiansheng was an elderly man who was about 60 years old. His salt-and-pepper hair was combed back in a neat fashion and a pair of glasses with thick lenses decorated his face. Wrinkles lined his forehead and specks of grey could be found even in his eyebrows. Sitting on the tail of his eyebrows was a long, white hair. Even though he appeared wizened, he had a ruddy complexion and gave off the air of a scholar. Moderately-built, he was dressed in a white shirt, corduroy trousers, and round-toed shoes. Though his appearance was simple, he did not look underdressed at all. Professor Wang had already reached his retirement age but out of boredom at home, he returned to work as a special professor.
Yun Muxi was the student that he was proudest of in his career of 40 years. She had always been seen as well-behaved, clever, witty, diligent, studious, sensible, and quiet. She was unlike many students these days who were prone to exaggeration and lost in life. She was typically rather secretive and would often leave as soon as classes were over. She had never been spotted in any place on the campus except the classes as well. Even so, she had never done anything improper in her four years in university and was always a good student. She retained her scholarship every year and a top-scorer in all subjects. The top student position had always belonged to her. What teacher wouldn't like a student like her?
"Professor Wang, I'm done with my graduation thesis. I'd like your advice on it. I'll be pretty busy in the following days, so if there's any revision to be done, I want to finish it as soon as possible," she said, smiling.
Professor Wang was terribly surprised to hear her words. "Oh? You're done with your graduation thesis so quickly? There are so many students who haven't even started yet! You really deserve your top scholar title…"
Professor Wang was terribly surprised to hear her words and said, "Oh? You're done with your graduation thesis so quickly? There are so many students who haven't even started yet! You really deserve your top scholar title! Hehe, Xiao Xi, you're really the student that I appreciate most during my teaching career." Yun Muxi smiled softly and said, "It's because Professor Wang teaches well." And then she handed the thesis and said, "Professor, this is my thesis. Could you please spare your time to help me with it?" Professor Wang took the thesis and looked at Yun Muxi with gratification. "Xiao Xi, what will you do after graduation? Now, the school is discussing who can retain to work in the college. Are you willing to work here, or to pursue further education?" Yun Muxi smiled gently and replied, "I don't have such plans temporarily for both of them. I would like to polish myself in the society for years, and then recons
Gong Yu entered the elevator, took a deep look at Yun Muxi and stood beside her. At the moment Tong Nan saw Gong Yu, her eyes lighted up. He was really handsome and manly. Tong Nan could not shift her starry eyes from Gong Yu and raised her blue eyes to follow Gong Yu like a spotlight. Although Tong Nan was 1.78 meters high, Gong Yu was 1.85 meters high, so he was much higher than her. She just lifted her head to look at him, even Yun Muxi standing between them could not hinder her because of Yun Muxi's height disadvantage. With a bright, infatuated smile, Tong Nan asked, "Handsome man, which floor do you go to?" Gong Yu answered coldly, "The same, 25th." Tong Nan asked with a bigger surprise, "Sister Xiao Xi, he lives on the same floor with you!" Yun Muxi replied indifferently, "Yes, he lives opposite to me, a newcomer here." Tong Nan said with envy, "Woo, a handsome man is living opposite to you
While passing by the tea table, Gong Yu extracted two pieces of paper from the paper-drawing box. He went straight to sit on the sofa and placed Niannian on his thigh. He wiped off her tears and snots gently and coaxed her tenderly, "Lovely Niannian, don't cry. Shall I play with you?" Niannian said while sniffling, "Uncle Gong... will... play with Niannian... all the time... will you..." Gong Yu nodded gently and continued to coax her tenderly, "Well, as long as you don't cry and behave well, I'll play with you once I'm free. Don't cry, Niannian." Niannian nodded her head gently and sobbed as she said, "Let... Let's... make... a pinky promise..." Then, she reached out her pudgy hand to him with four fingers bending and the pinkie stretching. Gong Yu stared blankly at her and his face hardened. Then, he followed Niannian to hook her pinkie. Niannian smiled and continued to sob as she said, "Let's... make
Niannian thought Gong Yu did not reply because he could not agree. Then, she lowered her small head and said quietly, "Uncle Gong, it doesn't matter if you don't agree. My mummy said that you would not agree. I'll still call you Uncle Gong." Upon hearing this, Gong Yu became softhearted as if the softest place in his heart was prickled badly with bleeding. Especially when he saw Niannian's miserable appearance, he did not know how to refuse. He answered in a low voice, "Niannian, as long as you're happy, you can call me whatever you want" Suddenly, her little face was as bright as sunshine, which lit up his heart. Gong Yu smiled faintly which was extremely warm. Seeing that, Niannian was happier and asked with surprise, "Daddy Yu, you're so pretty when you smile." Niannian called smoothly. She sounded like a copper bell, echoing in his mind for a long time, which made him look colored and dazzling. Just then, Gu Yuxuan appear
Gong Yu grasped Yun Muxi's wrist and looked at her nervously. He lifted her up with a princess hug and ran to the faucet in the restroom, washing her hand with cold water. Yun Muxi felt a terrible pain with her tears trickling down her cheeks. Her mind went blank, so she paid no attention to Gong Yu's tension and intimacy. Gu Yuxuan was also worried. She ran to the tea table and search things in a medicine cabinet. After finding the medicine for scald, she ran into the restroom and passed the ointment and gauze to Gong Yu. After receiving the ointment, Gong Yu held Yun Muxi to the sofa in the living room and laid her down cautiously. He got down on one knee, holding the red and swollen blistered hand, and gently blew while applying ointment to the hand with great care. He was so gentle as if he was treating a rare treasure. He knitted his eyebrows tightly and his eyes were full of tender affection. Niannian was panic-stricken when she saw her mummy hurt. She was
Ding Sisi was always a little self-important, so she did not take the scene seriously. While shooting for the first time, the Director called a "cut" directly because of her empty eyes. Director Zhao reminded her in a low voice, "Ding Sisi, why are your eyes empty? You're not playing a dying man. You should be surprised and maladaptive to the sudden change. You should be a little flurried, panicky, and confused. After leaving Mu Lengyu, you must have so many mixed emotions. Think about it and let's do it again." Then, they began to do it again. Ding Sisi shed tears sadly and her performance was emotional. But the Director called a "cut" once again. Director Zhao reminded her again, "Ding Sisi, you have just known Mu Lengyu, so your relationship is vague. You should not cry so badly." She performed for the third time. Ding Sisi opened her eyes in a panic. The Director called a "cut" once again. Direc
Gong Yu whispered to Zhao Yi, and then Zhao Yi responded with a look of hesitation. And Gong Yu added something. Zhao Yi contemplated for seconds and nodded his head finally. Director Zhao stood up, clapped his hands and called loudly at the crew, "Stop and come here for a moment." Hearing the call, all the crew came up to Director Zhao, forming a circle with Zhao Yi in the center. Sitting dismissively on the edge of the film set, Ding Sisi did not move at all. Instead, she lifted her right hand and examined the manicure she just had yesterday, as if she had heard nothing. With a haughty look, she threw a slanting glimpse at the crowd around Zhao Yi. Zhao Yi raised his eyes to glance over the filming site to check whether all had gathered together. Unexpectedly, he found that Ding Sisi was still in the distance. Anger rose instantly in his heart. He withdrew his glance and coughed lightly. Ding Sisi was totally elated in her heart, and a
When Gong Yu saw Amy holding her hands and thinking something else as looking at the phone, he asked, "What's wrong?" Amy put the phone aside and answered softly, "Ding Sisi is really funny. She dared to order me to deal with it carelessly." Upon hearing it, Gong Yu became sullen and said deeply, "Ignore it. And do you own thing carefully." Amy could not help arching her eyebrows and joking, "What? Handsome guy, why did you stand up for Yun Muxi like that? Do you like our screenwriter?" Yun Muxi was surprised at these words and said in disagreement, "Oh dear, Sister Amy, don't make fun of me. It's not good if others hear that." Gong Yu coughed lightly and pretended to be indifferent. He headed down to a magazine and said in a deep voice, "We don't have enough time. Please get started!" After being reminded, Amy came to herself and got into gear quickly, throwing herself into doing m