Chapter Forty-Seven: Inexperienced, Timid, Yet Fond of Play (Please Vote for Recommendations)

“Our Xier really is such a thoughtful, kind-hearted little darling.” Looking at the tightly embracing sisters of the Tan family, Qin Xue felt a soft string in her heart being gently tugged. The beauty of the world lies in caring for one another, in feelings that are born of affection and flow from the heart.

She gently patted Tan Jiner’s small, thin shoulder, handed her a tissue, then stroked little Xier’s head and spoke softly, “Be good, Xier. Jiner, no more tears. Let’s take our sweet little ones to see the penguins.”

“Okay.” Tan Jiner took the tissue and wiped her eyes, then wiped Xier’s face as well. She smiled fondly at the little girl, saying, “Will you forgive your sister? I promise I’ll never be mean to you again.”

“Of course!” Xier grinned widely, nodding her little head. In her sweet, childish voice, she said, “Xier would never blame her sister. Xier loves you most of all!”

“And I love you most too,” Jiner replied. The two sisters hugged and kissed each other tenderly before letting go.

“Qiu’er… Dong’er…” Little Xier, her spirits suddenly brightened, stopped crying. Shyly, she looked at her friends.

“Sister, kiss!” Little Dong’er, her small body adorably huddled against Xier, lifted her face for a kiss.

With a burst of delighted laughter, Xier planted a big kiss on her little companion.

“Xier, eat!” Qiu’er giggled and handed a bear-shaped cookie to Xier.

“Nom…” Xier took a playful bite, her eyes squinting with happiness. The bear cookie was delicious—sweet, and it filled her little heart with joy.

“Let’s hurry, the penguin show is about to start!” Qin Xue picked up Dong’er, smiling at the two little ones holding hands.

“Yes, let’s go see the penguins!” the children squealed in delight.

Hand in hand, skipping and jumping, they made their way into the aquarium. Suddenly, the two little ones opened their mouths in wonder.

How magical! Fish swimming above their heads!

How beautiful! There were even shimmering, sparkling fish.

For a moment, their eyes and mouths could barely keep up with all the marvels.

“Sister, what’s that shiny fish? And that one! The one that looks like it’s wearing a hat!” Whenever she didn’t understand something, Xier would ask—she was full of curiosity. But it was also Tan Jiner’s first time at the aquarium, so she could only admit she didn’t know either, her own eyes wide with amazement.

“Wow! Xier, look, a whole school of colorful fish is coming our way!” Qiu’er’s excited cry rang out, drawing Xier’s attention once more.

“Where? Where? Oh wow, you’re right! They’re so pretty!”

“Those are rainbowfish,” Qin Xue explained, setting restless Dong’er down. “Qiu’er, Xier, hold hands with Dong’er. I’ll take a photo of you.”

“Yay, let’s do it!”

“We’re taking a picture with the pretty fish!”

“Click”—the happy faces of the three little ones were captured in a photograph.

They walked, looked, asked questions, and took photos all the way. Qin Xue became their little teacher, patiently answering every question.

“We’re almost at the penguin house. Let’s buy some krill. You can feed the penguins soon.”

“We get to feed the penguins? Really?” The two children shrieked in excitement.

“Yes, really,” Qin Xue smiled. “Let’s watch the penguin show first, then you can feed them.”

“Qiu’er, let’s go! Time to see the penguins!”

They made their way to the penguin house just as the show started. Watching the penguins leap in unison and splash into the water, the children exclaimed in delight.

A few minutes later, the show ended. They watched the penguins climb up to their resting area and waddle slowly along, their bodies swaying. Xier’s big eyes sparkled.

“Let’s go feed the penguins,” Qin Xue said, leading the excited children to the keepers. With their permission, the two kids were ready to feed the penguins.

“First, let’s put on your protective clothes.” The friendly keeper, charmed by their cuteness, dressed them in tiny protective coats, boots, and rubber gloves, and handed them a small bucket of krill.

“Alright, stay close to me.”

“Okay!” The two little ones nodded excitedly, gripping their bucket as they followed the keeper onto the artificial ice.

As soon as they arrived, the penguins waddled over.

“Ah!” Xier, nervous, hid behind Qiu’er, but her curiosity soon got the better of her, and she peeked out.

Both afraid and curious.

“Don’t be scared. The penguins are very gentle—they’re welcoming you.” The keeper smiled, picked up a krill, and offered it to a penguin, who opened its sharp beak and ate it.

“Wow!” The two children gasped in amazement.

“Now it’s your turn. Don’t be afraid,” the keeper encouraged.

Qiu’er was nervous, but mustered her courage and, imitating the keeper, stood on tiptoe to offer a krill to a penguin.

The penguin opened its beak and ate the krill, and Qiu’er bounced with excitement.

“You can pet her, too,” the keeper smiled at her delight.

“Really?”

“Yes, go ahead.” Qiu’er excitedly reached out and quickly stroked the penguin. Then, unable to contain her excitement, she pulled Xier’s hand. “Xier, try it! Feed them and give them a pet—they’re so smooth!”

“I… I’m scared,” Xier hesitated.

“Don’t be. I’ll do it with you.” Qiu’er held her hand, giving her courage.

With Qiu’er by her side, Xier was a little braver. Still a bit frightened, she picked up a krill and stood on tiptoe to offer it to a penguin.

But as the penguin opened its sharp beak, Xier was suddenly so startled that she pulled her hand back, tossing the krill away.

Qiu’er: (•ө•)♡

Xier: *sob sob sob…*

Outside the barrier, Qin Xue and Tan Jiner, who were filming and taking photos, burst into laughter at the sight.

Jiner chuckled, “Xier really is… timid, scared, but loves to play.”

Qin Xue smiled, “She’s adorable.”

After feeding the penguins, they watched dolphins at play and saw the mighty sharks. Before they knew it, it was around three-thirty—time for Jiner to return to the shop.

The two little ones were reluctant, but still obedient.

Before leaving, Qin Xue bought them souvenir gifts: a little penguin, a tiny shark, a sea bunny, and a rainbow jellyfish hat.

Qin Xue drove the three children and one young woman back, waving goodbye to the sweet little ones before heading to the TV station with a smile on her lips.

She wondered what Qing was filming, and whether it was finished.

At the station, she went straight to the editing room—hmm? No one was there. Perhaps they hadn’t returned yet.

Puzzled, she strode toward the office. Just as she reached the door, she saw Fang Du, yawning, coming out with a cup of coffee.

Hmm?

Fang Du, too, was startled to see Qin Xue, but then he immediately perked up and said excitedly, “Chief, you’re back! Brother Yang finished editing the footage!”

“He’s finished already?” Qin Xue blinked in surprise. “That quickly? Where is he?”

“He just left—to pick up Chun’er and Xia’er from school,” Fang Du replied, then gave Qin Xue a peculiar look and added, “He left in Wang Ming’s car.”

Wang Ming!

At this, Qin Xue’s expression froze, then she glared at Fang Du and asked, “Have you watched the footage? How’s the editing?”

“Uh…” Fang Du shrank his neck. “I… I was just about to watch it.”

“Alright, let’s watch together. And pour me a cup of coffee, please. By the way, what did you all film with the equipment?”

Fang Du hesitated, “We… filmed scenery.”

“Scenery?” Qin Xue’s eyes widened in surprise.