Chapter 46

When the children are on vacation, it’s a disaster for the parents, especially since Xu Ai still has a lot of work to do. Nuo Nuo was no longer the obedient little girl she once was. Getting her to stay at home with the nanny was more challenging than climbing to the sky.

So Xu Ai discussed childcare arrangements with Sheng Zexi.

Sheng Zexi was very supportive and said, “Nuo Nuo can come with me.”

Xu Ai actually thought it was great for Nuo Nuo to be with him, but she pretended to be reserved and said, “But if I keep having you take care of the child, it might affect your work. If it doesn’t work out, we can have Nuo Nuo come to my studio to take some modeling photos. You can take her for a few days, and I’ll take her for a few days. That way we won’t be too tired.”

Sheng Zexi had always felt guilty for not having time to take care of his child before. Now that it was vacation and Xu Ai was busy with work, it was only right for him to take care of the child more often. If Xu Ai needed help at her studio, he was open to taking Nuo Nuo along. He said, “Let’s ask Nuo Nuo what she thinks.”

So the two of them went to ask Nuo Nuo.

Nuo Nuo was naturally excited about the idea of going to her mom’s studio to take photos. When she heard her mom mention it, she immediately exclaimed, “I want to go to Mommy’s studio to take pictures! I want to take lots and lots of beautiful photos!”

Actually, there were already many little models at Xu Ai’s studio. Although Nuo Nuo had previously shown great enthusiasm, Xu Ai didn’t plan on having her participate since she wasn’t needed. She was just being polite. But since the little one insisted on working for her, Xu Ai had no choice but to let her continue.

However, before going, Xu Ai told her daughter, “It’s quite tiring to take photos at Mommy’s studio you know.”

Nuo Nuo expressed her dissatisfaction with her mother’s lack of faith in her: “Mommy, I’ve already taken so many photos! I take better ones than a lot of the older brothers and sisters! You shouldn’t doubt my professional skills!”

Professional skills?

This little girl understood that concept already?

Hearing her assertive words, Xu Ai couldn’t help but smile helplessly: “Alright, my little treasure with professional skills, let’s enjoy working together in the coming days.”

Nuo Nuo placed her little hand on Xu Ai’s hand, looking serious: “Okay, Mommy! I will definitely take photos that make you very satisfied!”

In the following days, Nuo Nuo worked hard in Xu Ai’s studio, helping to take model photos.

The little one was quite good at taking photos. The lady in charge of photography found it very easy to work with her. When the first batch of pictures came out, she told Xu Ai, “Your Nuo Nuo is really suitable for modeling in the future. Has she taken lessons?”

Xu Ai denied it: “No, she hasn’t.”

The photographer suggested, “Then you should let her learn a bit. It might be a potential career path for her.”

Xu Ai refused: “There’s a big difference between a career and a hobby. It’s just for fun, and I doubt she’ll have much interest in modeling in the future. We can talk about it if she really shows interest later.”

Even though Xu Ai considered Nuo Nuo’s participation a hobby, the sales of the children’s clothing that Nuo Nuo modeled proved that their little treasure was quite suitable for this role.

Before the New Year, Xu Ai’s studio made a substantial profit thanks to the little one’s active participation, which made her feel very content.

The situation with Lin Xuan had been resolved, and the crisis at the Xu family had been addressed. This year, they will surely have a good New Year.

Before they knew it, it was New Year’s Eve. The three of them were spending such a warm New Year together for the first time, and Sheng Zexi was quite happy. So, on this day, he gave all the housekeepers the day off and decided to cook a big feast himself.

As soon as Nuo Nuo heard that her dad was cooking, she immediately began to order dishes.

“Daddy, tonight I want to eat pig’s knuckles.”

“Okay, besides that, what else do you want?”

The little one thought for a moment, “I want chicken legs and shrimp.”

When she saw her mom coming down from upstairs, she quickly exclaimed, “Mommy, Daddy said he’s cooking delicious food tonight! What do you want to eat?”

In addition to ordering for herself, she was also helping her mom.

Xu Ai wasn’t picky about food. She wasn’t a fussy eater, and she knew Sheng Zexi’s cooking level pretty well since he had cooked a few times before.

“Anything is fine.”

“Then, Daddy, Mommy wants to eat beef and lamb… also braised pork.”

It wasn’t that Xu Ai wanted to eat those dishes. It was obviously what the little one wanted. But Sheng Zexi agreed to everything: “Alright, whatever you want, Daddy will make it.”

Nuo Nuo’s eyes sparkled, and thinking about all the delicious food made her very happy.

“Then, Daddy, shouldn’t we go out to buy the ingredients?”

“Sure.”

Xu Ai was too lazy to change her clothes and didn’t want to go out at all. She lazily said, “You guys go. It’s so cold outside. I don’t want to go out.”

Nuo Nuo was about to ask her mom if she wanted to come along, but before she could, her mom had already declined. She couldn’t help but pout and muttered, “Lazy Mommy.”

Xu Ai was just reluctant to go out, so if being called a lazy mommy was what it was, then so be it. She headed to the dining room and said, “Your lazy mommy is going to have breakfast now. You and Daddy hurry up and go buy the ingredients, or you’ll miss out on New Year’s Eve dinner.”

Seeing her mother’s unapologetic expression made Nuo Nuo a bit angry, but getting mad on New Year’s Day wasn’t good at all, so she followed her dad out with some reluctance.

Before they went to the market to buy ingredients, her dad took her to a children’s amusement park to play for over an hour. After having fun there, Nuo Nuo felt better and wasn’t angry anymore.

Then, her dad took her to buy new clothes for the New Year and even bought a handbag for her mom as a New Year’s gift, with Nuo Nuo helping to choose the style.

That evening, her dad prepared a huge feast with all the dishes Nuo Nuo wanted, and they were all delicious.

After dinner, Nuo Nuo and her dad presented the New Year’s gift they bought for Mommy. She asked her mom, “Mommy, Daddy, and I bought you a New Year’s gift today. Are you happy?”

Xu Ai hadn’t expected to receive a New Year’s gift, so she was naturally delighted. She hugged the little treasure and kissed her. “Of course, Mommy is very happy. Thank you, my darling.”

Nuo Nuo glanced at her dad nearby. Since Mommy’s gift was bought by Daddy, she thought it was a bit unfair that Mommy only thanked her and not him. Nuo Nuo said to her mom, “Mommy, you should thank Daddy too!”

Xu Ai glanced at Sheng Zexi beside her and said, “Thank you! I really like the New Year’s gift.”

Sheng Zexi smiled gently and replied, “It’s no problem. I’m just glad you like it.”

Just as Xu Ai was feeling happy, the little one stretched out her hand and asked her mom, “Mommy, since you have a gift, what about my red envelope?”

This little one was truly crafty, already thinking about the red envelope right after dinner. However, Xu Ai had prepared it in advance. She handed the red envelope she had prepared to her daughter and said, “Wishing our little treasure a Happy New Year.”

Nuo Nuo gave her mom a kiss, her eyes sparkling with joy: “I also wish my mommy a Happy New Year.”

Then she went outside with her dad to set off fireworks.

This year’s New Year’s Eve was a bit cold. While the father and daughter were outside playing with fireworks, Xu Ai sat comfortably on the sofa inside. When the fireworks lit up the sky, she looked outside and saw the smiles on both their faces, which made her heart feel warm.

After playing with the fireworks for a while, Nuo Nuo, who was shivering from the cold, quickly returned inside, her face beaming with happiness.

After playing with her toys for a bit and receiving the red envelope from her dad, she went off to bed.

Naturally, the little one wanted to sleep with her mom. After Nuo Nuo fell asleep, Sheng Zexi went to the study to work.

Around midnight, he emerged from the study and passed by Xu Ai’s room, where he saw her standing at the door. She was wearing a pink pajama set, and upon seeing him, she slightly parted her red lips and asked, “Are you planning to sleep alone tonight?”

Sheng Zexi paused for a moment, then smiled, “I was planning to invite you to sleep in my room.”

That night, Nuo Nuo slept on her own for most of the night. When she woke up the next morning, she found it a bit cramped on her mom’s bed. Rubbing her eyes, she was shocked to see her dad there too. She asked, “Daddy, how come you’re here?”

Sheng Zexi hushed her gently, reminding her, “Mommy is still sleeping.”

Nuo Nuo then fell silent and hugged her sleeping mom, settling back into her dreams.

Sheng Zexi looked at the two of them sleeping peacefully and felt a warm glow in his heart.

In the days to come, with them by his side, his world would surely no longer be filled with cold nights.

°.✩┈┈∘*┈˃̶୨୧˂̶┈*∘┈┈✩.°

Ayalee: And that’s the end of TVSD. Thank you for reading and supporting my translation. ( ＾◡＾)っ ♡

Do check out Ayalee’s other translation works here (❀‿‿❀)