Lu Wanqing sat in the living room for a while, feeling that it was getting late. She looked up and asked Wei Xingzhou, "Wei Xingzhou, when does Cui Cui get out of school?"
Wei Xingzhou glanced at the time and said, "We can pick up Cui Cui in a little over ten minutes."
Lu Wanqing also checked the time. It was 4:30 PM. So, the elementary school at Ancient Earth Film City dismissed at 5 PM?
Ten minutes was neither long nor short. After a moment of hesitation, Lu Wanqing took out some more snacks and placed them on the table.
After everyone had a little to eat, it was time to pick up Cui Cui from school.
Wei Xingzhou, relieved, immediately stood up and said, "I'll go get Cui Cui."
Lu Wanqing also stood up.
"Um, we're going to pick up Cui Cui first," Lu Wanqing said to Zhang Qiong.
Zhang Qiong nodded. "Okay."
Lu Wanqing turned and followed Wei Xingzhou into the hovercar.
As the hovercar pulled away and traveled a short distance, Wei Xingzhou couldn't help but look at Lu Wanqing and ask, "Why are you so good to them?"
Lu Wanqing was silent for a moment, then said, "They are quite pitiable."
"They are indeed pitiable," Wei Xingzhou said.
"But people can change," Wei Xingzhou added.
Lu Wanqing: "..."
Wei Xingzhou's expression looked conflicted. Finally, he sighed, "Si Si should be my biological daughter, but I really love Cui Cui, and we've already lived together for so many years..."
"Lu Wanqing, do you believe that I saw jealousy in Si Si's eyes?" Wei Xingzhou said.
"If I can't let go of my affection for Cui Cui and favor her, Si Si might... turn bad," Wei Xingzhou said.
"But I really can't let go of Cui Cui," Wei Xingzhou said painfully.
"Since you know this, you should find a way to manage it," Lu Wanqing said.
Wei Xingzhou looked at Lu Wanqing, confused. "What?"
Lu Wanqing said, "Regardless, Si Si is your daughter. If her mother and she were truly just manipulated back then, and it wasn't intentional, then... if possible, as Si Si's biological father, you'd best think of a way to compensate for the love they've missed over the years."
"I can't do it," Wei Xingzhou said, distressed.
"If I do that, Cui Cui will definitely be very sad," Wei Xingzhou said miserably.
"Cui Cui is already eight years old," Lu Wanqing said.
Lu Wanqing thought carefully for a moment, then said, "Wei Xingzhou, have you ever considered that sometimes, Cui Cui might not be as fragile as you imagine?"
"Huh?" Wei Xingzhou was stunned.
Lu Wanqing turned to look out the window. Because they were at Ancient Earth Film City, the familiar scenery from her memories was everywhere, which made Lu Wanqing feel much more at ease.
Lu Wanqing withdrew her gaze and turned to look at Wei Xingzhou. "Wei Xingzhou, sometimes you can try to let go of your protective instincts and try to help Cui Cui become braver, so she can be the one to protect you."
Wei Xingzhou's mouth hung open, and he stared at Lu Wanqing in shock.
Lu Wanqing said, "Moreover, when Cui Cui grows up, she will eventually have to face society. If you always coddle her and spoil her, and she can't be independent or strong, unless you can protect her for her entire life, she will eventually suffer a loss."
"So... you think Cui Cui can accept it?" Wei Xingzhou frowned.
Lu Wanqing smiled. "Why wouldn't she accept it? From the capital to here, hasn't Cui Cui adapted very well?"
"Although she was very sad at first, Cui Cui has gradually come to terms with it. She is slowly adjusting her emotions, and of course, she is also protecting you."
"Wei Xingzhou, you've protected her for so many years. In the past eight years, you've done your best to keep her carefree. So, when she learned that Si Si is your biological daughter and that you have an obligation to raise and care for Si Si, even though she was sad, she still took the initiative to agree to let you bring Si Si and her mother here."
"Cui Cui doesn't want to make things difficult for you. She wants you to be well," Lu Wanqing said.
Wei Xingzhou, wise in most things but confused now, looked anxious. "Really?"
Lu Wanqing rolled her eyes. "Why would I lie to you?"
"Ahhh, my good girl cares about me now, hahaha, Cui Cui cares about me now!" Wei Xingzhou shouted excitedly.
Lu Wanqing: "..." Can't he have a little more dignity?
As they talked, they unknowingly arrived at the entrance of Ancient Earth Film City Elementary School.
The hovercar stopped, and Wei Xingzhou still had a silly smile on his face, looking quite foolish.
Lu Wanqing reminded him, "Wei Xingzhou, the most important thing you need to do now is to manage the relationship between your two daughters. It's best to prevent the situation you mentioned, where Si Si turns bad."
Wei Xingzhou: "..."
"It feels very difficult," Wei Xingzhou said, conflicted.
"So, are you going to give up?" Lu Wanqing asked.
Wei Xingzhou hesitated for a moment, then finally said, "I'll secretly ask Cui Cui tonight, and then I'll decide."
Heaven and earth aside, Cui Cui was paramount. If Cui Cui truly didn't mind, he would find a way to coax Si Si. If Cui Cui minded, then... he'd think of other solutions.
Lu Wanqing: "..."
Fine.
Lu Wanqing found it amusing but was also happy.
Although rationally, she felt that an innocent little girl shouldn't be hurt, emotionally, she still leaned more towards her own daughter. She was happy that Wei Xingzhou cared so much about Cui Cui's feelings.
Cui Cui soon came out. Such a beautiful daughter, Lu Wanqing and Wei Xingzhou spotted her at first glance.
Cui Cui also saw her parents and immediately ran towards them.
"Daddy, Mommy!" Cui Cui said as she ran up to them.
"Good girl, how was school today? Did your teacher praise you?" Wei Xingzhou asked with a beaming smile, full of anticipation.
Lu Wanqing: "???"
Is that how you ask?
Lu Wanqing remembered that in the Ancient Earth era, parents were most concerned about whether their child was bullied by classmates.
How come with Wei Xingzhou, he was concerned about whether the child was praised by the teacher?
"She did, I got a question right today, and all the other classmates got it wrong. The teacher said I was clever and asked me to explain it to everyone on stage!" Cui Cui said proudly.
"Wow, Cui Cui, you're amazing!" Lu Wanqing immediately praised her.
Hearing her mother's words, Cui Cui's heart pounded, and she felt a surge of happiness.
They got into the hovercar together and headed home.
Back home, the fabric Lu Wanqing had ordered online had just arrived. Lu Wanqing was delighted.
"Wow, we can design clothes later," Lu Wanqing said happily.
"Cui Cui, how about I make you two school uniforms? Like the school uniforms from the Ancient Earth era," Lu Wanqing said.
Cui Cui: "???"
Lu Wanqing thought for a moment, then looked at Si Si on the sofa and said, "Si Si, would you like one too? Auntie can make two for you as well. You and Cui Cui can each have two, and you can wear them to school from now on."