Chapter 131: Missing You

The two people sitting inside the tent looked toward the entrance in unison. Yu Xin asked, "Who is it?"

"Auntie Yu Xin, it's me. Is my mommy here with you?"

It was Niannian’s voice from outside. Su Wanning immediately rose and pulled open the tent zipper.

Outside, Niannian stood in her pajamas and slippers, clutching her favorite teddy bear, looking up at Su Wanning with a pitiful expression.

"Mommy, why haven't you come back yet? It's so late."

"I... I had a few things to discuss with Auntie Yu Xin. I’ll be back in a moment."

"Then I’ll wait here for you."

Niannian took Su Wanning's hand, and her resolve softened. Su Wanning bid Yu Xin farewell and led her daughter back toward their own tent. Halfway there, Su Wanning sensed something was amiss and stopped.

"What’s wrong, Mommy?"

"Niannian, tell Mommy honestly: who told you to come find me here?"

Faced with Su Wanning’s serious tone, Niannian lowered her head and whispered, "It was Daddy."

An expected answer.

"How did he know I was there?"

"Daddy is amazing! He knows everything!"

Hearing this, Niannian immediately looked up, her face filled with admiration for Qin Jingchen. Seeing this, Su Wanning felt a surge of frustration. She reached out and pinched the soft baby fat on her daughter’s cheek.

"You little traitor!"

Niannian shook her head, breaking free from her grasp. "I’m not a traitor! I just missed Mommy!"

Mother and daughter bickered all the way back to the tent. Upon entering, Su Wanning discovered that Qin Jingchen was indeed still awake, sitting in the same spot he had occupied the night before, right by her bed.

Su Wanning calmly led her daughter toward her son. "Suisui, you’re sleeping with Daddy tonight."

Suisui said nothing; he merely glanced at her and nimbly climbed up. Qin Jingchen didn't comment either, simply offering a soft "Goodnight" before turning off the light.

Su Wanning kept her eyes closed, pretending not to hear, but Niannian chirped from the side, "Goodnight, Daddy!"

The surroundings fell silent. The campsite was vast, and apart from the production staff, only the participating guests remained. Yet, the quieter the night became, the more restless Su Wanning felt. She tossed and turned for a long time without falling asleep.

Just as she shifted again, Niannian quietly opened her eyes and whispered, "Mommy, why aren't you asleep yet?"

"What’s wrong? Did I wake you?" Su Wanning asked, immediately tense.

"No. But Mommy, why don't you sleep with Daddy?"

Su Wanning’s first instinct was to glance toward the other side of the tent. Seeing that the figure lying there remained motionless, she let out a quiet sigh of relief and answered her daughter.

"There’s no special reason. I just wanted to sleep with you tonight."

"Oh. Mommy, I love you the most."

As she spoke, Niannian wiggled out of her own quilt and slithered like a little loach into Su Wanning’s, hugging her tightly.

Her daughter felt soft and smelled of that unique, sweet milk scent peculiar to children. Her body was like a small furnace. As she held her, Su Wanning felt a momentary daze, feeling as though she might be the happiest person in the world at this very moment.

Su Wanning hugged her back, pressed a kiss to her forehead, and whispered, "Mommy loves you too."

*Even though I am not your real mother, my love for you is no less than hers.*

Early the next morning, Su Wanning was awakened by the production staff knocking on the tent. As she groggily opened her eyes, she saw that Qin Jingchen was already awake. His bedding was perfectly neat, and he sat nearby drinking tea, a laptop on his lap, focused intently on the screen as if handling work.

Suisui was also awake; only she and Niannian, who was still in her arms, had been sleeping soundly.

Feeling slightly embarrassed, Su Wanning got up and answered, and the staff left.

"You're awake. Would you like some tea?" Qin Jingchen extended a fair, slender hand to pour her a cup.

Su Wanning sat at the table in her pajamas. She picked up the cup but didn't drink, instead looking at Qin Jingchen and asking pointedly, "You’ve been up since dawn?"

"Yes."

"Handling work?"

Qin Jingchen nodded and explained, "I have a meeting."

Su Wanning’s face brightened, her tone becoming a bit urgent. "Then you should probably head back. Work is important, after all, and staying with the production team will only delay your affairs."

Only then did Qin Jingchen look up, simultaneously reaching out to snap his laptop shut. "My apologies."

Su Wanning blinked, not understanding his sudden apology.

"It is my negligence that my work has interfered with the filming. Don't worry, I will handle everything so it doesn't delay your schedule."

Su Wanning blinked again, tempted to reach out and check if this "President Qin" had a fever.

"You... what was your high school Chinese literature grade?" It must have been a failing grade, especially in reading comprehension.

Qin Jingchen looked puzzled. Though he didn't understand the question, he answered honestly, "I didn't take the national college entrance exams; I was recommended for admission to a university abroad during my senior year."

"...Fine. Forget I asked."

Su Wanning conceded defeat, but she wasn't giving up yet.

"What I meant was, work is your priority, so there's no need to stay with the program. I can take care of myself and the children."

"Do you feel that I am hindering you by being here?"

Perhaps it was her imagination, but for a moment, she saw a flicker of innocence on his face. Recalling Yu Xin’s accusations from the night before, Su Wanning began to wonder if she was being too harsh on him.

"That's not what I meant."

"Then that's settled. My work is not the priority; the most important thing is accompanying your children. It was my fault before—I missed their growth and I missed you. But that won't happen again."

Qin Jingchen’s eyes remained fixed on Su Wanning, filled with such intense, burning emotion that she dared not meet his gaze.

"No, that's not right—we aren't—"

Just as she prepared to clarify things completely, the tent was knocked on again from the outside, followed by the anxious voice of the director's assistant.

"President Qin, Teacher Su, we are a bit pressed for time. Please come out and assemble as soon as possible."

"Understood," Qin Jingchen replied.

"Let's go record the show first," she said.