Taking the microphone, she was as at ease on stage as Jiang Nanfang.
"Hello everyone, I'm Melody. You've worked hard waiting for ice cream. I'm going to sing you a song. Can I have some applause?"
She was like a roadshow performer, confident and seasoned on stage.
This was Zhan Beijue's first time seeing his daughter perform live, and he was somewhat shocked.
As the music started, the same song was sung again in a child's voice, but the audience's reaction was even more enthusiastic: "Oh! That's great! Sing it again!"
The crowd clamored for the younger sister not to leave the stage. Jiang Nanfang, intending to nurture her confidence, asked a staff member.
"Is that okay? Can my daughter sing another song for you? And could you give us an extra ice cream?"
More tourists were drawn to this area. Their promotional efforts were successful, and the staff were naturally delighted.
"Yes, yes, of course. Sing as much as you like, and we'll give you all the ice cream you want. What music would you like? I'll find it for you."
With so many people applauding, the younger sister was inspired and performed three songs on stage before coming down.
Now, the older brother didn't need to go on stage; she alone had earned the ice cream.
Happily taking four ice creams back, Jiang Nanfang gave the extra one to A Zhong.
"You've been with us all day, running around. You must be tired. Here, have some."
After speaking, the mother and her two children deliberately licked their ice creams at the same time, teasing Zhan Beijue.
"This..."
All four of them had ice cream, but Zhan Zong didn't, making him appear ostracized. A Zhong dared not accept.
"Take it. Your boss said himself he wasn't eating it, not that he wouldn't let you have any. Eat yours, don't worry."
Jiang Nanfang directly pushed the ice cream towards his lips.
Now, whether he wanted to or not, A Zhong had to eat it. He glanced at Zhan Beijue sheepishly.
Zhan Beijue stood up from under his umbrella, casually pushed his sunglasses up.
Jiang Nanfang was lifting her ice cream to her mouth when he quickly raised his arm, and with a crack, the ice cream fell to the ground.
It was what she had worked hard to earn with her performance, and it fell to the ground just as she took a bite.
He wouldn't eat it, and he wouldn't let others eat it either? Jiang Nanfang glared at him fiercely, "Zhan Beijue!"
Zhan Beijue put on an innocent expression, "I bumped into you? My apologies."
A Zhong couldn't help but feel a little amused, sensing a subtle dynamic when the boss was with his wife.
He often did things he wouldn't normally do.
"What are you laughing at? If I don't eat it, you're not allowed to either," Zhan Beijue said, reaching out and patting him again.
"Clean up the ground, let's go. We've been here all this time and haven't played a single game. Are you planning to stay here tonight?"
Spoilsport.
Since they came out to have fun, it was inhumane not to be able to eat ice cream on such a hot day.
Jiang Nanfang saw a popular butterbeer stand ahead with not many people queuing. After A Zhong finished throwing away the trash and returned, she pulled his hand.
"You won't die from not eating ice cream. Come on, I'll buy you a beer."
That damned woman, always eating this or drinking that, when would it end?
Was he going to leave today or not?
Just as he was about to call A Zhong back, Jiang Nanfang, as if sensing what he was about to do, turned back and glared at him.
"I'll buy you a cup too, so don't call out."
When Jiang Nanfang married Zhan Beijue, A Zhong was already working as his assistant. After so many years, he remained steadfast, seemingly earning Zhan Beijue's deep trust.
Thinking that he might be useful in the future, Jiang Nanfang intended to win him over. They chatted while queuing.
As they were talking, a beautiful woman naturally cut in front of A Zhong.