Three years later.
Hengdian film set.
"Lai Fu, want a cheese stick?"
"Baby, come to sister!"
"Lai Fu, can sister take a photo of you?"
The atmosphere on set relaxed considerably after the wrap of a scene.
The girls surrounded the little girl in front of them, trying to entice her with various things.
Lai Fu blinked her large, adorable eyes, her topknot adorably cute.
Her voice was soft and sweet, "Thank you, aunties, but I need to go to the bathroom first."
"Okay, okay, you go ahead."
"Do you need any help?"
Lai Fu shyly shook her head, "No need! I can do it myself!"
Having dealt with the enthusiastic older girls, Lai Fu tiptoed to the ladies' restroom.
As soon as she entered, she was swept into a warm embrace. "Baby, how was your day?"
Lai Fu happily snuggled into her mommy's arms, "Great! I'm done for today, Mommy, we can go home now!"
"Alright, Mommy will take you."
Looking at Lai Fu's happy smile, Xu Xingxing felt a pang of guilt.
She hoped her decision to send Lai Fu to act wouldn't have any negative impact on her.
The mother and daughter disguised themselves in the restroom.
When they emerged again, Xu Xingxing, wearing a mask and sunglasses, her face completely covered, carried Lai Fu out.
On the way, they encountered crew members. Lai Fu enthusiastically waved, "Uncle, I'm done for the day~"
The people around were used to it. The entire crew knew that the young actress Lai Fu had a mysterious agent who never showed her face.
Mother and daughter walked out. Just as they passed through a doorway, they saw two people approaching.
The leader was Lu Cong.
He was there that day to check on the progress of the production and to visit his sister-in-law.
This drama was produced by Fanhua, and Lu Cong had also made a private investment.
The two parties met head-on.
Xu Xingxing's face turned pale. She hadn't expected to see that man from so many years ago under such circumstances!
She had never forgotten him all these years, only buried it deep in her heart.
For a moment, even her movements became a little stiff.
Lai Fu's gaze fell on Lu Cong, and she was practically drooling!
What a handsome uncle!
Objectively speaking, Lu Cong was exceptionally handsome.
He was not the same type as Ji Zhixiu.
Lu Cong's features were soft, lacking any sharpness, and instead appeared very approachable.
His casual, relaxed daily attire exuded an air of noble lineage with every gesture.
Lu Cong's peripheral vision caught the little girl's captivated stare, and he chuckled, stopping. "What do you think? Am I handsome?"
The subordinate behind him twitched his mouth. He was almost thirty and still called himself "brother."
Lai Fu was very supportive, "Brother is so handsome, I love you so much!"
"Witty and lively," Lu Cong pinched the little one's cheek and casually glanced at the woman holding her. "Are you a child star? What's your name?"
Xu Xingxing kept her head down, not daring to look at him, trying to minimize her presence.
Fortunately, Lai Fu was very outgoing, "Yes, I play Aunt Jiang's daughter in the drama! My name is Lai Fu!"
Lu Cong let out a soft laugh, "Lai Fu? Isn't that a dog's name?"
Lai Fu pouted, suddenly offended. She wouldn't allow anyone to say her name was bad!
Xu Xingxing quickly said, "That's a nickname, her full name isn't that."
Her voice was pleasant, with a unique timbre.
When she spoke, it was like a clear breeze and flowing clouds, captivating. Lu Cong raised an eyebrow, finding her voice somewhat familiar.
He asked, "Why that nickname?"
Xu Xingxing kept her head down the entire time, refusing to look at him, and softly explained, "She was sickly when she was little. Where we're from, there's a saying that if you give a child a humble nickname, they're easier to raise."
Lu Cong nodded, about to speak, when the producer walked over and greeted him, "Third Young Master Lu, what brings you here today?"
Lu Cong looked up, "Just came to have a look."
While the two were talking, Xu Xingxing quickly left with Lai Fu.
At the same time, she was incredibly shocked!
Third Young Master Lu, he was actually Third Young Master Lu!
If he found out about Lai Fu's existence, would he try to take her away from her?
Xu Xingxing appeared somewhat dazed. Lai Fu hugged her mother's neck, sensing her unease. "Mommy, what's wrong?" she asked in a milky voice.
Xu Xingxing snapped back to attention, shook her head, "It's nothing, baby. What do you want for dinner? Mommy will cook for you."
"I want chicken wings!"
"Okay."
Returning to their twenty-square-meter home, Xu Xingxing finally felt a sense of security.
She put Lai Fu in her room and turned on cartoons. "Watch this by yourself, Mommy is going to cook."
Lai Fu shook her head, "I want to be with Mommy, and help Mommy pick vegetables!"
Xu Xingxing's heart ached.
Three years ago, two months after returning to China, she discovered she was pregnant.
She was so flustered then that she didn't think about taking contraception afterward.
She never imagined that fate would be so coincidental that a life was growing inside her.
Around that time, Xu family went bankrupt. Her father approached her, demanding she hand over her savings from years of work.
The year after her mother died of illness, her father brought home a woman who was three months younger than Xu Xingxing.
Xu Xingxing had been mistreated since childhood and wasn't close to her family. She was discovered by a talent scout while busking on the street and debuted.
After she came of age, Xu Xingxing left home.
But she hadn't expected her father to be like a vampire, asking her for money whenever he had the chance for so many years.
When they went bankrupt, he threatened to expose her pregnancy if she didn't give him money!
If the news of the queen of love songs being pregnant out of wedlock were leaked, it would undoubtedly end Xu Xingxing's career in the entertainment industry.
Xu Xingxing had no choice, and she wanted to keep the baby.
She had no close family, and this child was the only one connected to her by blood.
She gave all her money to her father to pay off his debts, keeping a portion for her pregnancy.
However, the severe morning sickness during her pregnancy made it impossible for her to continue with most of her work and schedules.
She even fainted once in the recording studio. The first thing Xu Xingxing saw when she woke up in the hospital
was her agent. Her agent had managed her for a while, and their relationship had been pleasant.
But that day, the agent looked down at Xu Xingxing, "You're awake?"
Her eyes held pity, and a hint of disappointment that she hadn't lived up to expectations.
Xu Xingxing knew she was greatly disappointed in her.
Perhaps, she wouldn't have another chance.
The agent sat by the bed and peeled an apple for Xu Xingxing. "You were under my management at eighteen, and now you're twenty-two. After a few years in the industry, your future was promising. And now you're carrying a child of unknown origin? Xu Xingxing, what do you take me for?"
"I will arrange for the company to terminate your contract and send you away from Kyoto. I will keep this news confidential. You take good care of your pregnancy."
With that, the agent put down the apple and left the room.
After she left, Xu Xingxing cried uncontrollably.
She knew that she would never have the chance to pursue her dream again.
From then on, the queen of love songs, Xu Xingxing, disappeared from the entertainment industry.
But Xu Xingxing had no regrets. Lai Fu's arrival brought much joy into her life.
After retiring from the industry, she returned to her hometown. When Lai Fu was born, she was frail and sickly, so Xu Xingxing gave her that nickname.
Perhaps heaven took pity on them; Lai Fu's health improved significantly after she turned two.
But Xu Xingxing had truly spent all her savings on Lai Fu. So she returned to Kyoto to find ways to earn money.
By chance, the production team was looking for a child actor, and by fate, the director took a liking to Lai Fu.
Lai Fu was very sensible. She knew her mother had spent all her money on her medical treatments and offered to participate.
Xu Xingxing wanted to refuse. How could she let her daughter earn money to support the family?
But that night, the little girl's soft palm rested on her chest, and her childish voice said, "Mommy, I want to earn money for my own medical expenses. I'm very capable, I'm not a burden to you, don't be sad, okay?"
Xu Xingxing cried without shame, tears flowing down her temples. She hugged her child tightly, "Okay."
Later, she checked and found that the lead actress in the drama was Jiang Mian, which reassured her.
Acting alongside Jiang Mian, Xu Xingxing believed Lai Fu would quickly adapt and wouldn't be bullied.
For Xu Xingxing, the life they shared was not hard at all, but rather exceptionally sweet.
With Lai Fu's companionship, Xu Xingxing's world became much richer.
Only occasionally, she would think about holding another concert, and playing her old instrument again.
The next day, Xu Xingxing took Lai Fu to the set.
Fearing recognition, she always disguised herself thoroughly, dropped Lai Fu off at the set, and then found a secluded spot to quietly wait for Lai Fu to finish work before they returned together.
Lai Fu looked back at her mommy reluctantly, then ran over with her short legs, "Mommy!"
Jiang Mian played Lai Fu's birth mother in the drama, and the little one had gotten used to calling her that and was temporarily unable to change.
Jiang Mian bent down and picked Lai Fu up. "Good baby, why are you alone?"
She didn't intend to pry into others' privacy, but Lai Fu was still a child.
Jiang Mian paid more attention.
She noticed she had never seen Lai Fu's parents, and Lai Fu rarely mentioned them. The person who picked up and dropped off Lai Fu every day was a mysterious agent.
She resolved to find out where the agent took Lai Fu that day.
Lai Fu was very well-behaved and easy to communicate with.
Except for occasionally forgetting her lines, the little girl's acting was very smooth.
Today was also very smooth.
After Lai Fu's scenes were finished, she said, "Aunties, I need to go to the bathroom."
"That's me too, let's go together." Jiang Mian smiled and carried Lai Fu towards the restroom.
Lai Fu hesitated slightly, then decided not to say anything.
Xu Xingxing guessed that Lai Fu should be finished around this time. Besides, she had put a tracking watch on Lai Fu.
The watch showed them getting closer. Xu Xingxing smiled faintly and walked out from behind the sink.
She missed Lai Fu already, even after this short separation.
Turning the corner, Lai Fu exclaimed in surprise, "Mommy!"
In front of Jiang Mian, the little one was too relaxed and subconsciously called out "Mommy," forgetting her promise to keep it a secret.
Jiang Mian looked over in surprise and blurted out, "Xingxing?"
The two had participated in a variety show together years ago, and Jiang Mian had also invited Xu Xingxing to her wedding.
But later, Xu Xingxing suddenly disappeared.
In fact, they hadn't seen each other for three years.
Xu Xingxing's face turned pale. She hadn't expected Jiang Mian to recognize her even like this.
Her heart felt both sour and bitter. She took the child from Jiang Mian and was about to leave.
Jiang Mian frowned, watching her retreating back, and didn't stop her.
Xingxing wasn't like this before. Why had she changed so much in just three years...
Where was the little girl who used to sweetly call her "Sister Mian" upon meeting?