Chapter 33: Innate
Dinner time had officially begun.
However, almost everyone’s gaze turned towards Yun Ya at the same time.
With her left hand holding a fork and her right a knife, her posture was standard and graceful. The food on her plate seemed to come alive under her knife, maximizing its value. A sudden desire aroused—to become the meal on her plate...
The tiny girl’s spine was straight as an arrow, a casual aloofness and nobility gracing her delicate face. Her long eyelashes cast a shade of green shadow beneath her eyelashes, inexplicably adding a touch of mystery.
There is a kind of nobility that is innate, a kind of elegance that runs deep in the blood.
At this moment, the little girl blended perfectly with the splendid villa shining brightly behind her; she was like a true Princess, the most beautiful scenery in the eyes of others in this world.
Mai Zheng would not admit that he had been staring, transfixed. He averted his gaze, with a hint of displeasure at the bottom of his heart.
Mai Jiehui, cunning and strategic, secretly thought that this girl must come from no ordinary background. Just looking at the dining etiquette, it was clear she was brought up with strict discipline within a prominent family. At merely five years old, she already possessed such integrity; who knows how splendid she would become in a few more years?
Gao He, a rough man accustomed to being brash, found the sight of the little girl eating as picturesque as a painting, though he gave it no further thought.
Shen Luokui, attempting to emulate Yun Ya, tried to use both her fork and knife at once, but she couldn’t even hold her chopsticks steady, let alone cutlery, and in frustration slapped the knife and fork down on the table. Shen Xudong pat her head gently and said in a soft voice, "Don’t rush. You’ll learn slowly."
Ming Han, raising his eyebrows in surprise, thought to himself where the production team had found such an odd mix of children. But he had to admit, they were quite a sight to behold.
Unlike the obedient and sweet Yun Ya when quiet, at this moment, she had an aura that set her apart from everyone else. How should one describe it?
It was as if a group of knights was dining with the Princess, and yet the Princess was indifferent to their presence.
An interesting description indeed, yet quite fitting.
Yun Miao sat next to Yun Ya, his presence almost negligible, but nobody could forget him.
Shen Xudong looked towards Yun Ya and said, "During the puzzle competition, I heard Yun Miao broke the record for the shortest time. I really didn’t expect it, considering how quiet he appears, yet he’s so intelligent."
Yun Ya lowered her eyes, deftly concealing a trace of bitterness in their depths.
Intelligent?
If it hadn’t been for the accident, Miaomiao would indeed have been intelligent, but after the accident, his IQ remained forever at the level of that year.
Back then, when she and Miaomiao competed in puzzles, she was always the most miserably defeated. When she hung her head in frustration, Miaomiao would gently touch the top of her head, "Don’t be discouraged. Next time, Yaya, you will be faster than me."
Brother, you were wrong. Even if your intelligence remained forever at the age of four, your IQ at that age was already far ahead of your peers. How easy could it be to win against you?
Ming Han laughed and said, "Yes, Yun Miao looks quiet, but he is actually very clever. I believe he will bring us more surprises in the future."
After all, in the show, he was his child, and praising Yun Miao was like praising himself. He gladly accepted the compliment.
After dinner, everyone returned to their rooms to rest.
Ming Han walked in front, with Yun Ya and Yun Miao holding hands, following behind. Once inside the room, Ming Han flopped onto the bed, took out his phone, and went online, reverting completely to his internet-addicted teenager mode, completely forgetting he was taking part in a reality show and that his task was to take care of two children.
Yun Ya glanced at him, silently walked over to open her and Miaomiao’s suitcase, took out their toiletries, and took Miaomiao to the bathroom to wash up. The cameraman following them could hardly bear to watch, giving Ming Han several meaningful glances. His eyes were twitching, yet Ming Han remained indifferent.
After the show aired, the audience would surely curse Ming Han as lazy for not taking proper care of the children, and Yun Ya would likely gain a lot of fans by then. The child was too sensible, and nowadays the viewers were fond of this kind.
When Ming Han belatedly realized what was going on, the two children had already changed into their pajamas and were lying side by side in the neighboring big bed, with Yun Ya singing a lullaby. Her voice was sweet and moving. Though a bit immature, it easily drew one in.
Yun Miao had already entered dreamland, and Yun Ya kissed his forehead, snuggled up with him, and closed her eyes without even glancing at Ming Han.
Ming Han: "...!"
He felt completely superfluous, just as Yun Ya had said at the beginning, that she wouldn’t cause him any trouble because she could handle everything herself. What was the point of his participation in this program then?
—
A restful night.
When Ming Han woke up, the dazzling sunlight made him close his eyes reflexively. He took a moment before slowly opening them again. He turned his head to look at the bed next to him, where the bedding was neatly made, the quilt folded squarely and tidily.
Ming Han subconsciously stared in astonishment.
At that moment, the door to the room opened, and he turned his head. Yun Ya walked in from outside, carrying a plate with a glass of milk, toast, a fried egg, and a banana.
She seemed to be struggling to carry it, but her spine was straight, not allowing anyone to see the slightest hint of her weakness. Somehow, as Ming Han watched her, he felt a twinge of discomfort in his heart.
He seemed to be a bit too much of a bastard.
Yun Ya placed the breakfast on the table and turned to look at Ming Han, "Dad, you’re up. I’ve brought your breakfast. Hurry up and wash up; milk isn’t good for the stomach if it gets cold."
Fuck...
Ming Han felt even more like a bastard, having a five-year-old child do these things for him. Was he still human?
Ming Han instantly leaped out of bed and dashed to the bathroom to wash up.
The sleeping-late Ming Han didn’t know that breakfast was supposed to be picked up by the father who should wake up early, and of course, it involved a series of challenges. Yun Ya took Yun Miao to participate, and they won effortlessly, disrupting the views of several fathers entirely.
After breakfast was the parent-child game time. Ming Han gradually got the hang of it and cooperated seamlessly with Yun Ya and Yun Miao, trouncing their opponents. Mai Zheng, eager to win, had shouted himself hoarse, but he always ended up last. Famous King Mai, given his age, was no match for the vigorous and young Ming Han, action star Gao He, and the athlete Shen Xudong, and could only sigh in vain.
After a day’s recording, Ming Han’s relationship with Yun Ya had taken a qualitative leap, and although Yun Miao was still somewhat shy, Ming Han was very confident.
Yun Ya also became closer with a few of the other kids, especially Shen Luokui, who kept close to Yun Ya when there was nothing to do, calling her Yun Ya long-windedly and occasionally teasing Yun Miao. Shen Luokui’s happy laughter echoed throughout the villa.
At five o’clock in the afternoon, the recording of the program ended, and Yun Ya and Yun Miao bade farewell to Ming Han and Shen Luokui and left in the special car.
Yun Ya walked away without looking back, but Ming Han watched the disappearing car silhouette with a sense of melancholy in his heart.
They weren’t his children, so why did he feel a bit reluctant to let them go?
The next recording of the program was scheduled for a week later, and Ming Han felt an increased sense of anticipation in his heart.
When he returned home, Yun Ya quickly noticed that the atmosphere in the house had changed, and she soon found the reason.
Yun Shu was coming back.