That feeling was actually quite "family-like".
My relationship with Ni Duoduo has finally improved by a very, very small amount.
I took her to one of my favorite restaurants and we had sauerkraut fish. I drank a bottle of beer, and after her protests, I allowed her to have a small half-glass. However, I forbade her from smoking anymore.
This morning at her house, I allowed her to smoke because I needed to ease the tension a little, but now I'm adamant about not letting her touch a cigarette.
Girls, it's better to be a little more delicate. Smoking is really not a good thing.
However, our agreement is gradually changing.
"I'll leave after I finish eating. Okay?"
After dinner, I took her to get ice cream: "I'll leave after we finish the ice cream, okay?"
Then I took her shopping for clothes: "After we buy the clothes, I'll leave. Okay?"
Although we had a brief argument while shopping for clothes—because she chose the typical "bad girl" style, the kind with metal chains, pockets, and holes—I naturally wouldn't let her buy it. I chose some clothes that, while still lively, were more "normal."
Finally, I bought her an ONLY brand collared sweater and a pair of green jeans. At her insistence, I also bought her the "bad girl" outfit she was determined to have. However, I noticed that when she tried on the ONLY girly outfit I'd picked out for her, a fleeting, radiant smile appeared on her face as she looked in the mirror. And when she walked out of the dressing room in the girly outfit, for a moment, I almost thought it was Ni Duoduo from the photos stepping out of the house!
Of course, that afro was still quite eye-catching.
After buying the clothes, Ni Duoduo held the soda I bought for her, biting on the straw. Although her attitude towards me was still rude, the interesting thing was... she no longer mentioned asking me to leave.
"Okay, now...we'll go get your hair cut." I looked at her and laughed, "After the haircut, I'll leave and won't bother you anymore, okay? I promise I won't lie to you this time...After the haircut, I really will leave! I promise I'll keep my word this time!"
Ni Duoduo looked at her toes with a slightly aggrieved expression, waiting for a full half minute. Then she looked up, her voice soft: "I...can I not get a haircut?"
I laughed, walked over, and whispered, "Ni Duoduo, do you not want a haircut? Or do you not want me to leave?"
Ni Duoduo raised her head, her face flushed, and shouted, "Pah! I wish you would disappear from my sight right now!"
I wasn't angry at all, because I felt I had a pretty good grasp of this girl's personality: "Okay, let's go get our hair cut. After that, I'll leave, okay?"
"I'm ignoring you! I said I'm ignoring you, and that means I'm ignoring
"So what do you want to do?" I asked gently.
“I…” Ni Duoduo lowered her head, not daring to look at me: …I want…I want…I want to eat ice cream.”
I smiled, feeling a little smug, but kept a straight face and casually said, "Then we can eat after the haircut."
"Okay, sure." Ni Duoduo replied quickly... I noticed that the little girl seemed to have breathed a sigh of relief in her eyes.
Actually, I understand that she didn't really want ice cream; she just wanted to find something to do after her haircut... that way, I wouldn't have left so soon...
Actually, no one is born inherently depraved, is he?
Looking at the little girl in front of me, I thought she was actually quite cute.
I drove to a styling salon. This shop is quite famous in Nanjing. Qiaoqiao often gets her hair and styling done here. Some of the experts here are also makeup artists at the TV station.
Of course, the prices here are also quite high; a simple haircut can cost three to five hundred!
When I brought Ni Duoduo inside, I found a hairstylist and pointed at Ni Duoduo, saying, "Could you please fix her hair?"
The hairstylist gave Ni Duoduo a strange look, probably finding the afro hairstyle somewhat amusing. After all, the skin and face shape of people of Asian descent are really not suited to this kind of hairstyle.
The hairstylist circled around Ni Duoduo, glanced at me, then called an assistant over and took Ni Duoduo to get her hair washed.
I pulled the hairstylist aside. He looked at me and said with a wry smile, "Where did this young lady get her hair done? It doesn't suit her temperament or face shape at all! What do you want me to do for her? Still this kind of edgy style?"
"Of course not!" I shook my head. "Try to make her look a little more girlish, a little more normal! Pretty and cute, that's all." After thinking for a moment, I took out a banknote from my wallet and handed it to him. "There's one more thing... could you do this for me... about her makeup... could you arrange something unexpected, preferably something that she 'accidentally' washes off while washing her hair? Then could you please redo her makeup... at least make her look like a human, not a ghost, okay?"
"OK." The hairstylist calmly accepted my tip.
Sigh... I suddenly feel a bit tired... Kids these days are so hard to raise! I suddenly have a bit of respect for those parents... Being a parent is really not easy!
Part One: In the Martial World, Not in Control of One's Own Fate, Chapter Seventy-Two: Xiao Wu and Xiao Si
It seems this image consulting salon is quite reputable; at least it felt worth the money I paid. No wonder Qiaoqiao practically considers this place her home.
When the hairstylist pulled out the newly dressed Ni Duoduo, I, who was sitting on the sofa smoking to pass the time, couldn't help but stand up after just one glance.
The glaring afro was gone. Her hair, though not straightened, still had a slight curl, cascading down like delicate, broken waves, giving her a pure yet playful look. Her heavy makeup was gone, with only a carefully touched-up brow. There was a slight blush on her cheeks, but it was a natural blush, not artificial. Looking at this girl in front of me truly reminded me of the girl in the photograph.
She was even wearing the casual outfit I bought for her that afternoon. The collared sweater suited her skin tone perfectly, and the jeans showed off her long, slender legs that exuded youthful energy.
"Very good." I nodded to the hairstylist with satisfaction, then took out my credit card and gave it to him. Ni Duoduo, however, looked a little strange, walked up to me, and said dejectedly, "I look so dowdy..."
"Dowdy?" I laughed. "That's more like a human being. You thought you looked good before?"
"Tch, that's just personality!" It seems the little girl still can't change her mind all of a sudden.
"Personality?" I shook my head. "That kind of afro doesn't suit your age, your face shape, or your skin tone. Listen to me. The people here are the most professional."
Ni Duoduo was initially a little unhappy, but after going outside, she noticed something different... She attracted more attention outside... Although her previous afro hairstyle had also drawn a lot of attention, now the gazes from those around her were mostly filled with men's admiration and women's envy.
Isn't this good? A girl should act like a girl.
Afterwards, I took her to have dessert, and Ni Duoduo sat across from me. Holding a spoon, she was feeding herself small spoonfuls of tiramisu. Her attitude towards me was becoming more and more affectionate, and she no longer spoke harshly; even her eyes had become much kinder.
Finally, after what seemed like a long pause, she asked, "Can I ask you a question?"
"What?"
"You're a local, right? You don't look very old. How do you know him?"
"Who?" I laughed. "Your father?"
"It's that guy." The girl's expression still held a hint of disgust.
I said seriously, "Ni Duoduo, do you hate your father?"
She sneered, "Should I thank him?"
I hesitated for a moment, then slowly said, "Actually, your father cares about you a lot."
"Hmph." A shadow fell over her face again. "Him? He abandoned me and my mother, and hasn't spoken to us for so many years... Thank you for your concern!"
"At least he gave you money to go to school and support your life."
“Chen Yang.” Ni Duoduo stared into my eyes, her face like that of an enraged female leopard: “I’ve just started to like you a little, don’t make me hate you again!”
I sighed, forced to abandon my own thoughts. I didn't know much about Huan Ge's actions towards Ni Duoduo, so I couldn't say anything. As for the time when Huan Ge left her and her mother, I knew nothing at all.
"It's the same question: how did you meet him?" The little girl stared at me.
“I work for him. He’s my boss,” I thought for a moment and replied.
"What do you do for a living?" Ni Duoduo asked with a hint of curiosity in her eyes. "You beat all those guys down by yourself today. You seem really good at fighting... You're not a gangster, are you?" When she said the word "gangster," the little girl's face showed no fear, but rather excitement and anticipation.
I could only manage a wry smile.
We are five years apart in age, but we are both from the generation that grew up watching the "Young and Dangerous" movies. Nowadays, when kids talk about the underworld, they all have the same sense of curiosity and excitement—this is purely a side effect of those Hong Kong and Taiwanese movies.
“No.” My answer dispelled her curiosity: “I’m kind of your father’s assistant… well, I’m in charge of some of his business.”
"Does he have business in China? In Nanjing?" Ni Duoduo pressed.
"Hmm...I guess so."
"Is he very rich?" Ni Duoduo seemed very curious: "I see you drive a BMW. You work for him and you drive this kind of car. His business must be very big."
I smiled and said, "That car isn't mine. It belongs to the friend who came with me to see you today. As for your father's business... well, the situation is a bit complicated. I have my own job here, and your father only asks me to do some things for him."
"Oh." Ni Duoduo didn't seem to care, but continued to press me, "So what are you doing here?"
I suddenly realized that this girl wasn't interested in her father, but in me. Although I really wanted to talk to her about Huan Ge, considering her current aversion to him, it didn't seem like the right time. Now that we finally had a topic to talk about, I was happy to try and improve our relationship.
“I work for an entertainment company, mainly responsible for the planning and organization of some commercial activities.” I smiled: “For example, concerts by some singers, or some commercial performances, and so on.”
"Then why are you so good at fighting?" Ni Duoduo had already put down her spoon and simply rested her chin on her hands, looking at me.
"I practiced martial arts for a few years."
"Martial arts?" She chuckled. "Then how many can you take on by yourself?"
Do you have a girlfriend?
Where did you practice martial arts?
"You really aren't from the underworld?"
Have you ever injured anyone?
I tried my best to satisfy the little girl's curiosity with these kinds of questions. Finally, she asked another one: "Can you really take on several people by yourself?"
"That's not how it works," I said with a wry smile. "People who practice martial arts are just a bit more agile than ordinary people, or they know some violent methods of inflicting damage. If I encounter a large number of people, I'll still get beaten up and forced to run away. Most people practice martial arts to improve their health. Generally speaking, three to five people are no problem for me. But if they're all armed, I'll definitely get hurt. Today's situation doesn't count... They were just some low-level thugs. I only knocked down two of them quickly, and the rest got scared. If they were the tough guys who've been around for a long time, bold and ruthless, the kind who would dare to fight me to the death, I definitely wouldn't have had it so easy. I'd probably be injured myself after dealing with them."
I immediately dismissed the unrealistic illusions in the girl's eyes... I could already sense something was wrong... Could she be trying to make me her henchman?
Ni Duoduo pouted, seemingly a little annoyed, but then her phone rang in her pocket. She picked it up, glanced at the number, and a look of disgust crossed her face. After answering, she said loudly, "Hello? Didn't I tell you not to call me?"
I chuckled. He was probably just another little boy she'd tricked.
However, after exchanging a few "uh-huhs" with the person on the phone, Ni Duoduo's expression improved slightly: "Tonight? Same place as always? OK, I'll definitely come tonight!"
After hanging up the phone, she looked at me expectantly: "Could you come with me somewhere?"
I frowned: "Where are you going tonight?"
"Let's go have some fun!" Ni Duoduo exclaimed, her face beaming. "I'll take you to a really fun place!"
"Fun places?" I scoffed. "Lady? Marceau?..." I rattled off a few famous nightclubs in Nanjing, but the little girl shook her head. Instead, she glanced at me and said, "You seem to know these places quite well. I'll ask you to go with me next time." Then, seeing my displeased expression, she quickly changed her tone: "None of them. Not nightclubs. They're other places."
Looking at her expression, I couldn't help but ask, "What kind of tricks are you planning to play?"
"Tch! You're such a big man, why are you being so fussy!" Ni Duoduo said dismissively. "Would I sell you out?"
I sighed. I thought to myself, no matter what, I'll just stay with her. With me by her side, what harm could possibly happen to her? It's better to guide than to suppress. Forcing her might just provoke her rebellious streak; kids this age are known for their strong rebellious tendencies.
Of course, I was also determined that if she did anything out of line, I would immediately drag her home by force!
Seeing me nod, Ni Duoduo cheered and jumped up from her seat. She hurriedly pulled me to pay the bill and ran out, urging me to drive her home.
When they arrived at Ni Duoduo's apartment building, she didn't go upstairs: "Wait here, I'll go get my car!"
"Get the car?" I asked, puzzled. "Didn't I already drive it?"
"Tch!" She gave me the middle finger in a very rude way, looking disdainful. "Please! How can you show your car to anyone? If I drive your car, I'll be laughed to death!"
I was bewildered.