PCMWF Chapter 119

Niu Niu was startled at first, then instinctively hid the wind chime behind her back. When Niu Niu got closer, Du Ze’s face was full of anticipation for his gift. He peeked into the bag Niu Niu was carrying and saw a cheap-looking handmade wind chime. Du Ze’s eyebrows furrowed slightly. The accusatory words were about to slip out when he noticed the cameras behind Niu Niu.

“Dad loves it. Thank you, Niu Niu.”

Niu Niu pressed her lips together and said nothing. She was led by the hand into the villa by Du Ze. In the living room on the first floor, everyone had already returned. Little Su Youli’s hair was damp with sweat. Shen Minyan had taken off his little hat, combing his hair back to reveal his smooth forehead. The little guy was busy digging through his pockets, laying out his seashells on the floor, then selecting the biggest one to give to his father.

Shen Minyan held his son and the shell he’d found for him. He cherished it, put it away safely, and kissed his son’s cheek. On the other side, Pei Qiqi had also brought out his gift. The moment the dress was unfolded, Hua Zhao gasped in surprise, covering her mouth.

“Qiqi, how did you know your aunt liked this dress? I was planning to buy it on our way back after filming!”

Held in his aunt’s arms, Qiqi was kissed again and again. The tips of his ears turned red.

“Auntie really loves this gift. Thank you, Qiqi.”

Pei Qiqi blushed. “You’re welcome.”

Meanwhile, Mi Huan’s face was full of misery. Mi Le had shoved a chicken wrap from a certain fried chicken brand into his hand.

Mi Huan gritted his teeth. “You came in second place! You spent all one hundred yuan?”

Mi Le was busy. He pulled out four colas, four burgers, a bucket of chicken wings, popcorn chicken, and spicy chicken legs from the shopping bag.

“All spent! And it wasn’t even enough. The pumpkin-filled pancake is fifteen yuan a serving. Youyou will definitely love it. Bro, give me another fifteen. I’ll run back and buy it.”

I’ll give you a punch instead! Mi Huan took a deep breath, telling himself this was his own little brother.

“Is there a chance the director’s task was for you to buy a gift for ME? For ME!” Mi Huan pointed at himself, his fingers trembling.

Mi Le turned his face away. “This is a gift. A great one.”

Mi Huan: Do I look happy to you?

Mi Le set out the burgers, turned his head, and frowned. “Brother, don’t you love fried chicken and burgers?”

Not at this exact moment!

Mi Le could practically hear his brother grinding his teeth: “Thank you. I love it.”

Mi Le breathed a sigh of relief. “I knew you’d love it. One hundred yuan buys a lot. We can’t keep it all to ourselves, so I bought enough to share with everyone!”

Mi Huan smiled stiffly. “Great.”

Everyone except Mi Huan was laughing so hard their stomachs hurt. Su Youli, sitting beside his father, felt like he could see steam rising from Brother Huan Huan’s head. It looked just like when Big Brother was about to hit Second Brother. After enjoying the hilarious brothers, everyone’s attention turned to Niu Niu. Contrary to expectations, Niu Niu’s next move surprised everyone. The little girl took the bag with her gift, jumped off the sofa, and walked quickly over to Hua Zhao.

“Aunt Hua Zhao, this is a gift I bought for you. I hope you like it.”

She was nervous, holding up the wind chime, her eyes shining as she looked at Hua Zhao. The room fell silent. A sea breeze blew through, and a clear, tinkling sound came from the wind chime. Hua Zhao glanced at Du Ze. He had lost all composure, his eyes wide with disbelief. What Niu Niu had just done was no different from slapping him in front of everyone. It was telling everyone that Niu Niu didn’t like him and would rather buy a gift for a woman she had just met than for him.

“Niu Niu, did you make a mistake?”

The man was still smiling, but his voice was serious, carrying a barely noticeable hint of anger. Even though he was furious, he had to maintain the image of a gentle stepfather. If Niu Niu said she’d made a mistake or misremembered the task, there was still a chance to salvage the situation.

The man stepped forward, crouched beside Niu Niu, and said with a smile, “Niu Niu, the director told you to buy a gift for Dad. Why did you buy one for Auntie? Did you forget?”

Niu Niu tugged at her dress, not quite daring to meet her father’s eyes. She just felt that Aunt Hua Zhao was very kind. She didn’t dislike her long hair as Dad did. She spoke to her gently. Du Ze persisted, insisting Niu Niu admit she’d made a mistake and that she had bought the gift for herself.

Hua Zhao couldn’t stand it anymore. She held up the wind chime and smiled. “Niu Niu’s dad, she’s still little. She might have just gotten the gift recipient wrong.”

The atmosphere was awkward. Du Ze felt humiliated, his smile frozen on his face. So many cameras were pointed at him. Everyone was waiting to see how he’d react. He was certain Niu Niu had heard the director’s instructions clearly. This brat had intentionally humiliated him in front of everyone. He had already prompted her to admit she’d misremembered the task, but the brat just wouldn’t speak. She was mute. The thought that she had done this on purpose to make him lose face made Du Ze furious. He must have been too good to her, making her so arrogant.

“Niu Niu, you bought Aunt Hua Zhao a gift. What about Dad?”

“Every parent got a gift. Only Dad didn’t get one. Dad is very sad, very upset.”

Du Ze lowered his eyelids, looking hurt.

“…Dad,” Niu Niu took a small step toward him, her little hand grabbing his clothes.

Du Ze looked at her, his expression serious. “Tell Dad exactly what the director said to you today. Say it again.”

Niu Niu’s eyes were red. Her mouth pouted, and she was about to cry. “…The director said we should help Dad with five things, then use the reward to buy a gift for our parent.”

“So you do remember. Then why didn’t you buy one for Dad?”

Niu Niu hung her head. Being asked this by her father made her feel guilty. Even though Dad really disliked her long hair and had said several times that he wanted to cut it, he was still often very good to her.

Tears were already streaming down her face. Niu Niu sobbed and apologized to Du Ze: “I’m sorry, Dad. I was wrong.”

Du Ze smiled gently, magnanimously stepping forward to hug the crying little girl. “There, there. Dad isn’t blaming you. Just make sure to remember to buy one for Dad next time, okay?”

Niu Niu nodded and said okay. The other three parents’ expressions were less than pleased. The three children sat obediently on the sofa, not daring to speak.
Su Youli blinked his big eyes, leaned in close, and covered his face with his little hand as he whispered to his father: “Dad, why does Uncle talk to Niu Niu like that?”

The little guy couldn’t quite understand Du Ze’s passive-aggressive tone and manipulative speech. He just felt that Uncle Du Ze sounded strange when he talked. He wasn’t scolding Niu Niu, but he still made her cry.

(Author’s note: This low-life will be dealt with soon.Bow.)

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