To look at houses, Li Yao took her to the VIP sales center of Yunjin Real Estate a day later returning to the drama crew, where they received dedicated service.
They also went to see the houses on site. The location, unit types, and sizes did meet her satisfaction. The salesperson also took them to visit a sample unit of an unsold phase, which had similar layouts and sizes. Although the decor was not what she wanted, it gave her a good feeling.
Yunjin had always been well-known in the industry for protecting privacy and safety.
"Ms. Qin Wei, Yunjin welcomes your move-in wholeheartedly. If you are satisfied too, please sign the documents. The salesperson, property manager and your broker will handle the rest of the procedures."
Holding the purchase agreement, Qin Wei silently counted the zeros on it, then said to Li Yao:
"I think we should talk privately."
...
In the afternoon when she returned to the set, Qin Wei still had two more scenes to shoot. While Xiao Yan was doing her makeup in the dressing room, she heard Li Liang push the door open while talking to someone on the phone.
"Sis, Brother Dou is here to see you."
Right after Li Liang spoke, Hong Dou's sweet voice came:
"Auntie let me go, I want my sis! Sis! Sis sis sis sis!"
Qin Wei sighed. Ever since he disapproved of her last time, her seniority went down again.
Oh well it still sounds young to be called sis!
"Brother Dou you're here!"
Qin Wei asked Xiao Yan to wait and got up to hug Hong Dou. Hong Dou was also super happy to see her. He stuffed his little backpack into her arms.
"I've got candy and rice cakes for you. I promised auntie not to eat them so I could get them to give to you. Take them and don't be petty!"
"You mean I shouldn't stand on ceremony?"
Qin Wei opened the little backpack. Indeed, it was full of goodies.
The auntie looked at Hong Dou affectionately but also a bit apologetic. She said to Qin Wei:
"Ms. Qin, I'm so sorry to disturb you. Red Bean's been talking about missing you after going home. It's been hard to pacify him these two days. He even cried this morning when he heard he could come to see you. He was so happy he skipped his nap."
Qin Wei hugged Hong Dou and gently pinched his soft little cheeks, "I'm happy to see Brother Dou too. I thought his scenes were over and I wouldn't get to see him again. I hadn't heard him crying on set these days so I kind of missed him too."
Hong Dou looked up at her earnestly, "Then let's go to the set. I'll cry as soon as I get in."
Qin Wei laughed, "That won't be necessary, but I can carry you for a walk. Su Yang and Daniel are there too. You can cry towards them."
...
The little devil prince's arrival put everyone on edge. They got in positions and checked the equipment, but luckily Qin Wei was also there, and the little devil prince seemed to be in a good mood this time. Everyone hoped he wouldn't stir up any trouble...
"Su Yang, your little brother is here..."
As soon as she entered the studio carrying Hong Dou, she saw Su Yang getting touchups. Her smile faded upon seeing his chin injured.
"What happened to your chin?"
"It's nothing, just a little accident."
Su Yang brushed it off, then he looked at Hong Dou and reached out,
"Kiddo, let Dad hold you?"
Hong Dou hugged Qin Wei's neck tighter and grunted, turning his head away.
Su Yang pleaded pitifully, "Bean, look at me?"
Being called Bean, Hong Dou reluctantly looked his way but still pushed him away, not letting him carry him.
Although they spent half a month together on set and Su Yang did play with him more, Hong Dou simply preferred Qin Wei. Su Yang felt a little jealous.
"Bean, why don't you take Qin as your last name. You two are family."
Hong Dou nodded right away, "Okay, Qin Red Bean."
Su Yang: "..."
Qin Wei couldn't help laughing.
It was time to shoot again. Bean's aunt carried him aside to watch obediently. It was a dialogue scene. The only difficulty was the many lines, but the co-stars were dialogue maestros. They had no issues memorizing and soon wrapped up.
During the break, Hong Dou had fallen asleep.
Qin Wei took over Hong Dou from his aunt and carried the sleeping boy herself so his aunt could rest. The afternoon heat on set was suffocating. Qin Wei was worried Hong Dou wasn't resting well. So she took him to the camper van for his nap.
Teacher Qiao wasn't inside. It was nice and cool in the quiet van. Qin Wei gently put Hong Dou down on the bed and covered him with a blanket.
She opened the fridge wanting to grab a mineral water to quench her thirst. To her surprise, there was an unopened milk tea in there!
Teacher Qiao actually bought a secret milk tea!!!
Wow!
Just as Qin Wei took out the milk tea, the door opened and Teacher Qiao came back.
Qin Wei froze by the fridge, one hand propping the door open and one inside reaching for something. She looked sideway at Teacher Qiao while Teacher Qiao stared back in astonishment. Qin Wei suddenly remembered the collab new product the sponsor sent that was also sitting in the fridge. She was told to try it but hadn't had the time to ask what exactly it was. She simply asked her assistant to put it in the fridge first when they were rushing to shoot.
"Why don't you try it."
Teacher Qiao conceded first.
Qin Wei quickly took it out, opened the lid, and drank a sip.
Then she spat it back out.
This move was beyond Teacher Qiao's comprehension. She scolded angrily:
"Qin Wei whatcha doing!! Even if you don't wanna drink it don't spit it back!!"
"Wahhh wahhh!!"
A child's cries came from the bed. Seeing Teacher Qiao's shocked face intensify, Qin Wei said nothing. She quickly put the drink down to go pacify the crying.
Hong Dou was startled awake by Teacher Qiao's yell. Still dazed and tearful, he reached for Qin Wei as soon as he saw her. Qin Wei also readily took him into her arms to soothe him.
"It's okay, it was just dogs barking outside. Bad dogs, but I shooed them away. Don't be scared..."
She comforted him skillfully.
Under her consoling, the child's cries softened...
But...
"Qin Wei, who're you calling a dog? Where'd you get this kid..."
Teacher Qiao came inside and closed the door.
Realizing Teacher Qiao didn't have scenes with the child actor so it was normal they didn't know each other, Qin Wei introduced them:
"Teacher Qiao, this is Qin Red Bean. He plays your son in the drama but you don't have scenes together. So he's my son. Don't mind his crying. He's very cute actually."
Teacher Qiao stared at Hong Dou. Under her gaze, Hong Dou's cries faded until he stopped.
"Qin Red Bean?"
Teacher Qiao narrowed her eyes, confirming again,
"You sure his name is Qin Red Bean?"
"Yes, he's my gos..."
"No no, auntie my name is Qiao Ruiyan..."
Hong Dou cut Qin Wei off mid-sentence.
Qin Wei: "??"
...
Hong Dou sat quietly next to Teacher Qiao, facing Qin Wei silently.
Teacher Qiao gently patted his shoulder, "Come on Qiao Ruiyan, introduce yourself to her."
Hong Dou obediently did as told:
"My name is Qiao Ruiyan, two and a half years old. People call me Red Bean... Auntie, I've got nothing else to say. Can she hold me now?"
Teacher Qiao side-glanced at him, "I can hold you just fine too."
Hong Dou pushed her hand away, on the verge of tears again,
"Wahhh auntie, there's always someone willing to hug you. Can't you just give way..."
Then he cried, arms stretched towards Qin Wei wanting her to carry him.
Their month together wasn't for naught. They had some real bonds.
Qin Wei got up, walked around Teacher Qiao, and took Hong Dou into her embrace.
Teacher Qiao was a little miffed, "Let my nephew go."
Qin Wei patiently explained,
"When a child wants to hug me, I'll never be the first to let go.
He's shown me his fragile side. Of course I'll hug him tight."
Teacher Qiao: "..."
Though she didn't say it aloud, Qin Wei was a little pumped that she managed to turn the tables and won Teacher Qiao from such a disadvantaged position!
