Chapter 47: The Little Girl's War

Uncle Chen, long time no see, hope you've been well.

Not bad, you're already taller than your dad.

Uncle, I'm all grown up.

Age doesn't matter; whenever I see you now, I think of Lin Bei...

As it turns out, Chen Ci's parents and Ling Er's parents have known each other for many years, making them old family friends.

Although Chen Ci and Ling Er are not blood-related, they've grown up together, so she's like his sister.

Since he's already here, out of politeness Chen Ci ought to pay a visit to his elders.

Brother Ci, have some water.

The weather's so hot, I am indeed a bit thirsty.

But Ling Er only brought over one cup of water; Chen Ci took it in his hand and noticed that Na Zha was also gazing eagerly at the cup.

Chen Ci silently shook his head, gave the water to Na Zha; the young lady took it, tipped her head back, and drank it all down without a drop left.

Ling Er, seeing this from the side, furtively frowned, turned around and poured another cup for Chen Ci.

Naturally, these little moves couldn't possibly escape the adults' notice.

Uncle Chen also found it strange; Ling Er is usually well-behaved and clever, so why would she only bring over one cup of water?

A Ci, this young lady is...

Oh, her name is Na Zha; a friend's sister entrusted her to my care for a few days, so she's kinda like my sister.

But Na Zha refused to accept that: 'No way, brother-in-law...'

Uncle Chen blinked: 'Brother-in-law?'

Chen Ci was drinking water and almost choked; he had to repeat the explanation he'd given Ling Er earlier.

Cough... no, she's Uyghur, her Chinese isn't very good yet...

Oh?

Uncle Chen was half‑believing, half‑doubting, but didn't press further: 'What brings you back this time, and how long will you stay?'

The old house isn't rented out, so I came back to pack up a few things. I've already taken care of it; I'll set off as soon as possible.

Ah? Brother Ci, you're leaving?

Uncle Chen raised a hand to comfort Ling Er and also urged her to stay: 'You're in such a hurry, stay a few more days. Your aunt is away on a business trip; she'll be back in a couple days and can see you then.'

Chen Ci smiled and politely declined: 'I'm heading back to Jingcheng, and I've got a pile of things waiting for me.'

Oh? What have you been busy with lately? Uncle Chen's interest was piqued.

Na Zha finally found a chance to chime in, as if she'd burst if she didn't speak.

She hurriedly said: 'My brother-in-law's band is really hot right now; we're going back to shoot a movie.'

Na Zha.

Oh.

Being stopped by Chen Ci, the young lady drooped her head in dejection, while Ling Er secretly chuckled.

Band, movie?

Uncle Chen had a bit of knowledge about the band, but the movie was truly novel.

I remember you signed up for the arts exam three years ago, then you dropped off the radar. I asked Lin Bei, and he said you'd gone abroad to study?

There's nothing to hide from the elders: 'I didn't pass the arts exam, so I went overseas.'

What school?

Boke li...

What a great university.

Not bad, but it's not the University of California Boke li Campus; it's the Boke li Music Institute...

How big is the difference between those two schools?

The former is touted as a public Ivy League, while the latter is a private school you can get into if you have money.

The name sounds impressive, claiming to be ranked somewhere in the twenties among global music schools.

But rankings for arts specialties aren't exactly scientific to begin with.

It's all about the richer the school, the higher its rank, and the higher the rank, the richer the school.

Where does the money come from?

Why, it comes straight from people like Chen Ci.

He only stayed at the school for about half a year before coming back; the funds are in place, and he's just waiting to get his certificate.

No wonder his own father avoids talking to Uncle Chen about this—such things are fine for fooling outsiders, but you really can't show them to family.

Brother Ci, is your band called Broken Guitar?

Ling Er suddenly asked, and Uncle Chen didn't react right away.

Ling Er knows?

A classmate played your concert video in class, and when I watched it I felt it was somewhat similar.

Chen Ci chuckled: 'That's probably it.'

Na Zha could barely contain her excitement: 'At the concert, I even went on stage to present flowers to my brother-in-law.'

Ling Er, who had been fairly happy, suddenly had her eyes cloud over upon hearing that.

Uncle Chen didn't pay attention to that, and continued asking: 'So how did it suddenly become related to a movie?'

Friends who play in the band together want to make a movie about their rock‑playing story. I also got the impulse to join in and go big.

Haha, youth is great, youth is limitless. By the way, the crew renting your old house is also some sort of production team; the director sounds fairly famous...

Actually, they hadn't been sitting long when it turned out Uncle Chen had an idle car at home, so Chen Ci borrowed it.

Of course, on the way, Chen Ci gained another little tail by his side, and Ling'er also followed along.

Fortunately, after getting in the car, Ling'er seemed to regain her obedient and tranquil demeanor, quietly watching the scenery outside the window, which was in stark contrast to the exuberant Na Zha.

Chen Ci even took the initiative to find a topic: "Ling'er, what grade are you in junior high?"

"I'm about to start second year."

"So you're a bit younger than Na Zha, then…"

"Hehe~ Quickly call me older sister."

She is everywhere; Ling'er merely gave Na Zha a calm glance, saying nothing.

"Na Zha, aren't you being overly lively today? Aren't you feeling tired?"

Na Zha's complexion was flushed at the moment, showing no sign of weariness: "Brother-in-law, there's nothing like that; I'm just happy to see Ling'er."

She seemed to deliberately put emphasis on the four characters "Ling'er little sister," which sounded strange.

Fortunately, Ling'er was well-behaved, so she pretended not to hear and asked Chen Ci: "Brother Ci, you just arrived and you're leaving already—really not staying a few more days?"

"Let me finish this busy period first, then I'll come back to see Ling'er and your uncle and aunt."

"You said the same thing last time."

"Um…"

Chen Ci felt a deep sense of guilt for the first time, realizing how important he was in Ling'er's heart.

"How about this, Ling'er? Summer vacation is coming up, and I should be filming then. I'll invite you and your uncle and aunt to come to Jingcheng to have fun."

"Huh? Brother Ci, can you do that?"

Ling'er's eyes lit up, her tranquil gaze finally showing a hint of different spirit.

"Of course! When the time comes, come to the film set to watch us shoot, and I guarantee Ling'er an unforgettable summer vacation."

"Mm!"

Ling'er nodded solemnly, her round, chubby face smiling like a little steamed bun.

"Brother-in-law…"

Na Zha in the back seat rose from her seat and reached out to grab Chen Ci's collar.

"We're driving, don't make a fuss."

"Oh…"

Na Zha resentfully sat back down, and from the rearview mirror she saw her little mouth almost pouting to the sky.

"Just now she wanted to be the older sister?"

Ling'er is over a year younger than her, yet she looks far more steady than Na Zha.

"Hmph~"

Ling'er suddenly gave a cold chuckle; fine, Chen Ci withdrew his earlier comment.

These two little girls—none of them let him relax.

Just as Ling'er had previously ignored Na Zha, this time Na Zha likewise ignored Ling'er's reaction.

"Brother-in-law, I also want to go watch you film a movie…"

"I can't decide on my own—have you asked your parents?"

"Huh? They'll definitely agree."

Chen Ci couldn't help but take a deep breath; if he brought both girls to the film set, would there ever be peaceful days again…