(TL: A thing parents do when their child reaches their first year. They put 3 items in front of them and the one the child picks up first becomes symbolic)

Time flowed swiftly into late April’s twilight spring.

Cherry blossoms swirled in the air as beloved ones spent their days together.

Little Yuanbao—Mei Xiaoyuan—had begun weaning, tentatively tasting solid foods;

Meanwhile, Lin Youxi had caught the flu and isolated herself to avoid infecting the babies, leaving Xia Yuan to feed Xiaoxixi—Mei Zhixi.

But at over six months old, Xiaoxixi had begun recognizing faces.

Growing more aware by the day, she clung either to her father Mei Fang or followed her birth mother Lin Youxi like a shadow whenever she was free to dote on her.

Thus, when suddenly presented with a different “mother’s flavor,” Xiaoxixi resisted fiercely at first.

As Xia Yuan coaxed her with open arms, Xiaoxixi buried her face in Mei Fang’s shoulder, refusing to engage—wounding Xia Yuan’s heart.

“Why won’t Xiaoxixi bond with me? I fed her for months when she was tiny!”

Mei Fang patted Xiaoxixi’s back soothingly:

“Seven months is old enough to wean. If she really refuses, it’s fine… She can have solids and formula like Xiaoyuan.”

“But she’s so petite! Breastmilk would make her healthier!”

“Mm… Let’s try formula first. If she takes it, we can bottle-feed.”

“Alright… worth a shot.”

They prepared warm formula, even recruiting Xiaoyuan to demonstrate.

The bottle’s unfamiliar nipple posed no challenge for pacifier-loving Xiaoyuan, who drank eagerly—

While Xiaoxixi stared in bewildered alarm.

When Mei Fang cradled her to feed, she pressed her lips shut, twisting away stubbornly.

Not even her beloved Baba could coax her.

By the time Xiaoyuan finished her bottle, smacking her lips and eyeing Xiaoxixi’s share hungrily—

“No good.”

“This child… really only wants her mama…”

Worried Xiaoxixi might starve, Xia Yuan scratched her head. “We must get her to eat… Ah Fang, you demonstrate? She listens to you.”

“Me?!“

——

The plan backfired. Watching her father “nurse,” Xiaoxixi shed silent tears.

“Abort mission!”

Heartbroken, Mei Fang hugged his distraught daughter;

Meanwhile, Xia Yuan rocked Xiaoyuan—who kept nuzzling her former “cafeteria” despite the “closed” sign—as she mused:

“Maybe if we wait until she’s hungry enough, she’ll accept me or the bottle?”

“Let’s… try two hours?”

——

Two hours later:

Xiaoyuan happily smeared rice porridge across her face, first fed by Mei Fang, then attempting self-service with a spoon—

While Xiaoxixi, confronted again with Yuan-mama or bottle, remained tight-lipped, her red-rimmed eyes and quivering pout piercing their hearts.

“What do we do… Ah Fang… She’ll starve at this rate—”

Both Xia Yuan and Xiaoxixi verged on tears. Only Xiaoyuan giggled at the drama.

“She’s anxious without her mama. A visit might help.”

“But Youxi is sick—Xiaoxixi can’t go up! She’d catch it!”

“Video call then. I’ll ask Youxi.”

“Mm… okay.”

Masked, Mei Fang knocked on Lin Youxi’s door.

“Still refusing food?”

“Mm… We think seeing you might calm her.”

“Understood. I’ll video call.”

“Don’t come in… cough… You’ll get infected too.”

“It’s just flu—I’m masked—”

“Germs on you could harm the babies… cough—”

“Alright…”

Downstairs, Xia Yuan had already initiated the call.

“Youxi… how are you feeling?”

“Better after medicine and rest… Xiaoxixi?”

“Missing you terribly… Look.”

The screen turned to reveal Xiaoxixi—who burst into silent sobs upon seeing her mother, her anguish starkly different from usual fussing. Lin Youxi’s heart ached.

“Shh… Be good, Xiaoxixi. Eat what Yuan-mama offers, okay…?”

Xiaoxixi seemed deaf to the words, crying herself to exhausted sleep in Xia Yuan’s arms.

“Wuwu… Maybe… maybe you should feed her?”

“No… She’d suffer worse sick. Her constitution’s like mine… cough—”

Xia Yuan wilted. “She only wants you. Maybe I can’t be her mama.”

“Yuan Yuan.” Lin Youxi’s voice softened. “We’re family. Xiaoxixi isn’t just my daughter—she’s yours too. Just as Xiaoyuan is mine.”

“I know…”

Xia Yuan rocked the sleeping baby. “I’ll… figure something out. Rest well.”

“You and Ah Fang will manage.” Lin Youxi blew a kiss before ending the call.

Mei Fang descended, grim. “Prolonged hunger harms development. Let’s consult the pediatrician—”

“Wait… let me try once more.”

Xia Yuan wiped her eyes. “I’ve loved her all this time… She must feel it.”

Hunger made Xiaoxixi’s sleep fitful, her eyes fluttering open intermittently.

So Xia Yuan cradled her, humming lullabies nonstop—

For thirty unbroken minutes, under Mei Fang’s watchful gaze as he minded the peacefully sleeping Xiaoyuan.

Finally, half-asleep Xiaoxixi nuzzled Xia Yuan’s chest, lips smacking instinctively.

Seizing the moment, Xia Yuan offered nourishment.

Mumumumu…

Xiaoxixi nursed drowsily until—

Her eyes blinked open, registering Xia Yuan.

A pause.

Xia Yuan held her breath but kept singing softly, radiating maternal warmth.

Tears trembled on Xiaoxixi’s lashes—

Then—

Mumumu.

Acceptance.

Overjoyed, Xia Yuan locked eyes with Mei Fang in silent triumph.

Later, after settling the fed-and-sleeping Xiaoxixi, Xia Yuan collapsed into Mei Fang’s arms, weeping cathartic tears—

Tears of hard-won maternal validation.

Before motherhood, Xia Yuan had been everyone’s baby—shielded from hardship by parents and Mei Fang.

Her career had flourished with Mei Fang’s support; even university band pursuits built on prior success.

Only motherhood was a path she forged alone—

Its sacrifices and triumphs uniquely hers.

Mei Fang understood this profundity, embracing her tightly while texting Lin Youxi—who’d stayed awake worrying—their joyful update.

——

Under Mei Fang’s care, Lin Youxi recovered swiftly.

Thereafter, Xiaoxixi warmed to Xia Yuan—

Though her quiet nature remained, a stark contrast to her vivacious sister.

Perhaps because Xia Yuan had radiated joy during pregnancy, Xiaoyuan was all giggles and mischief, adoring playtime with Baba.

Her hair now styled in perky pigtails, her chubby cheeks and luminous skin made her the family’s sunshine.

“Ba… ba… bao—”

Nearing her first birthday, Xiaoyuan toddled into Mei Fang’s arms, who lifted her skyward.

“Fly! Fly! Up we go!”

“Giggle—ha!“

After “flying,” she rode his shoulders like a pony.

“Giddyap!”

“Ja! Ja!“

Nearby, Xia Yuan and Lin Youxi were guiding timid Xiaoxixi to stand when Mei Fang’s sudden movement startled her—

Plopping down with a whimper.

The mothers soothed her while scolding Mei Fang:

“Be careful! She’s not even one yet—you’re making her wild!”

“Wonder who she takes after… Her mama?“

Lin Youxi teased Xia Yuan, who retorted while patting Xiaoxixi’s back:

“Which mama? I recall both enjoying pony rides—”

“I’d never do something so childish.”

“Eh? No secrets between us! Ah Fang told me—”

Lin Youxi deftly changed subjects: “The zhua zhou ceremony—are the grandparents arriving soon?”

“Next Monday… Hey! Don’t deflect—”

Ignoring her, Lin Youxi turned to Mei Fang: “Preparations for Xiaoyuan’s zhua zhou?”

Currently being used as a climbing frame by a giggling Xiaoyuan, Mei Fang blinked.

“Zhua what now?”

“The first-birthday object-grabbing ritual you promised to organize.”

“Oh! Done and done!”

He set Xiaoyuan down (earning a pout and leg-hug), stroking her hair:

“Xiaoyuan and Xiaoxixi will have magnificent celebrations! Memories to cherish forever!”

Though traditionally overlooked in their hometown, modern dad Mei Fang embraced zhua zhou‘s symbolism, inviting both sets of grandparents to Pengcheng.

The ceremony unfolded meticulously:

First, Gun Zai (“rolling away disasters”):

Grandmother Xiang Xiaoxia bathed Xiaoyuan, then rolled a peeled hard-boiled egg over her body—

Having researched thoroughly (having skipped the ritual for her own children), she chuckled as Xiaoyuan squirmed ticklishly.

“Disasters roll away;
Luck and health here stay.“

Next, Jin Shou (“golden touch”):

Grandmothers Yu Ling and Liang Meijuan cleansed Xiaoyuan’s hands before adorning her in gold-embroidered zhua zhou attire, a baifu suo longevity lock and bracelet symbolizing boundless blessings.

Finally, Shu Tou (“hair-combing”):

The mothers took over, chanting as they brushed:

“First comb for wisdom,
Second for fortune,
Third for skill,
Fourth for goodwill…“

Each stroke a benediction:

“Grow healthy and happy, Xiaoyuan.”

Under their care, Xiaoyuan gaped at her resplendent reflection, sensing today’s significance.

Then—the main event:

Mei Fang lifted Xiaoyuan to “pass through scallion gates” (a homophone for “intelligence”), much to her delight—

Before placing her amidst the zhua zhou spread.

Traditionally, this object-grabbing ritual foretold a child’s future path, so participants usually selected serious items—

Xiaoyuan’s assortment begged to differ.

While grandparents contributed conventional options (musical instruments, abacus, camera, comb, paintbrush)—

The younger generation’s additions skewed eccentric:

Lin Youxi offered a game controller (“Like father, like daughter—gaming prodigy!”);
Xia Yuan contributed a gold ingot (“We’re rich anyway”);

But Mei Fang’s choice stole the show: his own glamour shot.

“Your photo?!” Xia Yuan howled. “What—she’ll stay with you forever?!”

“Obviously!” Mei Fang preened. “Our girls need nothing but Baba!”

“Ah Fang… they’ll resent you later. Like I resent my dad.”

Across the room, Xia Xun sneezed violently.

“Xiaoxixi, watch carefully—it’ll be your turn next,” Lin Youxi whispered.

“No contest,” Xia Yuan grinned. “She’ll pick Baba too.”

Overwhelmed by the crowd, timid Xiaoxixi clung to Lin Youxi, observing wide-eyed as Xiaoyuan deliberated.

“Look! She’s choosing!”

“She wants my abacus!” Grandpa Mei Lijun crowed.

“My piano!” Grandpa Xia Xun countered.

Xiaoyuan’s gaze swept past Lin Youxi’s controller—

“Not even glancing at my photo?!” Mei Fang sulked.

Wait—

Her focus shifted to the gold ingot… then Mei Fang’s portrait… her hand almost reaching—

“Pick the ingot! You’re Xiaoyuan!“

“Pick Baba! Baba’s best!“

At the last second, she bypassed both—

Grabbing a blue-armored Space Marine figurine (Warhammer 40k Ultramarines).

The family stared dumbfounded as she waved it gleefully.

“What is that?! Who put—”

“HAHAHA!“

C-site’s top creator Mei Ya (1M+ fans) pumped her fists:

“YES! My successor! Together we’ll spread the God-Emperor’s will across the galaxy—nay, the warp itself!“

Thus did the zhua zhou MVP emerge.

——

Author’s Notes:

[I have no wife. No little-padded-jacket daughters either.]

[Goodnight.]