Adjusting to kindergarten wasn’t as difficult as imagined—at least not for Little Yuanbao, Mei Xiaoyuan.

Every evening after returning home, she would chatter endlessly to her parents about her kindergarten adventures:

Painting together, playing with colored clay, singing songs, and playing games.

And most importantly—making friends.

“Today I made another new friend! Her name is Lin Meng! She’s a girl with short hair and wears the cutest little bunny hairclip. During arts and crafts, we exchanged cards we made for each other. Look, this is the one Lin Meng gave me!”

“Hehe, our Little Yuanbao is amazing!”

Mei Fang pulled Mei Xiaoyuan into his arms, ruffling her affectionately as she giggled uncontrollably. Meanwhile, Mei Zhixi stood nearby, fidgeting with something hidden behind her back, her expression troubled.

“Little Xixi, what are you hiding there? Do you want to share it with Mommy and Daddy?”

Mei Zhixi nodded seriously. “This… is a drawing I made.”

In class, Mei Zhixi had drawn a crayon artwork—a sun, a grassy field, and a tall figure holding hands with a small child.

A father and daughter, hand in hand, with the father flying a kite that danced in the sky.

“This is so well done! Is this you and Daddy playing outside together?”

Mei Zhixi nodded again.

“But… when we flew kites that time, I remember Mommy and Jiejie were there too. Why didn’t you draw them…?”

Xia Yuan teased with hands on her hips. “Does Little Xixi want Daddy all to herself?”

“Because… because…”

Mei Zhixi’s voice grew increasingly distressed. “If I drew two mommies… the other kids would ask me why I have two mommies…”

“Ahh—”

This was something Xia Yuan hadn’t anticipated at all. That such a young child would be mindful of this left her deeply moved. “Little Xixi, you’re so thoughtful… Wuwu… Yuan Mama didn’t even think of that!”

“It’s perfectly normal Yuan Mama didn’t realize…”

Lin Youxi picked up Mei Zhixi’s crayon drawing to examine it closely. “Mmm, very expressive. As expected of Xi Mama’s daughter. Did the teacher praise you?”

“Mhm… Yes.”

“But if you got praised, why don’t you seem happy?”

Faced with her father’s question, Mei Zhixi pressed her lips together, hesitating to speak.

Seeing her struggle, Mei Fang was about to ask if she wanted to whisper it just to him when Lin Youxi stopped him with a raised hand.

“It’s alright… Let Mama handle this.”

That evening, Lin Youxi bathed Mei Zhixi, dried her hair, and applied lotion afterward.

While gently massaging the cream into Mei Zhixi’s cheeks, she softly asked:

“Little Xixi, earlier when Daddy asked why you were unhappy, was it because you felt embarrassed to tell him?”

“Mhm…”

Alone with Lin Youxi, Mei Zhixi didn’t hide her thoughts.

“Then… can you tell Xi Mama?”

“Will Xi Mama keep it a secret? I don’t want Yuan Mama or Daddy to know…”

“Of course.”

Lin Youxi smiled. “I’m Xi Mama, you’re Xi Baby—we share one heart. I’ll definitely protect your secret.”

“It’s just…”

Mei Zhixi pouted, then looked up hesitantly.

“Xi Mama… do I have to make friends with the other kids to stay in kindergarten?”

“Oh?”

Lin Youxi considered this. “Why… do you ask that?”

“Because… Yuanbao Jiejie talks about making so many friends, and you all seem so happy… I… I can’t do that…”

“Does Little Xixi not like those children?”

“No, everyone… is very nice.”

“Then… are you too shy to talk to them?”

Mei Zhixi shook her head again, her face flushing as she struggled to articulate her feelings.

“I understand.”

Lin Youxi booped Mei Zhixi’s nose. “You can get along with everyone, but… you don’t particularly enjoy making friends. You prefer being alone or with Daddy—is that it?”

Mei Zhixi blinked her large, dewy eyes, staring at Lin Youxi in astonishment:

“Xi Mama… are you magical? How… how did you know…?”

“Because Little Xixi grew in Xi Mama’s tummy.”

Lin Youxi gazed at her with infinite tenderness. “And when Xi Mama was little, I didn’t like making friends either.”

“Oh… I see…”

Realizing she wasn’t strange for feeling this way, Mei Zhixi’s furrowed brow relaxed noticeably.

“But… if I’m not good like this… will Daddy stop liking me and only like Yuanbao Jiejie…?”

“Daddy isn’t like that.”

Lin Youxi tucked a stray lock of hair behind Mei Zhixi’s ear. “His only wish is for you to be happy. Whether you prefer solitude or company—it’s just a way of living.”

“Way of living?”

“Mmm… It means no matter what kind of child you want to be, Daddy, Yuan Mama, and I will always support you!”

“Mhm… I understand now.”

Mei Zhixi leaned forward and planted a loud, smacking kiss on Lin Youxi’s cheek.

“Thank you, Xi Mama.”

“Silly child.”

Lin Youxi pinched Mei Zhixi’s nose playfully. “Why thank me?”

“But… when someone helps you, shouldn’t you say thanks?”

“We’re mother and daughter. Here, you should say ‘I love you’ instead.”

“I love Xi Mama… Like this?”

“Say it more. I like hearing it.”

Lin Youxi’s face was alight with doting amusement.

Ah… Xi Mama…

So childish.

Mei Zhixi’s small heart was filled with complex thoughts.

When Lin Youxi led her back out, Mei Zhixi’s face shone with a radiant smile, sparking Mei Fang and Xia Yuan’s curiosity.

“Youxi, what did you talk about with Little Xixi?”

“Yeah yeah, tell us!”

“Not telling.”

Lin Youxi pressed a finger to her lips, her mysterious smile carrying a hint of mischief. “It’s a secret between me and my daughter. Can’t share.”

“Please… Youxi… I’m getting goosebumps, just tell me!”

“Hug hugs, Youxi baby!”

Mei Fang and Xia Yuan immediately clung to Lin Youxi, nuzzling and cuddling her until even she grew flustered.

“You’re being so childish… Hey, hey—you’re the big bosses of Yuanxi Entertainment! Stop acting like this! I promised Little Xixi I wouldn’t tell—”

Watching her parents’ overly affectionate display, Mei Zhixi—who had been all smiles—suddenly reverted to her classic wide-eyed, stunned expression from toddlerhood. Just then, someone covered her eyes from behind.

It was her sister, Mei Xiaoyuan.

“This isn’t something us kids should see! Let’s go play on the slide in the game room, Meimei!”

And so, Little Xixi was dragged away by her sister, leaving the room behind.