I, Xia Anyang, am a dreamer.
In the past, my dream was to become the best band lead singer and rock star on Blue Star.
But as time changed and years passed, my dream evolved.
My dream has become even greater than before!
I want to be the best father in the world!
I want to capture every moment when my daughter is surrounded by love!
I want her to be the happiest girl in the world!
The most important thing about being a good father is being there!
Before my daughter grows up to be an adult, I will not, and cannot, be absent from any key milestones on her path to adulthood.
Especially on a day as important as her birthday.
Xia Anyang once again lifted his hand-held DV camera, firming up his conviction.
I'll shoot it well.
This time, Xia Anyang is set to give it his all!
The lights at the birthday party suddenly dimmed, and spotlights focused on either side of the castle-themed display.
"Now, let's welcome the two little stars of our birthday party to the front of our castle!"
Xia Nuo, holding her mother's hand, slowly walked onto the stage of the birthday party.
In the moment the lights focused, everyone's eyes were on the girl who always seemed to be laughing and joyful in their eyes.
The gazes of the crowd were all fixed in place.
Because the Xia Nuo who appeared today was unlike any time before.
Xia Nuo was dressed in an exquisite and gorgeous princess dress, as if crafted from a fantasy world, with a color as tender as early spring cherry blossoms, and layers of tulle gently swaying like rolling mists.
Embedded on the skirt of her princess dress were shiny rhinestones and beads, which sparkled in the interplay of light and shadow, like the brightest stars in the night sky.
She wore a dazzling diamond tiara that complemented her innocent, curious big eyes, shining brilliantly.
Her smile, so gentle and different from her usual cheerful demeanor, clearly revealed a hint of nervousness.
In that instant, it seemed all happiness, sweetness, and childlike innocence converged on the girl before me...
She must be an angel sent from heaven, to bring warmth and healing to me.
Watching his beautiful daughter in the camera, Xia Anyang thought so emotionally.
Images from the past emerged in his mind, unforgettable memories flashing by like a carousel.
The admiration of thousands during his school days, the splendid brilliance of his lead-singing days, the helpless frustration of defeat in competition, and the painful despair when the band dissolved.
And until the end of youth, when the glory faded away, one warm and sunny spring afternoon, when he met her, the one in his heart.
That was when the wheels of fate began to turn.
To be born human, I am so fortunate!
The scene in Xia Anyang's DV camera kept moving along with the little angel.
He rubbed his reddening eyes, watching Nuo Nuo slowly walk onto the stage through the lens.
Watching Nuo Nuo slowly let go of her mother's hand.
Watching Nuo Nuo walking alone on the stage.
Watching Nuo Nuo bravely raising her head, facing the attentive crowd below, and gracefully showing her adorable self to everyone.
My daughter...
Woohoo... my precious daughter.
Xia Anyang could hardly hold back his tears.
Where has the time gone?
I haven't properly hugged you yet...
How did you grow up so fast...
The days when you burbled bubbles, it seems like it was just yesterday.
Xia Anyang was immersed in the nostalgia for time.
Until Xia Nuo's gaze shifted to the boy beside her.
A boy equally well-dressed, balancing handsomeness and maturity.
Ah!
It's the Eye-Catching Package!
With his company, Xia Nuo's nervousness completely dissipated, returning once again to her lively and cheerful self.
She clenched her little fists in front of her chest, her excited Wahku-Wahku emotions clear, watching Fang You with a gaze as pure as crystal!
This subtle scene seemed as if it were...
As if it were watching—
Xia Anyang felt increasingly that something was amiss.
He felt as if his handheld DV weighed a thousand catties.
He already couldn't lift it up...
He already couldn't keep filming!
"You You and Nuo Nuo really look like a match made in heaven!"
"Just like the childhood sweethearts you find in novels."
"Born on the same year, same month, and same day, growing up together, what a beautiful fate."
"Hahahaha... This joint birthday party, doesn't it feel like that one!"
"Which one?"
"Just that one, you know what I mean, right?"
"Oh yo, now that you mention it—"
Wrong, wrong, wrong...
That's not right!
What's with this atmosphere!
Xia Anyang's mood suddenly became very uncomfortable.
[Xia Anyang felt sad contemplating a future scene that might happen twenty years from now, Emotional Energy +50]
Ah...
That really messed up the rhythm.
You, as a dad, why think so much...
Too much inner drama, unnecessary!
Fang You thought to himself that we're only 4 years old this year, there's still a long road ahead.
If you're falling apart now, what are you going to do later?
However, looking at the girl-next-door who looked at him with a smile full of meaning, Fang You also felt somewhat wistful.
This was his first time seeing Xia Nuo dressed up in her party gown.
This genteel and elegant young miss's demeanor was entirely unconnected to that of the energetic little girl she was on ordinary days.
When she was born, she was just a drooling, somewhat annoying plump baby.
Now, she had indeed grown into a sweet and lovely little princess.
Not like me, who has been handsome since birth, carrying pressure that didn't match my age...
Fang You and Xia Nuo hand-in-hand, walked to the center of the stage, while relatives and friends below clapped and watched them attentively.
Xia Nuo had been quite quiet all this time, even her smile was just a faint one as she waved to everyone.
But, the hand she held onto Fang You's was clenched tightly all the while.
While the host was delivering the birthday speech, Xia Nuo suddenly leaned toward Fang You and whispered something to him onstage.
Xia Nuo stood on her tiptoes, and Fang You also bent down to listen to her.
They coordinated as if they were good friends who had known each other for many years.
"You You, my shoes are really uncomfortable."
"The shoes are uncomfortable... it's the feet that are uncomfortable, right? Is it because the shoes don't fit, pinching you?"
Xia Nuo nodded, "Yeah, it feels like my toes are hurting... after we cut the cake, I'll tell my mom."
"If it hurts, it means you're injured, you can't just endure it, enduring it will only make it more painful."
Fang You held onto Xia Nuo's hand, "Come on, I'll take you to find your mom right now."
"Okay..."
Xia Nuo immediately nodded like a pecking chick, her gaze fixed on Fang You.
As the host was making his speech, Fang You and Xia Nuo sneaked away from the stage unnoticed by him.
Seeing the little ones unexpectedly appear below the stage, among everyone's laughter, the host could only smooth things over with a laugh, saying:
"Oh my, it looks like our two little birthday stars can't wait to start the party. Let's kick off today's celebration now!"
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