Joyful Children’s Fairy Tales Magazine was a veteran children’s magazine native to the Capital, and it had been around for quite some years since its founding.
In the past, it indeed had quite a few readers and was a top choice for many authors to submit their works.
However, in recent years, due to a messy staff lineup, the president only appointing relatives, and some improper management ideas, the sales of Joyful Children’s Fairy Tales Magazine had been declining more and more.
After losing quite a few readers, it then lost many authors as well. In this vicious cycle, the sales of Joyful Children Fairy Tales continued to plummet, and the magazine society had already begun trying various ways to save itself.
Precisely because of this, they gritted their teeth and prepared to overhaul the magazine society, laying off some redundant employees as one measure, but what they valued more was spending big money to recruit some famous authors to submit to their magazine.
The first one they recruited was the renowned author Tiger King, who specialized in animal world fairy tales and held a certain status in the fairy tale circle.
However, what Happy Children Magazine had not expected was that Tiger King, whom they had invited, had not even submitted or published anything in their magazine yet.
Yet, the sales of the new issue of Joyful Children Magazine… suddenly shot up???
‘This must be because my recent promotions were done right! Everyone knows that Teacher Tiger King is about to publish his new series in our Joyful Children Magazine. Plus, I found quite a few authors with good story quality not long ago…’
When President Wan Zhuo of Happy Children Magazine saw the sales figures for the latest issue, before he could even investigate why they had risen so much, he heard his little wife’s cousin Zhu Hao explain smugly why this issue’s sales had increased.
Hearing Editor Zhu, the magazine’s chief editor, say this, he did not think much of it and only felt that this brother-in-law of his indeed had some skills.
‘Good, then I’ll have to trouble you more during this period. For Teacher Wang’s side, keep a close eye on him. Whatever he needs, we must satisfy him.’
‘President Wan, rest assured on that. I have a pretty good relationship with Tiger King; we’re good friends. Otherwise, how could I have invited this big Buddha over?’
Zhu Hao patted his chest and said confidently and smugly.
Seeing his brother-in-law so confident, Wan Zhuo secretly felt a bit more at ease.
However, he thought of Tiger King’s manuscript fee…
‘Remember to keep the matter of us giving him forty yuan per thousand characters strictly confidential. Don’t let him leak it out.’
After all, in their circle, the highest manuscript fee was only thirty yuan per thousand characters.
To pull Tiger King over, they had directly offered a price higher than thirty per thousand characters, and it was a full ten yuan more at forty—this broke the rules.
‘President Wan, rest assured, you can count on me.’
After receiving praise from Wan Zhuo, Zhu Hao returned to the editing room in high spirits and shared this good news with everyone.
Upon hearing that their issue of the children’s magazine had actually seen a significant sales increase, the magazine society’s employees cheered and jumped for joy.
After all, with the magazine society’s sales rising, their rice bowls became that much more secure.
Thus, a group of people flattered Editor Zhu, saying outright that the sales climb was entirely his achievement.
Weng Kanya watched this scene and merely pursed her lips silently.
With her sharp eyes and mind, she felt that the rise in their magazine society’s sales had absolutely nothing to do with Zhu Hao.
She guessed in her heart that the reason their magazine society’s sales for this issue had risen was definitely because of their Little Qiao Teacher!
After all, the fairy tales written by Little Qiao Teacher were just too captivating!
Ningning and Kangkang, that pair of little protagonists, were so adorable~
‘Alas~ I wonder if Little Qiao Teacher would agree to write a long story for her?’
…
Just as Weng Kanya thought, the reason Joyful Children’s Fairy Tales Magazine’s sales had climbed this time was indeed all thanks to Qiao Shu.
Her story Ningning’s ‘Big’ Wish had circulated through the hands of countless teachers and parents, and it was continuously recommended to other teachers and parents.
Precisely because of this behavior, Joyful Children’s Fairy Tales Magazine’s sales climbed steadily, with strong momentum continuing.
As for the source of all this—
It was a respected elementary school principal who, by chance, read this fairy tale titled Ningning’s ‘Big’ Wish. He was greatly shocked in his heart, so he required the school’s teachers to take some time during class to read this vivid, interesting, meaningful little story to the students, one that could teach the children many principles.
Thus, it spread from one to ten, ten to a hundred, causing Joyful Children Fairy Tales’ sales to suddenly climb steadily.
This also gave the next issue of Joyful Children Fairy Tales some guarantee in sales, as quite a few parents and children had been conquered by Qiao Xiaoqiao’s fairy tales.
Parents in particular had a very favorable impression of the fairy tales under Qiao Xiaoqiao’s pen.
Because the stories she wrote were not just purely fun and entertaining; they were fun while embedding educational concepts.
Moreover, what she wrote was very simple and straightforward, allowing even children as young as a few years old to understand the little principles the story wanted to convey.
So, because of Teacher Qiao Xiaoqiao, they all listed Joyful Children’s Fairy Tales Magazine as one of their must-buy publications.
Meanwhile, Happy Children Magazine had no idea about any of this, and ‘Teacher Qiao Xiaoqiao’ herself also had no idea.
‘Fairy Little Aunt~ This Ningning’s ‘Big’ Wish was really written by you! Wow, you really put me into a fairy tale story! And I’m actually the protagonist! Plus this pink one-eyed bunny—it’s just too cool!’
‘Fairy tales have Kangkang too~! Kangkang likes the one-eyed bunny too! Little Aunt is the best! Kangkang likes it so much!’
In Qiao Shu’s study, He Anning and Jiang Lekang, these two little ones, had been as clingy to Qiao Shu as ever since returning from their grandparents’ house to their maternal grandparents’ home.
Especially after seeing the fairy tale story ‘about them’ that Qiao Shu had written, they hugged Qiao Shu even tighter and refused to let go.
Even the return of their once-most-beloved great hero little uncle was useless; he was pushed behind Qiao Shu.
‘Little Aunt, can you give me this magazine? I want to take it to school to show my classmates!’
He Anning hugged that children’s magazine and cherished it dearly, completely unwilling to put it down.
Seeing the little one like it so much, a happy smile appeared on Qiao Shu’s face.
For her fairy tale story to be liked by children, this was simply too fulfilling.
‘I can give you this magazine, Little Aunt said, but… taking the magazine to school to show your classmates, let’s skip that.’
Hearing Qiao Shu say this, He Anning thought carefully for a moment, then nodded her head frantically.
Because she remembered how, the last time she had bragged about her family’s Little Aunt, all the kids in the compound had come to fight over her family’s Little Aunt!
So, this time, even though she was super excited knowing her family’s Fairy Little Aunt had written a super cool fairy tale based on her as the prototype, she had to… hold it in.
However, for family members who wouldn’t snatch her ‘Little Aunt’, the little one didn’t hold back at all!
Thus, she hugged the children’s magazine featuring her Little Aunt’s fairy tale story and went around showing it off everywhere.
And she smugly explained that the protagonist of Qiao Shu’s fairy tale story was her~!
However, this smugness only lasted until… before lunch.
Because He Yingzi, who could control her, had arrived.
‘Oh? The prototype is you, so He Anning! You little brat, do you want me and your dad to both disappear or what!’
As soon as He Yingzi said this, the originally smug and delighted expression on He Anning’s face froze instantly, panic spreading across her entire little face.
‘Ah, Mom, listen to me explain, I was just thinking casually, don’t take it seriously!’
‘Casually thinking is you and your dad disappearing? You little brat, get over here!’
‘Murder! Fairy Little Aunt! Save me quick!’
Watching He Anning bolt toward the kitchen and loudly beg Qiao Shu for help, Feng Xiao could not help but feel somewhat surprised.
He had not expected Qiao Shu, who had only been at his house for a short time, to already have won over so many people.
Be it his grandfather, parents, older sister and brother-in-law, or He Anning and Jiang Lekang, these two very young little ones—they all liked Qiao Shu.
But of course, she was so wonderful; who wouldn’t like her…
‘Heh, Ningning this child really likes our Shushu. If your sister weren’t so strict, Ningning and Kangkang would probably stay glued to Shushu forever and never leave.’
Seeing her own son’s gaze still lingering where He Anning had disappeared, He Hong smiled and said.
‘Shushu this child really draws people in. It’s not just our family’s Ningning and Kangkang who like her. Even the other kids in our compound like her a lot. You didn’t see it last time; our house was like a kindergarten. Those kids all stuck to Shushu and wouldn’t leave…’
Hearing his mother chatter on about things related to the little girl, Feng Xiao’s expression softened into extreme relaxation and gentleness without him even noticing.
‘So I was thinking at the time, your grandpa found you a really great little wife. In the future, she’ll definitely get along well with Qi Guang and Yueyue. Those two little ones will surely like her and treat her…’ as their own mom.
He Hong’s words were not finished when she suddenly remembered her son’s current situation. Forget marrying Qiao Shu—even marrying another woman was impossible.
After all, which woman would marry a man with a physical defect who couldn’t consummate?
Even if someone was willing, their family couldn’t have a conscience and watch her jump into this fire pit with their son.
‘Alas, what a pity. You and Shushu have no fate. Shushu this child is not destined to be our family’s daughter-in-law.’
He Hong sighed lightly, her voice full of regret.
Hearing He Hong’s words, Feng Xiao’s lips moved slightly, as if he wanted to say something, but in the end, he said nothing.
‘Dinner’s ready! Dinner’s ready!’
He Anning happily scampered about like a little monkey, calling every member of the Feng Family to the dining room for the meal.
‘Little Aunt made me sugar steamed crispy cheese! It’s really so delicious!’
‘Little Aunt made it for Kangkang too!’
Seeing the two little ones endlessly arguing over a dish of sugar steamed crispy cheese, Feng Xiao could not help but think of the soups Qiao Shu had simmered just for him these past few days, the cakes and little desserts made specially for him…
An inexplicable secret pleasure welled up in his heart.
‘Huh! Little Uncle actually smiled!’
He Anning, who had been vying for favor with her little brother, suddenly caught sight of her usually stern-faced little uncle smiling. She found it extremely novel and immediately forgot about arguing with Jiang Lekang.
However—
‘That’s not right, Little Uncle. Why are you suddenly smiling by yourself?’
Facing He Anning’s curious and puzzled gaze, Feng Xiao came back to his senses and realized he had smiled uncontrollably again. His face stiffened, and he quickly reined in his upturned lips, pursing them into a straight line.
‘Little Uncle, what were you smiling about just now? Did you think of something happy? But what could make you smile???’
Facing the two little ones’ curious gazes, Feng Xiao’s brows furrowed slightly. For a moment, he did not know how to answer them.
Was he supposed to say he had thought of how the Fairy Little Aunt they had argued over half the day had made him even more cakes and desserts than them?
However, Feng Xiao did not need to explain. Soon, Qiao Shu arrived in the living room along with the Feng Family members carrying the dishes.
The moment the two little ones saw the dishes served, they lost all curiosity about Feng Xiao in an instant and excitedly sat at the square table waiting to eat!
‘Fairy Little Aunt is too awesome! The food is even better than Grandma Wu’s!’
‘Little Aunt, delicious!’
…
Seeing the two little ones with cheeks bulging full as they ate, the Feng Family all smiled and shook their heads.
Regarding Qiao Shu cooking, the Feng Family Members had temporarily reached a consensus.
They were no longer so opposed to letting her cook.
It was not because her food was exceptionally delicious. It was more because she insisted so strongly, and… she only needed to do the final stir-frying. Everything else—washing vegetables, chopping them, serving dishes—was all handled by Aunt Sun and them.
They only needed to worry that she wouldn’t get splattered by oil while stir-frying.
Of course, they also had to praise her: Qiao Shu was indeed a fine young lady blessed with grace and beauty.
She was the kind who could grace the hall and the kitchen alike—a gem hard to find even with a lantern.
It was a pity that such a wonderful wife-to-be was fated to have no connection with their family.
“Shushu, cooking is so tiring. Don’t do it anymore in the future.”
After a delicious lunch, He Yingzi looked at Qiao Shu’s fair and tender little face. Thinking of how others said that cooking too much would turn a woman into a yellow-faced hag, she felt heartbroken at the thought of Qiao Shu’s pretty face turning sallow.
So she immediately tried to persuade her.
Unfortunately, it had little effect. Instead, she was the one moved by Qiao Shu.
“Sister, I don’t find cooking tiring at all. With Aunt Sun and you all helping me, it’s super easy! Besides, not just anyone can eat the food I make. I only cook for the people I like~”
After all, these dishes all contained spirit spring water. Something so precious and magical—she wouldn’t casually use it for just anyone.
Hearing Qiao Shu say she only cooked for the people she liked, smiles appeared on the faces of the Feng Family Members.
Of course, this did not include Feng Xiao, who was pursing his lips and trying hard not to laugh.
Though his face did not show the same smile as the other Feng Family Members, his heart raced uncontrollably once again at those words from Qiao Shu: ‘only cook for the people I like.’
Feng Xiao truly had no way to deal with this little girl who could so casually express her liking for him at any time, showing him such unreserved affection.
After several days of interaction, though he still could not get used to how she so straightforwardly and openly showed her liking for him at the drop of a hat,
he had grown accustomed to it—or rather, helplessly accepted her frank and direct ‘liking.’
“By the way, A Xiao, Lu Qian and Lu Chengzhen will come to visit you at home this afternoon.”
Hearing He Yingzi’s words, Feng Xiao nodded, a hint of amusement in his eyes.
“It’s been a while since I last saw them.”
The elders of the Feng Family and the Lu Family had always gotten along well, making them family friends. Because of this, children of similar ages from the two families had always been close, good friends.
Like He Yingzi and Lu Qian, or Feng Xiao and Lu Chengzhen.
However, since the Lu Family lived in the naval compound and they were in different branches of the military, Feng Xiao and Lu Chengzhen had fewer chances to meet after growing up.
“Lu Chengzhen heard you were injured and specially took leave to visit you. That kid may not have good taste in women, but he’s truly loyal to his friends.”
Hearing his sister’s words, Feng Xiao immediately understood that something had probably happened to Lu Chengzhen—likely involving a woman.
“What happened to him?”
“He got into a relationship and nearly cut ties with his family over it.”
He Yingzi fully supported free love, but she despised those who abandoned their families for it.
Moreover, in her eyes, the girl Lu Chengzhen was dating was far from a good match. The Lu Family was only trying to stop them for his own good, to keep him from being deceived.
“…”
Feng Xiao had not expected such an answer from his sister. For a moment, he did not know what to say, since he was not familiar with the details.
“By the way, Uncle Lu and Aunt Lu think highly of your relationship with him, so they want you to talk some sense into him…”
Before Feng Xiao could refuse upon hearing He Yingzi’s words, she continued.
“But you don’t need to get involved. That’s their family matter. We shouldn’t interfere, especially since it’s about emotions. Don’t end up covered in filth yourself.”
However, neither He Yingzi nor Feng Xiao had imagined that, even if they did not want to meddle in Lu Chengzhen’s love life, they would have no choice but to get involved in someone else’s from the Lu Family.
After all, who could have foreseen that the Lu Family’s youngest—the unruly one who never took anyone seriously, the little tyrant who had always done as he pleased since childhood—would fall head over heels for Qiao Shu at first sight? It was something no one had anticipated!