The Heartless Omega: I Only Want My Daughter - Chapter 11

It wasn’t that Pei Zhiyun was strictly against Little Doubao bringing stuffed animals. However, before filming began, she had reviewed the production schedule. The shooting cycle was set for two months, with sixteen episodes tentatively planned; the final airtime would be adjusted based on the quality of the footage.

This first trip required a three-day, two-night stay. Since they had to bring their own clothes and toiletries, it was better to minimize unnecessary items.

Pei Zhiyun had always been fiercely independent. Whether joining a film set or attending an event, she rarely brought anyone other than her manager and one assistant. She handled her own daily needs, refusing to have a personal attendant fussing over her laundry or cleaning her shoes.

Over time, her reputation for being easy-going and professional spread. Fellow actors and crew members spoke of her with nothing but praise, but only Pei Zhiyun knew the truth: she simply disliked bothering others.

A personality formed over years is not easily changed. She had lived this way for a long time, and she raised Little Doubao with the same principles. From a young age, the child was taught to eat by herself, put away her toys, control her temper, and avoid foul language. Rules were established one by one as she grew.

Little Doubao wasn’t exactly a “compliant” child. She was mischievous and spirited—her teachers often compared her to Nezha, the rebellious deity, saying she was never still for a second. Fortunately, after causing a mess, she would clean up after herself. Though she often pouted and grumbled, she would eventually squat down, stick out her little bottom, and tidy everything up.

Sometimes, Pei Zhiyun wondered if she was too strict. After all, Doubao was only three or four—an age meant for playing and causing a bit of trouble.

But then she would remind herself: she wasn’t being strict to make Doubao an obedient doll or to earn praise from others about how “well-behaved” her child was. She wanted her daughter to be self-reliant and to have her own independent mind when she grew up.

Pei Zhiyun had actually had a serious talk with Wen Ying about this.

When Wen Ying first arrived, she doted on Little Doubao to an extreme. She wouldn’t let the child lift a finger; clothes and toys were always picked up for her.

Eventually, Pei Zhiyun decided this couldn’t continue. One evening after dinner, she called Wen Ying into the study, and the two discussed child-rearing for three hours. Pei Zhiyun made her stance clear: she hoped Wen Ying wouldn’t spoil the child. At four years old, there were things Doubao was perfectly capable of doing herself.

Initially, Wen Ying struggled to understand. In her world, someone like Little Doubao should have been born into luxury—a lady who “never dipped her fingers into spring water,” surrounded by servants. To do everything oneself was to lose one’s dignity.

That was how the nobility lived in her dynasty.

Pei Zhiyun understood where Wen Ying was coming from. It was impossible to change a deep-seated belief in social hierarchy overnight. However, she explained to Wen Ying that the times had changed, and society had evolved. Now, everyone was considered equal and independent; the concept of “maids and servants” was a thing of the past.

It was only after absorbing this that Wen Ying let go of her old notions of status.

Furthermore, Pei Zhiyun took the opportunity to teach her about modern laws and social norms. If Wen Ying accidentally blurted out something archaic or politically incorrect during filming, the consequences would be unimaginable.

That night, Pei Zhiyun opened her laptop and pulled up a wealth of information. She had Wen Ying sit beside her and go through historical records, world history documentaries, nature films, science specials, and series about the universe. She showed Wen Ying everything she could find.

Only after watching all of this did Wen Ying truly begin to grasp that this era was completely different from the one in her memories.

Since then, whenever Wen Ying was free, she would go to the study to watch documentaries. She followed Pei Zhiyun’s lead regarding Little Doubao’s education, adopting her methods. Even when she helped the child, she made sure Doubao participated in the task.

Ding-ling, ding-ling.

While the three of them were busy packing in the living room, the doorbell rang.

Gu Yan leaned over to look toward the entryway and pointed. “Is that the production crew?”

Wen Ying and Little Doubao looked up simultaneously. After a knowing glance between them, Little Doubao scrambled up from the floor and scurried toward the bedroom. “I’ll go get Mommy!”

“Mommy, Mommy!” Little Doubao stood on her tiptoes to press down the bedroom door handle. She pushed it open and shouted, “Auntie Gu says the show people are here!”

Pei Zhiyun called out from the walk-in closet. She set down the clothes she was holding and came out. Seeing Little Doubao, she leaned down to pat her head. “The crew is here, huh?”

Little Doubao followed closely behind her. “Mhm, Auntie Gu said so. Mommy, go open the door!”

“Alright.” Pei Zhiyun gathered her long hair to the front, tucked a lock behind her left ear, and walked to the entryway to open the door.

A young woman stood at the front, followed by several crew members carrying heavy cameras. They smiled and nodded in greeting. The woman at the lead said, “Teacher Pei, we are from the production team. We’re here for the follow-up shoot. I hope we aren’t disturbing you?”

“Not at all,” Pei Zhiyun said, taking disposable shoe covers from the cabinet and placing them before the guests. “Come in. We’re just finishing our packing.”

“Thank you.” They put on the covers and filed in.

Seeing the newcomers, Wen Ying and Little Doubao stopped packing and stood neatly by the sofa. As the cameramen entered, they bowed slightly. “Hello.”

The staff members, standing at a respectful distance, bowed back. “Hello, Teacher Wen. Hello, Little Doubao. Oh, Teacher Gu is here too!”

Gu Yan smiled, stood up, and set her water glass on the table. “I just stopped by to see Little Doubao. Go ahead and film.”

“Thank you.” The crew began recording.

The air felt momentarily stagnant; both sides seemed a bit awkward. Little Doubao hugged one of Wen Ying’s legs tightly, essentially hiding behind her, leaving only a pair of big, beautiful eyes peeking out.

Once the crew was inside, Pei Zhiyun went back to the bedroom to finish packing. Two cameramen followed her. For a moment, no one was managing the mother-daughter duo; they stood there like two statues, one large and one small.

Gu Yan couldn’t stand the awkward silence. She stepped forward and said, “Weren’t you packing? Little Doubao, what else do you need to take? Auntie Gu will help you.”

Distracted, Little Doubao let go of Wen Ying’s leg and squatted by her suitcase. “Everything Mama mentioned is already inside.”

Gu Yan looked through the suitcase. Clothes, pants, shoes, socks, and toiletries—it looked complete. She looked up at Little Doubao and said, “Go ask Mama to come check if you’ve forgotten anything. Once we leave, we can’t come back for it.”

“Okay!” Little Doubao ran toward the bedroom.

Pei Zhiyun was preparing her and Wen Ying’s clothes in the closet. For a three-day, two-night trip, she needed at least three days’ worth of outfits, plus a couple of spares for emergencies. Fortunately, it was summer; the clothes were thin, allowing her to pack more. She maximized the suitcase’s capacity, fitting in three extra outfits.

Wen Ying’s clothes had been bought online. Pei Zhiyun had wanted to take her to a mall, but there was no time, and Wen Ying didn’t know how to shop for herself. Most of the online orders fit her perfectly.

“Mommy!” Little Doubao ran in.

The cameraman, afraid of bumping into her, quickly stepped back.

Pei Zhiyun was checking Wen Ying’s suitcase and didn’t look up. “What is it?”

Little Doubao climbed onto her back from behind, wrapping her arms around Pei Zhiyun’s neck. “Mommy, my clothes are ready. Come see if I missed anything.”

“Alright.” Pei Zhiyun patted the child’s small hands, eased her off her back, and closed both suitcases. She then led the child back to the living room to inspect her luggage.

Wen Ying instinctively squatted down. “I’ve taken everything you listed, but I’m not sure if I’ve forgotten anything else.”

Pei Zhiyun checked thoroughly. Since she was a child, she didn’t have many items; one suitcase was more than enough, with room to spare.

The staff nearby watched this warm scene, unable to hide their smiles behind the cameras as they were “fed dog food” by the domestic sweetness. They made sure to capture the shot of the two women’s heads leaning close together.

After the check, Pei Zhiyun stood up. “Everything seems to be here. If we missed something, we’ll deal with it then.”

“Mhm.” Wen Ying helped her close Little Doubao’s suitcase.

Their flight was in the afternoon. With a little time left, Pei Zhiyun picked out an outfit for Doubao to wear. She didn’t choose a dress; considering the flight and the travel, casual clothes were more comfortable.

She and Wen Ying also wore casual clothes. Pei Zhiyun selected a black hat for Wen Ying. There might be fans at the airport, and since Wen Ying wasn’t used to the attention yet, the hat would offer some privacy.

Before leaving for the airport, the family of three waved goodbye to Gu Yan at the community gate. Once they were in the car, Gu Yan finally went back to catch up on her sleep—she planned to sleep the whole day.

For this shoot, the company had arranged three people: a manager (Xiao He) and two staff members (one male, one female). they would participate in all upcoming recordings and handle communications with the company.

Wen Ying and Little Doubao sat in the back as usual, both wearing hats and masks. They took the masks off for now, planning to put them back on when they stepped out.

Xiao He was briefing Pei Zhiyun on the filming details. These had been pre-negotiated with the production team. Today’s journey to the filming site counted as part of the formal recording; the shoot wouldn’t end until the final shot on the last night.

Pei Zhiyun nodded, indicating she understood.

Support