Brother is always brother. Those beautiful memories, all the times he threw tantrums and played mind games to ensure she had a good life in the family, were etched in her mind.
He never, ever allowed her to suffer any grievance.
To have such a caring, loving brother, one must have accumulated immense virtue in a past life to meet him in this one.
Du Ruoxin was grateful to Cristiano. Without his protection, without his favoritism, she truly didn't know what she would be like now.
After all, with a stepmother like that, it was difficult to guarantee she would have survived to adulthood.
Seeing Du Ruoxin's smile, Cristiano knew she had let go of her reservations about him, and he felt exceptionally good.
He wanted her to love him, not fear him.
Rong Doudou didn't understand the complex emotions between the two adults at all. She tugged on Du Ruoxin's hand, shaking it. "Mommy, tell me, what is Uncle afraid of?"
Du Ruoxin picked up her daughter and said cheerfully, "He's afraid of tears."
Her tears.
As long as her eyes reddened, she could make him do anything she wanted.
"Ah?" What kind of statement was that?
Rong Doudou blinked, wondering if she should try shedding a couple of tears. She wanted to see how terrified Uncle would become.
"Waa," she cried mournfully, but without tears.
Du Ruoxin: "..."
Cristiano: "..."
After a two-second pause, he realized the little girl was "testing" him. He quickly comforted her, "Alright, alright, Doudou, don't cry. Whatever Doudou wants, Uncle will give it to you."
He reached out and hugged her.
Rong Doudou looked at her uncle with half-closed eyes – as expected, he would do anything she wanted.
She immediately stopped crying.
"I want to be a star! I want to film commercials!" Rong Doudou said seriously, sitting up straight. "Uncle, can you persuade Daddy to agree to let Mommy and me film?"
An extra helper meant a greater chance of success.
She truly loved the feeling of being in the spotlight, adored by everyone.
If Daddy disagreed, she would be very sad.
"Hmm?" Cristiano was surprised by Rong Doudou's request.
Du Ruoxin chimed in from the side, "Doudou, Uncle also disagrees with you filming commercials."
Rong Doudou cried out "Waa" again, this time genuinely upset. "I don't care, I just want to film!"
"I can agree myself!"
She didn't need adult permission.
Cristiano's eyelids twitched. This girl... was even better at crying than her mother!
It gave him a headache.
"Alright, alright, I agree to let you film," Cristiano said quickly. "And I'll help persuade Rong Jingyang?"
Rong Doudou's eyes widened, and she stopped crying. "Really?"
Cristiano nodded, looking extremely serious. "Really!"
Why would Rong Jingyang need persuasion? A good beating would suffice! If he still disagreed, another beating or two!
"Yay!" Rong Doudou's face lit up with a smile.
She looked at Du Ruoxin with immense sweetness. "Mommy, Uncle agreed."
Du Ruoxin smiled, her eyes crinkling. "Mm."
Brother is still brother. The familiar helplessness, the familiar indulgence.
The car quickly arrived at the filming location. Du Ruoxin got out of the car and looked at Cristiano. "You promised, don't go back on your word."
Then, she took her daughter's hand and walked towards Caroline.
Cristiano: "I..."
Watching the backs of the two, one big and one small, he felt completely controlled!
However, compared to the three years of complete silence, he preferred the current feeling.
[Xin'er, please don't leave again. Stay by my side forever, okay?]
While Du Ruoxin and Rong Doudou were filming the commercial, especially when the male lead held Doudou's hand and got close to Du Ruoxin, he felt as if a pair of murderous eyes were staring at him, ready to tear him apart at any moment.
He was nervous!
He was scared!
He couldn't get into character at all!
Director: "——"
Caroline: "——"
The two looked at Du Ruoxin in unison – Sister, could you please make this great Buddha disappear?