When Wang He Di leaves the small village he grew up in, to find work in the streets of glamourous and dangerous Shanghai, the first thing that catches his eye is the beautiful Shen Yue, a young woman also trying to make her fortunes in the "Paris of...
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The smell of Johnson's baby powder permeates the air, as a little girl is dressed up in her fine silk clothes. She chatters unintelligible words nonstop, the world around her beginning to take on more definition in her innocent baby eyes. In between her made up sing songy language, she will take a break and chew on the ears of her now sad looking little panda bear, a prized gift from her handsome daddy. She gazes up at her pretty mother's face and smiles, reaching her arms up at her, telling her that she wants to play with the gold chain that is dangling from her neck. It's so bright and shiny and Yuèqín is simply mesmerized by it, but as usual her mother doesn't seem to understand what she is saying, so she puts her arms down in defeat and goes back to chewing her panda's ears.
It's been six months since the typhoon and Yue is currently in Yuèqín's bedroom dressing her up for the picnic party they will be attending at Emmet's, later on in the afternoon. Yuèqín's first birthday is also around the corner and Yue is excited to celebrate this milestone, He Di having arranged a family trip to Sichuan. It will be their first time back to the Mainland since they got married and Yue is really looking forward to it. When she is just finishing up with Yuèqín, He Di walks into the room to pick up the baby bag and pack it in the car.
"Dada!"
Yue who is holding Yuèqín with her back is to the door, freezes in her steps. She looks at her baby and sees her pointing her finger. Yue turns around to face He Di and sees that his expression mirrors what she is feeling.
"Qínqín, say that again?" She says, in slight disbelief.
"Dada!" She responds giggling away. "Dada...Dada...Dada!"
He Di runs up to them and hugs them ecstatically.
"Yue did you hear that? Our baby called me Dada!"
"Yes I did Baobei, I did." She laughs, on the verge of tears.
He Di grabs Yuèqín's hand and kisses each little finger one by one.
"Hi Qínqín it's your Dada!" He gushes. "Can you say Mama?"
Yuèqín smiles and starts with her nonsense baby talk.
"Aw maybe next time my little Baobao." He says, chuffed with her first word.
"Looks like you are her favourite." Smiles Yue.
"Well you are my favourite." He says, dipping down to peck her lips.
"Dada...Mama... Mama!" Squeals Yuèqín.
"He Di!" Exclaims Yue. "She said Mama!"
"She did." Grins He Di proudly. "Our baby girl really did!"
"Oh my goodness...it feels so good to hear it." She laughs, a tear finally escaping her eye. "Our baby is going to be talking properly soon, she is growing up so fast!"
"She will be a smart cookie, just like her mother." He says.
Yue kisses Yuèqín all over her face, pleased beyond words at her daughter's new vocabulary.
