CHAPTER 72: DIFFERENT

She pulled out a box.

Then handed it to him.

He froze; the staff froze as well.

The bullet screen exploded.

He took it.

His ears turned pink.

He muttered, "Tch... whatever..."

But he didn’t move away for three full seconds.

Yuanying almost screamed, "STOP LOOMING OVER HER, YOU SNOTTY BRAT!"

Lingzhi tried not to laugh.

And Huaijin... just calmly sat down again.

Opened another snack.

And took a bite.

The walk toward the lotus pavilion took longer than expected, not because the path was long, but because the production staff had to keep pausing to gather the children who kept wandering in different directions like small ducks chasing shiny things.

Chi Huaijin, on the other hand, walked like an old lady going for her evening stroll, calm, poised, savoring her ice cream with the elegance of someone who had lived eighty years instead of six.

The camera loved her.

She didn’t try to be cute, didn’t squeal or run, didn’t chase dragonflies with the other kids. She simply walked steadily, her eyes drifting over the scenery, occasionally humming a tune.

Netizens watching the livestream were already foaming at the mouth:

[Who is this child? Why is she so serene?!]

[She’s not acting cute, she’s not fighting for the camera... but I can’t stop looking at her??]

[Little Miss Cutie gives off Grandma vibes strongly.]

[Tang Director, adopt her!]

[She’s eating ice cream like she’s tasting wine!]

[Help, I’m becoming her fan already!]

What netizens didn’t know was that behind her angelic strolling pace was a cunning little mind still smug over the "daylight robbery" she orchestrated.

The production crew still hadn’t recovered.

Director Tang’s heart was still bleeding internally.

Those gift boxes were not meant to be annihilated in ten minutes.

Especially not with such terrifying efficiency.

The moment they reached the pavilion, Director Tang wiped imaginary tears and forced a smile while his assistant whispered consolations like a family elder at a funeral.

Huaijin pretended not to notice any of it.

The lotus pavilion was beautiful, with tastefully painted peeling, intricate wooden carvings, and surrounded by a pond covered in soft pink lotus blossoms.

Even the breeze seemed to sway differently here. The children’s voices bounced in echoes, their laughter mixing with the sound of rippling water.

Director Tang clapped his hands dramatically.

"Kids! How about we enjoy some tea like proper cultured citizens while we rest?"

"Tea?"

Some kids blinked, some looked interested, while some looked horrified.

Su Mingtong whispered, "Is tea bitter?"

Mu Yansheng scoffed, "You can’t even drink tea? How childish."

Huaijin didn’t even spare him a glance as she stood up, wiped her hand with a napkin, and said lightly, "Director Uncle, I can brew tea."

Everyone froze, including the staff.

Director Tang blinked. "You can?"

"Mn," she answered simply, as if she didn’t just drop a cultural bomb on set.

With slow, practiced movements that no ordinary six-year-old should possess, Huaijin rinsed the pot, warmed the cups, and started making tea using the small kit the staff provided for props.

Her posture was flawless; her hands were steady; and her aura was calm like flowing water. The children around her turned dead silent.

The bullet screen exploded like a volcano:

[THAT POSTURE—! GOSH, HELP!!!]

[Why is she brewing tea like a miniature immortal auntie?!]

[My daughter can’t even hold chopsticks right at six!!]

[Director Tang, are you seeing this? PICK HER UP, SHE’S A TALENT GOLD MINE!!!]

[This child is too polite, too elegant, too composed; is she even human??]

Even the parents watching discreetly were flabbergasted.

Yuanying’s mother, hiding behind her screen at home, whispered, "...Why is she more refined than me?"

Meanwhile, Mu Yansheng, who previously acted all high-and-mighty, stood awkwardly by the railing.

He clearly wanted to watch but was too proud to sit closer. He snuck glances every thirty seconds.

But every time Huaijin accidentally met his eyes, he would turn away sharply like a startled ostrich.

Huaijin ignored him thoroughly.

This hurt him more than any insult could.

What she did focus on was Su Mingtong, who looked as if a fairy had appeared in front of him.

"Jiejie... you’re amazing..."

The sincerity in his voice softened her a little.

She poured tea for the director and staff first, like a well-mannered adult, then served the children.

The production team was now convinced:

This kid wasn’t cultivated. She was cultured.

Director Tang leaned to his assistant and whispered excitedly, "Her screen presence is outrageous. And she’s naturally good with the other kids. Keep filming everything. EVERYTHING SHE DOES!!"

The producers initially worried the children might fight, argue, cling to adults, or get shy on camera. And while conflicts still existed, the unexpected center of gravity was Huaijin.

She didn’t try to dominate, nor did she try to shine.

However, she had a strange magnetism that drew the other kids to hover around her.

Yuanying leaned close enough to bump shoulders with her, pretending to look annoyed, but never moving away. Liang Lingzhi observed her with admiration.

The three other boys, especially Su Mingtong, seemed to orbit her like planets around a tiny, calm sun.

Director Tang’s eyes sparkled like a businessman smelling gold.

"This child’s chemistry chart is off the charts," he muttered.

"The way the kids gravitate to her... this is natural leadership."

He wasn’t wrong.

Little Huaijin wasn’t trying to become a leader.

She already was one, effortlessly, like the universe whispered for balance, and she became the anchor.

Meanwhile, Mu Yansheng pretended not to care.

In reality, he kept drifting toward the group like a disgruntled cat who didn’t want to admit he wanted attention.

The camera caught him hesitating before inching closer... then stopping... then inching again.

The bullet screen went wild:

[LOL! Look at the Young Master trying to join the kids but failing o]

[He wants to talk to her, but he’s too tsundere.]

[Huaijin ignoring him is killing him inside, I can FEEL IT!]

[Director Tang, PLEASE give them more interactions!]