Theresa immediately shot Fu Shi a glare, lowering her voice but losing none of her imposing presence, "Don't talk nonsense! Newborn babies are all like this! Once she grows a bit, she'll definitely be just as pretty as Kiana☆!"
As she spoke, she carefully extended a finger, wanting to poke the little one's cheek, yet afraid of using too much force and hurting her. Her fingertip hovered in midair for a long while, not daring to touch down.
Siegfried stood to the side. Even his usually hearty laughter had softened a great deal. Looking at the tiny bundle in swaddling clothes, his grin stretched almost to his ears, "As expected of my granddaughter! Even her crying is so loud and clear! She'll definitely grow up to be a brave child!"
Mei☆ walked in carrying the warm water and towel she had prepared earlier and handed them to Fu Lin. Fu Lin took them, and when his gaze fell on Kiana, it was filled with tenderness, "Kiana☆, you've worked hard. Drink some water first to replenish your strength."
Kiana nodded, leaning against Fu Lin's chest as she took small sips of water, her eyes never leaving the baby, softness filling her gaze, "She's so small…"
The nurse brought over the baby after cleaning her up and gently placed her beside Kiana. Sensing her mother's presence, the baby stopped crying. Her tiny mouth wriggled slightly as she lay there quietly with her eyes closed.
Fu Hua also stepped forward, her gaze falling on the baby's face. A faint warmth surfaced in her usually calm eyes, "There really is Kiana's likeness in her face."
Fu Shi pouted, but still couldn't help moving a bit closer. Looking at the baby's tightly clenched little fists, her eyes rolled, and an idea came to her, "Hey? Look at those fists, clenched tighter than anyone's. She's definitely good material for martial training in the future! How about it, I'll reluctantly take her in as my disciple?"
The warm water Kiana had just drunk nearly sprayed out. She coughed lightly twice, a thin blush spreading across her cheeks.
Fu Lin quickly patted her back, his fingers gentle, a smile he couldn't hide rippling in his eyes as he spoke indulgently, "Let her be. As long as Little Star likes it herself in the future, that's fine."
He turned to look at the excited Fu Shi, his tone gaining a bit of seriousness but without the slightest reproach, "But let's be clear first, if Little Star doesn't like martial arts, you can't force her just on a whim."
"Huh? Little Star?"
Theresa immediately hurried over in a few quick steps, surprise written all over her face, with a fleeting trace of regret in her eyes. Her voice carried a hint of grievance, "You already picked a name? I was even thinking of naming my grand-niece myself, after all, Kiana☆'s name back then was decided by me!"
Kiana☆ looked at the little one breathing evenly in the swaddle, a gentle smile rippling in her eyes. Her voice was soft yet clear, "Fu Xing. Her name is Fu Xing."
["Xing" can mean "Star". Little Star is a nickname sort of thing.]
In the days that followed, the moon base completely turned into a "childcare center."
Theresa was almost inseparable from the nursery, while Siegfried enthusiastically told his granddaughter about his "heroic deeds" from back in the day.
Even though the child couldn't understand a thing, he spoke with great relish, occasionally pulling funny faces at her, making her giggle with delight.
Fu Shi initially disliked how "wrinkly" the baby was, but later became the most enthusiastic "play companion," using her consciousness every day to conjure little butterflies and flowers to amuse the baby.
She even specifically went to ask Fu Hua if there was any way to help the baby grow up faster, only to be helplessly turned down by Fu Hua.
Mei☆ took the initiative to handle logistics, preparing meals for Kiana☆ with different flavors every day, balancing nutrition and taste. She also helped care for the baby, her movements gentle and practiced.
[Elysia, Huh? Then I'll be in charge of beauty, okay～?]
That day, Kiana sat by the bed, carefully holding the baby as she fed her. The little girl's chubby cheeks puffed in and out as she swallowed, looking extremely well-behaved.
Fu Lin sat on the edge of the bed beside her, his gaze glued to his daughter's soft little face. His Adam's apple bobbed unconsciously as he spoke with a childlike curiosity, "Is it really that tasty? She looks like she's drinking so happily."
Kiana☆ was amused by him, her eyes curving into crescent moons, "Fu Lin, do you want to try some too?" she said, deliberately shaking the other one.
Fu Lin quickly waved his hands, the tips of his ears turning slightly red, "No, no, I won't compete with my daughter for food."
He reached out and gently touched Fu Xing's cheek, his fingertip just brushing against that warm, soft skin.
The little girl instinctively tilted her head, smacked her lips twice, and kept her eyes closed, looking like she still hadn't had enough.
"Look at you."
Kiana☆ shot him a reproachful glance, then adjusted her position and offered it back to Fu Xing's mouth.
Fu Xing, however, didn't appreciate it. She turned her little head to the side, her mouth pouting, then suddenly opened wide and cried, her voice crisp and clear.
"What's wrong?" Kiana☆ immediately panicked and reached out to pick her up, but Fu Lin stopped her.
"Don't worry. She's probably full and wants to change positions."
Fu Lin carefully took Fu Xing from Kiana☆'s arms, one hand supporting her little bottom, the other gently patting her back. His movements were gentle and practiced.
The little girl rubbed against him, nestling her head into the hollow of his neck, finding a comfortable position. Her crying gradually stopped.
Before long, she fell asleep, breathing evenly.
Watching Fu Lin skillfully supporting the baby and patting her back, Kiana☆'s eyes filled with surprise, her tone tinged with a bit of grievance, "Mm~ why are you so skilled? I still haven't figured out her little temper yet."
Fu Lin looked down at the sleeping Fu Xing in his arms, gently combing through her soft newborn hair with his fingers. Tenderness that couldn't be melted filled his eyes as a faint smile tugged at his lips,
"I asked the doctors and nurses about a lot of childcare techniques beforehand and read a ton of parenting manuals. I was afraid I wouldn't be able to help when the time came."
He paused, then turned to look at Kiana☆, a hint of smugness in his eyes, "Besides, our Little Star seems especially close to me. She was rubbing all over me just now."
"Hmph, she's clearly the baby I gave birth to, so how did she get close to you first!" Kiana☆ puffed out her cheeks and lightly poked Fu Lin. "But… you really took learning all this seriously. Do you like kids that much?"
Fu Lin leaned down and placed a gentle kiss on Kiana☆'s forehead, "Of course I need to learn more. In the future, things like changing diapers and putting her to sleep will all be left to me."
Just as he finished speaking, a series of light footsteps sounded from outside the door.
"Eww, so mushy!"
Fu Shi peeked in, clinging to the doorframe as she poked her head inside. Her gaze swept over the two of them as she deliberately drew out her teasing tone, "Fu Lin, you weren't like this before. You were a blockhead, you know. Don't tell me you've really been 'reprogrammed' by Kiana☆?"
After that, she hopped over to Kiana☆ in two steps, lightly bumping her with her elbow, her eyes sparkling, "Kiana☆, send me your 'training secrets'! I'll use them to reprogram Fu Lin too!"
A red tint crept from Fu Lin's ears down along his jaw. He quickly cleared his throat and spoke, pretending to be calm, "Why did you suddenly come over?"
"I brought the 'starter weapon' I prepared for Little Star!"
Fu Shi shook the small, exquisite wooden sword toy in her hand. The sheath even had the words "Lucky Star" carved into it. Just as she was about to move closer to the bed, she caught sight of Fu Xing's soft sleeping face and abruptly softened her movements, lowering her voice excitedly, "Oh? The little girl's asleep? Perfect, once she wakes up, she can start getting familiar with the feel of it!"