Shadow of Chinese Entertainment

Chapter 226 Criteria for Spouse Selection
Even after Hu Xiaobei stopped, the gentle smile on his face had not yet faded.

Looking at An Xiaoqian's slightly flushed face and her bewildered eyes, he felt a surge of tenderness in his heart.

To break the slightly awkward atmosphere.

He coughed lightly and joked, "Your little face is so soft and chubby when it puffs up, it really looks like a little steamed bun."

An Xiaoqian pretended to be angry and reached out to hit him, saying coquettishly, "You're the little dumpling, always teasing me."

Hu Xiaobei neither dodged nor flinched, taking the blow head-on, and still said with a smile, "I wasn't joking. You're a cute little dumpling, I like you a lot, and I can't help but want to pinch you every time I see you."

An Xiaoqian gave a soft snort, crossed her arms, and still had that feigned angry look on her face.

However, a smile had already crept onto his lips and a hint of amusement appeared in his eyes: "That's more like it, but you can't call me 'Little Bun' when there are other people around, and... don't tease me like that again next time."

Actually, An Xiaoqian's nickname "Baozi" appeared quite early.

Because she had baby fat on her face when she debuted, with chubby, plump cheeks that looked like steamed buns, she was called "Steamed Bun".

This nickname originated from the entertainment gossip section of Tianya Community, and it is usually referred to as "Baozi Liu", "Baozi", "Baozi Face" or similar terms.

Initially, it was sarcastic, used by people who disliked her to make fun of her appearance.

However, as An Xiaoqian's popularity and influence increased, her fans transformed it into affectionate and cute nicknames such as "Little Bun".

She also has the nickname "Fairy" because she was promoted by the media as "as beautiful as a fairy, a fairy descended to earth" when she first debuted, hence the nickname "Fairy".

In fact, in the early days, it was used by some people who disliked her to make fun of, ridicule, and slander her.

As a result, the term "celestial beauty" gradually came to resemble An Xiaoqian.

The names "Fairy Sister," "Ling'er," and "Little Dragon Girl" are derived from characters in the three TV series "Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils," "Chinese Paladin," and "The Return of the Condor Heroes."

In November 2015, fans coined the term "celestial beauty with a captivating aura" to describe her unique charm, which combined coolness and ethereal beauty in the behind-the-scenes footage of the Tissot advertisement.

As for "Crystal Princess" and "Sissi Princess," it's even simpler, as they are derived from her English name and nickname, respectively.

Hu Xiaobei paused, then asked somewhat puzzled, "So what should I do if I want to eat steamed buns?"

An Xiaoqian was a little confused and said blankly, "Then just eat it. It's not like I'm stopping you from using those two words. I'm not that unreasonable!"

Hu Xiaobei knew when to stop, nodding repeatedly, but fearing she might realize what he meant, he glanced at the night sky again and exclaimed, "Look, there are so many stars tonight!"

An Xiaoqian didn't think much of it and also looked up at the night sky.

The sky was filled with twinkling stars, like tiny diamonds scattered on black silk, dazzlingly bright.

She was so engrossed in watching that she seemed to recall a question she had asked earlier. After a long while, she finally spoke softly, "Xiao Bei, do you think... we can still watch the stars together like this in the future?"

Hu Xiaobei was slightly taken aback, not understanding why she had asked the same question again. She turned to look at her and replied earnestly, "Of course, I'll accompany you whenever you want to see the stars."

An Xiaoqian felt a warmth in her heart, and asked softly with a hint of anticipation, "Xiao Bei, if you get married, what kind of person do you think your future partner will be?"

Her eyes sparkled with starlight, her long eyelashes trembled slightly, and her slightly puffed cheeks were flushed with a faint blush in the moonlight.

Hu Xiaobei paused slightly, his gaze lingering on the starry sky for a moment, as if deep in thought.

After a long pause, he slowly spoke, "As for me, I hope she's gentle, kind, and beautiful, and most importantly—she can't have a dumpling face. What about you?"

As he spoke, his gaze unconsciously shifted to An Xiaoqian, a barely perceptible tenderness flashing in his eyes. He raised an eyebrow, revealing a faint, almost imperceptible smile.
As An Xiaoqian listened to Hu Xiaobei's final description, her heart stirred slightly. She felt that there was something more to his words, but she couldn't quite figure it out. A faint blush inexplicably rose to her face.

She gently bit her lower lip, hesitated for a moment, and then said, "I...I hope..."

“Autumn bean sack, let me guess.” Hu Xiaobei remembered a program he had once watched and quickly interjected, ready to show off his knowledge.

An Xiaoqian wasn't angry at all; instead, she became interested. Imitating the chubby little boy Fang Dahong from "The New Legend of Shaolin," who was a loan shark, she threatened with great anticipation, "Hmph, then you guess. If you guess wrong, hehehehehe..."

Hu Xiaobei glanced at her irritably, stroked his non-existent beard on his chin, and imitated a charlatan, shaking his head and swaying as he said, "First of all, you're not a member of the appearance association."

More than outward appearance, you value a deep spiritual connection, ideally one where two people can understand each other's feelings even without speaking.

As for height, just don't be shorter than you. You should be kind, compassionate, reserved yet humorous, and exceptionally understanding.

Hmm... he also needs to be manly, able to give you a sense of security, and take care of you in daily life.

That's about it. What do you think? Was I right?

“Wow…you…you make such a good point…” An Xiaoqian nodded her head and replied in surprise.

But then, as if she'd just remembered something, she reached out and lightly patted Hu Xiaobei, saying coquettishly, "Wait, you're cheating. You...you clearly made yourself into this! Humph, you're so mean, always teasing me..."

As she spoke, her voice grew softer and softer, as if she realized there was something wrong with what she was saying. She quickly lowered her head, her hands unconsciously clutching the hem of Hu Xiaobei's clothes, her fingers nervously twisting the fabric.

"I'm innocent! You are truly innocent! I was just following the rules..." Hu Xiaobei couldn't finish his sentence.

He can't very well say, "These are the words you said yourself in a future interview."

"Based on what? Can't make this up, huh? Humph, you still say you weren't playing a trick on me, you big bad guy!"

Although she said that, she did not refute Hu Xiaobei's point of view at all.

However, Hu Xiaobei really didn't mean it; he just didn't expect to get himself into this mess.

But the thought that he had inexplicably met An Xiaoqian's criteria for a partner still made him feel a little excited.

He really wanted to say, "In my past life, I was just a handsome but useless otaku. Although I was kind and loving, I was reserved but not funny, and I was only a little bit taller than you."

Even if he understands you and has some masculine qualities, he can't give you enough security, and he doesn't have enough ability to take care of you in life.

Back then, I could only watch you silently from behind a screen.

But the words stuck in his throat, and he swallowed them back down.

For a moment, the two fell into a brief silence, and an awkward yet ambiguous atmosphere gradually filled the air.

Just then, a shooting star streaked across the night sky, leaving a long trail of light in its wake.

An Xiaoqian's eyes lit up, and she excitedly pointed at the shooting star, shouting, "Xiao Bei, look! It's a shooting star! Make a wish!"

Her voice trembled slightly with excitement. She raised her arm high, pointing her finger in the direction the shooting star had streaked across the sky. Her body also leaned forward slightly with excitement, very close to Hu Xiaobei.

After saying that, she quickly put her hands together, closed her eyes, and with a devout expression on her face, began to make a silent wish.

While making her wish, she secretly opened one eye, her eyelashes trembling slightly, and her gaze quietly fell on Hu Xiaobei.

Hu Xiaobei clasped his hands together, closed his eyes, and seemed to be making a wish earnestly.

Looking at his focused expression, An Xiaoqian felt a strange sensation welling up inside her.

Just then, Hu Xiaobei suddenly opened his eyes, and his gaze met An Xiaoqian's.

Both of them were slightly taken aback, then embarrassed and shy smiles appeared on their faces, their cheeks flushed slightly, and their eyes showed a hint of panic.

Hu Xiaobei broke the silence first, asking with a smile, "Qianqian, what did you wish for?"

His face showed curiosity, and the smile on his lips held a hint of anticipation.

An Xiaoqian winked playfully, a sweet smile spreading across her face, and said, "Wishes... they won't come true if I tell you, so I'm not telling you."

As she spoke, she gently shook her little head, her eyes sparkling with a lively light, as if she were hiding some amazing little secret.

Looking at An Xiaoqian's adorable appearance, Hu Xiaobei was filled with joy. He gently shook his head and said, "Alright, alright, if you don't want to say, then I hope all your wishes come true."

His voice was deep and gentle, with a hint of doting, as if he were making a promise to An Xiaoqian.

An Xiaoqian nodded slightly, her gaze returning to the starry sky, silently thinking, "I hope our wishes can all come true."

The two sat quietly, gazing at the starry sky with beautiful wishes, enjoying the peaceful and wonderful night.

(End of this chapter)