"Mommy, what's that red-colored thing?" A small, fair finger pointed at the massive mural that stretched two meters high on the wall.
"That's blood."
"Then what about that long thing next to the red?"
"Hmm…that's a sea monster in the sea."
With her head tilted back, Sparkle stared blankly at the mural for a long while before she turned to look at the man next to her.
"Daddy," Sparkle called out. "That monster is so ugly. Can you draw it prettier? Like those in cartoons?"
Gao Zhiming was focused on the final touches of his workpiece. Without lifting his head, he replied, "Go and have your breakfast. It's your first day at school. Don't be late."
Zhao Jiajia's slender hands reached beneath Sparkle's armpits and scooped her up. She carried Sparkle out of the studio and walked toward the living room.
Nestled in her mother's arms, Sparkle rested her head on Jiajia's shoulder, her gaze fixed on her father still painting in the distance.
"Mommy. Daddy's paintings are so ugly, but why do so many people like to buy them?"
"Well…because some people have unique tastes and enjoy that style. Also, don't say your daddy's paintings are ugly. Those cute little dresses you're wearing and all the yummy food you get to eat every day are all thanks to your daddy's paintings."
Placed into her child-sized chair, Sparkle eyed the steamed bun on the table and blinked. She then reached out with both hands to take it up and took a tiny bite.
"My Peppa Pig drawing is way better than Daddy's. Can I use that to trade for food, too?"
Just then, Gao Zhiming had already left his work studio and walked next to her. With his lone arm, he gently ruffled Sparkle's small head, causing the five-year-old girl to sway slightly with his actions.
"You can. Once you've grown up," Gao Zhiming answered.
Across the table, Jiajia rolled her eyes before she continued sipping on her porridge.
"Those dyes are toxic. Go wash your hands, quick."
Meanwhile, Sparkle paid no attention to her parents' banter. Only a single thought occupied her mind now.
Growing up is great. I can't wait to grow up.
Just like any other morning, the family's breakfast came to a quiet, ordinary end. But unlike other mornings, Sparkle now had a brand-new red backpack strapped tightly to her back.
Dressed and ready, the family of three got into the car.
However, Sparkle wasn't exactly thrilled to be in Gao Zhiming's arms. Between her father's embrace, she clearly found the warmth of her mother's embrace more comforting.
She turned her gaze toward her mother's hands gripping the steering wheel before tilting her head up to peer at the stubble of her father's chin.
"Why does Mommy always have to drive? Can't you drive, too?"
"Because I only have one arm," Gao Zhiming said as a matter of fact as he popped out his prosthetic eye. He gave it a thorough wipe with a wet tissue before pushing it neatly back into place. I can't get a driving license, so no driving for me."
Sparkle's tiny brows furrowed, and she tried her best to imitate her mother's tone of scolding.
"Then, Daddy, why did you lose your arm, huh? That was very disobedient of you!"
A soft chuckle escaped Jiajia's lips while Gao Zhiming kept his cool and patiently explained, "Alright. I'll be a good boy next time and not lose another arm."
"Good kids keep their promises! No lying!"
"Yes, yes. Daddy keeps his promises."
"
Mmhmm,
that's my good Daddy." Sparkle clambered up to plant a kiss on Gao Zhiming's scruffy cheek.
Silence soon fell, and the only sound left was the soft hum of music in the car.
But the silence didn't last for long before Sparkle piped up again, "Daddy, what's a driving license? Why do you need one to drive?"
"When you start school, your teacher will tell you about it," Gao Zhiming replied.
Hearing that, Sparkle leaned back against her father's broad chest and began to swing her little legs back and forth.
"I really want to grow up faster."
Hearing their daughter's words, the two exchanged a warm, knowing smile.
By the time the car pulled up at the kindergarten gate, a small crowd had already gathered. After all, it was the first day of school.
Dressed in a brand-new dress, Sparkle clutched the hem of Gao Zhiming's pants with her petite hand, her eyes anxiously scanning the place before her.
Some children had their fists over their eyes and were bawling incessantly; others thrashed around on the ground, refusing to enter the school compound. There were also a few crying kids being carried into the school by their parents.
Everything in front of her was nothing like what her mother had described to her.
In Sparkle's eyes, the brightly-colored building in front of her seemed to have turned into a child-eating monster.
After checking in with the teacher, Zhao Jiajia knelt and tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. Her gentle gaze locked onto Sparkle, and she offered soft words of consolation, "Sparkle, there's nothing to worry about.
"It's not scary here. Inside, there are many kids your age. Soon, you'll be making new friends. Just like before."
A hint of apprehension flickered across Sparkle's eyes. Eventually, a solemn expression surfaced on her visage, and she said to her parents, "You
have
to come pick me up tonight, okay?"
"Of course we will. There's no bed for you to sleep here. We're not going to let you sleep on the streets. Don't worry."
Gao Zhiming then picked Sparkle up with one hand and tossed her high into the air before catching her safely again.
Unfortunately, the trick that had always worked before failed to work its magic this time.
"Promise! You
have
to come pick me up!" Sparkle's lower lip quivered as her tiny hands clung tightly to Gao Zhiming's shirt.
After receiving repeated reassurance from her parents, Sparkle finally turned toward the kindergarten gate. Her heart was filled with two parts excitement and eight parts anxiety as she walked toward it.
As soon as their daughter disappeared into the school building, Gao Zhiming slipped an arm around Zhao Jiajia's waist.
"Though I'll miss her, the little lightbulb's finally off to school. We don't have to revolve our time around her anymore. We finally have some time for ourselves."
Zhao Jiajia rolled her eyes before jabbing him with a sharp elbow to the ribs.
"You say it like you've done so much for her. Why? Now that you've got free time, are you thinking of giving Sparkle a little brother or sister?"
Gao Zhiming's arm slid up her waist to toy gently with a lock of her black hair. "I mean to say… to spend the extra time on you."
Their faces leaned in close for a quick peck before slowly parting again. Their display of affection didn't go unnoticed. Several nearby parents who were also here to drop off their children cast curious glances their way.
After all, whether it was the age gap or the stark contrast in their appearances, Gao Zhiming and Zhao Jiajia stood out more than most couples.
However, Gao Zhiming didn't care the slightest. Like any long-married couple, he wrapped his arm casually around Zhao Jiajia and walked with her out through the school gates.
"How about we travel around the world?"
"You're such an irresponsible father. You really plan to just abandon Sparkle here?"
"Then let's wait till she's a little older before we go."
Although Sparkle was afraid at the start, she was still a child after all. Soon enough, she was distracted by the various toys and the attention of the kind teachers.
The other children, newly enrolled in the kindergarten, were also more than happy to play with such a cute little girl. It didn't take Sparkle long before she made several new friends.
"I saw your daddy just now. Why does he only have one arm?" a little boy asked.
The teacher by the side stiffened. Her breathing increased, clearly anxious and ready to intervene.
However, Sparkle answered without any hesitation. "Because he wasn't obedient and lost it. Unlike me, I've never lost an arm,"
Before the children could continue the conversation, the teacher quickly stepped in and greeted them with a warm smile.
"Hello, everyone! I'm your new teacher, and starting today, I'll be teaching you all kinds of new and exciting things!"
As soon as she was done speaking, Sparkle blinked, her long eyelashes fluttered as she asked, "Teacher, what's a driving license?"