The Only Choice - Extra 5

When Cancan was first born, she was quite frail and spent a long time under hospital care. Back then, her parents were constantly on edge, terrified that their little one might stop breathing at any moment.

Fortunately, under the doctors' meticulous care, Cancan gradually recovered and grew just as healthy as any other child.

But because of that initial scare, and feeling that she had suffered so much at such a young age, the whole family doted on her excessively. The grandparents, in particular, spoiled her rotten.

With so many people indulging her, Guan Yuanbai had no choice but to play the bad cop. When it came to her studies, he was often strict, sometimes reducing his daughter to tears.

There were times, however, even he couldn't maintain the stern act. When she copied Zhou Fanfan's coquettish tricks, saying "I love you, Daddy" or "I won't do it again," his heart would inevitably melt.

Cancan looked remarkably like Zhou Fanfan. If you compared their baby photos, the resemblance was about seventy percent.

It wasn't just her looks; her temperament and hobbies were similar too. For instance... even at a young age, whenever a pop idol appeared on TV, she'd point at the screen, chirping "Gege! Gege!" nonstop.

Guan Yuanbai would feel a pang of jealousy on these occasions, muttering something like, "What's so great about those try-hard wannabes with dyed hair?"

Cancan's little legs dangled off the sofa, swinging back and forth. "So, if you dyed your hair pink, Daddy, would that make you a try-hard wannabe too?"

Guan Yuanbai was stumped, wondering where she'd even seen those old photos of him with pink hair.

"Mom showed me!" Cancan declared. "Daddy looked super handsome with pink hair! Even handsomer than the big brothers on TV!"

The well-placed compliment smoothed his ruffled feathers. "Oh? Is that so?"

Cancan bobbed her head like a woodpecker. "Of course! You're definitely the most handsome!" Later, Guan Yuanbai allowed her an extra half-hour of ogling the TV big brothers.

In second grade, Cancan aced her final exams, ranking first in her grade. She came home bouncing with excitement, rushing to Zhou Fanfan to claim her reward.

Fanfan had promised her earlier that if she got grades she was happy with, she'd take her to a fan meet for the boy band "SK." The group had debuted last year, with an average age of 18, and was wildly popular among elementary school girls.

Zhou Fanfan hadn't expected Cancan to do this well, but a promise was a promise. She managed to get tickets for the meet.

Unexpectedly, on the day of the event, a crisis erupted on the film set Zhou Fanfan was working on, forcing her to rush off and handle it. With no other option, she asked Guan Yuanbai to take Cancan first, promising to join them later if she could wrap things up in time.

Cancan was visibly disappointed about going to the fan meet with just her dad. After all, Mom knew how to have fun with her, while Dad… definitely did not. But she couldn't be picky; just getting to go was a victory.

Guan Yuanbai wasn't exactly thrilled about the venue either, but his wife had given him a task. Who was he to refuse? So, he escorted his little fangirl to the event.

The fan meet was scheduled for 7 PM. By 6:30, Guan Yuanbai and Cancan were inside. The venue was relatively small, and their seats were in the front row, offering a perfect view.

Before the show started, Cancan, giggling, stuck a cartoon support sticker on her dad's cheek. Watching his daughter's antics, Guan Yuanbai was reminded of a time, long ago, when he'd accompanied Zhou Fanfan to a concert. She, too, had decorated his face like this back then.

A soft laugh escaped him, his expression gentle. "One is enough. How many are you planning to put on my face?"

"One on each cheek! Daddy! Please, two!"

Guan Yuanbai sighed in mock defeat. "Alright, go ahead."

At 7 PM sharp, the boy band appeared on stage. The audience, composed mostly of young girls, erupted in screams.

Cancan waved her little glow stick, singing along with the performers, so thrilled she completely forgot her father sitting beside her.

After a few songs, it was time for the interactive segment. A few lucky fans were randomly selected to go on stage for games. Next was a prize draw. Those caught by the roving camera on the big screen could go on stage to confess their feelings to their idol, getting a photo opportunity and a signed picture in return.

While this was happening, Guan Yuanbai was looking down, texting Zhou Fanfan to ask if everything was okay.

Zhou Fanfan replied that she'd sorted things out and was on her way, but judging by the time, she'd likely arrive after the meet had ended.

Just as Guan Yuanbai was about to type 'no problem,' the little girl beside him started tugging excitedly at his sleeve.

He looked over and asked her what was wrong.

"Dad! The camera's on you! Go up, go up! I want the signed photo! Thank you, Daddy!"

Puzzled, Guan Yuanbai glanced up at the big screen on stage and understood. The camera had landed on him.

The host on stage was now smiling and inviting him to come up. Guan Yuanbai looked at Cancan, who was enthusiastically pushing him.

Resigned to his fate, Guan Yuanbai stood up and walked towards the stage.

The young idols on stage were all good-looking, but when Guan Yuanbai stood beside them, an unspoken, authoritative aura seemed to overshadow them. He didn't look like a fan there for an autograph; he looked more like a behind-the-scenes boss coming to inspect the troops.

The host said, "It seems our SK boys have a wide range of fans! So, sir, what would you like to say to SK?"

Guan Yuanbai took the microphone unhurriedly. "I'm here with my daughter. She's a big fan of theirs."

"Wow! Is it the young lady sitting next to you? I wouldn't have guessed! Your daughter is already so grown up!" the host exclaimed. "May I ask, what made you agree to bring your daughter to see her idols?"

"Chasing stars isn't necessarily a bad thing," Guan Yuanbai replied, looking towards the idols. "I believe each of you has your own strengths worth learning from. If it's mutually beneficial, that's a good thing. I hope you continue to work hard and reach even greater heights."

Somehow feeling like they'd just received feedback from a senior executive, the idols all nodded earnestly and expressed their thanks.

The host, momentarily stunned by Guan Yuanbai's presence, quickly recovered to cue the next part: the photo op.

Guan Yuanbai asked, "Would it be possible for my daughter to come up for the photo as well?"

The idols eagerly agreed, "Of course! Yes, please!"

The little girl bounded up onto the stage. After the group photo and getting the signatures, she was over the moon.

"Happy now?" Guan Yuanbai asked once they were back in their seats.

"So happy! Daddy, you're amazing!"

Guan Yuanbai ruffled her hair, smiling. "What did I do that was so amazing?"

"Your luck is amazing! If you hadn't been picked, we couldn't have gone on stage for the photo!"

Guan Yuanbai thought for a moment and said, "Well, I suppose that's true."

After the fan meet ended, the crowd began to disperse. Guan Yuanbai held Cancan's hand as they made their way out.

Near the exit, Cancan, with her sharp eyes, spotted a familiar figure waiting on the steps nearby. She immediately waved. "Mom!"

Guan Yuanbai looked over. Zhou Fanfan waved back at them and walked over.

"So? Was it fun?" Fanfan asked.

Cancan gestured animatedly, barely containing her excitement. "So much fun! Dad even went on stage!"

"Really?" Zhou Fanfan was puzzled. "What happened?"

"They randomly selected a fan to go on stage for a photo."

"Your luck is something else," Zhou Fanfan said to Guan Yuanbai.

Guan Yuanbai took Fanfan's hand. "I think I was the only guy in the audience. Stood out."

"And you actually went up?"

"Your precious daughter practically shoved me onto the stage."

Zhou Fanfan couldn't help but laugh, reaching up to touch his face. "With this still on your face? You're just too adorable."

Guan Yuanbai only then remembered the sticker. He peeled it off. "Forgot about that."

He tucked the sticker into his pocket casually and then asked Zhou Fanfan, "Did you eat dinner?"

"No, I came straight over after finishing up. Was too busy to eat." Just as Guan Yuanbai had suspected. He frowned. "Tell your assistant to make sure you eat on time from now on. You can't keep skipping meals."

"Don't blame her, it really was just too hectic."

"I'll call the housekeeper and have her prepare something. You can eat as soon as we get home."

"Okay, got it."

"Daddy, Daddy, I want some too!"

Guan Yuanbai bopped her nose gently. "You ate so much earlier. Are you hungry again?"

"I'm hungry! Cheering them on inside was a real workout!"

Guan Yuanbai and Zhou Fanfan shared a smile. "Alright, I'll ask her to make extra. Let's go home."

"Okay~"

The family of three headed home happily.

The next day at lunch, Qi Chengyan happened to call Guan Yuanbai to discuss some work matters. Just before hanging up, he added, "So, you took Cancan to see her idols last night?"

"How did you know?"

"Song Li sent me a link." Qi Chengyan chuckled. "He said you used to take your wife to see her idols, now you're taking your daughter. You must be an old hand at this by now."

"…"

After hanging up, Guan Yuanbai mentioned it to Zhou Fanfan. She figured it must have been because he went on stage. She checked Weibo and, sure enough, it was already a hot topic.

[That fan who went on stage at the SK fan meet last night is something else! His figure is even better than the idols' lol, exactly my type - the mature, sophisticated kind!] 

[Seriously so handsome. He completely outshone those young guys on the spot.] 

[Get me his info, Susan, and make it quick.] 

[He doesn't seem like a fan, more like a sponsor. Was he really a randomly chosen fan?] 

[Not a fan!! I was there! His daughter is the fan, he was just taking her!] 

[OMG… being his daughter must be amazing. Getting to have your parent take you to see your idols…] 

[Susan! Cancel that search! I can't be coveting another woman's husband!] 

[It's Guan Yuanbai!!!! LMAO he used to take his girlfriend, now he takes his daughter.] 

[Huh? Is he famous? Can someone explain?] 

[Just check Baidu Baike. Guan Yuanbai's info is all over it.] 

[Old-time fan of Guan Zhiyi here! Guan Yuanbai got together with his own sister's die-hard fan! He even took her to see his sister's performances before! You can look it up, the internet remembers! They were so sweet back in the day!] 

[I still have a photo of them at that concert! (Image)] 

…

Zhou Fanfan giggled as she read, leaning against Guan Yuanbai as they nestled together on the sofa.

"My, some people are still so captivating, able to make young girls swoon even now."

Guan Yuanbai held her closer. "What nonsense are you talking?"

Zhou Fanfan handed him the phone. "See for yourself. You're famous all over again."

Guan Yuanbai scrolled through the comments for a while, finally pausing on a group photo posted by a netizen. In the picture, she was looking ahead with a radiant smile, while he gazed at her, his attention completely focused.

"This photo really captures how deeply you were looking at me! Such a great candid shot. You really loved me a lot back then, didn't you!" Zhou Fanfan remarked.

Guan Yuanbai looked down at her, a strange expression on his face. "Don't I love you just as much now?"

Zhou Fanfan feigned ignorance. "Now… well, you'd have to answer that yourself!"

Guan Yuanbai frowned, taking her seriously. "Of course I still love you deeply. Do my actions somehow suggest otherwise?"

Seeing he was genuinely concerned, Zhou Fanfan couldn't hold back her laughter. "Oh, I was just teasing! You do, you love me so much, I can feel it!"

"Then why did you say that?"

"I told you, it was a joke!"

Guan Yuanbai pinched her cheek lightly. "I see. I thought maybe I hadn't been doing enough lately."

"Not at all! You're the best to me. You love me the most."

"And what about you?"

"Me? What about me?" Zhou Fanfan played dumb.

Guan Yuanbai narrowed his eyes, a mock threat in his tone. "Zhou. Fan. Fan."

Knowing when to quit, Zhou Fanfan quickly surrendered. "I do, I do! Of course I love you the most too!"

Guan Yuanbai gave a soft 'hmph,' but his expression clearly showed he was satisfied.

They continued to snuggle together, browsing through the online gossip about themselves.

Not far away, their eight-year-old daughter, Cancan, observed the scene quietly, then drifted past muttering two words under her breath: "So gross…”

---

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