Mu Mu

Biodata

Background

Mu Mu was born prematurely to Bai Le and Xi Yan. Although his health was normal and his weight gradually caught up, Bai Le watched over him especially closely 83 84. At his first-birthday banquet, Mu Mu picked money during the object-selection ceremony, delighting Old Master Xi 85.

After his first birthday, Bai Le brought him to an orphanage to visit an older boy also called Mu Mu. The boy, later adopted and renamed Lin Xu, called the baby his little brother and gave him a drawing 85 86 99. The two met again at Old Master Xie’s birthday banquet and became close playmates 99 100.

Mu Mu looked forward to becoming a big brother during Bai Le’s second pregnancy. After Xixi was born, he promised to protect her 107 116 117. He later started kindergarten and moved into the senior class after testing confirmed his teacher’s assessment that he was unusually advanced for his age 119 120.

Appearance

Mu Mu has fair skin, round cheeks, large dark eyes, and long, thick eyelashes. His frequent smile makes his eyes curve into crescents 84 91 95 99.

• As a baby, he had rosy, plump cheeks and chubby hands 84.
• Several people remarked that he resembled Xi Yan, particularly around the eyes 91 118.

Personality

Mu Mu is cheerful, sociable, and rarely cries. He readily smiles at strangers and adjusted to kindergarten without the separation distress Bai Le had expected 94 119. He can also be mischievous: while playing with Lin Xu, he repeatedly knocked down the block structures Lin Xu built 100.

He is affectionate and attentive to his family. When Bai Le was unwell, Mu Mu hesitated to leave his side even after Lin Xu arrived to play. He also promised to share his toys with his expected sibling and later declared that he would protect Xixi 107 111 117.

Abilities and Development

Memory and Learning

• At one year and nine months old, Mu Mu could name colors and count. He also noticed when Bai Le hid a toy from his toy box 97.
• He hummed a piano piece after hearing Lin Xu perform it the previous day 111 112.
• His kindergarten teacher recommended an IQ test because he seemed unusually advanced. Following the test, a doctor suggested trying the senior kindergarten class, where Mu Mu became more enthusiastic about school 119 120.

Early Milestones

• His first word was “Lele,” which he picked up from Xi Yan’s name for Bai Le, rather than “Daddy” or “Father” 93.
• He took a few unsteady steps while Bai Le taught him to walk by the riverside. His parents’ habit of carrying him had contributed to his learning to walk late 93 96.

Relationships

• Bai Le — His daddy, who doted on him and closely watched his health after his premature birth. Mu Mu was particularly attached to him as a baby 84 111.
• Xi Yan — His father. Mu Mu grew fond of staying close to him, though Xi Yan’s cold expression could frighten him when he had done something wrong 90 96.
• Xixi — His younger sister. Mu Mu prepared a schoolbag for her before her birth and promised to protect her afterward 116 117.
• Lin Xu — An older boy who was also called Mu Mu at the orphanage. Mu Mu calls him “big brother,” and the two regularly play together 86 99 100.
• Wu Xueying — His grandmother, whom he recognized when Tan Lianxin tried to call herself his grandmother 92 96.
• Old Master Xi — His great-grandfather, who held a grand banquet for his first birthday 84.
• Xiaozhouzi — His godfather; Mu Mu grew attached to him during a fishing outing 104.

Trivia

• Bai Le chose the nickname Mu Mu for Xi Mubai. In an author’s note, the author explains that mu is a homophone for the “Mu” in Mubai and that 木 is also half of the character 白 (bai) 83.
• At Ocean Park, Mu Mu showed more interest in sharks and strange-looking fish than in colorful fish and jellyfish 94.
• His treasured toys include a toy airplane, a little crocodile, and Transformers. He also received a ceramic goldfish made by Xi Yan 107 112.