Chapter 30: An Important Decision.

Chapter 30: An Important Decision.

"Zhu Zhu: Mom doesn't want me to grow up too fast, but I really want to eat."

"Let her eat! Go ahead!"

Since its first season, this show has often been jokingly referred to as a travel and food program.

At that time, urban and rural guests swapped environments to live, and a tiny village tucked away in a remote corner was filmed as picturesque, with villagers cooking home-cooked meals that made viewers' mouths water, even surpassing delicacies... After the show aired, many tourists flocked to the village, turning it into a tourist hotspot. Small shops and restaurants opened one after another, and even the elderly who stayed behind found reemployment, making bamboo rings or small baskets at home to sell, boosting the village's economy.

By this season, the show's filming techniques had not regressed.

The buffet spread looked like it was straight out of a comic book. It was Zhu Zhu's first time eating at a buffet, and she found the experience very novel as she held her plate and picked dishes, her little head turning left and right, overwhelmed by the choices. Seeing this, the other celebrity guests handed her their plates, asking her to help pick dishes for them. Little Tuanzi didn't refuse, and the enthusiastic little girl not only introduced the dishes in her sweet voice but also carefully placed the food on their plates, her eyes sparkling with delight when they praised the food.

Netizens said that Zhu Zhu was just a chef's hat away from becoming the next "Little Master Chef."

Ji Ning's lunch was also chosen by Zhu Zhu.

In the past, Zhu Zhu had few opportunities to make her own choices. Those three years were not kind to Little Tuanzi, pushing her forward as she timidly advanced, always cautious, afraid of making mistakes that would lead to endless complaints and blame.

But now it's different. Ji Ning has given her baby many opportunities to make her own decisions. At first, Zhu Zhu was still timid, until she realized that no matter what decision she made, no matter the consequences, she wouldn't be criticized... So courage, like a seedling planted by her mother, began to sprout and grow quietly from a seed.

Ji Ning didn't have such a big appetite, and whenever little waitress Zhu Zhu brought her dishes, she would take new chopsticks and plates to serve some to Mr. Jiang.

"It's clean," she said, "I haven't touched it yet."

"Mr. Jiang: No need to be so formal with me."

"Mr. Jiang, you could actually refuse... because you eating a soft-serve cone really doesn't match, hahaha."

Jiang Cheng tasted a soft-serve cone for the first time.

It was delicious.

"Here are some fries for you too," Ji Ning pushed a plate of fries towards him and called out, "Zhu Zhu, squeeze some ketchup."

Jiang Cheng dipped the top of a fry into the ketchup.

Not bad.

Zhu Zhu was busy running around.

Although she hadn't tried some of the food types, just looking at them, she knew they were delicious and wanted her mom to try them! From the moment she entered the buffet restaurant, Zhu Zhu hadn't stopped, more energetic than a little athlete, darting around each dish. She also knew that wasting food was wrong, so she only took a little of each dish, waiting for her mom and the other guests to finish before moving on.

It was at this moment that Ji Ning became increasingly aware that educating a child is indeed a challenging task. She is always learning, but the path seems endless, with forks appearing from time to time, confusing her judgment.

For three whole years, the Zhao family had more contact with Zhu Zhu. If a child is like a blank canvas, those growth experiences were like haphazard strokes left by the Zhao family. Little Tuanzi didn't know how to refuse, perhaps she couldn't even distinguish whether, whenever she made a reaction, she was more focused on herself or the approving praise in the adults' eyes.

"Zhu Zhu is so tired, won't she sit down and rest?"

"She's so young, yet willing to take care of everyone, I'm a bit concerned our little one might develop a tendency to please others..."

"Give Zhu Zhu some time, and her mom some time too."

"Zhu Zhu," Jiang Cheng asked, "Aren't you eating?"

"I'm so busy."

Jiang Cheng handed the soft-serve cone to Zhu Zhu: "It's very sweet, try it."

The busy little baby finally sat down at Jiang Cheng's invitation.

The soft candy was sweet and chewy, blending perfectly with the ice cream for a rich flavor. The small cakes were all beautifully decorated, and Zhu Zhu's favorite was the strawberry on top. She handed the bright red strawberry to her mother, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.

"Zhu Zhu, you eat it," Ji Ning said.

Xiao Tuanzi asked curiously, "Mommy, don't you like it?"

"I do," Ji Ning replied, "but this is yours. If you like it, you don't have to share it right away."

Jiang Cheng added gently, "There are plenty more over there."

Zhu Zhu, still a bit confused, took a small bite of the strawberry.

Later, she heard her mother and Uncle Jiang say many things to her. Some she listened to carefully, while others went in one ear and out the other, as kids do, due to her limited understanding.

But at least she finally got to sit down and enjoy her lunch in peace. As for helping others with their dishes, her mother said that Zhu Zhu should wait until she was full, and only if someone politely asked and thanked her, and only if she felt like it.

"Aww, Ningning really noticed!"

"There's a widely recognized theory internationally called the '1000-day theory.' It means that the first 1000 days of life are a critical period for brain development, from the time the mother is pregnant until the child is two years old. This period lays the foundation for a lifetime. However, some psychologists argue that the first seven years are the key period for shaping a person's life. I believe that as long as Ji Ning can wholeheartedly accompany and nurture her child, it's never too late."

"Ningning is seriously guarding her baby's growth. It's amazing; she's really learning how to be a good mom."

"Am I the only one who thinks even Mr. Jiang is learning too? (doge)"

"Kindness and protection towards children might also be a way to make up for one's own childhood deficiencies. There's an old saying: 'If you've been rained on, you hope to hold an umbrella for someone else.' It's clear that every guest genuinely cares for the little baby."

...

The photographers have already released their shots, and the official program Weibo has updated with the final images.

The first set released was of Ding Muyun and Xiang Xinghui.

The shooting location they drew wasn't particularly special, but the props prepared by the photographer were a perfect match. The veil unexpectedly fluttered in the wind, and Ding Muyun turned her face in surprise. Xiang Xinghui, standing behind her, also appeared in the frame. Although the lens wasn't focused on his face, his constant gaze completed this perfect group photo.

Ding Muyun's fans dug up old photos of the couple taken by the media during their daily lives.

Whenever the actress had a break from filming, her husband was always by her side. Away from the spotlight, they lived the most ordinary life—visiting markets, supermarkets, and bookstores. In every scene, the actress, sensitive to the camera, would immediately look at the photographer, while Xiang Xinghui's gaze always remained on her face, without exception.

"So sweet, I'm totally shipping this middle-aged love story."

"Twenty years together, wealthy, no kids, no trivial daily hassles—this is my ideal love template!"

"Ding Muyun's career is too successful. She's been elevated so high that even when she looks back at her closest loved one, it's from a position of superiority. This might be the issue between them. I hope through this show, Ding Muyun can shed all her glory and return to the state when they first fell in love..."

"This couple is a breath of fresh air in the superficial entertainment industry. I still have high hopes for them."

The second set of photos released by the program featured Fang Manyin and Pan Siran.

During the shoot, the atmosphere between them wasn't peaceful. Several times, they were on the verge of rolling their eyes but managed to restrain themselves. Since her debut, Fang Manyin hasn't had many business collaborations, and haters mock her as a fashion disaster, something even her team doesn't shy away from. After joining the show, online fans dug into Fang Manyin's background, revealing that "poverty" had been a heavy burden since childhood, making it hard for her to breathe. Even after becoming famous, she still felt awkward in grand settings. In contrast, Pan Siran's family background was much better. As the only daughter of a well-off family, she grew up pampered, seemingly without worries, always full of energy, with her sweet smile becoming her signature. Her girl-next-door image further endeared her to the audience.

These two very different individuals brought new surprises to viewers in this set of photos.

The contrast of light and shadow, with Fang Manyin yearning for the light and Pan Siran's face half-hidden in darkness, created a new spark through the photographer's clever composition.

"Fang Manyin doesn't suit overly trendy styles. Simple looks like this, with her eyes directly facing the camera, really touch the heart."

"It's the first time I've noticed that Pan Siran has a lot of potential. Shouldn't her team consider dropping her 'sweet girl' label? Once this label is deeply ingrained, it will be troublesome to change later."

"I actually think Pan Siran could consider a role that's sweet on the outside but dark on the inside—there should be room for her to perform."

"Is it because of the preconceived notions about their underlying conflicts? It feels like these two standing together tell a compelling story."

The third set to be released was the sibling duo's final shots.

During the live broadcast of the show, the siblings were at loggerheads, and even the top male idol's emotions were extremely unstable, which had already attracted a fair amount of criticism. Netizens focused more on the origin of their conflict, with their enthusiasm for digging into the top male idol's family gossip overshadowing their interest in appreciating their final shots.

As for the final shots themselves, they were indeed disappointing. The camera magnified their emotions but lacked a progressive build-up. Clearly, this was a set of failed final shots.

"To be honest, doesn't the top male idol's studio have any quality control? With such high salaries, how can they tolerate such final shots being released?"

"I've noticed it long ago—this is just a useless studio. Qiqi is too nice, still not replacing these so-called little buddies."

"Not great, moving on."

"Has the amateur group's final shots not come out yet? Are they too ugly, saved for last to cushion the sibling duo?"

"With Yan Mingyue in charge, it can't be that bad, right?"

The photography teams were invited by the show's production team. Director Tao used all his connections to bring them to this show. They couldn't just take a few simple photos; it was another masterpiece by the renowned photographer Yan Mingyue after her rare return. The hot search tags were already prepared, just waiting for Master Yan to finish editing.

Yan Mingyue has her own insights and persistence regarding the post-production of final shots. She loves all original records and expressions, using only light, shadow, and composition to present the beauty of the models. This point has often been criticized by fans of the collaborating artists, but years later, fans have to admit that those real and natural moments are more touching.

At this moment, Yan Mingyue opened the photos she had just taken during the show.

Initially, she was also worried that, unlike the professional performance of the celebrity group in front of the camera, the amateur group's performance might not be satisfactory. They spent a lot of time helping the children and Jiang Cheng from the amateur group get used to the camera, but being a model requires talent. Clearly, their talent points were not lit in this field.

Compared to them, Ji Ning's ease in front of the camera seemed like an innate ability. At the same time, she was not frustrated by the "stealing the show" performance of her two partners, not even a hint of disappointment, as if the shooting task was someone else's, and she only needed to appear.

This laid-back vibe inspired Yan Mingyue to capture their interactions with candid shots.

The fourth set of final shots arrived late, amidst the calls of netizens.

At the same time, the hashtag #YanMingyue trended to the top of the hot search list.

No need for creative scenes—the wild wind was the best prop.

In the vast wilderness, the three amateur group guests became Yan Mingyue's relaxed models, running freely and creating the most harmonious frame.

Free, and confident.

"!!!!!"

"So stunning, this is the only set that really wowed me."

"Yan Mingyue obviously didn't retouch the photos, just did a simple color adjustment. Is Ningning really not a pro model?"

"In this set of final shots, Ningning stands out the most, but the baby and Mr. Jiang are not just supporting roles. Without any one of them, such an effect couldn't be achieved."

"How is it?" Yan Mingyue admired this set of photos with satisfaction.

Zhou Yanjun approached, then approached again.

Unlike the final shots of other groups, their set had a more unpolished sense of vitality. Zhou Yanjun had seen many covers shot by Yan Mingyue—without exception, the models' expressions had to be cool. But this group of three amateurs were all smiling. They ran freely in the vast wilderness, naturally breaking free from all shackles and constraints, which was exactly the emotion Yan Mingyue wanted to express.

When the phone rang, Zhou Yanjun looked away.

"Is it Jiang Cheng calling?" Yan Mingyue said.

"No."

When Zhou Yanjun arrived, she didn’t greet Jiang Cheng, and when she left, she only gave a slight nod.

The mother and son had never argued, but she felt that a good fight to uncover the scars might help the wounds heal faster. Unfortunately, Jiang Cheng wouldn’t give her such an opportunity. Having been pushed away time and time again, he had grown accustomed to wrapping himself in a thick shell. His lack of expression might not be deliberate coldness, but rather an inability to express emotions.

"He has my number, but he’s never called me of his own accord," Zhou Yanjun said, taking her phone out of her bag. "It must be Old Jiang on the line."

Yan Mingyue leaned over to check the caller ID and chuckled, "It really is him."

Zhou Yanjun answered the call.

Hearing her husband Jiang Songlin’s voice, she already felt a headache coming on.

Zhou Yanjun’s relationship with her son was too distant. The saying "a mother knows her child best" didn’t seem to fit here. In reality, even without Yan Mingyue’s reminder, just by observing Jiang Cheng’s interactions with Ji Ning, one could guess a thing or two.

This was the first time he had shown such interest in a girl, even extending that care to her daughter.

Yan Mingyue said the situation was clear, and it depended on whether the parents were open-minded.

But Zhou Yanjun knew very well that this wasn’t something she and her husband could decide. Jiang Cheng had his own ideas.

On the surface, Jiang Songlin always acted indifferent, as if showing too much concern for his son would undermine his authority as a father. But in reality, he was also dying to know why Jiang Cheng had gone so far as to join a variety show, where he was being scrutinized by so many people.

"How is it? Did he mention which little celebrity it is?"

"At his age, he should be settling down and getting married properly. What’s all this nonsense now?"

"I’ve never heard of someone in their twenties going through a rebellious phase."

Jiang Songlin’s voice was so loud that even without the speakerphone, Yan Mingyue could hear him.

Zhou Yanjun shook her head helplessly.

"Anyway, no matter which little celebrity it is, I won’t agree to it," Jiang Songlin continued.

Yan Mingyue’s brow furrowed slightly.

Old Jiang’s personality was authoritarian and rigid. He could find fault with the woman’s profession, let alone anything else.

"It’s not a little celebrity," Zhou Yanjun coughed lightly.

It was too early to say anything. Her son was infatuated, but Ji Ning hadn’t thought that far ahead.

"A big star?" Jiang Songlin’s voice was still booming, but his heart skipped a beat. "Which one? A big star from the show?"

Yan Mingyue couldn’t help but laugh.

At that moment, she received a WeChat message from an acquaintance in the industry.

She glanced at it, surprised, and handed it to Zhou Yanjun.

Zhou Yanjun: "She’s not a star yet, but she could be soon."

Her husband’s words were vague, and after all that, it was as if he hadn’t said anything.

Jiang Songlin’s patience ran out: "What is it? Who is he after?"

"Enough already," Zhou Yanjun snapped. "All you do is yell at me. If you’re so brave, call your son yourself and get it straight."

On this side, Zhou Yanjun hung up the phone immediately.

On the other side, Jiang Songlin held his phone and muttered to himself.

"What kind of talk is this? Do they think I wouldn't dare?"

After muttering to himself, Jiang Songlin set the phone down on the desk.

He picked up the newspaper and put on his reading glasses.

Who says I wouldn't dare?

It's just that I don't want to.

...

Ji Ning has only been on the show for five short days.

During this time, she has gained increasing attention due to her own topicality and performance in the variety show.

Her Weibo follower count has skyrocketed, with many fair-weather fans but no die-hard fans. The reason is simple: everyone's fondness for Ji Ning is based on her childhood works. After she left the industry, even though she is now being seen again, it is only as an ordinary person. It's likely that once the show ends, Ji Ning will fade back into obscurity.

In recent days, there have been occasional rumors of talent agencies trying to sign Ji Ning, but whether these are true or not is hard to discern. Netizens have analyzed that with Ji Ning's external conditions, she could easily live comfortably even if she just lay low in the industry. Her natural brilliance is hard to hide.

However, the problem is that there are still a few potential issues buried within her, so talent agencies are still observing.

Ji Ning, unmarried with a daughter, Zhu Zhu, who is indeed very cute, but what about the baby's father? Past revelations about her have been deleted and hushed up. Are these malicious attacks from behind the scenes or protective measures? The specific details of Zhu Zhu's birth could initially be traced, but when trying to dig deeper, all clues disappeared. And where did Ji Ning go during the three years Zhu Zhu was missing...

Amidst a flurry of rumors, talent agencies are also concerned that if they sign Ji Ning and she is later involved in a scandal, it would be a real waste of effort.

But all doubts were completely dispelled the moment the group photo of the celebrity guests started trending on social media.

Elder Sister Lan, a well-known manager from Xingzhi Media, contacted Ji Ning directly through Yan Mingyue, obtaining her contact information from the show's team.

After lunch, the show's team headed to the next destination.

Zhu Zhu and the director uncle are good friends. She had already heard through the grapevine that they were going to Mengjiangxi for rafting.

Another new experience, Zhu Zhu had already started looking forward to it.

As for her mother, she was invited aside by Director Tao, seemingly discussing something serious.

Elder Sister Lan from Xingzhi Media is very sincere and willing to develop a long-term plan for Ji Ning. She has talent and topicality, having already delivered many excellent works during her child star days, and should not be buried.

The industry is small, and after a few twists and turns, Ji Ning's contact information was finally passed on by Director Tao.

In this industry, Ji Ning entered earlier, but Director Tao is more experienced and kindly gave her some advice from a veteran.

Director Tao asked her what she thought.

A simple question, yet it left Ji Ning stumped.

Initially, she brought Zhu Zhu to participate in this variety show because she needed money and a place to stay. But in the show, when introducing herself to the camera, her anxiety was not because she was worried about not making money... after all, the contract was already signed, and the audience's opinions were beyond her control. The show's team wouldn't be so unreasonable as to reconsider the contract just because she wasn't popular.

In this show, Ji Ning had a lot of fun. Even though every move could be judged, she could still be herself. Later, when her mother pressured her to withdraw from the show, she felt angry, but this anger didn't last long. She didn't know why the show's team made such adjustments, but she and Zhu Zhu stayed, and the duo of ordinary guests became a trio.

Looking back now, the transition from anger to confusion was too fast, so she didn't have time to think properly. Was her anger at that time due to her mother's terrifying control, or because she didn't want to quit?

In fact, during her growth, she had already experienced Fu Mingya's almost paranoid control many times.

"If you can't decide for the moment, why not ask yourself what you truly want?" Director Tao smiled gently. "Recently, just by casually scrolling through short videos, you can see clips of Ji Ning as a child, her past highlights. Think about it, if you could talk to yourself from twenty years ago, would the young Ji Ning hope to continue shining in front of the camera?"

Ji Ning pursed her lips.

Ji Ning as a child and the current her seemed like two different people.

The child star shone brightly, while she now feels lost and directionless.

Not far away, Zhu Zhu came running: "It's Mommy!"

The baby was wearing a hoodie with a small hat today, the material soft, the little hat fluffy.

Now, Uncle Jiang grabbed her hat.

"Mr. Jiang, be gentle!"

"Hahaha, being held by the hat, her little chubby legs running hard, it's like watching myself on the treadmill."

"Baby, stop running and look back!"

Zhu Zhu stopped sprinting and turned around.

"Zhu Zhu, don't come over yet; Mommy has something to do."

"What is it?" Zhu Zhu tiptoed to look over, her mother's expression very serious.

Mr. Jiang: "Probably making an important decision."

Zhu Zhu seemed to understand but didn't come any closer.

On the small steps nearby, she and Uncle Jiang sat side by side, quietly waiting for Mommy to return.

"Isn't this a family of three? A busy mom, a cute kid, and a dad taking care of the baby!"

"What important decision?"

"I want to know too!"

"Director, switch the camera to Ji Ning, please."

"Director, why aren't you switching???"

The director switched the camera.

It zoomed in on Zhu Zhu's face.

Netizens aren't his superiors.

Who cares what they say.

"Ahhh, get closer!"

"Is this a soft, white little dumpling? It must be!"

The next second, the director switched the live stream to a scenic view.

Netizens: ...

Too rebellious, I don’t like it.

...

Drifting on the Mengjiang River has always been one of the locals' favorite weekend activities.

Now that autumn has arrived, drifting isn’t as popular as it used to be. However, since the program team arranged bamboo rafts for the celebrity guests, equipped with small chairs and boatmen, the guests won’t get wet. They just need to leisurely enjoy the scenery, which sounds like a very relaxing activity.

“So, it’s just about enjoying the scenery? No other tasks?” Pan Siran asked.

“I thought I heard wrong,” Ding Muyun added.

Xiang Xinghui also laughed, “I bet the program team will throw in some extra tasks, like the boatman jumping into the stream halfway and leaving us to paddle to shore together.”

Fang Manyin added, “With the paddles, jumping into the stream.”

“Hahahaha, Xiang Xinghui is getting more and more into the rhythm of the show, even a bit cute.”

“Has no one noticed that Xiang Xinghui and Fang Manyin both have a bit of a dry sense of humor?”

“They’re not boring; they just don’t like to show off or put on a performance for the camera.”

“Pan Siran: Who are the haters saying loves to show off?”

“Boatman: Thanks, but no thanks, I don’t want to jump.”

The program team rented two bamboo rafts.

The actress group and the BFF group were already standing together, so the production director let them board the first raft.

“Be careful,” Xiang Xinghui held Ding Muyun, “It’s a bit shaky, don’t be afraid.”

Fang Manyin and Pan Siran also boarded the raft one after another.

Ding Muyun explained with a smile, “I learned to swim as a kid, but I’ve always been a little scared of water.”

“Was it because you choked while learning to swim?” Pan Siran said, “I was like that too when I was a kid, choked several times, and it left a shadow.”

“No,” Ding Muyun shook her head, “I didn’t have a coach back then; my parents taught me themselves. Before getting into the water, they would give me a basin to practice holding my breath by burying my head in it. Sometimes, when I wanted to come up, my dad would press the back of my head, making me hold on a bit longer.”

“??? That’s too extreme, wouldn’t something bad happen?”

“That’s way too harsh! Kids are terrified of water, and having their head held underwater—just thinking about it is suffocating, in every way!”

“I even think, by the time the actress learned to swim, her dad would say, see, I did it all for your own good.”

“Suddenly I understand why the actress is always so tense, the family atmosphere was too strict, leading her to be a perfectionist as she grew up.”

“There are pros and cons, it’s because Ding Muyun takes every role so seriously that she has brought us so many excellent works.”

After Ding Muyun finished speaking, seeing the concerned looks from the two girls, she smiled and said, “It’s not that exaggerated, the adults were watching, if I really couldn’t hold on, my dad would let go.”

“Miss Muyun,” Fang Manyin asked, “Did you learn to swim later?”

“I did,” Ding Muyun’s smile remained gentle, “But after growing up, I never swam again.”

The bamboo raft drifted gently along the clear stream, leaving faint ripples in its wake.

Ding Muyun’s hands rested on her knees, and without even noticing, her fists were slightly clenched, her nails digging into her fingers, the tips of which had turned a bit white.

Until Xiang Xinghui took her right hand.

His tone was casual as he shifted the topic: "The other group has also gotten on the raft."

On the other raft were the sibling duo and the amateur group.

At this moment, no one was in the mood to enjoy the scenery, no matter how beautiful it was, because the atmosphere was strange.

"Has the top idol and his sister not made up yet?"

"If that artsy photo was really a family portrait, but Tong Zhiqi wasn’t present, it must have been quite sad."

"We still don’t get what’s going on with their family. Could it be that Tong Zhiqi was too busy to come for the photo shoot?"

"Stop arguing, you’ll scare little Zhu Bao!"

When Tong Zhiqi and Tong Zhile were arguing, it was streamed live, and netizens saw everything clearly.

However, as fellow guests, during the same time period, Ji Ning was busy helping Jiang Cheng and Zhu Zhu get into the right mood for the shoot, completely unaware of what had happened with the sibling duo.

Tong Zhiqi and Tong Zhile were not visibly angry.

The siblings even acted in sync when it came to showing their frustration, pretending as if nothing had happened, avoiding eye contact with each other.

Of course, they also didn’t interact with the other guests.

The show had to go on.

Ji Ning, full of initiative, assigned tasks to herself and Jiang Cheng.

"You go and comfort Tong Zhiqi," Ji Ning said. "I’ll comfort Tong Zhile."

"Hahaha, what’s up with 'Tong Zhiqi' and 'Tong Zhile'?"

"I suspect that even now, Ningning still can’t remember the names of the top idol and his sister."

"Seriously though, their names are really similar, I still can’t tell them apart."

"It’s easy to remember, the brother is called Qiqi, and the sister is called Lele!"

"Tong Zhiqi and Tong Zhile: now they’re even more annoyed!"

On the raft, at both ends.

At Ji Ning’s request, Jiang Cheng and Tong Zhiqi sat on one side.

They stared at each other.

Jiang Cheng was a bit confused.

He didn’t know how to comfort Tong Zhiqi.

Ji Ning, meanwhile, sat with Tong Zhile on the other side.

With the adjusted seating, Tong Zhile could now see her brother’s annoying face.

She tried to get up and move to another spot, but Ji Ning pressed her shoulder, making her sit back down.

"The atmosphere just got even more tense!"

"Where's the vibe crew? Director, cue up some epic background music!"

"Forgot the director's a rebel? They won’t listen."

Ji Ning and Jiang Cheng exchanged glances.

She nodded hard, giving him a look that said—

Action!

Jiang Cheng: ...

Still trying to sort out his own stuff.

Nobody said a word.

The siblings kept their poker faces.

Little Zhu Zhu, sitting all by herself in the middle of the raft, was clueless about what was going on.

She asked, curious, "Why are you guys acting like this?"

Tong Zhiqi and Tong Zhile both looked at Zai Zai, raising their eyebrows.

They both asked at the same time, "Like what?"

Zhu Zhu pointed her finger.

She tugged at the corners of her eyes and mouth, making an adorable little face: "Like this."

"Heh," the boatman laughed, "so silly."

The director didn’t cue up any epic background music, but Little Zhu Zhu became the atmosphere bearer.

Tong Zhiqi and Tong Zhile's frowns softened, and they started laughing.

After a good laugh, the boatman told the baby, "Wasn’t talking about you."

Tong Zhiqi and Tong Zhile: ...

Huh, talking about who?