Chapter 13

Chapter 13

With the four kids working hard, they finally harvested all the potatoes and most of the carrots from the field.

When only the last few carrots remained, Bo Yi Ming excitedly suggested to his younger siblings, "How about we play like bunnies yanking up carrots? Let’s line up for a picture, okay?"

"Wow!" Xiao Qi was the first to respond.

Rong Rong nodded vigorously.

Xingxing pointed out, "But Mom and the others don’t have phones."

Bo Yi Ming grinned and raised his hand. "I’ve got one!"

He turned and called out, "Papa~ Help us out~"

Wen Ci Shu, who had been weighing the produce with Chu Han, walked over. After hearing his son’s explanation, he took the watch.

Bo Yi Ming switched it to camera mode and specifically reminded him, "Papa, get my good side!"

Wen Ci Shu mussed his hair. "Got it. Go for it."

He helped arrange their positions.

"Xiao Qi at the front, then Rong Rong, Xingxing, and Yi Ming, tallest in the back."

Chu Han, hearing the children’s laughter, had to peek over.

The adorable Xiao Qi grabbed the bright green carrot tops, while the other three children grabbed each other’s shirt hems.

Bo Yi Ming led the count: "One, two, three!"

All four little ones grinned ear to ear, shouting in unison, "Pull the carrot!"

After the photo was taken, the kids gathered around, pleading with Wen Ci Shu to send the picture to their parents.

Looking at the cute little faces, Wen Ci Shu nodded right away.

He helped his son strap the watch back on.

"Wow, this is too cute—I can’t help but smile too."

"When the kids look back on this moment at home, they’ll surely feel extra happy. Even I’m a little moved."

"I’m usually tough-hearted, but I really want to know what brand this cool watch is! A 23-year-old man-child needs one too!"

"Same! It can even take photos? Is this some kind of 007 spy gear?"

After a busy morning, the four children were thirsty and exhausted.

Luckily, Zhu Wei had prepared warm water. She mopped Rong Rong’s brow and asked, "Harder than cleaning up toys at home, huh?"

Rong Rong nodded, drank half a cup from her mom’s hand, and peered up with shining eyes. "Mom, cooking is tiring too, right?"

Zhu Wei hugged her child, her expression glowing.

Bo Yi Ming’s shirt was too dirty, so Wen Ci Shu led him off to change.

"Yi Ming, pick out a shirt. I’ll get a towel to clean you up."

"Oh." Bao Yiming bent down and pulled out a blue T-shirt from the suitcase.

Wen Cishu walked over with a towel in hand, asking him to turn around so he could wipe his back and arms.

The kid usually ate a lot, but was going through a growth spurt, and with his high energy levels, his limbs were long and lean—there wasn’t an ounce of fat on him.

Bao Yiming felt his little dad’s careful and gentle movements and turned his head to look at him.

His tone couldn’t help but turn sugary and affectionate. He had wanted to call him "mommy," but remembering what his big dad had said, he changed it to a mushy “Little Dad~.”

"Hmm?" Wen Cishu paused, asking softly, "Did Dad hurt you while wiping?"

As soon as he asked, the little monkey threw himself into his arms and hugged him tightly.

Slightly surprised but deeply warmed, Wen Cishu raised his hand to hug him back, gently smoothing his back.

Bao Yiming nestled in his little dad’s warm embrace, basking in his gentle love.

He shook his head and lifted his face. "I just wanted to hug you, Little Dad."

"‘A carefree kid suddenly getting sentimental—who can handle this?’"

"My partner is so gentle and soft. If it were me, I’d cling to him 800 times a day."

Wen Cishu gazed into his son’s unique, amber-like eyes, filled with his own reflection.

Moved by the moment, he felt a twinge of guilt and leaned down to kiss the little one’s forehead.

Just like the first time he had called him "Baby Mingming" the night before, the little boy in his arms blushed again.

But the next second, Bao Yiming suddenly jumped up, startling Wen Cishu.

Bao Yiming leaped onto the sofa, standing tall and protesting loudly, "Little Dad! I’m nine years old now—you can’t kiss me anymore!"

Wen Cishu: What kind of random outburst is this?

"Such a touching moment—I was about to cry—and you pull this on me?!"

"Look how you scared him half to death (lol)."

"You call this parenting? Don’t let me come in for you!"

When Wen Cishu and Bao Yiming returned to the dining room, a tiny figure came toddling over, eagerly calling out, "Uncleee~~~"

Just as Wen Cishu was about to bend down to pick him up, Bao Yiming was quicker, scooping him up.

"Huh?" Xiao Qi froze, looking confused.

Bao Yiming said seriously, "Xiao Qi, don’t jump on my little dad—you might knock him over."

"*Sternly* corrected," Wen Cishu interjected, "he wouldn’t."

He ruffled Xiao Qi’s hair. "Xiao Qi’s just a feather, right?"

Xiao Qi squirmed but ended up being carried away by Bao Yiming.

He could only wave frantically at his uncle, looking pitiful.

Bao Yiming grumbled quietly, "Xiao Qi, did you know? When I was little, I used to pounce on my little dad like that too, and I actually sent him flying once."

Xiao Qi exclaimed in surprise, "Huh?!"

His big eyes widened with shock as he looked up at his tall uncle, who seemed even skinnier than his own dad.

Bao Yiming continued whispering, "But Papa wasn’t hurt because my Daddy caught him in time."

As he spoke, he suddenly got excited and couldn’t help but lift Xiao Qi up. "You know what? My Daddy often swoops outta nowhere to protect Papa, just like a superhero in the movies!"

"Wow," Xiao Qi gasped in a babyish voice, imagining Ultraman swooping down from the sky to beat up monsters in cartoons. "So cool!"

"Right? My Daddy is the coolest," Bao Yiming agreed.

"Seriously, with a drop-dead gorgeous guy like Papa, how could your Daddy dare not protect him? Is he just waiting for someone to steal him away? (People are already lining up to steal him…)"

"Just thinking about little Ming Zai sending wifey flying—sorry, it’s kinda funny."

"Poor wifey’s chest must hurt, boo-hoo~ Let me kiss it better~"

↑ Sounds like Daddy’s inner monologue, huh?

"Hahaha, a superhero who also acts spoiled? That’s next-level contrast charm."

Zhu Wei and Zhou Xu had been busy all noon whipping up a feast.

Rong Rong, while eating, felt a little down and wiggled closer to her mom.

Wen Cishu served her some soup. "What’s wrong, Rong Rong? Not feeling well?"

Rong Rong pouted and shook her head, looking at her uncle before whispering, "Uncle, I don’t want the show to end."

Her words made all the kids turn to look at her.

Xing Xing glanced over before shoveling rice into his mouth, cheeks puffed like a hamster chewing furiously, silently agreeing with Rong Rong—he didn’t wanna go home either.

Bao Yiming only then realized the show was ending. "Huh? So soon?"

Zhou Xu chuckled. "Yi Ming, still wanna dig more potatoes?"

Wen Cishu noticed his little rascal suddenly freaking out and asked, "Yi Ming? What’s wrong? You thinking about something?"

Bao Yiming blurted out in shock, "Am I famous yet, Papa? I still need to blow up!"

Wen Cishu thought to himself, this kid was relentless.

If he wanted to do anything else, Wen Cishu would 100% support him—but why did it have to be breaking into showbiz?

He coaxed gently, "Then ask your uncles and aunties here if showbiz is fun or just plain hard."

Zhu Wei looked surprised. "Oh? Yi Ming wants to join the entertainment biz?"

Bao Yiming was flabbergasted, staring straight at the aunt across from him.

"Uh, duh?"

Zhu Wei snorted behind her hand, pretending she hadn’t actually noticed.

Chu Han asked, "Yi Ming, wanna act or sing?"

Upon hearing this, Wen Cishu leisurely took a tissue and pressed it to his palm.

"I can sing—" Bo Yiming began, about to show off his voice, but a delicate hand gently covered his lips. "Mmph..."

"I’m dying laughing at this!"

"Like father, like son—priceless!"

"Just now, hubby tilted his head slightly—it was exactly like those movie martial artists predicting moves. So cool!"

"Hubby dear, you should totally act! (And as for Ming Zai, how cool would it be to have a superstar dad?)"

Zhou Xu chuckled. "You’ve got that youthful drive. At my age, fame doesn’t matter anymore."

Xiao Qi asked curiously, "Daddy, what’s 'going viral'?"

Zhou Xu fed his child a bite of food and explained, "It means when you turn on the TV, you’ll see Daddy on every channel. That’s going viral."

Xing Xing: "Even on the animal channel?"

"Bwah—" Bo Yiming burst out laughing.

Zhou Xu laughed in exasperation. "Xing Xing, you’re full of surprises! What would I do on the animal channel? Sing for lions and tigers?"

Chu Han held back her laughter and explained to her son, "For Mom, it’d probably mean lots of movies coming out every year, with many people watching and loving them."

"Oh." Xing Xing lowered his head and muttered, "Sounds tough."

He glanced at Bo Yiming beside him. "Do you really want to go viral?"

"Yeah!" Bo Yiming nodded firmly. "I’ll make it happen!"

He nudged Xing Xing with his shoulder. "Then you’ll see me on every TV channel. Pretty cool, right?"

Xing Xing imagined the scene—it didn’t seem too bad. He nodded. "Sure, I’ll tune in."

Wen Cishu dragged a hand down his face. What even is this?

Is he even *more* set on this now?!

"Why does hubby look like that? Not a fan of superstar kids?"

"If they hire tutors, maybe they’re hoping for a top scholar instead."

"Hubby probably hoped everyone would talk him out of it… Hah! Backfired spectacularly."

After the meal, everyone started cleaning up the kitchen for the show’s segment.

Meanwhile, Bo Yiming learned that Uncle Zhou Xu used to be an idol, so he spent the whole time chasing after him, asking how to be a proper idol. He even held up his watch to record Zhou Xu’s advice.

Zhou Xu, holding Xiao Qi, dodged him. "Yi Ming’s dad, rein in your kid!"

Wen Cishu, busy organizing the dishes, replied dryly, "Yeah, *that’s* gonna happen."

Bo Yiming and Zhou Xu stood on opposite sides of the kitchen island. Bo Yiming asked, puzzled, "Uncle, why won’t you teach me? I really want to learn!"

Seeing there was no escape, Zhou Xu sighed. "Idol life isn’t all glamour. It’s not easy. Every year, tons of kids try, but few make it big. If we’re talking about blowing up, maybe one in years."

Bo Yiming bragged, shameless, "Damn right—and it’ll be me!"

Chu Han smiled as he turned off the faucet and said to Wen Cishu, "Who knew your Yiming was so ambitious?"

Wen Cishu felt troubled—he thought he'd need to discuss this with Bao Tingyuan when they got back.

Listening to the little chatterbox excitedly explaining his dreams to Zhou Xu behind him, he couldn't help but glance up at the camera—

Maybe we should rethink that French boarding school idea?

Worst case, I'll tag along to look after him.

"Whoa, babe, why are you suddenly looking at me? You made my heart skip a beat."

"Those phoenix eyes are too beautiful—I can't even breathe."

"Is the show ending already? One last look before it's over? *Sniff* Honey, gimme a kiss."

After Zhou Xu mentioned that he hadn't participated in many activities lately, spending most of his time stuck at home raising kids—

Bao Yiming stared at him in disbelief for a moment, then stood on a stool and blurted out, "Uncle! You're not old yet—why are you giving up on your career? Have you forgotten your dream? How can you just give up and say you're staying home to raise your kid without even trying?"

Zhou Xu looked up. "Kid, what's your deal?"

Everyone else turned to stare at him.

Wen Cishu didn't stop him—he wanted to hear what the boy had to say.

Bao Yiming piped up with fiery conviction: "You just said it yourself—only a few people ever get to stand in the spotlight and be seen! And you're one of them! Why don't you go all out and become the top star?"

Zhou Xu's pupils slightly dilated. He fell silent for a moment, just staring at this bold, outspoken child who wasn't even ten years old.

"Holy crap, is this some anime protagonist speech? So intense!"

"Exactly! Zhou Xu, you jerk, get back in the game! Parenting doesn't mean quitting your grind!"

"You've got me wanting to start grinding right now. Ming, please don't be this inspiring!"