Chapter 14

Chapter 14

Whether Bao Yiming's impassioned, youthful rant—naïve about the world's challenges—stirred Zhou Xu's ambition, Wen Cishu couldn't say.

But as a parent, he sank into new thoughts.

After the guests did their best to restore the farm, the first episode of *Zai Zai the Superman* wrapped up.

While packing their luggage back in the room, Wen Cishu watched as his son suddenly produced a bag from nowhere and stuffed it into the suitcase.

"What's this, Yi Ming?"

Bao Yiming mumbled sullenly, "I took some souvenirs home."

Before Wen Cishu could reach for it, he saw the opened bag revealing several small, mud-covered potatoes.

The kid, looking as woeful as a puppy, was oddly endearing in that moment.

Bao Yiming asked nervously, "Dad, you're not gonna make me return them, right?"

"Should be okay," Wen Cishu said, taking the bag and tucking it into a gap in the suitcase. "If the staff asks, I'll cover for you."

"Okay!" Bao Yiming beamed, tilting his head to lean against his dad’s shoulder. His eyes sparkled as an idea popped into his head.

"Ming Zai, don’t worry, the show's not that cheap!"

"I expected something fancier… Well, only you would bring this as a souvenir."

"Come on, babe, don’t spoil our son like this! He's walking all over you now!"

"You’re just jealous! Hmph~"

When all three bags were stuffed with clothes and essentials, the father and son were ready to go when something felt wrong.

They exchanged glances, staring at each other for a few seconds.

Wen Cishu asked, "Yi Ming, did you forget anything?"

"Nope. What about you, Dad?"

Bao Yiming even glanced back at the room—all toiletries had been tossed into a trash bag, which he was now holding.

Nothing forgotten. Perfect.

"Let’s go, then."

Wen Cishu chuckled in relief, closing the door as he and his son wheeled their suitcases out.

"Hey, those nice bedsheets—you’re not taking them?"

"How'd you manage to fill three bags like that?"

[My love "carefully" sorted worn and unworn clothes into different suitcases but "carelessly" forgot to flatten them, hence the overstuffed luggage.]

"Looking so sharp and smart, yet such a mess in real life? Honey, with self-care skills like these, you totally need me!"

"Should production say something? It seems like honey and Ming Zai completely blanked on it…"

"Suddenly tempted to scavenge (sneaking into those sheets still carrying honey’s scent)."

"Hey, don’t say it... but you’re right!"

-

In the courtyard.

The guests had all packed their bags and were ready to leave together.

Xiao Qi’s lips quivered, and Rong Rong’s eyes grew downcast.

Only Xing Xing’s expression stayed unchanged from when he’d first arrived the day before.

The grown-ups’ comforting words fell flat. Rong Rong sniffled, clutching her mom’s sleeve to dab at her teary eyes.

Wen Cishu reassured, "We’ll see each other next week, Rong Rong. No need to cry."

Bao Yiming crouched and fished out a potato wrapped in a napkin from his coat pocket, handing it to Rong Rong.

The sniffling girl gasped, eyes going wide.

Bao Yiming said matter-of-factly, "Here’s a keepsake for you, little sis. Hang onto it!"

Then he turned and pulled more potatoes from his other coat pocket and pants pocket, handing them to Xing Xing and Xiao Qi next.

"Since you’re the littlest, Xiao Qi, you get the king-sized spud!"

"Xing Xing, take this one shaped like a cat’s head!" Bao Yiming waved the potato in front of him. "Adorable, huh?! A mini-Xing Xing!"

Xing Xing: -_-

He reached out and held the chubby potato, which indeed had two eye-like bumps.

"Uh, that’s totally a dog."

"OMG, Ming Zai wasn’t kidding—he IS cute!!!!"

"Yi Ming’s such a sweetheart—my heart’s melting!"

Wen Cishu fell silent. "Dude, how many did you swipe?"

Bao Yiming grinned and hopped over to his little dad. "Little Dad promised you’d cover for us if the crew notices!"

Wen Cishu: Oh, perfect. Just perfect.

Bao Yiming’s antics lightened the mood.

He wheeled his suitcase, practically skipping. "We’ll come play together again next week!"

Chu Han remarked, "Next time might be somewhere else, though."

"Wow, awesome!" Bao Yiming grew even happier. "Auntie Chu Han, any clues about next time?"

Chu Han shook her head. "No idea, kiddo."

"Hmm? A new livestream location? Way to leave us hanging!"

"After today’s farm cleanup, I figured this was a one-time thing."

"Someone remind them about the four-piece set! I’m losing it here!"

"Four-piece set: Woo-hoo! Freedom at last~"

Everyone walked to the farm gate, counting down until the gates opened to leave.

Bao Yiming urged Xingxing, "You'll call your brother, right? Promise?"

Xingxing remained silent.

Wen Cishu patted the child's head. "Papa, Xingxing might be busy too, you know?"

Xingxing looked up. "Uncle, I'm not busy."

Wen Cishu was taken aback, realizing he had misunderstood. "Oh, I see. Alright then."

Bao Yiming proudly lifted his chin. "Papa, see? Xingxing really likes me!"

Wen Cishu recalled the original story, his almond-shaped eyes narrowing slightly.

—Things were getting complicated.

Half a minute later, the farm gate opened, and a cameraman appeared with his gear.

The show's producer reminded everyone, "Please say goodbye to the audience. We'll see you next time~"

On the live stream, viewers could clearly see each group of guests walking hand in hand past the camera.

When it was Wen Cishu's turn, Bao Yiming stood on his tiptoes to block the lens and said earnestly, "Everyone, remember to like me and vote for me, so I can make my debut!"

Wen Cishu: "..."

Laughter filled the air among the guests and staff ahead.

"You little troublemaker, you're blocking my wife—your Papa! I'm so mad, this is the last shot, ahhhh!"

"Ming Zai!! You're nine years old, grow up already!"

"What kind of voting is this show even doing, you little punk?"

"HAHAHA almost choked on my plain yogurt from laughing too hard."

-

The rides for the celebrity guests and their families were waiting in a separate lot.

Nobody was making small talk, but they all couldn't help noticing the sick RV and black sedan.

Inside one car were Zhou Xu's assistant and driver.

The driver asked curiously, "Are they with the production team?"

The assistant replied, "I just checked with the crew. They said it's Yi Ming's family. Seems like they never left yesterday and have been parked here the whole time."

The driver was surprised. "Waited all night?"

The assistant nodded. "From what I can tell, Yi Ming and his dad must have some serious connections. But they're so down-to-earth—zero pretension."

In today's entertainment industry, too many people act all high and mighty with just a bit of money. Rich people keeping it low-key are pretty rare.

The driver chuckled. "And this Yi Ming kid is asking the audience to vote for him? He could just have his family bankroll his career. What a character."

The assistant recalled Bao Yiming's little pep talk to Zhou Xu that afternoon, noting Zhou Xu's kinda weird look.

"Wonder if Brother Xu actually listened."

The driver remained silent. Zhou Xu had been struggling these past two years.

It was impossible for a few words from a child to change anything, but what if?

Everyone clung to a glimmer of hope.

Just as the driver spaced out, the assistant gave him a hard slap, startling him.

"Look! Look! Is that Yi Ming's dad?!"

The driver craned his neck to look. Through a row of green trees, he spotted a tall man in a tailored black suit, his face covered by a black mask.

Above the mask, thick brows and deep-set eyes exuded authority and solemnity, clearly the bearing of someone in power.

As Wen Cishu walked over slowly, his slender figure contrasting with the man's imposing presence, the man also moved toward him, his gaze fixed intently on Wen Cishu.

The two differed in height, build, and temperament—so striking it made you want to stare.

Behind Wen Cishu, Bao Yiming bounced along happily.

Further back, bodyguards and assistants were handling the luggage.

Outside the RV, aside from the man, there were several unidentified people, all smiling warmly.

The driver whistled. "So many people came?"

As soon as he spoke, the two of them witnessed another unexpected scene.

The tall, masked man approached, bent down, and effortlessly swept Wen Cishu up in his arms before turning to board the luxurious RV.

The ease and fluidity of his movements suggested this was a regular occurrence.

Nobody blinked an eye, proving it was nothing unusual to them.

Even Bao Yiming simply bounded onto the RV.

The assistant turned to the driver. "Did you see that?"

The driver was stunned. "Am I seeing things? They're that close?"

-

Inside the RV.

After being placed into a seat, Wen Cishu’s hand was taken by Bao Tingyuan. As Bao Tingyuan sat down, Wen Cishu leaned against the armrest between the two seats.

Bao Tingyuan’s palm was broad, warm, and firm, but what caught Wen Cishu’s attention most was the understated gold-and-platinum band on his long ring finger.

Worn for many years, the ring carried a subtle, timeworn elegance, softened by time.

This was the first time Wen Cishu had studied the ring this intently.

Where was his wedding ring?

Why did he have no memory of it?

His fingertips twitched slightly, only to be held even tighter. The warmth of their palms pressed together made him pause momentarily.

Up front, Bao Yiming was excitedly telling stories from the show to Grandpa Xu, his voice lively but not shrill, bubbling with excitement.

In the back, however, the couple sat in a heavy silence.

Wen Cishu glanced sideways at his profile—had he gone quiet again just from seeing him?

You had plenty to say in those texts last night, didn’t you?

Bao Tingyuan noticed his expression. “Are you too tired? Sleep when we get home.”

Just like usual.

The picture-perfect partner, all caring and attentive.

Wen Cishu tilted his face slightly, meeting those green eyes like deep lakes behind his glasses. “You…”

Perhaps still unsure of what to say, his voice came out soft, like a night breeze.

Bao Tingyuan took in the soft lines of his face and those slightly upturned phoenix eyes before leaning in closer.

Just then, Bao Yiming leaned over from the front seat. “Papa!”

“Hmm?” Bao Tingyuan’s brow furrowed slightly as he responded with a low hum before sinking back into his seat.

Wen Cishu seemed to detect a trace of irritation in that brief reply, a weird pang of guilt washing over him as he turned to look out the window.

Bao Yiming draped himself over the seatback, glancing at his two fathers in the back before suddenly putting on a show of exaggerated sweetness. “Papa, Grandpa Xu said you invited Chef Chen to make roast goose at home!”

Bao Tingyuan replied, “Mm. Then sit properly. We’re leaving for home now.”

Just as Wen Cishu was about to look at his son, the fingers resting between them were firmly pushed aside before another hand slowly interlaced with his, their fingers lacing together.

While Bao Tingyuan’s stern voice spoke to their son, the sensitive skin between Wen Cishu’s fingers brushed against the man’s skin and ring, sending an odd little thrill through him.

“Okay!” Bao Yiming dropped back into his seat happily. “Let’s go home and eat roast goose~”

Bao Tingyuan turned his head slightly to look at the man beside him, seemingly absorbed in the scenery outside. The pale, graceful line of his neck was adorned with a few stray strands of hair, making the small mole play peek-a-boo.

His gaze lingered on that mole for a long moment before his right hand finally lifted, fingertips skimming the satin-soft skin.

“Hmm?” Wen Cishu felt the brush of his fingers against his skin as his hair was tucked behind his ear.

When he turned, his eyes met Bao Tingyuan’s.

Under the focused gaze of those gem-like green eyes, Wen Cishu always felt an intense illusion of drowning, his breath catching.

Bao Tingyuan’s gaze shifted, settling on the tired lines between his brows before murmuring, “Sleep when we get home.”

Wen Cishu’s slightly tense heart settled again. “Oh.”

After that half-hearted reply, he closed his eyes, unable to suppress the urge to yank his hand away in annoyance.

Instead, his right hand was pulled over and placed on Bao Tingyuan’s thigh.

He felt the man’s thumb stroking his hand back and forth—intimate yet teasing.

Suddenly, he remembered something important he had nearly forgotten.

According to the original novel’s setting, Bao Tingyuan had a secret ailment.

A sickness Wen Cishu never discovered, one even Bao Yiming didn’t know about.

Wen Cishu’s chest tightened with conflicting feelings—what exactly was this secret illness?