Chapter 36

Chapter 36

Early morning.

In Zhou Xu's kitchen, the sound of the soy milk machine whirring came to a stop.

By the counter, Zhou Xu flipped bacon with a small spatula, calling out without turning his head, "Babe, can you pour the soy milk?"

He deftly placed the bacon on already toasted bread slices.

His wife, Pan Linyun, walked in yawning and opened the soundproof lid of the soy milk machine.

"Where's Xiao Qi?" he asked, arranging the sandwiches and cutting them into four portions.

"He's waiting at the door," Pan Linyun smiled.

Yesterday, Yi Ming's dad had posted in the group chat that he would send some ingredients to their three families and asked for convenient addresses.

Zhou Xu had eagerly told his wife and child, which got Xiao Qi so excited that he woke up early, asking in his sweet little voice, "Has the yummy food from Uncle Ming Zai and Yi Ming arrived yet~?"

Just then, a soft, childish voice called out, "Mommy! Daddy!"

Xiao Qi pedaled his adorable little tricycle furiously, zipping to the kitchen door. "Open the door quickly~!"

Zhou Xu had his wife take the sandwiches to the table while he picked up Xiao Qi to answer the door.

Two staffers from the Bo household smiled as they handed over an exquisite food box.

That's when Zhou Xu realized—the dishes they had eaten on the show were actually sent by Yi Ming's family.

He quickly thanked them, "Thanks so much for delivering this."

Once they left, Xiao Qi couldn't wait for his dad to open the box. "Wow! So much!"

The layered food container was neatly organized with various fresh ingredients.

Pan Linyun exclaimed happily, "Yi Ming's dad is so thoughtful! This will last us several meals—we won't need to cook."

Zhou Xu chuckled and snapped pictures of the fancy menu and food box, first sending them to the group chat to express gratitude before posting them on Weibo.

Zhou Xu smiled as he took photos with his phone, capturing the exquisite menu and food box in full detail. He first sent them to the WeChat group to express that he had received them and give thanks, then posted them on Weibo.

Zhou Xu (verified account): "Guess I was the first to get this today!~ [thumbs up]"

"Trying to make me jealous first thing in the morning? What is this?"

"Wow, Teacher Zhu and Chu Han got them too? Is this a gift from the production team?"

Fans jumped between the three guests' Weibo posts and noticed that while the food boxes were identical, the three sets of dishes followed the same basic structure, with only slight variations in some details.

Chu Han took more detailed photos, one of which included a separate menu. The multi-course menu even came with cooking suggestions, peak freshness dates, and a greeting card addressed to "Mr./Ms. XX."

Chu Han: "Thanks to Ming Zai's dad and Yi Ming~ We can host a feast at home tonight."

"Wait, it was from Ming Zai’s family? No way!"

"They even printed greeting cards so formally? They went all out with this!"

After someone reposted the photos to the show's fan forum, fans quickly spotted a clue:

The design of the food boxes looked like they belonged to the same series—or were even the exact same ones—from the Season 2 episode.

"So, the lunch in Season 2 was really provided by Ming Zai’s family?"

"I actually screenshotted and posted on Little Red Book asking which restaurant it was from. [clown emoji]"

"Back then, Mom did take extra helpings, right? Didn’t Teacher Zhou and Rong Rong mention it? People in the chat were saying it was sent by Ming Zai’s dad—why didn’t you believe it?"

"Sorry, I really thought it was just viewers joking around."

"Ming Zai’s dad: The audacity! Questioning my love for my wife and son!"

"Psst: This move is probably 80% for the beauty, not Ming Zai (grabbing Ming Zai and flying away fast)."

"Can someone tell me if the guy with the muzzle seen near the filming site is really Ming Zai’s dad?"

"Someone on Little Red Book dug into it—same suitcase + super close proximity, highly likely. But the glasses make it hard to confirm. Let’s wait for Season 3 when they film at Ming Zai’s house to observe~"

"Kind of loving the idea of the cool, graceful beauty and the hot guy with the muzzle (though it’s totally fine if not—Ming Zai’s dad has already earned serious brownie points through all his doting actions, and looks aren’t the main point~ though bonus points if he's cute, hehe~)."

"Ming Zai is seriously one of the most handsome mixed-race teens—his dad can't be ugly, trust me!"

-

On the set of the movie *Blazing Fire*, Xing Xing held her mom’s phone, waiting anxiously for a call.

Soon, the name "Yi Ming" appeared on the screen.

Xing Xing immediately answered: "Brother Yi Ming?"

"Xing Xing, Papa and I are already at the parking lot, walking over now."

"I'll come meet you, wait for me!" Xing Xing hung up excitedly and ran to let her mom, who was filming a scene, know.

Chu Han managed to whisper, "Do you know the way to the parking area?"

It was her first time bringing Xing Xing here.

"Of course I do." Xing Xing turned and dashed off, making Chu Han quickly send an assistant after her.

Parking area.

Wearing a mask and a hat, Wen Cishu spotted Xingxing first and waved his hand.

"Bao Yiming followed suit: "Xingxing!!"

The kids, who'd been apart for two days, felt like years had passed and immediately hugged each other upon meeting.

"Brother, Uncle, Mom’s over there," Xingxing said excitedly before remembering to introduce his mom's assistant.

Wen Cishu had seen her on the variety show and gave her a polite nod.

The assistant led them toward the crew’s makeup room with two tall men trailing behind.

Xingxing took a quick look and whispered, "Brother, who are they?"

Bao Yiming turned to glance: "Oh, they're our driver and the bodyguard."

He then held his little brother’s hand reassuringly, "No need to worry, Xingxing~"

Xingxing swung their joined hands, thinking for the first time that his mom’s filming set was actually kinda fun.

Since it was a spy film set in a special historical period, the crew was shooting inside a soundstage.

As they walked, Bao Yiming curiously observed props like an old-timey bank, roads with tram tracks, and rickshaws.

The set was crowded—aside from busy crew members, there were also many extras waiting for their scenes.

When people noticed the two children, they did double-takes, later learning through chatter that they were the dad and kid from *Zai Zai the Superman*.

Wen Cishu wore a comfortable linen shirt and wide-leg trousers, his long hair tied back, topped with his usual Panama straw hat for outings.

This beach-vacation look stuck out like a sore thumb in this setting.

Some resting extras chatted: "He’s gotten so popular from the show, yet he’s not cashing in? He must have tons of brand deals coming his way."

"Yeah, anyone else would’ve sold out by now."

"That kid Yi Ming is also really good-looking. If my son were that handsome, I’d be grinning ear to ear."

One person piped up, "In any other family, this kid would’ve been sent off to be a child model."

Everyone burst into laughter.

Some kept watching them until their figures disappeared into Chu Han’s dressing room.

Though Chu Han played a supporting role, the production team valued her highly, providing her with a private room.

The counter was filled with cosmetics and mirrors, a few wigs and hats, while a row of costumes hung on the clothing rack by the wall.

Bao Yiming’s eyes widened as he entered. "Papa, have you ever been on a film set before?"

Wen Cishu shook his head, accepting the bottled water handed by the assistant with a quiet thanks before answering his son, "Nope, never have."

Thanks to his little son, joining this variety show was the closest he’d ever gotten to the entertainment industry.

At that moment, Chu Han returned from filming to prepare for her next scene. Spotting Bao Yiming and his father from afar, she hurried over.

She explained that she’d been helping the director run lines with the lead actor, which had delayed her. "I only have one scene today, not much. Yi Ming, would you like to try a role in Auntie’s scene? There’s one that would be perfect for you."

Bao Yiming was naturally very interested.

"Auntie, but what if I don't know how to act? And can a foreign kid like me even do it?"

Chu Han was charmed by the child's candid cuteness and chuckled. "Of course you can. There’s a role as a foreign banker’s son that’s perfect for you. I already checked with the director—there are hardly any lines, just an appearance. I’ll teach you, don’t worry."

Bao Yiming turned around and pleaded, "Xiao Dad, can I?"

Wen Cishu removed his hat and nodded.

The makeup artist walked in and did a double take at Wen Cishu’s refined aura.

Chu Han gave a brief introduction before sitting down for her makeup.

She joked lightly, "Yi Ming’s dad, I can’t have you on camera. Otherwise, the cameras wouldn’t know who to follow during filming."

Wen Cishu hid a smile behind his hat.

Bao Yiming nodded. "Auntie, my Xiao Dad can’t wear unfamiliar fabrics lately—he gets allergies."

Chu Han studied the polite boy through the mirror and nodded faintly.

When the assistant took Bao Yiming to change into costume, the director came in to go over the scene with Chu Han.

Naturally, he couldn’t ignore Wen Cishu’s presence, so Chu Han quickly introduced him.

Wen Cishu stood politely. "Hello, Director Chen."

Director Chen took off his cap and ruffled his hair, looking at the young man with flawless features. Unconsciously, he imagined how striking that face would look through a camera lens.

He grinned warmly. "Hello, Yi Ming’s dad. I should actually thank your child."

"Hmm?" Wen Cishu glanced at Chu Han, puzzled.

Director Chen explained, "I asked Teacher Chu many times to take this role—wore myself out begging her, even offered more money, but she kept turning me down."

Wen Cishu listened quietly, nodding faintly.

Director Chen continued, "Then right after your first episode aired, Teacher Chu called me that night and said she’d take the role. I asked her, 'What happened?'"

Chu Han, now wearing a wig with the makeup artist’s help, smiled.

Director Chen: "She told me she met a kid on the show who said something that really moved her. So she decided to accept the role."

He chuckled. "That kid was your Yi Ming. I caught the episode later—he’s quite a character."

Wen Cishu was surprised.

Since when do nine-year-olds say things that make adults actually believe them?

"I really didn’t expect that."

Once someone pulled Director Chen away, Chu Han lowered her voice. "I used to only aim for lead roles, but as I got older, I became too proud."

Though she put it simply, Wen Cishu sensed a tinge of nostalgia in her voice.

Chu Han smiled faintly. "But after joining this production, I realized it’s fine not to be the lead. As long as it’s a good role that suits me, I’m at ease the moment I step into it." She looked at Wen Cishu, her eyes bright. "I love acting more than I thought I did."

Wen Cishu nodded. "When your movie comes out, I’ll rent out a theater to watch it."

"No, *I’m* treating *you*!"

As they were talking, Bao Yiming came running in dressed as the young heir to a trading firm. "Papa, look at my outfit!"

Trailing behind him was bubbly Xingxing.

He had on a white shirt paired with a pale yellow vest, the silver pocket watch chain dangling from it—polished and posh.

Chu Han stood up to admire him closely. "Yiming really pulls off this look. Come, let the stylist fix your hair."

The stylist swept his bangs back into a sleek pompadour in seconds.

Wen Cishu studied his sharp profile from behind, catching traces of Bao Tingyuan in his features.

He took out his phone and snapped a few photos from different angles. "Handsome than your old man."

"Giggle~" Bao Yiming, caught off guard by the unexpected praise, was already beaming with joy before even starting to act.

Xingxing begged her mom to snap pics of her brother next.

Bao Yiming wrapped an arm around her for a group photo.

When filming officially began, Wen Cishu sat nearby, watching Director Chen give instructions to his son.

Today, the little rascal looked the part with his hair slicked back, holding his own with strangers—quite the professional.

Had all that bouncing off the walls at home been an act?

"Hey, you're Yiming's dad, right? Could I take a photo with you?"

A voice came from the side. Wen Cishu turned and looked up to see a classically handsome young man with thick eyebrows and bright eyes.

"Nah, don't get up!" The man said, gesturing as if to steady him. "Really, just sit."

He squatted, framing the shot with his phone.

Seeing how polite the other man was, Wen Cishu played along, flashing a smile that reached his eyes.

"Yiming's dad, would it be okay if I posted this on Weibo?" The young man introduced himself while half-crouching. "I'm the male lead of this film—my name is He Jing."

Wen Cishu realized belatedly. "Oh, hey! Sorry, I’m kinda clueless about famous people. Feel free to post the photo, no problem."

He Jing thanked him.

Perhaps because he started the trend, Wen Cishu spent the rest of the time stuck taking pics with everyone.

His cheeks were cramping from smiling so much, and he couldn’t help but think how exhausting it must be to be a celebrity.

After Bao Yiming finished filming a short scene, Wen Cishu reviewed the footage with Director Chen.

Everyone praised Bao Yiming for nailing the vibe of a young trading-house scion.

As Wen Cishu watched his son, he thought that perhaps this was how Bao Tingyuan had looked in his youth, working the family trade—maybe even more full of swagger and class.

Otherwise, why would Li Yun, years later, speak of the crazy pressure their son had faced in his youth with that kind of next-level parental bragging?

Wen Cishu recorded the clip and sent it to Bao Tingyuan. "Kid might be a natural actor."

Bao Tingyuan replied, "Not bad at all."

Wen Cishu was curious about what he looked like at nine years old and was about to ask, when a screenshot popped up on the screen.

It was a Weibo hot search: #YiMing's Young Dad Poses with He Jing#

Wen Cishu: ?

He quickly opened Weibo and found the topic in the top five trending topics. Clicking into it brought him to the photo that He Jing himself had posted.

—Was this lead actor really that popular? Could just posting this send it trending?

But how did Bao Tingyuan receive the news so quickly?

Did PR send it to him?

Bao Tingyuan: "Having fun on Teacher Chu's set?"

Wen Cishu mulled over the words—was he being too sensitive?

Why did Bao Tingyuan’s tone seem weird?

Once he finished chatting with Xingxing, Bao Yiming turned around and saw his little dad frowning at the screen. Surprised, he leaned in close and asked worriedly, over and over, "Little Dad? Are you unhappy? Do you want to go home? Do you miss Big Dad?"

Wen Cishu: ???