Chapter 42

Chapter 42

By a little past eight in the morning, the official Weibo and short video accounts of *Toddlers on the Move* were already flooded with comments from fans eagerly waiting for the final set of behind-the-scenes family photos at home.

By nine o’clock, the show released preview images and multiple behind-the-scenes videos across various platforms.

Wen Cishu and Bao Yiming’s family photos, following the adorable parent-child contrasts seen in other guest families, exuded a rare elegance and nobility, resembling commemorative portraits from a wealthy dynasty.

In one photo, Wen Cishu’s long black hair draped over his shoulder as he lazily leaned back on a black leather sofa, reading with his eyes lowered.

His expression was gentle, yet his gaze remained distant and indifferent. From his smooth hair, the pearl necklace peeking beneath his white shirt collar, to the fingers delicately turning the pages, every detail radiated refined sophistication—yet also an air of unapproachable exclusivity.

"This set hits all my preferences—a high-IQ, cool *bai yueguang* (unattainable ideal)!!"

"They don’t look like father and son at all, more like a beautiful older brother and his handsome biracial younger brother. Total mysterious-wealthy-family-heir vibes."

"Their own study? Are we sure this isn’t some museum-grade exhibition space? [mind=blown]"

"It’s like they took the most regal elements from both Eastern and Western design—so imposing, you wouldn’t dare speak loudly in there."

"So Season 3’s home livestream will be here???"

"The behind-the-scenes video mentioned this is a study in the side residence, not the main house. The livestream will be in the main residence! Can't wait!!"

"Screamingggg—why do we have to wait another day?!"

By the afternoon.

The show’s various accounts posted updates inviting viewers to submit questions for each family, which would be answered by the guests in the new season.

Netizens asked wildly varied questions, ranging from work and daily life to parenting styles and even marital relationships—leaving no stone unturned in their gossip quest.

"I’ll be keeping a close eye on the production team. If you don’t actually use audience questions and just make up your own, I’ll be tapping the producer’s head with a tiny hammer every night, teehee..."

-

At the Bao family mansion.

Wen Cishu was poring over the photos released by the show.

Among the images sent by the production team yesterday, several were virtually identical.

He couldn’t spot any difference at all and, unable to choose, simply deferred to Bao Tingyuan.

But after Bao Tingyuan made the selection, he grew curious—why these particular ones?

Wen Cishu stared at the photos, scrutinizing them repeatedly, his fingers pinching a plump blueberry and bringing it to his lips for a bite.

Instantly, sweet-tangy juice burst in his mouth, and he sucked lightly with his tongue.

Lost in thought, he unconsciously turned his gaze toward the folding screen, eyes fixed on its intricate Chinese design.

Before long, Aunt Zhong entered.

At that moment, Wen Cishu was standing before the folding screen, pacing with downcast eyes, deep in contemplation.

"Second Master?"

Wen Cishu slowly snapped out of it, giving a conspicuously deliberate explanation: "I... was just admiring these folding screens. It’s been years, and I’ve never really looked closely at the carved patterns. They’re exquisitely detailed and beautiful."

Aunt Zhong let out an “Oh,” pretending to suddenly understand. "Should I fetch a magnifying glass then?"

The mansion houses a diverse collection of treasures, naturally including magnifiers specifically designed for appreciating the intricate details of jewelry and artworks.

Both Chinese and Western styles are represented, all of antique-grade.

Wen Cishu chuckled awkwardly, “No need, just looking is fine.”

He walked back to the sofa, absently wondering, *Am I wandering like a ghost? How did I end up here?*

Aunt Zhong only then noticed the half-eaten plate of blueberries on the coffee table.

Just as Wen Cishu reached out to grab another, she suddenly snatched the plate away.

“Huh?” Wen Cishu blinked in confusion.

Aunt Zhong hid the plate. “Old Xu again—how many times have I told him? Blueberries have a cooling nature; he shouldn’t bring out so many at once.”

Wen Cishu hurriedly defended the wrongly accused Uncle Xu. “I went to the kitchen and got them myself.”

Aunt Zhong lightly tapped her lips, acknowledging her mistake.

“Then it’s your fault.”

“Just one more?”

Wen Cishu childishly bargained with Aunt Zhong. “Just one, please?”

Aunt Zhong wasn’t having it, turning swiftly on her heel and flitting out with quick steps—like a ghostly figure making a stage exit.

Wen Cishu couldn’t help but laugh.

His gaze drifted to the screen catching the light with an opulent shimmer. He grew intensely curious about Bao Tingyuan’s room—

No, the *dragon knight’s lair*.

-

After dinner, Wen Cishu took the restless little rascal for a stroll in the garden to walk off dinner.

He said with gravitas, “Yi Ming, Daddy’s got a little job for you.”

Bao Yiming asked with wide-eyed innocence, “Huh? Does Little Daddy also want me to tuck Big Daddy in with a unicorn story?”

“…Of course not!”

Wen Cishu drew him close. “Have you ever been inside Big Daddy’s room?”

Bao Yiming looked completely baffled, replying as if it were the most natural thing. “Of course I have.”

Wen Cishu: !!!

His expression was so transparent that Bao Yiming noticed immediately, tilting his head in confusion. “Wait… you mean Little Daddy’s never been inside Big Daddy’s bedroom?”

Wen Cishu stiffened momentarily before recovering. “How could that be? We’re only separated by a sliding screen door—it’s not exactly difficult!”

Bao Yiming reached into his little daddy’s coat pocket, digging out a peppermint, unwrapping it, and popping it in his mouth.

Wen Cishu looked down. “When’d you stash that there?”

How come he didn’t know there was candy in his own pocket?

“Hehe, I don’t have pockets!”

Bao Yiming stood on tiptoe eagerly, reaching out to place a candy by his little dad’s mouth before popping another one into his own.

“Little Dad, then why did you ask me that? What job do you have for me? Want me to plant something scary in Big Dad’s room to give him a shock?”

As he said this, he was already picturing the scene in his mind—a mysterious box tucked under Big Dad’s blanket. When he lifted it—wow!

“Hehe~” Bao Yiming giggled to himself, thinking it sounded pretty fun.

But then he remembered his little bottom might once again meet the business end of the wooden spoon, and his mischievous grin froze instantly.

“Of course not.”

Wen Cishu had originally thought the rascal hadn’t been inside either, so he wanted to send him in first to check things out.

Now, though, the situation felt awkward—completely stuck in an awkward spot.

Rolling the mint candy in his mouth, he took a deep breath and tried to come up with a good excuse to save face: “I just hadn’t seen you go in before, so I asked casually.”

Bao Yiming: “Ohhh, now I get it. I always go in through Big Dad’s study door.”

“Often.”

Wen Cishu’s brain screamed at those two words.

So what he meant was… he was the only one who’d never been there?

That stung!

“I went there just a few days ago.”

Bao Yiming suddenly recalled something. “Big Dad was standing by the bed holding a book. When I walked in, he tucked some sort of card inside and placed the book next to his pillow.”

“Huh?” Wen Cishu hadn’t expected that. “What book? What card?”

Bao Yiming, of course, didn’t know.

He had taken a cartoon-themed toy from his room to swap for a cool antique knickknack in Big Dad’s room. After getting permission, he made the trade and ran straight back.

Wen Cishu remembered that lately, his bedroom had picked up quite a few tiny items left there by the rascal.

He hadn’t said anything or stopped him, just figuring they were part of the kid’s usual games.

“Kiddo, but why didn’t you ever take anything from my room? Don’t you want to trade with me?”

The nine-year-old had his own bulletproof kid logic.

He announced triumphantly, “Because Little Dad already traded me half the bed~”

As twilight painted the sky deep blue, Wen Cishu couldn’t help smiling, the mint candy still in his mouth.

Tomorrow was the third season of the show, and as usual, Bao Tingyuan would wrap up weekend prep early on Friday.

-

When he got home, he went through his usual routine—first checking in with Uncle Xu about how things had gone, then heading upstairs to peek in on Wen Cishu.

Wen Cishu had just come from his bath and was fiddling with the pink quartz incense burner he’d left around a couple days ago.

The air carried the scent of burning benzoin resin, its calming fragrance filling the space.

At the sound of the door opening, he rested the back of his hand against his temple and turned his head slowly to look.

He sat cross-legged, one long leg bent and casually draped to the side.

His pajama pants had ridden up slightly, revealing slender, pale calves and feet—perfectly proportioned and smooth as porcelain.

Wen Cishu saw him standing there, just watching without a word.

"Finished with work?"

"Not yet, still a few things left." Bao Tingyuan adjusted his glasses but didn’t step further inside.

Deep down, he knew—once he got closer, it would be hard to pull away.

"I’m going to the study."

Wen Cishu blew a soft breath at the faint white smoke rising from the incense burner, making the delicate wisps swayed gracefully.

"Want me to keep you company?"

The smoke dispersed like mist, blurring his strikingly beautiful face, giving him an ethereal, almost bewitching allure. Even the upward tilt of his phoenix eyes seemed to ensnare the soul.

How could anyone resist?

Bao Tingyuan stepped closer, reaching out to brush through the now-straight line of smoke, scattering it once more.

"Hmm?" Wen Cishu was still lounging lazily, his voice light and teasing. "Don’t want me with you?"

The moment the words left his lips, he was suddenly scooped up in a bridal carry.

The sudden burst of strength in Bao Tingyuan’s arms took him completely by surprise.

Even the firm chest he’d unintentionally leaned against felt overwhelmingly solid, as if the man’s latent power had erupted in an instant.

While Wen Cishu was still dazed, Bao Tingyuan even gave him a little bounce in his arms before holding him more securely.

Carrying the soft, willowy figure in his arms, Bao Tingyuan entered the study, setting him down on the sofa before moving the documents from the desk to the coffee table.

The sofa was wide. Wen Cishu curled his legs up, wrapping his arms around them and resting his cheek against his knee as he quietly watched Bao Tingyuan move about. Yet his eyes subtly wandered toward another door—the one leading to the bedroom.

Wen Cishu lifted his head, about to speak, but saw Bao Tingyuan removing his suit jacket to hang it up, his back turned.

The same black shirt and vest as every day, yet today, it seemed strangely more alluring.

Wen Cishu’s eyes traced the broad shoulders and narrow waist as precise as a measuring tape, unable to resist complaining inwardly:

What’s with the tailor making formal wear fit so snugly?

What’s the difference between wearing this and wearing nothing?

When Bao Tingyuan turned and walked back, Wen Cishu suddenly pointed a finger toward the bedroom door with a playful "biu."

"Is there some secret in your room?"

Bao Tingyuan approached calmly, reaching to ruffle his hair. "Want to sleep in my room tonight?"

"Huh?"

Wen Cishu blinked in surprise, pulling away from the gentle touch.

"No, I just heard from Yi Ming that he swapped some small trinkets in your room. I was kinda curious about what he gave you."

Bao Tingyuan studied him thoughtfully.

His sharp eyes made Wen Cishu feel like he had already figured it out from his evasive gaze.

Just as he was about to say never mind, it's not that important, Bao Tingyuan sat down with some documents and said, "Go take a look. I’ll be busy for now."

"!"

Wen Cishu raised his brows in delight, hopping off the sofa and bouncing over excitedly. "Here I go~"

His jet-black hair spilled like ink over his slender shoulders, swaying at his waist like a dance.

Bao Tingyuan leafed through the papers in his hands, but his eyes followed Wen Cishu’s nimble figure as he skipped into his bedroom.

He naturally had the urge to follow, but he forced himself to stay put and focus on the files.

Most rooms in the mansion were softly lit, never completely dark.

As soon as Wen Cishu entered, he found the switch and turned on the ceiling light.

The entire bedroom was done in rich black and gold, with a layout and furnishings almost identical to those in Wen Cishu’s own room.

Since he had used the monkey figurine as his excuse, he couldn’t forget his mission. He carefully examined the bookshelf and nightstand.

There were similar cartoon ornaments to those in his own room.

But placed in such serious decor, they looked playfully out of place.

…Where’s the book and the card?

When the little monkey told him, Wen Cishu had his suspicions. So he wasn’t just here to case the place—he was here to verify it.

There was no book on the nightstand.

Barely containing his excitement, Wen Cishu tiptoed closer.

…Huh? Why was he sneaking around?

Hadn’t he gotten the room owner’s permission to enter?

And wasn’t he also the master of this mansion?!

Childishly, he deliberately made his steps loud as he approached the bed, immediately spotting the familiar poetry collection on the other side of the pillow.

Thrilled, Wen Cishu went around the bed to pick up the book.

After the last show wrapped, he had completely forgotten about it. He hadn’t expected Bao Tingyuan to bring it back here.

This guy—always like this.

A small smile tugging at his lips, he opened the book to the obviously bookmarked page—there was the card he had written when he asked Aunt Zhong to deliver dessert.

So, Bao Tingyuan kept the card after all~

Playing dumb, Wen Cishu hastily replaced it.

He walked out of the room.

Bao Tingyuan was leaning against the sofa, gazing at him from across the room.

Earlier, he had tried to read the documents but couldn’t process a single word.

“See something you like?”

Wen Cishu froze—was it his guilty conscience, or was there an undertone in that question?

Mm~

He walked over to the sofa and allowed Bao Tingyuan to pull him close.

Settling into a sideways position, he rested his head on Bao Tingyuan’s lap, blinking. “Our Yi Ming is just the cutest, isn’t he?”

Bao Tingyuan lowered his gaze, silently watching his soft lips, his throat working slightly.

“Yes, very adorable.”

Here we go again!

Wen Cishu silently turned his head away, tapping Bao Tingyuan’s knee and muttering, “Get back to work already. Want me staying up all night with you?”

Bao Tingyuan tucked back the fallen strands of long hair, threw a blanket from the sofa over Wen Cishu’s curving side, then eased him onto his back.

Now Wen Cishu could see his chin and Adam’s apple as soon as he opened his eyes.

A proper gentleman avoids staring.

But the next moment, he fumed inwardly—

Bao Tingyuan had the nerve to kiss him at night! So what if he looked?

Just as he widened his eyes, a voice called from outside the door: “Little Daddy? Where are you? Big Daddy?”

Bao Tingyuan yanked the blanket over Wen Cishu’s face and pulled him close.

Wen Cishu played along, shutting his eyes.

Bao Yiming entered and found his two dads cuddled up together.

“Huh? Little Daddy?”

Bao Tingyuan shot him a look: *Shh.*

Bao Yiming, hugging a plush toy in his arms, opened his mouth wide in an exaggerated silent “Oh.”

He tiptoed to the sofa, craning to see Little Daddy under the covers.

Hearing the usually composed and mature Bao Tingyuan teasing their child, Wen Cishu couldn’t help grinning.

Such a kid!

Then, he didn’t hear the little rascal’s voice anymore—had he obediently gone out?

The next second, something fuzzy tickled his foot.

“Ahahaha!” Wen Cishu dissolved into giggles, wriggling on the couch. Luckily, Bao Tingyuan held him tight, so he didn’t fall off.

“What the—?!”

"So fluffy~"

Bao Yiming got his way, clutching his plush pig tight as he laughed and ran off.

Wen Cishu had started to get up when Bao Tingyuan pulled him back onto his lap. He glared at him, saying pointedly, "It's all your fault. I'm going back to my room."

But Bao Tingyuan leaned down and brushed his nose against Wen Cishu's.

His green eyes were like churning waves of jade, flooding over Wen Cishu until he froze, momentarily drowning in them—so much that he forgot even to blink.

His parched lips parted slightly.

"Stay with me awhile," Bao Tingyuan murmured.

Then he lifted his face, waiting for a response.

What was that? A fake-out? Wen Cishu thought, just about to snap out a sharp reply when his hand was suddenly pulled up and placed on Bao Tingyuan’s Adam’s apple.

Well then…

"Oh." Wen Cishu grudgingly conceded.

As Bao Tingyuan methodically flipped through the documents again, Wen Cishu curiously traced the rounded peak of his Adam’s apple with a light scratch.

The lump rolled beneath his fingers, like a living thing.

A strange tingle spread from Wen Cishu’s fingertips.

He decided to say something to ease his own awkward tension. His tongue flicked quickly over his dry lower lip.

"What exactly are tomorrow's plans for the show?"

"After the show ends the day after tomorrow, will you stay over?"

They spoke simultaneously.

Wen Cishu blinked, watching the man who continued flipping through papers with calm focus.

Was this guy really tossing emotional grenades into his heart while handling work so casually?

"Hm?"

Bao Tingyuan lifted his gaze from the papers to Wen Cishu’s face, only to find him blushing. When he reached out to touch, Wen Cishu slapped his hand away.

Wen Cishu dug his slender foot into the inner side of the sofa armrest and yanked the blanket overhead:

This person—h-he-h-he’s inviting me to sleep with him?!

Aaaaaah!