Chapter 71

Chapter 71

"Mr. Bao isn’t as strict as people claim. Anyone who’s worked at the company knows he’s very employee-friendly. Since he rarely travels for business himself, he’s especially considerate of those who do. The benefits and leave policies for business trips and overtime are among the best in China."

On the Xiao Digua platform, a netizen named "momo" briefly shared some insights about the Bao family’s company.

The comments section drew interactions from fellow employees and curious questions from other netizens.

"Does mommy visit the company often?"

momo: "Rarely. Even when he does, he usually takes the CEO’s private elevator, so it’s rare to run into him. (I heard he went recently, but I missed him. Bummer!)"

"Is Ming Zai really the sole heir?"

momo: "Yes~ We're all low-key excited about Ming Zai inheriting the company someday. His management style will probably be quite different!"

At the coastal hotel, Albert read through these discussions and let out a relieved sigh.

He was sure the PR team was probably just as relieved.

Having the CEO’s family trending online was enough to give any executive assistant extreme anxiety.

Albert thought to himself, *President Bao was right—keeping the young sir out of the entertainment industry was definitely the right call. Otherwise, we’d be dealing with endless PR crises. Just the thought is exhausting.*

-

On the show—

After Yi Ming’s small mistake earlier, he didn’t suggest any more ideas for the rest of the trip. Instead, he strictly followed the planned route on the map.

However, when passing by the seaside food district, Wen Cishu couldn’t resist a little craving.

He adjusted the passenger seat as far back as it would go, nearly pressing against the rear seats, and tried bargaining with the kid: "Yi Ming, look—there’s a parallel route ahead that leads to the seaside food street. How about we stop for a bite?"

Yi Ming clutched his seatbelt with both hands, puffing out his cheeks in an exaggerated display of obedience. Slowly and deliberately, he said, "Little Daddy, you should ask Daddy~"

His sickeningly sweet act was weirdly endearing.

Wen Cishu picked up the map, blocking the two of them, and whispered, "You should support Little Daddy. Then it’ll be two against one."

A dry voice cut in, "Who’s the one?"

Wen Cishu: "..."

"You’re the one! Daddy, you *have* to be the one!"

"OMG my humor is so basic."

Yi Ming dragged a finger from one corner of his mouth to the other, signaling he wouldn’t engage in the route debate. He even nudged Wen Cishu’s seat. "Little Daddy, this isn’t safe. Daddy, look—Little Daddy’s breaking the safety rules!"

Wen Cishu playfully swatted his leg with the map. "Brat!" He pressed the controls, and the seat slowly moved forward again.

"Nah, I'm fresh as a daisy."

Yi Ming picked up a cold drink from the cupholder, wiped the condensation off the cup, and took a satisfied sip.

At Wen Cishu's urging, the car turned left toward the food street’s parking area.

When Yi Ming saw both dads getting out from either side, he went to follow automatically—only to find the door locked. He stuck his head out the window and looked up at his tall Daddy. "Why can’t I get out? Daddy, did the child lock engage?"

Bao Tingyuan looked down at his energetic kid. "You didn’t support going to the food street. So you stay put."

Here's the edited translation incorporating the expert suggestions:

"Wait, what?"

Bao Yiming panicked, "Who said that?!"

Wen Cishu walked around the front of the car, smiling. "Quit messing around, we don't have much time."

With a click, the car door unlocked.

Only then could Bao Yiming get out, storming over to his Little Dad and sticking close to him.

When his Big Dad reached for his Little Dad's hand, he deliberately squeezed in between and grabbed it first.

Bao Tingyuan naturally took his son's hand instead.

This way, Bao Yiming ended up walking between his two dads.

An unexpectedly special family moment.

The three of them played their walking-in-sync game as they entered the food street.

Like most seaside food districts, there were plenty of seafood barbecue stands and snack vendors.

Wen Cishu couldn't actually eat too much heavy-flavored food—he mostly just wanted to soak in the lively atmosphere.

Amid the various eateries were souvenir shops.

Wen Cishu popped into one and found it quite interesting. "Yi Ming, let's pick gifts for Xingxing and the others?"

Bao Yiming was naturally happy to agree. "Sure!"

As soon as Wen Cishu spoke, he sensed someone watching him.

Meeting those deep green eyes, he suppressed a smile, glanced at the little rascal who had run off, and took his hand instead, whispering, "I'll pick yours first."

Bao Tingyuan noticed how relaxed and carefree he seemed today—his expression was unusually sunny—and couldn't stop staring at him.

Wen Cishu raised a brow slightly, brushing his fingers over the back of his hand as a reminder that cameras were rolling.

"Huh??? Unexpected dog food out of nowhere!"

"The way they're looking at each other—tone it down a little."

"Does Daddy look like he wants to kiss Mommy? Or am I seeing things?"

"I think so too, Daddy's green eyes are so full of love when he looks at Mommy."

Most of the items in the shop were trendy little knickknacks aimed at younger crowds.

Wen Cishu pulled Bao Tingyuan over to examine some intricate seashell crafts, all exquisitely handcrafted.

As he admired them, he asked, "Which one do you like?"

When he got no answer, he turned to look at him. "Hmm?"

Bao Tingyuan pulled his hand behind his back, drawing it slowly around his waist. "You're the one giving it to me—you pick."

"Oh." Wen Cishu pressed his lips together, amused. "So particular, are we?" He picked up a delicate little spoon carved from seashell. "Then how about this? For your daily soup use?"

Bao Tingyuan wasn’t mistaken—today when he smiled, his dark eyes sparkled with flecks of gold.

His pupils glowed like black pearls, brilliant and luminous.

Wen Cishu raised an eyebrow and teased deliberately, "Oh, so this little gift doesn’t meet your standards?"

He gestured to the shopkeeper and asked, "Do you have similar shell carvings? Something finer?"

The shopkeeper, sensing a lucrative sale, escorted them upstairs.

Bao Tingyuan briefed his son before following Wen Cishu up.

The shopkeeper unveiled high-end pieces—a white-shell carving of magnolias and birds.

The petals, crafted from softly luminous shells, were textured, refined, and true to life, catching the light like pearls under the sun.

Two rare shell sculptures, polished like jade disks, bore intricate patterns that emitted a subtle green glow.

The shopkeeper beamed. "Three items, each at 8,800. Final price—no haggling."

Wen Cishu adored this unique shell artwork, picturing it on Bao Tingyuan’s desk, adding refined, antique elegance to the space.

As he studied it, he nodded. "Deal."

His swift agreement made the shopkeeper’s expression change abruptly. "You’re buying it?"

Wen Cishu frowned. "You don’t want to sell?"

"I do, but..." The shopkeeper hesitated. "Shall I have these wrapped?"

Bao Tingyuan replied, "We’ve other errands to run. Please pack them securely."

The shopkeeper had noted their unusual air—one a rare long-haired man, the other with classically Eurasian features.

He’d assumed the latter couldn’t speak Mandarin, but his fluent words threw him off.

His lips twitched as if seeking confirmation.

"This shell carving’s stunning—even on camera, its luster shines through. So delicate yet opulent. The wife’s got great taste~~ (just a tad pricey for my wallet)."

"What’s with the shopkeeper? Why the hesitation?"

"Since Mom agreed so fast, he thinks he undersold it."

"How sketchy—is he trying to jack up the price??!!"

After accepting payment, the shopkeeper meticulously wrapped all three pieces.

When Wen Cishu took them, he eyed Bao Tingyuan playfully. "Wanna guess which one’s yours?"

Bao Tingyuan pulled him into a half-hug.

"I’m guessing they’re all for our place."

"Wait—you knew?" Wen Cishu blinked in surprise.

Bao Tingyuan bit back a smile.

If the cameras weren’t rolling, he might’ve already kissed him.

Here's the edited translation incorporating the expert suggestions:

He channeled his feelings into a gentle pat on his shoulder.

Wen Cishu seemed to realize something and, without waiting for a response, turned to look for Little Monkey.

"Yi Ming? Still haven't decided?"

At that moment, Bao Yiming walked over briskly, followed by two store staff carrying woven baskets from the shop.

Bao Yiming pointed cheerfully at two baskets. "All picked out!"

Both baskets were packed to bursting with gifts.

The two fathers exchanged glances: ...

"Hahaha, surprise, surprise?! I wanted to laugh the whole time Ming Zai was picking stuff out."

"Good thing we're loaded—go crazy!"

"Ming Zai, give your sister a gift! (Though I'd much rather have the shell carving Mommy picked...)"

Bao Yiming, eagle-eyed, immediately noticed the three white square bags in his big daddy's hand. He zeroed in and asked, "What's this? Is it for—"

"Mine."

Bao Tingyuan cut him off, but before he could continue, Wen Cishu's hand was already covering his mouth.

Wen Cishu blinked rapidly.

Bao Tingyuan pulled his hand down and held it firmly, then turned to his wide-eyed little troublemaker and finished his sentence: "From your little daddy."

Wen Cishu: ?!

Bao Yiming: o(╥﹏╥)o

"Pfft... Daddy, is it really okay to bully our Ming Zai like this?!"

"Now I get why Ming Zai always insists on things being 'specially from little daddy'! Folks, it's confirmed [laughing emoji]—this is genetic!"

Bao Yiming dove dramatically at his little daddy, whining, "Then Big Daddy's paying for all my stuff! Every single thing! I have no money, none at all!"

Wen Cishu hugged him. "Alright, alright, Daddy will pay."

As Bao Tingyuan went to handle checkout, Wen Cishu bent down and whispered in the kiddo's ear, "We have three small gifts. Later, you can pick one to take to your room, okay?"

"Huh? Really?"

Bao Yiming bounced back immediately. "Will Daddy agree?"

Wen Cishu ruffled his hair. "Dummy, you can trade something from your room for it."

"Ohhh~" Bao Yiming was back to his sunny self.

When his elder father returned with three large shopping bags, Bao Yiming put on his heir-of-the-Bao-clan act and tugged at Wen Cishu. "Let's go. Big Daddy can play bodyguard."

But before they took two steps, one of the shopping bags was handed to him.

Bao Yiming didn't let go but muttered under his breath, "Daddy just wants to hold Little Daddy's hand—don't think I don't know!"

Sure enough, Bao Tingyuan claimed Wen Cishu's hand and pulled him closer.

"Ming Zai: I've seen enough for a lifetime [exhausted.jpg]"

"Daddy doesn't just like holding hands—he's glued to Mommy, always pulling him into his arms."

"That proximity though... One look up from Mommy and they could kiss, hehehe... Any artists out there? Feed me good content!" "Pretty sure you mean the naughty stuff! Not here! This is a family show!"