Upon arriving at their temporary residence, Ji Xiu tossed Ji Xiaocong onto the bed and opened the suitcase to start unpacking.
The items had been packed by Xu Yun—neatly organized and categorized. Ji Xiu originally intended to finish quickly so he could rest, but glancing at the cameras installed in the room, he had a change of heart. Instead of being efficient, he deliberately acted clumsy, pulling things out haphazardly and turning the suitcase into a mess.
【That suitcase was definitely packed by Mrs. Ji.】
【Definitely...】
【Oh my god, I’m so jealous. I almost forgot Ji Xiu was married, but seeing this reminds me.】
【What’s there to be jealous of? I actually think this Mrs. Ji seems quite nice. Hidden marriage for four years without drama, and raising the kid alone without complaint while Brother Ji was busy.】
【Exactly. Look at Ji Xiu’s clumsy hands; there's no way he packed that. Mrs. Ji is clearly a virtuous wife.】
【The kid is exposed; I wonder when we'll see the wife. I really want to know who she is.】
【Must be a virtuous, gentle beauty! Otherwise, she wouldn't be a match for our Brother Ji.】
While the bullet comments discussed among themselves, Ji Xiu finished "tidying up." With Xiaocong’s help, he cleaned the room and swapped the bedding for their own set. Then, father and son collapsed onto the bed to rest.
Of course, the live broadcast was still going, so they couldn't just lie there until evening. After resting for ten minutes, Ji Xiu stood up and—with zero "fatherly love"—shook Xiaocong awake.
Xiaocong: "..."
Hiding under the quilt, he used his watery eyes to condemn Ji Xiu.
Ji Xiu chuckled. "Come on, Daddy’s taking you out to visit the neighbors."
He was particularly curious to see what kind of sparks would fly when Xiaocong met Zhong Yuchen. Without a biased father standing between them, perhaps in this life, they would have a different beginning.
Xiaocong felt a bit aggrieved, but knowing they were on a trip and "relying on others," he could only follow his father. He climbed off the bed listlessly.
"Still angry?" Ji Xiu scooped him up and perched him on his shoulders. "How about now?"
Xiaocong froze. It was the first time he had been placed on someone's shoulders, breathing the air from a higher level and seeing the view only adults could see. He forgot his anger instantly, his eyes sparkling with excitement. "Higher! Higher!"
He bounced with joy, clutching Ji Xiu's hair. Ji Xiu grabbed the boy's small arms to prevent a fall and laughed heartily. "That's right, way up high! Let’s go out and play."
Xiaocong giggled so hard his eyes crinkled into slits. He happily hugged Ji Xiu’s head and shouted, "Congcong likes Papa!"
Ji Xiu’s footsteps faltered for a second. A warm current seemed to flow from his limbs to his heart, filling his chest with a strange fullness. A child’s innocent words truly had the power to move people. He smiled and carried Xiaocong out of the courtyard toward Liu Wenbo’s house.
…
Ji Xiu’s house was only a five-minute walk from Liu Wenbo’s.
"Brother Ji?" Liu Wenbo waved from the second-floor balcony.
Ji Xiu looked up and nodded. "I brought Congcong out to see the scenery and tour your house."
"Wait for me, I'll come down and open the gate!" Liu Wenbo dashed downstairs. Zhong Yuchen, with his shorter legs, couldn't keep up and followed slowly behind.
Ji Xiu reminded him, "Keep an eye on your son. You're a father now."
Liu Wenbo scratched his head sheepishly and picked up Zhong Yuchen, wearing the goofy grin of a "single old father." "Come here, son. Daddy’s holding you. I’ll never leave you behind again."
Zhong Yuchen choked slightly, his eyes reflecting a mix of disdain and half-belief.
The audience followed Ji Xiu’s camera as he toured Liu Wenbo’s place. It was a two-story building—clean, spacious, and devoid of the "farm life" chaos of livestock.
"Brother Ji, look," Liu Wenbo introduced. "Kitchen is here, bathroom is there. It’s pretty good."
Ji Xiu nodded. Seeing the bright, spacious kitchen, he transitioned smoothly: "The crew said we have to cook for ourselves tonight. Wenbo, how about we collaborate and cook at your place?"
Liu Wenbo was overjoyed. "Sure, sure!" He didn't know how to cook and was looking for a partner. He thought Ji Xiu was being incredibly kind.
Ji Xiu smiled warmly at the boy's gratitude. No matter how bad he is at cooking, he can't be worse than me. Once Liu Wenbo saw Ji Xiu’s "talent" in the kitchen, he would naturally take over the chef duties.
Ji Xiu was very satisfied with his own foresight. At least dinner for tonight was settled. As for tomorrow? Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. …
The crew soon gathered everyone for the first official chore: Herding ducks. They had to drive a farmer’s ducks back from the river before dark.
It was a simple task on paper, but for celebrities living under spotlights, it was alien territory—especially with kids in tow. Ji Xiu was no exception. His "Earth knowledge" came from a crash course at the Space-Time Bureau, and while the original owner had memories of this, reality was different.
It took the five families an hour and a half—including two kids tripping and one adult falling into the river—to get the ducks into the pen.
Liu Wenbo was a mess. "Brother Ji, go get the ingredients. I need to shower first." He remembered Ji Xiu’s reminder and looked back at his "son" Zhong Yuchen. "Help me watch Chenchen too. I'll cook with you as soon as I change."
Ji Xiu didn't mind. After all, Liu Wenbo was doing the heavy lifting tonight.
After Liu Wenbo left, the families received their baskets: a plucked duck, a piece of meat, duck eggs, and vegetables. Ji Xiu took two baskets—one for himself and one for Liu Wenbo.
As he turned to leave, Yang Qianye’s angry voice rang out. He was leading a dirty Yang Zhenzhen and glaring at the staff. "Why does he get two?!"
He had been away washing Zhenzhen’s hands and missed the conversation. Seeing Ji Xiu with two baskets, he assumed it was favoritism. Since it was a live broadcast, he didn't dare snap at Ji Xiu directly, so he took it out on the staff. To him, this was a matter of "justice."
The staff patiently explained that one basket was for Liu Wenbo. Yang Qianye’s face turned from red to green. He realized how impulsive he had looked and froze. The staff offered a graceful exit: "If there's nothing else, Teacher Yang, please head home. It's getting dark, and you have to cook for yourself."
Yang Qianye lowered his eyes, his voice dripping with suppressed rage. "I'm going!"
…
Yang Qianye returned to his "broken house." It was truly dilapidated—cracked tiles and cobwebs. If not for the money, he would have quit already.
Yang Zhenzhen, his spoiled "late-born" daughter, pouted. "Dad, I don't want to live here!"
Yang Qianye was too irritated to coax her. "This is our assigned house. Where else would we go?"
Zhenzhen stomped her foot. "No! I want to live at Chenchen’s house! It has two floors and lots of rooms. There’s definitely a place for me!"
Yang Qianye paused. He was tempted. Looking at his seven-year-old daughter—who was quite good at acting "pitiful"—he figured no one with a heart would refuse her. If they "borrowed" a room because the daughter asked, the crew couldn't say he broke the rules.
He feigned hesitation. "That's against the rules, we can't just go to someone else's house."
Zhenzhen, sensing his slackening, cried harder. "I want to go to Chenchen’s house!"
Yang Qianye sighed "helplessly" and agreed to go check it out. They didn't even bring their food basket; they set out empty-handed.
When they arrived at Liu Wenbo’s courtyard, they heard laughter from inside.
"Daddy is so strong! So strong!"
"Wheee! Again, Daddy! Congcong wants to play!"
Ji Xiu was giving Xiaocong "high ups," throwing the boy into the air and catching him. Xiaocong was giggling uncontrollably.
The Yangs entered the gate. Zhenzhen frowned. "Why are they here? Did they also pick this house?"
Ji Xiu stopped and caught Xiaocong. Xiaocong, seeing the uninvited guests, stopped laughing and looked at Ji Xiu with a disappointed, pouty face.
【Why is this "moron" back again?】
【Ugh, I'm so mad! Baby Congcong was laughing so happily, and the moment they arrive, he stops.】
【Exactly! Brother Ji and Congcong were having such a good time. Even Chenchen was standing quietly to not disturb them. Why did the moron pair have to appear!!】
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