While Yang Qianye and his daughter were drowning in negative reviews in the live broadcast room, Ji Xiaocong had become the new generation's "National Treasure Baby."
After a day of news circulating, the public had mostly accepted the fact that Ji Xiu was married. Now, they were in the observation phase—observing what Ji Xiu’s child was like, guessing who his wife might be, and judging if their performance was worthy of Ji Xiu’s status.
Since Xu Yun’s identity remained a secret, Ji Xiaocong was the sole focus of public attention. Riding the wave of Ji Xiu’s popularity, the boy had gained fans faster than any other child on the show. He was naturally adorable, clever, and polite. Though a bit shy and introverted in front of strangers, he was clearly well-bred and obedient. This only made people more protective of him.
By the end of the day, countless "Mommy fans" and "Mother-in-law fans" had emerged. Some teenage girls even joked, "Ji Xiaocong, I'll wait fifteen years for you!"
When Yang Qianye and his daughter appeared at Liu Wenbo’s house, they hadn't committed a "major" crime, but interrupting the intimate bonding between Ji Xiu and his son—and making the newly happy Xiaocong look so disappointed—was an unpardonable sin in the eyes of the viewers!
"Why are you here?"
Ji Xiu patted the aggrieved Xiaocong to soothe him and looked up to ask. Xiaocong was still upset; he lowered his head and fidgeted with the hem of his shirt, looking incredibly pitiful.
Yang Qianye, sensing the awkwardness, forced a dry laugh and pushed his daughter forward. "Zhenzhen insisted on coming over to play."
Under the live cameras, Yang Qianye didn't dare challenge Ji Xiu. No matter how arrogant he was, he knew the weight of a Triple Gold Film Emperor and didn't want to act like a big shot in front of a global audience—unless he felt slighted and lashed out impulsively. At this moment, he was relatively clear-headed.
Yang Zhenzhen, however, was too young to understand status. Pushed forward, she said matter-of-factly, "Our house is too broken. I want to live here."
Ji Xiu gave them a meaningful look. "Live here? I don't think the crew allows that."
"I'm living here, so what?" Yang Zhenzhen’s "Princess Syndrome" was in its terminal stage. She was used to being willful. Hearing Ji Xiu's resistance, she rolled her eyes at him and stomped upstairs to pick a room.
Yang Qianye followed quickly. "Zhenzhen, wait for me!"
The father-daughter duo ignored everyone else and went up to scout the bedrooms. Ji Xiu’s expression soured. He hadn't expected Yang Qianye to hide behind his daughter and let her take the fall for his own intentions. Adults have to maintain a good image during a broadcast; Bear Kids don't care.
Just then, the quiet Zhong Yuchen stepped out from the corner. He looked at the second floor, then at Ji Xiu, and whispered, "Uncle Ji, Daddy should be finished with his shower now..."
At that moment, a roar of rage came from the second floor: "What are you doing up here?!"
Liu Wenbo had just stepped out of the bathroom. Since he had draped a towel over the room's camera to maintain his privacy, he was only wearing his underwear. Crashing into the Yangs the moment he stepped out made him go ballistic.
A heated verbal exchange followed. Soon, Yang Qianye led a sobbing Yang Zhenzhen back downstairs and left the courtyard without a single word to anyone.
Zhong Yuchen shrugged. Ji Xiu glanced at the cameraman following the Yangs and narrowed his eyes. The bullet comments must be having a field day. Live broadcasts are a test of character; every detail is magnified. Yang Qianye’s disaster was a "miracle" of bad PR.
…
In the courtyard, Liu Wenbo came down fully dressed, looking aggrieved. "Brother Ji, why didn't you stop them? I almost got seen by everyone."
"My mistake," Ji Xiu apologized smoothly.
Liu Wenbo felt sheepish at the quick apology. "It's fine. I wasn't paying enough attention either." He looked at the two baskets of food. "Let's forget that. Time to make dinner!"
Ji Xiu followed him into the kitchen. "I'll wash and chop the vegetables to contribute."
"No, Brother Ji, let me do that," Liu Wenbo insisted. "I can't cook well, so I'll have to trouble you to be the chef."
Ji Xiu smiled. "Coincidentally, I can't cook either."
Liu Wenbo: "..."
The two stared at each other. Liu Wenbo's expression went from stunned to amused. "So that's why you wanted to collaborate."
"But I really can't do it!" Liu Wenbo admitted. "My level is limited to instant noodles. I practiced a few days before the show, but I'm not skilled."
"Instant noodles are enough!" Ji Xiu acted as if he’d found a savior, grabbing Liu Wenbo’s hand. "I can only soak instant noodles."
Under Ji Xiu's trusting gaze, Liu Wenbo felt a sudden sense of mission. "Fine! Then I'll be the chef!"
Ji Xiu nodded in praise. "Excellent. You’re a good man!"
Liu Wenbo was thrilled—the idol praised him! With his confidence exploding, he tied a red cloth around his head like a warrior and marched into the kitchen.
…
Ji Xiu sent Xiaocong and Yuchen out to play in the yard, afraid they'd get hurt in the kitchen. "Uncle will take care of Congcong!" Yuchen whispered, looking surprisingly reliable.
With Yuchen and the cameramen watching the kids, Ji Xiu focused on the prep work. He watched as Liu Wenbo prepared three dishes: duck, pork, and eggs. They didn't have names; they were made purely by "feel."
Ji Xiu tasted them. They weren't great, but they weren't lethal. He was satisfied. However, Liu Wenbo, seeing Ji Xiu looking so clean and relaxed, invited him to make one dish for the group.
"Are you sure you want to eat my cooking?" Ji Xiu asked.
Liu Wenbo nodded earnestly. He figured if he could produce edible food with a few days of practice, a genius like Ji Xiu would surely make a masterpiece with his guidance.
"Alright then, I'll show you my skill," Ji Xiu said. He decided to show his true colors once and for all to secure Liu Wenbo as his permanent personal chef for the rest of the trip.
The kitchen had a traditional wood-burning stove. Ji Xiu washed the pan and added oil— WHOOSH! A massive pillar of fire erupted from the pan, nearly licking the ceiling beams.
Liu Wenbo and the cameraman scrambled back in terror. Ji Xiu remained calm in the face of danger, tossing the chopped greens into the flames and stir-frying rapidly.
"Brother Ji! Get back! I'll call for help!" Liu Wenbo screamed.
"What's there to be afraid of?" Ji Xiu glanced at him. He had seen people manipulate spiritual fire in his previous lives; this was child's play.
As the oil burned off, the fire died down. Ji Xiu began dumping in seasonings. Liu Wenbo watched, his heart leaping. Is... is he putting in that much salt? Looking into the pan, the once fresh, green vegetables were now a charred, pitch-black mass emitting a pungent, burnt smell. The cameraman gave the pan a close-up.
In the live broadcast room, there was a weird silence.
【I... I don't know what to say. Next person.】
【The next person also has no words. My feelings are complex.】
【Everyone move aside, I'll say it! ME: This is what Brother Ji cooked?!】
【I was a fool for thinking he was being modest when he said he couldn't cook. I was wrong. I was terribly wrong!】
【Yes, we were all too naive...】
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