With the experience of the first few trips, the rest of the recording went smoothly. One and a half months later, all twelve episodes of Dad and Me were finished. Simultaneously, the edited version of the show officially launched on Mango TV, sparking another wave of heated discussions due to its brisk pace and comedic timing.
While the live broadcast was a niche for hardcore fans, the edited version catered to the masses. The million-dollar editing team at Mango TV ensured that every frame was a masterpiece. The scenery was picturesque, the storylines were light and funny, and the interactions between the dads and babies were authentic and heartwarming.
With the addition of the Triple Gold Film Emperor Ji Xiu, the show reached heights even the first season couldn't touch. For three months, it seemed everyone was talking about the show. The five celebrity dads saw their popularity skyrocket.
Ji Xiu, for example, could no longer take a simple walk in his high-end complex without being noticed. Even the cold-faced business tycoons living nearby would roll down their car windows to chat with him—or rather, to act like doting neighborly uncles to the three-and-a-half-year-old Ji Xiaocong.
"Film Emperor Ji, my brother’s wife’s sister has a daughter the same age as Congcong. Here’s a photo, what a coincidence! Let's exchange contacts?"
"Congcong is so cute! My wife just had her checkup, the doctor said it's probably a girl..."
Ji Xiu felt like he was "eating off his son's soft rice", and surprisingly, the feeling wasn't bad at all.
…
While the four families thrived, Yang Qianye was stewing in Hong Kong. He had been silent for twenty years, and the brief black-red" heat from the live stream had been completely cut from the edited broadcast. To the general audience, he didn't even exist.
He had tried to sue Mango TV but eventually settled for a small compensation from Blueberry TV. However, seeing Gu Kang’s appearance fee jump fifty-fold to over a million per show, Yang Qianye felt his heart bleed with regret. He tried to force his way into Blueberry TV's second season of their rival show, but they blocked his number and kicked him out.
"You dare treat me like this? I have more evidence!" Yang Qianye roared as he was dragged away.
Yang Qianye eventually maneuvered his way into a contract with Blueberry TV by secretly recording his meetings with their director. Both sides were playing dirty. The director, desperate to smear Dad and Me, agreed to let Yang Qianye and his daughter join their upcoming season. Yang Qianye was confident; he believed once the public saw him and Zhenzhen, he’d be more popular than any of the Mango TV guests.
…
Meanwhile, at the Ji residence, the wedding preparations were in full swing. The photography studio sent over the final wedding portraits. Ji Xiu directed them to hang a life-sized portrait in the master bedroom.
It was a shot taken in front of Neuschwanstein Castle. Ji Xiu, in a black tuxedo, held the reins of a white horse. Xu Yun sat on the horse in a snow-white gown, looking down at him with a gentle smile. In front of them, Xiaocong—wearing a matching mini-tuxedo—held a colorful balloon and laughed at the camera.
"Papa, look! It's us!" Xiaocong ran into the room, his eyes sparkling. He was thrilled to see all three of them in one big picture.
Xu Yun, who was busy making desserts in the kitchen, was quickly dragged away by the excited toddler to see the portrait. Ji Xiu watched them, feeling as if he were raising two daughters instead of a wife and a son. Xu Yun’s personality had become increasingly "young" and cheerful lately, a sign of her feeling safe and loved.
…
A few days later, the invitations arrived. Since Ji Xiu’s guest list was sensitive, he and Xu Yun decided to write them by hand in the study.
"Today, we write the invitations," Ji Xiu announced. He divided the stack, giving Xu Yun her portion to invite her own friends and family.
Xiaocong poked his head into the room. "Papa, what are you writing? I want to write too."
Ji Xiu handed him a blank card. "Go ahead."
Xiaocong froze. He realized he didn't actually know how to write. "Papa, what's an invitation?"
"We’re getting married, and we want to invite friends to the party."
Xiaocong’s eyes widened. "Then I want to invite my friends! Chenchen, Xiaoxiao, Sensen, and Dudu!"
In a fit of tears, he insisted on inviting them himself. Ji Xiu patiently guided the boy’s hand to write the names of the four other children. Xiaocong felt like he’d accomplished a great task and ran back to the living room to play, exhausted by the "hard work" of writing.
…
Xu Yun’s pen faltered as she looked at her list. "I want to invite my parents... but I don't know if they'll come."
The silence in the study grew heavy. Years ago, Xu Yun had a fallout with her family over her secret pregnancy. When she tried to reconcile after Xiaocong was born, the boy was bullied by her relatives' children while her parents looked the other way. She had left in a rage and hadn't been back since.
But now, she regretted the rift. She understood her parents' pain at seeing their daughter "ruin" her life for a man.
"I’ll go with you to deliver the invitation," Ji Xiu promised, holding her hand. "If they have any anger, they can take it out on me. I’m the one who caused this, after all. I'll make sure they come."
With Ji Xiu’s promise, Xu Yun felt a surge of courage. "Okay. Let's go together."
Ji Xiu knew it wouldn't be easy. To her parents, he was the "scumbag" who led their eighteen-year-old daughter astray. He was in for a tough battle, but for the sake of his family, he was ready to bow his head and ask for forgiveness.
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