Thank you, quayA, for the ko-fi~
The hustle and bustle of the outside world couldn’t disturb the little chubby cub who woke up early.
Before the alarm clock even struck six, Feng Yuan, who rose earlier than the roosters, was already making his rounds, waking up the other cubs one by one.
Perhaps the little mushrooms from last night had disrupted everyone’s sleep.
After Feng Yuan made his rounds, even Rong Rong hadn’t gotten up yet.
“Yuan Yuan, do you want to come back and sleep a little longer?”
Bo Han, still in his pajamas and yawning, stood at the doorway and said to Feng Yuan, “It’s still early.”
Feng Yuan shook his head, his little voice serious: “It’s not early anymore. Yuan Yuan has a lot of things to do.”
He had promised to help Grandpa Hu gather firewood, feed the chickens at Miao Miao’s house, and turn the soil in the vegetable patch with Xue Ting’s family.
He was very, very busy.
The busy little cub Feng Yuan didn’t bring any other children along. He could manage all by himself in the village.
Since he helped with the chores, he naturally had breakfast at their homes.
The cub, who used to sit in a high chair at home, now sat on the wooden armchairs common in every village household. He is holding a blue-and-white porcelain bowl in his chubby hands, gripping chopsticks as he eagerly shovels food into his mouth.
His adorable demeanor made the villagers adore him.
Even the director and his team didn’t wake up as early as Feng Yuan.
Only the cameraman assigned to follow Feng Yuan would rise early with him.
Although Director Li had mentioned live streaming yesterday, he hadn’t gotten up yet.
So, the cameraman continued filming as usual.
Time passed slowly.
With his belly full and round, Feng Yuan strolled through the village. Hands clasped behind his back, he patrolled the area.
“Uncle, have you ever climbed a mountain?”
“Look, there are so many mountains here.”
“Yuan Yuan wants to go mountain climbing.”
They had come to a remote village in Shenzhen, surrounded by endless mountains.
Such mountains were dangerous.
Even the locals wouldn’t venture into them without good reason.
Hearing Feng Yuan’s words, the cameraman quickly tried to dissuade him.
“Yuan Yuan, we can’t go in there. You’re too little, and it’s very dangerous to go alone.”
As he spoke, the cameraman made up a story about wild monsters lurking in the mountains on the spot.
He painted the mountains as eerie and terrifying.
Feng Yuan listened intently, his little face serious.
Originally, he had only been mildly interested. But after hearing the cameraman’s story, his curiosity shot up to the max!
As a little phoenix, Feng Yuan had a strong desire to fight monsters.
His gaze was fixed firmly on the distant mountains. He decided to go take a look.
“Yuan Yuan, you’re here in the fields again.”
Just as Feng Yuan was planning his route, an uncle from the village who had come to check on the fields spotted him.
The uncle was carrying an empty basket, seemingly planning to pick something to take home.
In his hand, he held a homemade popsicle.
These traditional popsicles were something every household in the village knew how to make.
Since there was no winter here, they could enjoy them anytime.
Seeing Feng Yuan, the uncle casually handed him the popsicle.
“I added raisins to this popsicle. Take it back and eat it when it gets hot around noon.”
Feng Yuan was no stranger to the villagers’ treats.
This same uncle had served him porridge just the day before.
Feng Yuan stretched out his chubby hand and took the popsicle.
In his sweet, childish voice, he thanked the uncle.
After the uncle walked away, Feng Yuan looked down at the popsicle in his hand.
Without a second thought, he tore off the wrapper.
The photographer wanted to remind him, but the little one had already stuffed the popsicle into his mouth.
As for what Uncle had said earlier about saving it until noon…
That was completely useless.
When Feng Yuan encountered something delicious, he could never hold back.
In the past, because he would eat anything he found, Feng Qi had tapped his little head and said he was like a dog that couldn’t hide leftovers in its kennel.
The little guy had been quite indignant upon hearing that.
He was a little phoenix. His nest was definitely not a dog kennel!
The cool, refreshing popsicle was generously sweetened with syrup, tasting delightfully sweet.
Licking the popsicle, Feng Yuan walked from the outskirts of the village inward.
It was time to wake his dad up for breakfast.
As he walked, he licked the popsicle. Soon, he started playing with it.
He stuck the popsicle to his tongue and giggled, showing it to the cameraman.
The cameraman: “…”
The cameraman kept filming, but he had a bad feeling about this.
Sure enough, within two minutes.
The little one who had been giggling just moments ago was no longer laughing.
His chubby little hand gripped the stick of the popsicle, trying to pull it off his tongue.
But the popsicle was stuck firmly.
Feng Yuan’s tongue was starting to hurt from the tugging.
“Waaah. Dad!”
Realizing something was wrong, Feng Yuan ran home on his short little legs.
On the way, he ran into Director Li.
Seeing him crying and running off, Director Li hurriedly followed.
It was past seven o’clock now.
Feng Qi was already awake, tidying up the bed and the wardrobe.
Before Feng Yuan even entered the house, his cries had already reached inside.
Feng Qi stood still, looking toward the door.
“Dad, Dad.”
The chubby little guy, coming to seek help, ran in with tears in his eyes, the popsicle still stuck in his mouth.
With the popsicle glued to his tongue, his little voice sounded muffled and unclear.
Feng Qi was about to scold him for eating a popsicle so early in the morning when he noticed his tongue was stuck to it.
Feng Qi: “…”
Feng Qi was utterly speechless.
He bent down to take a closer look.
Feng Yuan had been tugging at the popsicle earlier. His little tongue was already slightly reddened.
“Eating a popsicle first thing in the morning, who else would get their tongue stuck if not you?”
Though he was scolding the little guy, Feng Qi had already gone to fetch some warm water.
Carefully, he poured the warm water into Feng Yuan’s mouth.
Soon enough, the stuck popsicle loosened.
Feng Yuan’s little tongue was free again.
Feng Qi held the popsicle in one hand and the warm water in the other.
He was about to put both away.
The next moment.
Feng Yuan stood on his tiptoes, still reaching for the popsicle.
“Yuan Yuan’s popsicle.”
The little guy forgot the pain as soon as the treat was gone.
Even though his tongue still hurt, his chubby hand was already reaching for the popsicle.
Feng Qi set the cup aside and lightly smacked his chubby hand.
“Your tongue just got stuck, and you still want to eat it?”
Even after being smacked, Feng Yuan still wanted the popsicle.
“Yuan Yuan’s not scared. Yuan Yuan wants the popsicle.”
If his tongue got stuck again, he could just drink a little more water!
“No, you can’t have it.”
Feng Qi dodged his chubby hand, and seeing how determined he was, he shoved the popsicle into his own mouth.
The popsicle wasn’t very big.
Feng Qi took a few big bites and finished it off.
Without his popsicle, the little guy cried even louder than before.
Feng Qi was immune to his crying by now.
“Keep crying for a bit. Dad needs to finish making the bed.”
Saying this, Feng Qi went back to tidying the bed.
Feng Yuan sat on the floor, crying without tears.
By the time Feng Qi finished making the bed, the little guy on the floor had already wiped his own tears.
“Done crying?”
Feng Qi lowered his gaze and asked.
Feng Yuan sniffled, opening his chubby little arms for a hug.
Feng Qi picked him up and placed him on the bed.
Father and son sat facing each other on the edge of the bed.
Seeing his son cry twice already this early in the morning, Feng Qi felt a pang of pity for him.
A slight smile on his face, he began playing with his son.
“Biu! Energy wave, launch!”
Feng Qi mimicked the energy wave firing gesture from a cartoon.
This move was used to fight little monsters.
Feng Yuan loved mimicking it the most.
Now, being treated as the little monster by his dad, the little face that had been red from crying moments ago suddenly broke into a smile.
He laughed joyfully.
Every time Feng Qi “fired”, the little guy would play along, flopping backward with a soft thud.
His small body wriggled backward, and his giggles filled the entire room.
Feng Qi made the gesture again: “Launch.”
Feng Yuan flopped back once more.
“Thump—”
This time, he leaned back too far and tumbled headfirst onto the floor.
Feng Qi: “!!!”
Feng Qi sprang up to grab his son.
Director Li, who had just been melting with affection watching the father-son interaction, let out a startled “Ah!” and rushed over in a panic to check.
The bed in this rural home wasn’t high, but the floor was made of concrete. It was quite hard.
Feng Yuan was no longer laughing.
In just one morning, he had cried a full three times.
Feng Qi hadn’t expected this either.
He had been playing the “fight the little monster” game with his son. Now, his son had truly become the defeated little monster.
“Alright, alright. Yuan Yuan, don’t cry.”
This time, Feng Qi’s heart genuinely ached. Holding his son, he paced around the small room, gently patting his back and soothing him softly, “It’s all Dad’s fault. I shouldn’t have played this game with you.”
A small bump had formed on Feng Yuan’s forehead from the fall.
Staring at the bump, Feng Qi decided to head next door.
The nine-tailed fox next door had plenty of medicine.
When Feng Qi carried the teary-eyed Feng Yuan over, Rong Rong and Bo Han had just woken up.
Bo Han had already dressed himself and was about to help Rong Rong get dressed.
But Rong Rong didn’t want his dad’s help.
He was slowly pulling his clothes over his head on his own.
By the time Feng Yuan was brought before him, Rong Rong’s little head was still trapped inside his shirt, unable to free himself.
Noticing their arrival, Bo Han asked, “What’s wrong? Why is Yuan Yuan crying?”
Hearing that Yuan Yuan was crying, Rong Rong, who hadn’t been in a hurry before, suddenly grew anxious.
He tugged harder at his shirt.
Sensing his son’s struggle, Bo Han quickly stepped in to help.
After being trapped with his head inside his shirt for so long, Rong Rong’s little face was flushed red from the stifling heat.
His round amber eyes were fixed on Feng Yuan.
“Hurt.”
Rong Rong immediately spotted the bump on Feng Yuan’s head.
Staring at Feng Yuan’s injury, Rong Rong reached up and touched his own head.
He had gotten a bump like that before.
The kids at kindergarten had called him a little fool and said that playing with him would make them catch his stupidity.
So, they tried to push him out of his seat and make him leave the classroom.
Rong Rong didn’t want to go.
He clung tightly to the desk, refusing to be pushed away.
But there were too many children pushing him.
He and the desk were both knocked over together.
His head hit the floor, swelling into a large bump.
It had hurt so much.
Rong Rong stared unblinkingly at the bump on Feng Yuan’s head, his eyes gradually welling up with tears.
“Rong Rong, don’t cry. Dad has medicine.”
“Once Yuan Yuan gets some medicine, he’ll be all better.”
Bo Han always carried various medicines with him, and these were no ordinary remedies.
The ones he had on hand were all spiritual medicines.
He retrieved the medicine and handed it to Feng Qi.
After taking it, Feng Qi immediately sat down and began applying it to his son.
Applying medicine inevitably involves touching the skin.
Feng Qi lowered his head, gently blowing on the area while applying the medicine with a soft touch.
As Feng Qi applied the medicine, Rong Rong watched him like a little supervisor nearby.
Once the medicine was applied, Feng Yuan even asked for a mirror to take a look.
He also wanted to wrap a bandage around his head.
Feng Qi didn’t let him.
“You’ll be fine in just half a day. There’s no need for a bandage.”
Looking at his son, who had already faced multiple misfortunes early in the morning, Feng Qi decided not to let him down to play.
Father and son headed together to the breakfast gathering spot.
After the adults had eaten, Director Li specifically observed their condition.
“Everyone, is there any discomfort anywhere on your bodies? If so, please speak up promptly. We can pause the filming if needed.”
Director Li had invested a considerable amount in bringing these guests on for the recording.
Their contracts stipulated a fixed end date for the filming.
Since the timeline was rigid, directors often pushed for continuous recording to gather more footage.
There had even been an incident at another station where a variety show guest died from overexertion.
Director Li wasn’t that kind of harsh director. He’d rather capture less footage than compromise the guests’ health.
All the guest groups participating in the shoot knew he was a rare, considerate director.
Yu Yiming smiled and said directly, “No need to pause for us. We’re doing just fine.”
Even Feng Yuan, with medicine still dabbed on his forehead, raised his little hand and earnestly declared in his childish voice that he didn’t need a break.
With neither the adults nor the children needing rest, Director Li proceeded with the day’s tasks.
There had been a minor incident during their live stream the previous night.
Director Li had temporarily postponed the live streaming plan.
He announced today’s task: “Hiding from the Deity.”
This task was related to a local custom.
According to the village records, there was a tradition—
Every five years, there was a Deity Festival.
The festival spanned three days, with the first day dedicated to “hiding from the deity”.
That is, when the deity was coming, mortals had to hide for a day to avoid any offense.
The second day was for “welcoming the deity”.
After a day of hiding, people made ample preparations to begin welcoming the deity.
The third day was for “sending off the deity”.
Having spent a lively day with the deity, it was time for the deity to depart, and the people would see them off.
When Director Li’s team designed the task card, they also briefed him on the village records.
Such game tasks, integrated with traditional folk customs, were quite common in variety shows.
Director Li approved the task card.
They had made substantial modifications to the folk story.
For instance, “hiding from the deity” included many minor customs, such as bowing three times upon encountering a red door…
These small customs were directly adapted into game mechanics.
As Director Li explained the rules, Bo Han listened and then leaned in to ask Feng Qi in a lowered voice, “Isn’t this just a large-scale escape room?”
Escape rooms are about finding a way out.
In their “hiding from the deity” game, participants had to navigate through various challenges, overcome obstacles, and find a hiding place to avoid the deity.
If they failed to find a hiding spot within the allotted time, they would be eliminated.
Feng Qi had never tried escape rooms or played many games.
He was quite interested in what the director had said.
But what intrigued him most was the deity hidden within the village records.
“Do you think any gods have ever visited this place before?”
Bo Han shook his head without a second thought.
“Find a higher spot and take a look around. Does this seem like a place a god would choose to live?”
The gods of the past were notoriously picky about their dwellings.
After Director Li finished explaining all the game rules, their mission for the day officially began.
And the rewards for their task were exceptionally generous.
They could earn house upgrades and meal upgrades.
Feng Yuan was a little foodie.
As he listened to the director listing the delicious dishes and cooking methods from the reward list, drool trickled from the corner of his mouth.
Feng Qi wiped his mouth and reminded him to mind his manners.
“Dad, Yuan Yuan wants to win!”
“Alright, alright. We’ll win.”
For this mission, the groups of guests would also compete against each other.
In short, this variety show had it all: confrontation, competition, contests…
Both adults and children threw themselves into the game, while Director Li also posted a clarification online.
Along with the clarification, he released a preview for that evening—
The prelude to 《Baby’s Journey》 would air during prime time at 8 PM sharp.
Want to know how many times Yuan Yuan got scolded in a day?
Curious about how Rong Rong interacts with his award-winning actor dad?
Eager to see how Xiao Putao’s warmth makes other dads wish to take him home?
Interested in the dual-faced Qingqing?
Tonight at 8 PM, the little ones won’t let you down!
Director Li managed both the clarification and the preview seamlessly.
Meanwhile, all those spreading rumors online received legal notices.
The Li family’s top-tier legal team took charge of the incident involving the poisonous mushrooms allegedly causing fatalities.
The mushrooms had been cooked by the Li family’s most treasured young master.
Claiming the mushrooms killed someone was essentially accusing their young master of harming others.
Who could tolerate that?!
The Li family’s legal team spared no one, neither the marketing accounts nor the bloggers spreading baseless rumors.
Yu Yi noticed the shift in online sentiment and knew the Li family had stepped in.
Lying idly in the small courtyard, he began counting down the days until Feng Yuan’s return.
Wu Jin was massaging his legs.
Hearing him mention Yuan Yuan, Wu Jin joined him in calculating the days.
“Ten more days, and Yuan Yuan will be back.”
Yu Yi hummed in agreement, then took a bite of a sweet melon.
The melon was very sweet.
Though he had enjoyed it just yesterday, today it made him nauseous.
Wu Jin, noticing his discomfort, immediately held out his hand by Yu Yi’s mouth.
“If you don’t want to eat it, spit it out.”
Yu Yi promptly spat it out.
The two expectant fathers stayed in the small courtyard, with Yu Ye staring at Yu Yi’s belly for nearly half an hour.
Yu Yi grew uneasy under his gaze.
“Big brother, could you stop looking at me like that?”
“Are you discriminating against me?”
Yu Yi wouldn’t have dared speak to his elder brother like this before. But now, with an egg growing inside him, not only his family but even the sea dragons were fiercely protective of him.
He wasn’t the least bit afraid of his brother now.
Not only was he unafraid, but he also seemed intent on picking a fight.
“I’m a man, yet I’m carrying an egg. You must think I’m some kind of monster!”
Yu Yi was clearly trying to provoke his brother, tossing accusations his way.
Yu Ye glanced at him sideways and finally averted his gaze.
“I bought you some fish.”
Yu Ye said calmly, “I already had the kitchen stew it for you.”
Yu Yi: “?”
Yu Yi: “Since when did you become so nice?”
For someone like his older brother to remember to stew fish for him, that was truly rare.
Just as Yu Yi was feeling delighted, Yu Ye spoke again.
“They say pregnancy makes you dumb for three years. Your brain wasn’t great to begin with. If you don’t nourish it now, you’re done for.”
Yu Yi: “!”
Yu Yi: “You’re calling me stupid!”
Yu Yi was so angry he nearly exploded. He nudged Wu Jin, urging him to go and hit his brother on his behalf.
Wu Jin didn’t dare.
Although Wu Jin was a dragon with formidable combat abilities, he still didn’t dare lay a hand on Yu Ye, a mere human.
After all, this was Xiao Yi’s own older brother.
Unable to strike the elder brother, Wu Jin could only try to soothe Yu Yi.
Yu Yi was utterly exasperated with his brother.
He shot an unapologetic glare at his brother.
Yu Ye remained completely unfazed by his glare.
The two brothers stayed in the same small courtyard for a little while longer.
Yu Ye glanced at Wu Jin and the other dragons not far away.
He asked, “Where’s Xiao Hong?”
Wu Jin replied obediently, “Xiao Hong went to see Yuan Yuan.”
With Yu Ye’s question, Wu Jin also began to feel a bit uneasy.
Dragons were incredibly fast.
Xiao Hong had gone to see Yuan Yuan last night. Now, it was already daytime, with half the day having passed…
Logically, Xiao Hong or Qing Hao should have sent them a message by now.
The more Wu Jin thought about it, the more something felt off.
He frowned slightly and walked over to Yin Shuang and the others.
“Yin Shuang, have Xiao Hong and Qing Hao sent any messages back?”
Yin Shuang had been meaning to bring this up with Wu Jin.
“No. Neither of them has replied.”
As he spoke, Yin Shuang speculated, “They’re probably too absorbed in doting on Yuan Yuan.”
Both Xiao Hong and Qing Hao adored Yuan Yuan to no end.
It was entirely possible that, upon seeing the baby, they had become so engrossed in showering the little guy with affection that they completely forgot about everyone else.
Sam Williams On TYMIMA Chapter 152