After everyone had arrived, the program crew began filming the opening sequence (OP).
Considering the very young ages of the children, the crew had designed relatively simple filming content with a fresh, fairy-tale vibe, aiming primarily to highlight a sense of adventure and interaction. The shoot went quite smoothly, wrapping up before 6:30.
During this time, no one brought up the online controversy regarding Ji Subai and Min Zhuozhou. They were all adults who tacitly maintained surface-level harmony, with nobody deliberately speaking up to cause unpleasantness.
Only the show’s director cast several glances at Min Zhuozhou during the shoot, carrying obvious implications, he likely wanted to talk in private.
Min Zhuozhou possessed a chic and easygoing personality, yet he wouldn’t allow himself to be played. He could understand that the program crew letting the controversy ferment was a form of marketing, but he didn’t approve, feeling offended by the crew using people as stepping stones for their own gain.
Coming to the shoot had already given sufficient face to the production team. Therefore, when the director personally came to invite him to dinner after filming wrapped, Min Zhuozhou refused in a calm tone.
The director of this child-centric variety show was named Zhao Tongyan, who had directed several hit variety shows. Although he was in entertainment, he held considerable status in the industry. To apologize, he had specially reserved a Japanese restaurant costing 3,000 yuan per person. He never expected Min Zhuozhou to decline, leaving him standing there in slight awkwardness from losing face.
Min Zhuozhou smiled gently and politely, bringing up: I’ve already promised Huahua to go eat KFC. If Director Zhao doesn’t mind, we can head over there to chat.
What could possibly be discussed at a fast-food joint…
Zhao Tongyan thought Min Zhuozhou was deliberately trying to irritate him. The corners of his mouth stiffened slightly, and his smile almost collapsed.
Min Zhuozhou, however, had no malicious intent to annoy him. He had originally promised to take Min Hua for fried chicken, and failing to keep a promise would not be gentlemanly. He needed to set a good example in front of the child: Thank you for the kind gesture, Director Zhao, but we might have to reschedule for next time.
With matters having reached this point, the dinner was completely off the table.
Director Zhao said with a fake smile, Teacher Min, are you throwing a tantrum with the program crew…
What are you saying, Director Zhao?
Min Zhuozhou looked at him refined and gentlemanly, yet a trace of playful banter flashed across his eyes. He merely took it as a joke and wouldn’t let a few passive-aggressive comments ruin his mood.
Zhao Tongyan still felt that taking the little kid out for fast food was just an excuse. Although Min Zhuozhou had no background backing him, his status and ability to drive traffic in the program crew were undeniably top-tier. Not wanting to sour the relationship completely, he refused to give up and asked:
Teacher Min has such a noble air; I didn’t expect you would go eat fried chicken as well?
Um, sorry to interrupt,
A clear boyish voice suddenly chimed in between the two of them. Min Zhuozhou raised his eyes and met a pair of clean, bright fox-like eyes, the upward curve at the corners carrying just the right amount of a smile, handsome with a hint of slyness.
Min Zhuozhou recognized him as one of the guests among the six groups, named Wang Wenhe.
Wang Wenhe was quite young, possessing a youthful vibe somewhere between a fresh high school graduate and a college student. An attitude of a newborn calf knows no fear of tigers was vividly displayed from the outside in.
Excuse me, who did fried chicken offend? Wang Wenhe spoke in an offbeat, casual tone as soon as he opened his mouth, not at all afraid of crossing the famous director. A life without Crazy Thursday is incomplete, Old Zhao.
Zhao Tongyan was not even middle-aged, yet being called Old Man on the spot by a young guy caused his expression to visibly darken. However, looking up at Wang Wenhe, his lips twitched a few times, and his attitude surprisingly softened as he said bashfully:
Naturally, I wouldn’t know about things you young people like.
Min Zhuozhou’s expression remained unchanged, but in his heart, he knew that although Wang Wenhe was an amateur, his background was likely far from amateur.
Wang Wenhe put on a bit of an air: Then you need to get in touch with fresh things more often; this era is the fastest at eliminating people.
Feeling disgraced, Director Zhao made a quick excuse and left after a few words.
Heh, can’t even handle a few words…
Wang Wenhe rolled his eyes at Director Zhao’s retreating back, then turned his gaze to Min Zhuozhou, breaking into a bright, radiant smile: I thought Teacher Min was the noble type who frequents restaurants costing over a thousand yuan. I didn’t expect us to share the same taste.
This big boy’s smile carried a sense of unruliness, with two canine teeth showing delightfully in the air. He had a special charisma that made people feel instantly close and very willing to talk to him.
Min Zhuozhou had a good impression of him, so he relaxed his posture, tilted his head slightly, and raised an eyebrow, speaking with a light tone of banter: Teacher Wang, judging a book by its cover is incorrect.
Wang Wenhe chuckled: Who told you to be so handsome, Teacher Min?
Wang Wenhe glanced at the group of little kids playing together not far away. Unsure if it was a sudden whim, he proposed to Min Zhuozhou: Are you taking the little kid out for fried chicken today? If it’s convenient, could you take me along?
Min Zhuozhou also looked toward the six children. In fact, the child Wang Wenhe brought over was both the most special and the most ordinary, among a group of striking, exquisite kids, that child had dark skin, was on the heavier side, and had plain facial features, looking almost lost in the crowd.
Min Zhuozhou understood instinctively. This big boy in front of him seemed ostentatious, carefree, and like a comedian on the surface, but he was unexpectedly attentive. His coming over to help out just now was probably so Min Hua could spend more time interacting with that child whom nobody cared to pay attention to.
Is that a yes, Teacher Min? A boy of this age was best at acting playful, winking at Min Zhuozhou. I see Chenchen really likes Huahua.
That chubby little kid was named Fang Chenchen, who was currently staring with longing eyes at the candy in another child’s hands.
It was brought by Gu Chou specifically for Yanyan to share with the children. But when Ming Yanyan walked past Chenchen, she hesitated, pursed her lips, and didn’t give him any. Instead, she quietly bypassed him and gave two pieces to Min Hua.
Chenchen didn’t try to snatch it either; he just stood foolishly among the circle of children, the disappointment in his eyes almost overflowing.
Min Zhuozhou let out a silent sigh, then smiled instead: Of course, it’s good to let the kids interact more.
Oh, Yes!
Wang Wenhe swept away the apprehension on his face, unceremoniously slinging an arm around Min Zhuozhou’s shoulder, and instantly changed his address: Brother, Brother Min, you are my eternal brother.
Min Zhuozhou merely smiled without speaking, shifting his body slightly away.
The two walked side by side to pick up the kids. When Fang Chenchen learned he could go eat KFC, his eyes lit up. He hugged Wang Wenhe’s leg, shyly asking several times to confirm.
Wang Wenhe didn’t mind the weight at all, lifting him up directly to rest on his shoulders. While agreeing, he set down rules: Of course, but you’re the little baby, so you can only eat a little bit. I’m the big baby, so I can eat a whole, whole lot.
Min Zhuozhou also brought Min Hua back, seeing two pieces of candy held in his hands given by Ming Yanyan, with the wrappers still intact.
Recalling that Ming Yanyan had given Min Hua the candy meant for Fang Chenchen, Min Zhuozhou wanted to ask the little kid to share one piece with Chenchen. But since it was a gift the child received himself, adults shouldn’t dispose of it according to their own wishes, it was still up to Min Hua to decide.
Ji Subai happened to be standing nearby. Looking at Wang Wenhe wearing unbranded sportswear and the little plain kid on his shoulders, a hint of disdain flashed in his eyes. He said softly: It’s better not to give this kind of fast food to young children. Kids have delicate stomachs; eating something healthy is much better.
What he said was actually fine, but his tone unconsciously carried a high-and-mighty instructive flavor, making people feel uncomfortable listening to it.
Besides, Chenchen really isn’t light… Teacher Wang, Ji Subai added with an innocent expression.
Regardless of tone, pitch, or pauses, this sentence carried a subtle undertone. While appearing to offer advice, it sounded suspiciously like sarcasm.
Oh, like it’s any of your business? Are you and I that close?
Wang Wenhe turned around while carrying the kid and made a very playful funny face at him: Can’t we indulge ourselves once in a while? Are you a door-to-door light-food salesperson? How does this bother you?
In Ji Subai’s twenty-plus years of life, he had clearly never encountered someone with such a personality. That excessively delicate face turned pale on the spot, his lips trembling slightly as he looked pitiful, as if he had been bullied.
His eyes flickered for a moment before he turned around and led Nannan away.
Wang Wenhe let out a light snort, silently mouthing acting like a drama queen, and then in high spirits waved goodbye to everyone one by one, walking off with Chenchen on his shoulders.
Min Zhuozhou also politely bade farewell to the other guests, setting up a store location with Wang Wenhe as they walked, and each drove their own cars over.
Sitting inside the restaurant, Min Zhuozhou and Wang Wenhe each scanned the QR code on their phones to order.
Min Zhuozhou didn’t eat this often himself; he mainly ordered items that little Min Hua wanted to eat. But Wang Wenhe was as adept as if he were at home, tapping frantically on his phone. The speed of his hands showed just how accustomed he was.
Chenchen sat quietly beside the big boy, eyes fixed on the phone screen. After hesitating for a long time, he asked softly: Brother, how many egg tarts did you order?
Wang Wenhe answered: Three.
Chenchen’s voice grew even smaller: Then how do we split them?
Wang Wenhe took it for granted: One for you, two for me.
Chenchen uttered a downhearted oh, seeming to lose the courage to speak further, sitting there alone playing with his fingers.
Min Hua had originally been sitting quietly in his seat waiting for the food. Hearing this, he raised his head, looking at Chenchen with those ink-black eyes, and then whispered in discussion with Min Zhuozhou: Little Uncle, can we buy an egg tart for Chenchen too?
Min Hua leaned close to his little uncle, secretly opening his palm under the table edge.
Min Zhuozhou noticed it, it was those two candies.
He suddenly understood why Min Hua hadn’t shared a piece of candy with Fang Chenchen earlier. Because it was a gift from someone else, he had no right to re-gifting it to others. However, that didn’t mean the child could comfortably enjoy a piece of candy that originally didn’t belong to him. The little kid was soft-hearted and felt apologetic toward Chenchen.
Min Zhuozhou was about to agree, but Wang Wenhe intercepted his words with a beaming smile:
Brother Min, it’s not that I won’t order it for this kid, but he has a quota for sugar intake. Letting him eat one egg tart is already pretty good. If it gets found out when we go back, my ‘grandfather’ will beat me to death.
Min Zhuozhou understood instantly and looked at Min Hua with slight apology.
Min Hua was a sensible child and nodded obediently.
Wang Wenhe clearly liked this child a lot. He reached out to gently pinch the little kid’s cheek, his voice full of vitality: How are you so well-behaved? Do you want to come home with big brother?
Min Hua could feel that this big brother harbored no malice, so he showed no resistance, merely nestling shyly into Min Zhuozhou’s arms.
Min Zhuozhou smiled, thoroughly enjoying such a relaxed atmosphere. Just as he was about to reply, he heard his phone ring. He had no choice but to stand up with an apologetic gesture and step outside the store to answer the call.
The phone screen displayed the caller ID as He Yi.
Seeing this name, the original smile on Min Zhuozhou’s face faded slightly, his eyes taking on a hint of probing depth.
He Yi was Pei Che’s assistant.
Although Min Zhuozhou was nominally the young male spouse of the Pei family, almost no one inside the company knew of his existence. Only He Yi, who had come to the house twice to deliver things, knew about his boss’s secret marriage.
However, unless something was wrong, He Yi would never call him easily.
Could something have happened to Pei Che?
For a moment, Min Zhuozhou’s expression turned solemn, but he quickly swept away his inexplicable thoughts and answered the phone smoothly: Hello, Xiao Yi?
M-Mr. Min…
He Yi’s voice was filled with panic.