The next day.
Pei Jingyuan had just finished filming his final scene and was heading to the dressing room to remove his makeup.
As soon as he stepped inside, he saw his manager, Xu Rong, sitting with one leg crossed over the other, shaking it rapidly in irritation.
Pei Jingyuan took the initiative to greet him.“Brother Rong? You’re here for me?”
Xu Rong lifted his gaze from the phone screen and looked at Pei Jingyuan’s face. Instantly, he recalled the nickname that netizens had given him, the Fox Beauty.
His face was undeniably seductive, almost wickedly beautiful, yet his temperament was pure and clean.
That contrast was what made him so mesmerizing.
A simple, half-hour livestream yesterday had already earned him a considerable number of new fans.
Some fans had even edited short clips of him blushing during the stream, posting them online to gush about how adorable and shy his personality was.
Pei Jingyuan, seeing that Xu Rong hadn’t said a word, didn’t press. He simply started removing his outer layer of costume, calm and unhurried.
After a moment of silence, Xu Rong finally asked, “Why didn’t you tell the company before doing that livestream?”
Pei Jingyuan lowered his eyes and began untying his wide sash, his tone steady and even.
“It’s written in the contract. For this kind of small-scale appearance, I’m not required to notify the company in advance.”
Xu Rong was momentarily choked for words.
Though, officially, they were partners in a cooperative relationship, in practice, the company had given Pei Jingyuan almost no resources at all, only restrictions.
“Anyway,” Xu Rong said sharply, “from now on, no matter what kind of public appearance it is, online or otherwise, you’ll inform me first. I’ll confirm it’s fine before you go public. Understood?”
Pei Jingyuan wondered if his manager had really come all the way here just to lecture him about this.
He set the sash neatly on the table and began removing the outermost layer of his costume, the light gauze gliding softly through his fingers.
Then, with calm precision, he repeated, “The contract also clearly states that an artist may use relevant platforms for self-promotion, as long as the account registration is communicated with the company.”
Xu Rong frowned deeply.
Pei Jingyuan’s tone remained as mild as before. “Furthermore,” he continued, “it’s also written that the company has an obligation to help operate my personal account. I haven’t mentioned it before, but that doesn’t mean I’ve given up that right.”
His voice wasn’t loud, yet every word landed cleanly, deliberately.
And throughout the conversation, he never once said you. He said the company.
Xu Rong jabbed a finger toward him, eyes narrowing. “So what, you’re saying I can’t control your private actions now?”
Pei Jingyuan carefully folded the gauzy fabric, placing it neatly to one side. His long, pale hand pressed gently against the soft material as his eyes, dark beneath his well-shaped brows, lifted slightly toward Xu Rong.
“We don’t have a relationship of control or subordination,” he said evenly. “It’s cooperation.”
“You! ” Xu Rong started, but Pei Jingyuan interrupted with a quiet gesture, pointing at his bag, “Do you want to see the contract? I have a copy with me.”
Xu Rong turned his head sharply, following the direction of that gesture, then exaggeratedly swung back around, his expression somewhere between disbelief and irritation. “You carry your contract around with you?”
He rolled his eyes and waved his hand. “What would I even look at it for?”
Of course, Pei Jingyuan didn’t actually have it. He just knew Xu Rong’s temperament well enough to bluff.
Changing the subject smoothly, he asked with a polite tone, “Brother Rong, so you came all this way just to tell me that?”
Was the man really that afraid of him showing his face online?
Xu Rong snorted. “You think I have time to make a special trip for that? I came to talk to Director Zhang about something.”
Pei Jingyuan said nothing. That made more sense, Xu Rong usually didn’t manage him personally anyway. Most of their communication was through phone calls.
Xu Rong slapped his thigh and stood up, clearly ready to leave.
“I’m telling you,” he said, “Just keep yourself in line. When there’s a good project, I’ll feed it to you. Don’t make trouble for me, get it?”
Pei Jingyuan silently thought that Xu Rong must have come to discuss casting with Director Zhang, probably the role assignments for the next project.
If the company’s two most popular male artists were competing for it, then he had little chance of landing a major part.
He had never once been in the same production as the company’s favored actors.
Once Xu Rong left, Pei Jingyuan received a message from Huang Licheng, a video clip from the previous night’s livestream.
There had already been several “ship edits” floating around, pairing the two of them together.
Huang Licheng texted excitedly:
[Look! My fans are amazing, they’ve already made a CP edit for us! ‘Koi Couple’!]
Pei Jingyuan blinked at the name, then typed back dryly: [That’s quite the… creative pun.]
Huang Licheng replied:
[You’re one to talk! You were the one saying ‘eating bananas keeps anxiety away’ last night, who can beat you at puns? Anyway, I think it sounds cute. From now on, I officially have a CP! 😎]
Then another message followed quickly after:
[I checked the traffic data, the half hour you were on the stream had way better engagement. Way more than usual! I told you, that face of yours just sitting there is already traffic.]
Pei Jingyuan didn’t mention that his manager had shown up earlier just to scold him over that livestream.
Huang Licheng sent another message:
[You coming on again tonight?]
[I’ve got a meeting with the screenwriter tonight,] Pei Jingyuan replied. [We’ll be discussing the character, not sure how long it’ll take.]
[Not bad, Xiao Yuanzi! Already talking with the big writers, huh? Don’t forget me when you’re famous!]
Pei Jingyuan sent a mischievous emoji in response,
[Let me be famous! Let me be famous! Let me be famous! 🌀🌀🌀]
Tonight, he was indeed meeting the screenwriter, but that wasn’t the only reason he was heading upstairs to apartment 1102.
He was also going to mooch dinner, Mr. Nie had personally knocked on his door that morning to invite him over.
Still, he hadn’t seen the soft little cub.
Apparently, the little one had woken up late.
Now, just the thought of Yuanbao’s round, sleepy face made his heart soften. So the little guy was like him, not a morning person at all.
And not just that, Yuanbao had morning grumpiness too. The whole morning, he had been muttering under his breath, complaining that his dad hadn’t come to wake him up.
Since Mr. Nie had to attend an important business event that afternoon, Yuanbao was left in the care of Aunt Zhao, who came from the main residence.
The little one wanted to go out and play, so Aunt Zhao took him for a walk downstairs, accompanied by one of the bodyguards.
Outside the apartment complex were several small shops. One of them was a pet store.
Through the large glass window that stretched across the front, rows of transparent enclosures could be seen, six or seven in total. Inside them were tiny kittens, all curled up and basking in the sunlight.
Adult cats roamed the shop leisurely, tails swaying, graceful as shadows.
At this moment, Yuanbao was standing outside the glass wall, staring at the kittens with his entire little face lit up in joy.
Beside him, Aunt Zhao was on the phone.
She knew Mr. Nie was in the middle of an important meeting, but after a glance at the little figure beside her, she sighed and dialed anyway.
The call connected quickly.
Mr. Nie’s voice was calm as ever. “What’s wrong? Is Yuanbao okay?”
Aunt Zhao hesitated, then said, “Sir, I didn’t realize there was a pet shop outside. The little young master saw the cats and won’t move now. I tried to carry him away, but he refuses, he says he wants to take one home.”
“Where is he?” Mr. Nie asked immediately. “Is he near the animals?”
“No, no,” Aunt Zhao said quickly. “We’re just outside the window. The bodyguard and I are watching closely. I thought I’d call you first before deciding if we should go in.”
“Put me on speaker,” Nie ordered. “Let Yuanbao hear me.”
Aunt Zhao switched to speaker mode and bent down with a gentle coaxing tone. “Little young master, talk to your dad.”
Yuanbao eagerly pressed closer to the phone.
“Daddy! I like the kitties! I want to bring one home! Can Grandma Zhao help me?”
In his mind, it was just like picking a new car, he’d choose the one he liked, and that would be that.
Mr. Nie said, “Yuanbao, go home first. We’ll talk about the cat when I get back.”
“Why?” Yuanbao tilted his head, confused.
“You’re too young,” Nie explained patiently. “The cat might scratch you. You could get hurt.”
Yuanbao looked back at the cats on their blankets. They were perfectly still, impossibly gentle.
He pouted, muttering softly in protest, “No, they’re good cats. They won’t scratch Yuanbao~”
His big, round eyes rolled thoughtfully. Then he added, “Yuanbao already had one before! So Yuanbao needs one now too!”
Nie paused, a faint sigh escaping him. This child always had a reason for everything.
“Oh? You had one before?” he asked, humoring him. “What color was it?”
Yuanbao’s gaze fell on his favorite kitten, the white one with bright blue eyes.
“It was white! And its eyes were blue!” he said confidently.
Aunt Zhao, who hadn’t been paying attention to the cats but was listening to the conversation carefully, thought to herself: So the young master really did have a cat before.
No wonder he was so attached, this must be a sentimental memory.
Nie’s voice came again from the phone. “Who bought it for you?”
Almost instantly, Yuanbao answered, “Daddy did!”
Nie asked calmly, “And what was the kitten’s name?”
“…” Yuanbao froze.
He glanced at Aunt Zhao, his expression going blank. “The cat was… um… its name was… Yuanbao forgot…”
His soft voice grew smaller and smaller, until the last word was almost inaudible.
Aunt Zhao suddenly realized what was going on and stared at the little boy in disbelief. So he was just making it up the whole time!
Nie said evenly, “Yuanbao, I’m sure if your daddy were here, he wouldn’t agree either.”
Yuanbao’s lips trembled. His little face was clouded with frustration.
Nie continued, “If the cat scratched or bit you, and you started bleeding, what would you do then?”
The moment Yuanbao heard the word bleeding, his eyes widened and his mouth shut tight.
Aunt Zhao was utterly lost by now.
Daddy? she thought. Who is ‘daddy’? Did I mishear?
“Zhao,” Nie said.
“I’m here,” she answered quickly.
“Take Yuanbao home first,” he instructed. “I’ll finish my meeting in thirty minutes and come straight back.”
Aunt Zhao looked down at the little boy, worried. Would he even go willingly? He looked ready to throw a tantrum any second.
Still, she said, “All right.”
But the moment the call ended, the little one suddenly turned around and bolted.
Aunt Zhao hurried to stop him. “Little young master, our house is that way!”
Yuanbao came to an abrupt halt, spun back around, and ran toward her again, his chubby cheeks jiggling with every step.
When Nie finally arrived home, the first thing he saw was a tiny figure sitting at the doorway of apartment 1101.
The little one was facing the door, sitting perfectly still like he was reflecting on his mistakes.
Aunt Zhao, who had been waiting anxiously, rushed forward as soon as she saw Nie.
“Ever since we came back from the pet shop,” she whispered, “he’s been sitting here on that stool, refusing to move. He only drank a little water and hasn’t said a word since.”
Usually, the little boy was all “Grandma Zhao this” and “Grandma Zhao that,” his sweet baby voice constant.
Now, the sudden silence made her heart ache.
“Got it. You can head back,” Nie said, unbuttoning his suit jacket and taking it off.
Aunt Zhao took it automatically, hanging it over her arm, but she didn’t leave. She stayed a short distance away, watching carefully, worried that father and son might clash.
The sound of familiar footsteps drew closer.
Yuanbao’s small ears twitched.
Nie bent down slightly, just as the little one abruptly turned around.
He tilted his round, pouting face upward and declared in his soft, milky voice, “My old kitty’s name was Dumb Dumb~”
Then, emphasizing each word with great seriousness, he repeated, “Little! Dumb! Dumb!”
If Nie hadn’t understood the meaning behind those words, his thirty-one years of life would’ve been in vain.
The message was clear as day, Yuanbao was calling him dumb.
Coming from a three or four year old, though, it was oddly charming.
For once, Nie raised an eyebrow and let out a short laugh. “So you’ve been sitting here all this time, naming your imaginary cat?”
Yuanbao didn’t answer. He had been expecting his dad to ask why the cat was called that, but instead, that teasing smile appeared.
Something felt wrong.
He wriggled his little shoulders, avoiding the big hand reaching toward him, and turned his face stubbornly back toward the door. The door was prettier than Daddy’s face anyway.
Hmph!
Nie was about to speak again when the elevator chimed behind them.
Yuanbao assumed it was just one of his dad’s assistants or bodyguards and didn’t move.
But Nie, of course, saw exactly who it was, Pei Jingyuan, returning early.
Pei blinked, looking between father and son, then at his own apartment door next to them.
What on earth was going on here?
He was completely lost.
It was Aunt Zhao’s first time seeing the young man up close. And the moment she did, she couldn’t help but think, The young master was right, this one really is beautiful.
Pei walked over and called softly, testing the waters. “Little Yuanbao?”
“Mm?” The little one turned around immediately, eyes brightening the moment he saw who it was.
Then, with a wobbly little cry, he stretched out his arms. “Uuuu, Daddy!”
Aunt Zhao’s eyes went wide. Did she just hear that right?
Pei Jingyuan was equally startled.
What? When had he suddenly become “daddy”?
But he didn’t have the heart to correct him.
He bent down and scooped the little cub into his arms. “Hey, what’s wrong? Why the tears? Are you hungry?”
Nie moved the little stool out of the way and explained the pet shop situation briefly.
Pei Jingyuan nodded in agreement with Mr. Nie’s reasoning.
If the kitten had been one that had grown up with Yuanbao since birth, that would’ve been different, but buying a new one now really wasn’t the best idea.
Still, the little one huffed indignantly. “I don’t like Daddy anymore!”
Such strong feelings for such a tiny chest.
Pei Jingyuan tried to comfort him, smiling softly. “Then how about this, Little Yuanbao, why don’t you come play at my house for a while?”
Yuanbao blinked, confused.
Nie turned to look at Pei too, one eyebrow raised.
“What?” Pei asked, puzzled. “You don’t want to go?”
The little boy suddenly dove back into Pei Jingyuan’s arms, burying his face in his neck, his tiny bottom facing his dad. “Only Yuanbao can go! No one else allowed!”
Pei blinked, still not following. He chuckled gently. “There’s no one else.”
Nie, the someone else in question, took an elegant step backward.
“He means me,” he said calmly.
Pei Jingyuan froze for half a second.
Ah.
That explained it.
✦ ✧ ✦
Cressilia
[Translator]
☕ A LITTLE SOMETHING FOR THE TRANSLATOR
A tiny coffee can be a surprisingly nice “thank you.” ☕
☕ BUY THEM A COFFEE →
✧ (づ｡•ㅅ•｡)づ ☕ ✧
✦ thank you for reading ✦
← PreviousNext →
ChaptersChapter 1 · YaunBao in wrong Time lineChapter 2 · Finding Big DaddyChapter 3 · DNA ProofChapter 4 · Hospital visitChapter 5 · New RoleChapter 6 · Meeting Daddy SoonChapter 7 · New NeighbourChapter 8 · Moving inChapter 9 · Meeting Little Daddy again!Chapter 10 · WhiteChapter 11 · Car for Little DaddyChapter 12 · Live StreamChapter 13 · KittyChapter 14 · Bonding Time~Chapter 15 · White CatChapter 16 · Yuanbao, your dad is terrifying!Chapter 17 · Will Dad blow up the kitchen?Chapter 18 Part 1 · Little Dad, let’s get New Big Dad!Chapter 18 Part 2 · Little Dad, let’s get new Big Dad!Chapter 19 · Yuanbao doesn’t have a loving big dadChapter 20 Part 1 · Dad never holds back Yuanbao~ No, no~Chapter 20 Part 2 · Dad never holds back Yuanbao~ No, no~Chapter 21 · Little Dad’s friendChapter 22 · Our Child from future!Chapter 23 · Little Daddy Knows!Chapter 24 · How did the two fathers meet?Chapter 25 · They really treat him like a gold ingot!Chapter 26 · Big Daddy really likes little daddyChapter 27 · Hehe, Yuanbao’s dad is such a humorous personChapter 28 · This name sounds like some kind of unspoken codeChapter 29 · Don’t you dare steal Yuanbao’s little dad!Chapter 30 · You’re so smart, it’s only natural that our child is clever too.Chapter 31 · That’s definitely a hickey!Chapter 32 · We simply can’t compete!Chapter 33 · Big Dad, you’re not allowed to bully Little DadChapter 34 · Amusement ParkChapter 35 · Big Dad, you have to protect Little DadChapter 36 · Go eat friesChapter 37 · These fries are so deliciousChapter 38 · Yuanbao imitated his dad’s tone: “No, no~”Chapter 39 · Did you hurt Daddy’s hand?Chapter 40 · Were the father and son plotting something behind my back?Chapter 41 · They really went a little too far in the future.Chapter 42 · Sudden feeling of being “needed”Chapter 43 · The little guy tells his dad everythingChapter 44 · Why was Dad secretly observing him?Chapter 45 · I’ll introduce you to these two adorable peopleChapter 46 · According to family hierarchyChapter 47 · Yuanbao is mine and Jingyuan’s childChapter 48 · Little Yuanbao, you sound just like your dad talking right now!Chapter 49 · Are you happy today?Chapter 50 · Waaah, how could Daddy say such bad things about Yuanbao to Little Daddy?!Chapter 51 · Dad, will Yuanbao have a younger brother or sister?Chapter 52 · Let him handle the whole “conquering” thing!Chapter 53 · Dad, do you miss dad?Chapter 54 · Yuanbao’s Dad, how about we start dating?Chapter 55 · Did the two fathers talk for two days before telling Yuanbao?Chapter 56 · I’d like a different birthday presentChapter 57 · I love playing like this with my two dadsChapter 58 · Dad, come home soonChapter 59 · Jingyuan, let me hold you for a whileChapter 60 · Big Dad and Little Dad are just like Yuanbao’s left and right feetChapter 61 · Yuanbao, how about letting your father sleep in the middle?Chapter 62 · Waiting for your goodnight kissChapter 63 · Philodendron, McDowellChapter 64 · Little Dad is so badChapter 65 · Yuanbao wants to stay home and play every dayChapter 66 · Where’s my little Yuanbao?Chapter 67 · He’s my childChapter 68 · Two fathers?Chapter 69 · Does French Fries taste the same?Chapter 70 · Teacher AnnieChapter 71 · You’re bullying meChapter 72 · Big Dad asked Little Dad to kiss you for himChapter 73 · I think what’s missing is a formal confessionChapter 74 · If the ingot is an inward square, thenChapter 75 · Little Potato Ball and Daddy PotatoChapter 76 · That must be some other silly kidChapter 77 · In the future, how about I help you pluck out your white hairs?Chapter 78 · Little Dad already tried his best to help you!Chapter 79 · You can only blame the prize for being too temptingChapter 80 · Little Dad will hold a personal art exhibition just for youChapter 81 · Shall I make it up to you?Chapter 82 · Little Dad, kiss kiss~ Help Yuanbao give Big Dad a kiss tooChapter 83 · You’ll just say he’s a relative’s childChapter 84 · #PeiJingyuanMalePregnancy#Chapter 85 · Family GatheringChapter 86 · Yuanbao will work hard and make lots of money!Chapter 86 · Extra 1Chapter 87 · Who’s he messaging?Chapter 87 · Extra 2Chapter 88 · Why are you blushing?Chapter 88 · Extra 3Chapter 89 · Let’s get marriedChapter 89 · Extra 4Chapter 90 · Hair CutChapter 90 · Extra 5Chapter 91 · They’re willing to accept you as part of the familyChapter 92 · A Family DinnerChapter 93 · This is Yuanbao’s… very, very tall Big Dad, Nie ShenyuanChapter 94 · The wedding