“Big daddy?”
For the past few days, Yuan Bao had been sleeping in the same bed as his Big daddy, under his own little quilt.
He was already used to seeing his Big daddy wear that pitch-black sleep mask, even though he had never seen one before.
Half-asleep, Nie Shenyuan heard the soft little voice calling him and responded naturally with a sleepy “Hmm?”, then reached up to remove his mask.
Right in front of him was his little boy’s round face, magnified by proximity.
He instinctively pulled the small child into his arms and rubbed him gently.
At this age, children were soft and cuddly, a perfect fit for the embrace.
Yuan Bao wriggled in his Big daddy’s arms and pushed at his arm. “Big daddy, let’s get up quickly and go find little Big daddy for breakfast~!”
He had overslept the past two days and missed it.
The sky outside was still gray with dawn.
Nie Shenyuan said quietly, “Your little daddy doesn’t get up this early, don’t be in such a rush.”
He reached for his phone to check the time but when he saw an unread message, his expression changed instantly and he sat upright in bed.
“Mm?”
Yuan Bao was still snuggled against him, peeking curiously at the phone screen, then at his Big daddy’s suddenly furrowed brows. “What’s wrong with little daddy?”
Nie Shenyuan was slightly surprised that the little one already knew the message was from little daddy.
He tapped to open it, then picked the small bundle of a child up in one arm. “Let’s go wash up first and then we’ll invite your little daddy to come have breakfast with us.”
He decided to discuss the contents of the message face-to-face during breakfast.
“Okay~!”
Yuan Bao waved his chubby little hands and sang in his soft babyish voice, “Yuan Bao brush teeth teeth~ brush brush brush~ ya!”
Father and son got ready and soon stood outside room 1101, knocking on the door.
But no one answered.
They looked at each other.
Yuan Bao’s chubby little cheeks froze in shock, his round eyes wide. “Where’s little daddy?”
“Maybe he’s still sleeping.”
Nie Shenyuan adjusted his hold on the child, freeing one hand to take out his phone and prepare to send a message.
At that moment, the door to room 1103 opened and Butler Jiang appeared. Seeing them, he quickly said, “Half an hour ago, I heard the sound of the door opening and closing to the right. It seemed Mr. Pei had already left.”
“Huh?”
Yuan Bao turned bewildered eyes toward his Big daddy.
Nie Shenyuan carried the boy back inside. “Let’s have breakfast first.”
Yuan Bao looked uneasy and nervous. He clutched at his Big daddy’s collar with his small hand, tugging anxiously. “ Big daddy, did little daddy move away? Does he not like Yuan Bao anymore? Did he go to play with some other kid?”
His little voice grew smaller and smaller, ending in a pitiful whimper.
He looked a thousand times more heartbroken than yesterday when he didn’t get to keep the kitten.
“Yuan Bao.”
Nie Shenyuan looked down into the boy’s upturned face, his eyes calm yet firm. “ Little daddy probably just had to go out early to take care of something. Don’t think too much.”
He showed me the phone. “See? I’m already contacting him. Until we know what’s going on, don’t worry.”
Hearing his Big daddy’s steady, confident tone, Yuan Bao nodded, trusting him completely as always.
Then his small body slumped against his father’s chest, soft and listless, as if all his energy had drained away.
Normally, Nie Shenyuan was the type to deal with problems directly, never allowing himself to dwell on emotion. But this morning, unusually, a trace of impatience stirred inside him.
On the film set.
Today, Pei Jingyuan had a scene with the male lead, Zhan Jing.
The good news: Zhan Jing himself was acting, not a stand-in.
The bad news: the real person was worse than the stand-in.
Director Zhang had them rehearse first. During rehearsal, Zhan Jing kept laughing and goofing around.
When the cameras started rolling, he began insisting on changing the angle and position of the camera.
An amateur giving orders to professionals, the result was pure chaos.
“For this scene, I definitely should be sitting in the armchair. That gives me more presence.”
He sat down grandly, tilted his chin up and looked at Pei Jingyuan with a mocking half-smile. “What do you think, Director Zhang?”
The director had nothing to say. He thought privately, At least the stand-in was easier to deal with.
“Fine, fine, do it your way,” he sighed, turning to tell the cameraman a few adjustments.
Once the camera rolled again, Zhan Jing sat upright like a nobleman dealing with an underling who’d caused trouble.
Pei Jingyuan lowered his long lashes, his gaze falling to the man’s black boots. His expression was unreadable.
He wasn’t new to this kind of thing. He should’ve been used to it by now.
Yet today, for some reason, his mood was heavier than usual.
He had rushed out early on purpose, afraid that Mr. Nie, for Yuan Bao’s sake, might come to invite him over again.
And when he thought of the possibility of not being able to play with the little one anymore, he felt a pang of regret.
Perhaps that emotion leaked into his performance, because when the camera zoomed in, he suddenly lifted his eyes. A faint red shimmer glimmered along his lower lash line, like the delicate stroke of a brush.
With that youthful, proud face, it was breathtaking, a perfect, unplanned moment.
Director Zhang and the cameraman were ecstatic watching the monitor.
Only Zhan Jing was stunned.
He’d never had formal acting training, coming from an idol background into costume dramas. He didn’t know how to respond, so he crudely broke character.
“What’s wrong with you? That’s not how you’re supposed to act!”
Pei Jingyuan blinked and withdrew his expression, turning to the director with an innocent look. “Director Zhang, did I do something wrong?”
The director didn’t want to deal with Zhan Jing either. He waved dismissively. “No, Xiao Pei’s emotion is fine. Keep going.”
Zhan Jing glanced at Pei Jingyuan, his eyes filled with disdain masked as a smile and resumed his lines.
It was obvious to everyone, Zhan Jing couldn’t keep up with Pei Jingyuan’s performance.
From the start of production, everyone knew Pei’s lines were so well-delivered they could use live audio.
Zhan Jing, on the other hand, spoke with uneven breath and mispronounced tones, completely lacking presence.
He had a “personal” dubbing actor who did all his roles.
When the take finally ended, Zhan Jing shifted irritably in the armchair, grabbed the water bottle his assistant handed him and muttered under his breath, “Is he crazy or something?”
Meanwhile, Director Zhang called Pei Jingyuan over.
Adjusting his military-green cap, the director sighed and said quietly, “Xiao Pei, what’s going on with you today?”
Normally, Pei Jingyuan was gentle and never used his skills to pressure others.
Pei thought silently, It’s just the frustration of maybe losing that little kid.
He knew what the director meant but he pretended to be confused. “Did I do poorly?”
The director lowered his voice. “You’re great, that’s not the issue. I just don’t want you to provoke Zhan Jing. If he throws another tantrum and refuses to film, we’ll lose time.”
It was an honest, concerned warning.
Pei smiled faintly. “Maybe I just wanted to do too well in this role. I’ll hold back next time.”
Director Zhang patted his shoulder. “You’re almost wrapped in this film. Just finish it smoothly, that’s most important.”
Pei nodded sincerely. “You’re right, thank you for the reminder.”
Turning away, he took a deep breath and murmured quietly to calm himself: The way of Heaven is like bending a bow; the high is brought low, the low is raised up. The surplus is reduced, the shortage replenished…
After exhaling slowly, he thought for a moment, maybe he should greet Zhan Jing, smooth things over.
But then he caught sight of Zhan Jing’s arrogant face.
Forget it. Let it be.
He sank into his chair, smiling to himself.
While the makeup artist came to touch him up, he pulled out his phone.
“Wait a sec!”
The makeup artist jumped. “What happened?”
Pei Jingyuan grinned. “Nothing, I just got a message. Go ahead with the makeup.”
He closed his eyes, turning his head slightly while his long fingers clenched the phone tightly.
It was a long message from Mr. Nie!
After the touch-up, Pei leaned back in the chair, barely containing his excitement as he opened the message.
Little Yuan Bao’s Big daddy: Mr. Pei, good morning. It was quite late last night, so I had already gone to bed and didn’t reply in time. Please forgive me.
Pei practically glowed with happiness.
Forgive? He’s so polite! Such a gentleman!
Little Yuan Bao’s Big daddy: I was worried Yuan Bao might get hurt raising a real cat, so we discussed making a little animated cat instead. He’s agreed not to insist on adopting one. Thank you for your concern last night.
Pei’s heart melted. What a perfect Big daddy!
Little Yuan Bao’s Big daddy: This morning Yuan Bao and I went to knock on your door, only to learn you had already gone out. Did something urgent come up?
Pei immediately pictured the father and son standing outside his door, waiting expectantly.
Especially little Yuan Bao, he must have been so full of hope.
Oh no!
He’d truly wronged them, imagining Mr. Nie as cold or indifferent.
Mr. Nie was so composed and here he’d been overthinking a simple delayed message.
How small-minded of him!
He typed furiously:
Pei: Please don’t apologize, Mr. Nie, there’s nothing to forgive!
I just had to rush to the set this morning, so I left without notice.
I feel terribly sorry for keeping you and Yuan Bao waiting!
I really hope Yuan Bao wasn’t too disappointed!
He nearly pounded a hole through his screen.
He was utterly unworthy! If someone brings a rope, he should hang himself in shame!
Little Yuan Bao’s Big daddy: As long as you don’t run into trouble, that’s good. I’ll explain it to Yuan Bao.
Will you still come to dinner with us tonight?
Pei was about to say “Yes,” but then remembered he had already promised to have dinner with Luo Minyi last night.
Ah, if only I’d waited this morning instead of rushing out!
He typed reluctantly:
Pei: Thank you for the invitation but I already made plans with a friend tonight.
Guilt twisted in his chest. He must have disappointed the little one again and put Mr. Nie in an awkward position.
Just as he thought the matter was settled, another message popped up.
Little Yuan Bao’s Big daddy: Mr. Pei, is there something you’re concerned about? I can explain in person if you prefer. I truly went to bed early last night.
“Huh?”
Pei blinked, reading carefully.
Did Mr. Nie think he was making excuses and refusing dinner out of hurt feelings?
Pei: No, no, I really do have plans!
It’s with an actor senior who’s visiting from another city. We’ll be discussing an upcoming scene together over dinner.
Please don’t misunderstand, I’m not avoiding you.
If you’d like, I can even send a photo later as proof!
Little Yuan Bao’s Big daddy: Alright, I’ll show Yuan Bao the photo later.
Pei: Of course, of course!
Little Yuan Bao’s Big daddy: Then I won’t disturb you further. Take care with your work.
Pei: Bye bye~ (with an emoji)
Whew, misunderstanding cleared, heart light as air!
Just then, Zhan Jing walked by and caught him smiling broadly at his phone. “….”
Pei didn’t even notice. He was blissfully floating in his own little world.
The ancients were right:
Be sincere with others and your heart will be at peace.
As the image of little Yuan Bao’s soft, chubby cheeks surfaced in his mind, his heart felt warm all over.
“I know!”
Pei suddenly searched for a store he’d once visited, a plush toy brand and opened their website.
In Room 1102, Yuan Bao spent the entire day feeling down, listless on the sofa bed, refusing to eat.
He only perked up again after learning little Big daddydy hadn’t “moved away,” but had simply gone out for something urgent.
Soon he was bouncing around the sofa, circling the big panda cushion while humming in his sweet childish voice.
Seeing this, Nie Shenyuan decided not to mention that little Big daddydy wouldn’t be joining them for dinner tonight.
In the afternoon, Butler Jiang delivered a colorful cartoon gift box.
Yuan Bao’s eyes widened. “Uncle, what’s that? Where did it come from?”
“It’s a present from Mr. Pei, young master,” the butler said with a smile. “He sent it just for you.”
“Mr. Pei? Wow!” Yuan Bao squealed, hugging the box tightly. “Waaaah!”
Nie Shenyuan had just finished a conference call and came to sit beside his son, helping him open the package.
As soon as the lid lifted, Yuan Bao gasped. “Wow, it’s a white kitty!”
Inside was a snow-white plush cat, designed to stand upright on the sofa.
Yuan Bao hugged it tightly, showering it with kisses and raised it high. “It’s got blue eyes just like I wanted~ woo~!”
Nie Shenyuan glanced at the manual and discovered it was an interactive moving toy.
He took another box from the package, revealing a colorful leash and a cat-head-shaped remote.
After a bit of assembly, he turned it on, and the little cat began to move its short legs, toddling forward while making soft “meow” sounds.
Yuan Bao’s eyes lit up as he guided it around the room, then quickly took off the leash. “Big daddy, my kitty won’t run away. Let’s not make it wear the rope, okay?”
“Alright,” Nie Shenyuan agreed, putting the leash away and ruffling his hair. “Little Daddy sent you this cat, so you’ll be the one to take care of it.”
“Mm!” Yuan Bao nodded earnestly, his little fringe bouncing.
He hugged the cat close and examined its tiny clothes, discovering a pile of colorful cat socks.
When his Big daddy turned to drink water, he mischievously tried one pair on his own feet.
Hmm… a little tight.
He stuck out his tongue at the toy cat. “Sorry, kitty, Yuan Bao won’t steal your socks~”
When Nie Shenyuan came back, he saw the little one squatting seriously, helping the cat put on its socks, his round cheeks puffed adorably.
“Why don’t you give your cat a name?”
Yuan Bao’s eyes sparkled. He hugged the cat and rubbed its soft fur. “Little daddy gave it to me, so… maybe I’ll call it, ”
Nie Shenyuan quickly stopped him. “You can’t name it Little daddy.. ”
“Of course not!” Yuan Bao pouted. “I’m not that silly!”
He tapped his own chest. “I’m little daddy’s baby and the kitty is my baby… so I’ll call it Yuan Baby!”
Nie Shenyuan handed him the water cup and waited for him to sip through the straw before teasing, “So it’s not called Silly anymore?”
“Huh?” Yuan Bao tilted his head, puzzled. “Silly is your name, Big daddy.”
Nie Shenyuan pinched his cheek gently. “Don’t tell Little daddy nonsense like that.”
He was genuinely worried, if the truth of their relationship ever came out, Pei Jingyuan would probably believe whatever this little rascal said.
Yuan Bao squealed and tried to bite his Big daddy’s hand. “Nooo~ when Little daddy comes for dinner tonight, I’ll tell him your name is Silly!”
Nie Shenyuan flicked his small ear.
“Ow!” Yuan Bao covered his ear and pouted.
A moment later, Nie Shenyuan took out his phone, opened the camera and pointed it at the boy.
Yuan Bao blinked. “Huh? Big Daddy’s taking pictures just like before! Just like the other Big daddy used to do!”
Nie Shenyuan asked, “You mean to send them to your Little daddy’s?”
Yuan Bao nodded. “Sometimes when Little daddy goes out, Big daddy takes pictures and sends them to him, so he’ll come home sooner!”
That made Nie Shenyuan pause, his phone lowering slightly.
Perhaps… This wasn’t such a bad idea after all.
A few minutes later, he sent the photo along with a message:
Nie Shenyuan: Thank you for the gift, Mr. Pei. Yuan Bao loves it very much.
He says he hopes to see a photo of you having dinner later.
After hitting send, he suddenly heard a little sneeze from the sofa bed.
He handed over a tissue and wiped Yuan Bao’s face.
Yuan Bao held his wrist and grinned. “That means Little daddy must be thinking about me!”
“Mm.”
Nie Shenyuan turned his phone over, screen facing down.
✦ ✧ ✦
Cressilia
[Translator]
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← 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