When Chen Xu entered Room 1102, he found Yuanbao lying on the sofa bed, reading a fairy tale to a tiny kitten.
In the beautifully illustrated picture book, a little black cat with bright yellow eyes stared out from the page.
Hearing movement, Yuanbao lifted his small head.
There was no sign of Mr. Nie anywhere in the room, but the faint sounds of activity drifted from the kitchen.
“Young Master, where is Sir?” Chen Xu asked.
The child pointed toward the kitchen. “Daddy’s learning how to make French fries.”
His tone was overly calm, no excitement, no curiosity, not even the slightest trace of surprise.
Chen Xu turned his gaze toward the kitchen, utterly astonished, then wondered why the little one seemed so indifferent.
Wasn’t this the sort of shocking spectacle that could easily make tomorrow’s financial headlines?
He leaned closer to the sofa bed. “Young Master, don’t you want to go and take a look?”
Yuanbao lazily flipped to the next page, his small fingers resting on the corner of the paper. One tiny foot swayed up and down.
He had been watching earlier.
His emotional journey had been a roller coaster of intensity: excitement, anticipation, disbelief, renewed hope, shock, bewilderment… and finally, utter despair.
Daddy was so clumsy it made his heart ache.
At one point, he had even pleaded in frustration, “Chef Uncle, maybe you should teach Yuanbao instead!”
But as Daddy’s late-born son, he felt that his father’s silly mistakes were private family matters, not something to be shared with anyone other than his other dad.
Chen Xu quietly observed the boy’s subtle changes in expression within mere seconds. For a moment, he thought the little one’s mannerisms resembled those of Mr. Nie, particularly when deep in thought, his gaze focused and calculating.
Clearly, that small brain was busy processing something very complicated.
Finally, Yuanbao said softly, “Chef Uncle said it’s not safe for me to stay in the kitchen.”
“I see,” Chen Xu replied smoothly. “Then I’ll go have a look.”
The little one’s hair was fluffy and soft-looking. Chen Xu imagined it must feel wonderful to touch. Lately, he had noticed that Mr. Nie had developed a habit of ruffling his son’s hair whenever he passed by.
Yuanbao blinked his large, round black-and-white eyes. “Uncle?” he asked, puzzled. Why was the man still staring at him instead of leaving?
“I’m going right now,” Chen Xu said quickly.
Holding the folder in his hand, he stepped toward the kitchen. “Sir?”
The small kitchen felt impossibly cramped with two grown men inside.
Especially with Nie Shenyuan’s tall figure, nearly one meter ninety, standing before the miniature stove, the whole setup looked almost comical, like a child’s play kitchen.
Nie Shenyuan turned his head slightly and glanced at Chen Xu, his eyes flicking briefly to the folder. “Wait outside. Ten minutes.”
Before him, the oil sizzled as he dropped in the prepared strips of potato. The sharp crackle of frying filled the air.
Chen Xu almost wanted to stay and watch. After all, how often did anyone get the chance to see Mr. Nie cook with his own hands? For his career, this sight alone could count as an achievement unlocked.
Hovering at the doorway, he noticed the chef standing nearby looking troubled. On the counter lay neatly cut potato strips and several suspiciously charred objects that might once have been fries.
What kind of crime scene was this?
So Mr. Nie wasn’t flawless after all. At least in the field of cooking, there was plenty of room for improvement.
When Nie Shenyuan cast him another sharp glance, Chen Xu immediately retreated. That calm, blade-like gaze carried an invisible pressure that warned him to get out before becoming collateral damage.
Back in the living area, Yuanbao cuddled the kitten and kissed its furry ear. In a small, resigned whisper, he muttered, “Looks like we won’t be eating fries today either.”
Chen Xu couldn’t help sighing inwardly. Sir spoiled the young master far too much. It wasn’t as if they didn’t have professional chefs. Even ordering from a restaurant would have been fine. Yet he insisted on cooking himself.
Ten minutes later, both of them heard approaching footsteps. They turned toward the kitchen at the same time.
Nie Shenyuan met his son’s clear, expectant eyes and gave a soft cough. “Not ready yet.”
The little one, trying his best to sound grown-up, consoled him kindly. “That’s okay. Daddy worked very hard.”
Chen Xu nearly burst out laughing. Such an understanding child! No wonder Sir adored him so much.
Nie Shenyuan wiped his hands clean and came over to take the folder. “To the study,” he said.
As he passed the sofa bed, he reached out and rubbed the little one’s soft head.
Trailing behind, Chen Xu thought helplessly, See? I knew it. He really can’t resist doing that.
The suite had originally included a small bedroom, which had been converted into a study when they moved in.
Nie Shenyuan sat down in the chair and began to go through the documents.
“Sir,” Chen Xu reported, “according to Silver Star Entertainment’s current annual plan, Mr. Pei is not on their priority list of artists for promotion.”
Nie Shenyuan’s eyes skimmed through the file quickly, pausing instead on the chart that listed Silver Star’s investors and shareholders.
“Silver Star is currently working on two major film and television projects,” Chen Xu continued. “Both are joint ventures with the largest domestic streaming platform. One costume drama is already in production, and the other is still in pre-development. The cast hasn’t been finalized yet.”
His tone implied something between the lines. If Mr. Nie wished to help Mr. Pei secure a role, there was still time to maneuver.
Chen Xu didn’t fully understand the exact nature of the relationship between the two men, but even a fool could see that Mr. Pei held a special significance in Mr. Nie’s life.
Still, Nie Shenyuan didn’t respond. He turned another page calmly, his expression unreadable.
Chen Xu hesitated. Had he misjudged?
Then Mr. Nie spoke, his voice quiet. “Hongtian Asset Management, is that a subsidiary of the Hongtian Group?”
That company wasn’t part of Chen Xu’s immediate research scope. He recalled it being mentioned only once in the appendix, its shareholding so small it was practically negligible.
“Yes,” he replied after a pause. “At the end of last year, Chairman Jia of the Hongtian Group invited you to a family banquet, but you declined.”
He thought for a moment more. “Also, at Chairman Wang’s funeral, I believe I saw Chairman Jia’s son in attendance.”
Nie Shenyuan showed no sign of recognition. He only remembered having met Chairman Jia a few times at unavoidable public functions.
“Sir, should I conduct a deeper investigation into Hongtian Asset Management?” Chen Xu asked.
Nie Shenyuan did not answer right away. His lashes lowered slightly, eyes fixed on the file before him.
Chen Xu’s thoughts churned. Could Sir have some other plan in mind? But why that faint hesitation? Was there something sensitive involved?
The study was silent enough to hear the faint rustle of pages.
Whenever the topic involved Mr. Pei, Nie Shenyuan seemed less decisive than usual, less like the cold, commanding figure he had always been.
Then came a gentle knock.
Tap. Tap tap.
Both men turned toward the door at once.
“Daddy? Can Yuanbao come in?” came the sweet, milky voice from outside.
Nie Shenyuan quickly closed the file and rose to his feet. “We’ll set this aside for now,” he said to Chen Xu.
When it came to Pei Jingyuan’s career, he preferred to proceed carefully.
Chen Xu nodded in understanding.
Nie Shenyuan strode to the door and opened it, bending down to lift the obedient little boy waiting outside. “Do you want French fries?” he asked, his low voice soft with affection.
Watching the scene, Chen Xu almost couldn’t believe his eyes.
What was it called when a man changed completely after a major life event?
It was exactly this.
If someone had told him before that Mr. Nie, cold, sharp, untouchable Mr. Nie, was secretly a doting father, he would have laughed until his ribs hurt.
But now, faced with this tender moment, even the most cynical man would have to accept the truth.
At the door, Yuanbao’s big round eyes swept curiously over the study, his chin resting on his father’s broad shoulder. He whispered in a tiny voice, “Chef Uncle’s fries don’t taste like Daddy’s old ones.”
The chef had just made a fresh batch, but the little one had been disappointed.
He hadn’t wanted to hurt the chef’s feelings, so he came running to complain to Daddy instead.
“I’ll take a look,” Nie Shenyuan said.
In the dining area, the chef stood before a plate of golden fries, looking uncertain. “Sir, Young Master says mine don’t taste the same.”
Sensing the man’s embarrassment, Yuanbao quickly looped his little arms around his father’s neck, turning his face toward the chef to comfort him.
“Uncle, don’t be sad. Different doesn’t mean not yummy.”
The chef couldn’t help but smile, deeply touched. “Thank you, Young Master. Such high standards, but such a kind little heart.”
From the doorway, Chen Xu stepped forward again, ever attentive to both father and son, ready with another “timely suggestion.”
“Mr. Nie, every fast food chain seems to have its own way of making fries. Why don’t we just buy them all and let the young master see which one he likes best?”
The chef quickly stopped him. “That won’t do! The oil and ingredients they use can’t compare to what we have at home. What if the young master gets a stomachache?”
Hearing the adults go back and forth, Yuanbao blinked his big round eyes and met his daddy’s gaze.
A moment later, the little cub puffed up his cheeks, drooped his eyes, and said softly, “It’s okay~ Yuanbao doesn’t have to eat tasty fries.”
Chef and Chen Xu both froze.
The living room fell silent for a few seconds.
Nie Shenyuan’s deep voice finally broke the quiet. “Assistant Chen, have the driver go to the nearby restaurants.”
“Wow~” Yuanbao exclaimed, only to quickly cover his mouth when he noticed his daddy’s serious expression. His eyes, however, sparkled brightly with joy.
The little cub was just too adorable. Chen Xu and the chef couldn’t help exchanging a smile.
Nie Shenyuan carried him to the bedroom to change into his little outing clothes and asked in a low voice, “Do the fries outside really taste the same as the ones your other daddy used to make? You’re this happy even before eating them?”
Yuanbao quickly shook his head, clutching the sleeve of his daddy’s shirt. “Not sure if they’re the same, but they must look much better than Daddy’s burnt black ‘bean fries’!”
At that, he tugged on the cuff of Nie Shenyuan’s shirt and swayed it back and forth. “Daddy, daddy! Can we pick up little daddy and eat fries together?”
“Your little daddy has two scenes to film today.”
Nie Shenyuan took out a small hat and placed it carefully on the child’s head. He bent down and looked into the boy’s round, innocent face. “Didn’t your future daddy tell you to support your little daddy’s acting career?”
“Hmm?”
Yuanbao tilted his head, fiddled with the cartoon buckle under his chin, and thought for a moment before saying seriously, “He did say that. But Yuanbao forgot~”
So honest, yet so confident about forgetting.
Nie Shenyuan was actually satisfied with that answer. He straightened the hat. “Then you’d better remember it well.”
“Oh.” Yuanbao’s soft voice carried a hint of seriousness. “Yuanbao supports little daddy! Yuanbao just misses him a lot!”
Before Nie Shenyuan could respond, the cub’s tone suddenly changed, his voice puffing up in mock anger. “Hmph! Daddy doesn’t even miss little daddy!”
As he spoke, his short legs kicked out hard in protest.
“Criticizing me again?” Nie Shenyuan straightened up, pinching the brim of the hat and lifting it slightly. “Then we won’t go out.”
“Nooo~”
Little Yuanbao immediately hugged his hat protectively.
How could daddy be so mean!
Nie Shenyuan picked him up easily. “We’ll eat the fries first, then go pick up your little daddy on the way back.”
“Really?” Yuanbao’s eyes lit up, and his chubby cheeks puffed happily.
As they passed through the living room, he raised his voice. “Chef Uncle! Make something yummy for dinner! Big shrimp, okay?”
His little daddy loved drunken shrimp, fresh, chilled, and delightfully springy. Yuanbao wanted to eat lots of it too!
The chef smiled warmly. “Don’t worry, young master, I’ll prepare everything perfectly!”
Yuanbao waved his small, milky-white hand enthusiastically. “Uncle, fighting!”
“Haha, all right, fighting!” The chef even mimicked the gesture.
Nie Shenyuan had never seen his long-time household staff act this lively before.
✦ ✧ ✦
Cressilia
[Translator]
☕ A LITTLE SOMETHING FOR THE TRANSLATOR
The translator sees your coffee button usage. 👀
☕ BUY THEM A COFFEE →
✧ (づ｡•ㅅ•｡)づ ☕ ✧
✦ thank you for reading ✦
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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