At that same time, chaos erupted on the film set.
During a shooting sequence, a prop suddenly fell, nearly hitting Pei Jingyuan and Zhan Jing’s stunt double.
Luckily, the stunt double, a trained martial artist, reacted quickly and managed to pull Pei Jingyuan out of the way.
Even so, Pei Jingyuan instinctively raised his hand to block, and ended up fracturing his wrist.
The filming had to stop immediately.
Sweat rolled down Pei Jingyuan’s temples from the pain, but afraid of delaying progress, he still said firmly, “Director Zhang, I’m fine. Let’s finish the scene.”
Getting hurt on set was common, especially in action films.
Pei Jingyuan didn’t think something like this should slow down the team.
Director Zhang, however, kept a dark expression and ordered someone to fetch an ice pack.
The stunt double, He Zhiqi, not only practiced martial arts but also knew a bit about sprains and fractures. “Teacher Pei, don’t move your hand. I’ll find something to brace your wrist.”
If this had happened at home, Pei Jingyuan would probably have yelped loud enough to jump three feet high.
But on set, he gritted his teeth and forced himself to stay calm. “I’m okay, really, it’s nothing serious.”
He Zhiqi frowned. “It looks okay now, but by tomorrow it’ll definitely swell.”
He gently lifted Pei Jingyuan’s arm and placed it on a railing to keep it still before pressing the ice pack to his wrist.
Pei Jingyuan tried to take it. “I’ll do it myself, it’s fine.”
His brows drew together tightly, his lips pressed so hard they went pale, clearly enduring the pain.
“Keep the wrist slightly elevated,” He Zhiqi reminded.
Director Zhang reviewed the footage, then came back. “Pei, go to the hospital. The take we got is usable.”
“Really?” Pei Jingyuan looked uncertainly between the director and He Zhiqi.
He Zhiqi, three years his senior and treating him like a younger brother, nodded. “Listen to the director. If he says it’s good, it’s good.”
Pei Jingyuan nodded obediently. “Then I’ll go. Director, Teacher He, don’t worry about me.”
The sun was already dipping below the horizon, and He Zhiqi still had a scene to shoot, so there wasn’t much time to linger.
A stagehand hurried over. “Teacher Pei, come with me. I’ll take you to change and then to the hospital.”
Pei Jingyuan waved him off. “It’s really not that bad. I’ll just call a cab.”
The stagehand shook his head. “Director Zhang said to make sure you get there safely. I can’t risk it.”
He reached out to help, but Pei Jingyuan quickly straightened and walked on his own toward the dressing room.
Thankfully, the costume was an open-sleeved robe, easy to remove once the belt was untied.
The makeup artist swiftly removed his wig.
The ice had numbed his hand to the point of stinging, so Pei Jingyuan pulled it away and exhaled.
“Raise your hand a little,” the makeup artist said softly. “It helps the blood flow back.”
Pei Jingyuan immediately lifted it higher.
Just then, the stagehand took a call, another set issue. When he hung up, Pei Jingyuan was already standing.
“Brother, really, it’s fine. No need to escort me all the way. It’s just a minor injury.”
The stagehand hesitated, then sighed. “All right, but I’ll come anyway. You’re almost done filming. Let’s not take any chances.”
Pei Jingyuan couldn’t argue with that and followed him out.
Once in the car, his phone buzzed.
A message from “Yuanbao’s Daddy”:
[Mr. Pei, what time will you finish work? Yuanbao wants to come pick you up.]
Since his right hand was hurt and resting motionless on his lap, he could only type awkwardly with his left.
The stagehand noticed and said, “Just use voice, it’s faster.”
Pei Jingyuan wasn’t used to sending voice messages to Mr. Nie, but he agreed it would be easier.
He pressed the record button and said politely, “Mr. Nie, something happened on set. I may not be able to join you and Yuanbao for dinner tonight. I’m really sorry, could you please tell him I said I’m sorry?”
Right after he sent it, a voice call came through.
He hurried to answer. “Hello?”
Nie Shenyuan’s calm but low voice came through. “Mr. Pei, what happened?”
Pei Jingyuan hesitated. “If I tell you, please don’t let Yuanbao know. I don’t want him to worry.”
“All right,” Nie Shenyuan said. “Tell me.”
Pei Jingyuan briefly explained about the fractured wrist and smiled wryly at the end. “It’s my right hand, so I can’t hold chopsticks. It’d be inconvenient to join you.”
He’d apologized more times than he could count.
He understood how much children looked forward to things, and he truly didn’t want to disappoint Yuanbao.
The other end of the line went quiet.
Pei Jingyuan could almost feel the heavy pressure radiating through the phone.
“Mr. Nie?” he asked softly.
“Are you still at the film set?”
Their voices overlapped, his startled and Nie Shenyuan’s clipped, low tone.
“I’m in the car,” Pei Jingyuan explained. “The stagehand’s taking me to a nearby hospital. We’re almost there.”
“Send me your location,” Nie said immediately.
“That’s not necessary,” Pei Jingyuan tried to refuse. “If Yuanbao sees my hand like this, he’ll be scared.”
“I’ll come alone.”
“Huh?” Pei Jingyuan blurted, caught off guard. “You’re coming here? Aren’t you busy?”
“I’m not,” came the short reply. “Send the location. I’m on my way.”
Before he could argue, the call ended.
Why did Mr. Nie sound so urgent all of a sudden?
A new message appeared: [Location]
Pei Jingyuan stared at the screen, half in disbelief. Does he always sound this cold and domineering even when he’s trying to do a good deed?
By then, the car had reached the nearest hospital.
The stagehand parked and asked, “Do you have a friend coming to meet you?”
Thinking Nie would arrive soon and not wanting to trouble him further, Pei Jingyuan nodded. “Yes, someone’s coming. You don’t need to stay.”
But the stagehand shook his head firmly. “No way. I’ll help you register first.”
Despite Pei Jingyuan’s protests, the man stayed until he’d handed him off at the outpatient clinic doors.
Watching him jog back toward the parking lot, Pei Jingyuan felt a wave of guilt.
While he waited in line, a middle-aged man beside him eyed his mask-wrapped face and edged back cautiously.
“Young man, are you down with the flu or something?”
Pei Jingyuan realized what the man was thinking and could only smile helplessly beneath his mask.
He lifted his hand slightly. “My wrist’s injured. Not a cold.”
The middle-aged man relaxed, letting out a small laugh. “Ah, I see. The way you’re wearing that mask gave me quite a scare.”
Pei Jingyuan made no move to take it off. Under the man’s curious gaze, he shifted slightly to the side, eyes fixed on the number printed on his registration slip.
Outside the hospital, the crew member clutched his car keys and hurried toward the parking lot, only to see a tall, imposing figure step out of a black car. He had met plenty of people on film sets, but rarely anyone with this kind of presence.
Then he noticed two bodyguards following behind the man as they strode swiftly toward the hospital entrance.
Inside the orthopedics department, Pei Jingyuan had just sat down when a rush of footsteps echoed from outside, as if a sudden crowd of patients had arrived. Even the doctor looked up and muttered with a faint sigh, “What’s going on today? So many people.”
Moments later, Nie Shenyuan appeared at the doorway and immediately spotted the young man sitting inside.
The boy’s figure was slender and quiet, a lonely silhouette against the sterile white of the room.
Pei Jingyuan slowly turned his head, surprise flickering in his eyes when he saw the man enter. “Mr. Nie? So soon?”
“I happened to be nearby,” Nie Shenyuan replied, his tone calm as he took in the small consultation room. Standing slightly behind Pei Jingyuan, he asked the doctor, “How is it?”
The doctor, assuming he was a family member, began unwrapping the bandage around Pei Jingyuan’s wrist while asking casually, “You two brothers?”
“No.”
“No.”
The two voices overlapped at once, distinct yet perfectly synchronized.
Out of the corner of his eye, Pei Jingyuan glanced at Mr. Nie’s long legs and immediately looked away.
The doctor merely nodded and focused back on the injury. “I’ll give you a form. Pay the fee first, then go up to the third floor for an X-ray. Bring the film straight back to me afterward, you won’t need to queue again.”
Pei Jingyuan nodded.
But before he could reach for the slip, a large, well-defined hand took it first.
When they stepped out into the corridor, Pei Jingyuan finally noticed the two bodyguards waiting nearby. People walking past were already sneaking glances at the little scene.
Nie Shenyuan, used to such attention, paid them no mind. Handing the paper to one of the bodyguards, he said, “Go pay the bill.” Then to Pei Jingyuan, he added in a low voice, “Come on, let’s get your scan done.”
If it hadn’t been so sudden, he would have taken the boy directly to the Nie family’s private hospital instead.
The entire process was quick.
A bone fracture wasn’t an acute illness, there was no miracle cure for it, only proper care and time.
After his wrist was bandaged, Pei Jingyuan followed Nie Shenyuan to the car. He sat in the spacious back seat, a little uneasy, and said earnestly, “I’m really sorry to trouble you, Mr. Nie. Actually, I… ”
“There’s no need for that.”
Nie Shenyuan gestured for the driver to start the car. His gaze swept toward the soundproof panel between the front and back seats. After a brief pause, he pressed the control button.
The partition slowly rose, enclosing them in a private space.
Pei Jingyuan blinked in slight confusion.
Nie Shenyuan coughed softly. “Don’t worry. I didn’t tell Yuanbao about your injury. He’s home right now, playing with his toys. The housekeeper’s with him.”
“Good.”
Pei Jingyuan nodded. “Then when I go back, ”
“He’ll find out sooner or later,” Nie Shenyuan said quietly. He knew his little son too well. The child mentioned “Little Dad” every three minutes. There was no way he’d go through the evening without seeing him.
He added reassuringly, “Don’t worry. Yuanbao isn’t that timid.”
Pei Jingyuan hesitated for a moment.
Nie Shenyuan glanced at his bandaged wrist. “Your hand’s not convenient to use. If there’s anything you need help with, just tell me.”
He paused, then said again, his voice firm, “There’s no need to be polite with me.”
Pei Jingyuan stayed silent, sitting quietly in the back seat. His thoughts wandered to his earlier conversation with Manager Huang. Out of the corner of his eye, he studied Mr. Nie.
Nie Shenyuan naturally noticed the gaze but didn’t avoid it. Calm and composed, he simply let the boy look, wondering quietly what he might be thinking.
……..
Inside Apartment 1102, Yuanbao was walking around the living room with the kitten in his arms, occasionally peeking into the kitchen to check what the chef was cooking.
Earlier in the afternoon, Big Dad had taken him out to look for French fries. They finally found a place that sold some that tasted almost like the kind his Little Dad used to make, but Big Dad only let him eat a tiny bit.
Now back home, Yuanbao was still sulking. He complained softly to the kitten, his chubby cheeks puffed out.
He might be just forty months old, but he wasn’t someone to be treated unfairly!
As he thought about it again, he kissed the kitten’s ear and whispered seriously, “Yuanbao, our Big Dad is so mean, isn’t he?”
The kitten let out a small “meow.”
Yuanbao nodded solemnly. “Exactly! Yuanbao thinks so too! Yuanbao’s so smart~”
His big bright eyes darted toward the dining table. After dinner, he planned to secretly talk to Little Dad about this.
Just then, his tiny ears caught a faint “ding.”
The elevator had stopped.
Little Dad was home!
Yuanbao dashed to the front door, the housekeeper calling after him in alarm. “Young Master?”
The little one jumped in excitement. “Auntie, quick! Open the door, hurry!”
The housekeeper checked through the peephole, saw the familiar tall figure outside, and immediately unlocked it.
Yuanbao shot out like a little arrow. “Wow!”
Both adults froze at the same time.
Especially Pei Jingyuan, his heart skipped a beat, guilt flashing across his face.
He had planned to return quietly to Apartment 1101 first, thinking about how to explain things to Yuanbao. But now, he’d been caught red-handed.
“Little Dad?!”
Yuanbao’s big eyes went wide as he spotted the blue bandage on his Little Dad’s wrist. His left hand was supporting his right, the wrapped fingers slightly curled upward.
Pei Jingyuan opened his mouth, but before he could say anything, Yuanbao’s eyes filled instantly with tears.
“Wait!”
Pei Jingyuan crouched down in a hurry.
Nie Shenyuan reached out to pick up his son, but the boy dodged and threw himself straight at Pei Jingyuan, wrapping his small arms tightly around his Little Dad’s leg.
Tilting his head up, his teary eyes glared fiercely at his tall Big Dad.
His tiny voice trembled, but it was firm and full of determination. “Big Dad doesn’t know how to take care of Little Dad! I don’t want Big Dad anymore!”
“Huh?”
Pei Jingyuan’s brain froze. “Hey, hey, Little Dad’s fine, really!”
Yuanbao clung to his leg, dragging him toward Apartment 1101. “Little Dad, let’s go home! We don’t want to play with Big Dad anymore!”
Pei Jingyuan panicked.
What in the world was happening right now?
His eyes darted toward Mr. Nie, silently begging for help.
Nie Shenyuan bent down, trying to calm the child. “Yuanbao, slow down a little.”
But the little one twisted his shoulders and dodged his father’s hand again.
They were already at the door. Yuanbao urged anxiously, “Little Dad, open it, quick!”
Pei Jingyuan hesitated.
Nie Shenyuan said softly, “Go on, open it.”
The little boy, red-eyed and puffed up like an angry rabbit, pressed his small palms against the door.
Pei Jingyuan used his left hand to unlock the fingerprint scanner.
The door clicked open. Yuanbao immediately pushed his Little Dad inside, then spun around to stand guard at the doorway. One hand pressed against the frame, the other pointed at the man outside.
His soft milky voice was filled with childish fury. “Big Dad’s not allowed in! Big Dad doesn’t take care of Little Dad!”
Nie Shenyuan crouched down, patient and composed. “Yuanbao, listen to me first.”
Just then, the housekeeper stepped out from Apartment 1102.
Yuanbao ignored his Big Dad completely. He stood on tiptoe and called sweetly past him, “Auntie, come here~ Yuanbao needs you~”
The housekeeper froze, unsure whether to laugh or cry. The scene looked like a standoff between father and son.
Realizing there was no reasoning with the boy for now, Nie Shenyuan stepped aside and said in a low tone, “Go on. Take care of Mr. Pei’s hand. He’s hurt.”
“Yes, sir.”
The housekeeper slipped past, entering Apartment 1101.
Yuanbao stared one last time at his unreliable Big Dad, his cheeks puffed, eyes fierce. Then, with a decisive huff, he slammed the door shut.
Inside, Pei Jingyuan was left speechless, unsure how the situation had escalated so quickly.
He knelt to comfort the child. “Yuanbao, look, my hand’s still here. It’s just a small injury, nothing serious, see?”
He raised his hand carefully to show him.
But Yuanbao’s eyelashes trembled, and a big tear rolled down his cheek, splashing onto his pale yellow shirt.
“Don’t cry, don’t cry.”
Pei Jingyuan’s teasing smile vanished instantly. His heart twisted painfully as he reached out, hugging the little boy close with his uninjured arm and pressing a kiss to his soft hair.
“Yuanbao’s a brave little boy, right? We don’t cry over tiny things.”
Yuanbao clung tightly to his Little Dad’s neck, burying his face against his shoulder.
Warm tears slid down Pei Jingyuan’s skin, stinging as they fell. His heart ached so much it nearly brought tears to his own eyes.
Then Yuanbao hiccuped softly and mumbled between sobs, “Little Dad, let’s get a new Big Dad instead.”
Pei Jingyuan blinked. “…Huh?”
✦ ✧ ✦
Cressilia
[Translator]
☕ A LITTLE SOMETHING FOR THE TRANSLATOR
The chapter has ended. The coffee propaganda begins.
☕ 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