Early morning.
The first light of dawn spilled across the quiet expanse of the Nie family estate.
Nie Shenyuan was a man of rigid discipline, bed by ten, awake at six.
His mornings always began the same way: a workout, breakfast, then work. Even now, while “taking care” of his child at home for a few days, his routine never faltered.
But today, before his mind had fully surfaced from sleep, he felt something soft pawing at his face. There was weight on his pillow, a small, warm bundle.
Tiny fingers pinched the edge of his black sleep mask and lifted it carefully, just enough for a pair of wide, curious eyes to peek underneath.
The moment their gazes met, silence fell.
The little boy froze, head tilting in confusion, “Huh? Big Dad sleeps with his eyes open?”
Nie Shenyuan’s voice was low, edged with sleep, “What are you doing up this early?”
“Whoa, Big Dad! You can talk while you’re still asleep!” The boy’s tone was full of astonishment, as if he’d just uncovered a great mystery of the world.
A beat later, realization dawned, Big Dad was, in fact, very much awake.
Nie Shenyuan was about to speak when the little rascal suddenly let go. The sleep mask snapped back over his face with a soft smack.
Before he could react, the round little dumpling tumbled away, scrambling toward the foot of the bed like a rolling ball.
Nie Shenyuan pulled the mask off, extended one long leg, and hooked the child back effortlessly.
“Why aren’t you still asleep?”
His morning voice was deeper than usual, a touch hoarse, cool and crisp, the kind of sound that could slice through drowsiness.
The boy, Yuanbao, tucked his small hands behind his back and puffed out his cheeks, head drooping in practiced pitifulness.
After several days of observation, Nie Shenyuan had already learned that this was the child’s signature move, a combination of puffed cheeks, drooping head, and guilty silence.
Sometimes he’d even add a flourish by pinching the soft flesh on the back of his own hand.
Nie Shenyuan coughed lightly, softening his tone. “Did you sleep enough?”
Yuanbao nodded obediently, then lifted his head with a serious reminder. “Today Yuanbao gets to see Little Dad! I was scared you’d sleep too long and forget!”
Nie Shenyuan’s gaze drifted toward the open door. “Next time you come into my room, knock first.”
Yuanbao followed his line of sight and blinked innocently at the door, “But sometimes you don’t have to knock! That’s a special privilege for little kids!”
“Who said that?”
Nie Shenyuan was certain that no version of himself would ever teach a child that. A person might change with time, yes, but not to the point of losing all sense of principle.
Yuanbao answered matter-of-factly, “Little Dad said so!”
Nie Shenyuan didn’t respond. His gaze seemed to drift right through the child, toward the image of another face.
He reached out and pinched the boy’s soft cheek.
“Eee…. ow!” Yuanbao twisted his head away, clutching Nie Shenyuan’s wrist with both hands and baring his little milk teeth. “Rawr! Rawr!”
He didn’t actually bite. The attempt was clumsy, childish and oddly entertaining.
Nie Shenyuan couldn’t deny it; this was the kind of silly game the future version of himself might play with a child.
Which meant that one day, he would bring part of himself and another person into a new life together. And that person, Pei Jingyuan, would change him, quietly but profoundly.
“Big Dad?”
A small white hand waved in front of his face. Yuanbao’s chubby cheeks leaned closer, studying him carefully.
Nie Shenyuan allowed the inspection. “Do I look different from your Big Dad in the future?”
Yuanbao tilted his head left, then right. “Nope! You look exactly the same! Even your white hair’s in the same place!”
Nie Shenyuan narrowed his eyes slightly and lifted the boy off the bed. “All right, up you get.”
Dangling his little legs over the edge, Yuanbao declared with absolute certainty, “That’s how I recognized you right away! Not like Little Dad~”
Nie Shenyuan slipped on his slippers, looking down at that earnest face. “What about Little Dad?”
Yuanbao swung his pale little feet, toes wiggling. “Little Dad’s so pretty! Like a young big brother!”
Nie Shenyuan fell silent. “Mm.”
That was the end of that conversation. He stood up, reaching for his robe.
Yuanbao, finding himself still a few inches above the ground and unable to reach his slippers, tried to grab at Big Dad’s clothes. His fingers missed. “Hey! Hey! Heyyy!”
Big Dad didn’t pick him up. How unfair!
He pouted and turned around, sliding off the bed all by himself, then waddled across the floor
*Pata Pata Pata*
Toward the washroom.
As Nie Shenyuan closed the door behind him, Yuanbao turned and jumped, calling out, “Big Dad, hurry up! Otherwise it’ll be dark before you get to see Little Dad! Then Yuanbao will cry, like this! Roll on the floor and cry a lot!”
Nie Shenyuan looked at the overly dramatic little figure. “You’re almost four years old. Try acting a little more mature.”
Yuanbao cupped his cheeks, tilted his head, and gave a sweet, sugary smile. “But I’m four ty months old~”
Nie Shenyuan raised an eyebrow. “Want to join me for my morning exercise? Go for a run in the garden?”
The child’s face changed instantly. Without a word, he spun on his heel and bolted for the door, his little body wiggling like a penguin on the run.
Nie Shenyuan shook his head, the faintest trace of amusement flickering between his brows.
While washing up, his gaze caught his own reflection in the mirror, the few strands of silver at his temples.
He’d seen them for years, long since used to them. But today, for some reason, they looked particularly stark.
The day before, all of the official social media accounts for Against the Wind had released a compilation of the scenes that had been cut from the drama, specifically, every segment featuring Pei Jingyuan.
The caption was formal and restrained:
“Due to runtime limitations, we were unable to include Teacher Pei Jingyuan’s brilliant performance in the televised version of the series. We’ve now produced a special feature to showcase his character. We hope everyone enjoys it.”
Fans of the male and female leads were furious.
“They don’t even have their own feature videos yet! Why does a cut character get one first?”
“Exactly! Who even is this guy? If he was deleted, why post about him?”
But others came to his defense.
“The post literally says his scenes were cut for time. Maybe the production team felt it was a shame not to show them.”
“Main character fans need to chill. Go watch the clip, this new guy can actually act. He’s leagues above your fave.”
“Wow, he’s got that rare pure and beautiful aesthetic. Not something you see often in domestic entertainment.”
“Ohhh, I get why they cut him now. He’s too pretty, would’ve upstaged the male lead. That must’ve been awkward.”
“Great acting, striking face. No wonder the lead’s fans are nervous.”
“Honestly, the more you all argue, the more famous this new guy’s going to get.”
Curiosity led people to Pei Jingyuan’s personal Weibo.
It was… sparse. Only a handful of posts, each one a photo taken after a film wrapped.
He always stood quietly at the edge of a group, understated but his face drew the eye every single time.
His following barely reached two hundred thousand, most of them clearly inactive.
“How is someone this beautiful not famous? What’s wrong with this industry?”
“He doesn’t have any major releases. It’s hard to get noticed without exposure.”
“I checked, he starred in an indie art film a few years ago, but the project ran out of money. It never even premiered. Poor guy.”
“Just in case he blows up later. I can feel it coming.”
That afternoon, on the set of Femme Fatale, Pei Jingyuan stood quietly beside Director Zhang, listening intently as the man went over blocking notes.
In a few minutes, he’d be running through a key scene with another actor.
A production assistant hurried over, whispering something to the director. “It’s the producer,” he said, handing over a phone.
Director Zhang’s expression shifted as he glanced at Pei Jingyuan, then stepped aside to take the call.
Pei Jingyuan blinked. Was that… about him?
In the corner, Director Zhang’s patience snapped. “What are you talking about? Xiao Pei’s scenes will be finished next week, and you want me to reshoot them now? Who do you think I am?”
The producer spoke in a lowered tone. “Zhan Jing’s boss just called me personally. Said Pei Jingyuan overshadowed their male lead in another series. We can’t have the same problem here.”
Director Zhang’s exhaustion was visible. The entire shoot had been a nightmare of delays, last-minute changes, and too little sleep. He was running on fumes and fumes were flammable.
“Zhan Jing’s been on set for what, a few hours total since we started? You know damn well most of his scenes use a double. If you don’t want me to film Pei Jingyuan, fine, then get Zhan Jing here yourself. Otherwise what, I shoot empty air?”
The producer hesitated. “Can’t you cut some of his parts?”
Director Zhang gave a sharp laugh. “Sure. I’ll have the screenwriter drop by your office, you two can do the cutting together. Or better yet, why don’t you cut me out too?”
“Old Zhang, no need to take it out on me.”
The director bit back his temper. He’d spent the entire production swallowing his pride; now the bile burned his throat.
“Then how about this,” the producer offered. “Replace him. Reshoot his scenes with someone else. We’ll get a second unit director to handle it. You just focus on wrapping the rest. Is that good enough for you?”
Director Zhang sneered. “You hold the purse strings, you make the rules.”
After a pause, he added flatly, “But you tell him yourself. I’m not the one doing your dirty work.”
The producer’s voice dropped to a mocking chill. “Please. A small-time actor like him? You can’t exactly offend someone like that.”
Director Zhang said nothing, keeping to himself the memory of the message he’d received just two days prior from a senior in the industry, asking him to adjust Pei Jingyuan’s filming schedule.
Sure enough, not long after, Pei Jingyuan’s phone buzzed.
It was the producer.
The call was brief. When it ended, his expression didn’t change but his fingers tightened around the phone.
His cooperation, they said, was “temporarily suspended.”
The other party said they would talk to his agency.
In truth, it wasn’t unusual for a production crew to suddenly replace an actor halfway through filming. Still, Pei Jingyuan wanted to understand what had happened.
Contacting the agency was pointless, they had long stopped caring about him.
So he went straight to Director Zhang, openly asking whether it was something about his performance that wasn’t up to par.
Director Zhang looked at his earnest face and sighed. “There’s been a small issue, but it’s still being discussed. Xiao Pei, go home and rest for today. Don’t worry about it. We’ll see how things are tomorrow.”
Hearing that tone, Pei Jingyuan knew he wouldn’t get a straight answer.
Director Zhang raised his phone as a gesture to end the conversation. “I have to take this call. Trust me, just go home and rest.”
He patted Pei Jingyuan’s shoulder. “Don’t be discouraged.”
Pei Jingyuan wasn’t discouraged so much as bewildered. “Alright. Then I’ll go remove my makeup and change.”
Not long after he left, gossip spread quickly across the crew: apparently, the male lead, Zhan Jing, didn’t want to appear in the same frame as Pei Jingyuan, fearing that online comparisons would make him look bad.
Others speculated that the controversy had begun when the official account of Against the Wind released a “Pei Jingyuan Character Featurette.”
The sudden popularity of that video had supposedly made Zhan Jing’s company nervous.
The crew was full of murmurs.
“What kind of nonsense is this? Guarding against a complete unknown?”
“With a face like that, it’s hard to say. The kid could blow up overnight.”
“But his acting range is limited. In the costume-romance circle, he’ll never make it as a male lead. If I were Zhan Jing, I’d just take a photo with him, post it online, and turn it into good PR.”
“If everyone thought like you, the world would be too kind, haha.”
When Pei Jingyuan left the set, he texted Huang Licheng, saying he couldn’t join for dinner that night. He didn’t mention the sudden incident.
The fridge at home was nearly empty, and he was running low on essentials, so he decided to stop by the supermarket.
By the time he returned to his apartment complex, he was carrying two large grocery bags.
His phone rang, it was his manager from the agency. He placed the bags on a nearby bench and sat down.
“Brother Rong?”
Xu Rong, his agent, got straight to the point. “What’s going on with the Red Beauty Calamity crew? They suddenly said they’re pulling you out. Wasn’t your shoot almost finished?”
Pei Jingyuan spoke plainly. “I don’t know the details. The producer didn’t explain. The director just told me to go home and wait.”
“Heh. Wait for what? Once they say they’re pulling you, that’s just a polite excuse.”
There was background noise on Xu Rong’s end, people talking, the sound of hurried footsteps, he was clearly in the middle of something. “Anyway, you’ll still get paid. Just take a few days off. I’ll reach out if something new comes up.”
“Alright.”
Pei Jingyuan leaned back against the bench, the shopping bags sitting beside him.
He squinted up at the sunlight streaming through layers of green leaves, dappling his face with broken patches of gold.
He exhaled softly. “Fine. As long as they still pay me.”
At that moment, a tall shadow fell across his line of sight.
He blinked, looking up to find a tall, straight-backed man standing in front of him. Startled, he straightened his posture and rubbed the back of his neck before reaching for his grocery bags.
His phone, balanced on his thigh, nearly slipped off. He quickly pressed his legs together to catch it.
“Do you need help?”
The stranger’s voice was low and resonant, carrying a calm weight rarely heard in everyday life, like someone who’d walked out of a film.
Pei Jingyuan looked up, momentarily dazed.
The sunlight was dazzling, and he squinted a little. “Hello.”
When the man took another step closer, his presence seemed to fill the space.
Pei Jingyuan stood up instinctively and found himself staring into a pair of deep, still eyes set in a sharply defined face. For a moment, he almost thought he’d stumbled into a movie set. “Are you an actor?”
The question wasn’t strange, this neighborhood housed plenty of actors, and the man’s upright posture and distinguished air certainly fit the type.
Nie Shenyuan studied the young man in front of him. The loose striped T-shirt and faded jeans hung gently on his slim frame, giving him a clean, youthful look.
Those narrow fox-like eyes, bright and lively, were even more striking in person than on video. His features were delicately cut, his upturned brows carrying a trace of natural allure.
Pei Jingyuan noticed the man’s scrutinizing gaze and asked politely, “Excuse me? Is there something I can help with?”
Nie Shenyuan’s eyes drifted toward the two large shopping bags beside the bench. “Do you want me to give you a hand?”
“Huh?” Pei Jingyuan followed his gaze, realizing how awkward he must look. “Oh, no, it’s fine, really.”
He reached for the bags, but Nie Shenyuan spoke again. “Could you tell me how to get to Building 7, Unit 3?”
Pei Jingyuan froze. That was his building.
“You’re… visiting a friend?”
“I just moved in,” Nie said evenly. “I’ll be staying for a few days.”
Pei Jingyuan tilted his head slightly. That voice… it really did sound like an actor’s.
“Well, I live in that unit too. Come with me, I’ll show you the way.”
“Thank you.” Nie picked up one of the grocery bags before Pei could refuse.
“Ah… ” Pei hesitated, but since the man had already taken it, he could only smile. “Then… thank you.”
At that moment, a voice called out from behind them.
“Mr. Nie!”
Nie Shenyuan’s brows twitched. He turned slightly.
Pei Jingyuan also turned to look and saw three people approaching in suits. Two of them were clearly bodyguards.
His curiosity grew. Whoever this man was, he clearly wasn’t ordinary.
Chen Xu hesitated, bracing himself as he stepped forward. Earlier, Mr. Nie had suddenly stopped the car and insisted on walking into the complex alone, refusing his guards, so it turned out this was why.
Before Chen Xu could speak, Nie said calmly, “I’ve already asked for directions. Follow behind.”
He shot a glance at the bodyguards, signaling them to stay back. They obeyed immediately, returning to the car.
Chen Xu nodded quickly, relieved to be spared further questions. “Then, Mr. Nie, shall I carry that for you?”
“No need.” Nie’s tone was polite but final. He turned to the stunned young man beside him. “If you don’t mind, please lead the way.”
“Ah! sure. This way.”
The three of them walked on together.
Chen Xu observed the young man quietly, noticing that he looked even younger than his file suggested.
His eyes flicked to Mr. Nie’s neatly trimmed hair and something clicked in his mind.
What exactly was the relationship between this Pei gentleman and the little master back home? And with Mr. Nie? It almost seemed as if they didn’t know each other at all.
Then, to his shock, Mr. Nie spoke first.
“By the way, my surname is Nie.”
“Nie?” Pei Jingyuan thought for a second. “Is that the ‘Nie’ with ‘ear’ on top and ‘double’ below?”
“Yes.”
Nie Shenyuan met his gaze. “Nie Shenyuan—‘慎终追远,’ as in to be cautious and honor one’s roots.”
Pei Jingyuan let out a soft “oh,” and his intelligent eyes brightened with understanding.
Behind them, Chen Xu faltered mid-step. In all these years, it was the first time he had ever heard Mr. Nie introduce himself so completely.
Even he hadn’t known the full origin of that name until now.
He looked at Pei Jingyuan’s back with newfound respect.
Pei Jingyuan’s voice was clear and pleasant as he said cheerfully, “It’s an honor to meet you, Mr. Nie. I’m Pei Jingyuan! ‘Pei’ as in the one with ‘not’ on top and ‘clothes’ below; ‘Jing’ as in beautiful scenery; and ‘Yuan’ as in top scholar, zhuangyuanlang.”
The upward lilt in his tone carried a trace of unguarded warmth, making the words almost playful.
Nie Shenyuan nodded thoughtfully.
Beautiful scenery, top scholar. A charming choice of words.
Chen Xu, having resumed walking, was struck by another realization.
So that was it, Mr. Nie’s freshly trimmed hair wasn’t what stood out. What was truly surprising was that… the few white strands at his temples had been quietly cut away.
✦ ✧ ✦
Cressilia
[Translator]
☕ A LITTLE SOMETHING FOR THE TRANSLATOR
The translator would like to formally submit a coffee request.
☕ 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 · Extra 3Chapter 88 · Why are you blushing?Chapter 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