Pei Jingyuan was surprised to discover that Mr. Nie actually lived on the same floor as him.
He vaguely remembered his agent mentioning when he first moved in that the two units next door were rented by another company, though he hadn’t paid much attention to who exactly occupied them.
Since moving in, those two apartments had remained empty. He’d never seen another actor around.
But today, the moment he stepped out of the elevator, he saw several people busy moving furniture in and out.
Everything was being done in an orderly fashion, each person efficient, quiet, and clearly well-trained. Other than the faint sounds of furniture being shifted, there wasn’t any noise or confusion.
Naturally, Pei Jingyuan assumed the landlord must be redecorating for a new tenant.
Just then, a middle-aged man walked toward them.
Pei Jingyuan could tell at a glance that he was coming for Mr. Nie, so he politely stepped aside.
Sure enough, the man went straight up to Mr. Nie and said, “Sir, it’s almost done. Would you like to take a look?”
This was Butler Jiang, from the Nie family estate.
Pei Jingyuan thought to himself, So it’s Mr. Nie who’s having the place redecorated. What a grand setup.
He quickly reached out to take the shopping bags from Mr. Nie’s hands, “Mr. Nie, you must be busy. I’ll head back now,” he said, gesturing toward a closed door nearby, “That’s my unit.”
“I’ll help you carry these over,” Mr. Nie said politely, walking toward Pei Jingyuan’s door before he could object.
Pei Jingyuan tried to insist, but seeing Mr. Nie wouldn’t relent, he could only follow along.
He sneaked a glance at the man beside him. Why does it feel like he’s the one returning home instead of me?
Butler Jiang watched the young man in confusion. Handsome, yes but what puzzled him was why Mr. Nie would personally help a stranger carry his things. That was far beyond anything he’d ever seen.
Perplexed, he turned to look at Chen Xu, Mr. Nie’s assistant.
Chen Xu, who had worked beside Mr. Nie for years, immediately noticed the butler’s questioning glance.
He was always careful to keep a polite distance from the two butlers of the Nie estate, so he merely acted as if he hadn’t understood.
“Are both rooms ready?” he asked as he walked toward one of the suites.
“Yes,” Butler Jiang replied, following behind him. Once inside, he lowered his voice. “Assistant Chen, do you know why the master suddenly decided to move here?”
Chen Xu shook his head, “Mr. Nie didn’t say anything. Best we not ask too much.”
Butler Jiang was older than Chen Xu, and though the reminder irked him slightly, he didn’t press further. He glanced back through the doorway, Mr. Nie was still outside chatting casually with that young man.
When did Mr. Nie ever show this much patience with strangers?
Outside the door, Pei Jingyuan was also curious about all the commotion, but he restrained himself. After thanking Mr. Nie again, he went inside.
Nie Shenyuan noticed the curiosity flickering in the young man’s eyes. He’d originally intended to explain everything if Pei asked, but since he didn’t, he said nothing.
Watching the door close firmly behind him, Nie Shenyuan realized that the boy hadn’t even looked him in the eye once during the entire encounter.
A faint sense of disappointment brushed across his expression. He stood there for a moment before finally turning to enter the apartment next door.
Inside his own apartment, Pei Jingyuan placed the shopping bags in the kitchen just as his agent, Huang Licheng, called him over WeChat.
Setting his phone on top of the refrigerator and switching to speaker mode, he answered while unpacking groceries.
Huang Licheng immediately asked why he’d come home early. Pei explained briefly, mentioning how he’d run into an unusually handsome new neighbor.
“Wait, he rented two apartments?” Huang asked, puzzled. “And he’s not an actor?”
“He said he runs a small business,” Pei replied but even as he said it, his mind screamed no way, “But his leather shoes were clearly custom-made.”
“He has a personal assistant and two bodyguards, and there were at least a dozen people redecorating the place. Everyone called him ‘sir’ with this crazy respect. Oh, and he wears three piece suits with cufflinks, every day.”
“Very particular.”
Huang Licheng was incredulous. “Hold on! you just bumped into the guy, and you noticed what kind of cufflinks he wears? What do you do, carry a microscope around?”
Pei stuffed the last of the groceries into the fridge, popped open a can of Coke, took a sip, and said thoughtfully, “The black gemstone on those cufflinks actually had fire in it. No idea what kind of stone it was.”
“…You’re unbelievable,” Huang muttered, half laughing.
Pei plopped down onto the sofa, took another sip, and chuckled. “Hey, it’s rare to meet someone with that kind of presence. I was just studying him. Who knows, maybe I’ll land a similar role someday. Opportunities favor the prepared!”
But as soon as he said it, he laughed at himself. The kind of powerful figures he saw in dramas usually required character actors, not someone like him. At best, he’d play the underling who gets killed halfway through.
Still, he’d piqued Huang Licheng’s curiosity. “So how old do you think this guy is?”
“Hard to tell,” Pei said, frowning in thought. “He’s very composed, definitely over thirty. His face, though… really photogenic. He’s got those features that seem to tell a story. Mature, calm, mysterious.”
“I don’t think I’ve ever heard you praise anyone like that before,” Huang teased. “Well, then maybe you should get on his good side. I’ll come by to take a look myself.”
But almost immediately, Huang stopped himself. “Actually, no, forget it. Don’t get involved with that kind of person.”
“Huh?” Pei blinked. “Why?”
Huang lowered his voice conspiratorially. “Come on. He suddenly rents two apartments, calls himself a businessman… what if he’s just here to visit his mistress?”
Pei nearly choked on his drink. He coughed several times, grabbed a tissue, and wiped the corner of his mouth. “That…. can’t be, right?”
Yet, considering what he’d seen… it didn’t sound entirely impossible either.
Huang continued, “Anyway, be careful when you go out. If he’s here because of some secret lover, there might be drama. Though honestly, I’m curious who that lover would be.”
“Stop it,” Pei said quickly. “He’s probably just here on business. Might not even stay the night.”
The two chatted idly for a while longer before Pei received a call from the producer of Femme Fatale, informing him that shooting would resume the next day.
The producer’s tone was overly polite. “Xiao Pei, please do your best tomorrow. Today, just treat it as a rest day.”
Pei Jingyuan hung up and muttered under his breath: Rest day, my foot. Who are you to order Xiao Pei around like this?
Grabbing his Coke, he took a long gulp and then, half joking and half dramatic, stood on the sofa and declared, “Just you wait! When Xiao Pei’s got power and fame, I’ll have all of you dealt with!”
He paced theatrically along the sofa backrest, pointing at the coffee table, his phone, and the Coke can like an emperor giving orders.
“No, better idea! Everyone gets a rope. Handle it yourselves! My hands must stay clean!”
Meanwhile, Yuanbao woke from his nap and noticed that Daddy wasn’t home.
He’d gotten used to having Dad around all the time, so when Grandma Zhao told him that the master had gone out, he just pouted in silence.
His chubby little face looked both serious and adorable.
Zhao Auntie had been quietly observing the boy for days. She was certain he didn’t resemble the master in the slightest but right now, his expression carried an uncanny hint of Mr. Nie’s composure.
She feared he might get anxious about his father’s absence, so she coaxed gently, “Young Master, are you hungry? How about a little snack? The chef just made some milk pudding.”
Yuanbao lifted his head and nodded reluctantly. He didn’t seem very interested in food anymore.
In a soft, milky voice, he asked, “Grandma Zhao, when will Daddy come home~?”
“Very soon, Young Master,” she said, holding his little hand as they walked to the sitting room, “Don’t worry.”
A few minutes later, Yuanbao sat astride a new rocking horse, one hand gripping the toy’s ear, the other holding a cube of milk pudding. He took tiny bites, his round cheeks puffing slightly with each chew.
Then suddenly, he frowned in thought.
He remembered his little dad once giving him a similar sweet, square shaped, like a big dice but he couldn’t recall what it was called.
His chin drooped onto the horse’s head as he sank into mild melancholy.
“Don’t like it?” Aunt Zhao asked gently. She had tasted it earlier and thought it would be exactly to his liking.
Yuanbao quickly shook his head, “It’s yummy, Grandma.”
He picked up another cube and offered it to her, “You eat too, Grandma.”
“Thank you, Young Master,” she said, touched. What a sweet, well mannered child. Clearly, he’d been raised with love and care.
Then came the sound of footsteps in the hallway.
Yuanbao’s eyes lit up instantly.
He jumped off the rocking horse and dashed toward the entrance, his voice ringing out joyfully even before he saw anyone. “Daddy~~!”
Aunt Zhao smiled to herself. The young master can even recognize Mr. Nie’s footsteps now.
Naturally, Nie Shenyuan hadn’t expected that either.
When the little boy came bounding toward him, he bent down and caught him in his arms. As the child’s soft cheek pressed close, he caught a faint scent of milk. “Were you eating something?” he asked.
“Mhm!” Yuanbao nodded happily, eager to share his snack.
Aunt Zhao followed and explained, “Young Master woke up from his nap and immediately asked for you, sir.”
Nie Shenyuan nodded, carrying the boy into the small garden. “You can go back to your work,” he told her.
The little one nestled against him contentedly, until he noticed something was off.
“Daddy! Your hair got short!”
Gone was the signature streak of white that always made his father stand out.
What happened while he was asleep?!
He leaned back in shock, staring at his father’s face as though to confirm it was really him.
Nie Shenyuan smoothly changed the subject, “Yuanbao.”
“Hmm?”
The child blinked up, surprised by how serious Daddy suddenly sounded.
“Yes, Daddy?”
Nie Shenyuan spoke gently, as though discussing something important. “Later, I’ll take you to see your little dad. But… ”
“Waaah?” Yuanbao exclaimed in delight, cupping Daddy’s face in his soft hands and planting a loud kiss on his cheek.
It was the first time he’d ever shown such affection so suddenly and it completely caught Nie Shenyuan off guard.
He didn’t finish his sentence. Instead, he just stared at those bright, sparkling eyes, so full of excitement and trust and for a moment, his heart grew heavy with emotion.
The little boy squirmed in his arms, urging eagerly, “Let’s go now, Daddy! Hurry~”
Nie Shenyuan smiled faintly and held the child’s tiny hand, gently squeezing the soft, delicate fingers that could so easily bruise.
“Yuanbao,” he said carefully, “Remember what I told you before? Your little dad is only twenty two.”
Yuanbao nodded vaguely, not understanding why Daddy was bringing that up again.
“That means,” Nie continued, “when you were born, he was only eighteen. If people found out, it might hurt his reputation.”
“Repu…ta-tion?” Yuanbao repeated, blinking in confusion.
Nie Shenyuan chuckled softly. “It means other people might think badly of him. That’s why, for now, I haven’t told him about you that you came here from another time. When you meet him, just call him big brother, okay?”
“Ah?” Yuanbao frowned, clearly unwilling.
He still remembered how Little Dad hadn’t believed him the last time they met.
Clutching Daddy’s fingers, he offered brightly, “Then let’s ask the doctor uncle to poke Little Dad’s finger! Or pull a hair from Yuanbao’s head!”
He was talking about a DNA test.
Nie Shenyuan almost laughed. This child really did have a sharp memory and quick thinking.
“When you two get closer, we’ll do that,” he promised. “But for now, just listen to me, all right?”
Yuanbao went quiet, staring down at the buttons on his father’s shirt. He poked one with a small finger, deep in thought.
After half a minute, his eyes suddenly sparkled again.
No matter what Daddy says, as long as I get to see Little Dad, everything’s fine!
Nie Shenyuan mistook his silence for sadness and was about to comfort him when the boy suddenly lifted his head, eyes bright, and said cheerfully, “Okay~ Yuanbao will listen to Daddy~!”
The complete change of tone left Nie Shenyuan momentarily speechless.
Father and son exchanged a look, each secretly amused.
Then Yuanbao cuddled against his shoulder and said sweetly, “Daddy, I already agreed! Let’s go see Little Dad now~”
Nie Shenyuan smiled helplessly and reminded him, “We’ll move in tonight, after dinner. Think about what you want to bring, clothes, toys, anything else?”
Yuanbao wriggled happily in his arms. “Wow! Yuanbao’s going to live with Little Dad! Hurry, Daddy, hurry~!”
Nie Shenyuan gazed down at the little bundle of energy in his arms, his usual composure melting into quiet affection and just a trace of helplessness.
✦ ✧ ✦
Cressilia
[Translator]
☕ A LITTLE SOMETHING FOR THE TRANSLATOR
✦ END OF CHAPTER ✦ BEGIN COFFEE NEGOTIATIONS ✦
☕ 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