Amidst online speculation, discussion, and even conspiracy theories, the countdown to “Travel Diary with Parents” has ended. The first day of filming was a bright and sunny day, with perfect temperature and lighting in the early morning.
The program crew arranged for a driver to take the staff and filming/live streaming equipment to the Shangs to pick up the people.
”Are we really going directly to the Shangs?” The cameraman in charge of carrying the equipment asked excitedly. “I mean, is the place we’re going to really where the Shangs live? They certainly don’t lack housing, so maybe for privacy, they arranged to meet us at a place they don’t usually live in?”
A staff member responsible for liaising with and directly communicating with the guests replied, “It should be where they usually live. When the mansion was first built, the head of the Shangs at that time hosted a banquet and invited the media to record it. You can still find old photos of the mansion online, but unfortunately , it’s very difficult to find video footage due to its age …”
”Anyway, they probably don’t care about privacy in this regard. When we communicated a couple of days ago, they only told us not to wander around or touch anything when we arrived, but we could take pictures of whatever the houses looked like.” Another staff member who was with us added that this staff member was responsible for monitoring the live broadcast in real time.
However, they haven’t arrived yet, so the live stream hasn’t started, allowing the staff to chat and gossip among themselves.
…
On the Shang’s side, Shang Shuji’s parents, who had previously gone abroad to visit a seriously ill old friend, returned a few days ago and are now helping Shang Jingqi and Shang Jingshu check their luggage.
Shang Shuji sat on the sofa watching the morning news, while Xuan Zhixia sat in the living room reading a book; neither of them paid any attention to the other.
”Jingqi likes chocolate, and Jingshu likes nuts. You’ll be away for so long this time, so I’m bringing you some extra. But these are just snacks. The most important thing is to eat well, okay?” Mrs. Shang instructed her two children.
Shang Jingqi and Shang Jingshu squatted beside the small suitcase, watching their grandmother and the maid put things inside, and nodded in unison: “Got it!”
The father also instructed, “When you’re out in the world, listen to your father carefully, and don’t be afraid to talk to him if anything happens.”
Shang Jingqi and Shang Jingshu: “Oh.”
Mrs. Shang looked at Xuan Zhixia not far away, and then said softly to the two children, “Don’t target your Uncle Zhixia. Adult problems are none of your business. Don’t always think that because Dad doesn’t like Uncle, you don’t like Uncle either. Just have fun and be happy, and don’t think so much.”
This time, neither Shang Jingqi nor Shang Jingshu answered immediately.
Shang Shuji was the one who decided to bring them back from the orphanage. In their eyes, this father who rarely came home had an authoritative aura. They were afraid of him, but they respected him more, wanted to be close to him, and even wanted to please him. They had no intention of disobeying him.
When Xuan Zhixia enters this family, Shang Jingqi and Shang Jingshu will feel uneasy because of this new member. Their attitude towards Xuan Zhixia is not only related to how Xuan Zhixia treats them, but also to how Shang Shuji treats Xuan Zhixia, and the latter is the most important.
Asking them to say they wouldn’t target Xuan Zhixia is like asking them to say they would go against Shang Shuji’s wishes in front of Shang Shuji, who is not far away.
Not wanting to go against their father or upset their grandmother, Shang Jingqi and Shang Jingshu shook their heads awkwardly after a few seconds, then casually raised the corners of their lips at their grandparents with a smile that revealed eight teeth, and subconsciously changed the subject in a coquettish manner: “Grandpa and Grandma really aren’t coming with us?”
The mother sighed, raised her hands, and gently patted the heads of the brother and sister.
”Grandpa and Grandma aren’t going. You all have fun and be careful. By the way, did you wear your smartwatch?” Mrs. Shang asked.
Shang Jingqi and Shang Jingshu stretched out their arms: “We’re wearing them!”
Chen Ma entered the living room and reported in a moderate voice, “The production crew’s car has arrived at the gate.”
Since the couple didn’t want to appear on camera, they didn’t linger and left the building to go back to their own place.
The production crew’s vehicle entered the Shang’s premises, and the live stream began. The car wasn’t moving fast, so the staff simply opened the car door to make it easier for the cameraman to get a shot.
”Good morning, viewers! Welcome to the live stream of the second season of ‘Travel Diary with Parents’. This is the live stream room for Qiqi and Shushu and their parents!”
”We’ve now arrived at the home of these two children. What you’re seeing through the live stream is the daily living space of this family. We’re still in the car now, heading to the house ahead…”
Viewers who had been waiting for a long time were amazed by the live stream, and they didn’t forget to send comments to interact with the viewers.
[Wow! It’s huge! It’s so beautiful!]
[To put it bluntly, they’re incredibly wealthy!]
[So those extravagant families on TV who have to take a car to get back to their homes after entering their own house actually exist!]
[Don’t ask, it’s just that I’m jealous, sob sob.]
[I saw photos of this building online a long time ago, and I was amazed that it still looks so magnificent after all these years. I really love it!]
[It looks so magnificent from the outside, I wonder what it’s like inside…]
[The crew has already entered the main gate, so they should be able to film a little further inside! Let me see what’s inside the house!]
[I’ve got material for my dream, sob sob sob. I’m going to ask my parents. Maybe I’m a hidden rich kid, but they haven’t told me the truth yet because they’re testing me, sob sob sob.]
[I’ve already seen three large houses; there probably aren’t that many Shangs…]
[Mr. Shang! Mr. Shang! It’s expensive to leave a house unoccupied for too long! I can move in! I’ll maintain the house for you for free!]
The production crew’s car slowly pulled up in front of the house where Xuan Zhixia and the others were. The cameraman and two staff members got out of the car.
The servants waiting outside came up and said with a smile, “Please come this way, sir and the others are ready.”
[Exciting! We can actually see inside the house!]
[It’s here! The real elite family is coming to you!]
The staff members were also encountering such a scene for the first time. The Shang’s environment was so dazzling and stunning that everyone was overwhelmed with amazement. It was only with great difficulty that they managed to control their emotions so as not to affect the rhythm of the live broadcast.
Following behind the maid, the staff member in charge of the liaison said dutifully, “Okay, dear viewers, we’re about to meet this group of guests. Aren’t you all excited?”
After stepping onto the first step in front of the house, the staff followed the maid into the house.
Shang Jingqi and Shang Jingshu already knew what “appearing on a parent-child variety show” meant. They simply understood it as appearing on television—they could go out to play and appear on TV at the same time, and both children were very excited.
They were already waiting expectantly not far from the door.
The two children have recently become fond of watching detective cartoons. Their grandparents spoil them, and Shang Shuji doesn’t care about their clothing style, so both children have quite a few “detective outfits” in their wardrobes. Today, they are dressed as little detectives, complete with hats and shoes, and there is even a magnifying glass in the pocket of their vests.
The two children are only a few months apart in age and dress identically, so at first glance they look like a pair of twins.
As soon as the staff entered the room, the “detective” twins greeted them cheerfully: “Hello!”
In the live stream room—
[Ahhh, so cute!]
【Wait, is Mr. Shang an adopted pair of twins?】
[Kids! Where are your two dads?]
[The interior of the house is so expensive, I’m so jealous!]
[Are the paintings on the wall original…? Sorry for asking such a stupid question…]
The staff member paused for a moment, then nodded with a smile, bent down slightly to be at eye level with the two children, and said, “Hello! You’re the older brother Qiqi, and you’re the younger sister Shushu, right?”
Shang Jingqi and Shang Jingshu nodded.
”You guys are so cute! Are you little detectives today?” the staff member asked again.
The two children answered in unison, “Yes! We’re detectives!”
The staff clapped in agreement, then continued, “Where are your parents, you two little detectives?”
Shang Jingqi looked at Shang Shuji, who had gotten up from the sofa and was approaching, and said, “Dad is over there!”
[Wow! CEO Shang is so handsome!]
[Even if good looks and wealth can coexist, they shouldn’t coexist at such an extreme level! Is this some kind of joke?!]
[This face is actually real! I saw an interview with it before, and I even suspected it was heavily photoshopped and filtered, hahaha]
【What about Xuan Zhixia?】
[To be honest, this family of four is all incredibly good-looking! The two children are so adorable; they must have been specially chosen when they were adopted. And the two fathers are even more striking—President Shang is right here, and Xuan Zhixia is also exceptionally beautiful, as I’ve seen in photos!]
[Hmm, but Xuan Zhixia’s acting skills are really bad. He’s only been in the industry for over two years and has only had a few minor roles, and he didn’t even act well…]
[It’s rumored that Xuan Zhixia and Shang Shuji’s marriage was a business arrangement between equals? Well, it’s normal for a rich young master like him, who’s just dabbling in the entertainment industry, to lack professional skills.]
[But where is Xuan Zhixia?! Why hasn’t he appeared yet?! Is he going to make a grand entrance as the grand finale?!]
Shang Jingshu lagged behind Shang Jingqi by a step and had to take on the “task” of introducing Xuan Zhixia. She pointed to the ceiling and said, “Uncle Xuan… forgot his phone and went upstairs to get it.”
Although they usually addressed each other by their first names without any formality, the two children were somewhat aware that it wasn’t very polite to call their elder by his name directly. So, since they were going to be on TV, Shang Jingshu hesitated for a moment before calling him “Uncle.”
However, this title still surprised the staff.
[Uncle Xuan? Uncle? ? ]
[Hmm, weren’t they supposed to have a very good relationship? This way of addressing them doesn’t quite sound like it.]
[And I feel that calling him “uncle” is rather forced…]
[The two children were adopted, so Xuan Zhixia is considered a stepfather, but it’s different from a typical remarried family. There shouldn’t be any difficulty in him changing his address…]
[So it’s because the emotional connection wasn’t there! I noticed Shang Shuji didn’t seem to react much hearing “uncle.”]
[But the whole family of four is on a children’s variety show…]
[Could it be that President Shang and Xuan Zhixia have deep feelings for each other, but the two children feel embarrassed and refuse to admit it, so they are taking this opportunity to cultivate their parent-child relationship?]
[Let’s wait and see what happens when Xuan Zhixia comes downstairs! Looks like there’s more juicy gossip to come!]
The staff member was also racking their brains, but instead of directly asking about their doubts, they greeted Shang Shuji with a smile: “Hello, Mr. Shang.”
Shang Shuji nodded slightly, his tone neither warm nor cold: “Hello.”
He wasn’t arrogant, but he had a kind of imposing presence that made people feel intimidated. The staff didn’t know how to respond for a moment, feeling that the usual variety show topics were not suitable to talk about.
Although Shang Jingqi and Shang Jingshu enjoyed seeing Shang Shuji, they didn’t have much in common to talk about. They didn’t even dare to act coquettishly towards Shang Shuji, and they were much more obedient and quiet in front of him. At this moment, they also kept their mouths shut.
The scene fell silent for a moment, and even when Chen Ma brought out fruit and everyone returned to the sofa and sat down, the quiet atmosphere remained unbroken.
Shang Shuji didn’t find anything wrong with the atmosphere. After all, the two children were in their own home, so they didn’t feel uncomfortable. They were even looking curiously at the cameraman’s equipment.
A few staff members were left with sweaty palms and a slightly awkward situation.
The cameraman silently turned the lens, pretending to be very busy with work.
Fortunately, the silence did not last, because the next moment Xuan Zhixia appeared at the top of the stairs, and the camera captured him coming down.
Although it was already late June and the weather was noticeably hot, it was early morning, and Xuan Zhixia was feeling weak and a bit chilly, so he wore a light pine-green jacket over his white shirt, as if he had just come from spring.
He stood at the top of the stairs, looked down at the living room, then slightly raised the corners of his lips and nodded as a greeting. Only after he came down the stairs and was close enough that he didn’t have to strain his voice did he speak gently: “Hello, I’m sorry to have kept you waiting.”
The staff, finally able to “escape” the silence, stood up, both relieved and amazed, and exclaimed, “No, no, hello Teacher Xuan, shall we set off now?”
【beauty!】
[Wow, this is amazing! Is it because of the money buff? I think Xuan Zhixia looks better in the live stream than he did in the online videos before.]
[It’s a difference in temperament, isn’t it?]
[Waaaa, no wonder CEO Shang isn’t single anymore! A wife like that! Who wouldn’t want one! A beauty to cuddle with!]
[Sorry, the Cao Cao[1]From 3 Kingdoms, who liked married women; as here the commenter is linking someone else’s wife jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_2603147_1_1').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_2603147_1_1', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top center', relative: true, offset: [-7, 0], }); was actually myself.]
[Hahaha, this is so funny! I feel like the production team breathed a sigh of relief; finally, someone broke the stagnant atmosphere!]
[Does this family of four usually act like this at home? Do they just stay silent?]
[Let’s go!]
Xuan Zhixia, Shang Shuji, and their two children had their luggage carried outside by the servants and placed in the trunk of the car the production crew had brought to pick up the guests.
Just as the staff were about to invite them into the car, a black sedan suddenly appeared out of nowhere and quietly stopped behind the production crew’s car.
”This is…?” the staff member asked uncertainly.
Mrs. Chen smiled kindly and said, “For safety reasons, my husband[2]master husband jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_2603147_1_2').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_2603147_1_2', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top center', relative: true, offset: [-7, 0], }); is used to having bodyguards with him when he goes out. Please don’t worry about it. They will only follow behind in a car. They will not participate in or interfere with any normal process during the filming of the program. The production team does not need to worry about their food and accommodation. They will take care of it themselves.”
Shang Jingqi and Shang Jingshu had already gotten into the car. Xuan Zhixia glanced at the bodyguard’s car, then looked away and got into his car. Shang Shuji nodded slightly to the staff without saying anything, and also got into the production crew’s car.
The staff member suddenly had the strange thought that “our car is a bit shabby, I’m really sorry,” gave Chen Ma a dry laugh, then said goodbye and got into the car.
Once everyone was present, the driver closed the car door, started the engine, and mumbled to the passenger, “As soon as you got in, a few people came and searched the car inside and out. I was so scared I thought there was a bomb…”
The car was quiet at this moment, and even though the driver tried to keep his voice down, it sounded abrupt, so everyone heard it. The staff could only continue to smile.
[Well… to me, they were already quite cooperative, coming with only one car full of bodyguards, who were just accompanying the family of four in the production crew’s beat-up car…]
[Those evil capitalists!]
[Why! Why do I have to see such extravagance! Don’t try to dazzle me with this materialistic wealth!]
[Before this, I thought they would act very modestly and simply when they appeared on the show…]
[How strange. Since earlier, Xuan Zhixia and Shang Shuji haven’t spoken a word, and they’ve barely made eye contact. Now that they’re on the bus, Xuan Zhixia immediately cho[se a single seat, and so did Shang Shuji, but they still haven’t exchanged a word…]
They don’t seem to have a good relationship, or even any feelings for each other.]
[Stripped of their glamorous appearance, this family of four actually has the coldest atmosphere among all the guests this season, doesn’t it?]
[Yes, the atmosphere in the other families’ live streams was great; the families were chatting and laughing together.]
[Could the rumors of a business marriage be true? Was appearing on the show just a task assigned by their elders, and that Shang Shuji and Xuan Zhixia actually don’t get along at all?!]
[Um…actually, I wanted to say this before: why do some people think Shang Shuji could be tied down by a business marriage? Putting aside the level of wealth and power the Shang family is, you can tell from Shang Shuji’s past interviews that even his parents can’t make decisions for him…]
[But the facts are right in front of us. If it were a voluntary marriage, would the atmosphere be like this now?]
[I’ve never been in a wealthy family, so I’m just talking nonsense. If it’s an arranged marriage, it should be for the benefit of both families. Since they’re married, there should at least be some semblance of harmony. But their situation doesn’t seem like a marriage of love, but it doesn’t really seem like an arranged marriage either.]
[I’ll just guess randomly too: maybe the two of them had a fight? I think this simple and straightforward reason is closest to the truth!]
The staff member responsible for monitoring the live stream watched the comments for a while, then leaned close to the staff member responsible for creating a lively atmosphere and whispered a few words to them, then showed them the live stream screen.
The latter exhaled and, in the awkwardly quiet environment, spoke with a smile: “I am very happy to have successfully picked up the two children, Qiqi and Shushu, as well as their parents, our teacher Xuan Zhixia and Mr. Shang Shuji.”
”Our destination now is the first ‘trip’ place arranged by the production team for everyone. We’ll keep the exact location a secret for now, you’ll find out when we get there! It’s a long journey, so how about everyone say hello to the viewers in the live stream first?”
Shang Jingqi and Shang Jingshu sat closest to the staff and were the most cooperative. When the camera moved over, the two children spoke one after the other and waved at the camera.
”Hello everyone, my name is Shang Jingqi, and I’ll be five years old in a little over a month!”
”Hello everyone, my name is Shang Jingshu. I will be five years old the month after Shang Jingqi’s birthday!”
Their cooperation touched the staff deeply, who almost wanted to thank them[3]the couple jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_2603147_1_3').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_2603147_1_3', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top center', relative: true, offset: [-7, 0], }); for not being their biological parents—unlike their legal fathers who remained quiet and silent!
The live stream camera then shifted to Xuan Zhixia.
Xuan Zhixia found the repetitive “Hello” greetings rather boring, but he didn’t show it on his face and smiled calmly: “Hello, I’m Xuan Zhixia, and I’m very happy to be able to participate in this program.”
Next was Shang Shuji: “Hello everyone, I am Shang Shuji.”
After going through this process, the staff continued to warm up the audience: “Could the two children and their parents continue to share their feelings with our viewers? Our program will last for thirty days. Nowadays, very few parents can take a whole month to go out and play with their children. Why did you decide to participate in our program?”
The two children answered first.
They roughly know what they can say and what they shouldn’t say, but their understanding of this boundary is unclear and vague. Since no one had specifically reminded them beforehand, and neither Shang Shuji nor Xuan Zhixia seemed inclined to answer for them, both children were a bit conflicted.
Shang Jingshu thought for a moment and said, “Because… Dad said he was coming, saying it would make me and Shang Jingqi more obedient and smarter! We also wanted to go out and play with Dad, so we came!”
Shang Jingqi nodded: “Kindergarten is on holiday! Dad learned about this program from… Uncle, so Uncle came along too!”
Uncle refers to Xuan Zhixia.
The two children’s answers were essentially saying, “We like Dad, we don’t like Uncle, and there’s a reason we’re with Uncle…” After hearing this, the staff could only nod nonchalantly and praise Shang Jingqi and Shang Jingshu for their clear pronunciation.
Then the staff member looked at Xuan Zhixia with a slightly embarrassed expression.
Xuan Zhixia blinked: “Is it my turn to answer? The reason I participated in this program is very simple: because you contacted my manager.”
Staff: “…”
The response was direct and blunt, but Xuan Zhixia remained calm, leaving the staff feeling awkward.
Shang Shuji chuckled ambiguously, and the live stream camera then moved to his side.
The vehicle used by the production crew had enough seats, but it wasn’t spacious or comfortable. The two children were fine; Xuan Zhixia, although tall, was slender and didn’t seem constrained while sitting. Only Shang Shuji, with his broad shoulders and long legs, felt cramped with legroom when he sat down.
However, he remained calm and composed, as if he had no problem with not being able to stretch his legs, and said without batting an eye, “The reason I participated in this program is because it’s very convenient.”
[Tsk tsk tsk]
[Wow… the way this family of four talks together is so subtle.]
[So it was Xuan Zhixia who wanted to participate, and Shang Shuji originally had no such plan?]
[After hearing what the first two children said, I was wondering if President Shang wanted Xuan Zhixia to develop a relationship with them. Now it seems… it’s definitely true that even President Shang himself doesn’t have any feelings for Xuan Zhixia!]
[Regardless of how they got married, I feel embarrassed for Xuan Zhixia right now. Why did he even participate in this show? His husband and two children don’t give him any face.]
The audience discussed it enthusiastically the whole way, feeling that those who participated in the show were either in it for the money or to attract attention, gain traffic, and become famous; most people probably wanted both.
However, if Xuan Zhixia and Shang Shuji were a well-matched couple, then Xuan Zhixia’s family should not lack money or status, nor should they lack opportunities for exposure. There is no need for him to force his husband and children, who do not give him face, to appear on the show.
If it was just a “task” arranged by the elders on both sides, with the intention of using the show to help them develop their relationship, then putting aside the question of why someone like Shang Shuji would be assigned to such a role, Xuan Zhixia’s attitude was also unreasonable—why didn’t Xuan Zhixia get angry and retaliate when the two children spoke like that?
Therefore, some people ultimately believe that regardless of how Shang Shuji and Xuan Zhixia got married or why they reached an agreement to appear on the show, it’s clear that Xuan Zhixia was the one who initiated the appearance. As for the purpose…
Although Xuan Zhixia has been very calm so far and seems not to care much about Shang Shuji and the two children, he wouldn’t have gone on the show if he really didn’t care. His ultimate goal is definitely to cultivate their relationship, but he’s just being coy right now.
[Sigh, just thinking about how Xuan Zhixia will have to try so hard to pretend that he and Shang Shujien are deeply in love on the show but no one will cooperate, and how he’ll have to pretend to be an angelic mother but his stepson and stepdaughter will ignore him, makes me feel embarrassed for him…]
[But Xuan Zhixia is so beautiful! Waaah, leave President Shang behind and come join me for a life of eating bok choy for three meals a day and taking the subway—which cost tens of millions to build! Wife!]
References[+]