By eight o’clock, almost everyone had already gathered downstairs.
The kids lined up to receive breakfast from the director.
“Thank you, Uncle,” Yan Yuchen said politely, taking the food with both hands.
Yu Siyì and Bai Zhizhi followed behind him, copying him exactly.
When Qin Qiqi and Chen Xiao saw the other kids doing it, they also took their food with both hands and shouted a very loud “Thank you, Uncle!”
【You really need an older kid in a group to set an example.】【Kids are great at copying what they see.】【Praise our big brother Yuchen—he’s seriously amazing.】【Full marks for Yuchen!!】
Seeing this, Song Qiruo hurried over to Yuan Qingning to learn her secret.
“Who usually takes care of Yuchen at home?”
“His dad and I are pretty busy, so his grandpa takes care of him most of the time. The old man is very strict.”
【Best Actress Song: Why are your elders so different from mine?】【Honestly, Qin Qiqi really needs an elder who can guide his behavior properly.】【Yes! You can tell just by watching him copy Yuchen.】【Same with Qin Qiqi and Chen Xiao—they both need guidance.】
Yuan Qingning was helpless. Yuchen being so sensible really had nothing to do with her.
Old Master Yan had raised his grandson as a future heir since he was little—everything had to be learned.
During a break she once had, Yuchen was so busy with classes that she barely even saw her own son.
After hearing this, Song Qiruo thought about her own mother-in-law, who couldn’t bear to be strict with her grandson at all.
…Sigh.
Yu Siyì carefully set the tray with breakfast down in front of Jin Qiao.
“That’s my Yu Siyì for you!”
Jin Qiao took a bite of the bun and gave him a thumbs-up in praise.
【That’s you, Jin Qiao—every compliment maxes out ‘41’s motivation.】【Look at how red 41 baby’s face is.】
“Alright, little ones, please come up and draw today’s task cards.”
“After completing the task this morning, you’ll earn ingredients for lunch. What ingredients you get will depend on how well you complete it.”
[Dry pickled vegetables — Location: Hongyang Village, House No. 10]
Jin Qiao glanced at the card her son handed her and slipped it into her pocket.
“What did you get?” she asked.
Seeing Yuan Qingning frowning at her card, Jin Qiao grew curious.
“Herding sheep.”
…Oof.
Jin Qiao secretly gave Yu Siyì another thumbs-up. Great draw, son—mom’s good baby.
【‘41’ baby has such good luck.】【With comparison, Jin Qiao suddenly feels much better.】
“What about you?”“Drying pickled vegetables.”“Do you know how to herd sheep?”“I think… you just keep walking?”“Is that so?”“…I don’t know.”
【A completely pointless conversation.】【Feels like neither of them is very smart.】【After Jin Qiao says ‘I don’t know,’ Yuan goddess’s speechless face is so obvious.】【I’m dying of laughter.】【Yuan beauty has lost all will to live.】
The phrase “herding sheep” was incredibly appealing to Yan Yuchen—he’d only ever seen it on TV.
Beside him, Yu Siyì was also staring at the card with shining, envious eyes.
“Looks like your son really likes herding sheep,” Jin Qiao said. “Want to switch with me?”
Yuan Qingning curved her lips, holding back a smile.
Jin Qiao glanced at her own son and couldn’t help rubbing her forehead.
“I think we’ll pass. I’m getting old—I can’t run.”
Bai Zhizhi also drew the task of drying pickled vegetables.
Qin Qiqi drew herding sheep.
Chen Xiao drew cutting pig fodder.
Everyone split up into groups.
When Bai Zhizhi found out that little brother Siyì was in her group, she immediately ran over, grabbed his hand, and pulled him forward.
【Big sister Zhizhi online.】【So sweet—holding hands.】【These two together are adorable straight to my heart.】
The two kids started walking on their own, and Xia Wan quickly called out to them.
“Do you even know where you’re going?”
“Siyì does!” Bai Zhizhi stopped and pointed at the task card in Yu Siyì’s hand.
Yu Siyì nodded in agreement.
Jin Qiao stopped Xia Wan from speaking again and instead said to the kids,
“You two walk in front. Zhizhi’s mom and I will follow behind. We’ll rely on you to lead us to the destination.”
“Mm-hmm!”
Bai Zhizhi pulled Yu Siyì along, boldly asking every uncle, auntie, and grandma they met on the road where House No. 10 was.
【Jin Qiao justifies slacking off while training the kids at the same time—I’ve learned something.】【Alright, when I have kids, I’ll do this too.】【Same, I’ll teach mine like this.】【You guys should have kids first.】【Sorry, sorry—I’m just all talk.】
House No. 10 belonged to the village chief.
There was a large open space in front of his house, where villagers were drying pickled vegetables.
“Hello, Uncle! We’re here to help!” Bai Zhizhi said brightly.
The village chief smiled and led the four of them to their work area.
“Just take the pickles out of the jars and lay them on the racks to dry.”
“Okay, we got it. You go ahead and get back to work,” Jin Qiao said.
The village chief had already been busy carrying jars when they arrived, and Jin Qiao didn’t want to take up more of his time.
Xia Wan observed for a moment and began assigning tasks.
“The two kids will take the vegetables out of the jars, and the moms will lay them out to dry.”
“Do we have confidence we can finish?” Jin Qiao added, cheering them on.
“Yes!”
Bai Zhizhi and Yu Siyì raised their little hands at the same time.
【We have confidence too! We believe in you finishing the task!】【So fired up.】【I suddenly want to jump in and dry pickled vegetables myself.】
Over on Yan Yuchen and Qin Qiqi’s side, things were complete chaos.
“Mom, move a bit this way—don’t block the lambs!”“Qin Qiqi, stand over there and stop that lamb from going that way!”“Auntie Song, stand a bit farther back—don’t be scared!”
Almost the entire time, only Yan Yuchen’s voice could be heard.
After the shepherd uncle explained it once, Yuchen remembered everything.
Like a little grown-up, he commanded the whole operation.
【Yuchen really looks like he loves herding sheep.】【Sheep-herding commander Yuchen.】【So cute—he’s so serious, I want to smother him with kisses.】【The confused looks on the others are hilarious.】【Qiqi looks like a soccer goalie.】【The way he spreads his arms really looks like one.】
…
“Little lambs, slow down—I can’t catch up!”
Qin Qiqi panted as he climbed uphill. He didn’t think herding lambs was fun anymore.
He completely regretted it.
So. Tired. Aaaaaa.
Song Qiruo felt tired too, but this level was still manageable for her. Filming on set wasn’t easy either.
“Qiqi, hurry up!” Yan Yuchen called, grabbing his hand and tugging him forward. “If you don’t keep up, we’ll lose the lambs!”
But Qin Qiqi truly couldn’t run anymore.
“Brother Yuchen… you go ahead. Go chase the lambs. Don’t worry about me—I really can’t do it anymore.”
“Okay, then rest for a bit and come after us. I’ll go chase the lambs first.”
Qin Qiqi was too exhausted to speak, only managing to nod his head up and down.
He had never run this far in his life—up and down slopes like this. It completely wiped him out.
Still… how did Brother Yuchen have so much energy?
【Why does this suddenly feel like an idol drama scene?】【‘Go on without me… don’t worry about me.’】【HAHAHAHAHAHA】【Qiqi really did his best—poor kid.】【He obviously doesn’t exercise much. This level is brutal for him.】【Our Qiqi is amazing too, okay!】【Yuchen and Qiqi are both amazing!】