The production team was waiting early at the airport exit. That meant Tang Dou would have to pretend to be a staff member again. The little guy was already an old hand at this. He covered his mouth and whispered, “Brother Xiao Tang, will you turn into a little sheep and come play with me again?”
Tang Dou: “…”
He really couldn’t say for sure. It depended on how well Chairman Shen handled parenting. Tang Dou cautiously shot a look at Shen Minyan and said, “Chairman Shen, if you need anything, just call me anytime.”
Shen Minyan nodded. “Thank you for your hard work.”
Before leaving, Tang Dou helped take off the little guy’s jacket and applied sunscreen for him. Unlike Beicheng, which was already beginning to feel like autumn, Haicheng was still as hot as midsummer. The little guy took off his jacket. With a “heave ho,” Shen Minyan lifted him up. The production team exchanged a few brief words of welcome and then had them get in the car.
“Uncle Da Mo.”
Sitting on his father’s arm, the little guy saw a familiar face. Da Mo hoisted his camera and nodded at him through the lens. Once in the car, Da Mo noticed that the atmosphere in this vehicle was decidedly chilly. There was nothing to be done about it, the little guy’s father was a big shot. This time, there was no waiting for others. The four families were traveling separately.
The first meeting point was a beach. The car drove along the coastline. The azure sea sparkled under the sunlight. Sitting in his child seat, the little guy clenched his fists excitedly and let out several “Wows.” The sea reflected in the little guy’s eyes, like countless diamonds scattered within. Shen Minyan, oblivious to everyone else, pulled out his phone and pointed the camera at the little guy: “Youyou, look here.”
The little guy cooperatively flashed a peace sign: “The sea is so beautiful.”
He filmed the whole way. No one dared to tell Mr. Shen to put his phone away, and the usual interview process was entirely skipped. The two staff members in the car exchanged glances. Neither of them dared to speak. Compared to the aura of power and authority emanating from Shen Minyan, the supposedly “cold and aloof” Shen Yan seemed so easygoing in comparison. The cameraman’s lens kept drifting toward him. Even sitting down, his tall, straight frame showed his excellent proportions.
A clean, fresh summer outfit looked like a masterfully tailored designer suit on him. How to put it? “Personal style” was a mysterious thing. Some people could wear a burlap sack and make it look like haute couture. And this man, who radiated an overwhelming sense of pressure, was at this moment holding his phone, gazing at his son with paternal affection. The little one being filmed was staring excitedly out the window, perking up his ears to listen to the sound of the waves crashing against the rocks.
The warm sea breeze blew the little guy’s fluffy, slightly curly hair back, revealing his smooth, full forehead. “Wow, so pretty. Dad, the waves look like cream cake.”
The rolling waves and their white foam reminded Su Youli of the decorative borders on a cake.
Over ten minutes later, they arrived at the meeting point. As soon as they got out of the car, the locals came to greet them with flower leis. The leis, woven from colorful blooms, were a big hit with the little guy. Shen Minyan crouched down to put a little hat on him, then carried him as they followed the signs.
“Youyou.”
A familiar voice called out. The little guy focused his gaze and waved back enthusiastically: “Lele.”
On the beach, Mi Le, wearing a tropical-print children’s shirt, came running over, with his brother Mi Huan following behind.
Sensing how much the little guy wanted to be with his little friend, Shen Minyan set him down on the ground and patted his little bottom. “Go play. But take it slow.”
“Mm-hmm.”
The little guy’s flower lei bounced as he ran. When he got close, the enthusiastic Mi Le grabbed him in a big hug.
“Youyou! I missed you so much! I wanted to come to your house to play last weekend, but my big brother wouldn’t let me.”
Mi Huan had tried to cover his brother’s mouth, but he was too slow. The Shen family home wasn’t a place they could just show up to. Mi Huan looked behind Su Youli and jumped in surprise. Wait… why was Chairman Shen here with Youyou? Where was Shen Yan?
Oh no. Mi Huan’s world was crumbling. He had just been getting close to Shen Yan, and now suddenly Shen Yan was replaced with Shen Minyan. Mi Huan felt like he’d forgotten how to speak. He stood frozen with a forced smile.
“Youyou, where’s your big brother? Why is your dad with you instead?”
The super outgoing Mi Le had no idea what the word “fear” meant. He was very curious when he noticed Youyou had a different adult with him.
Su Youli thought for a moment. “Big Brother went to film a movie, so Dad came with me.”
“Oh, oh. Hello, Uncle Shen. My name is Mi Le, and I’m Youyou’s good friend.”
Mi Le grinned, showing all his teeth, and greeted him cheerfully.
Shen Minyan smiled. “Hello. I’m Youyou’s dad. We actually met in the parking lot last time.”
Chairman Shen nodded, bent down, and shook Mi Le’s hand.
Mentioning the parking lot jogged Mi Le’s memory. He turned around, grabbed his brother’s hand, and dragged him over: “This is my big brother, Mi Huan. He’s a bit shy.”
Mi Huan’s toes curled with embarrassment. Could someone please take this kid away? He was dying of awkwardness.
“Uncle… Shen, hello.”
For Mi Huan, who had grown up among scheming people, the Shen family’s elite status was worlds apart from his own family.
And now, having been forced to call him “uncle,” would Shen Minyan think he was trying to curry favor?
“Hello.”
Shen Minyan actually gave him a friendly smile. Mi Huan was so startled that he stumbled and nearly fell onto the sand. The silver-white beach was a paradise for little ones. After the adults finished their greetings, Mi Le had already dragged Youyou over to the coconut trees to dig in the sand. There were beach umbrellas and lounge chairs under the trees. Shen Minyan sat on a chair watching his son dig, his phone aimed at the little guy’s flushed, adorable face.
This cold, imposing man actually wore an expression that could only be described as goofily smitten, all because his son was just too cute. Though Mi Huan really thought Uncle Shen would be better off not smiling. It was honestly kind of unsettling. The little guy didn’t have much strength in his hands. After digging for a while, he started slacking off. He sat on the sand, holding his little shovel, and called out in his milky voice: “Lele, keep going! Lele, keep going!”
After Mi Le finished digging, he looked up at Youyou and had a sudden inspiration. “Youyou, let’s build a castle!”
The little guy blinked. Yes, let’s do it! Mi Huan resigned himself to fetching water and mixing the “cement” for them. The two little ones, their hands covered in sand, crouched down and started building their castle. Both little faces were very serious, though their creations didn’t really look much like castles.
“Brother, look.”
Mi Le blinked expectantly. “Is mine and Youyou’s castle pretty?”
Torn between lying to make his little brother happy and telling the truth, Mi Huan was dying inside.
Under the gaze of two pairs of clear eyes, he said, “It’s pretty, but it doesn’t really look like a castle.”
The two little ones: “What does it look like?”
Mi Huan: “Like a toilet.”
Afraid they couldn’t picture it, Mi Huan gestured: “You know, like a squat toilet. It really does.”
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