The scene was a bit too bloody for a four-year-old child. Pei Yi immediately picked him up, holding him protectively in his arms, one hand covering his eyes.
“Qiqi, why did you come over? Uncle will take you back to the car.” Pei Yi turned around immediately, wanting to get the child in his arms away from this place as quickly as possible.
The slightly cold light fell on Pei Qiqi’s dark eyelashes. He shook his head and said, “Uncle, I came over by myself. I’m already a big kid.”
He was already a big kid. He wasn’t scared. He wanted to protect his uncle and aunt. Held in his uncle’s arms, Pei Qiqi’s line of sight was higher. The nanny’s hunched back came into view. Pei Qiqi thought back; actually, the nanny hadn’t been that bad at the very beginning. But why did people turn bad?
Pei Qiqi had spent a long time thinking about this question. Later, his aunt told him that the nanny’s behavior was called “saying one thing and doing another” (being duplicitous). He couldn’t quite understand it. He only knew that if you did something wrong, you had to be punished.
“I won’t forgive you. Because you said I was a child without a father, and that I was very disobedient, which was why my mother didn’t want me…”
“You also said things about Youyou and Yuanzi, saying they dirtied the steps you had just cleaned. But Brother Xiao Tang helped you clean them too, and he even apologized to you.”
Shen Minyan, standing to the side, heard his son’s name and immediately looked over coldly. This woman had dared to talk about his Youyou. Brother Xiao Tang and Youyou had even apologized to her when they came back, and she said it was no problem. She had even smiled and welcomed them to visit often. So why did she curse at them behind their backs after they went home?
Pei Qiqi hadn’t always been able to tell good from bad very well. He didn’t like the nanny, but she had never hit him. She just often complained in a strange tone and muttered curses under her breath. The four-year-old child, held in his uncle’s arms, looked at the pitiful woman on the ground. He scratched his face. He wasn’t entirely sure, but after pressing his lips together for a moment, he still felt that the nanny was a bit bad.
“I won’t forgive you.” Even if the nanny really did look miserable right now, he didn’t want to forgive her.
His aunt had told him that anything or anyone that made him feel uncomfortable was bad. The crowd listened to the childish voice saying such words, and many looked at the child with new respect. The two officers who didn’t know Pei Xu’s story were especially surprised. In their experience, a child this young would usually soften and ultimately forgive a pitiful woman like this when she begged for mercy on her knees. This was a child with a strong will, they concluded. In the end, the nanny was dragged aside by the two officers, who also took her to the station to give a statement.
In the car.
Pei Qiqi sat in his uncle’s lap, his head still turned to look behind them.
“Uncle, will the nanny be punished?”
Pei Yi nodded. “Yeah. The lawyer uncle will help us sue her. She won’t be able to work as a nanny ever again.”
“From now on, she’ll never be qualified to take care of children again.”
A large hand patted Pei Qiqi’s hair. Pei Yi praised him: “Qiqi did a great job.”
—
The two cars parted ways at the roadside, heading in different directions. Pei Qiqi was still a bit reluctant to leave Youyou. Youyou had fallen asleep, and he hadn’t even gotten to say goodbye.
Hua Zhao teased him on purpose: “Qiqi, do you like Youyou that much?”
Pei Qiqi nodded seriously. “Mm. I really like Youyou.”
Super-duper-ultra-mega like. Because Youyou also said he super-duper-ultra-mega liked him. Speaking of Youyou, Pei Yi immediately remembered the time the two little ones first played together in the sandbox at home. When Hua Zhao heard that the two little ones had sat in the sandbox crying together, she laughed so hard. She pinched Pei Qiqi’s cheek and told him he was adorable.
“Auntie, I didn’t tell Youyou just now. I kept the secret,” Qiqi suddenly leaned in and whispered quietly.
Hua Zhao praised him: “I knew our Qiqi was the best secret-keeper. Tomorrow during the filming, when we make our grand entrance from behind, Youyou’s reaction will be super fun.”
Pei Qiqi’s little heart pounded rapidly. This was his first time preparing a surprise. In his mind, he imagined Youyou suddenly seeing him appear on the island tomorrow. He would definitely be overjoyed. The idea of bringing Pei Qiqi to the variety show had come up a week ago. Hua Zhao’s profession was a model. She had been quite famous abroad, and after deciding to return to China, the brand invitations had never stopped coming.
But like Pei Yi, she wanted to spend more time with Qiqi. Like Qiqi, Hua Zhao’s father had also died when she was young. Her mother had raised her and only remarried after Hua Zhao reached adulthood. Their shared background made her deeply sympathize with this child.
As luck would have it, when she was taking Qiqi to the hospital, she ran into a photographer she had a good relationship with. He was surprised to see her with a child and asked when she’d gotten such a big son, and such a handsome one at that. The photographer had a keen aesthetic eye. He immediately remembered that the variety show production team he was currently working with was looking for a suitable family.
Ideally, they wanted celebrities from the entertainment industry with their own popularity and following. Secondly, good looks were a must. For example, Shen Yan and his little brother, Mi Le and Mi Huan, these two pairs of brothers, and Niu Niu with her father. All three families were very good-looking. The children’s personalities were all different too — soft and cute, shy and sensible, incredibly outgoing…
In short, any kind of adorable kid you wanted to see, they had in their show. Hua Zhao chatted with the photographer. When she learned that he was working for the “Little Feet Big Adventure” crew, she was taken aback. Pei Qiqi, who hadn’t said a word the whole time, also looked over, his eyes lighting up. It was Youyou’s show.
Hua Zhao’s looks needed no introduction. Even without makeup, she was stunning. She would be considered a great beauty even in the entertainment industry. And the little boy beside her was even more impressive. Hua Zhao had dressed Qiqi up specially that day. He wore brown trousers with a cream-colored shirt, a small tie at the collar.
He exuded a unique aura — fair-skinned, with soft hair cut into a chestnut-shaped style. His features were delicate, his eyes carrying a hint of stubbornness and seriousness, his lips slightly pursed, as if he was trying not to smile. But because he was so young, it just made him look childish and cute.
The photographer was about to hand Hua Zhao an invitation on the spot, but his excited hands stopped when he remembered Cen Yuankai. He had worked with Hua Zhao before. She was kind, straightforward, and professional — she probably wouldn’t be a problem. But it was this child he was worried about. The photographer was truly afraid he might be a second Cen Yuankai.
So, the photographer changed the subject, saying he had a child of his own and wanted to see if Qiqi would be willing to interact with his son. Pei Qiqi actually didn’t want to go, but he remembered what Doctor Du had told him — that he should keep trying and attempt to play with other children his age besides Youyou. After getting Qiqi’s consent, Hua Zhao let the photographer take him to find his son.
When the two children were together, the photographer sat to the side and observed. This child named Pei Xu was a bit quiet and showed little interest in any toys. But every time his son brought a toy over to share, Pei Xu, despite his serious expression and furrowed brows, would still help his son set up the little toy and occasionally teach him how to play with it. The photographer clapped his hands. Perfect! All their show was missing was a cool, aloof, cute kid like this!
—
[Bonus Little Theater]:
The orange-yellow afterglow of sunset poured over the Shen family villa. At the front gate sat two little ones and one dog. The two little ones rested their chins on their hands, gazing at the wide road ahead. Second Brother had said when he went to school that he would bring them treats.
So, since waking up from their nap, the little guy had been full of anticipation. Pei Qiqi sat on the small stool Grandpa Butler had prepared for them, leaning over to wipe a bit of drool from the corner of the little guy’s mouth.
“Brother Qiqi, what kind of treats do you think Second Brother will bring us?”
Pei Qiqi didn’t have much of a desire for food. Seeing Youyou like this, he thought he must be hungry. He reached out and patted the little guy’s tummy. “Youyou, are you hungry?”
The little guy wasn’t really hungry, but he was truly looking forward to Second Brother coming home. The two little ones sat at the door waiting, but after five minutes, they couldn’t sit still anymore. Yuanzi fetched a ball with his mouth, dropped it by Youyou’s feet, and pawed at his pant leg.
Su Youli immediately picked up the ball. “Let’s play while we wait for Second Brother!”
The two little ones and the dog played happily on the lawn. When they heard the gate creak open, they immediately turned their heads.
Youyou, your most handsome big brother is back!
Shen Lin carried his backpack over one shoulder, and dangling from his finger was a fragrant food bag. The little guy’s mouth watered at the smell. He ran over and sniffed the bag.
His big eyes sparkled with delight. “It smells so good! Second Brother, what is it?”
Shen Lin looked around, then grabbed both little ones and raced to the garden seating area, setting them down on the bench.
“This is the most delicious snack in the world! Youyou, do you want some?”
The little guy was excited: “Yes!”
Shen Lin smirked: “Qiqi, do you want some?”
How delicious could “the most delicious snack in the world” be?! Pei Qiqi nodded vigorously. He wanted some.
Ta-da!
“Waaah~”
The casing of the grilled sausages was slightly split, revealing the pink meat inside. They were steaming hot and smelled amazing.
“This is called a starch sausage. Here, one for each of you. Don’t fight.”
The little guy swallowed loudly, grabbed one, and took a bite. As his teeth sank into the sausage, the savory juices burst in his mouth. The unfamiliar texture and flavor gave both little ones an indescribable sense of satisfaction. Shen Lin had already asked the vendor to trim the bamboo sticks and hadn’t added any chili powder. He finished one in two bites. After two, he noticed the two little ones had only taken two small bites each.
Shen Lin licked his lips. “Youyou, let Second Brother have a taste of yours, okay?”
The little guy, his mouth greasy and smelling delicious, immediately offered his small hand when he heard Second Brother wanted to try. He wasn’t possessive about food at all. Shen Lin was deeply moved as he took the sausage from his little brother and wolfed it down in one big bite.
“Youyou, let’s share.”
So the two little ones shared one sausage, with Youyou’s half mostly taken over by Shen Lin. Inside the villa, Tang Dou was exhausted from tidying up the second-floor room, his back aching. Shen Yan knocked and came in. “Where’s Youyou?”
Tang Dou was washing some clothes that needed to be hand-washed. He nodded toward the balcony. “He and Qiqi are outside playing ball with Yuanzi.”
Shen Yan nodded and walked out onto the balcony. He looked down but didn’t see anyone. He rested his arms on the railing, his sharp black eyes scanning the area.
*When kids are quiet, they’re definitely up to no good.*
Sure enough, after searching for a while, he spotted the three of them sitting on a bench, hidden by a tall bush. Shen Yan squinted and finally made out what the three of them were hiding to eat.
With fiery fists, Shen Yan took a deep breath and bellowed: “SHEN LIN! ARE YOU TRYING TO GET YOURSELF KILLED?! FEEDING THEM STARCH SAUSAGES!!!”
The three of them, absorbed in their snacks, all jumped. Shen Lin gulped down the last bite of sausage and looked up to see his brother on the balcony turning around and rolling up his sleeves, ready to come down and beat him.
“Uh-oh! We’ve been spotted! Retreat!”
Shen Lin slung his backpack on, grabbed one little one under each arm, and took off running.
The bewildered little ones, still savoring the taste, said in bouncy voices: “Starch sausages~ so yummy.”
That night, Su Youli was taken by Aunt Hua to the Pei family’s for dinner. The entire Shen family was present. Shen Lin was like a weak little rabbit, surrounded by wolves.
…
“Brother Qiqi, I think I heard Second Brother’s voice.”
Pei Qiqi perked up his ears. Shen Lin’s miserable screams were clearly audible.
Pei Qiqi coughed loudly. “It might be that Shen Lin didn’t finish his homework and got punished.”
The little guy, after eating the starch sausage, didn’t think anything else tasted as good. For the first time, he didn’t eat his meal properly, just poking at the rice in his bowl with his chopsticks.
“Brother Qiqi, I still want to eat starch sausage.”
Pei Qiqi shook his head seriously. As a mature child who had been told by his aunt half an hour ago that starch sausages were junk food, he picked up his bowl and spoon to feed him:
“Little kids who eat starch sausages won’t grow tall. You can eat them when you’re grown up.”
The little guy’s eyes grew moist. He blinked and asked, “But what if I already ate some today? Will I become shorter?”
“No. Eating them for the first time won’t make you shorter.”
The little guy breathed a sigh of relief and went back to eating his meal properly. He was never going to eat starch sausages again.
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