To prevent Mi Dou from becoming overly materialistic due to “earning money to pay off debts,” Zhan Qingyue created a chart for him, detailing the tasks he needed to do and the corresponding rewards.

Otherwise, the clever little rascal might end up, for example, negotiating for payment if he helped the maid pick up something, which would result in negative reinforcement.

So, the tasks with rewards were clearly listed, including their payments:

For example:

Throwing his dirty clothes into the laundry basket every day: 94 yuan.

Putting his own toys back in place and tidying up every day: 123 yuan.

Cleaning up the food crumbs he drops after meals every day: 107 yuan.

Helping take care of Miaomiao, including adding food and water: 185 yuan.

Massaging his dad’s back every day: 62 yuan.

These were simple tasks that wouldn’t physically burden him but would effectively develop Mi Dou’s ability to do things on his own.

To help him learn different numbers faster, Zhan Qingyue even put all the Arabic numerals on the payroll sheet, allowing him to calculate the amounts himself.

Zhan Qingyue required him to complete at least three tasks each day.

Mi Dou felt aggrieved by his dad’s strict approach and complained to Grandfather Zhan.

Although Grandfather Zhan felt sorry for him, he thought this method of education was good and did not intervene.

He also complained to his grandparents Ning, but they, besides giving him money, didn’t dare confront his dad directly.

His dad refused to accept the money from his grandparents.

As for Uncle Yuan… Uncle Yuan was busy taking care of the baby and had no time for him.

Left with no options, Mi Dou tried to fake illness after working all day, but when he heard that Zhan Qingyue was going to call a doctor for a shot, he miraculously recovered.

Then he tried to run away from home but failed because he couldn’t reach the gate lock.

He attempted to “protest by starvation,” but his dad had the cook prepare his favorite snacks, and he gave in within ten seconds.

His mom sent him some sage advice she once read in a novel: “Battling with heaven is endless fun, battling with earth is endless fun, but battling with Dad is sheer foolishness.”

Mi Dou, with tears in his eyes, accepted his fate and fell into the harsh life of child labor.

Ning Qiuxiu saw Zhan Qingyue outsmarting their son daily and felt a pang of sympathy for Mi Dou.

She also worried that under such an environment, Mi Dou might grow up to be just like his dad, a scheming and vengeful person.

Consequently, Ning Qiuxui even mourned for her future daughter-in-law, wondering which unlucky person would end up with her son.

In Chairman Feng Yi’s office:

“You want to take a variety show?” Zhan Qingyue, who rarely appeared in public media over the years, surprised her by saying he had accepted a variety show called “Mom Is Not at Home.”

She knew about this variety show, which was quite popular domestically.

It’s a reality show featuring celebrity dads or celebrity husbands taking care of their children at home.

Since cute kids are so beloved, the show has remained very popular over several seasons.

Zhan Qingyue nodded, “I owe them a favor, so this is a good opportunity to return it.”

In the early days of Feng Yi’s development, they faced various difficulties.

The owner of the company behind this show had once helped Zhan Qingyue a lot.

Now that they’ve invited him to participate, he couldn’t refuse.

Moreover, Zhan Qingyue and Mi Dou didn’t spend much time together.

This was a good chance for Zhan Qingyue to bond with his son and get to know his little one’s life and inner world.

San Tiao, a bit worried, said, “I heard from Qiuxiu that you and Mi Dou don’t really get along. You won’t end up fighting on the show, will you?”

Fight?

Zhan Qingyue chuckled, “Don’t worry, he wouldn’t dare.”

“Alright, I’ll make the arrangements.”

Ning Qiuxiu was also surprised when she heard he accepted the show.

As Mi Dou grew up, there were more and more news reports, including fake ones, about Zhan Qingyue taking Mi Dou to various parent-child shows.

Some even rumored that they would appear on a very popular domestic parent-child show.

That show had indeed invited them multiple times, but Zhan Qingyue had declined each time.

Unexpectedly, he accepted a less-known observational reality show.

Not only Ning Qiuxiu but also the official account of Mom Is Not Home announced the season’s guests, and the internet exploded.

People were thrilled to see the long-anticipated Zhan Qingyue and the elusive Mi Dou.

【Grandma, your favorite Zhan Boss is finally back!】

【Zhan Qingyue and little Mi Dou’s daily life, we’ve been waiting for this, crying storms!】

【Jiu Jiu says Mi Dou’s personality is similar to Zhan Qingyue’s. This father-son duo is sure to be fun!】

【Can’t wait to see Zhan Qingyue’s parenting skills. It’s going to be interesting.】

【How long do we have to wait? I want to see it now!】

……

Amidst the anticipation of many, Mom Is Not Home finally started filming.

Since the activities mostly took place at home, the production team, with their consent, had installed a few cameras in their house beforehand.

These cameras could be turned on and off as needed, allowing for both recording the show and respecting privacy.

Early in the morning, the production team arrived at the Zhan family home and happened to catch them at breakfast.

Ning Qiuxui, who needed to catch a flight for an event, had already finished eating.

After saying goodbye to the production team, she grabbed her suitcase and said to Zhan Qingyue, “I’m leaving now. I hope your recording goes smoothly.”

She then whispered to Zhan Qingyue, “Don’t let things get out of hand.”

“…” Zhan Qingyue thought that he and Mi Dou were not at such odds yet.

Smiling, he gave Ning Qiuxui a kiss and said, “Don’t worry, I’ll handle Miaomiao and his brother.”

Ning Qiuxui: “…”

Since Ning Qiuxui had always referred to their Siberian Husky as their “dog son,” it was only natural that Mi Dou had become his “brother.”

She wondered how Mi Dou would feel when he grew up and learned he had a Siberian Husky older brother.

“Mi Dou, Mommy is leaving now,” Ning Qiuxui said, seeing Mi Dou’s pouty face.

She kissed his little cheeks and added, “I’ll miss you. Mommy will be back the day after tomorrow.”

Mi Dou, still frowning, replied, “You should say goodbye to Dad first, not Mi Dou.”

The crew members laughed at his response.

Ning Qiuxui was used to their father-son duo having similar thought processes.

She flicked his forehead and said, “Mi Dou is a big kid now. He needs to respect his elders and love his younger ones, understand?”

Zhan Qingyue: “???”

The crew members stifled their laughter.

“Alright then,” Mi Dou accepted this and smiled. He gave his mom a kiss on the cheek and said, “Goodbye, Mommy.”

After Ning Qiuxui left, Mi Dou and Zhan Qingyue continued their breakfast.

The staff briefed Zhan Qingyue on the tasks and some important points.

To avoid disrupting the natural flow of the show, they left, leaving only a cameraman and cameras scattered around the house.

Although this was an observational reality show, the production team had designed some task segments to make the content richer and more engaging.

However, having heard that the family’s child had to “earn money to pay off debts” every day, they decided to follow this script and show everyone how Mi Dou earned money to pay off his debts.

Mi Dou ate slowly.

By the time his dad finished eating and was reading a book, Mi Dou was still using his small spoon to eat.

He didn’t like eating rice, so he ate very slowly on purpose.

Zhan Qingyue patiently waited for ten minutes.

Seeing Mi Dou was still eating at the same slow pace, he put down his book and walked over.

Mi Dou sensed his dad’s presence and immediately started eating a bit faster.

“Ten minutes ago, you had this much left, and ten minutes later, it’s still the same amount, Mi Dou,” Zhan Qingyue smiled, “Do you want Daddy to feed you?”

“No!” Mi Dou refused without thinking. Being fed by his dad was a nightmare for him, “Mi Dou is a big kid, I can eat by myself!”

“Then eat faster.” Zhan Qingyue had no intention of feeding him. He just sat next to him and watched.

Mi Dou loved small cookies, candies, and sweet snacks but didn’t like eating rice.

“Daddy…” Mi Dou dug into his food a couple of times, then started making excuses with a sad expression, “I miss Mommy and can’t eat much.”

Zhan Qingyue thought it was nonsense but played along, “What should we do? Mommy is on a business trip.”

“Daddy, go get the teddy bear toy Mommy bought,” Mi Dou said, “When I see the teddy bear toy, it’s like seeing Mommy.”

“Okay,” Zhan Qingyue, who didn’t spend much time with Mi Dou and only knew about his antics from others, decided to see what the kid could come up with.

He got up, patted Mi Dou’s head, and said, “You behave and eat, Daddy will go upstairs to get it for you.”

Mi Dou was delighted: “Long live Daddy!”

Zhan Qingyue really went upstairs to get the teddy bear.

Since there was no one else in the living room because of the show recording, and the servants were instructed not to be seen, the camera crew stayed out of sight as much as possible.

Mi Dou didn’t realize there were cameras everywhere.

When his dad went upstairs, he showed a triumphant smile.

He put his bowl on the floor and called for Miao Miao to come over. Miao Miao quickly ate his breakfast, probably used to doing this with the little master, finishing it off quickly.

When Zhan Qingyue brought down the teddy bear, Mi Dou waved his empty bowl at him: “Daddy, I’m done!”

“……” Zhan Qingyue looked at the bowl that was as clean as if it had been washed and felt like his intelligence had been insulted.

Mi Dou, you even dare to fool your own dad.