The production team of “Growing Up With You” was being frantically tagged by netizens. The director felt both delighted and frustrated, staring enviously at the small camera on the tiny body of a certain child in one of the split screens.

Why hadn’t he thought of giving the kids a separate POV camera?

And the epic scene of the hidden snacks yesterday wasn’t even recorded.

The director typed furiously on his keyboard, filled with regret.

Both Lu Chen and Ji Miandeng’s phones simultaneously received a WeChat message from the production team, discussing the possibility of using Lu Tuan’s snack-stashing video as a program Easter egg.

The team also suggested some promotional strategies that would be beneficial to Ji Miandeng.

Lu Chen turned to the person beside him and asked, “What do you think?”

When it came to matters involving the child, Ji Miandeng’s opinion carried more weight. Plus, the proposed plans were all focused on him, so the final decision naturally rested with Ji Miandeng.

Ji Miandeng thought for a moment, then asked the adorably clueless Lu Tuan, “There are many uncles, aunties, big brothers, and big sisters who want to see your snack-stashing video. Do you want to show it to them?”

Lu Tuan, lying on his lap playing with the strings of his hoodie, lifted his head upon hearing this. His big round eyes sparkled as he loudly declared, “NO!”

Ji Miandeng shrugged at the camera.

Lu Tuan was a baby with his own opinions.

【Lu Tuan! Do you not love your big sisters anymore?!】
【Please, Ji the Great Beauty, use your parental authority! 😭😭】
【I’m dying here! Lu Chen and the Movie King, please try convincing Lu Tuan again!】
【Got it. Family hierarchy: Lu Tuan > Ji Miandeng > Lu Chen. lights a melancholy cigarette】

Ji Miandeng chuckled. Judging by the director’s sudden message, he could pretty much guess how the bullet comments were reacting. He turned to the little one and said, “How about we show the sad uncles, aunties, big brothers, and big sisters some cute pictures of you instead?”

Lu Tuan happily nodded his little head and leaned toward the phone. “I’ll pick the pictures.”

“Alright.” Ji Miandeng’s fingers had already tapped into the photo album.

No parent could resist the temptation of showing off their kid, especially since this was also a chance to leave a good impression on Lu Tuan’s potentially absent biological father.

From where Lu Chen was sitting, he could just see Ji Miandeng’s phone screen. His gaze naturally stayed fixed on it, noticing an album with over a thousand photos—all of Lu Tuan.

Lu Tuan seemed very familiar with these photos. His tiny finger scrolled expertly downward. “Tiger brain.”

Ji Miandeng held the phone steady for him. “Baby, that’s a lion.”

“Lion, lion,” Lu Tuan corrected himself obediently.

Lu Chen watched as the two stopped scrolling and opened a photo. When he saw the image, he was instantly overwhelmed by the cuteness, while simultaneously plotting to custom-make dozens of similar little outfits to coax Lu Tuan into wearing them daily.

In the photo, Lu Tuan looked even smaller than he did now. He wore a fluffy white lion dance costume, the rounded lion head sitting snugly on his tiny body. His chubby little face peeked out adorably, with his big, innocent eyes melting hearts. The photo perfectly captured the moment the cute little head popped out from under the lion head—pure, naive, and utterly charming.

Lu Tuan chose the photo. “Lu Tuan looks good!”

Ji Miandeng agreed, tapping a few times on his phone before posting a nine-grid collage to his personal Weibo.

Before he even exited the app, a string of notifications for tags and private messages started coming in.

Lu Chen calmly withdrew his gaze, secretly contemplating how to copy this entire photo album after the show ended.

【Ji Miandeng is the epitome of gentleness.】
【AAAAHHH, baby Tuan during his toothless phase! That smile is so sweet!】
【Lu Tuan x lion dance combo = DOUBLE KILL. My HP is zero.】
…

Ji Miandeng glanced at the comments, and in his arms, Lu Tuan was also seriously watching, as if he could actually read the words.

Ji Miandeng said, “There are many people in front of the camera who like Lu Tuan. Do you want to thank them?”

He pointed at the room’s surveillance camera, and Lu Tuan, both curious and obedient, blew a little kiss toward it. Then, turning back, he adorably asked his little dad, “Why do they like Lu Tuan?”

“Because Lu Tuan is an amazing baby,” Ji Miandeng replied.

[Because Lu Tuan is a little angel baby!]
[Because Lu Tuan is the happiest baby ever!]
[Because watching Lu Tuan heals our childhood wounds!]

…

The atmosphere grew warm and cozy. Lu Chen looked at the affectionate big-and-small duo sitting close together, feeling a subtle twinge of envy. Luckily, Lu Tuan hadn’t forgotten his big dad. Just as Lu Chen was about to reach out for a hug, the program team, with impeccable timing, sent another message.

Lu Tuan instinctively snuggled back into his little dad’s arms, leaving Lu Chen, now deprived of a hug, to glance coldly at his phone. He made a terse four-word comment: “Getting too greedy.”

The program team, who had just tried to open a solo baby-view livestream: “…”

Shaking in fear.

Ji Miandeng read the message and nodded in agreement.

Lu Chen happened to glance out the window and froze: “It’s raining.”

The weather in Province C was unpredictable. When they had brought Lu Tuan to look outside earlier, there hadn’t been any sign of rain. Now, the drizzle had already arrived.

Ji Miandeng and Lu Tuan both looked out the window together. The sky was overcast.

The family’s original plan for the day had been to visit a children’s amusement park. However, the park was an outdoor facility, and other indoor locations could risk running into too many fans.

Ji Miandeng gently said, “Let’s wait until the rain stops.”

The two adults played with Lu Tuan and his toys for a while. When Ji Miandeng checked the rain again, it was still pouring steadily, so he stood up, intending to make a cup of lemon water.

“Where’s little dad going?” Lu Tuan immediately lifted his head from his toys, concerned despite having his big dad there.

Lu Chen raised an eyebrow and looked at him.

“To cut some lemons. Want some?” Ji Miandeng smiled.

“No, no~” Lu Tuan shook his head repeatedly at the mention of “lemons.”

Ji Miandeng chuckled as he rummaged through the bags. The lemons were ones they had brought down from the RV the day before.

Lu Tuan was still shaking his head energetically.

Lu Chen steadied his little head, worried he might get dizzy. “Alright, we won’t give you any.” He then removed the small, slightly warm camera strapped to Lu Tuan. “Do you want to see yourself?”

“Yes!” Lu Tuan raised his little paw excitedly.

While Ji Miandeng cut lemons and brewed his water, Lu Chen held Lu Tuan in his arms, exporting the video. As he waited, Lu Tuan amused himself by poking at the screen. Meanwhile, the comments section continued to mourn its heartbreak.

[@What’s the Point of Growing Up With You]

[Ah, I’m still waiting for a chance encounter. Is the Best Actor coming out?]

[Everyone, the activities Lu Tuan played yesterday have queues that went crazy—people were lining up in the rain!]

[Top star of the post-2020 generation, no question about it.]

Lu Chen transferred the video to the computer just as Ji Miandeng walked over holding a cup. His slender, graceful fingers wrapped around the transparent glass, with his nails faintly pink and surprisingly captivating.

Lu Chen’s gaze flickered imperceptibly before he asked, “Want to watch together?”

“Mm.” Ji Miandeng habitually grabbed a throw pillow, sat cross-legged on the bed, and got comfortable—a lingering habit from holding the baby.

The video wasn’t short, lasting about twenty minutes.

As soon as it started playing, Lu Tuan’s soft and sweet voice could be heard. The camera captured Lu Chen’s shirt and chin.

“What’s this?” came a voice from off-camera, so close it felt like it was whispering into your ear.

Ji Miandeng’s eyes lit up with interest. “Lu Tuan is so cute.”

As the biological father, Lu Chen already knew how adorable Lu Tuan was. However, experiencing this cuteness from Lu Tuan’s perspective added a unique and novel charm.

Hearing his little dad’s praise, Lu Tuan covered his face shyly, puckered up, and gave him a smooch.

Lu Chen, the one who came up with the idea and prepared the camera, felt a pang of jealousy and gave a light cough.

Unfortunately, little Lu Tuan was utterly oblivious to such subtle adult cues. Seeing such an adorable video, Ji Miandeng kindly reminded him, “Baby, give your big dad a kiss too. Thank him.”

Lu Chen turned his head slightly, feeling a little awkward.

Fueled by love and enthusiasm, Lu Tuan charged forward without brakes and gave his big dad a solid kiss right on the lips.