Chapter 24 (2 in 1)

Zhi Li’s bewildered and surprised expression was utterly adorable. Wu Shuai struggled to hold back his laughter, putting on a serious face as he glanced questioningly at Jiang Yuexiao.

“Finished eating the flowers?”

Jiang Yuexiao ignored him, giving Zhi Li a sidelong glance instead. With eight years of practiced acting skills, he maintained his cool demeanor and nodded calmly, “Finished.”

His composure throughout was nothing short of unflappable!

Was it strange that the flowers disappeared? Absolutely normal.

[Lili feeling around the flower crown for the missing flowers was too cute hahahaha.]

[The best part was Zhi Li asking Jiang Yuexiao with such innocence where the flowers went—simply brilliant!]

[I hope Lao Tian interviews Jiang Yuexiao about his inner thoughts right now.]

[Jiang Yuexiao truly lives up to his future CEO title, keeping such a straight face at such a young age.]

[Someone should loop a clip of him and Zhi Li plucking and eating the flowers together (evil whispers).]

Receiving Jiang Yuexiao’s response, Zhi Li blinked her moist eyes and stared straight at Wu Shuai, wrinkling her little brows as she insisted, “Uncle Wu, I really wore a flower crown! The one my mom made.”

“I know, both of you wore flower crowns, definitely not grass wreaths!” Wu Shuai burst into laughter, thoroughly amused by Zhi Li. “Blame the production team for dragging this out so late. At home, I’d already be having lunch by now.”

Xu Qingying also laughed behind Zhi Li. Earlier, she had silently watched the two children—Zhi Li and Jiang Yuexiao—plucking and eating the sophora flowers one after another, thoroughly enjoying themselves.

If the production team hadn’t confiscated her phone, Xu Qingying would have recorded the scene—keeping Zhi Li’s photos to enjoy together later and saving Jiang Yuexiao’s as future blackmail material.

Just then, Wang Hanlin complained to Yu Xinrou, “I want to eat!”

He scrutinized the village surroundings disdainfully. “Didn’t you say we were going out to have fun? Why pick such a poor, rundown place?”

“Linlin, this is called pristine nature,” Yu Xinrou said gently. “Last month, your dad and I took you fishing in the countryside, remember? He might be watching you on the livestream right now.”

[Their family of three seems so close.]

[Way better than Xu Qingying’s family—doubt they’ve ever gone out together.]

Hearing Yu Xinrou mention his father, Wang Hanlin didn’t dare complain loudly anymore. He kicked a pebble on the ground and muttered reluctantly, “But I’m starving. I’m gonna die of hunger.”

“Here, have a small bread roll first.”

Wang Hanlin stuffed the roll into his mouth and finally quieted down.

Seeing her son settle, Yu Xinrou’s expression softened further, though inwardly she seethed.

Before joining *Shining Children*, she and her manager had planned a *metamorphosis* arc for Wang Hanlin—starting as unruly and rebellious before transforming into obedient and filial. For the audience, the ending mattered far more than the beginning.

But her son, spoiled rotten by his grandparents, acted without restraint even outside, completely oblivious to appropriate behavior in different settings.

Yu Xinrou’s gaze landed on Zhi Li nearby, clutching her flower crown with a troubled look. *Xu Qingying’s child, on the other hand, inherited her mother’s silver tongue perfectly.*

Within minutes, Yang Cheng and Yang Xingran arrived in Three Sophora Village by car.

The host Tian You stepped forward and announced clearly, “This is the location for our first episode’s recording—Three Sophora Village in Taoyuan Town, G City. The village is planted with many sophora trees, and there’s a centuries-old sophora tree in the village square. Legend has it there were originally three, but only one remains today after the long passage of time—hence the name Three Sophora Village. Everyone should take the chance to see that ancient tree—”

“Lao Tian,” Wu Shuai interrupted Tian You’s next words, his smiling eyes heavy with sleepiness as he drawled lazily, “We can see the sophora tree anytime, but if I don’t get food soon, I’m gonna collapse.”

Zhi Li touched the now-bare flower crown on her head again, smacking her lips wistfully. She felt a little melancholy—how could such sweet, fragrant flowers be all gone already?

Tian You coughed lightly. “Food is definitely coming, but before that, we need to pick our rooms. The order will be based on the sequence in which the four families arrived at Three Sophora Village.”

“Xu Qingying’s family will pick first. Wu Shuai’s family and Yu Xinrou’s family arrived in the same car, but Wu Shuai got out first, so his family is second, and Yu Xinrou’s family is third—”

Wang Hanlin immediately protested, pointing at Wu Shuai with breadcrumbs still on his mouth as he shouted, “Why should they? It’s his fault for giving the wrong village address—otherwise, we would’ve been here way earlier!”

When Yu Xinrou and Wang Hanlin got into the car, Wu Shuai had already confirmed the village address with the driver. But halfway through the trip, Yu Xinrou casually asked, “Wait, isn’t the production team at Three Sophora Village?”

Wu Shuai froze. “Isn’t it Taoyuan Village?”

The four in the car and the driver: “…”

Three Sophora Village and Taoyuan Village were in completely opposite directions.

This mix-up made them a full ten minutes late to Three Sophora Village. Even so, they still arrived before Yang Cheng’s family, since Yang Xingran had suddenly gotten a stomachache and diarrhea midway, causing a significant delay.

[Yu Xinrou’s kid is so petty. Wu Shuai paid most of the ride fare this time.]  

[How is that petty? Without Yu Xinrou, Wu Shuai would still be wandering around Taoyuan Village!]  

[Why didn’t Yu Xinrou confirm the address before getting in the car?]  

Wu Han’s face flushed at Wang Hanlin’s accusation—her dad had messed up again.

Yu Xinrou didn’t want to clash with Wu Shuai on the show. Among the four guest families, Wu Shuai undoubtedly had the largest fanbase of die-hard supporters.

So she quickly stepped forward and apologized, “It’s my fault too—I didn’t confirm the address before getting in the car.”

“No, it’s my dad’s fault for giving the wrong address,” Wu Han said, raising her chubby little face with a small smile. “Our family should be third.”

Wu Shuai slumped dejectedly. “Yeah, we’ll take third.”

Tian You nodded. “Alright then. Yu Xinrou’s family is second, Wu Shuai’s family third, and Yang Cheng’s family fourth.”

Zhi Li was listening carefully to the host’s announcement when she suddenly overheard Wu Shuai whispering to Wu Han beside her, “I’m sorry, Hanhan. Don’t be upset—this time, it’s all Daddy’s fault.”

Was Hanhan-jie feeling sad?

Remembering her own past sadness, Zhi Li thought for a moment, then took off the bare flower crown from her head and handed it to Wu Han. “Hanhan-jie, here’s a flower crown for you!” She then dug out the last few candies from her little bag and offered them too, adding cheerfully, “Eat candy! It’s super sweet!”

Wu Han stared blankly at the somewhat grass-like flower crown and three orange-wrapped candies being offered to her.  

Since starting kindergarten, Wu Han had always taken on the role of an older sister among her classmates, habitually caring for and protecting others. Aside from family, this was the first time another child had given her candy.  

Wu Shuai urged from the side, “Hanhan, take it quickly! Little Zhi Li’s arm must be getting tired from holding it up.”  

Only then did Wu Han hurriedly accept the flower crown and candies, her eyes crinkling into crescents as her round little face lit up with a smile. “Thank you, Zhi Li.”  

Zhi Li waved her hands shyly. The flower crown was already looking a bit sparse—she was just glad Hanhan didn’t find it ugly.  

Meanwhile, Tian You had just finished explaining the layout of the four houses. In short, some were nice while others were simple. The first person to pick a house might not necessarily get a nice one, and the last person might not end up with a bad one either.  

As he spoke, Tian You pulled out four maps again. “These maps mark the locations of the four houses. Each one has only one house marked with a red symbol—that’s the one you’ll be staying in. Come on, everyone, take turns drawing a map and see who can turn things around!”  

Wu Shuai shook his head with a light scoff. “Your show’s whole ‘order of arrival in the village’ thing was completely pointless. First, we drew for travel expenses, now we’re drawing for houses—in the end, it all comes down to luck.”  

After saying this, he bent down and asked Wu Han, “Hanhan, how about letting Dad draw the map this time?” That way, if they ended up with a shabby house, it would be his fault and not hers!  

Wu Han gave him a resigned look, the fruit candy still tucked in her cheek, and reluctantly agreed. “Fine.”  

Zhi Li had been about to run up and draw a map, but when she heard Wu Shuai would be drawing on Wu Han’s behalf, she immediately turned to Jiang Yuexiao beside her, her dark eyes sparkling like stars. “Brother! Uncle Wu is going to draw the map!”  

“???” Jiang Yuexiao gave her a questioning look for a second before remembering that Zhi Li wasn’t the type to pick up on subtle expressions. So he asked aloud, “What about him drawing the map?”  

Zhi Li beamed. “Drawing envelopes is childish, but drawing maps isn’t! You can draw the map now!”  

Jiang Yuexiao: ???  

To prove her point, Zhi Li even pattered over to Wu Shuai on her little feet and asked brightly, “Uncle Wu, how old are you?”  

Before Wu Shuai could answer, Wu Han cut in, her voice loud and clear. “My dad is 37 this year!”  

37?!  

Zhi Li’s mouth fell open slightly in shock, her eyes fixed intently on Wu Shuai’s face. Even Jiang Yuexiao, who usually maintained an aloof demeanor, turned to look at Wu Shuai.  

In their eyes, Wu Shuai had chestnut-brown short hair, a fair, youthful face, and was dressed simply in a white T-shirt and light blue jeans. He looked more like a guy in his late twenties—nothing like a 37-year-old.  

Yang Xingran peeked out slightly from behind Yang Cheng and whispered in surprise, “Uncle Wu is actually a year older than my dad.”  

Wu Shuai: …  

Was it his fault for marrying late? His fault for having a baby face?!  

[Wahhh, I miss the days when Wu Shuai was the youngest in the group. It’s been almost 20 years in the blink of an eye.]  

[Wu Shuai’s aging like fine wine—no artificial enhancements either. He could totally pass for a college student now.]  

[Not quite. He’s nowhere near as handsome as he was in his prime.]  

[Why did Zhi Li ask Wu Shuai’s age?]

Not only were the netizens in the live stream curious, but the people present were also intrigued.

Wu Shuai, who had just been surrounded by the children, asked in a puzzled tone, “Little Zhi Li, why are you asking about my age?”

“Uncle Wu is thirty-seven years old,” Zhi Li counted on her fingers, her voice sweet and crisp. “Big brother, Uncle Wu is 29 years older than you. Since Uncle Wu can draw the map, you can too! Drawing the map really isn’t childish at all!”

Jiang Yuexiao: “…”

Wu Shuai: “…”

So he was just a measuring tool.

After this little interlude from Zhi Li, Yang Cheng also decided to step up himself. Thus, the four families sent out Jiang Yuexiao, Wang Hanlin, Wu Shuai, and Yang Cheng to draw the maps.

Wang Hanlin was purely frightened by the four coins and didn’t trust Yu Xinrou to draw, afraid they’d end up with another shabby house.

When the four returned with their drawn maps and compared them, they found that the house closest to their current location had been drawn by Jiang Yuexiao. The key issue was that the place looked very remote on the map. Even if they couldn’t see the house now, they could already tell it wasn’t the beautiful house Tian You had mentioned.

“How about we all go together?” Yu Xinrou suggested. “Looking at the four markers, we’re all heading the same way anyway. We can check out the other families’ houses along the route.”

Yu Xinrou had long noticed Jiang Yuexiao’s impatience. This spoiled rich young master would probably throw a fit upon seeing a shabby house, and she could enjoy Xu Qingying’s embarrassment when that happened.

Wang Hanlin, still holding a grudge over Jiang Yuexiao glaring at him earlier and nearly punching him, quickly agreed, “Let’s go together! I want us all to go together too!”

Xu Qingying didn’t mind much. Whether the house was shabby or not, it would still have a roof to keep out the rain and a place to sleep. Of course, if it turned out to be really shabby, she could always decorate it with some flowers to at least make it comfortable for the two kids.

The group was already starving. Hearing from Tian You that after seeing the houses and dropping off their luggage, they’d have to compete in a small contest to win lunch ingredients and then cook themselves, they stopped dawdling and started dragging their suitcases toward the first destination.

Xu Qingying took the small suitcase from Zhi Li’s hands and instructed, “There are lots of potholes and stones on the road. Watch your step so you don’t trip. Mommy will carry this little suitcase for you.”

“But it’s heavy.”

“Of course it feels heavy to your little arms and legs.” Xu Qingying lifted the pink suitcase in front of Zhi Li, swinging it effortlessly. Meeting Zhi Li’s amazed and admiring gaze, she felt a surge of accomplishment. She jerked her chin toward the destination. “Alright, let’s go.”

Among the four families, all the adults had taken over their children’s suitcases—except for Jiang Yuexiao, who independently pushed his own suitcase as he followed the group.

He didn’t feel particularly unconventional about it. In fact, he was relieved that Xu Qingying hadn’t tried to take his suitcase. Otherwise, he’d have had to reject her in front of the little kid and come up with an excuse to brush it off.

Soon, they entered the village.

Wu Shuai looked at the winding paths, then down at the map in his hand, and back up again, utterly confused. “How does this map look completely unrelated to the village?!”

The village had nine bends and eighteen turns.

The map showed a total of three curves.

“Turn right here.”

A childish voice piped up.

Wu Shuai followed the sound and saw Zhi Li, who had somehow run ahead of them. The little girl must have been too hot, with slightly damp bangs clinging to her snow-white cheeks, her eyes bright and clear.

Zhi Li held a map in one hand and pointed confidently at a corner with the other, declaring, “Turn right here, then walk and walk, keep going straight, then left, left again, then right, then straight and left—and we’ll be home!”

The others: …

Hold on, let them clear their heads of all those turns.

While the other guests were still processing, Xu Qingying and Jiang Yuexiao didn’t hesitate and immediately turned right in the direction Zhi Li had pointed. The sound of suitcase wheels rolling over the ground snapped the others out of their daze.

Yang Xingran tugged lightly at his father Yang Cheng’s sleeve. Yang Cheng glanced at his son and strode forward to catch up.

Wu Han took a few steps before realizing Wu Shuai hadn’t followed. Puzzled, she called, “Dad, hurry up!”

“I—” Wu Shuai trailed after Wu Han, whispering, “Hanhan, did you actually understand the map? Is Zhi Li’s direction really correct?”

Wu Han gave him a helpless look. “How could I? I take after you with directions.”

Wu Shuai lowered his head silently. Why ask and invite such a painful truth?

[Hahahaha Wu Shuai, let me tell you, Zhi Li is way more reliable than you!]

[Wu Shuai, who gets lost in the market & Zhi Li, the human GPS.]

[GPS is such an accurate description!]

[Zhi Li’s sense of direction deserves a big thumbs-up.]

Yu Xinrou hadn’t witnessed Zhi Li’s exceptional navigation skills in the market firsthand, but seeing everyone else follow her lead, she also brought her son along. Even if they took a wrong turn, it would be Xu Qingying’s fault for not teaching her child properly.

As Zhi Li walked, she kept looking back at Xu Qingying and Jiang Yuexiao, who were pushing their suitcases along the bumpy dirt road toward her.

From her angle, she could see beads of sweat glistening on their foreheads and the tips of their noses.

Zhi Li pursed her lips. She wanted to help, but what could she do besides pushing a suitcase?

Suddenly, her gaze flickered, and she noticed something. She hurried ahead in a small run. Xu Qingying didn’t pay much attention, assuming Zhi Li was just scouting the path they needed to take.

But then, Zhi Li came running back, her face lit up with a radiant smile, glowing under the sunlight. In her tiny hands, she clutched several large green leaves.

“Mom! Brother!” Zhi Li called out as she ran toward them. When she reached them, she raised her hands and waved the big leaves on either side. “I’ll fan you!”

As she fanned them, she even added sound effects, puffing out her cheeks. “Whoosh—whoosh—whoosh.”

The gentle breeze from the leaves brushed against their faces, bringing a faint, refreshing coolness.

Instantly, Xu Qingying’s arms felt lighter, her legs no longer ached, and she leaned her head toward Zhi Li with a delighted laugh. “Thank you, sweetheart! This breeze is just what I needed. Without it, I might’ve fainted from the heat. You’re amazing!”

Zhi Li used to blush when praised, but after enduring long-term rainbow farts from Xu Qingying and other teachers, she now reacted with excitement rather than shyness.

Her eyes sparkled as she looked at Jiang Yuexiao and asked eagerly, “Brother, am I amazing?!”

How could Jiang Yuexiao respond? He was currently enjoying the breeze from the kid fanning him with a giant leaf—so large it was almost as long as the child’s tiny arm.  

“Nice,” Jiang Yuexiao deadpanned, forcing out a compliment.  

Zhi Li beamed with joy, fanning even more enthusiastically.  

[Xu Qingying isn’t quite like what people online say. In the preview, she took Zhi Li shopping for so many things, and today she taught her how to weave a flower crown while showering her with praise.]  

[As an outsider, I’ll say this—the vibe between Xu Qingying and Zhi Li looks really comfortable.]  

[Comfortable favoritism? Carrying her biological daughter’s luggage but not her stepson’s?]  

[Is Xu Qingying some kind of superwoman? Dragging three suitcases alone?]  

Meanwhile, Yang Cheng and Yang Xingran caught up, followed closely by Wu Shuai and Wu Han.  

Seeing Zhi Li in the middle, fanning away while Xu Qingying and Jiang Yuexiao pushed their luggage forward without a word, Wu Shuai quickly asked, “Should we check the map again?”  

“Uncle Wu, we’re almost there!” Zhi Li didn’t even turn around, too focused on fanning Xu Qingying and Jiang Yuexiao. Her voice carried back, “Go straight, turn left, left again, then right, then straight and another left—and we’re there!”  

Wu Shuai blinked in confusion before turning to Yang Cheng. “Yang Cheng, did Zhi Li just list the same turns as before?” He’d heard Yang Cheng was quick at memorizing scripts during filming.  

“Exactly the same,” Yang Cheng confirmed, his rough fingertip tracing the unmarked spot on his map—Zhi Li’s house. “Her directions are completely correct.”  

Wu Shuai: !!!  

This kid, who could nibble a flower crown bald, was also a hidden genius at navigation?!  

Silently, they trailed behind Xu Qingying’s group, and sure enough, after a series of turns, they arrived exactly at Zhi Li’s house.  

A modest little cottage with a small vegetable patch in the yard. The house likely didn’t have running water, meaning they’d have to pump water from the well outside and carry it back in buckets.  

Inside, the main room had wooden floors, with slightly worn tables and chairs. The bedroom had a bed draped with a mosquito net, and surprisingly, the light switch was an old-fashioned pull cord.  

“Hanhan-jie, Xingxing!” After checking out the house, Zhi Li turned and saw the other two groups had arrived. She dashed over excitedly, the giant leaf in her hand fluttering as she waved it. With an eager expression, she offered, “This big leaf makes a great fan! I picked a bunch—do you want one?”  

Before Wu Han could answer, Wu Shuai jumped in, “Yes, yes! I’m melting out here! Thanks, navigation prodigy Zhi Li!”  

Wow!  

Zhi Li was stunned. I can be called a prodigy too?  

Xu Qingying came over, hugging Zhi Li and planting a kiss on her cheek. “That’s right, our little genius is amazing at directions—a true prodigy.”  

Zhi Li blinked.  

So… knowing your way around is a skill too?  

Wu Han sighed helplessly but still thanked Zhi Li, accepting a large green leaf. She raised her plump little arm and vigorously fanned Wu Shuai.  

“Ahhh,” Wu Shuai exaggeratedly squinted. “Thanks, my little snuggle bug.”  

Yang Xingran also took a leaf from Zhi Li, lifting it high and tentatively fanning Yang Cheng, his eyes fixed intently on his father the whole time.

Although Yang Xingran always hid behind Yang Cheng, the father and son actually didn’t spend much time together. At home, Yang Xingran preferred clinging to his mother rather than sticking to Yang Cheng.  

Yang Cheng’s personality made it impossible for him to offer straightforward praise as openly and exaggeratedly as Wu Shuai could.

So, the father-son duo of Yang Cheng and Yang Xingran were silently at it—one quietly fanning his dad with a leaf, the other silently watching his son fan him. Yang Cheng’s lips twitched a few times, but not a single word of praise came out.

Zhi Li asked curiously, “Uncle Yang, why aren’t you praising Xing Xing? My mom and brother both praised me! Uncle Wu also praised Sister Hanhan!”

Everyone else had given praise, but Uncle Yang hadn’t. To Zhi Li, it felt like a ball rolling halfway and suddenly getting stuck.

“…” Yang Cheng stared at his son’s slightly evasive gaze and said solemnly, “Thank you.”

Yang Xingran’s eyes widened slightly, and he hurriedly replied, “Y-You’re welcome!”

[…Sounds like a boss and his subordinate.]

[…Loquat Brand Bond, hahahaha.]

[…I feel like Yang Cheng is similar to my dad. I can sense he loves me, but he never says it out loud. I’d really love to hear him shower me with praise.]

Yu Xinrou and Wang Hanlin entered the room a step later, only to see Yang Xingran and Wu Han, both well-behaved children, fanning their fathers with large leaves.

Then she looked at her own son, who had been complaining the whole way about being tired and was now sulking, still upset that his shoes had gotten dirty.

Yu Xinrou: “…”

She never should have let her in-laws interfere with her son’s upbringing! Now her son wasn’t close to her, his own mother, at all.

Zhi Li also noticed Yu Xinrou and Wang Hanlin. After hesitating for a few seconds, she still didn’t go over to offer Wang Hanlin a leaf. Not only did Wang Hanlin never smile, but he had also yelled and tried to snatch her things, just like her cousin Dongdong.

Even though Wang Hanlin had never outright said he hated or disliked her, Zhi Li always felt he was similar to Dongdong. Subconsciously, she didn’t really want to interact with him.

Yu Xinrou noticed the leaves in Zhi Li’s hand and asked gently, “Where did you all get these leaves? We didn’t see any. Could you share one with Auntie and Linlin?”

“I picked them,” Zhi Li said, walking over and handing her a leaf. “Here you go.”

Wang Hanlin scowled at Zhi Li and snapped, “What leaves? Why would I want that stupid thing?”

“For fanning,” Zhi Li explained patiently. “It feels really nice!”

Wang Hanlin: “I—”

Before he could finish, Yu Xinrou tugged at him, cutting him off. At the same time, Jiang Yuexiao, who had been in the inner room, strode over.

Jiang Yuexiao pulled Zhi Li back and lectured her sternly, “He clearly hates you, yet you still go near him?” No matter how superficial their sibling bond might be, no one in the Jiang family would let others bully their own.

Zhi Li blinked up at him in confusion. “He hates me? But he never said he hates me.”

After asking Jiang Yuexiao, she even turned to Wang Hanlin and asked, “Do you hate me?”

In some matters, Zhi Li was stubborn—she needed to hear it directly to believe it. That was also why she had stayed at her uncle’s house for so long before realizing they didn’t like her.

Wang Hanlin shouted, “Of course I hate you!”

Wu Han looked at Zhi Li worriedly, afraid she might burst into tears. Being publicly told you’re hated must feel awful. Even Xu Qingying came over, intending to separate the two children.

However, to everyone’s surprise, Zhi Li blinked slowly, as if processing the words belatedly. Then she nodded and replied in a tone as casual as talking about eating or drinking, “Oh.”

Everyone else: “…”

This kid has vision, this kid has a steady mindset.

[Wang Hanlin is way too much.]

[Stop jumping around, Xu Qingying’s hired trolls! How is Linlin being too much? Can’t he say he dislikes someone? I dislike Zhi Li too!]

[Oh please, if you dislike someone, don’t follow them around like a shadow. What kind of mindset is it to visit the home of someone you dislike?]

[Coming over is one thing, but he asked Zhi Li for a leaf himself, and when Zhi Li obediently brought it over, he yells that he dislikes her?]

In the bedroom watching the livestream, Xu Xia saw netizens discussing Wang Hanlin’s declaration of disliking Zhi Li and thought, *This is nothing. In my past life, when Zhi Li had scars on her face, Wang Hanlin openly mocked her for being ugly on the show.*

And later—

Xu Xia tried hard to recall the livestream clips from her past life, vaguely remembering Jiang Yuexiao and Wang Hanlin getting into a fight. After that, the camera mostly focused on Jiang Yuexiao and Wang Hanlin, with Zhi Li rarely seen again.

As for the other two groups of guests, Xu Xia didn’t care much.

In Xu Xia’s past life, Yang Cheng’s son Yang Xingran and Wu Shuai’s daughter Wu Han faded into obscurity after the show, hardly ever mentioned again.

On the show, although Yu Xinrou couldn’t see the live comments, she could guess how netizens would react to Wang Hanlin’s response.

Thinking this, Yu Xinrou bent down to eye level with Wang Hanlin, her delicate brows slightly furrowed as she gently reasoned with him, “Linlin, don’t be unreasonable. Even if Mommy and Aunt Xu have some disagreements, you shouldn’t take it out on Zhi Li and dislike her because of that.”

This was her way of covering for her son, letting netizens know that Wang Hanlin’s dislike for Zhi Li was tied to Xu Qingying, while also subtly proving that Wang Hanlin cared deeply about his mother, Yu Xinrou.

Unexpectedly, Wang Hanlin completely deviated from Yu Xinrou’s script. Pointing at Zhi Li and Jiang Yuexiao, he angrily accused, “I don’t just dislike you, I also dislike Jiang Yuexiao! That envelope with only four coins was supposed to be yours! You guys are last place!”

Zhi Li puffed out her cheeks, indignant. “Big Brother and I are good-looking and popular, so of course we should be last place!”

Everyone present: “…”

Livestream viewers: “…”

Some netizens, feeling rebellious, secretly decided that when the next Star Chart opened, they’d vote their Starlight Cards for Zhi Li and Jiang Yuexiao, making them second-to-last and third-to-last—just to see what excuse Zhi Li would come up with then!

Wang Hanlin was furious. “You’re lying! Who said you’re good-look—”

Mid-sentence, something suddenly flashed before his eyes. Looking up, he saw an enormous armored giant bug swooping down from the air toward them.

“?!!” Having grown up in the north, Wang Hanlin was terrified. *What the heck is that?!*

Like a piglet about to be slaughtered, he let out a shrill scream and leaped behind Yu Xinrou. In his panic, he tripped mid-jump, landing hard on his butt.

When he looked up again, he was stunned to see the petite Zhi Li raising the large leaf high and swatting it down at the diving monstrous bug.

*Whack!*

Zhi Li used the leaf to smack the flying giant cockroach to the ground, then swiftly and precisely stomped on it through the leaf.

The giant cockroach met its end under the leaf.

Wang Hanlin: “…”

He secretly raised his eyes to look at Zhi Li, swallowing nervously as his sore bottom ached even more from the fall.  

“You’re so timid,” Zhi Li said, staring at Wang Hanlin with a particularly puzzled gaze, as if she couldn’t believe someone could be scared of a bug.  

Zhi Li tucked in her little feet, first giving a reluctant glance at the lush green leaves on the ground. Then, remembering that those leaves were originally meant for Wang Hanlin anyway, she decided she wouldn’t feel bad if they got dirty since he didn’t want them.  

So, lifting her chin, she turned around and marched toward Xu Qingying like a triumphant little general, proudly declaring over her shoulder without looking back, “I don’t like you either.”  

This guy was even scared of bugs—if we ever got into a fight, he’d definitely lose to me!  

Author’s Note:  

Wu Shuai—a tool for measuring childishness  

Bugs—a tool for measuring combat prowess