Chapter 25 (1 Update)

Wang Hanlin was still in shock.

He had already been terrified by the sudden appearance of the giant cockroach, and then stunned by Zhi Li’s swift and decisive stomp that killed it. How could such a soft, tearful little dumpling-like child crush a terrifying cockroach underfoot with one step?!

His astonished gaze slowly drifted downward, landing on the large green leaf covering the cockroach’s corpse. Just imagining what lay beneath that leaf was enough to make him shudder.

“!!!” The usually unruly Wang Hanlin burst into tears on the spot.

Wailing loudly, he scrambled up from the ground and stumbled toward Yu Xinrou, crying, “There’s a cockroach! A cockroach! Let’s get out of here! I don’t want to film anymore!!!”

Yu Xinrou, who was counting on *Shining Children* to make her comeback in the industry, couldn’t possibly quit just because her son was crying. She quickly pulled Wang Hanlin out of the main room, inwardly regretting her earlier suggestion to visit Xu Qingying’s house—it had only given Zhi Li a chance to show off at her son’s expense.

Meanwhile, Zhi Li was happily showing off her little shoes to Xu Qingying, chirping, “Mommy, look! My shoes are still clean! The bug didn’t dirty them at all!”

Xu Qingying cupped Zhi Li’s soft, chubby cheeks and planted a big kiss on them.

She gave Zhi Li a thumbs-up and praised her generously, “My baby is amazing! That stomp just now was so cool! You protected Mommy—thank you.”

Zhi Li beamed at the praise, her smile sweet as candy.

Jiang Yuexiao, who had also been startled by the cockroach but kept a straight face, glanced at the little footprint on the large leaf covering the insect. He silently vowed never to reveal his fear of cockroaches in front of this brat.

But—

That cockroach was HUGE! How could a cockroach even get that big?!

At that moment, Jiang Yuexiao finally realized just how much work the villa’s staff had been doing—at least they’d never let him see a cockroach this monstrous before.

He wasn’t the only one startled. Many viewers in the livestream were equally horrified by the sudden appearance of the giant cockroach.

[That cockroach just now scared me to death—it was HUGE and flew straight at the camera!]

[I’ve always called Zhi Li a sweet little angel, but cockroach-stomping Zhi Li has some serious swagger.]

[I’m still getting goosebumps on my arms.]

[People from G City: This is child’s play for us.]

[I love smacking them with slippers—that *splat* sound is so satisfying.]

[Not classy enough. Learn from Zhi Li—cover it with a leaf before stomping to keep your shoes clean.]

Other viewers laughed when they saw this comment, remembering how Zhi Li had proudly told Xu Qingying her shoes were still clean.

Oddly enough, many had been influenced by online rumors before the livestream, believing Zhi Li to be scheming and holding biases against her. But after watching the morning’s broadcast, even those who refused to admit it found themselves genuinely enjoying watching Zhi Li in Xu Qingying’s livestream.

Yang Cheng had already left with his son Yang Xingran to check out their own house. Wu Shuai, however, lingered and shuffled over to Zhi Li. With his boyishly handsome face, he shamelessly asked, “Little Zhi Li, could you take a look at Uncle’s map? How do we turn to get to our house from here?”

Zhi Li took the map from Wu Shuai’s hands, her little face serious as she studied the route. After a moment, she looked up and said brightly, “Go right after leaving the main gate, then turn left and walk straight—you’ll get there!”

Her answer was effortless, as if solving 1+1=2.

Hearing how simple Zhi Li made it sound—just two turns—Wu Shuai’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. He quickly rummaged through his bag and pulled out a few packs of snacks, handing them to Zhi Li. “Thank you, little Zhi Li! These are for you.”

Zhi Li happily cradled the snacks, her dark, gleaming eyes curving into crescents. “Thank you too, Uncle Shuai!”

After giving her the snacks, Wu Shuai left the main hall with Wu Han, following Zhi Li’s directions—first right, then left, then straight—

He stopped.

Ahead lay three small branching paths, and beyond those, even more forks in the road.

“Hanhan,” Wu Shuai scratched his head, “didn’t Zhi Li say to go straight? Which way is ‘straight’?”

Wu Han looked at the map, then at the diverging paths, her round face scrunching up. “The map does say to go straight. Dad, are you sure you can keep track of all these turns and still go the right way?”

Wu Shuai fell silent for a few seconds before glancing back at the house they’d just left. He came up with a terrible idea. “I really want to kidnap Zhi Li in a sack. How about a pink one?”

“…”

Wu Han sighed deeply, resigned. She took the map, hesitated for a moment, then resolutely chose the middle path.

Ah, the struggles of a young life—relying on anyone but her father.

[LOL, I’d also love to kidnap Zhi Li, but she’d probably prefer an orange sack since she likes orange-flavored candy.]

[I bet Wu Shuai’s family will be the last to arrive at the meeting point.]

[My heart aches for Hanhan.]

Unaware that Wu Shuai had gotten lost again, Zhi Li was too busy examining the snacks she’d just received—mini bread rolls, pudding cups, and ridged potato chips—to finish packing her little suitcase.

While Jiang Yuexiao was organizing his luggage, he noticed Zhi Li eagerly inspecting the snacks. He didn’t think much of it—kids would naturally be excited about treats.

With that in mind, Jiang Yuexiao discreetly rubbed his stomach over his suitcase.

He wanted snacks too. Who wouldn’t crave such delicious things? But to maintain his mature and dependable image in front of others, he never indulged in childish snacks—except on his birthday.

“Brother.”

The voice came with three packs of snacks held out in front of him.

Jiang Yuexiao’s gaze traveled from the small hand offering the snacks up to Zhi Li’s expectant face, her dark, grape-like eyes shining brightly. “Brother, which one do you like? I checked—they have different ingredients from energy bars.”

This kid actually remembered my allergies?

A strange, unfamiliar emotion flickered in Jiang Yuexiao’s chest. He didn’t have time to dwell on it, though, as he turned his head away stubbornly. “I already told you, my stomach’s upset. I’m not hungry.”

“But it’s already noon,” Zhi Li blinked. “It’s time for lunch!”

To her, this wasn’t about hunger—it was simply lunchtime.

Zhi Li extended the three packets of snacks toward Jiang Yuexiao again, “Big brother, you pick first. Mom and I will eat whatever’s left—we can eat anything, you know.”

Is this kid really this naive? Instead of picking for herself first, she’s letting him choose? When she grows up and faces situations involving personal gain, how much advantage will others take of her?

“Big brother.”

“Fine, fine, I’ll pick.” Jiang Yuexiao glanced at the orange-flavored pudding in the middle and reached for the ripple-cut potato chips instead. He’d eaten this brand before, and they used rapeseed oil in the ingredients.

Zhi Li’s eyes sparkled even brighter when she saw her favorite pudding left untouched.

Jiang Yuexiao shoved one hand into his pocket, watching coldly as Zhi Li flitted toward Xu Qingying like a little bird, giggling foolishly as she shared the pudding and bread with her. The moment she took a bite of the pudding, the kid’s eyes crinkled with delight.

“It’s just a pudding,” Jiang Yuexiao muttered to himself as he tore open the chips, eating with a stony expression. “Why’s she grinning like an idiot?”

After a couple of bites, he paused and frowned down at the chip bag in confusion.

Same brand as before. Was he just hungrier than usual, or did this bag actually taste better than the last one?

Zhi Li savored the last spoonful of orange pudding, cradling her cheeks in bliss like a little sprout waiting to bloom. “Thank you, Mom, for saving the last bite for me!”

“You fanned me too, didn’t you?” Xu Qingying ruffled Zhi Li’s soft hair affectionately. “Sweetheart, how are you always so amazing? You can navigate, fan people, and even stomp on giant cockroaches. You must be the bravest, most incredible kid in the whole world.”

Though Xu Qingying often marveled at how well-behaved and sensible Zhi Li was, she made a point to praise her with richer words—amazing, incredible, adorable, cool, brave—a habit she’d picked up from parenting books she’d skimmed lately.

Xu Qingying wanted Zhi Li to grow up free-spirited, bold, and unapologetically herself.

Zhi Li stretched her short arms around Xu Qingying, standing on tiptoe to plant a loud kiss on her cheek. “Mom’s always amazing too! You’re definitely the prettiest, most incredible mom in the whole world.”

Live-stream viewers: !!!

【Ultra-adorable! Ultra-adorable!】  

【Xu Qingying is literally me!!!】  

【Zhi Li’s cuteness is downright illegal, ugh! Why did I let my Starlight Card expire last week instead of giving it to Zhi Li? I regret everything!】  

【Thank goodness I tuned in—I almost bought into those online hit pieces.】  

【…Can you guys not get so carried away so easily?】  

【I’m not carried away. Xu Qingying’s past smear campaigns are still inexcusable.】  

【Smear campaigns? More like diva behavior on set and unprofessional acting.】  

【Like mother, like daughter.】  

【Xu Qingying’s early persona was flawless too. Look how that turned out. Just wait and see.】  

Some viewers already smitten with Zhi Li: “……”

They fell silent, all thinking the same thing: Could little Zhi Li get a different mom?

But watching the live stream, seeing Zhi Li hugging Xu Qingying so happily, they dismissed the idea. Instead, they wondered: If Zhi Li was such a perfect little radar, could she steer her mom back onto the right path?

After packing their luggage, Xu Qingying took Zhi Li and Jiang Yuexiao to the gathering spot designated by the production team. Before leaving, she skillfully crafted three small hats from the large leaves they had used to fan themselves, providing shade from the sun.

Deep down, Jiang Yuexiao was reluctant to wear anything made by Xu Qingying, so he hesitated to put the leaf hat on his head.  

Meanwhile, Zhi Li had already cheerfully donned her leaf hat, skipping excitedly as they walked out the door. “Mom, Brother, with these hats on, even without looking at our watches, people can tell we’re a family!”  

“…” Jiang Yuexiao glanced down at the watch on his wrist, lips pressed tightly together, his expression cool. He absolutely hadn’t worn the watch just so others could recognize them as a family—he’d only put it on because the little brat had pestered him about it three times a day.  

With that thought, he suppressed his reluctance and raised the leaf hat onto his head, covering his short brown hair.  

Fine.  

If he didn’t wear this leaf hat now, the little brat would undoubtedly keep asking him why he refused.