Chapter 7

The fourth group of guests had yet to arrive, so the director handed out tents, water bottles, and compressed biscuits to ensure they had an immersive two-day, one-night parent-child experience.

Happiness was, of course, out of the question. Not only did they have to do everything themselves, but they also had kids to take care of. Who could possibly enjoy this?

Yet, someone actually smiled.

As soon as Ruan Xizhi got off the plane, she surveyed the deserted island and was overjoyed—this was exactly the vacation she had been dreaming of!

In her past life, Ruan Xizhi had spent months learning survival skills on a deserted island just to land a contract.

She had even endured a full week on an uninhabited island—one that was truly barren, with not a single fruit tree. She had survived by eating tree bark.

So seeing this beautiful island, with mountains, water, and fruit trees—why bother with tents and compressed biscuits? The good life was right in front of her!

Ruan Xizhi decided to find a cave and settle in!

While Ruan Miaorui and Song Sangyue were busy setting up their tent, Ruan Xizhi walked away empty-handed toward the depths of the island.

Xing Xiaochi had been happily playing, but when he caught a glimpse of Ruan Xizhi leaving, he immediately sprinted after her.

Even though he kept calling her a “bad woman,” on this unfamiliar island, the person he trusted and relied on the most was still Ruan Xizhi.

“Where are you going?!” Xing Xiaochi grabbed Ruan Xizhi’s hand, looking up at her with teary eyes, as if accusing her of abandoning him.

Ruan Xizhi was momentarily stunned.

Recalling the plot of the novel, she remembered that Xing Xiaochi wasn’t inherently bad—he just acted out to get attention from his family. It seemed like he had a serious lack of security.

Patiently, Ruan Xizhi explained, “I’m going to find a cave. You stay here and play with them. I’ll come back to get you later.”

Xing Xiaochi pouted. “No, I want to go with you.”

As he spoke, he tightened his grip on her hand.

Ruan Xizhi sighed. “Fine.”

They had barely taken a few steps when Xing Xiaochi’s hand was grabbed again. This time, a different, soft little voice asked the same question.

This one sounded even cuter.

“Guoguo, where are you going?”

Ruan Xizhi turned to see Su Tongtong.

Xing Xiaochi repeated what Ruan Xizhi had said. “We’re going to find a cave.”

Su Tongtong’s long, curled eyelashes fluttered. Her rosy little face lit up with a smile, revealing two dimples as she gently shook Xing Xiaochi’s hand. “Then, gege, can I come too? Tongtong promises to be good and won’t let go of your hand.”

Ruan Xizhi didn’t know if Xing Xiaochi was affected by the cuteness, but she was. Clutching her heart, she immediately said, “Okay, but you have to hold gege’s hand tightly.”

Su Tongtong nodded, her straw hat bobbing along and momentarily covering her eyes. She quickly adjusted it, then nodded again, making sure Ruan Xizhi saw.

Ruan Xizhi covered her eyes, trying to stifle her laughter, but inside, she was screaming: How can there be such an adorable little dumpling in this world?!

Meanwhile, Xing Xiaochi felt utterly unnecessary: “……….”

Xing Xiaochi held Su Tongtong’s hand and followed behind Ruan Xizhi. The scorching sun beat down, making their fair skin turn red. Su Tongtong, being younger, struggled to keep up.

“Gege, Tongtong is so tired.”

Her little face was flushed, and her bangs were drenched in sweat, revealing her smooth forehead. Her round cheeks were so plump they were just begging to be pinched.

Seeing that Su Tongtong was really exhausted—and that he himself was also tired—Xing Xiaochi called out to Ruan Xizhi ahead, “We’re tired! We don’t wanna walk anymore! Carry us!”

At home, whenever he was tired, Xing Xiaochi would boss people around like this. He completely forgot that this trick wouldn’t work on Ruan Xizhi.

Ruan Xizhi couldn’t be bothered to respond. She squinted at the sky—there were only three hours left before nightfall.

She needed to find a cave and set everything up before dark so she could enjoy the next few days of vacation in comfort.

Looking back at the two kids, who were panting from exhaustion, she knew she wouldn’t be able to get things done in time if she brought them along.

“Go sit in the shade and wait for me.”

Ruan Xizhi’s own fair skin was also turning red under the sun, making her look no different from the kids.

“Don’t wander off, no matter what!”

After giving her warning, she turned and walked away without looking back.

[????? She just left like that?]

[Seriously? Just because they’re not her kids, she doesn’t care about them?]

[I’m speechless. I thought she had changed, but she’s even colder than before. Ugh, disgusting!]

[Look at how exhausted those two kids are, and she still doesn’t care. Ruan Xizhi, do you even have a heart?!]

Netizens flooded the chat with curses. Meanwhile, Xing Xiaochi came to a realization…

He thought his stepmom was so lazy!

Every time he asked her to carry him, she ignored him out of sheer laziness.

Fine, he got the message.

From now on, if he wanted Ruan Xizhi to stop bothering him, he just had to make her move around.

With no other choice, Xing Xiaochi led Su Tongtong to a shady spot under the trees. Being very considerate, he even used his shirt to wipe the dust off a rock for her to sit on.

“Thank you, Guoguo (big brother),” Su Tongtong grinned, her eyes curving into crescent moons.

Xing Xiaochi’s face instantly turned red and hot. He suddenly understood why Ruan Xizhi agreed to let Su Tongtong stick with them.

Because little sisters were so cute!

Su Tongtong licked her dry lips and swallowed, whispering, “Guoguo, are you thirsty? Tongtong is really thirsty.”

Although Xing Xiaochi was usually mischievous, he was practically the embodiment of a domineering protagonist. He had a natural instinct to protect the weak.

“I’ll go find you some water,” he said and started to walk off.

This scene made the live stream audience tear up.

【Wuwuwu, Xiaochi, I’m so sorry for misunderstanding you! You’re such a responsible little man!】
【There aren’t many men like this in the world. Xiaochi-jie (big sis) will wait for you to grow up!】
【I don’t know if I can wait that long, but I’ll try!】
【Xiaochi belongs to Tongtong, what are you guys planning?】
【I just… want to rob the cradle! Tongtong will have an even better future, I wish them well.】
【Hahahaha, you guys can fight over him, I’ll just start shipping them now! Tongchi (Tongtong + Xiaochi), let’s go! Childhood sweethearts are my favorite trope!】

The chat was going wild, but before Xing Xiaochi could take a few steps, someone grabbed him by the back of his collar and yanked him back.

“Where do you think you’re going, leaving your little sister behind?” Ruan Xizhi towered over him with a questioning look.

Xing Xiaochi, feeling wrongly accused, retorted, “Who would leave their little sister? I was going to find her some water!”

“Oh?” Ruan Xizhi smirked, ruffling his hair. “You’re already acting like a big brother, huh?”

“There’s no need for you to go looking for water. Just stay here and take care of your little sister,” she said, placing two coconuts in front of the kids. Then she pulled some compressed biscuits out of her pocket.

“If you’re hungry, eat these for now. Before I come back, you two are not allowed to wander off,” she reminded them sternly. “Understood?”

Xing Xiaochi originally wanted to huff at her, but then he noticed Ruan Xizhi’s injured hand, still bleeding. His gaze shifted between the coconuts and the emergency rations.

Even though he was only three years old, the lack of familial warmth in his life made him more sensitive than most kids.

He realized she must have gotten hurt while picking the coconuts for them. Pressing his lips together, he didn’t argue. “Got it.”

Ruan Xizhi was momentarily taken aback by how obedient he was.

Smirking, she ruffled his hair again before turning to Su Tongtong. She reached out and pushed the damp bangs off the little girl’s forehead.

Squatting down, she smiled and said, “Tongtong, stay with your brother and don’t run off, or else he’ll cry.”

Xing Xiaochi: “…” Who would cry?!

Su Tongtong glanced at him, her little mouth looking all rosy and serious as she nodded. In her sweet, milky voice, she replied, “Okay! Tongtong and Gege won’t be apart. We’ll be good.”

Ruan Xizhi felt like her heart was getting shot a thousand times by cuteness. What an absolutely adorable little angel! She wanted to steal her away!

“Alright, wait for me to come back.”

For the sake of the kids—and for her own future peace—she couldn’t afford to delay. Bracing herself against the scorching sun, she set off again in search of supplies.

As Ruan Xizhi walked away, the live stream audience exploded.

【STOP RIGHT THERE!】
【Ruan Xizhi, get back here!】
【Could you at least crack the coconuts open for the kids before leaving?!】
【Coconuts!!! The kids are thirsty!】
【This is basically giving them food they can’t eat, Ruan Xizhi, you’re too much! Are you trying to starve them to death?!】
【Hahahaha, why is this so funny?!】
【These kids clearly can’t rely on their mom. They’re better off figuring it out on their own.】

Su Tongtong also realized the problem. She poked the coconut on the ground and asked the ultimate question: “Guoguo, how do we eat this?”

That stumped Xing Xiaochi.

He had never eaten one before either.

He knew fruits had to be peeled, so he tried to peel the coconut… only to run into a new issue.

He had never encountered a fruit with such a ridiculously hard shell before!