Chapter 7

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Hao’er Island, a small fishing village—the livestream continued, unaware that Lin Yi’s flawless apple-catching had drawn massive attention. At this moment, the livestream audience surged dramatically, shooting up from one or two million to over seven million viewers online, with numbers still climbing.

The program’s data monitoring staff were overjoyed. They thanked Lin Yi and the director for bringing such a treasure to participate.

“Let me see, what does a max-level human child look like?”

“At first, when I saw the trending topic, I was confused—what’s this new apple-catching meme? But after clicking in, it’s just a kid catching apples… Wait, no, that’s not right. The precision and agility—could that be Huashan martial arts?”

“Not just Huashan techniques; at 5 minutes and 24 seconds into the video, the White Crane Soars is clearly Wudang’s Cloud Walking.”

“There seem to be some odd people mixed into the chat!”

“This little fellow’s master is unknown, but the fundamentals are rock solid, just a bit lacking in power.”

“How could the power be strong? Little Yi is only seven. Wait—upstairs, is that really the head of Zhengyun Temple?”

“Temple head? Where? Where?”

With the rise of short videos, Taoist temples and Buddhist sects entered the public eye. Although Zhengyun Temple’s fame couldn’t compare with Wudang or Shaolin, its head became a viral sensation online when he jumped down a ten-meter slope to prove scientific faith to his followers.

On the livestream chat, viewers simultaneously watched the guide presenting the award to Lin Yi and the temple head explaining the martial arts moves to the little boy.

The guide looked at the guests: “Do you want me to count them again?” She pointed to the bamboo basket brought by the island owner.

Lin Yi was not only first but overwhelmingly so.

Little Mianmian, a cute little sidekick, shouted back to the guide, “No! Need! Not!”

The guide laughed, holding the cue card as she announced the results: “Congratulations to Lin Yi for winning first place in the apple-picking contest. He also receives a grand prize package.”

“The package includes a set of traditional Y City porcelain craftwork.”

A full set of tableware and tea sets.

“A crate each of the three seafood treasures.”

Sea cucumbers, mud crabs, and abalone—three neatly packed large boxes.

The guide added, “Finally, a special gift—a miniature model of Hao’er Island!”

Lin Yi wasn’t particularly interested in the porcelain; having followed his master in a past life, he had seen many imperial porcelain pieces, and to his eye, these were merely above average.

As for the seafood treasures, he had never tasted them and was unsure.

What he loved most was the miniature model, an exact replica of the Hao’er Island where they currently stood.

The children were all captivated by the model. The island owner’s daughter, clearly very familiar with the island, explained to Lin Yi, Nora, and Mianmian through the glass: “This is exactly where we are standing now…”

The chat’s discussion of martial arts moves was soon eclipsed by enthusiasm for Hao’er Island’s local specialties, especially the large abalone, which was extremely valuable at this season.

In the nanny van, Jiang Xuan watched the livestream, his teeth clenched especially at the sight of the porcelain set.

He knew the CEO of Fengxing Entertainment loved porcelain. If he could gift that entire set to the CEO, even if he couldn’t land a lead role in the New Year film, securing a supporting role should be possible.

When Ian saw the miniature model of Hao’er Island, his eyes lit up. He tugged at Jiang Xuan’s hand: “Daddy, I want this too!”

Jiang Xuan snapped impatiently, “Want what? Why don’t you just want to fly to the sky?”

Ian was stunned for two seconds, then slapped Jiang Xuan’s phone hard, causing it to drop.

“Daddy, you’re a big meanie! I’m telling mommy!”

Jiang Xuan, thinking of his wife, toned down his irritation and hugged Ian, soothing him: “Alright, alright, Daddy was wrong. I’ll ask the staff where to buy one.”

Jiang Xuan was destined to be disappointed. Lin Yi’s Hao’er Island miniature was a special commemorative edition, one of a kind, previously displayed only in the island’s museum.

This time, it was given as a prize to the program crew in collaboration with “Baby Travel,” showing great sincerity.

Still, the promotion was undeniably successful.

Hotels on Hao’er Island were already receiving bookings nonstop; it wouldn’t be long before a flood of tourists arrived.

*

Jiang Xuan had been coaxing Ian all afternoon. Now it was dinner time, and he had to prepare his own meal, which darkened his mood.

His only relief was that he and Ian had chosen the best house, equipped with a gas stove, so he didn’t have to cook with an iron pot himself.

He glanced toward the direction of the seaweed house, curious to see what Zhong Qi, who only had a traditional stove, could cook.

Humming a little tune, Zhong Qi was preparing ingredients.

Lin Yi’s apples had been swapped out for many other ingredients. Zhong Qi selected simple items that were hard to mess up: tomatoes, potatoes, eggs, and a portion of pork belly.

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Little Yi was still a child and needed balanced nutrition.

After moving out of the original villa with his grandmother, Zhong Qi usually ate boxed meals on set and occasionally ordered takeaway. The dishes he could cook were limited to tomato scrambled eggs and shredded potatoes.

As for taste, his only guarantee was that the food was cooked.

The seaweed house was a single room, but the crew kindly set up a simple outdoor stove.

Lin Yi sat on the doorstep, deftly peeling garlic, watching Zhong Qi slowly chop the potato strips—or were they sticks?

He really wanted to help.

But Zhong Qi wouldn’t let him touch the knife.

Lin Yi sighed lightly and resigned himself to the fact that presentation didn’t matter, as long as it was edible.

However, Lin Yi’s trust was premature. After Zhong Qi prepared the ingredients and lit the fire, thick smoke billowed quickly.

Zhong Qi warned, “Little Yi, stay back, don’t get choked! Cough, cough!”

The commotion above alarmed the villagers resting below.

“Hey, is that smoke coming from above?”

“Could it be a fire?”

“Oh no, that’s an old house, and the kid’s face is so fresh—surely not a real fire!”

“I’m going to check it out.”

An elder fanned himself and briskly walked up.

The livestream only showed smoke. The viewer count, which had dropped during dinner, suddenly surged again.

Just as Lin Yi was about to rush to the stove, a crew member grabbed him.

“Yi, it’s dangerous up there, you can’t go.”

The crew hurriedly put out the fire. By the time the villagers arrived, the smoke had thinned.

“Where did the director find this father-son duo? The son’s skills maxed out, but the dad’s a muddled mess. Still, that soot on his face makes his teeth look really white.”

“I was gaming when the official account pushed a warning: ‘Shock! Baby Travel crew caught fire...’ Between gaming and gossip, I chose gossip!”

“Since I’m here, I’m staying in the livestream.”

With the villagers’ help, the stove was finally cleaned up. Looking at the blackened mouth of the stove, Zhong Qi already felt discouraged.

Lin Yi brought over some dry grass.

Zhong Qi immediately stopped him: “You’re too young; how can I let you do something so dangerous?”

Lin Yi said, “Daddy Zhong, I’m hungry.”

Zhong Qi: …

Lin Yi: “Aren’t you hungry?”

Zhong Qi: …

Zhong Qi shamefully wavered.

An enthusiastic villager fanned himself: “We can help!”

Crew member: “Task card says no outside help allowed.”

The director’s team wasn’t so heartless. The rule against seeking help was to prevent villagers from inviting stars into their homes to eat.

What would the show film? What would the audience watch?

But they weren’t so strict as to forbid lighting a fire.

It was just that the cameraman had taken the rule too literally.

Lin Yi looked at Zhong Qi: “Daddy Zhong?”

Zhong Qi gave in. It was fine if he went hungry once; the little Yi couldn’t be left hungry.

Then he saw Lin Yi light the fire, carefully arrange the kindling, and everything flowed smoothly.

The stubborn firewood that had been a struggle for Zhong Qi now burned brightly.

Zhong Qi thought maybe little Yi was just a bit too skilled.

Lin Yi watched the still-stunned Zhong Qi, tilted his head and asked from behind the stove, “Daddy Zhong?”

“I’m coming!” Zhong Qi replied.

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At last, the meal was finished without incident.

After washing up, Lin Yi sat on a small stool as the sun set, golden rays scattering across the sea, peaceful and serene.

Zhong Qi carried a small stool and sat beside Lin Yi. His hair was still damp, obviously just out of the shower.

“Hey, little Yi, where did you get that fan?”

Zhong Qi glanced at the camera crew, his expression clearly accusing: Why the double standard?

Lin Yi said, “An elder villager who came to help just gave it to me. Daddy Zhong, do you want one too?”

Zhong Qi was dejected: Why didn’t anyone give me a fan?

“No thanks. Daddy Zhong’s not hot.”

Indeed, the sea breeze was gentle, and the occasional sounds of children playing drifted up from below.

Lin Yi thought about his twilight years, having one or two grandchildren playing in front of him, perhaps with a dog named Big Yellow following behind.

That would truly be an ideal retirement.

Suddenly, the face of his master flashed in his mind—the past Qin Siyang, and the present Qin Siyang—one tall, one small, standing side by side.

Zhong Qi looked at the sunset, gradually unable to hear the fan’s fluttering. He turned his head to see Lin Yi tilting his little head, drowsy.

This day must have truly worn him out.

*

Early morning, Zhong Qi, still groggy, reached out beside him and instantly woke up!

“Little Yi!”

Lin Yi heard Zhong Qi’s voice and, without putting down the shovel, entered the house: “Daddy Zhong, I’m here.”

Zhong Qi hurried out of bed and sighed in relief upon seeing Lin Yi.

Before joining the show, he had researched that children were prone to nighttime fevers.

He never slept soundly, checking Lin Yi’s forehead multiple times at night, which had become a habit. Suddenly not feeling him was a scary shock.

After a quick wash, Zhong Qi saw fried eggs and white porridge on the table.

“Finally, the crew has some conscience—at least we didn’t have to prepare our own breakfast.”

The cameraman reminded him, “We didn’t prepare breakfast for the guests.”

Zhong Qi took a bite of the fried egg, dumbfounded, glanced at the cameraman, and then at Lin Yi, who sipped the porridge quietly.

No one noticed that Lin Yi secretly glanced at Zhong Qi’s hand.

“Who’s really the apprentice dad here?”

“Zhong Qi, treasure this—beep—please accept the Good Baby Limited Experience Card.”

“Hah, what a show.”

“Has the grumpy guy softened?”

“The grumpy guy’s fighting power is weak.”

“Little Yi, little Yi~”

Mianmian’s sweet voice sounded. Two minutes later, Lin Yi saw her puffing her way upstairs, followed by a cameraman.

Zhong Qi said, “Little Yi, go play with your sister. I’ll clean up the table.”

Mianmian wiped sweat from her forehead: “Little Yi, Brother Xiaoyan asked me to come find you.”

Lin Yi was surprised: “Qin… Qin Siyang wants to see me?”

That question seemed to stump Mianmian. She opened her mouth wide, struggling to think, then after a minute said, “Mianmian doesn’t know.”

Lin Yi: …

Lin Yi and Zhong Qi exchanged a look and then took Mianmian’s hand as they headed down.

What did the master want with him?

On the short walk, Lin Yi pondered many possibilities.

Mianmian bounced happily and suddenly saw two approaching figures. She waved excitedly: “Sister Nora, Brother Xiaoyan!”