Chapter 75

Du Xiaoruo and her family still live in the villa in Yingge. Zhang Yanshu and Jin Jin prefer peace and quiet and do not want to live with the young couple. After Jin Chan was handed over to Qi An, the two old people spend most of their time on vacation. When they occasionally return to Wencheng, they still live in the Jin family's old house.

Summer vacation has arrived in the blink of an eye, and the cicadas in the big tree are chirping as if they've gone mad.

Xiao Mo was wearing a pink polka-dot dress and a matching bow headband. Judging from her appearance and attire, she was definitely a delicate little lady. However, she was currently sticking out her chubby little bottom and pressing her nose against the floor-to-ceiling glass of the villa's living room to look out, completely distorting her pretty little face.

She frowned, stared with her big blue eyes, and looked curiously at the big tree where the cicada had made its sound.

The housekeeper walked over to Xiao Mo, bent down to look outside, and teased her, "Mo Mo, what are you looking at?"

Xiao Mo pointed out the window.

"Knowing birds".

"Oh?" The housekeeper followed her hand and looked out the window at the lush foliage. He thought to himself how innocent the child was; she had been watching the cicadas all morning.

The housekeeper asked her, "Momo, aren't the cicadas cute?"

"Mmm." Xiao Mo nodded vigorously and answered loudly, "It's cute, and you can also braise it. I heard it's also delicious when deep-fried and mixed with salt and pepper."

Housekeeper, "..." The family isn't struggling financially, so why did you drive the child to this state?

Two doorbell rings came from outside the door. Xiao Mo stood up, supporting herself on her knees with her hands, and shouted, "Let me open it, I want to open the door."

The housekeeper picked her up and carried her to the access control system. Xiao Mo pressed the video button, and a dark face appeared on the screen.

The person opposite saw Xiao Mo, grinned, revealing two rows of big white teeth.

"Xiao Mo? My little princess is beautiful again."

Xiao Mo sighed like an adult, pressed the door open button, and then shouted into the house, "Brother Mu Wenshu, your father who went to the mountains to live like a wild man is finally back!"

As Xiao Mo's penetrating voice rang out, the doors to the villa opened one by one, and several people emerged from the rooms.

The first thing Qi An did when he saw Mu Hua was to look at her with disgust. “Why are you so dark-skinned, like a mangosteen? Dark reddish-black.”

Mu Hua was already used to Qi An's sarcastic remarks. He put down the large hiking backpack he was carrying on his shoulder, went to the kitchen to wash his hands, poured himself a glass of orange juice, and let out a comfortable sigh.

"Son!" Mu Hua felt relieved and turned around to look for his son. He saw Xiao Shu standing by the stairs with a huff. He squatted down and opened his arms to Xiao Shu. "Come on, let Daddy give you a hug. It's been half a year since I last saw you. My son has gotten fatter."

Xiao Shu awkwardly walked over and reluctantly touched Mu Hua.

I was still a little angry with Mu Hua. He went to the mountains to film a documentary and filmed for half a year. He even came back looking like a coal ball. He was really unreliable.

Five years ago, when Mu Hua was staying at Qi An's house, he was bored and liked to take a video camera and film around. Unexpectedly, he found his passion while filming.

Mu Hua has now completely retired from acting, studied directing, and filmed a few variety shows. He is now a half-baked director.

Although her skills may not be particularly refined, Mu Hua has managed to get high ratings for several variety shows thanks to the influence she gained as an actress.

The variety show was going well, but after the Lunar New Year last year, he suddenly wanted to go to the mountains to film a documentary to record the lives of those empty-nest elderly. He left Xiaoshu at Qi'an's house and was gone for half a year. No wonder Xiaoshu was angry with him.

Mu Hua slapped Xiao Shu's bottom twice, apologizing to his son in their unique way. Xiao Shu then punched Mu Hua in the chest with his fist, and that was considered a reconciliation.

After reconciling with his son, Mu Hua happily stood up, opened the camera bag on the ground, took out the camera, and started the live broadcast.

He pointed the camera at the living room, cleared his throat,

"According to the planning of Muhua Studio, we have decided to follow the trend and film a variety show about raising children. The first group of guests we have selected is the popular Ha Zong family."

Viewers who suddenly clicked on the "Live Now" notification in Mu Hua's live stream...

[Is it true? Is Mu Hua going to direct a children's variety show? And will Ha Zong's family be among the guests?]

Looking across the entire entertainment industry, the only person who could probably get the Ha family to appear on a variety show is probably Mu Hua. After all, the Ha family is now the richest man in China, and Mu Hua is a close friend of their nemesis.

[Isn't this just wishful thinking on Mu Hua's part? President Ha hasn't agreed yet.]

Ten minutes later, Mu Hua gathered the Ha family of four on the sofa and announced his upcoming filming plans.

Mu Hua patted his chest and assured, "This will be a very relaxed and carefree travel variety show. You just need to take the kids sightseeing and enjoy family time. It will definitely not be like other variety shows that torture the guests."

The news came too suddenly. The four members of the Ha family looked at each other. Their family had always been democratic, and no one could make the decision.

Nobody in the live stream cared about their lives; everyone was focused on their looks.

Xiaoruo, my wife, the one I've missed day and night since we parted five years ago~

[Isn't Lezai so handsome? I've only seen photos of him occasionally these past few years, but seeing him in motion is just amazing! Lezai could weld this hairstyle onto his head forever; the little prince has his dream material for tonight.]

[Mr. Ha is truly getting more sophisticated with age (not really), his mature manly charisma is so captivating.]

[Has no one mentioned the little princess? Her name is Xiao Mo, right? Wow, so cute! She's such a quiet and well-behaved little princess, sitting so adorably between her parents.]

[Xiao Mo inherited the best features from both her parents; in fact, describing her as flawless wouldn't be an exaggeration, right?]

After a moment of silence, Qi An proposed, "The usual rule: raise your hands to vote. Raise your hand if you agree to participate in this most unreliable, most disastrous, and embarrassing reality show in history."

Before the Ha family members could even speak, Qi An received two large slaps from Mu Hua. "Speak properly."

After being beaten, Qi An said succinctly, "Raise your hand if you agree to participate in the children's variety show."

[Hahaha, Boss Ha is still as cheeky as ever.]

Momo tilted her little head and thought for a moment, then raised her little arm, which was as thin as a lotus root, and said, "Let's go. I'll just stay home and watch cicadas anyway."

Du Xiaoruo had taken Lele to "Beibei Restaurant" before, and they have footage of the show at home. She felt it was quite meaningful, and now that there's a chance to take Xiaomo on the show as well, she agreed.

Mr. Ha has no ambition; he says, "Wherever my wife goes, I go."

In the live stream, I felt like I was back five years ago, bombarded with displays of affection.

I remember when we were on the show "Beibei Restaurant," some people questioned whether Ha Zong and Xiao Ruo were in a contractual relationship. It's hilarious! They're a contractual couple now, have a child, and are still so loving.

Lele frowned, thought for a moment, and then answered seriously.

"I can't go this time. My school has a research project during the summer, and I participated in the research group on 'The Impact of Mites on Human Daily Life,' so I'm sorry I can't participate in the program."

The Jin family has always been very democratic. The parents don't make decisions for their children, nor do they impose their own will on them. Everyone was a little disappointed by what Lele said, but they still respected it.

Mu Hua was already very satisfied that he could persuade Qi An and his wife to appear on the show with Momo. As long as the three of them were on the show, at least the viewership was guaranteed.

Mu Hua was quite happy. "Okay, now that we've confirmed that President Ha, Xiao Ruo, and Mo Mo will all be on the show, let's come up with a name for it now."

Qi An, “…”

Xiaoruo, “…”

Xiao Mo was stunned. "So this show doesn't even have a name? It really is the most unreliable show ever."

Qi An tossed a cushion at him, "Don't tell me you haven't decided who the other guests are besides us?"

Mu Hua was embarrassed. "I... um... actually, we have been seriously planning this." Ten minutes later, Mu Hua was kicked out of the villa.

"Hey, Director Mu, what can I say about you?" The kitten shook its head and sighed.

[Even the richest man has agreed to appear on the show, Director Mu, why are you pulling this unreliable stunt? Are you tired of your career going too smoothly?]

Is it possible that Director Mu was actually infected by CEO Ha? That's why he's so unreliable?

After sending Mu Hua away, Qi An went back to his study to read, but for some reason, his back looked a little lonely.

Several books were scattered next to the recliner in the study: "The Sweet Daily Life of the Richest Man's Wife," "President, Your Wife Has Run Away with a Baby Again," and "The Priceless Little Wife"...

Du Xiaoruo noticed that Qi An was in a bad mood, so she knocked on the door and entered the study. Seeing the romance novels scattered on the floor, she sighed and rubbed her forehead in exasperation.

Ever since he learned that transmigrating into a book was a real thing, Qi An started treating romance novels like documentary literature, reading one or two every day off. If he kept reading like this, he didn't know if he would still be a CEO, but he was sure that CEO novels would be very well written.

Du Xiaoruo walked to the recliner and sat down next to Qi An on the armrest.

She reached out her slender hand and gently massaged his temples in circular motions, asking softly, "Are you a little disappointed because Lele isn't going to film the variety show with us?"

Qi An closed the book in his hands, raised his hand to pinch the bridge of his nose, and his tone was full of melancholy.

“He used to be a silly boy who was always by my side. Before I knew it, he had grown up and was even doing his own research. He’s really capable.”

After so many years of marriage, Du Xiaoruo knew exactly what he was thinking; she had indeed guessed his thoughts perfectly.

“In my world, a writer once wrote that the so-called mother and child relationship simply means that your connection with them is to keep watching their backs as they walk further and further away, watching them disappear around the bend in the road, and their backs silently telling you: there is no need to chase after them. You see, all parent-child relationships are the same. Children will eventually leave us, and there is nothing to be sad about.”

Qi An wrapped his arms around Du Xiaoruo's waist and buried his head in her lower abdomen.

Xiao Ruo ran her slender fingers through his thick black hair, feeling a pang of sadness in her heart. Perhaps because of his childhood experiences, Qi An cherished his current family members especially. Lele was someone he had raised single-handedly, and now telling him that Lele had to have his own life and would only drift further and further away from him was truly a cruel thing.

The two snuggled together for a while, and Xiaoruo sensed that his mood had improved. She patted his back and said, "Alright, is the president of Jinchan really this dramatic? Even though the children are gone, I'm still here with you, aren't I?"

Qi An rubbed his nose against her soft linen shirt, his nostrils filled with her citrus scent. He kissed her lower abdomen through the shirt, murmuring softly.

"This damn woman is so sweet."

Du Xiaoruo's fingers, which were running through his black hair, paused. Her gaze swept over the romance novels on the floor, and she gritted her teeth, offering a small suggestion.

"Jin Qi'an, what I'm saying is, if you can quit reading romance novels, then quit. Listen to the nonsense you're spouting!"