“…”

Huo Qin, understanding her intention, did not expose her. As he led her toward the center of the camp, he asked her in a low voice if she felt tired and if the sunlight was still too bright. He was then met with the little dumpling's three consecutive denials.

She shook her head like a rattle.

"No! Not tired! Not in the sun!"

Huo Qin's lips curled up almost imperceptibly.

They hadn't gone far when they bumped into Changchang's family. Wu Shang and Tao Yunxiao forced a stiff smile at Huo Qin, as reserved as younger men facing a powerful elder in their family.

Chaochao's eyes suddenly lit up—

Changchang was secretly waving at her.

The boy, who had been pale and quiet the whole way, now had a faint blush on his cheeks, a slight upturn at the corners of his mouth, and even his eyes were brighter than usual.

It's the familiar Changchang back!

But something seems different...

Chaochao tilted her head, not quite understanding, but the genuine comfort in her heart made her smile even brighter.

As long as Changchang is happy, that's all that matters.

Seeing that everyone had arrived before he knew it, Director Zou cleared his throat, finally ending his endless greetings and chatter.

"OK, everyone."

"After this thrilling rescue mission, we have a new member in our team. You must have all noticed, right?"

Director Zou smiled at everyone, and the enthusiastic Qingqing raised her little hand and pointed out the parents of the other children one by one, accurately and without any doubt, immediately earning a thumbs-up from the village chief.

"Weren't you all pleasantly surprised to see the person you most wanted to see when you made your wish on the grassland last time?"

Leo, who was no longer listless, eagerly answered, "I...I...I saw the hair tie that Mom always wears on the tree branch, and that's when I guessed it!"

Qingqing suddenly realized: "Ah—I saw the footprints left in the mud, they look just like my mother's!"

Lei Bao hesitated slightly before saying, "Actually, I guessed a little bit about it at home... because Mom didn't hide it well."

Lei Bao's mother's smile froze: "..."

You brat, you really don't respect your mom!

Wow, everyone is so smart!

Chaochao looked to her left and saw that Leibao was right next to her. It was time for her to speak!

"Me!" Chaochao declared with great fanfare, racking her brains, even straining her toes, her voice gradually fading, "I—"

—No clues were found.

I wrote the word "solution" first, but I had no idea how to answer the question.

The little dumpling finally opted for a silly grin and loud clapping, managing to get away with it through sheer cuteness. "What a surprise! The village chief is amazing!!!"

Snap snap snap—

Changchang, who was unaware of the situation, joined in the clapping. Eventually, the clapping spread like wildfire throughout the entire row, and the whole place erupted in applause.

Director Zou, facing the storm head-on, almost knelt down: "..."

Why are you clapping, our big spender? Is this an occasion where you should be participating? Are you trying to make him feel bad?

"Haha... Thank you everyone... Thank you all," Director Zou bowed and thanked them, quickly taking control of the situation, "It seems that you all are very meticulous. It is your courage and attention to detail that helped you successfully rescue your precious family members."

"Huh? Weren't we supposed to be rescuing the hostages?"

Leo asked in confusion midway through.

Director Zou skillfully ignored this detail.

"Good! Congratulations to everyone for successfully rescuing your family members. You were not afraid of the difficulties and dangers along the way, stayed true to yourselves, and all of you completed this adventure mission perfectly!"

He accepted the badge gift box from the staff, saying, "These are the Flame Medals we promised to give to all the warriors; every one of you will receive one!"

[Yay! Congratulations to our little Chaochao for getting the badge she's been longing for!!]

【Ah...but didn't Changchang bring back the "test"? All the other children refused.】

I also think this is a bit unfair, isn't it?

[Changchang has returned the music box to the village chief!!! Check out the replay of Changchang's live stream, right when Chaochao came out of the tent!!!]

Don't talk about our Changchang! He may not be that outstanding, but he's a wonderful kid. We need to give him some time; he'll figure it out eventually.

[Even such young children know how to distinguish right from wrong, so how come some parents can't...]

This badge is so cool and shiny, and it's magnetic! What should I do? Even I, a twenty-year-old, want one!

[Could the production team please release some badges/merchandise? I love them!!!]

Huo Qin slowly and deliberately took the badge out of the ceremonial deep red gift box and, under the expectant gaze of the little dumpling, delicately pinned it to her light green windbreaker. At first glance, it looked like a spark igniting on a green meadow, bursting with clean and vibrant life.

Chaochao, who had been impatiently waiting, quickly straightened the hem of her coat the moment Huo Qin stopped, and lowered her head to stare intently at her little flame.

"Wow...that's so cool! Daddy, I'm a super warrior!"

As soon as Chaochao looked up and saw Jiang Chi's gaze fixed on her, she immediately said, "Brother, do you like it too?! How about we wear it every day from now on?"

Jiang Chi, who simply thought the little dumpling's dopamine-inducing color scheme was quite eye-catching, was slightly taken aback upon hearing this. Then, his smile became even more pronounced than AK's, and he asked with restraint, "Really?"

His only response was the empty sand in front of him, and the faint chuckle of his uncle as he casually looked away.

Meanwhile, Chaochao had already pulled off her clothes and run off to show off to her friends.

Jiang Chi: "..."

Uncle, you must be jealous. I won't hold it against you.

The somewhat chaotic scene was not unexpected, and it took Director Zou quite a bit of persuasion to calm the children who were running around everywhere down.

Immediately afterwards, he issued the next task, an important matter that Chao Chao had been concerned about for a long time.

"Our last task for today is here."

Director Zou silently inhaled, tightened his stomach, focused his energy in his lower abdomen, and tried to look as serious as possible.

Having already obediently returned to the space between her father and brother, Chaochao couldn't help but straighten her little body, influenced by the village chief's serious tone.

She glanced at Jiang Chi to her left and Huo Qin to her right, a surge of lofty ambition welling up within her. With a flourish of her hands, she stood with her hands behind her back—the air of a martial arts master, as if she were holding a yellow dog on one side and a falcon on the other, was truly awe-inspiring.

With her dad and brother by her side today, there's no mission in the world that can defeat them!

Director Zou spoke up: "The final task is for each family to prepare dinner for tonight."

Click—

At this very moment, in this world, a child not yet four years old quietly turned to stone, inch by inch.

Make...make dinner?

Chaochao stared blankly at her older brother, who was good at making porridge, and then at her father, who often set off firecrackers in the kitchen.

The food supplies we brought with us this morning have already been eaten up.

Chaochao: "..."

The sky collapsed, and incidentally, it crushed her upright spine.

Huo Qin and Jiang Chi looked at the little dumpling breathing softly and fell silent: "..."

What kind of look was that?