Chapter 1 The First Stop
The destination for the first stop was a beautiful village in Dali, Yunnan.
After the father and son got off the plane, they followed the program crew's car to the location.
Soon, other father-son pairs also arrived one after another.
There were five cute babies in total, three boys and two girls.
Everyone got acquainted with each other.
The village chief said, "Everyone, remember to hand in your toys and phones first."
Compared to the other children's wails, Heng Bao was exceptionally calm and obediently handed in his toys.
Ji Zhixiu raised an eyebrow and glanced at him without saying a word.
The first day was mainly about getting familiar with the environment.
After the houses were assigned, Ji Zhixiu took Heng Bao to their place with his luggage.
The country road had a unique charm.
The man was tall with long legs, and even though he deliberately slowed down his pace, he was still a lot ahead of Heng Bao.
Yet, Heng Bao was also stubborn.
Even though he couldn't keep up with Daddy, he walked with his short legs without a sound, following behind.
The cameraman behind the lens couldn't help but chuckle at the father and son's interaction.
They finally arrived at their destination.
The program crew delivered a task card, assigning the daddies their first mission.
To cook a meal for the cute babies using the ingredients available in the kitchen.
This was not difficult for Ji Zhixiu, as he had cooking skills.
He glanced at Heng Bao, "You sit here, and I'll cook?"
Heng Bao nodded.
Soon, Ji Zhixiu made a simple and quick tomato and egg over rice.
Having run around all day, Heng Bao was already hungry.
He ate heartily, and as the youngest among the cute babies, he didn't need any adult help to eat.
The cameraman couldn't help but praise how well the parents had taught him.
The next morning, the program crew distributed tasks to the cute babies.
Heng Bao and a cute baby from Chang Min's family, named Vivian, went out together to find ingredients.
Vivian was the eldest sister among the cute babies, and the program crew arranged for her to take care of the youngest, Heng Bao.
The cute babies were divided into two teams to compete. Whichever team found the required ingredients first could make an extra request to the program crew.
Vivian wore a high ponytail and sportswear. Her father was British, and she inherited the beauty of her parents.
With a high nose bridge and deep eyes, it was evident even at a young age that she would grow into a beautiful girl.
She proactively took Heng Bao's hand and said in a clear voice, "Heng Bao, don't be afraid. Sister will take you."
Heng Bao didn't want to speak.
Most of the time, he kept his mouth shut and refused to talk.
But remembering what his mommy had told him before they left, Heng Bao opened his mouth and said, "Okay."
Vivian was very happy. She didn't mind that he was young or that he might not be able to help.
The two followed the map card for half a day, with Vivian chattering beside him.
Occasionally, Heng Bao would calmly remind her, "You're going the wrong way."
Vivian was pleasantly surprised. A few times, when Heng Bao wasn't paying attention, she kissed his cheek and praised him generously.
This made Heng Bao even quieter.
Only half of his face turned red.
Vivian was three years older than Heng Bao, and she volunteered to carry the vegetables they found.
Heng Bao looked at them for a moment, and when they encountered the next household, he blinked his big, adorable eyes and proactively asked, "Grandpa, can we have some vegetables?"
He then added a smile that could melt anyone's heart.
Vivian next to him was astonished: ⊙▽⊙
The old man had never seen such a handsome and polite child.
He wished he could give them everything he had.
The two completed the task ahead of time and returned with a full harvest.
On the way back, they encountered the other group of friends.
The other team, sensing they were going to lose, had one boy named Da An crying.
He was a little older than Heng Bao and very clingy to his mommy.
In Heng Bao's memory, he had been crying the whole time.
He asked Heng Bao tearfully if they could let them have the prize, as he wanted to win the competition.
Vivian was firm, "This was obtained by Heng Bao and me together. Heng Bao must agree to it."
Heng Bao was calm. Seeing that Vivian was tired from carrying, he took half of the load and asked, "Give me a reason."
Da An was crying so hard he couldn't speak.
His good friend, Little Bear, immediately stepped forward, "Because Da An wants to call Mommy! He misses his mother!"
Heng Bao paused and didn't say anything.
He picked up the things and walked forward.
Vivian quickly followed him, "Heng Bao, are you angry?"
Heng Bao shook his head.
The children all followed behind him.
Heng Bao suddenly turned his head and looked at Vivian, "Can I give my chance to Da An?"
Vivian froze for a second, then her eyes lit up, and she smiled brightly, "Of course, then I'll give mine to them too."
"Don't you want anything?"
Vivian shook her head, "No."
She had lived abroad since she was young and was very independent. She wouldn't be particularly sad or upset without her parents, unlike them.
She knew this was just a show, and after the show, she could go home and see her beloved parents.
Heng Bao said very seriously, "Thank you."
As for the daddies, they had to score the cute babies' performances.
When it was Ji Zhixiu's turn to score, Heng Bao pursed his lips, looked up at the man, and remained silent.
He hadn't won the competition, would Daddy blame him?
Ji Zhixiu looked at his son and nodded slightly, "Try harder next time."
Heng Bao was very disappointed. He felt that Daddy was frowning and angry.
Daddy didn't like taking him out at all.
That night, when they were sleeping, Ji Zhixiu undressed Heng Bao and tucked him into bed.
Heng Bao quietly shrunk to the innermost part of the bed, then revealed a pair of bright eyes, "Daddy."
Ji Zhixiu poured out the foot-washing water and responded with a "Mm?" "What is it?"
Heng Bao's grievance was hard to hide, "I'm sorry."
Ji Zhixiu frowned, "Why are you apologizing?"
"I lost the competition."
Ji Zhixiu turned off the light, got into bed, and pulled his son into his arms.
He knew his son had given his chance to someone else; Vivian's father had told him.
For the first time, Ji Zhixiu felt a pang of sympathy for his son, because he knew his son actually missed his mommy very much.
He also really wanted to use this opportunity to call his mommy.
He kissed his son's forehead, "It's okay, you are very good."
The darkness seemed to have a magical power that softened the man's voice.
For the first time, Heng Bao felt that Daddy was so gentle to him, like he was to Mommy.
He felt a little shy and wanted to say something.
But he was too tired today and soon fell asleep.
Ji Zhixiu stared at the high wooden beams of the rural roof. After his son fell asleep, he got out of bed.
The next day, the program crew told Heng Bao that because his performance was very good, he would have a chance to call his mother.
Heng Bao was very happy, his eyes lit up. As soon as the phone was connected, he said, "Mommy!"
Jiang Mian couldn't help but smile, "Baby, how is it? Is it fun there? Is it good with Daddy?"
Heng Bao answered earnestly, then said, "Mommy, I miss you so much!"
The little guy's baby voice was acting spoiled, and Jiang Mian's heart melted.
"Mommy misses you too."
After the mother and son chatted for a few minutes, Jiang Mian said, "Can you give the phone to Daddy?"
Heng Bao nodded and handed it to Ji Zhixiu.
"Wife." The man's voice was magnetic and deep, and it felt like an electric shock to Jiang Mian's ears.
In just a few days, Jiang Mian understood how Ji Zhixiu felt waiting for her at home.
She blew a kiss through the phone and then said with a smile, "I'll wait for you to come back."
It wasn't until the end of the program recording, when the first episode was officially broadcast.
The Ji family sat in front of the TV watching the show.
It was only then that Heng Bao understood why the program crew had given him a phone to call his family.
That night, Ji Zhixiu, after coaxing Heng Bao to sleep, had negotiated with the production crew. He would be responsible for the crew's breakfast and lunch for the rest of the program recording.
The condition was to allow Heng Bao to make a phone call.
Because Heng Bao missed Jiang Mian so much that he cried.
He thought he had hidden it well, but Ji Zhixiu had still seen the little guy's face of forced bravery.
Mother Ji watched with tears in her eyes, occasionally wiping her face with a tissue, "This father and son!"
Heng Bao, sitting in front of the TV, buried his head in Jiang Mian's arms, "Mommy..."
Jiang Mian chuckled, knowing he was feeling embarrassed.
She kissed Heng Bao and said softly, "Actually, Daddy loves you very much too, right?"
Every day, this man would coax Heng Bao to sleep, then leave to cook for the production crew.
He was very tired, but he didn't say it.
Heng Bao sniffled, "I know..."
That evening, when Ji Zhixiu returned from work, he unusually saw his son running down from the sofa, looking up with his little head, and saying excitedly, "Daddy! I prepared a gift for you!"
Ji Zhixiu raised his eyebrows and instinctively looked at Jiang Mian.
Jiang Mian shrugged, feigning innocence, "It's really from our son. I don't know what it is."
Ji Zhixiu opened it and found a hand-painted ornament of a family of three.
It was him, his parents, and himself in his eyes.
Jiang Mian smiled, "We took him to mold it last weekend. He fired it himself."
Ji Zhixiu picked up his son, his eyes softening, and kissed his cheek, "I like it very much. Thank you, Heng Bao."
The next morning.
This ornament appeared on Ji Zhixiu's desk.
It was out of place with the cool-toned office decor.
But it blended in perfectly, adding a touch of warmth.