Volume One, Chapter Two: The Little Ancestor Has Arrived, and the Good Days Are Over

“So it really is Shen Qi!” Fu Qing asked, “Have you noticed anything else? For example, does Shen Qi show any talent with musical instruments or singing?”

Li Huan replied, “Not really. He occasionally hums some odd little tunes, but I can tell he has a good sense of rhythm.”

“So you’re betting that Shen Qi has some hidden abilities you don’t know about, hoping to reveal them through this variety show livestream? Then make him a signed singer?”

Li Huan shook her head slightly.

“These are all uncertain things, but the variety show ‘Mom Is Away on a Business Trip’ is very valuable. Shen Qi and Xiao Kun are a perfect fit. Even if Shen Qi has no special skills, at least he embodies the gentle, intellectual, handsome father image.”

“That’s true. Speaking honestly, Shen Qi’s segment on the sweet and sour pork tonight was outstanding!”

“And it also lets me see how Shen Qi and Xiao Kun interact at home,” Li Huan said.

Fu Qing suddenly smiled slyly.

“You claim it’s a contract marriage, but I think you’ve grown fond of Shen Qi over time and want to make him legitimate, right?”

“Don’t talk nonsense! It’s all for the child!” Li Huan blushed prettily. “And for our company too.”

Fu Qing asked worriedly, “What if Shen Qi finds out he’s being watched and gets angry?”

“He’s never been angry before. He’s greedy and stingy—at worst, I’ll just compensate him with some money.”

“Let’s hope so.”

…

Shen Qi tossed and turned, unable to sleep all night.

Had his ultimate dream in life only lasted three years before coming to an end?

At dawn, Shen Qi suddenly sat up with red eyes.

“I’ve been too pessimistic. The good days aren’t over; it’s just a temporary difficulty!”

“Li Huan is an outstanding entrepreneur with strong resilience!”

“She won’t fall so easily!”

“Even if the company runs into trouble, even if it goes bankrupt, my good days aren’t over!”

Shen Qi thought of Li Huan standing on stage—radiant and captivating.

“Yes, yes… she’s a diva herself!”

“She can still make money!”

“No matter what, it can’t be worse than my little stash…”

“Right…?”

Suddenly, car headlights lit up outside. Shen Qi wrapped a robe around himself and went to the window.

A little boy got out of the car. Seeing Li Huan excitedly squat down and hug the boy, Shen Qi’s anxious heart finally settled.

“Little Kun… he’s here…”

Xiao Kun’s arrival made Shen Qi instinctively believe that Li Huan’s company was indeed facing problems, since she had told him these two things together.

“This is a curse…”

Shen Qi felt he couldn’t just sit back and wait; he had to figure out a way to help Li Huan’s company recover so their good days could continue.

At the same time, he couldn’t let his own abilities show too much—this way, he could keep lying low and enjoy the benefits longer.

What should he do?

Shen Qi quickly freshened up and went to the kitchen to make breakfast.

The breakfast was exquisite—nutritious and perfectly balanced in flavor and appearance.

Soon, Li Huan and Xiao Kun came downstairs.

One had to admit, although Xiao Kun was only five, he could easily be called handsome.

With fair skin, glossy black hair, a high nose bridge, thick eyebrows, and big eyes, he looked robust and much healthier than other kids his age.

“Are you really my dad?” Xiao Kun stared at Shen Qi and asked.

Li Huan’s eyes nearly twinkled, while Shen Qi sighed inwardly, then forced a gentle smile and even opened his arms.

“Yes, I’m your dad!”

Li Huan gently patted Xiao Kun’s head. “Go give your dad a hug!”

Xiao Kun shook his head.

“It’s a bit too soon. Before we truly recognize each other, I have to sign a contract with him!”

Xiao Kun walked past Shen Qi and sat at the table, picking up a pen to start writing.

Shen Qi stared, stunned.

“I’m starting to suspect he really is your son—the first meeting scene is exactly like ours three years ago. It all began with a contract!”

Li Huan rolled her eyes at Shen Qi.

“That’s better. The child won’t be at a disadvantage later on!”

“But I’m at a disadvantage now. More people to care for, less money, and payments delayed. Those sneakers I want are going to be postponed again…”

Xiao Kun handed a sheet of paper to Shen Qi, who couldn’t help but be amazed.

Normally, a five-year-old shouldn’t be able to read or write yet, but Xiao Kun’s calligraphy was beautiful.

“This handwriting… is way better than yours,” Shen Qi admired.

Li Huan’s expression darkened immediately.

Li Huan—the diva, president of Huan Ge Entertainment, national goddess…

In everyone’s eyes she was perfect, except her handwriting was atrocious.

“First, Shen Qi must not interfere with any of Xiao Kun’s matters or make any decisions on his behalf!”

“Second, Shen Qi is responsible for taking care of Xiao Kun’s daily life, understanding his habits in food, clothing, housing, and transportation.”

“Third, Shen Qi must not show any bad habits in front of Xiao Kun…”

Shen Qi rolled his eyes.

Well, this kid was a real ancestor.

Li Huan shrugged at Shen Qi. “No choice. The child’s upbringing is the most important. You must learn to be a good father! Xiao Kun’s education is your task too…”

Shen Qi felt overwhelmed.

Xiao Kun seemed satisfied with Shen Qi’s cooking skills and even praised him.

“Not bad. Keep it up. Breakfast can’t fall below this standard from now on!”

Shen Qi’s face darkened. “Hey! You little brat…”

Li Huan shot him a glare.

“Watch it. Kids learn by example!”

Shen Qi felt depressed and cautiously asked, “Huan, is your company really in trouble… seriously?”

Li Huan sighed, putting down her chopsticks.

“As long as things are stable at home, I can handle the company’s issues.”

After seven days, Shen Qi had basically gotten to know Xiao Kun inside out.

How to describe Xiao Kun?

This kid was like a little adult—only five years old, but incredibly mature. He would walk around with hands behind his back, looking serious, and occasionally scold others when dissatisfied.

Notably, Xiao Kun was talented in many ways. From this perspective, he was definitely the “other people’s child” everyone talks about.

When Xiao Kun wasn’t around, Li Huan told Shen Qi something.

“I have to go on a business trip for a while. I’m not sure when I’ll be back. Xiao Kun’s school enrollment is still in process, so during this time, I’m leaving Xiao Kun in your care at home. It’s a good chance to deepen your father-son relationship.”

“You must not tell Xiao Kun the truth. You have to show him that you are really his father…”

Shen Qi was dumbfounded.

“Is this normal? You just leave as soon as the kid arrives?”

“Hm?” Li Huan asked displeased, “What does the contract say? You handle the inside, I handle the outside. I’m going out to work, and you’re at home handling things. Now you’re unhappy? I’ll dock your pay!”

“I…”

Li Huan tossed the car keys to Shen Qi.

“Be my driver this afternoon. First, drive me to the company to handle some things, then go to the mall to buy gifts for clients on my trip.”

Just as the two of them set out with Xiao Kun, the villa door opened.

A tall beauty entered with several people wearing uniforms from the show ‘Mom Is Away on a Business Trip.’

Fu Qing, Li Huan’s personal assistant and close friend, occasionally came here to eat and was extremely familiar with the place.

“Install cameras everywhere with no blind spots. Every room must have full coverage!”

“If there’s a problem, you might not have time to rearrange later!”

“Speed is essential!”

…