Volume 1, Chapter 30: Such Low Standards, Poor Child

Ji Taotao looked at Ji Ming’s kind smile and felt momentarily confused. Wouldn’t this standard of homework have resulted in a furious lecture in the past? He felt as if he had grasped something...

The viewers were even more perplexed.

[Are the requirements really that low?]
[Could it be that Taotao is only excellent because the standards in Film Empress Lin’s household are low?]
[By this standard, I’m the "child of someone else" too.]
[Could it be that Heavenly King Ji doesn’t know what good handwriting looks like? Or perhaps he just doesn't understand it?]
[Don't try to make excuses for him!]

Li Hangge sneered inwardly. Wasn't this obvious enough? Ji Ming assumed the live stream resolution wasn't high enough for people to see the actual quality of Taotao’s homework, so he was creating a false impression of Taotao’s excellence for the audience.

"Film Empress Lin, what do you think of Taotao’s homework?" Li Hangge asked, smiling at Lin Xiaolu.

Lin Xiaolu wished she could stab Li Hangge with an awl right then and there. She couldn't tell the truth, and she couldn't lie either. She cast a glance at Bai Qinghe, who looked taken aback. *You... I really can’t cover for you on this one. We might be on the same side, but I can't help it if your husband and son are frantically making things harder for themselves!*

"I was distracted just now and didn't see Taotao’s writing..." Lin Xiaolu could only say helplessly.

Just as Lin Xiaolu expected Li Hangge to press the attack, Li Hangge simply offered a faint smile.

"Oh..."

Lin Xiaolu was instantly infuriated again. The more nonchalant the attitude, the more the viewers speculated. How could Li Hangge be so difficult to deal with!

...

After being praised, Ji Taotao’s eyes lit up. Since his homework was considered good, couldn't he ask for something now?

"Dad, can I play with my phone for a while?"

Ji Ming shook his head slightly and said in a gentle tone, "No, you haven’t finished your daily summer vacation plan yet. What are you supposed to do after finishing your homework?"

Ji Taotao’s tone dropped. "Practice piano and vocal music..."

"That’s right!" Ji Ming patted Taotao’s head. "Dad is an expert in piano and vocal music. Don't worry, I’ll be right here to guide you!"

"Okay..."

Lin Xiaolu felt a bit more at ease. If Ji Ming showed his professional side with music, wouldn't his reputation be restored? Many of Ji Ming’s fans in the live stream room began to look forward to it.

Ji Taotao sat down at the piano and began to play from a score. The piece wasn't difficult; it was well-suited for a child his age. At first, it sounded decent, but soon, it lost its way. The rhythm fell apart completely, and he missed several notes.

Bai Qinghe wanted to tip off Lin Xiaolu, but she glanced worriedly at Li Hangge and Zhuo Yiyi. Zhuo Yiyi blinked her large, beautiful eyes and looked between Li Hangge and Bai Qinghe. However, Lin Xiaolu had her eyes closed, seemingly enjoying Taotao’s performance.

Li Hangge smiled again. "Film Empress Lin, how do you think Taotao played?"

"Taotao is very talented; his piano teacher often praises him, and my husband’s guidance is also very professional," Lin Xiaolu said, opening her eyes with a smile.

Li Hangge nodded with a smile. "I certainly believe in Heavenly King Ji’s standards!"

Bai Qinghe opened her mouth but ultimately said nothing. Zhuo Yiyi also opened her mouth, seemingly feeling that it wasn't the time to discourage Lin Xiaolu.

Once the piece ended, Ji Ming smiled and patted Taotao’s head. "Mm! That was truly excellent!"

[???]
[Even I, a beginner, can hear the many mistakes and the completely chaotic rhythm. Heavenly King Ji’s standards have refreshed my perspective once again.]
[Even though I don't know music, the expressions of the other three observers tell me everything I need to know.]
[Surely Heavenly King Ji isn't clueless? Could it be that he knows we are live and assumes the public doesn't know any better?]

Seeing these comments, Lin Xiaolu finally realized what was happening. *You wretch, Ji Ming! If Taotao makes a mistake, just correct him! At least you’d gain the image of a strict father. By acting like this, don't you look like you're fooling everyone? All my acting here has been in vain.*

"Taotao is still young; he needs encouragement right now, that's why my husband is..."

Li Hangge’s smile became even more radiant. "Oh... so that’s how it is..."

Lin Xiaolu: ...

[Taotao is eight years old, but Xiao Kun is only six.]
[I wanted to say this earlier: Taotao plays much worse than Xiao Kun. Shen Qi can point out even the smallest flaws, so why can't a professional like Heavenly King Ji hear them?]
[I always feel like there’s something strange about Film Empress Lin’s household.]
[Heavenly Queen Hangge is truly impressive. With just a few nonchalant words, she makes Film Empress Lin lose her composure every time.]
[Who can she blame? Yesterday, when Shen Qi did a great job, Lin Xiaolu still had to criticize him...]

Zhang Wei discovered that the number of viewers in the live stream had risen again. "Chief Director, it’s already hit 3.78 million."

Hong Tao nodded, his mind clear. These people were here for the spectacle!

The comments were filled with arguments—some debating whether Heavenly King Ji or Shen Qi had higher musical standards, others arguing over who played better, Shen Xiaokun or Ji Taotao.

Lin Xiaolu’s anxiety continued, but fortunately, Ji Ming didn't seem too fixated on how long Taotao practiced, moving directly to the vocal music at which he excelled.

Ji Taotao’s expression became visibly depressed. When Ji Ming wasn't paying attention, he muttered under his breath:

"Vocal music is the most annoying thing of all... Dad always gets more excited than I do, and he drags it out for two hours every time..."

"Isn't singing and showing off outside enough? Why must he torture me at home..."

"I really am a poor child!"