Volume 1, Chapter 4: No Dishwashing, No Dinner
Shen Xiaokun clutched his forehead, his face a mix of a splitting headache and frustration at his father’s lack of ambition.
“How on earth did you manage to fool Mom so well? I told her what you’re usually like at home, and she wouldn’t even believe me!”
Li Huang’ge recalled how Shen Xiaokun had told her a couple of days ago that Shen Qi acted like he was having a seizure at home. But because her first impression of Shen Qi as a gentle man was so deeply ingrained, she hadn't believed it for a second!
And now...
Shen Qi brought out a steaming bowl of dough-drop soup, served a portion for Shen Xiaokun, and then brought out a pancake made with shredded potatoes and carrots.
Shen Xiaokun’s eyes lit up, but he deliberately put on a displeased expression.
“What? Are you starting to slack off just because Mom isn’t home? Just one soup and one pancake?”
“Tsk...” Shen Qi picked up a pancake. “Kids shouldn't be so picky about food!”
Having said that, a sudden sparkle appeared in Shen Qi’s eyes.
“Xiaokun, do you believe I can eat this whole pancake in one bite?”
Shen Xiaokun was taken aback, looking at the plate-sized pancake in Shen Qi’s hand with utter skepticism.
“One bite? I don’t believe it!”
“Wanna bet?” Shen Qi chuckled.
“Bet what?” Shen Xiaokun’s expression turned cunning.
Shen Qi grinned again. “I saw that your mom gave you 500 yuan when she left yesterday. Let’s bet 500!”
Li Huang’ge: “...”
[Oh my god! A father actually eyeing his own son’s secret stash? How shameless.]
[It seems Shen Qi has no status at home; his pocket money depends entirely on scamming his son?]
[Definitely living off a wealthy woman. I guess he didn’t please her enough last night, so she didn't give him any money.]
The two of them suddenly turned serious, both standing up and heading upstairs. When they returned, they each slapped 500 yuan onto the dining table.
“READY... GO!” Shen Xiaokun commanded.
Shen Qi balled his hands together, crushed the pancake into a sphere, and stuffed it into his mouth in one go.
*Slap!*
Shen Qi’s greasy hand slapped down on Shen Xiaokun’s money.
“Mmph, I won... ho ho ho...”
[What a degenerate father! I’m speechless.]
[Scamming a child out of his pocket money like that is just too low. Wouldn’t the woman of the house be furious if she found out?]
[Doesn’t this just reflect the tragic reality of a man? If he had enough pocket money, would a father be this stingy with his kid’s?]
[As a fellow man, I see myself in him. Don't mention it—it's all just tears.]
In the broadcast studio, Li Huang’ge felt like she was sitting on pins and needles!
Yet, she had to pretend to be amused like the other three celebrity panelists while watching the big screen.
*Is the pocket money I give him really not enough?*
A full 200,000 yuan a month!
Shen Qi, oh Shen Qi, isn’t your greed looking a bit too ugly?
The other three female celebrities on the panel were chattering incessantly, while Li Huang’ge seemed somewhat silent. The host, Fang Qian, asked at the right moment:
“Diva Huang’ge, what is your take on this father’s actions?”
Li Huang’ge gritted her teeth inwardly, but smiled on the surface. “It’s shameless! But... the relationship between this father and child is like friends, and that part... well... is quite nice!”
Lin Xiaolu immediately voiced a different opinion.
“As everyone knows, Diva Huang’ge is married and has kept her family life very private. Hearing you say that makes me a bit suspicious.”
“I’m also married with children, and as a mother, I would absolutely never allow such a situation to happen in my home!”
Zhuo Yiyi, as a rising young star, was younger and held more modern views.
“I actually think it’s fun to have a father like that. I always wished for a father like that growing up, but mine was so serious...”
Bai Qinghe nodded as well. “True! Children might like a father like this, but a child’s mother would definitely not like such a husband!”
Li Huang’ge was fuming, but didn’t know how to rebut. She was busy thinking of various ways to deal with Shen Qi when she got home.
“I just think a household shouldn’t be stuffy. Perhaps there will be a plot twist later on.”
...
On screen.
Shen Qi and Shen Xiaokun finished their meal.
“Xiaokun, I cooked the meal, so shouldn’t it be your turn to wash the dishes?” Shen Qi asked, wiping his mouth.
Shen Xiaokun stood up. “No time! I have to practice calligraphy!”
Not long after, they saw Shen Xiaokun honestly practicing his brushwork in the study.
His handwriting was even better than the notes Shen Qi had been looking at earlier.
[My god, am I not as good as a child?]
[Xiaokun should only be five, right? He looks like he has a lot of skill.]
[Don’t say anything; I’m currently beating my son.]
Shen Qi chuckled and reached out to press his hand on the paper Shen Xiaokun was practicing on.
“Sorry, you need to go wash the dishes now!”
Shen Xiaokun looked up, startled and dissatisfied. “You... you mean I have to do housework?”
“Of course!” Shen Qi nodded with extreme seriousness. “Even though you’re only five, I need you to understand a principle.”
“What principle?” Shen Xiaokun asked, his little face darkening.
“There’s no such thing as a free lunch in this world! Within your capabilities, you must pay the price for what you receive!” Shen Qi’s face grew even more serious. “I cooked the meal, so washing the dishes must be your task!”
Shen Xiaokun sneered. “And if I don’t wash them?”
Shen Qi smiled brightly. “You only get the right to eat the next meal once the dishes from the previous one are washed!”
“Wanna try me?” Shen Xiaokun’s expression was quite confrontational.
“Let’s try then!”
Shen Qi let go, and even smiled at Shen Xiaokun before leaving the room.
[Wait? Isn’t Xiaokun only five? Does a five-year-old have to wash dishes?]
[Isn’t that a bit too harsh?]
[I actually think Shen Qi’s approach is correct. It can help establish a proper worldview for the child.]
[Bullshit! Does a five-year-old in your house have to wash dishes?]
...
Li Huang’ge frowned slightly.
You rascal, Shen Qi!
Before I left, I specifically told you to be nice to Xiaokun. He just arrived, and you’re already making him do chores?
How are you two going to get along in the future?
Bai Qinghe immediately said coldly, “I have specifically studied child psychology and family relations. Encouraging children to do housework appropriately can improve their hands-on skills, but using the threat of starvation... that method is unacceptable!”
Lin Xiaolu nodded in agreement. “The child is only five; it’s a time when he needs nutrition and health. If he gets starved, the damage will outweigh the benefits.”
“I don’t even have a partner yet, so I’ll reserve my opinion,” Zhuo Yiyi laughed.
Li Huang’ge narrowed her eyes, glancing inadvertently at Bai Qinghe and Lin Xiaolu.
They were about the same age as Li Huang’ge and were fierce competitors.
Everyone in the entertainment industry knew the unspoken rules of variety shows. The production team inviting the four stars from the four major entertainment companies had a clear motive—how could they have a show without conflict and drama?
Not to mention that Li Huang’ge already had a grudge against these two.
Li Huang’ge felt slightly annoyed.
Even if Shen Qi was bad, why did I feel so uncomfortable when you two started criticizing him?
“The younger a child is, the easier it is to form good habits. I think if it’s at this level... this father is doing the right thing.”
Lin Xiaolu immediately covered her mouth, looking at Li Huang’ge in shock.
“Oh my! Huang’ge, you should be more careful. Everyone knows you don’t have children yet; you can’t have thoughts like that!”
Bai Qinghe also added with a hidden meaning:
“Shen Qi used despicable means to win 500 yuan from a child in a bet. I really don’t approve of this father’s educational style!”
“Huang’ge, you should instill these values in your husband. If you ever have children, this kind of behavior really won’t do!”
Lin Xiaolu and Bai Qinghe both looked at Li Huang’ge with feigned sincerity.
“We’re doing this for your own good!”
“Yeah, yeah, it’s all for your own good!”