I Became the Rich Family’s Stepfather and Couldn’t Stop Laughing - Chapter 7

The photos sent to the fan group quickly received a wave of excited responses:

[Holy crap! These legs! Longer than my own life!]

[Ahhhhh, the cub is so cute, I want to rua (stroke) him, slurp slurp~~~]

[Is this a new idol? His face is so small, his eyes so bright, he must be a huge hunk under that mask! Wuuu, handsome guys with cute toddlers, who can handle this?!]

[Where did Jiajia take these?]

…

While the group messages were flashing, Xi Ling had already cleared out the men’s section. After paying, he took the cub and switched to the children’s section downstairs. Accompanied by a shopping mall manager who had rushed over, he didn’t stand on ceremony, first stating that his cub was allergic to synthetic fibers and asking the manager to filter the items first.

In Xi Ling’s eyes, there were no clothes for human cubs that weren’t good-looking everything looked adorable. The cub in his arms was also very obedient and cooperative, so Xi Ling waved his hand again: “Wrap up everything with suitable fabrics, and remember to cut off the tags cleanly.”

The joy on the mall manager’s face was impossible to suppress: “Don’t you worry, I will definitely handle it properly for you. Actually, there is a children’s section in the home textiles department downstairs. I wonder if Mr. Xi needs to pick out some bedding or pajamas?”

In truth, the cub had plenty of loungewear and pajamas at home. After all, such expenses were charged directly to the account; Nanny Tian didn’t need to save money for the Huo family, though whether she put any heart into it was another matter.

Xi Ling thought of the little pajamas in the cub’s wardrobe, all in similar styles, and felt something was missing. Holding the “since we’re already here” mentality, he nodded at the manager: “Let’s go take a look.”

When he saw rows of cute and amusing mascot onesies, the lightbulb in Xi Ling’s brain clicked on. Yes! That’s it! Cute little dinosaur pajamas!

Huo Xingmian had long been accustomed to enduring a life of beatings and scolding. Accompanying Xi Ling to act obedient while shopping didn’t mean much to him.

But when he saw Xi Ling reach out and include a whole bunch of mascot onesies, he couldn’t help but twitch his eyelids. Don’t tell me this guy wants me to wear these silly-looking things!

Xi Ling asked the manager on the side happily: “Do you have adult sizes for these mascot onesies?”

He had added little dinosaur pajamas to his shopping cart the first time he saw them online, but he never had the spare money to buy clothes that were more about fun than utility. He had thought that after paying off his debts, finishing night school, changing to a stable job, and having a small nest to shelter from the wind and rain, he would come back to satisfy these useless needs.

Unexpectedly, the “surprise” came sooner than planned. Fortunately, he hadn’t died, and he was financially free.

Upon receiving the manager’s affirmation, Xi Ling’s eyes curved into crescents: “Give me one of each in my size!” Woo-hoo~ It’s so good to be rich~ Hehehe!

Huo Xingmian breathed a sigh of relief. Great, as long as it’s not just me wearing them.

The stepfather was getting weirder and weirder and it wasn’t just his aesthetic… He was being held in the other’s arms. The close proximity made him feel even more clearly the joy radiating from the young man’s heart, he was practically exuding happy, colorful bubbles from the inside out.

However, before he could marvel at it, he heard Xi Ling add: “We need one for our cub too!” After that, he looked excitedly at Huo Xingmian: “Tonight we can wear matching little dinosaur outfits. Aren’t you happy, Mianmian?!”

Huo Xingmian: “…” I knew this bad guy wouldn’t let me off easily!

After Xi Ling finished asking, his gaze drifted to the side and he noticed that on the shelf next to the onesies, there were matching plush toys of all sizes. Whoa, this boss really knew how to make money!

In his memory, children loved these cute, furry little dolls. Xi Ling imagined his cub wearing the little dinosaur pajamas, sleeping while hugging a little dinosaur cartoon doll. Xi Ling’s “Veteran Father” heart melted instantly.

He carried the cub over and compared them, deciding the small size was better for the cub. He grabbed one of each type and threw them into the shopping cart behind him, muttering as he tossed them: “Mianmian’s little friends are here! And here’s a Big Tiger! Look, what is this? It’s a Little Rhino (Xi Ji), they’ll all be Mianmian’s little buddies from now on~”

Huo Xingmian: “…”

So childish!

“Da-Da, you, you don’t want them?”

Hearing this, Xi Ling puffed out his chest and said solemnly: “Dad is a mature adult; I don’t need buddies. These are all for Mianmian.”

Before he finished speaking, he caught sight of a bright red color in his peripheral vision. Xi Ling poked his head out and found a massive display of Ultraman figures past the end of the shelf.

Xi Ling: !!!

Tiga! Zero!! Z!! Ahhhhhhh I’m dead!!!

Xi Ling took a deep breath, looked back at the shopping cart already piled high with cute dolls, and said to the sales clerk beside the manager: “I want all the Ultraman figures in the store!”

Huo Xingmian: “…”

So much for being a “mature adult”???

Xi Ling swept the place clean and was ecstatic. The mall manager and sales clerks following behind were also ecstatic due to the skyrocketing sales performance. Only the cub in Xi Ling’s arms wearily closed his eyes.

The stepfather really is getting weirder and weirder…

Xu Jiajia followed them until the father and son were sent off by the manager. There were few people in the parking lot, so she didn’t dare follow, but she realized the masked young man and her car were parked on the same floor, so she immediately ran down the stairs.

Ten minutes later, the Xu family driver asked the backseat: “They are about to get on the elevated highway; should we follow?”

Xu Jiajia woke up from her trance: “Don’t follow.” She wasn’t a perverted stalker.

She then took out her phone to look at the exploding group messages and replied one by one:

Carnival: [It is! So handsome! The cub is also super soft and cute. Later he was held in the masked guy’s arms the whole time, so obedient!]

Carnival: [And the masked guy shopped like he was restocking inventory he swept through two and a half floors at Global Center! It was like a TV drama coming to reality… I followed them to the parking lot and found he was driving a limited-edition supercar. The funniest thing is that he actually installed a child seat in the passenger seat of the supercar. Hilarious, first time seeing someone play it like that.]

Fish…

Carnival: [But he didn’t take off his mask the whole time, which is a pity. The more I look at him, the more familiar he seems. I followed him the whole way and still couldn’t think of who it was. Ahhh, my head hurts thinking about it. Did any of the sisters recognize him?]

Years: [With so much money, could it be someone from your circles?]

Yearly Year: [I looked carefully and it also seemed familiar, but I just can’t remember. orz]

Only Love Little Rice Cake: [Are kids nowadays this cute? Damn, I originally wanted to go to Global to buy a gift today! I almost ran into them…]

Xu Jiajia chatted back and forth with the group members. It wasn’t until she saw the words “buy a gift” that she suddenly remembered: Right, wasn’t I at Global to pick out a gift for a friend?

Looking up, she realized the car had already driven into the parking lot of her own villa area.

Xu Jiajia: …

Damn, what a bewitching man.

Although she already had many “walls” (favorite idols), it was the first time she had been so bewitched. No, I must dig out which newcomer this is!

On the other side, Xi Ling drove the cub back to the manor quickly.

The cub was somewhat tired after getting in the car. Although he wasn’t particularly sleepy, his body was always very weak, so he could take a nap whenever he wanted. But before he could fall asleep, Xi Ling drummed up background music, calling it “playing some nice songs to cultivate his musical aesthetic.”

Huo Xingmian sensed something wrong, and immediately saw Xi Ling tap his phone, and a lively and festive prelude began to play.

“Good Luck is coming, wishing you good luck, good luck brings joy and love…”

Sure enough…

“We common people are really, really happy tonight!”

“Whether you are man, woman, old, or young, put on new clothes and new hats, everyone is happy and joyful…”

Xi Ling nodded and sang along, asking Huo Xingmian while he sang: “Isn’t it good? These are all classic gold hits that have been popular for many years.” Every time the New Year comes around, they have to re-ignite after all, who doesn’t listen to festive songs during the New Year?

Huo Xingmian took an imperceptible deep breath before nodding stupidly with his big black-grape eyes.

By the time he finally arrived at the manor, Huo Xingmian’s head was still buzzing as he got out of the car. He couldn’t wait to wrap his arms around Auntie Bai’s neck: “Auntie, sleep-y, sleep-y.”

Seeing the child acting like he was fleeing a disaster, Auntie Bai thought he had been mistreated by his stepfather outside.

Xi Ling happened to walk around from the driver’s seat. Hearing this, he flashed his brilliant little white teeth and shared with Auntie Bai: “Mianmian loves my playlist; I’ll send you a copy in a bit so you can play it for the child more often.”

Huo Xingmian choked. Xi Ling continued to show off happily: “I bought Mianmian tons of clothes and dolls, and Mianmian is overjoyed. When the people from the mall deliver them in a bit, you can wash and dry them, and then have Mianmian change into them tonight.”

Auntie Bai’s brows relaxed when she heard this. Realizing the child was probably just tired from playing, she replied with a smile: “Alright, Madam. I’ll hold the Young Master to go rest for a bit first.”

Xi Ling waved his hand and then hummed Good Luck as he walked toward the home theater.

He was preparing to rewatch Ultraman. If he hugged his Ultraman dolls tonight, he might even dream of helping Ultraman fight monsters.

After Auntie Bai took the cub into the house, she still wanted to ask: “Did the Young Master have a lot of fun today?”

Huo Xingmian: “…”

He closed his eyes, rested his head against his soft little pillow, and feeling exhausted in both body and mind, just wanted to fall asleep in a second.

Compared to Xu Jiajia, who was obsessed with chasing stars, other onlookers didn’t get to the bottom of it. They just posted the clip of Xi Ling “sprinkling money” to the short video platform, lamenting that the happiness of the rich is truly unimaginable.

The comment section expressed that their eyes had been opened:

[Good heavens? Is this the top floor of Global? Too exaggerated. I wouldn’t dare to play like that at the small kiosk downstairs in my building.]

[Ahhhhhh (looking up at the sky and roaring) Who stole my tycoon life (beating chest and running wild) I’m so sour, I’m so sour (rolling on the floor) There are so many rich people, why can’t I be one of them! (crawls up and continues running)]

[Is this some internet celebrity shooting a short video?]

Blogger reply: [I paid special attention at the time; there was no team around, just one person and one cub.]

[Feels like the young guy is very young; they should be brothers, right? Not to mention, the cub is so obedient and cute!]

[Why do I think he looks a bit like Xi Ling from the side? Damn, could it be Xi Ling taking his stepson shopping?]

[Hahahahaha laughing to death, is the floor above crazy? Where is this Xi Ling’s dressing style? And Xi Ling’s features are not even presentable; even wearing a mask couldn’t produce this effect.]

[+1 How could Xi Ling be so good to his stepson? When his stepson was exposed before, didn’t paparazzi use a drone to sneakily photograph Xi Ling making the child stand in the garden as punishment in the middle of winter? He’s simply wicked!]

[And this bad seed even reported to the police and let the old nanny take the fall, yue!]

…

The blogger who posted the video only had ten thousand followers and usually shared daily life. Getting over a hundred comments before bed was already a very popular work for him, but he didn’t expect that when he woke up, the comments had already exceeded twenty thousand, and it had even made it to the trending search.

Not only did the video inexplicably go viral, but even the masked guy he filmed had a new name: “The Tycoon in the Mask,” abbreviated as “Masked Tycoon.”

Many people were curious about the background of the “Masked Tycoon” and whether such a rich person was paying taxes.

There were also some jokes:

[I really don’t understand why this kind of attention-seeking video would be so popular, and why there are so many people asking to date him! Where is the restraint, where is the moral bottom line, and where is the home address!]

[I’m different. I’m a preschool education major. I feel there is something wrong with this child’s standing posture. I suggest sending him over for me to correct.]

More were Xi Ling’s black fans coming for the news:

[Laughing to death, shouldn’t the trending search saying the Masked Tycoon looks like Xi Ling have been bought by Xi Ling’s team?]

[Xi Ling, don’t touch him. The temperament of this amateur guy is ten thousand times better than yours.]

[If this is Xi Ling, I’ll live-stream eating one hundred N95 masks…]

As it happened, at ten o’clock, the official Weibo of Cubs Are Coming posted again, stating that the live broadcast of the pilot episode would officially open at twelve noon.

Although they had been warming up for several days, netizens were always curious about whether Xi Ling would appear. After all, everyone knew Xi Ling was making a fuss about quitting, and he hadn’t even taken the promotional photos.

And the official blog tagged Xi Ling every time they posted, but Xi Ling hadn’t forwarded or responded like the other guests.

At ten o’clock sharp, Xi Ling forwarded the official Weibo of Cubs Are Coming for the first time, and attached the live broadcast link as required.

The gossiping crowds instantly boiled over. The fun is coming!

Xi Ling rewatched the Ultraman series last night. He had originally planned to go to sleep at ten o’clock, but he hadn’t watched it for too long and it was super addictive; he didn’t brake in time and watched until five in the morning.

He really couldn’t be blamed; he could only blame the home theater’s audio-visual effect for being too good.

After nine o’clock, the show’s staff came to install the live broadcast equipment and debug the effects in advance. When Xi Ling was called up by the nanny, he was still like a sleepwalker, listening to the staff say a bunch of things confusedly, left ear in, right ear out. After having brunch, he crawled back into the covers.

As soon as it hit twelve, the red light of the live broadcast equipment in the bedroom flickered, and a moment later, it turned on automatically.

At the same time, the image in the live broadcast room gradually reflected the appearance of Xi Ling’s bedroom as the camera slowly rotated. The boiling barrage froze for a moment before scrolling again:

[Holy crap! This bedroom is bigger than my house!]

[How on earth did Xi Ling find such a rich husband!!!]

[You guys are being too exaggerated. The renovation looks very tacky; it’s a nouveau riche for sure.]

[It is said that Xi Ling’s husband is old and ugly, which is why he never shows his face. Thinking about it, one knows an ugly man with a child couldn’t possibly marry this “black-hearted steamed bun monster” Xi Ling.]

[And isn’t Xi Ling about to divorce? Otherwise, how could he not even be able to pay the termination fee for the parenting show…]

Xi Ling was undoubtedly the biggest hot spot among the four guest groups of Cubs Are Coming. The number of viewers in the live broadcast room completely crushed the other three groups, and there were endless new audiences flooding in.

It’s just that, compared to the harmonious atmosphere in the other three live broadcast rooms, the audience in Xi Ling’s live broadcast room were either here to watch the fun or were true black fans. The dense barrage couldn’t find a single sentence supporting Xi Ling.

The live camera slowly turned toward the door and stopped. Just as the audience thought Xi Ling was about to push the door and enter, a knock-knock-knock sound was heard.

Immediately following, a soft, milky voice asked gently through the door panel: “Da-Da, Mianmian, wants, to, come in.”

It was slightly stuttering, but it didn’t affect the softness and cuteness of the little milk voice at all.

Huo Xingmian knocking on the door to wake Xi Ling up was the production team’s arrangement, and it had also been discussed with Xi Ling beforehand, so the staff helped him open the bedroom door after the cub finished speaking.

The audience in the live broadcast room soon saw a tiny figure squeeze through the crack in the door, wearing a little dinosaur onesie, and running toward the giant bed da-da-da, and the camera turned accordingly.

[Ahhhhh, is this Xi Ling’s stepson? Mom, his back view is sooooooo cute!]

[Who did this little milk voice kill with cuteness~~~]

[Damn, how could Xi Ling have the heart to harm such a cute cub!]

The production team’s intention was for the cub to enter the bedroom to wake Xi Ling up, first letting the audience watch the father-son interaction, and then wait for Xi Ling to wake up and come out for an interview.

Huo Xingmian was a very obedient cub and naturally did as he was told. He didn’t expect that after he entered the bedroom and called out in a milky voice several times, Xi Ling, who was huddled in the quilt, had no response.

He had no choice but to choose to crawl up to wake the person, but he only realized after getting close that Xi Ling’s bed, paired with an extra-thick mattress, was almost higher than him. Plus, the little dinosaur onesie he was wearing made it inconvenient to move, so he tried hard by the side of the bed but failed.

It was his comical back view that amused the audience in the live room: [Hahahaha the little dinosaur is too cute, Xi Ling is truly a stinky pig head, why isn’t he awake after the baby called for so long!]

Huo Xingmian didn’t give up. Instead, he stretched out his short arms to grope around the side of the bed, and soon pulled down a large-sized Ultraman to use as a step on the floor.

Then he continued to try huffing and puffing. Although the irregular shape of the Ultraman made the cub lose his balance several times, and his short legs trembled after trembling, he finally arched his little butt and successfully climbed onto the bed.

The live camera perspective rose with the cub’s movements. Only then did the audience realize that the giant bed was actually covered with Ultramans of all sizes.

Xi Ling was also wearing red and silver Ultraman pajamas, his head buried between two pillows, and he was wearing noise-canceling earplugs in his ears no wonder he didn’t hear it before.

[Damn, I don’t care about the big house, but I’m truly envious of this bed full of Ultramans!]

[Ultraman fans assemble quickly!!!]

The cub was wearing a green little dinosaur onesie, like a little monster that had accidentally entered the Ultraman camp. Because there were too many dolls on the bed, by the time he finally crawled and walked all the way to Xi Ling’s pillow, he was already panting.

The cub sat on the pillow and patted his little chest to catch his breath. After a while, he stretched out his little hand and lightly patted a small piece of Xi Ling’s cheek that was exposed.

Xi Ling was sleeping soundly and, upon being disturbed, immediately turned his head to the other side, away from the camera.

The cub puffed out his little face, and crawled to the other side huffing and puffing again. Because of the “strenuous” exercise, the cub’s usually pale cheeks were flushed with a light pink, making his exquisite little face look even more like a pink-carved, jade-carved piece of lovely perfection. He happened to be facing the live camera directly, and the barrage instantly slid past:

[Oh my god, this cub is too cute!!!]

[awsl! Quickly bring that beautiful little face over for us to touch and kiss /slurp.jpg]

[I was just cried by the dog man, seeing the baby healed me instantly, wuuu…]

This time the cub learned to be smart, stretching out two little paws at once to hold Xi Ling’s face: “Da-Da, up, bed, now, Mouse-Mouse, said, need, take, picture.”

Xi Ling’s eyelashes flickered, and his beautiful black eyes slowly opened a slit.

The little sleepiness that remained vanished the moment he saw the little dinosaur cub. He scooped the cub into his arms and buried his head into the neck of the little dinosaur, inhaling deeply.

Huo Xingmian was caught off guard, nearly unable to keep his expression together in front of the camera, and then because of the itch on his neck, he couldn’t help but giggle: “Ao hahahahahaha Da-Da, so itchy wuu!”

This bad guy!!!

At the same time, among the countless barrages that were melted by the cub, these two lines floated past:

[Wait a minute, why do I think this cub looks a bit familiar?]

[You’re not the only one. I just flipped through the Masked Tycoon on the trending search, and it’s almost identical to the cub in the video…]