The Cannon Fodder Dad of Three Villainous Cubs - Chapter 11

After sending the neighbor lady away, silence reclaimed the apartment, though the atmosphere retained a distinct touch of the bizarre.

Abandoning his performance, Ji Zishen stood behind his father with an expressionless face. Meanwhile, Ji Zhiqiu’s expression shifted from total bewilderment to a slight frown, his features turning intensely complex.

Only the lighthearted, carefree Ji Yanyan remained completely oblivious, his mind entirely occupied by his rabbit apples. He ran over and hugged Ji Zhiqiu’s leg, shaking it gently. “Big brother is back! Can I eat the rabbit apples now?”

Ji Zhiqiu finally snapped out of his thoughts. Casting a complex look at his cunning eldest son, he spoke softly to the toddler, “Go tell big brother to wash his hands, and then you can eat.”

A three-year-old child understood nothing of subtext. Hearing the instruction, he immediately turned to grab Ji Zishen, dragging him toward the bathroom.

Ji Zishen instinctively wanted to avoid Ji Yanyan’s chubby hand, but because Ji Zhiqiu was still watching, he forced himself to stand still. He maintained a perfectly friendly facade.

Ji Zhiqiu watched in silence as the two children sat together eating fruit. Ji Zishen truly acted with the responsibility expected of an older brother, looking after Ji Yanyan at every turn as if there were no underlying animosity between them.

However, Ji Zhiqiu was no longer so easily fooled. He was gradually beginning to figure things out.

His recent time spent with Ji Yanyan had given him immense confidence, leading him into a major error in judgment. He had assumed Ji Zishen was just an ordinary child who could be subtly guided down the right path as long as he poured genuine affection into him.

He had been far too self-righteous. Ji Zishen was exceptionally precocious, possessing a deeply ingrained personality baseline, a fully formed worldview, and highly specific behavioral habits. It wasn’t something that could be shaken overnight.

He had to shift his strategy and mindset. He needed to treat Ji Zishen like an intellectual equal—an adult adversary—while ensuring he didn’t brutally mishandle the boy’s fragile, still-developing youthful psyche. He had to guide him slowly while maintaining the status quo.

Ji Zhiqiu couldn’t help but let out a soft sigh.

Strictly speaking, he was merely a college student possessing a clear and simple mind. Even though he possessed a dozen more years of life experience than the boy, when it came to sheer calculation and cunning, he couldn’t even match one of Ji Zishen’s fingers. He felt more like a fool capable only of babbling nonsense, drooling even if cured.

In reality, that was exactly the image Ji Zishen held of him.

The more Ji Zhiqiu thought about it, the more his head ached, sensing a bleak future ahead. If this continued, he would inevitably trigger the tragic ending outlined in the original novel.

However, he only allowed himself to wallow in dejection for a brief moment before reclaiming his fighting spirit.

Being viewed as a drooling idiot in Ji Zishen’s eyes isn’t entirely a bad thing. As long as the boy keeps his guard down, I can deploy completely unexpected tactics!

I might not match him in intellect or calculation, but when it comes to the art of acting like an innocent, manipulative victim the fine art of ‘Green Tea’ dramatics there is still ample room for my professional growth!

As these thoughts swirled through his mind, Ji Zhiqiu spotted Ji Zishen sitting rigidly on the sofa, looking every bit the obedient child. Smiling warmly, Ji Zhiqiu walked over. He deliberately yet with supreme casualness exposed a tiny scratch on his finger, making it practically impossible for Ji Zishen to pretend to be blind to it.

To secure his stay in this household, Ji Zishen had to play the role of a sweet, sensible child. He immediately leaned in, projecting an expression of intense concern. “Daddy, how did you get hurt? Is the wound deep?”

Staring at the minuscule scratch that would likely heal itself if he waited another second, Ji Zhiqiu’s smile stiffened for a fraction of a moment. He covertly hid his hand behind his back and gave it a flick, but unfortunately, it still wouldn’t bleed.

The visual effect left much to be desired, so he had to compensate through sheer acting prowess. Ji Zhiqiu forced a fragile smile. “I’m fine. You don’t need to worry about me.”

Observing Ji Zhiqiu’s exhausted demeanor, Ji Zishen’s survival instincts cultivated since infancy kicked in. He blurted out automatically, “It’s all because of me that Daddy has to work so hard.”

Ji Zhiqiu knew that the time for their ultimate “Green Tea” duel had finally arrived. He instantly grasped Ji Zishen’s hand in a firm grip. “How could you say that? Being your father is the greatest fortune of my life. Daddy is so proud of you. It’s just that I haven’t done well enough. Shenshen, you don’t blame me, do you?”

In the past, Ji Zhiqiu had always worn his blatant favoritism on his sleeve, never once speaking to him with such yielding, tender words. Ji Zishen froze, staring at him blankly.

Ji Zhiqiu offered the textbook smile of a tragic, self-sacrificing father. “If I had done well enough, you wouldn’t have had to sneak out to buy candy for Yanyan. It’s all my fault.”

Ji Zishen’s expression stiffened. A flash of shrewdness that absolutely did not belong to his age flickered deep within his eyes. Terrified that Ji Zhiqiu was preparing to settle old scores, he denied it repeatedly, “No, Daddy, you’ve already done perfectly well.”

Ji Zhiqiu looked utterly heartbroken, acting as though he could no longer process any logical arguments. “Other fathers are strong and dependable, capable of taking perfect care of their children. Unlike me… Aside from this heart that loves you all more than anyone else, I am far too immature in everything else! I even cut my finger just trying to cook dinner for you. I am truly so useless… It hurts so much, and it will probably get inflamed once it touches water. How am I supposed to wash your clothes then?”

Ji Zishen found himself entirely unable to interject. He was nearly left dazed by the sheer barrage of guilt-tripping declarations, managing only a feeble, “Daddy, please don’t think that way…”

Ji Zhiqiu suddenly leaned in closer, completely disrupting Ji Zishen’s train of thought. “If I hadn’t adopted you back then, you would definitely be living a wonderful life right now. It’s all my fault for holding you back all these years. Daddy has truly failed you!”

Hearing the word “adopted,” Ji Zishen’s mind instantly snapped into sharp focus.

He looked down on Ji Zhiqiu and treated him with utter perfunctoriness, but he had to acknowledge that this man remained his absolute best option. He couldn’t allow Ji Zhiqiu to spiral into self-pity, lest it shake the man’s resolve to maintain the adoption.

Though Ji Zishen despised physical contact, he clenched his teeth and initiated a hug, wrapping his arms around Ji Zhiqiu. Overcoming his own intense internal cringing, he spoke with forced sweetness, “It’s not that Daddy didn’t take good care of us; it’s that I was too inconsiderate. I promise I will never run off blindly again. In my heart, you… you are the absolute best daddy!”

Ji Zhiqiu wore a look of immense gratification, staring directly into Ji Zishen’s eyes. “Do you truly think so?”

Having spoken words completely contrary to his heart, Ji Zishen’s teeth practically ached from the sheer falseness of it all. He could only nod stiffly.

Ji Zhiqiu’s eyes widened slowly. Just as he was about to enthusiastically return the embrace, he seemingly agitated the practically non-existent wound on his hand. “Ah, it hurts.”

Playing along perfectly, Ji Zishen cradled his father’s hand, his expression turning gravely serious. “Daddy, you absolutely must not touch water again. If the wound gets inflamed, it will break my heart.”

Ji Zhiqiu genuinely couldn’t squeeze out any real tears, so he could only embrace Ji Zishen with a show of profound, overwhelmed emotion.

He had deployed every single theatrical skill in his arsenal just to barely manage to handle Ji Zishen. Just as he was about to let out a sigh of relief, he lifted his head only to lock eyes with Ji Yanyan, who was crouching furtively in the corner.

Perceiving his father’s gaze, Ji Yanyan looked as though someone had hit a pause button on him. He tucked his neck back guiltily, lifting his head with a thoroughly suspicious aura. His cheeks were puffed out like a hoarding hamster, stuffed so entirely full of apples that he couldn’t even swallow.

Ji Zhiqiu fell into a profound silence for several seconds, his gaze shifting down to the fruit platter, which was now half-empty.

So, while your old man was over here burning through every single brain cell to wage a tactical war on the frontlines, you brat were over here covertly stuffing your face?!

Ji Yanyan remained completely oblivious to Ji Zhiqiu’s sheer speechlessness. He blinked his large, round eyes, chewing with immense effort, looking entirely devoid of any high intellect.

Ji Zhiqiu’s frustration evaporated instantly.

He couldn’t really blame the boy; his biological son took after him, after all. He himself wasn’t particularly brilliant either.

Fearing that continuing the performance might expose his own facade, Ji Zhiqiu used a toothpick to spear a piece of apple, holding it out to Ji Zishen. “Knowing you were coming home today, I specifically bought a lot of fruit. It’s exceptionally sweet, hurry up and try some.”

Ji Zishen had originally viewed this father and son duo purely as convenient tools. However, after Ji Zhiqiu’s intense display of emotional performance, he found himself backed into a corner where he had to maintain his persona. After finishing the apple, he took the initiative to shoulder the heavy responsibility of looking after Ji Yanyan while Ji Zhiqiu prepared dinner.

Ji Zhiqiu possessed absolutely no natural talent for cooking, but he wasn’t a hazard to the kitchen either. Every dish emerged fully cooked and edible, though it remained miles away from possessing excellent color, aroma, or presentation.

Ji Yanyan’s dinner remained a standard mashed hodgepodge. To secure Ji Zhiqiu’s praise, the toddler ate with immense gusto. However, staring at the two visually unappealing dishes on the table, both Ji Zhiqiu and Ji Zishen fell into a collective silence.

Ji Zhiqiu bit his lower lip, preparing to launch into another round of self-deprecation. Ji Zishen’s scalp went completely numb at the prospect, and he hurriedly chimed in with praise, “This is incredibly delicious! I missed this exact flavor so much while I was at the training base!”

He ate enthusiastically while delivering a steady stream of compliments, providing top-tier emotional validation. He even took over the chore of clearing the table, looking after the household as if there were two toddlers who required constant praise just to finish their meals.

The dinner finally concluded. Since Ji Zishen still had homework to complete, he returned to his bedroom obediently without needing any prompting from Ji Zhiqiu.

The moment the bedroom door clicked shut, Ji Zhiqiu let out a sigh of relief as if all his strength had been drained, collapsing onto the sofa.

The moment the boy had returned home, he had staged a “white lotus” drama of being driven away, attempting to demolish his father’s reputation. Who knew what kind of trouble the child would cook up next?

Ji Zhiqiu let out another heavy sigh. Hearing the sound, Ji Yanyan scrambled over using both his hands and feet, planting his bottom squarely onto his father’s lap. He lifted his head innocently. “What is Daddy thinking about?”

Ji Zhiqiu forced a small smile. “I am exhaling immortal aura, attempting to blow you away.”

Although Ji Yanyan couldn’t comprehend the words, he recognized that Ji Zhiqiu was teasing him on purpose again. Pouting his lips, he complained, “Daddy, don’t be like dat.”

“Like that.”

“Like dat.”

“……”

Unable to correct the pronunciation, Ji Zhiqiu sighed once more, patting Ji Yanyan’s little bottom. “Get up, a sack of flour isn’t even as heavy as you.”

Dissatisfied, Ji Yanyan cradled his legs and curled into the sofa. He watched as Ji Zhiqiu stood up and rummaged through the cabinet for ages, finally returning with a mug in hand.

Being at an age defined by peak curiosity, Ji Yanyan craned his neck, asking in total bewilderment, “Daddy, why are you drinking pond water?”

Ji Zhiqiu: “?? How on earth is this pond water?”

“Look, the mug is full of seaweed, and the water is completely green,” Ji Yanyan argued with perfect logic.

“These are tea leaves,” Ji Zhiqiu said, tapping the toddler’s little forehead gently. “Not seaweed.”

“Tea leaves?” Ji Yanyan tilted his head. “I want to drink it too.”

Ji Zhiqiu extended a hand to block him. “This is strong tea. It’s incredibly bitter and doesn’t taste good at all.”

As he spoke, he blew away the rising steam and took a tiny sip, instantly shuddering from the intense bitterness.

Ji Yanyan’s round eyes darted back and forth. Witnessing Ji Zhiqiu’s pained expression, he no longer attempted to lean in closer, asking instead with immense confusion, “Then why does Daddy want to drink it?”

“This is a folk remedy,” Ji Zhiqiu explained, pinching his nose as he swallowed another mouthful. “You consume whatever quality you lack to supplement it.”

He desperately hoped that after finishing this mug of concentrated green tea, his own manipulative “Green Tea” artistry would see some dramatic improvement.