The Cannon Fodder Dad of Three Villainous Cubs - Chapter 16

Although Ji Yanyan was only three years old, he was incredibly energetic. He spent his days jumping around the house with an inexhaustible supply of energy.

Ji Zhixiu, unable to cope with him any longer, promised to take him to the amusement park over the weekend.

From that day on, Ji Yanyan was like a puppy that had caught the scent of meat. He stared at Ji Zhixiu with bright, unblinking eyes. This often made Ji Zhixiu’s back prickle with discomfort, making him wish he could just go the next day. However, it was impossible for Ji Zhixiu to leave his eldest son behind, so he firmly refused.

Time suddenly seemed to slow to a crawl, but the weekend they had been waiting for finally arrived.

As soon as the sky began to brighten, Ji Yanyan woke up. When Ji Zhixiu, still bleary-eyed, came out of the bathroom after washing up, he saw Ji Yanyan wearing a bulging little backpack, pacing anxiously around the living room.

Ji Zhixiu frowned, “Yanyan, why did you pack so much stuff?”

“These are all my good friends. I want to take them with me.”

One could never understand a child’s logic, so Ji Zhixiu didn’t press the matter, merely saying, “I won’t help you carry your bag. Don’t come looking for me when you get tired.”

Ji Yanyan tilted his chin up, nostrils flared, and said smugly, “I can carry it myself!”

Ji Zhixiu sneered, “Are you sure?”

Ji Yanyan became anxious. Like a little bull, he lowered his head toward Ji Zhixiu. But while his body moved forward, the backpack on his back didn’t. He lost his balance, his feet left the ground, and he ended up flat on his back, supported by the massive bag, looking like a turtle unable to flip itself over.

Ji Zhixiu laughed out loud. He crouched beside him to observe, tempted to take out his phone to take a picture, “I seem to remember someone saying they could carry it themselves.”

Ji Yanyan looked at Ji Zhixiu, pouting, his arms and legs flailing, but the backpack was too heavy for him to stand up.

“Does Yanyan still plan to carry his little bag to the amusement park?” Ji Zhixiu gave him another chance.

The little stubborn donkey wanted to nod, but sensing danger from his father’s insincere smile, he pursed his lips and swallowed his pride. “No, I don’t.”

Ji Zhixiu raised an eyebrow, then bent down to rescue the turtle trapped in its shell.

Ji Zishen also emerged from his room, and after the father and his two sons finished breakfast, they set off.

Ji Zhixiu’s mind was clouded with sleepiness, his eyes vacant as he looked out the window. Ji Zishen, too, didn’t bother to pretend; he was expressionless, showing not a hint of anticipation for the amusement park. Only Ji Yanyan, sitting in the middle, behaved like a spring-loaded little doll despite his seatbelt, bouncing left and right, craning his neck, and looking outside with shining eyes.

When they finally arrived at the amusement park, Ji Zhixiu was prepared. He grabbed Ji Yanyan by the back of his neck, his fated weak point. “Don’t run around, follow me to the queue obediently.”

Ji Yanyan pursed his little lips, clearly unwilling, and tried to charge in the opposite direction. For a fleeting moment, Ji Zhixiu felt as if he were leading a wild horse that was about to kick up its heels.

Fortunately, the park wasn’t very crowded at this time, and they entered quickly. Ji Zhixiu took them straight to the children’s playground, where all the rides were suitable for young children and filled with innocence.

It was as if Ji Yanyan had returned home; he wanted to play every single game, so Ji Zhixiu bought tickets for everyone.

Ji Zishen was surprised to find there was a ticket for him, too, and it took him a long moment before he followed them.

They played in the children’s area for two hours straight, trying every single ride. Even the energetic Ji Yanyan started to tire out.

Ji Zhixiu seized the opportunity, took their hands, and led them toward the exit.

Hehehe, the two children were done playing; now it was his turn!

He looked around to find an attraction that caught his fancy, but Ji Yanyan found one for him first: “Daddy, what is this? It looks interesting, I want to play.”

Ji Zhixiu looked at the pirate ship, his eyes lighting up: “It is indeed very fun.”

Seeing his father agree, Ji Yanyan became even more excited, tugging on his sleeve. “I want to play, I really want to play.”

Ji Zhixiu smiled and walked over to the project description board, pointing to a line of text: “See this? These are the park’s rules. Read it out loud.”

Ji Yanyan blinked, looking innocent: “Daddy, have you forgotten? I can’t read.”

Ji Zhixiu: “.”

Just then, the pirate ship started. Ji Yanyan’s attention was diverted by the continuous screams. He looked up at the ride with a dazed expression for a while before suddenly losing his nerve. “Alright, let’s play something else.”

He walked a few steps ahead, but when he saw Ji Zhixiu wasn’t following, he turned back, looking confused: “Daddy, I’m too little, I can’t play.”

“Although you can’t play…” Ji Zhixiu’s eyes were glowing with excitement: “But I’m just the right size!”

Without giving Ji Yanyan time to react, he looked at Ji Zishen. Ji Zishen was the future great villain and more mature than him; Ji Zhixiu trusted him completely: “Shen, please keep an eye on your brother and don’t run around. I’ll be back in a moment.”

As soon as he finished speaking, he ran inside as fast as he could, leaving the two children no chance to stop him.

Ji Zishen: “…”

Ji Yanyan: “…”

Ten seconds later, Ji Yanyan finally reacted and puffed out his cheeks in anger: “Daddy is a bad guy. He actually went to play all by himself.”

Ji Zishen glanced at Ji Yanyan and, suppressing his disdain, reached out his hand: “He’ll be back soon. Don’t run around.”

Ji Yanyan wasn’t close with this older brother, but he instinctively reached out anyway. The two brothers held hands one, a jade-like dumpling, and the other, a handsome, fair-skinned boy making for a striking and heartwarming sight.

When a staff member noticed them, they smiled and walked over, crouching down to ask, “Little ones, who did you come here with?”

Ji Yanyan, who was naturally outgoing, made sure to straighten his tongue before speaking to make a good impression: “Daddy.”

“Then where is Daddy?”

Ji Yanyan thought about it seriously, his little face wrinkling.

The staff member understood immediately.

Children often went missing at the amusement park when they were distracted by rides and wandered off without their parents noticing. Standing by the pirate ship, looking on longingly, it seemed that was the case here.

Having lost two children, that father must be very worried. Filled with sympathy, the staff member said, “Shall I take you two to find your father? Do you remember where he is?”

Ji Yanyan blinked and pointed upward.

The staff member was stunned, looking up at the blue sky, his voice cracking with shock: “In the sky? How is that possible?!”

“He is in the sky,” Ji Yanyan said, pouting in dissatisfaction when he saw the uncle didn’t believe him.

Ji Zishen could no longer bear this conversation of the deaf: “He went to ride the pirate ship by himself and told us to wait for him outside.”

Under the staff member’s bewildered gaze, Ji Yanyan nodded heavily and added, “Uncle, listen, he’s very happy. He’s the one screaming the loudest.”

The staff member: “…”

The staff member: “…”

The staff member: “…”

Uh, he had worked here for so long, and this was the first time he had ever met a parent who left their children behind to play by themselves.

“He really is a…” He struggled to find the right words, “…lively and cheerful father.”

The ride ended, and Ji Zhixiu walked out with the crowd. He saw the staff member as he looked for his children.

By the time he approached, the staff member had already left. Remembering the complex look they had exchanged, he asked with confusion: “What were you talking about with that uncle?”

Ji Yanyan said innocently: “That uncle said you are lively and cheerful.”

“…” Being called lively and cheerful at the age of nearly thirty was a bit strange.

Ji Zhixiu didn’t take it to heart and continued walking, holding one child with each hand.

He never deprived himself; he played every ride that interested him, his eyes shining with excitement as he fluttered around like a butterfly: “I want to play this, and I want to play that! I love it here! Babies, wait for Daddy for a little bit longer!”

An hour later, even the ever-energetic Ji Yanyan had wilted. He tugged on Ji Zhixiu’s sleeve, aggrieved: “Daddy, I’m tired. Can we go rest for a while?”

Ji Zhixiu hesitated for a few seconds, looking longingly at the next attraction: “Alright, let’s rest for a while and then come back to play.”

They found a bench, and after settling the two children, Ji Zhixiu went to buy some snacks.

Ji Zishen looked at Ji Zhixiu as he returned with only two ice cream cones. His eyes dimmed, and he curled his lips in self-mockery.

As expected, he was just an outsider in this family; there was nothing for him.

To avoid feeling too awkward, he pretended not to see, until his arm was nudged.

He looked up, stunned, at Ji Zhixiu, who was standing right in front of him. Ji Zhixiu, not understanding why the smart child had suddenly gone blank, reminded him: “Take it.”

After Ji Zhixiu handed one cone to Ji Zishen, he suddenly remembered something and hurried back.

Ji Yanyan stared blankly at Ji Zhixiu’s retreating back, then at the cone in Ji Zishen’s hand. He immediately flew into a rage, pouncing on him: “That’s mine! Give it back to me!”

Ji Zishen had never paid much attention to Ji Yanyan and couldn’t be bothered to argue with him. In the past, he would have handed the cone over without hesitation, but Ji Zhixiu’s actions just now had stirred something in his heart. He didn’t know what was wrong with him, but his attitude suddenly hardened. He pulled back: “This is mine. Why should I give it to you?”

Recently, Ji Yanyan had toned down his spoiled behavior and seemed a bit more well-behaved, but that was only in front of Ji Zhixiu. With his father gone, he reverted to his original self, screaming and flailing his arms as he lunged forward, trying to snatch it by force.

He was no match for Ji Zishen. Not a single thread of Ji Zishen’s clothes was out of place, while Ji Yanyan was panting heavily, covered in sweat.

Furious, he chose his usual extreme method of expression, throwing himself on the ground and kicking and waving his limbs, his body shaking. “I hate you! If you don’t give it to me, I won’t get up!”

Ji Yanyan’s voice was already piercing. When he saw Ji Zhixiu, it was like he had found someone to back him up, and he wailed even louder, to the point where it made one’s eardrums ache.

Ji Zishen also noticed Ji Zhixiu. He froze, feeling as if he had been slapped in the face. The illusion he shouldn’t have hoped for shattered, and he was pulled back to reality.

He was adopted; he was unloved. He didn’t deserve anything.

Ji Zhixiu would definitely settle the score with him for bullying his darling son… Ji Zishen felt no fear, just stood there staring blankly at the ice cream in his hand. It had begun to melt, flowing onto his hands, sticky and cold just like his heart at that moment.

He slowly lowered his eyes, his gaze regaining its composure, and he lifted his hand, ready to hand the ice cream back before Ji Zhixiu could say a word.

But he didn’t hear a scolding from Ji Zhixiu. Instead, he heard…

Thinking he had misheard, he looked up sharply.

Ji Zhixiu’s mood was absurdly good. He looked at his great son throwing a tantrum on the floor and offered another friendly reminder: “Hello, sleeping is not allowed here.”

Ji Zishen: “…”

Ji Yanyan: “…”

Neither brother had expected Ji Zhixiu to say that, and they both stared at him in a daze.

Ji Zhixiu remained calm. He looked around once, then raised an eyebrow at Ji Yanyan: “Don’t lie there, get up.”

Ji Yanyan didn’t understand what that sentence meant, but seeing his father had come to coax him, he immediately climbed up, looking triumphant, and even deliberately wiggled his bottom at Ji Zishen.

Ji Zishen’s expression was cold; he had expected this.

Although that previous sentence was unexpected, Ji Zhixiu would definitely side with his biological son. It was human nature; no one could avoid it.

What was unexpected, however, was that Ji Zhixiu didn’t immediately coax Ji Yanyan. Instead, he walked over to the shade of a tree and beckoned them over.

Ji Yanyan immediately ran over, and though Ji Zishen followed a few steps behind, he still clearly heard the conversation between father and son.

Ji Zhixiu sat comfortably on the steps and pointed to the clean ground for Ji Yanyan: “That’s fine, you can lie down again.”

“???” Ji Yanyan was completely dumbfounded, looking at Ji Zhixiu in confusion.

Ji Zhixiu smiled benevolently: “That spot was too sunny. If you lie there too long, you’ll easily get sunburned or suffer heatstroke. It’s better here; there’s shade, so you can lie down as long as you want.”

A father’s love, but not much.

Ji Zhixiu ignored the brat and turned his gaze to Ji Zishen, frowning slightly as he handed him a tissue: “Why aren’t you eating? It’s all melted.”

Ji Zishen sat next to Ji Zhixiu, dazed, as if he had fallen into a dream; there was a strong sense of unreality.

There were only two ice cream cones, yet Ji Zhixiu had given him one and even thoughtfully handed him a tissue. Was this really the Ji Zhixiu he knew?

He subconsciously licked the ice cream and pursed his lips.

So, it could actually be sweet.

The two of them enjoyed the shade, eating their ice cream happily, while Ji Yanyan lay on the ground. He didn’t make a fuss anymore, just watched them longingly.

The ground was so hard and cold, his back hurt, and his mouth tasted bitter… He couldn’t take it anymore. He pushed himself off the ground, crawled up like a wronged little puppy, squatted for a moment, and then burst into tears with a cry.

“I did promise you that I would buy each of you an ice cream at the amusement park.” Ji Zhixiu finally spoke.

Hearing this, Ji Yanyan couldn’t hold it together any longer, tears falling down. “Daddy is a bad guy. Daddy only loves Brother and doesn’t love me at all.”

Ji Zhixiu didn’t soften in the slightest, looking straight at Ji Yanyan: “But you already brushed your teeth last night, and you insisted on eating ice cream before bed. I told you repeatedly that your share for yesterday was already finished. If you wanted more, I wouldn’t buy you any when we came to the amusement park today. Didn’t you agree very readily back then? What are you acting out for now?”

Ji Yanyan clearly remembered. He pouted high. As the little emperor of the family, he was overbearing and tyrannical; how could he allow that cone to end up in Ji Zishen’s hands? “But, but…”

Ji Zhixiu didn’t give him a chance to continue and took out a spoon from his pocket: “I specifically went back to ask the vendor for this. Even though your ice cream is already gone, as long as you speak properly and behave well, you can use this little spoon to eat a few bites, and you can even taste two flavors at once. Isn’t that good?”

Ji Yanyan was already too guilty to keep crying. He pursed his lips and ran to Ji Zhixiu, reaching out with his little hand to take the spoon.

Ji Zhixiu pulled it away, drawing out his words: “Hmm?!”

Ji Yanyan knew that crying was useless and sensed a hint of danger from his father’s words. He bowed his head, his small hands twisting together. After hesitating for half a minute, he looked at him longingly: “Daddy, I know I was wrong.”

“And what else?”

Although Ji Yanyan had a bratty temper, he was quick to apologize under the temptation of ice cream. He immediately turned to Ji Zishen and wagged his tail: “Brother, I know I was wrong.”

Hearing an apology from Ji Yanyan was a fantasy in the past. Ji Zishen paused, looking at him with a complex expression before nodding.

Ji Yanyan, seeing the light, became pushy: “I like chocolate. Can I have one more bite?”

Ji Zishen: “…”

Seeing Ji Yanyan’s silly demeanor, he suddenly deflated, feeling that he was quite stupid for having argued with Ji Yanyan just now.

“Fine, as long as Daddy agrees, you can eat as much as you want.”

Having received permission, Ji Yanyan looked at Ji Zhixiu eagerly. For the sake of an extra bite of ice cream, he would do anything. He curried favor: “Daddy, I won’t lie on the ground again in the future.”

Ji Zhixiu took a bite of his ice cream, saying nonchalantly: “That’s not necessary. If you want to lie down, just lie down. What does that have to do with me?”

Ji Yanyan: “…”