The Cannon Fodder Dad of Three Villainous Cubs - Chapter 20

Lu Yunian had no intention of becoming a stepfather to this little boy, nor did he have the slightest interest in his father.

Yet, strangely enough, he had always been cold-hearted and indifferent, never concerning himself with anything outside his plans. Even though he could have easily walked away, he found himself willing to protect the child’s innocence, accompanying him and chatting for so long because he didn’t want to see him sad.

However, this didn’t mean he should let this mistake continue. Before things became even more absurd, he had to put a stop to it immediately.

“How about I take you to see the police officer? He’ll take you home. If you stay out for too long, your daddy will be very worried about you.”

Seeing that his “stepfather-to-be” was about to run off, Ji Yanyan panicked. His chubby little hand gripped the man’s finger tightly, and he pressed against his leg: “Uncle, please just wait a little longer, okay? I’ll find him right away!”

Lu Yunian’s expression remained unchanged, his eyes devoid of emotion as he looked down at Ji Yanyan calmly.

“Little Uncle, just take one look, please? I really want you to be my stepfather!” Ji Yanyan’s eyes darted around frantically.

He had been excessively spoiled and indulged, leading to his bratty, headstrong personality, and he liked using extreme methods to express his emotions. At the same time, however, he had a clever little brain. He could clearly sense that this stranger before him didn’t particularly dote on him; throwing a tantrum on the ground wouldn’t work, and it would only scare off the stepfather he had worked so hard to find.

He tilted his head, pouting uncontrollably. After thinking for a moment, a brilliant idea suddenly popped into his head.

His thick, curled eyelashes fluttered wildly as he tried to squeeze out a few tears. He tugged at the man’s finger, acting pitiful and coquettish: “Uncle, Yanyan is begging you. Please, please.”

One takes on the habits of one’s company; one takes on the air of one’s environment. Ji Yanyan had learned his brother’s signature move, though his execution was still immature and his acting skill was quite clumsy. Lu Yunian saw through it at a glance.

A child finding his own stepfather was rare enough, but a child putting on a fake crying performance to pull at heartstrings was even rarer.

Lu Yunian suddenly felt a surge of curiosity about the boy’s father, wondering what kind of family environment could foster such a clever and courageous personality.

Something deep within him stirred. Before he could stop himself, he agreed: “Fine, I won’t leave.”

Ji Yanyan’s eyes lit up instantly. He completely forgot he was acting and excitedly rummaged through his bag, peeking at Lu Yunian from time to time, terrified he might bolt.

“I found it!” Ji Yanyan held it up to Lu Yunian, introducing it with great solemnity: “This is my daddy! Isn’t he super handsome? He’s the best-looking person I’ve ever seen!”

Lu Yunian looked down, his brow twitching uncontrollably as he narrowed his eyes.

Ji Yanyan looked at him with expectant eyes, his excitement barely contained: “Well? I wasn’t wrong, was I? You must really like my daddy, right?”

Lu Yunian remained silent for a long time before shifting his gaze away to look at Ji Yanyan: “This drawing…”

The child’s brushstrokes were clumsy, and the lines were chaotic. The person in the picture was being blown wildly by the wind, his hair standing on end, while two jet-black pupils stared straight ahead, occupying the majority of the face.

It couldn’t be described as “good-looking” it was actually quite eerie. But Lu Yunian, mindful of the child’s feelings, simply said: “It’s good. He has very large eyes.”

Ji Yanyan didn’t understand what “polite banter” was. He blinked rapidly, his emotions written all over his face as he couldn’t help but pounce and hug the man’s leg.

He thinks the same thing I do! As expected of the stepfather I carefully selected!!

Ji Yanyan couldn’t help but become full of himself. He pushed up his hat brim and beckoned the man with his finger: “Daddy, come closer.”

Lu Yunian: “…”

The little boy was far too unfazed by strangers; he had already started calling him “Daddy.” Suppressing the urge to deny it, Lu Yunian crouched down halfway.

“Daddy has eyes just as pretty as mine!” Ji Yanyan batted his eyes frantically, expecting the man’s praise.

But all he got was silence.

His “stepfather” looked as if he had been struck dumb, staring at him blankly. The blue-gray hue in his eyes deepened, no longer dead and lifeless. Even though Ji Yanyan was still a child who couldn’t read the room, he could sense the man’s emotional turmoil.

Hmph hmph, my eyes are indeed very pretty. He must be dazzled by my beauty.

Ji Yanyan leaned in closer considerately, letting him get a better look.

“You…” When he finally spoke, Lu Yunian’s voice was uncharacteristically hoarse.

He knew it was impossible, but those eyes made a certain image uncontrollably surface in his mind.

That image hadn’t appeared for a long time not even in his dreams. It had been as resolute and distant as it was back then, long ago weary of him, refusing to appear even in his sleep.

But these eyes were too similar.

Ji Yanyan was suddenly grabbed by his little hand. He was usually willing to cuddle with his future stepfather, but the grip was too tight, and it hurt a little.

He shook his hand, but a child’s strength was in a completely different league than an adult man’s. The man’s hand felt like an iron hook, unmoving. Ji Yanyan grew a little scared and shrank back: “Uncle, Uncle, what’s wrong with you?”

Before he could finish, he was interrupted: “These eyes… is your daddy…?”

Ji Yanyan could no longer hear what was being said. He bit his lower lip tightly and tried to pull away.

Lu Yunian was caught in a moment of agitation, and the overbearing, aggressive side of his aura flared up. Children were sensitive to such things, and it triggered a deep-seated fear.

“Let go of me! Let go of me!!” Just as he was failing to struggle free and on the verge of tears, he heard someone calling his name.

“Yanyan?”

Ji Yanyan spun around, running toward the voice as if it were his savior: “Grandma, I want to go home. Please take me home.”

Lu Yunian heard the voice and looked up, seeing an unfamiliar old woman glaring at him with intense vigilance, shielding the child behind her in a protective stance.

He searched his deepest memories but couldn’t find this figure. As far as he knew, that person’s mother had passed away; if this child were related to him, he couldn’t possibly have a grandmother.

He had misunderstood.

Realizing he had lost his composure and frightened the little boy, Lu Yunian instantly resumed his refined, polite posture. He walked over to greet the elderly woman, then crouched down again to look the boy in the eye, devoid of adult arrogance, and apologized sincerely: “It was my fault for scaring you just now. I’m sorry.”

Lu Yunian’s upbringing was etched into his very bones; although he seemed distant, he certainly didn’t look like a bad person. Both Ji Yanyan and the neighbor woman relaxed their guard simultaneously.

Ji Yanyan was a brave child. He peeked out weakly from behind the woman, looking at Lu Yunian with curiosity.

It wasn’t clear who he inherited it from, but his “fanboy” nature was too obvious. After seeing the man’s face, he immediately forgot everything else and giggled foolishly: “It’s okay, Uncle. What was wrong with you just now? Are you sick?”

Lu Yunian’s tone was inexplicably bitter: “Uncle is sick, and he has been sick for a very long time.”

Ji Yanyan blinked, his expression filled with reluctance, but he sighed heavily: “Then Uncle, you must rest well. Come back and be my stepfather when you get better.”

At the mention of “stepfather,” the neighbor woman coughed violently in shock, her expression strange as she shifted her gaze back and forth between the man and the boy.

The misunderstanding was impossible to clear up now, but fortunately, “out of the mouths of babes,” no one would truly take it to heart. Lu Yunian just smiled: “Next time we meet, after I get your daddy’s permission, I will buy you ice cream.”

…

Ji Yanyan didn’t understand the concept of “polite social graces.” He only remembered the man’s promise to buy him ice cream next time. Even after the man was far away, he stood on his tiptoes, looking back longingly and waving from time to time.

The neighbor woman finally couldn’t help herself and coughed twice: “Yanyan, how did you end up here all by yourself? Who was that man? Is your daddy planning to remarry? Is that his new partner?”

Ji Yanyan heard so many questions that he finally snapped out of his intoxicated state of having found a stepfather.

Why was he here…? He had snuck out! Daddy was still at home, he wouldn’t have already woken up, would he? Wuwuwu, I’m so scared.

Ji Zhixiu had slept so soundly he had forgotten the world. Although he finally managed to wake up, his consciousness was still half-lost in a dream. He sat dazed for a while until he felt a bit more comfortable, then rubbed his aching temples and headed out.

He was parched. After gulping down half a glass of water, just as he was about to pour another, a knock sounded at the front door.

Ji Zhixiu walked over, confused. Looking through the peephole and seeing the neighbor woman, he opened the door immediately: “Auntie, do you need something?”

The neighbor woman had an extremely odd expression. After giving him a long, deep look, she pushed the little figure she had been hiding behind her back toward the front.

The scene was incredibly familiar except last time, the one being returned by the neighbor was his eldest son.

Ji Zhixiu suddenly realized what had happened and looked at Ji Yanyan in shock.

The neighbor woman couldn’t help but interject, “This child walked a very long way. Luckily, I happened to be out visiting someone today, or it would have been real trouble. Yanyan is so small; it’s so easy to run into bad people when you’re out alone.”

Just thinking about the scene made Ji Zhixiu break into a cold sweat. He thanked the neighbor woman repeatedly, noting her hesitation as she started to speak again: “Is there something else you wanted to tell me?”

“I don’t mean to pry into your personal life, but have you been dating anyone lately?” the neighbor asked.

Ji Zhixiu was completely baffled: “Huh? I’m dating someone? How come I don’t know about it?!”

“…” The neighbor woman stroked Ji Yanyan’s head and advised: “Yanyan is just worried about you. Don’t be too angry; talk things through when you have a problem, but whatever you do, don’t use your hands.”

“Worried about me? What on earth are you talking about?” Just like when Ji Zishen had snuck out before, Ji Zhixiu was kept completely in the dark, unable to understand a single word.

With the child present, the neighbor woman found it awkward to be explicit, so she stepped forward and lowered her voice: “Yanyan wants to find a stepfather for himself.”

Ji Zhixiu’s eyes widened in disbelief as he looked at Ji Yanyan, who was shrinking his neck and hiding behind him sheepishly. Question marks appeared one after another above his head: “This… that… I… Stepfather?!”

The two adults exchanged a look, both wearing expressions of sheer misery, rendered speechless.

“As long as the child is back safe, that’s what matters. Nothing else, I’ll be going now.” The neighbor woman couldn’t stand the heavy atmosphere and turned to leave.

Ji Zhixiu managed to maintain his composure, thanked her profusely, and warmly saw her off. Once the door closed, his expression vanished instantly.

“JI! YAN! YAN!!” he growled, enunciating every word.

Ji Yanyan felt the danger instinctively and shivered. He tried to run downstairs, but Ji Zhixiu grabbed him by the back of the neck and threw him back into the room.

Thud. The door slammed shut.

Ji Zhixiu’s aura was practically demonic. Usually, Ji Yanyan was unruly and lawless, but upon sensing his father’s genuine anger, he became obedient, twisting his fingers and looking at him pitifully, attempting a “cute attack.”

Ji Zhixiu wasn’t buying it. He planted his hands on his hips: “I had no idea you were so concerned about my personal love life! Going out to find me a stepfather should I thank you? You really are quite the ‘dutiful’ son you’ve ‘dutifully’ scared me to death!”

Ji Yanyan’s eyes darted around. He tested the waters: “No need to thank me. The stepfather I found is really great. He likes you a lot, and I’m sure you’ll like him too.”

“…” A wave of suffocation hit him; Ji Zhixiu almost stopped breathing.

“What do you have in that little head of yours to dare to run out all alone…” Ji Zhixiu stopped as he realized something was wrong.

Ji Yanyan was a pure “bully at home.” He was usually very attached to him, always wanting to hold hands and cuddle when they were outside. He would never have snuck out for no reason, let alone try to choose a stepfather for himself.

Ji Zhixiu suddenly calmed down, his brow furrowing: “You…”

Before he could finish, the door was knocked again.

He had to swallow his words and walked quickly to the door. Without checking who was outside, he opened it.

At this hour, there were very few people who would come by, and standing outside was the last person he expected.

“Zishen? Why are you back?!”

Ji Zishen only cast a hurried glance at him before his gaze shifted behind him, as if searching for something. When his eyes landed on Ji Yanyan’s small figure, his emotions flickered, and he strode forward.

Ji Zhixiu was left standing at the door. He slowly closed it and turned to look at his two “great sons.”

Stay calm… Calm my foot! One runs away, one skips class are you two trying to turn the world upside down?! Are we not going to live anymore!!!

With anger boiling over to his scalp, Ji Zhixiu could take no more. Just as he was about to roar, he saw his two sons standing rigidly, peeking at him timidly, their eyes misty.

“Daddy, I’m sorry.” “Daddy, I know I was wrong.”

Ji Zhixiu: “…”

His surge of fury was forced back into his chest, stuck and unable to be unleashed in a scolding.

Ji Yanyan pitter-pattered over, hugging his leg softly and looking up with a cutesy attack: “Daddy, I really won’t do it again. I was really scared outside.”

As he spoke, he remembered something and felt aggrieved. His eyes turned red, and he began sobbing, trying to wipe his snot on Ji Zhixiu’s pants.

The muscle by Ji Zhixiu’s eyebrow twitched uncontrollably. He used one finger to effortlessly flick away the sticky little ball of fluff: “Don’t try that with me; I’m not buying it.”

Ji Zhixiu crossed his arms and sat on the sofa, his expression cold as he examined his two sons: “Who wants to confess first? Why did you do this?”

Ji Yanyan was young and couldn’t hold back. Just as he was about to open his mouth to confess, he saw his brother’s gaze and shook his head like a rattle, tucking his chin in, filled with loyalty.

Ji Zhixiu vaguely guessed what was happening and looked at Ji Zishen.

Ji Zishen’s face was deathly pale; he looked like he had just been pulled from the water, his damp hair sticking to his temples. His lips trembled, but he couldn’t make a sound.

He didn’t need a confession Ji Zhixiu already guessed the gist. Ji Yanyan had been incited by Ji Zishen to run away, and Ji Zishen had done it to take revenge on him.

But why, exactly?

He felt he had tried his best; he had cared for Ji Zishen’s sensitive heart and tried to guide him back to the right path.

Ji Zhixiu frowned, not wanting to play guessing games anymore: “Speak. Don’t waste time here.”

Ji Zishen began to tremble uncontrollably. He was still standing, but his eyes were unfocused, as if trapped in a nightmare: “I was wrong. Don’t chase me away. I’ll be a good child.”

Ji Zhixiu stared blankly at his own reflection in Ji Yanyan’s eyes. Although it was him, the features were blurred. Several overlapping figures his previous adopters were the source of his nightmares.

Although Ji Zishen was wise beyond his years and could manipulate adults at a young age, Ji Zhixiu knew he wasn’t acting. He was truly scared, truly knew he was wrong, and truly wanted to reform.

Child education was always a thorny problem. Excessive indulgence would lead them astray, but too much force would leave indelible scars on their young hearts.

The goal of education was to make them realize their mistakes and reform in time, not to vent one’s own temper or assert authority.

Everyone had gone through that stage. If you had stood in the rain, you should be the one holding the umbrella for others how could you tear the umbrella to pieces?

Seeing Ji Zishen in this state, Ji Zhixiu couldn’t find the heart to say anything cruel.

Since they both knew exactly what happened, there was no point in exposing it and making the situation even more awkward.

He took a breath, trying to calm himself: “Fine. Everyone knows how to say they’re sorry. What matters is what you do next.”

Ji Yanyan was the type to flourish the moment he saw a sliver of sunlight, and he tried to get clingy again the outside was just too scary. “I will never sneak out again. The uncle outside was also fat and ugly, and his belly was bigger than the ladies who are pregnant with babies. I only want that one stepfather.”

Ji Zhixiu: “…” Yo, he’s still pining after that wild man no, wild stepfather.

He said sourly: “What kind of person is he, that you like him so much?”

Ji Yanyan couldn’t help but fangirl even at the mere thought. To get this stepfather, he gestured with his hands: “He’s just tall, big, and good-looking super good-looking!”

Ji Zhixiu almost rolled his eyes.

He’s a little kid, yet he’s already a fan of looks. Who knows who he takes after… Ah, right, he takes after him.

But Ji Zhixiu didn’t trust a child’s aesthetic, and he couldn’t imagine anyone who could be that handsome. He reached out and flicked him on the forehead: “Remember this: the best-looking person in the world is your dad. No one is worthy of me. Forget about this so-called stepfather; it’s never happening!”

Ji Yanyan pouted, blowing bubbles in protest, but when Ji Zhixiu gave him a glare, he immediately surrendered to the “tyranny.” He cupped his face and giggled: “Yes, Daddy is the best-looking. Having Daddy is enough for me.”

Ji Yanyan had made a mistake, but ultimately, he had been used as a tool. Based on Ji Zhixiu’s understanding of his “great son,” he wouldn’t dare sneak out again.

His expression didn’t soften in the slightest as he turned to Ji Zishen: “And you?”

Adults are too shy to bare their souls, and Ji Zishen had built wall after wall around his heart at such a young age. He truly didn’t know how to speak, so he just said: “That envelope… I received it. I misunderstood. I’m sorry. This whole thing was my fault. I won’t do it again.”

He bit his lower lip, glanced quickly at Ji Zhixiu, and then lowered his head in embarrassment: “This is my home, and you are my daddy. I want to stay. I won’t hurt you.”

Ji Zishen was best at “green tea” behavior, tricking people until they were spinning, but he would never go to such lengths for a lie.

That meant there was only one possibility: he was serious.

Now it was Ji Zhixiu’s turn to be stunned. He hadn’t expected that, without even realizing it, he had already knocked a hole in Ji Zishen’s solid heart and caught a glimpse of his inner self.

It wasn’t easy for the little villain to reach this point. If he pushed further, it might backfire. Ji Zhixiu took a deep breath and softened his tone: “I can feel that you genuinely know you were wrong. Keep your promises, and I’ll wait and see. Don’t let me down.”

Ji Yanyan was thick-skinned and didn’t fear the cold shoulder. After only a moment, he was clinging to him again, acting very intimate, like a piece of adhesive plaster that couldn’t be peeled off.

Ji Zhixiu couldn’t do anything about him, so he turned a blind eye. He didn’t make things difficult for Ji Zishen either. Although the atmosphere at home was still a bit strange, the matter could be considered resolved.

The next day was still a school day. Ji Zhixiu’s biological clock was incredibly strong; he woke up as usual, wanting to make breakfast for Ji Zishen, but the moment he pushed the door open, he smelled the alluring fragrance of food.

Ji Zishen, wearing a small apron, was walking out of the kitchen with a plate of steamed buns. Upon seeing Ji Zhixiu, he flashed a smile and said quite unnaturally: “Daddy, I made breakfast. Try it and see if you like it.”

Ji Zhixiu looked dumbfoundedly at the table full of an overly sumptuous breakfast, then looked at the somewhat bashful Ji Zishen, and suddenly understood.

The little villain was using this way to apologize, and furthermore, to make amends.

“Good. I’ll go wash my hands and be right there.”

When he returned to the table, Ji Zhixiu’s expression was tense, but the corners of his mouth couldn’t stop turning upward.

He’s too talented.

He had conquered the little villain without any effort and brought him back to the right path. In that case, changing the final outcome was just around the corner.

Ji Zhixiu was exhilarated. He took a big bite of a bun, his eyes lighting up: “So good! I can eat five of these in one go!”

Ji Zishen was drinking soup when he heard this. His reaction was so fast it was like a conditioned reflex: he tucked his chin, raised his lids, looked at Ji Zhixiu from the bottom up, and his shoulders slumped.

“I made breakfast specially for Daddy. As long as Daddy likes it, that’s all that matters. Daddy doesn’t only have me as a son, and I don’t know how they do things, but I’m genuinely hoping Daddy can be better off.”

Ji Zhixiu: “…” Is it his imagination? Why does he smell “green tea”?

He looked at Ji Zishen and caught him closing his eyes tightly. His expression was full of regret. Upon realizing Ji Zhixiu was looking at him, he felt like he’d been struck by lightning. After struggling for three seconds, he gave an awkward smile.

Ji Zishen: “…” Sorry, old habits die hard.

Ji Zhixiu: “…” Understandable, understandable.

The two exchanged a look, and the message was conveyed without words.

They tacitly lowered their heads. For a time, only the crisp sound of spoons hitting the edges of the bowls remained. Ji Zhixiu was nearly burying his face in his bowl.

Sigh, I was careless.

It is easier to change a country’s rivers and mountains than a person’s nature. He wanted to educate three little villains the road ahead was long and the burden heavy.