The Cannon Fodder Dad of Three Villainous Cubs - Chapter 26

After the two children returned home, the house became even livelier.

After dinner, the two eldest sons refused his invitation to watch cartoons and returned to their rooms to do their homework. Only then did Ji Zhixiu feel the house finally quiet down.

He remembered the private message he had sent earlier. Without much hope, he picked up his phone, only to find a reply that had arrived an hour ago.

【Yunian: Sure, but is it convenient for you?】

Ji Zhixiu immediately replied.

【Evil Tangerine Head: Of course it’s convenient!】

People who reply instantly are a rare breed, not to mention this wasn’t even a standard chatting app. Ji Zhixiu had expected to wait a long time for a reply, but the next second, his phone vibrated again.

【Yunian: You add me; it’s safer that way.】

Then, the other party sent over a string of numbers.

Ji Zhixiu was stunned. He hadn’t expected that someone who had sent him such a massive gift would be so thoughtful about his privacy. He felt inexplicably flattered.

After adding the contact, Ji Zhixiu felt he should take the lead in sparking the conversation, so he took the initiative to start a bit of awkward small talk.

【Leave Another Leaf: How should I address you?】 【Yunian: This is my name.】

The surname “Yu” and the single character “Nian” it had quite a poetic ring to it.

【Leave Another Leaf: Mr. Yu, I’ll address you that way then.】 【Leave Another Leaf: Does Mr. Yu especially like children?】 【Yunian: They’re alright.】

Ji Zhixiu stopped typing, staring blankly at the words. He couldn’t make head or tail of them, so he continued the awkward chat.

【Leave Another Leaf: Hahahaha, just “alright”? Then why did you send me a meteor shower?】 【Yunian: I just hope you don’t have to work too hard.】

Although this was his “number one fan,” they were still just strangers. Facing such sudden concern, Ji Zhixiu felt a bit overwhelmed.

Why though? It’s not like he’s after my age or my many kids.

Thinking this, Ji Zhixiu instantly felt at ease.

【Leave Another Leaf: Mr. Yu, you are such a kind person. But you don’t have to worry, my ability to regulate myself is super strong. I have plenty of strength and methods; no matter what happens, I can pull through.】 【Yunian: I know. You’ve always done very well.】

It might have been just a polite remark, but Ji Zhixiu felt inexplicably happy; it was a compliment that touched his heart.

【Yunian: Will I be bothering you by doing this?】

He stuffs money into my pocket and still worries about bothering me where in this world can you find such a great number one fan!

【Leave Another Leaf: How could you? The more you bother me, the better! Doge.jpg】 【Yunian: Really?】 【Leave Another Leaf: Of course it’s real.】 【Yunian: Okay, I think I understand what you mean.】 【Yunian: It’s getting late. I won’t bother you anymore. Rest well.】

Just reading the text, one could feel that the other person must be a serious and rigorous person. Ji Zhixiu was embarrassed to joke with him anymore. After expressing his gratitude repeatedly and confirming there was nothing he needed to do, he finally set his phone down.

Time passed quickly, and the following week, the school held its sports meet.

The school was large, housing both primary and secondary divisions separated by only a single wall, with a kindergarten just five hundred meters away. Upon learning of Ji Zhixiu’s special circumstances, the head teacher granted special permission for him to bring Ji Yanyan, who was barely taller than a leg, to the school.

Ji Yanyan didn’t know what a “sports meet” was, but as a “Dragon Overlord,” he naturally loved excitement and liked to show off in public. Knowing that both of his older brothers had signed up for running events, he spent the entire day darting around the house, asking eight hundred times a day if he was fast.

Ji Zhixiu held back a laugh and asked: “Do you want to get on the track then?”

Ji Yanyan nodded very seriously, already daydreaming: “I will outrun everyone and bring back first place.”

Ji Zhixiu looked at his little face, which was bubbling with excitement. He tried and tried to hold back, but couldn’t: “Maybe skip it. I’m afraid they’ll use you as a football and kick you around that wouldn’t be very nice, would it?”

Ji Yanyan: “…”

Although he didn’t fully understand, he was too familiar with Daddy’s tone. His cheeks puffed up like a little calf, and he charged over, head-butting Ji Zhixiu’s stomach.

Ji Zhixiu instantly lost his balance, falling onto the sofa with a dazed expression.

“Even if Daddy is a baby who’s several hundred months old, Yanyan won’t go easy on you!” Ji Yanyan huffed and puffed, threatening: “You’re the football!”

“I’m not like you, I’m a rugby ball!” Ji Zhixiu argued strongly: “I’m longer than you!!”

Ji Sichen was fair-skinned and handsome, but he had been expressionless the whole time. Upon hearing this dialogue, his eyelids drooped even further.

What’s the difference? Either way, it’s a ball—either you’re being patted or kicked.

For the 108th time, he wanted to refuse the two of them coming along, but Ji Zhixiu used the same tactic: besides the two of them, Ji Zishen would also be at the school, and they were going to watch Ji Zishen.

He had no other choice but to seek an alliance, but he didn’t know what kind of “love potion” Ji Zishen had been fed his behavior was getting weirder and weirder. Although he had a headache over it, he had developed a strange, compliant attitude toward Ji Zhixiu, agreeing through gritted teeth.

Ji Sichen didn’t understand. Ji Sichen was curious.

He wanted more and more to know what had happened at home while he was away, but unfortunately, no one could answer that question.

On the day of the sports meet, Ji Zhixiu held Ji Yanyan’s hand, both of them nicely dressed, and arrived at the school.

There were many parents visiting the sports meet, circling the school gate three or four times. The father and son queued up at the very back.

Ji Yanyan couldn’t participate in sports events, so he thought about showing off elsewhere. He was dressed so conspicuously that parents kept looking over, praising him for being cute.

Ji Yanyan was finally satisfied, feeling as smug as if he were drunk. He walked with a left-right wobble, his neck held rigid and his face tilted high, wishing the whole world would come and look at his cute face.

Ji Zhixiu watched for a long time and finally couldn’t help but press down on his head with his hand.

Ji Yanyan felt the weight on his head and looked at his father, confused.

“I’m afraid you’ll fly away,” Ji Zhixiu explained.

Ji Yanyan didn’t know his father was saying he was “floating” (getting cocky). A question mark appeared over his head: “Where would I fly to?”

“To the sky, shoulder to shoulder with the sun,” Ji Zhixiu couldn’t help but roast him.

!!!

This hit the “Little Dragon Overlord’s” target perfectly!

As a Dragon Overlord, Ji Yanyan was very self-aware at a young age; he wanted to be the center of the world. But he was at a disadvantage due to his lack of vocabulary and had been distressed for a long time about how to describe it. He hadn’t expected Ji Zhixiu’s one sentence to enlighten him.

I am a little sun, hehe.

Ji Yanyan immediately tilted his little face up and stared at the sky for a long time, but unfortunately, it was a cloudy day with no sun.

This kind of weather was the most suitable for holding a sports meet. Ji Zhixiu held the little rice ball’s hand and found a spot in the viewing area.

Ji Yanyan’s little brain hadn’t figured out how to launch himself into the sky, so he came back to his senses and asked: “Daddy, are we not going to look for Brother?”

“It’s not our turn yet,” Ji Zhixiu checked the time. “In another half hour, it will be the event your second brother signed up for.”

He had already cleared it with Ji Zishen, who came on time despite being reluctant. The father and his three sons stood in a safe zone to cheer for Ji Sichen.

Although it was an individual event, the students had a strong sense of honor and crowded around to cheer except for the space around Ji Sichen, which was empty.

He didn’t have any friends in the class, plus he usually had a cold expression and couldn’t be bothered to talk to others, exuding a “keep your distance” vibe. Although the children didn’t understand social intricacies, they were keenly perceptive of this and consciously stayed away from him.

Ji Sichen watched the students from other classes cheering with no particular emotion. He was just about to look away dejectedly when he was startled by a sound erupting beside him.

“Let’s go, Ji Sichen from Class 2, Grade 1!” “Go, Brother! Don’t embarrass me!” “G-go… go!”

Ji Sichen froze, turning to look at the one big and two small figures. The area around him was no longer empty.

The volume and enthusiasm of Ji Zhixiu and the others crushed everyone else. The scene fell instantly silent. Everyone forgot what they were doing, looking over with various expressions, their gazes shifting back and forth. Ji Sichen was also innocently dragged into it, becoming the object of scrutiny.

Ji Sichen felt this was childish to death. The tips of his ears and his face felt hot, and a flush climbed up his cheeks.

He was annoyed and about to open his mouth to drive Ji Zhixiu and the others away, when he saw the other classes, as if summoned, also shouting and cheering with red faces, trying to drown out Ji Zhixiu’s group.

The cheers on the field became even more intense. The competitive atmosphere was top-notch. The little athletes from other classes who had originally left Ji Sichen aside because they weren’t familiar with him now took the initiative to greet him, telling him they were sure he could win.

The redness at the tips of his ears slowly faded, but the heat on his face didn’t diminish by half; it just carried a different meaning. Ji Sichen’s gaze gradually became serious, staring resolutely at the finish line.

He didn’t like to sweat and had originally only intended to finish the event at the back of the pack, but now his fighting spirit and competitive nature were ignited.

He had a smarter brain, so he could naturally think of a way to win.

I won’t lose to anyone.

The PE teacher walked over. After confirming everyone was ready, he blew the whistle.

With a clever brain and sensitive nerves, his body was easier to control. Ji Sichen’s start was faster than anyone else’s. He shot out like an arrow, his vigorous figure reflected in Ji Zhixiu’s eyes.

Two seconds later.

The other children also rushed over, but Ji Sichen tripped over his own feet and fell to the ground.

Ji Sichen: “…” Ji Zhixiu: “…”

When other children fell, their first reaction was to sit on the ground and cry, seeking help and affection. But Ji Sichen immediately scrambled up, looking left and right, terrified of being seen in his embarrassing state, and even pretending as if nothing had happened.

It was rare for a little genius to have a “doubt life” moment. Ji Zhixiu clearly saw a trace of annoyance and confusion flash across his face.

He twitched the corners of his mouth, not having the heart to speak.

Ji Sichen was the most suitable person for Zen meditation he had ever seen. Every day he would sit in meditation for four or five hours, not knowing what he was working on. Ji Zhixiu had to beg him humbly two or three times every day just to get him to rest.

His brain and physical fitness were simply not on the same level; his body couldn’t execute the commands his brain gave it, so falling was only natural.

As a father, Ji Zhixiu should have expressed concern in this situation and reached out to support Ji Sichen’s arm: “Did you fall hard? Let me see your knee…”

Before he could finish, he was interrupted by Ji Yanyan.

Ji Yanyan looked up, his eyes shining as he looked at Ji Sichen: “Brother, you’re so smart, so how could you fall?”

Ji Sichen: “…” Ji Zhixiu: “…”

Ji Yanyan didn’t have any malicious intent; he wasn’t intentionally mocking him. It was just that as a “Dragon Overlord,” having a little genius suddenly appear by his side left him feeling both inspired and defeated. He felt that Ji Sichen was so smart that he was omnipotent, so discovering that the little genius also had shortcomings naturally surprised him.

The pressure was on Ji Zhixiu. He closed his eyes heavily.

Raising three little villains was already hard enough; if they turned on each other, he had no doubt the house would be dismantled tomorrow.

The atmosphere fell into an eerie silence. Ji Zhixiu looked at Ji Sichen’s ugly expression and then at Ji Yanyan’s innocent little face. After a few seconds of silence, he flicked the older boy’s forehead.

“You don’t understand that, do you? Your brother didn’t fall on purpose. When he fell, he must have been measuring the height, considering gravity and wind force while calculating the acceleration, all while adjusting his posture to minimize friction and resistance. It was brilliant an average person couldn’t do it.” He had mobilized all the knowledge points he had learned in high school, not a drop left.

Ji Yanyan didn’t understand a word, but his eyes widened, and he uttered a worshipful “Wow.”

Ji Sichen couldn’t keep his dark mood up. He looked at Ji Zhixiu: “It was probably 9.8 meters per second squared, but taking air resistance and other external forces into account, the actual value should be smaller. I need to calculate it with gravity, and I need to check the weather conditions for today to get a specific value.”

Ji Zhixiu: “…” I was just flattering you, you actually calculated it!!

He looked up at the sky in a daze, racking his brain for a long time, but couldn’t remember the formula for free fall. He had to give up, terrified that Ji Sichen would start discussing such a profound problem with him.

He squatted down and patted his back: “Come on, I’ll take you to the infirmary.”

Ji Sichen bit his lip, his expression very unnatural. When Ji Zishen saw this, he gave him a push from behind.

Ji Zhixiu seized the opportunity to grab Ji Sichen’s hands and feet and effortlessly carried him on his back: “Don’t be afraid, Daddy is here. The wound isn’t deep; it will be better soon after it’s treated.”

Ji Sichen went stiff, completely unaccustomed to being so close to Ji Zhixiu. But since Ji Zhixiu didn’t show any other behavior from start to finish, he slowly relaxed.

Injuries were inevitable during a sports meet. The entire infirmary was an ocean of tears, with only Ji Sichen having red-rimmed eyes and not making a sound while his wound was being treated.

The school doctor gave him a thumbs up: “Little one, you’re so tough.”

The corners of Ji Sichen’s eyes turned even redder not from pain, but from shame.

On the way back, at Ji Sichen’s insistence, Ji Zhixiu didn’t carry him on his back again, but supported him as he limped back to the class.

He hadn’t placed in the rankings, which was a “black mark” on the class’s record. He was prepared to be disliked and criticized. Sure enough, the other children looked over with ugly expressions, whispering among themselves, and only refrained from coming over because of his expression.

Ji Sichen didn’t care. He sat alone in the shade and took a physics book thicker than a brick out of his bag, which had a manga cover pasted on it.

Ji Zhixiu tried to start a conversation: “What is Sichen reading? Can you tell Daddy?”

Ji Sichen said expressionlessly: “I’m calculating the acceleration when falling while taking air resistance and other external forces into account. You know that why are you still asking me this question?”

Ji Zhixiu: “…Today is the sports meet. Relax a bit; don’t read.”

“Why should I relax at the sports meet?”

“People need to relax. Work and rest must be combined so you can go further and faster.”

“But I don’t feel like I can relax under these circumstances.”

Ji Zhixiu smiled helplessly and opened the large bag he had carried with so much effort: “If you don’t want to relax, then have something to eat. I prepared this for a long time yesterday.”

Ji Zhixiu had self-awareness and hadn’t prepared complicated meals, but instead took a different path and put a lot of effort into the presentation.

When he opened the lunch box, Ji Yanyan’s eyes went straight, and he couldn’t help but “Wow.”

Vietnamese spring roll wrappers were soaked until soft, wrapping shrimp and vegetables. The colors were bright, and the ingredients were rich very much to the children’s taste.

Ji Yanyan was almost drooling. He reached his little hand toward Ji Zhixiu: “Daddy, I want to wash my hands.”

Ji Zhixiu handed him a wet wipe. Ji Yanyan had been well-taught; no matter how anxious he was, he meticulously wiped every one of his chubby fingers clean before picking up a spring roll.

Ji Zishen also took a taste, his brows furrowing slightly before smoothing out.

Ji Zhixiu asked: “Chef Ji, do you have any insights?”

Ji Zishen glanced at him: “Although the color is nice, it lacks a bit of flavor. I’d probably get sick of it after three.”

Ji Zhixiu nodded: “Then are you going to show me your skills when we get back?”

Ji Zishen looked at him with complex emotions.

This “convenient daddy” of his had been getting weirder and weirder lately.

Not only was he not the least bit curious about his proposal to cook at the beginning, but he had become abnormally accustomed to it very quickly. He now treated him like the family chef, asked for his advice before buying groceries, and stuffed envelopes into his schoolbag more and more frequently. His small vault was already filled to the brim.

To be honest, this was the state of affairs Ji Zishen was most satisfied with, but he didn’t understand why Ji Zhixiu would do this.

Now wasn’t the best time to ask for the reason. Ji Zishen swallowed the spring roll: “I have a lot of homework lately. I’ll do it on Sunday.”

“Alright then.” Ji Zhixiu finally remembered his duties as a father: “If you have questions you can’t answer, feel free to ask me.”

He added weakly: “Third grade of primary school I guarantee I can handle it. It’s not difficult at all.”

Ji Zishen rarely contradicted him. He took a moment to hand Ji Yanyan a tissue so he wouldn’t eat until his face was covered in a mess.

The family of four had one rare thing in common: they were all foodies. With delicious food in front of them, they stopped chatting and focused intently on eating the spring rolls, forming a kind of special aura.

Other children playing nearby felt it vaguely and looked over in unison; they were almost drooling at the spring rolls in their hands.

The children’s world was simple if they wanted something, they would ask. The liveliest little boy among them stepped forward, but upon seeing Ji Sichen’s gaze, he froze and timidly took a step back.

Want to eat, don’t dare, want to eat, don’t dare, want to eat, don’t dare…

Ji Zhixiu noticed him and took the initiative to greet him: “Do you want to come and try one?”

The little boy hesitated for a few seconds, looking at Ji Sichen and then at Ji Zhixiu. Ji Zhixiu’s looks were extremely lethal, charming all ages, and he was full of charisma when he smiled. The little boy was shy from being looked at, gave a reserved smile, walked over in small steps, and extended both hands politely to take one.

Ji Zhixiu didn’t give him a spring roll directly, but used a wet wipe to meticulously wipe his hands clean: “Which one do you like? Pick one yourself.”

The little boy nodded and picked one from the very edge.

Ji Zhixiu beckoned to the group of children standing behind him with expectant looks: “I prepared plenty. Anyone who wants to eat, come on over.”

Not only the children came over, but even the parents came specifically to thank him. Except for being despised by his three little villains, Ji Zhixiu had been popular and very well-liked everywhere he went since he was a child.

Ji Yanyan was stunned and felt an inexplicable sense of crisis, so he chose to lower his head and finish the spring roll in his hand as fast as he could.

Ji Sichen, on the other hand, was bewildered. He hated crowds, especially those radiating an aura of stupidity. He proactively retreated to the corner, but this time, he gained a lot of little “tails” behind him.

Ji Sichen didn’t make a fuss and changed locations again, but the tails behind him grew even more numerous.

After changing locations three times, he could take it no longer. He looked up at his classmates: “I only came in last place, so what? So what!”

The leading little boy was stunned: “Ah? What last place? Oh, I remember now, it doesn’t matter. Teacher said friendship is first, competition is second. Besides, you’re so tough you didn’t cry when you fell. I couldn’t do that.”

After saying this, he thought about the scene and couldn’t help but shiver. The other children followed suit:

“Yeah, yeah, doesn’t it hurt?” “I don’t want to cry either, can you teach me how?”

The children crowded around, surrounding Ji Sichen in the middle. Their eyes were simple and clear, like a group of furry puppy cubs crowding in with warm breaths, as if they had held innate goodwill toward the world since birth.

Ji Sichen froze, truly not knowing how to respond, standing there stiffly.

Seeing that Ji Sichen wouldn’t talk to them, his classmates felt intimidated by his aura and timidly took a step back, subconsciously wanting to run away. But thinking of their parents’ instructions, they bravely moved a bit closer again.

“You gave me delicious food. I don’t have anything else, but this is my favorite milk candy. Mom only lets me eat one a day, but I’ll give it to you.” “I don’t have milk candy, but this is my favorite little doll. His tail is a bit dirty, do you want it?” “My little car is very expensive, I can give it to you, but you have to let me eat one more spring roll!”

The little boy who spoke was chubby and round, his volume super loud. His tone didn’t sound like he was negotiating with Ji Sichen, and he immediately received criticism from the little girl next to him.

The little boy looked like the type who would throw a punch, but he had an exceptionally timid temper, and he was so scolded he started tearing up, almost crying.

Ji Sichen was a little genius deep formulas in books couldn’t stump him but his brain crashed when faced with this. After struggling for a long time, he could only give a vague “Oh.”

The children were simple and didn’t care about Ji Sichen’s reaction. Their attention quickly shifted, and they chatted in a group before turning to leave.

Ji Sichen watched their retreating figures for a long time, and only when they disappeared did he reluctantly retract his gaze. After hesitating for a long time, he endured his germophobia and lightly touched the doll’s dirty tail, a feeling he had never experienced before flashing in his eyes.

Ji Zhixiu had happened to see this scene and hadn’t missed the details. He remained silent for a long time, his brow arching slightly.

I think I know why Ji Sichen pretended to be reading a manga book.