The Cannon Fodder Dad of Three Villainous Cubs - Chapter 3

After agreeing on the livestream time for the next day, Ji Zhiqiu signed off.

Ji Yanyan was still sitting on the floor piecing together his toys, quiet as a soft, glutinous rice ball. Given a child’s limited ability, he couldn’t quite put them together correctly. He brought the toys to Ji Zhiqiu for help. This time, his attitude was decent and his demeanor was well-behaved, so Ji Zhiqiu softened his heart and helped him.

But when he tried to teach him to say “thank you,” Ji Yanyan just pouted and bolted back to his room, refusing to come out. Ji Zhiqiu knew this would be a slow process, so he didn’t push him any harder.

Children need plenty of sleep. Shortly after dinner, Ji Yanyan became drowsy. He rubbed his eyes and reached out his arms to Ji Zhiqiu, asking for a cuddle.

When he wasn’t throwing a tantrum, Ji Yanyan was an absolute angel. His face was round, his eyes were watery, his arms and legs were stubby, and his little chubby hands were soft, with dimples on the knuckles.

He was incredibly handsome, with red lips and white teeth, fine soft hair, and thick, curled eyelashes. This likely came from his other father—it was rumored that his grandfather was German, giving him a bit of Caucasian ancestry.

Ji Zhiqiu tucked the little guy into bed. Curled up in the warm, soft quilt, Ji Yanyan fell asleep almost immediately. Ji Zhiqiu touched his son’s cheek, then tiptoed out of the room.

After closing the door, he looked at the empty house, his eyes lighting up with excitement.

Beautiful night life, here I come!

Most snacks had too many additives and weren’t good for children. Previously, he’d been so afraid of the kid sneaking them that he hadn’t dared to buy any. After rummaging through the cupboards for ages, he finally found a bag of chips nearing its expiration date. There was no beer to be found, so he had to settle for a bottle of Ji Yanyan’s fruit milk.

He had originally intended it to be a mere substitute, but after one sip, he found it sweet and refreshing—much better than the drinks he used to buy. He took a whole carton from the cabinet and inserted straws into them one by one.

He found a zombie movie, dimmed all the lights except for a small lamp nearby, and drank his milk while immersing himself in the film.

The movie had a huge budget and high ratings; the scenes were incredibly realistic. Ji Zhiqiu became so absorbed that he momentarily felt as if a zombie were actually lunging at him with a bloody maw. He shivered, his hand shaking so hard he nearly dropped his chips.

In truth, he was a massive coward. But like many, he loved the thrill despite being easily frightened. Even though his heart was pounding and his lungs felt like they were trembling, he watched with gusto. Once the movie ended, he had goosebumps all over his back and felt as though he were surrounded by a cold chill.

It was getting late, so he rubbed his arms and headed to the bathroom to wash up.

The night was utterly silent. Darkness bled into the corners, blurring the room’s furnishings. Their outlines blurred together like giant, lurking monsters.

He couldn’t keep his eyes open while washing his face, but his hearing became razor-sharp. He could hear each water droplet landing in the sink, one by one.

He felt inexplicably terrified. After comforting himself with a few internal reassurances, he picked up his towel to wipe his face. When he accidentally looked up, he caught a dark outline in the mirror it was moving closer, becoming clearer and clearer!

Ji Zhiqiu’s brain instantly linked back to the movie. The image of the lunging zombie reflected in his pupils, passing through the illusion and entering reality.

He almost stopped breathing, his pupils trembling. When he looked again, the mirror was empty there was nothing there. It had just been an illusion.

People are best at scaring themselves, and darkness easily breeds terror. Ji Zhiqiu suddenly broke out in a cold sweat. Trembling, he watched the dark room, his head filled with horrifying imagery.

Like a man possessed, he turned on the lights in every single room, scanning them top to bottom. He even checked the cupboards, and only after ensuring there was nowhere for anything terrifying to hide did he turn the lights back off.

The drawbacks of being a coward who loves thrills were now apparent. The more he thought, the more terrified he became, clutching his arms and feeling like crying.

I am never watching a horror movie alone at night ever again!

There’s only one person in this house, how am I supposed to sleep?!

Ji Zhiqiu suddenly had an idea. He tiptoed back to the bedroom and turned on the small lamp on the nightstand.

Warm yellow light dispelled the darkness, spilling gently over the bed. Ji Yanyan was sleeping soundly, his little chubby hand gripping the edge of the quilt. His face was squashed into a circle of fat, flushed with a faint pink hue, he looked for all the world like a freshly steamed rice ball.

Ji Zhiqiu walked over and tucked the quilt in for him, his paternal love overflowing, his heart turning into a puddle of spring water.

Even though he had turned Ji Yanyan into a brat who was incredibly annoying when awake, he looked so cute when sleeping that it made one want to kiss and hug him.

He lifted the quilt and slipped in, very gently, pulling the soft little “rice ball” into his arms. Perhaps it was the scent of the baby wash, but a faint, milky fragrance drifted to his nose.

The warm scene dispelled the fear in his heart, and tranquility returned.

Ji Yanyan smacked his lips, opened his sleepy eyes, and softly called out, “Daddy.”

Ji Zhiqiu touched his cheek. “Do you need to use the bathroom?”

Ji Yanyan had to get up to use the bathroom every night. After tossing and turning for a long time, both of them would usually be wide awake. If he went now, maybe he wouldn’t have to get up later, and they could have a good night’s sleep.

And besides… child’s urine is supposed to ward off evil, right?

Ji Zhiqiu patted Ji Yanyan’s head gently. Ji Yanyan couldn’t even keep his eyes open; he propped himself up with his chubby hands, gave a little “heave,” and stood up, tugging at his father’s shirt hem toward the bathroom.

A “Dragon Overlord” cares most about face, and Ji Yanyan inherited this noble tradition. He might bully others in every other aspect of life, but he had learned to use the toilet by himself very early on; he didn’t want anyone helping him “hold his bird.”

Ji Zhiqiu waited outside for a full ten minutes before Ji Yanyan walked out.

Ji Zhiqiu asked deliberately, “Did Yanyan wash his hands?”

“I did.” Ji Yanyan held up his hands, letting Ji Zhiqiu smell the fragrance on them.

Ji Zhiqiu pretended to sniff, and then the father and son climbed back into bed. Cuddling the soft, fragrant little rice ball, Ji Zhiqiu soon felt sleepy.

Raising a kid actually has its uses.

For instance, when you’re too scared to sleep after watching a horror movie, you have someone to sleep with.

When he woke up the next morning, Ji Zhiqiu first prepared breakfast for Ji Yanyan.

A three-year-old’s diet mainly focuses on fresh ingredients and balanced nutrition, trying to avoid additives or seasonings; it didn’t need to be too complicated.

Ji Zhiqiu was a kitchen novice; he couldn’t make anything visually stunning or complex, but this was more than enough for him. He followed an online recipe, chopped the vegetables, laid them out on a plate, and steamed everything in one pot.

Once the meal was ready, he opened the livestream.

Although he had found a new career path, he wouldn’t deliberately manufacture scenes of “disciplining the brat” just to satisfy the fans, nor would he privately spoil the kid to create more drama. He simply livestreamed the daily life of a father and son.

He placed Ji Yanyan in his special high chair and fastened his little bib. “Yanyan, time for breakfast.”

Just as the stream started, the viewer count rose slightly, and activity was quite high.

【Good morning. Streamer, are you about to feed him?】

【Ahhhhh, feeding children is the thing I struggle with the most!】

【Same. I fed my nephew once, he vomited while eating, it was all over his face and clothes, so dirty! When I scolded him, he thought I was playing with him, grabbing food and throwing it everywhere. The floor was covered in globs of mess; it took me all morning to clean.】

【I don’t know why feeding kids is so exhausting. One bite takes thirty chews; a meal takes an hour. Just watching it makes me tired.】

Ji Zhiqiu smiled and said, “Feeding children is indeed a big problem, but in front of their own father, a ‘rebellious son’s’ tricks just don’t cut it. Everyone, just wait and see how I do it, you’re welcome to copy my homework.”

After interacting with the fans, he turned toward Ji Yanyan and said deliberately, “Yanyan, want to play a game with Daddy?”

Ji Yanyan couldn’t sit still for a second. He had been swinging his chubby arms and legs, trying to jump off the chair, but when he heard this, his attention shifted immediately. “What game?”

Ji Zhiqiu brought over the meal. “There are many different ingredients in here. Yanyan, close your eyes and try to guess what they are just by tasting them. Let’s see if you can get them right?”

Ji Yanyan pouted, fluttering his big eyes, looking entirely uninterested.

“Dragon Overlords” are all competitive, so Ji Zhiqiu struck while the iron was hot, provoking him intentionally: “Other kids could definitely do it, but Daddy thinks this might be a bit too hard for Yanyan. If Yanyan is afraid of losing, you don’t have to play.”

Ji Yanyan instantly perked up, his eyes widening. “I can do it!”

Ji Zhiqiu acted intentionally reluctant. “Is Yanyan really sure you can do it?”

Ji Yanyan subconsciously clenched his little fists, his expression becoming extremely serious—though his cute little face didn’t have even a shred of persuasiveness, appearing only hilarious instead.

Seeing he had achieved his goal, Ji Zhiqiu smiled kindly. “Then if Yanyan gets them all right, you’ll be amazing! Daddy will be so proud of you!”

Ji Yanyan was so flattered he began to drift on clouds. He snorted through his nose, his chubby body swaying slightly in the high chair, giggling like a fool.

“Then close your eyes, Yanyan. Daddy’s feeding you the first bite.”

Motivated, Ji Yanyan closed his eyes, opening his mouth wide and adding his own sound effect: “Ah—”

Ji Zhiqiu smiled and fed him a spoonful.

Ji Yanyan’s soft cheeks puffed out as he tasted it very seriously.

What is this (chew chew chew)… Yanyan can’t tell (chew chew chew)… wait, Yanyan knows! (chew chew chew).

He opened his eyes excitedly, shaking his hands and feet. “Rice! It’s rice!!”

Ji Zhiqiu praised him sincerely: “Yanyan is so amazing, you found the first answer so quickly.”

Ji Yanyan couldn’t wait to swallow and opened his mouth wide again, urging Ji Zhiqiu to feed him more.

Ji Zhiqiu fed him another spoonful. “Chewing slowly makes it easier to find the answer.”

Ji Yanyan usually didn’t take eating seriously he would spit out two bites for every one he took but this time he swallowed everything and even licked his lips.

“It’s that long one…” Ji Yanyan gestured wildly, grabbing his purple bib. “The same! The color is the same!”

Ji Zhiqiu was amused by the cute sight. “Does Yanyan want to say eggplant?”

Ji Yanyan nodded like a chicken pecking at rice, his eyes bright. He continued gesturing: “It’s long, and thin, Yanyan has eaten it before!”

Ji Zhiqiu gave him plenty of emotional value. “So amazing! Yanyan must be a little genius. You guessed two already, you’re much smarter than Daddy was when he was little.”

Hearing this, Ji Yanyan crossed his arms, his expression incredibly smug. The little high chair could no longer contain him; he looked ready to strap a rocket to his butt and fly straight to the heavens.

Ji Zhiqiu struggled to hold back his laughter, feeding him spoonful after spoonful. He had successfully manipulated Ji Yanyan into finishing the entire bowl of food.

The viewer count in the livestream rose slowly, and the chat filled up.

【This actually works? Is this the same brat as yesterday?!】

【Streamer is so smart! I learned a lot; I’m going home to deal with my son like this.】

【Sure enough, if parents teach them well, there are no unlovable children. I’ve been smiling like an aunt the whole time.】

【Even though I can’t see his face, he really is so cute! How can an old father resist not kissing him? Big thumbs up jpg】

Ji Yanyan was also very satisfied with his performance. His cheeks puffed out, looking longingly at Ji Zhiqiu and blinking, hinting for more praise.

Ji Yanyan had finally stopped being a brat for once. Ji Zhiqiu touched his soft hair with gratification, suddenly feeling an itch to tease him.

Under Ji Yanyan’s expectant gaze, he intentionally lowered the corners of his mouth and sighed with regret. “Although Yanyan did a great job, you didn’t guess the most important ingredient.”

Ji Yanyan was dumbfounded. He rested his chin in his hands, smacking his lips, trying to recall the flavor, but he couldn’t think of it. This was the greatest difficulty he had ever encountered!

The audience in the stream were not three-year-olds; they weren’t so easily fooled. They had long since identified the ingredients in the bowl.

【Although he couldn’t name the exact name, he found basically everything. What’s missing?】

【To be honest, this kid is quite smart. If the streamer teaches him well, he’ll definitely be successful in the future.】

【So what exactly is missing? Can someone tell me?】

【Could it be the streamer’s secret recipe?】

Amidst everyone’s confusion, Ji Zhiqiu slowly raised his hand. He kept his expression very serious, no one guessed his next move.

He quickly made a heart shape with his hands, placed it over his chest, and made it jump twice, mimicking a beating heart. With a wink, he said in a cutesy, high-pitched voice:

“Of course, it’s your Dad’s overflowing paternal love!”

Livestream viewers: “…”

Ji Yanyan: “…”

Oh.

Yue—