The Cannon Fodder Dad of Three Villainous Cubs - Chapter 4

The chat in the livestream room paused for a fleeting second before starting to scroll even faster.

【Retract that. Suddenly I don’t want to know anymore… orz】

【Hahahaha, so greasy! So that’s what kind of old father you are!】

【I really want to retort, but I don’t know what to say…】

【It’s true though, which bowl of rice doesn’t contain overflowing paternal love? Doge.jpg】

【I really want to interview your child and ask how it felt to be hit by such a “greasy” attack.】

A three-year-old’s vocabulary is limited; he couldn’t quite grasp the meaning, but he instinctively felt the “greasiness.” He shrank back, averted his gaze, and his face was written with pure disdain.

Ji Zhiqiu arched a brow high and pinched Ji Yanyan’s soft cheek without mercy. “Where are you looking?”

“Yoo’re bein’ toooo much…” Ji Yanyan wanted to resist, but Ji Zhiqiu was kneading his face like dough; he couldn’t even get the words out clearly.

Ji Yanyan stretched out his chubby hands, his stubby fingers flailing, even using his fingernails to try and fight back until he finally escaped Ji Zhiqiu’s “claws.”

He touched his trampled face very gently, blew on it, and pretended to comfort himself. “It’s okay, it doesn’t hurt at all.”

Ji Zhiqiu laughed out loud. “You really know how to take care of yourself.”

Ji Yanyan got angry. He crossed his arms and let out a cold huff, refusing to look at Ji Zhiqiu again. It was a pity that, at only “five heads tall,” he had zero intimidation factor. Instead, he looked like a freshly steamed bun, radiating heat and looking so cute it made one want to take a bite.

“I worked so hard to make breakfast; of course it’s filled with my overflowing paternal love! Or is it…” Ji Zhiqiu dragged out the words, his tone dangerous: “…or are you saying you don’t want my paternal love?”

The brat was fearless and spoke his mind: “No want, no want! Such a daddy is so weird, I don’t even want to eat the rice-rice anymore.”

Ji Zhiqiu: “…” Failed.

He had a bit of an “idol image” to maintain, especially with his fans watching the stream. He coughed twice. “What did you just say? I didn’t hear you. I’ll give you one more chance—say it again!”

Seeing this “rebellious son” looking up at him, ready to “daddy-bury” him with his sass, Ji Zhiqiu suddenly leaned forward, lowered his voice, and whispered in Ji Yanyan’s ear: “If you say it nicely, I’ll take you out to play.”

Children are very simple. With eyes sparkling, he looked at Ji Zhiqiu. “Like Daddy! Want want!”

After giving a perfunctory answer, he jumped straight to the point: “I said it again! When are we going out to play? I want to go vroom vroom vroom—”

Ji Zhiqiu hadn’t expected to be betrayed so quickly. Seeing the chat filled with “hahaha” comments mocking him for cheating, his old face turned red. He acted as if nothing had happened and turned toward the bedroom.

He selected a little bunny outfit from the closet. Ji Yanyan usually took his sweet time dressing, twisting and turning, but this time, in order to go out, he was incredibly cooperative. He actively reached out his stubby hands and feet, helping out while puffing out his cheeks and making “heave, ho” sounds.

Ji Zhiqiu couldn’t help but smile; out of respect for the little guy’s dignity, he didn’t laugh out loud.

After getting changed, Ji Zhiqiu held Ji Yanyan’s hand and took the elevator down.

On the ground floor, the adjacent elevator door opened at the same time. A neighbor walked out with a dog. They stared at each other for a moment, nodded in greeting, and walked in opposite directions. Ji Zhiqiu looked at the neighbor’s back, then down at Ji Yanyan, who didn’t even reach his knee, and suddenly felt a strange sense of familiarity others were walking their dogs; he was walking his kid.

The father and son soon reached the children’s playground, which was enclosed by fences for high safety.

Ji Yanyan’s two stubby legs moved fast as he sprinted toward the slide with eyes shining.

Ji Zhiqiu finally understood what the “vroom vroom vroom” he’d been pestered about all the way here meant. He sat nearby, enjoying the beautiful spring scenery, feeling his whole self calm down.

Half an hour later, looking at Ji Yanyan who was dressed in the bunny outfit, his face flushed red with two ears sticking up on his head he felt a sudden impulse and beckoned him over.

Ji Yanyan ran over, head tilted as he looked at Ji Zhiqiu. Ji Zhiqiu fought the urge to pinch his cheeks and asked, “Do you know how a little bunny jumps?”

As a qualified “Dragon Overlord,” Ji Yanyan loved being asked questions. This way, he could show off!

He stuck his chin up haughtily and said very seriously, “Of course I know.”

“Then let me see.”

Ji Yanyan agreed readily, crouching on the ground and hopping around.

Ji Zhiqiu watched for a while and muttered to himself, “Why does this look more like a frog? I’ll buy a frog outfit next time with a hat, all green from head to toe.”

He couldn’t help but let out a wicked laugh, as if he could already see the scene.

The viewers in the stream went silent.

【The streamer is too evil! What kind of person turns their own son into a frog?！】

【I also think that jump looks nothing like a bunny; it’s definitely a frog.】

【Little one, don’t look at the bad comments!】

【Tsk tsk, why does the streamer look so excited? Actually, me too… I really want a frog outfit right now.】

【Hahahaha, followed. Remember to notify me when you do the costume change.】

【Laughing to death. Do you guys have kids just to entertain yourselves?】

Ji Yanyan was hopping with all his might, unaware that his old man was plotting against him. Seeing Ji Zhiqiu beckon again, he ran over happily, face held high, waiting reservedly for Ji Zhiqiu to praise him.

But Ji Zhiqiu reached out and patted his shoulder. “Turn around.”

Ji Yanyan didn’t get his praise and puffed out his cheeks in dissatisfaction. “What are you doing?”

“Let Daddy pinch the bunny tail.”

Ji Yanyan didn’t understand, but in order to get praised, he turned around and stuck his butt out, letting Ji Zhiqiu pinch his tail.

After pinching it a few times, Ji Zhiqiu’s conscience finally kicked in. He coughed twice and got back to the point, praising him: “Jumped pretty well. Very much like a little bunny.”

He couldn’t stay serious for more than two seconds before he couldn’t resist asking: “Do you know how a frog calls?”

Ji Yanyan, unaware of the world’s malice, nodded repeatedly to show off: “Know, ribbit ribbit ribbit—”

Ji Zhiqiu nodded in satisfaction, preparing to order the frog outfit the moment he got home.

Ji Yanyan played for a while longer, and the streaming duration was up. After bidding farewell to his reluctant fans, Ji Zhiqiu prepared to take Ji Yanyan home.

Ji Yanyan had only been a well-behaved angel for a moment before his bratty temper flared up again; he insisted on going to the supermarket for candy.

Worried he would lie on the ground and throw a tantrum, Ji Zhiqiu grabbed him by the “scruff of his fate” and hoisted him up without any effort.

“Don’t rub yourself on the ground; I don’t want to do laundry again.” Ji Zhiqiu wanted to go to the supermarket anyway, so he couldn’t be bothered to argue. “Let’s go.”

Ji Yanyan insisted on the supermarket, but his energy was limited. Before they even arrived, he hugged Ji Zhiqiu’s leg and held out his arms for a hug.

Ji Zhiqiu picked him up. By the time they reached the supermarket, Ji Yanyan was fast asleep. No matter how he called him, he wouldn’t wake up, so he had to place him in the child seat of a shopping cart.

Ji Zhiqiu pushed the cart around.

The house was full of the kids’ things, and he didn’t even have a bag of snacks for himself. Never one to short-change himself, he unknowingly filled an entire cart.

After paying, he walked back carrying bags upon bags. Fortunately, Ji Yanyan was awake now and didn’t need to be carried.

Ji Yanyan hadn’t been able to pick his own snacks and pouted in dissatisfaction, but seeing how much Ji Zhiqiu had bought, he didn’t throw a fit and obediently held Ji Zhiqiu’s hand.

Ji Zhiqiu held the little guy’s hand with one, while the other struggled with two heavy bags. It was an overwhelming burden. Walking was difficult; the weight was unbalanced, his shoulder sank, and his hand was being pulled until it hurt.

He suddenly spotted a business opportunity.

It’s hard for parents to avoid shopping and childcare at the same time. If one could invent a “leash” to tie to one’s belt, it would free up both hands to carry things!

It was just a thought for now. Ji Zhiqiu gritted his teeth, saw the residential building not far away, and picked up his pace.

When he reached the complex garden, he saw a kind-looking elderly lady in the distance. She was his across-the-hall neighbor, and her seven-year-old grandson was his second son’s classmate.

The two families were on good terms, often helping each other out. Seeing Ji Zhiqiu’s struggle, the lady hurried over to help.

Ji Zhiqiu didn’t dare let an elderly person carry heavy things if she threw out her back, it would be his fault. He pulled his hands back. “No need, I can manage.”

“It’s fine, I’m healthy. I’m going home anyway, let me help you take them up.”

“Really, it’s fine.”

The lady’s hand reached out, but Ji Zhiqiu didn’t let go. They started a tug-of-war.

The lady looked at the disheveled Ji Zhiqiu and sighed softly.

They lived across from each other and saw each other every day. Although she didn’t know the specifics of Ji Zhiqiu’s situation or why he was raising three children alone, she was a parent herself and helped take care of her grandson. She understood the hardship. If there was a way to help, she would.

“It’s easy to be like this when there are too many kids at home you have to buy three of everything.” She sighed. In her view, parents sacrificed selflessly for their children without reservation.

Recalling her own youth, she empathized even more. She applied a bit more force, determined to share the burden.

Ji Zhiqiu was caught off guard, and one of his bags was snatched away.

The neighbor lady’s physical condition could crush a fragile college student’s. She carried it easily, glanced down, and tried to comfort him. “Kids grow too fast, they change every day. You have to buy them so much stuff, and yours are still so young…”

She looked down and suddenly went quiet.

The bag was filled with chips, chocolate, and other unhealthy foods. At the bottom was alcohol. How could this be for kids?!

She looked up in confusion, meeting Ji Zhiqiu’s eyes.

Ji Zhiqiu gave a goofy laugh, completely oblivious to the issue. “I’ve been a bit snacky lately, so I bought a few extra.”

Neighbor lady: “…”

She had misunderstood. This parent prioritized himself and hadn’t considered the kids at all.

Under these circumstances, her enthusiasm for carrying his stuff felt a bit awkward.

Ji Zhiqiu realized this too. He reached out to take the bag back and said dryly, “Ma’am, could you help me hold Yanyan instead?”

The lady gave him a meaningful look, then crouched down and extended a hand to Ji Yanyan with a smile. “Shall Grandma hold your hand back?”

At home, Ji Yanyan would bully his dad to no end, but out in public, he was instinctively attached to Ji Zhiqiu. He pressed his lips together and didn’t answer, looking up at Ji Zhiqiu instead.

Ji Zhiqiu smiled and nodded. Only then did Ji Yanyan hesitantly stretch out his little hand and place it in the lady’s palm.

The lady led Ji Yanyan in front, while Ji Zhiqiu dragged his two giant shopping bags back home with great difficulty.

After thanking her repeatedly, he finally opened his door and walked in with Ji Yanyan.

Ji Zhiqiu was panting, threw the two bags aside, and collapsed on the sofa for a long while.

The room was quiet. After quite some time, he remembered the forgotten Ji Yanyan and looked up to see the little guy like a small mushroom, squatting in front of the two bags, his chubby hands digging through them.

“Daddy, what did you buy for me?” Ji Yanyan looked at him expectantly. “I want to eat a lollipop.”

Ji Zhiqiu: “.”

Crap. He was a first-time dad; he hadn’t fully developed the habit he had only thought of himself while shopping…

Thinking of Ji Yanyan’s “bratty” side, he got a headache. He hurried over to the plastic bags and started digging.

Chips and snacks had too many additives for a kid; beer and drinks were out of the question. After turning the bags inside out, he finally found a bag of plain biscuits in the corner.

He had grabbed them randomly to reach a discount threshold; he hadn’t expected them to be his lifesaver.

“This is a gift from Daddy,” Ji Zhiqiu said, his mind racing to manipulate the Dragon Overlord. “Other kids eat lollipops, which cause cavities. You eat these teething sticks your teeth will be white and healthy. When you see the other kids, show them your front teeth; they’ll definitely be jealous of you.”

Lollipops were a bit inferior to showing off. Ji Yanyan hesitated for a moment, then hugged the bag of biscuits and giggled. He ran to the bathroom to look in the mirror, admiring his own teeth.

Ji Zhiqiu finally exhaled, dragging the bags to the cabinet with effort, desperate to hide them.

He didn’t feel guilty at all; he was even rationalizing it.

What’s wrong with buying myself a few things? It’s not that much!

“…” He stared at the cabinet door that wouldn’t close and fell silent.

Ugh, okay. Maybe just a little bit extra.