Chapter 102
“Dad, are you asleep?”
“No, what’s wrong, baby? Are you hungry? Thirsty? Do you need to pee?”
“No…”
…
“Dad, are you asleep?”
“Not yet… Why aren’t you sleeping? Can’t sleep? Do you want Daddy to tell you a bedtime story?”
“No…”
…
“Dad, are you slee…”
“No, baby, are you okay? Why aren’t you sleeping? Are you sure you don’t need to pee?”
“No…”
…
“Dad…”
“Not asleep.”
“Oh.”
…
“Da…”
Wei Chengli sat up, turned on the bedside lamp, and looked at the little chubby dumpling lying flat on the bed next to him. “I’m awake… You’ve been calling me every few minutes, how can I possibly fall asleep? I’m not a pig.”
Wei Maomao: “… “ It’s for your own good, waking up suddenly can cause headaches, you don’t appreciate kindness!
Because there was an adult in the room, they couldn’t turn off the cameras and microphones early like when Cheng Tingyan stayed over. They had to wait until the designated time. Wei Maomao was also sleepy, she was only staying awake by pinching her slightly swollen right fingers.
“Tell me, what’s the matter?” Wei Chengli yawned. “If there’s nothing, I’m going to sleep.”
“Hmph.” Wei Maomao glared at Wei Chengli and turned her back to him.
And so, the remaining time before the cameras and microphones were turned off was spent by Wei Chengli trying to appease the child.
When the red light on the camera in the room went out, Wei Maomao waited for another two minutes before turning back to look at Wei Chengli, pretending to be unaware. “Dad, are we still being filmed? Can other people still hear us talking?”
Wei Chengli glanced at the time, then at the camera and microphone, and shook his head. “It’s time, the live broadcast is over. Why are you still awake so late tonight? Don’t tell me you’ve been staying up this late with Yan Yan these past two days, without me watching? I smelled a sweet orange scent in your room this morning, did you sneak out of bed to eat in the middle of the night?”
Wei Maomao ignored Wei Chengli’s words, she got out of bed, grabbed the cloth from the bedside table, first covering the camera on the table, then pointing at the one above. “Dad!”
“Why aren’t you answering? Are you guilty?” Wei Chengli took the cloth, covered the camera above, then casually put away their microphones, his nagging never ceasing. “If you ate, you ate, it’s fine, I won’t scold you, why are you afraid to admit it? But at least you knew to brush your teeth after eating, you’re so lazy, it must have been Yan Yan who made you brush your teeth, right?”
Wei Maomao, who had been following behind Wei Chengli, checking if the equipment was turned off, stopped in her tracks. “How do you know we brushed our teeth?”
“I saw Yan Yan washing her pajamas in the courtyard this morning, I thought you had… cough… Anyway, I went to take a look. Yan Yan said she brushed her teeth at night and got toothpaste on her pajamas. She hadn’t even washed up yet at the time, and both sets of pajamas had toothpaste stains, that must mean you brushed your teeth once before bed and then again after eating in the middle of the night, right?” Wei Chengli said, his expression asking for praise.
Wei Maomao: “… “
No wonder! No wonder Yan Yan wasn’t in bed when she woke up this morning, she saw Yan Yan already dressed in her dress…
So last night… she, she also… Wei Maomao touched the corner of her mouth, feeling a bit depressed.
“Okay, everything’s covered, are you relieved now?” Wei Chengli looked around the room, pushed the stunned little chubby dumpling back to the bed, and said, “Go to sleep, no one’s watching you sleep anymore. Actually, you didn’t need to worry before, once we turn off the lights, the camera can’t see clearly, it can only capture a silhouette. Do you know what a silhouette is? It’s just a dark shape, like ink, it can’t see how you sleep.”
Seeing the little chubby dumpling following him closely earlier, even pulling on the camera cover, he guessed that knowing they were being live broadcasted might have given her some performance anxiety, so he gently coaxed her into bed and explained.
“Dad.” Wei Maomao, with Wei Chengli’s help, climbed onto the bed, but she grabbed his pants, preventing him from leaving.
“Mmm?” Wei Chengli looked down.
“Sit.” Wei Maomao patted the edge of her bed.
Wei Chengli: “… “
Looking at the little chubby dumpling, her cheeks puffed out, tilting her head, suddenly looking very cute, Wei Chengli, while feeling charmed, also had a bad feeling.
“You go to sleep.” Wei Chengli said, cautiously backing away.
The chubby paw was firm!
Wei Chengli, helpless, followed the force and looked down at the paw, his brow furrowing.
“What happened to your fingers?” Wei Chengli grabbed the little chubby paw from his pant leg and lifted it up. “Why are your thumb and index finger so red? Are they… a bit swollen?”
Wei Chengli sat down on the bed, pulled the little chubby dumpling into his arms, and compared her two chubby paws, exclaiming, “They’re really a bit swollen! How did you do this? Does it hurt? We have a doctor, I’ll take you to see him.”
As he spoke, Wei Chengli was about to get up.
But the little chubby dumpling in his arms lunged to the side, grabbing the bed sheet tightly.
“No, it doesn’t hurt.” Wei Maomao rolled back onto the bed, yawned, and said, cherishing the time, “Dad, I have a secret to tell you, will you keep it a secret?”
“About how you hurt your hand?” Wei Chengli asked, his brow furrowed.
“… “ Wei Maomao shook her hand, her fingers mimicking the motion of using tweezers. “I used too much force picking the sealing rings, it doesn’t hurt.”
Wei Chengli was stunned. “The noodle-earning task tonight?”
“Mmm.” Wei Maomao nodded casually, her chubby paw patting the bed emphatically. “I’m fine! Dad! I have a secret to tell you! Will you keep it a secret?”
“Let’s go see the doctor, I’ll listen after you see the doctor, no seeing, no listening.” Wei Chengli reached out to grab the chubby dumpling.
Wei Maomao, like a ball, rolled from the head of the bed to the foot, and said angrily, “Dad, if you don’t listen, I’m going to cry!”
Wei Chengli: “… “
Who would want to see their daughter cry in the middle of the night? Wei Chengli didn’t.
“Okay, tell me.” Wei Chengli surrendered, and after being glared at by the little chubby dumpling, he added, “I’ll keep it a secret.”
A three-year-old baby… What secrets could she possibly have… It must be something trivial.
Wei Chengli didn’t think much of the secret Wei Maomao was about to tell him, then, in the next second, reality slapped him in the face.
A three-year-old baby, she did have secrets that needed to be kept, she was small, but the matter was truly very, very big.
Wei Chengli wasn’t a particularly gossipy person, when Wei Maomao started with “Uncle Cheng divorced when Yan Yan was little, Yan Yan was originally living with her mom…” he wanted to interrupt her. This wasn’t a three-year-old baby’s secret anymore, it was someone else’s private matter!
But the little chubby dumpling, sitting upright at the foot of the bed, looked so serious and determined, Wei Chengli hesitated several times, but couldn’t bring himself to interrupt.
In the end… he listened to everything.
Divorce, illness, custody change, medical expenses, borrowing money, commercial loan interest rates, Yan Yan’s situation at the Cheng family’s house…
Some of it, after these past few days, Wei Chengli could vaguely see and guess, but most of it was shocking, even… unbelievable. But if these were things Cheng Tingyan told her…
Although Wei Chengli was a bit jealous that the little chubby dumpling was closer to Cheng Tingyan than to him, he still had a good impression of the little girl. He didn’t think Cheng Tingyan would lie.
Wei Maomao’s words stopped at stating the facts, she didn’t go on to her plan.
The last word of her soft, childish voice dissipated into the air, leaving a heavy silence in the room.
Wei Chengli looked at the little chubby dumpling at the foot of the bed, speechless.
And the little three-year-old didn’t seem to be in a hurry, she just looked at him quietly…
“These are Yan Yan’s private matters, I’ll keep them a secret.” Wei Chengli said solemnly, repeating his earlier casual promise, then asked softly, “When Yan Yan told you these things, didn’t she ask you to keep them a secret?”
“She did.” Wei Maomao nodded. “Yan Yan asked me to keep them a secret, but she also agreed to let me tell you.”
“Why?” Wei Chengli was a bit surprised. Even if he didn’t seem like a bad person, he wasn’t close enough to the children to share such private matters, right?
“Because…” Wei Maomao looked into Wei Chengli’s eyes. “Because we need you.”
Wei Chengli: “… “
The soft, chubby dumpling, in her childish voice, started to explain a plan devised by two children who were only nine years old combined.
Wei Chengli’s eyes widened, the shock he had just experienced was merely an appetizer.
The plan was simple, it could be summarized in one sentence: “Let Yan Yan’s mom see the true colors of the Cheng family, then give her enough money for treatment and raising Yan Yan, and finally, get her custody back.”
Something that even adults would find difficult to achieve, two children who were only nine years old combined wanted to do it, it was truly… a bit naive.
But what shocked Wei Chengli the most wasn’t the plan itself, but the fact that these two children were already putting it into action.
The little chubby dumpling’s attitude towards Cheng Feiying, her words about wanting to use her appearance fee to support Yan Yan a few days ago, her asking Shen Zilin this morning if she could borrow money from him if needed…
Those actions, which had seemed childish, willful, even nonsensical, it turned out…
Wei Chengli couldn’t describe his feelings, the intense shock, amidst the heartache, sparked a hint of comfort, something he hadn’t expected.
But…
“Baby…” Wei Chengli said with difficulty.
“Dad, will you help us? I, the baby, I’m too small, it’s very difficult without you.” Wei Maomao leaned forward slightly, blinking her eyes, taking the initiative, her chubby little face full of sincerity.
Wei Chengli smiled wryly. “It’s also very difficult with me.”
“Dad, you said, ‘Many hands make light work.’ We have me, we have Yan Yan, we have… Shen Zilin, if you help us, we’ll have you.” Wei Maomao counted on her fingers, calculating seriously.
Wei Chengli: “… “ Although it was inappropriate, he really wanted to ask, “A baby legion?”
“Baby, listen to me.” Wei Chengli moved closer to the little chubby dumpling at the foot of the bed. “I understand everything. Yan Yan isn’t happy at the Cheng family’s house, you want Yan Yan’s mom to take her away. But have you considered, does Yan Yan’s mom still want to raise Yan Yan?”
Wei Maomao: “I…”
“Baby, listen to me first.” Wei Chengli reached out and stroked the little chubby dumpling’s soft hair.
Both the little chubby dumpling’s earlier tone and their ongoing efforts made Wei Chengli take their plan seriously, he truly wanted to discuss it with her.
Wei Chengli let out a soft sigh. “According to you, Yan Yan’s mom raised her before, but she gave Yan Yan to the Cheng family because she was sick and didn’t have money. During this time, whether it was given or lent, Yan Yan’s mom has been receiving money for treatment, right? Her illness, you said it was a bone injury from falling in the rain, she can only use a wheelchair. If it was a simple injury, it should have healed in these past few years. The fact that it hasn’t healed means it’s not just about money. She needs continued treatment, she needs time to recover, does she even have the energy to take care of a child? Does she… even want to? We can contact Yan Yan’s mom after the show and tell her about Yan Yan’s situation. If she’s willing, we…”
Wei Chengli paused, looking at the serious expression on Wei Maomao’s face, he couldn’t help but soften.
Getting involved in someone else’s family matters… He would get involved, it was better than letting his baby be sad. If they did it discreetly, it shouldn’t cause too much trouble, right…
“If she’s willing, we can offer some help.” Wei Chengli patted the little chubby dumpling’s head again. “Financial, legal, no matter the outcome, we can help them. But… If Yan Yan’s mom isn’t willing, we can’t force her. Although Uncle Cheng isn’t very good to Yan Yan, he still feeds her, sends her to school, he’s not that bad… Baby, do you understand what I mean? If Yan Yan’s mom isn’t willing to take care of her, and we force Yan Yan on her, will she be good to Yan Yan? Will she be like Uncle Cheng, or even worse… We don’t know.”
“Yan Yan’s mom won’t be like Uncle Cheng.” Wei Maomao said, puffing out her cheeks.
Wei Chengli helplessly tapped the little chubby dumpling’s forehead. “And, illness can greatly affect a person’s physical and mental state, maybe she was willing before, but now, because of her illness, she might not have the energy to take care of a child, she might have changed her mind.”
“Auntie Shao.” Wei Maomao interrupted. “Find one for Yan Yan too, so Yan Yan’s mom doesn’t have to take care of her.”
Wei Chengli facepalmed, Auntie Shao was the nanny who came to their house to take care of the little chubby dumpling when he and his wife weren’t home. So this little rascal had even thought about finding a nanny for Yan Yan…
“It’s not that simple, even with a nanny, there are still many things that require energy.” Wei Chengli tried to explain, then said, “Baby, you can’t just assume other people’s thoughts, we have to ask and observe.”
Wei Maomao frowned. She wasn’t just assuming…
Last night, when Yan Yan talked about her mom, it was clear she loved her, she wanted to live with her, it was obvious that her mom was better than the Cheng family. And…
In her previous life, although Wei Maomao and Cheng Tingyan never revealed their real-life identities online, they did talk about some of their childhood experiences. When Cheng Tingyan mentioned her dad and stepsister, it was with indifference and distance, even a hint of pain. But when she mentioned her mom, her tone was much gentler, and she mostly talked about simple and happy memories. Like the small golden flower Cheng Tingyan brought this time, she had heard Yan Yan mention it in her previous life, it was the only memento her mom kept from her dowry.
Wei Maomao remembered that she once commented that if Yan Yan’s custody had been given to her mom when she was little, she might have lived a much happier life. At that time, Yan Yan, on the other end of the internet, agreed, saying, “Maybe…”
The “maybe” back then was just a helpless hindsight. Now that they had a chance to turn that “maybe” into reality, how could they give up?
Wei Maomao understood what Wei Chengli meant by “Will she be good to Yan Yan? Will she be like Uncle Cheng, or even worse… We don’t know.” Because Wei Chengli, who only saw the current Cheng Feiying and Cheng Rongrong, didn’t know how much worse they could get. He also wouldn’t know how bad things would have been if they hadn’t been chosen for this variety show.
Being labeled as arrogant, indifferent, and jealous by the show, her reputation further tarnished by years of playing the same character in sitcoms, completely becoming Cheng Rongrong’s stepping stone during her childhood and adolescence… The foot injury in her childhood, the delayed middle school entrance exam, the re-injury before the college entrance exam and art exams, were those misfortunes at crucial moments truly just bad luck…
Could it be worse than being at the Cheng family’s house if she returned to her mom… Wei Maomao didn’t believe it.
And now, she was here. Although she was only three years old, she would grow up quickly.
“Baby, are you listening to Dad?” Wei Chengli asked, patting the little chubby dumpling’s arm.
“Mmm.” Wei Maomao, pulled back from her burning anger, nodded, but said, “Dad, I don’t understand.”
Wei Chengli was stunned. “What?”
“I don’t understand. You know Uncle Cheng is bad, but you don’t want Yan Yan to leave him, you’re afraid Yan Yan’s mom is bad…” Wei Maomao couldn’t help but use an example, exceeding her three-year-old limitations. “I threw up after eating mush, you don’t want me to eat anything else, you’re afraid other foods are bad for me. I don’t know if other foods are good or bad, but I threw up after eating mush!”
Wei Chengli: “… “
“You know mush made me throw up, but you don’t want me to eat anything else!” Wei Maomao emphasized.
“I understand what you mean, don’t use mush as an example, baby.” Wei Chengli said awkwardly, rubbing his forehead. “I didn’t say Yan Yan couldn’t go back to her mom, I’m saying that after the show, we can go and ask Yan Yan’s mom, see what her situation is, what her thoughts are. Baby, the problem now is, we don’t have a definite answer from Yan Yan’s mom yet, so we can’t upset Yan Yan’s dad first, right? I’m saying, we have to leave a way out for Yan Yan, right? What if Yan Yan’s mom doesn’t want to raise her, and Yan Yan’s dad is angry, then Yan Yan goes back to the Cheng family, wouldn’t her life be even worse?”
Wei Maomao: “… “
Wei Chengli, seeing the little chubby dumpling’s silence, patiently continued, “So, don’t be too hasty. This custody issue, it’s not something that can be resolved in a day or two. We also need to find someone who understands the law. Before there’s a result, don’t provoke Yan Yan’s dad anymore, okay?”
“No.” Wei Maomao shook her head.
Wei Chengli laughed in exasperation. “Didn’t I explain clearly? What don’t you understand?”
“In ‘Tutu Adventures,’ everyone said Ermao’s mom never came home, she was bad, Ermao’s dad was always at home, he was good. They didn’t want Ermao’s mom to take Ermao away. What happened later, Dad, do you remember?” Wei Maomao reminded him.
“I remember…” Wei Chengli recalled. “Didn’t Ermao’s mom later prove that she was working and even did housework when she came home, while Ermao’s dad was just playing games at home and not taking care of Ermao, so Ermao’s mom took him away.”
“Mmm.” Wei Maomao nodded. “I also want to prove that Uncle Cheng is bad. Everyone will want Yan Yan’s mom to take her away.”
Wei Chengli: “… “ Look at his talkative mouth!
Those who were determined, were as firm as a rock.
Those who were wavering, their hearts were easily swayed.
Initially, he just felt sorry for Yan Yan, he thought the two children’s plan was naive, but after their back-and-forth, Wei Chengli had to admit that there was some feasibility in their naivety.
But wouldn’t the cost of success be too high… If they followed their plan, Cheng Feiying’s reputation would probably… Would the six-year-old Yan Yan truly not regret breaking ties with her father when she grew up?
And this silly little chubby dumpling, directly getting involved in someone else’s family matters on a live broadcast… Even a three-year-old baby would grow up, wasn’t she leaving herself any room for maneuver?
Wei Chengli, as an adult who didn’t know about the events of the previous life, had many concerns and thoughts.
But before he could come up with a better way to persuade the little chubby dumpling, who was now set on her course…
Someone was getting very sleepy.
Wei Maomao was truly tired from working today, but before closing her eyes, she still urged Wei Chengli to promise to keep it a secret.
It wasn’t that she absolutely needed his promise. Wei Maomao believed that Wei Chengli would understand, if he didn’t keep it a secret, there would only be one outcome, they would accelerate their plan. It wouldn’t be good for anyone.
As for asking for his help…
Wei Maomao wasn’t in a hurry.
Judging from Wei Chengli’s good attitude today, he was on the right side, he just had some concerns. By the time she needed his help, his concerns should no longer be an issue.
Good, a married Wei Chengli was truly useful.
Some people, because of their wives, became more rational and reliable.
Some people, because of their wives, became more troublesome and out of control.
Unlike Wei Maomao, who had been reminding Wei Chengli to stay awake, Cheng Feiying, after the cameras and microphones were turned off, directly woke up Cheng Tingyan and Cheng Rongrong.
“You, go play in the bathroom, don’t come out until I call you.” Cheng Feiying pushed the sleepy Cheng Rongrong, then looked at Cheng Tingyan. “Cheng Tingyan, there are some things I need to talk to you about.”
Leave a Reply