Back to Three Years Old: Crushing Scumbags on a Parenting Reality Show 265

Chapter 265: Extra 1

Xia Lanruo, recently recruited by Shen Zilin, was attending this… semi-corporate, semi-private gathering for the first time.

The large farmhouse restaurant, people scattered around, chatting, playing games, preparing food, they all seemed to know each other.

Xia Lanruo, feeling a bit out of place, stood to the side, looking for familiar faces.

Yan Yan, Maomao, Zhao Can, and Wang Zhiqing, they all said they were coming…

Although she felt like a lightbulb, she had been one many times before on the show.

Ah, there!

She saw Zhao Can at the dining table and felt relieved.

But before she could join her, she heard a crash and a soft “Ouch” behind her.

Startled, she turned and saw several boxes on the floor, and a young woman in a light purple dress, her hair in a bun, about to pick them up.

“Wait…” Xia Lanruo said, rushing over and pointing at her dress. “It’s not convenient for you to squat down, let me help.”

“Thank you!” Wen Jiangyue said, stepping back obediently, she watched as Xia Lanruo, after wiping the boxes with a wet tissue, handed them to her.

Such a kind person!

“You’re welcome.” Xia Lanruo said, wiping the last box, seeing that Wen Jiangyue’s hands were full, she said, “Where are you taking these? I’ll help you.”

“I… I don’t know where to put them yet, I’ll just start here…” Wen Jiangyue said, sighing, she looked at Xia Lanruo with a hint of pleading. “Ms. Xia, would you mind signing a few autographs for me later?”

Being asked for autographs was common… and she had time today, Xia Lanruo nodded and chose a nearby wooden table.

But…

“All of these?” she asked, looking at the open box, filled with her photos and merchandise.

Had she just helped a… superfan?

“Well, I’m a teacher… you know, those reward systems for students, with stamps and stickers. You were recently in that Xianxia drama, and many of my students… well, not just my students, but the entire grade, they’ve read the original novel and are watching the show… the other teachers also asked me to…” Wen Jiangyue explained softly.

She had planned to ask Shen Zilin for help, but since she met Xia Lanruo, and she agreed… but the box, it was a bit… much.

Xia Lanruo, after a moment of surprise, asked, “You’re… Wen Jiangyue?”

Wen Jiangyue was also surprised. “How… how did you know…?”

“The teacher who comes to our company every year to get autographs for her students.” Xia Lanruo said, smiling. “You look… different from when you were on ‘Where’s Baby Going,’ I didn’t recognize you.”

“Right, a bit different… math, although beautiful, it makes you… lose your hair.” Wen Jiangyue said awkwardly, touching her hair, which was tied in a bun. “It looks thicker this way.”

“No, not that kind of different…” Xia Lanruo said quickly.

“Just kidding.” Wen Jiangyue said, grinning.

Xia Lanruo: “…“

She started signing autographs, her movements practiced, they chatted while she worked, the box, although large, didn’t contain that many items, she finished quickly.

“Are these for Maomao and the others?” she asked, looking at the other boxes on the table.

“Yes, Yan Yan, Maomao, Zhao Can, Qingqing, Sister Jiang, and Wen Dongyu, he said he’s coming too, but he was receiving an award overseas last night, he’ll probably arrive this afternoon.” Wen Jiangyue said, patting the boxes. “Everyone is so busy now, thankfully I have summer and winter breaks, otherwise, it would be difficult to see them, I would have to mail these. I wonder if they’re here yet.”

She took out her phone to check the group chat.

“I just saw Zhao Can at the dining table.” Xia Lanruo said, pointing. “I’ll help you take these over.”

Wen Jiangyue, following her gaze, saw Zhao Can.

Just as she was about to nod, Zhao Can suddenly stood up, holding a plate of… she couldn’t see clearly from this distance.

“Maybe… we should wait…” Wen Jiangyue said, watching Zhao Can march towards Wang Zhiqing, who was by the barbecue grill.

Xia Lanruo nodded in agreement, then, looking at Wen Jiangyue, she asked, “Are you hungry? I can get us something to eat.”

Wen Jiangyue gave her a thumbs-up.

Joy and sorrow, not always shared.

In the kitchen, someone finally found the ring in the ice cream, at the wooden table, a pleasant conversation, and someone…

“Wang Zhiqing, was it you?!” Zhao Can demanded, holding a plate, she had reached the grill.

“Nope~” Wang Zhiqing said, dodging behind Wang Zhizhi, who was preparing the skewers.

“Go fight somewhere else, I’m working with sharp objects here, it’s dangerous.” Wang Zhizhi said, putting down the skewers.

“I called you ‘brother’ for nothing!”

“Look at what she did, who puts a ring in chicken wings?!”

Wang Zhizhi, attacked from both sides, sighed. “I’m the useless brother, she’s the well-meaning sister, and you’re the victim, happy now?”

“So are you finally going to marry me?”

“Can you stop hiding rings everywhere? I’m confiscating this one too!”

“You’ve confiscated twenty-six rings, if you don’t marry me, I’ll report you for fraud!”

“If I didn’t confiscate them, I would be digging them out of my food all day! How many more do you have?!”

“Brother, look at her, taking the rings and not marrying me!”

“Wang Zhizhi, do something…”

Wang Zhizhi, exasperated, pointed at them. “Two choices, get married now, or find someone else!”

Wang Zhiqing: “…“

Zhao Can: “…“

Wei Maomao, watching from the kitchen window, saw Wang Zhizhi wave his hand, and the two, who had been fighting like chickens, suddenly calmed down and started… preparing skewers together?

“What are you looking at?” Cheng Tingyan asked, handing her a glass of water, she had just refilled it.

“Watching Zhizhi mediate between Zhao Can and Wang Zhiqing.” Wei Maomao said, moving over to make space for Cheng Tingyan, she gestured for her to join her.

“What’s so interesting about that? It’s their usual routine.” Cheng Tingyan said, but she still leaned closer, handing Wei Maomao the glass. “You said you were thirsty.”

Wei Maomao took a long gulp, then glared at Cheng Tingyan. “Whose fault is it that I’m thirsty?”

“My fault.” Cheng Tingyan said, wiping a drop of water from the corner of Wei Maomao’s lips. “A kiss after a successful proposal, it’s tradition.”

“Was that a kiss?” Wei Maomao asked, pushing her finger away. “You used to use a handkerchief, now you just use your hand?”

Cheng Tingyan, grabbing her hand, twirling the newly placed ring on her finger, whispered, “A handkerchief isn’t as… direct…”

“We’re outside, don’t say such things.” Wei Maomao said, squeezing her hand, she changed the subject. “But it’s surprising, Zhao Can inadvertently helped Zhizhi and Qingqing reconcile, and now Zhizhi is mediating between them. Speaking of which, did I… butterfly them? In a good way…?”

“What are you even thinking about?” Cheng Tingyan asked, sensing the melancholy in her voice, she ruffled Wei Maomao’s hair. “If anyone did any butterflying, it was us. Didn’t I tell you? In our past life, Zhizhi… he craved his parents’ love, he was quite… obsessed. And Wang Zhiqing wasn’t like this, although she was also in the entertainment industry, she wasn’t as successful, she was mostly in the news for her family drama. Now, although their parents are still the same, at least their sibling relationship has improved, it’s better than their past life.”

“Right, I was overthinking it.” Wei Maomao sighed. “I’m probably getting old, becoming sentimental… hey, why are you rubbing my head again?!”

“You’re not old, you’re just silly, I’m trying to… reactivate your brain cells.” Cheng Tingyan said. “We’re not even married yet, and you’re already old?”

“I’m not a cat, I don’t have ‘smart fur’!” Wei Maomao said, dodging her hand.

“Right, you don’t, that’s why you’re silly.” Cheng Tingyan said, her voice full of mock sympathy.

“Hmph!” Wei Maomao turned away, looking out the window.

The blue sky, the white clouds, the green grass, her family, her friends, everything she had protected in this life.

And this fool next to her, she was also part of it all.

Just as Wei Maomao’s heart softened, a kiss on her cheek.

“You!” she exclaimed, turning around.

“Mmm?” Cheng Tingyan asked innocently.

Wei Maomao, facepalming, said, “Grandpa saw…”

Cheng Tingyan: !!!

He Rongzheng, on the lawn, put down his bowl.

“Dad, eat it while it’s hot.” Wei Chengli said, offering the bowl again.

“I’m full.” He Rongzheng closed his eyes.

It served him right.

He should have been watching them, not the kitchen.

And why, even at his age, was his eyesight still so sharp?!

“Lanlan said you have to finish this, otherwise you’ll be hungry later and crave those barbecued and fried foods.” Wei Chengli said persistently.

“Are you writing a novel now?” He Rongzheng opened his eyes and took the bowl, at least this one wouldn’t steal kisses.

He had observed Cheng Tingyan these past few years; she treated his little Maomao like a treasure, otherwise, he would have intervened.

Now… he was getting old, he should learn to… look the other way.

But he hadn’t expected the next bombshell: his “still young” granddaughter, she wanted to get married.

But for now, everything was calm, peaceful, a perfect moment.

Well, not for everyone.

“No, I need to move forward.” Cheng Tingyan said, disagreeing with Wei Maomao’s sentimental comment. “I still want to marry you, and… mmm…”

“I also want to go somewhere… private.” Wei Maomao said, her voice laced with a playful threat. “To collect the two you owe me!”

So eager, then she wouldn’t be leaving the bed anytime soon!