Back to Three Years Old: Crushing Scumbags on a Parenting Reality Show 190p2

Chapter 190 p2

Cheng Tingyan didn’t want to interact with He Rongzheng; she didn’t want to be added to his surveillance list.

But her grandma’s words, and that dream of parting, they made her think… Would avoiding He Rongzheng eventually lead to being separated from the little chubby bunny?

Should she gradually fade out of the little chubby bunny’s life, become someone irrelevant to He Rongzheng, someone he wouldn’t waste his resources on?

Or should she risk facing He Rongzheng’s scrutiny, keep the little chubby bunny in her life, keep each other in their lives?

It was a question, but the answer wasn’t difficult.

Cheng Tingyan had made her choice three weeks ago, that’s why she was here, holding her white chess piece.

Now, she had to choose again.

“Are you only like that to bad people?” Cheng Tingyan asked softly, reminding herself that in He Rongzheng’s eyes, she was just a child, scared by his actions.

“Of course. Sigh, I didn’t have any trustworthy people around me at that time, and I thought your Auntie Lanlan and Uncle Lili should be more aware, so I told them everything, and now, not only does Little Maomao know, you’re even scared.” He Rongzheng said, he was truly speechless at that family of three’s lack of secrecy, telling a four-year-old everything, thankfully Maomao was carefree. Look at this poor little Yan Yan, so scared, yet still sitting here, playing chess with him…

Mmm? Wait.

“Yan Yan, you’re not accompanying me because you’re afraid I’ll do that to you, are you?” He Rongzheng asked hesitantly. “You’re not, right…?”

Although it wasn’t the reason, but… Cheng Tingyan looked up at He Rongzheng timidly.

He Rongzheng was heartbroken.

Seriously!

Initially, he had asked Wei Chengli to teach her Go because he wanted to be close to her, but he was too embarrassed to directly approach a child, and although it wasn’t Go, but Gomoku, he still went along with it.

But!

They were supposed to be worthy opponents!

They were supposed to appreciate each other, win or lose!

He was supposed to be enthusiastic even after three weeks!

So it was just because he was a bully grandpa, forcing a child to play with him!

“Yan Yan, it’s not like that, I’m not that kind of bad grandpa…” He Rongzheng said, glancing at the kitchen, thankfully he had sent Maomao away earlier, he quickly turned back and explained, “You’ve been here a few times, I’ve never forced you to play chess with me, I… Mmm, which part are you afraid of? Me setting traps for you? Interrogating you? Surveilling…”

He Rongzheng, seeing the little girl’s widening eyes, stopped.

Sigh, Bunny Four.

“Grandpa promises, I won’t do that to you.” He Rongzheng said seriously.

“You won’t set traps for me?” Cheng Tingyan asked weakly.

He Rongzheng shook his head. “No.”

“You won’t interrogate me?” Cheng Tingyan whispered.

He Rongzheng waved his hand. “Truly, no!”

“You won’t monitor me, make my life transparent?” Cheng Tingyan asked, trying to maintain the same timid tone.

He Rongzheng said firmly, “Absolutely not!”

“…“ Cheng Tingyan pretended to relax, then, without having to pretend, she tensed up again and asked weakly, “Really…?”

He Rongzheng, who had been trying to comfort her, narrowed his eyes slightly, he didn’t answer immediately, but observed the nervous little girl before him, after a while, he smiled wryly.

“Yan Yan, it seems you’re truly scared.” He Rongzheng said, leaning back in his chair. “I promise I won’t, how can I make you believe me? Do I have to swear an oath?”

Cheng Tingyan, who had been planning to stop after a few more reassurances: “…” Mmm, a good idea.

She didn’t want to hear so many reassurances, but… she hadn’t slept well for three weeks.

She truly didn’t want to leave the little chubby bunny, but dying suddenly next to her would be even worse.

Cheng Tingyan, momentarily greedy, remained silent. He Rongzheng, however, sat up straight, his voice filled with surprise. “You really want me to swear an oath?”

“Swear what, swear what!”

A small, chubby dumpling rolled over, her face full of question marks.

He Rongzheng, exasperated, picked up the little rascal and pinched her cheek. “What do you think? It’s all because of your loose lips, telling Yan Yan everything, and now she’s scared. Who did I send He Lanxi to jail for? Who am I having Bai Lei and Cheng Rongrong monitored for? You little ingrate, making me look like a bad guy, if I don’t swear an oath, Yan Yan won’t even believe me.”

“Yan Yan, are you scared?” Wei Maomao asked, struggling free from He Rongzheng’s grasp, she cautiously approached Cheng Tingyan.

No wonder, no wonder Yan Yan seemed unhappy after that one visit. Ah, how could she be so careless!

He Rongzheng: “…“ Little one, out of all those words I said, you only heard that one sentence?

Wei Maomao, her eyes fixed on Cheng Tingyan, who looked extremely nervous, said regretfully, “Yan Yan, I’m sorry, I thought you weren’t scared, you were even comforting me… Grandpa is only like that to bad people, don’t be afraid. Mmm, if Grandpa won’t swear, I will, I swear if…”

“No!”

“Shut up!”

They both spoke at the same time, Cheng Tingyan, covering the little chubby bunny’s mouth, and He Rongzheng, standing up, exchanged a look.

“You swear? You little rascal, how? With your baby fat?” He Rongzheng said, glaring at Wei Maomao, he then looked at Cheng Tingyan and said with a wry smile, “Yan Yan, you’re truly interesting. I think you’re truly scared of me, but also not that scared… You’re scared, but you dare to sit in front of me and ask me to swear an oath. You’re not scared, but you don’t even believe my promise.”

Was this the… female lead in Cheng Rongrong’s dream?

Just seven years old, and already so complex, she truly had the makings of a protagonist.

He had started monitoring Cheng Rongrong and Bai Lei’s conversations, their talk about dreams, when the news about He Lanxi’s arrest broke out. But their conversations were always vague and fragmented.

It wasn’t until He Rongzheng, wanting to try being the “dog,” asked Wei Chengli to teach Cheng Tingyan how to play Go, and after returning from a business trip, that he finally understood what that dream was about from another argument between Cheng Rongrong and Bai Lei.

A typical female lead, overpowered protagonist story.

Cheng Tingyan was the female lead, then what were they? Supporting characters?

His self-made empire, his years of suffering, those sleepless nights, were they just… background for the supporting characters?

He Rongzheng thought those two, mother and daughter, were probably delusional, but he truly… had briefly considered giving up on trying to win over Cheng Tingyan.

But it was almost Saturday; he still had someone bring her over.

And then it was… worthy opponents, mutual appreciation, high spirits.

Mmm, although now it seemed like it was just a bully grandpa forcing a child to play with him…

He Rongzheng didn’t think Cheng Tingyan was special just because of those hundreds of Gomoku games, or some illusory protagonist’s halo.

During their few meetings, He Rongzheng always felt that this little girl seemed to know the reason he invited her. When he awkwardly complained about his hands being dirty and him being hungry, when he pretended to be thirsty, when he wanted a hug from his granddaughter, she would always say something to smooth things over, make everything seem natural.

Doing good deeds without asking for anything in return.

After their first game, the jewelry and bags he gave her were all returned, she only accepted a scarf that came with a bag… The second time, she even brought a ginseng root as a return gift. After he gave her a few dresses, this time, she brought a pair of expensive cufflinks.

He Rongzheng didn’t even dare to give her any more gifts, he didn’t want to bankrupt her with the return gifts. He finally understood what Wei Chengli meant by “gifts are useless on Yan Yan.”

Another person who didn’t want his money, He Rongzheng felt he should show some sincerity. But he didn’t expect this was the kind of sincerity she wanted.

He Rongzheng looked at the little girl, who was still covering the little chubby baby’s mouth, and said with a wry smile, “Yan Yan, you’re quite superstitious.”

Cheng Tingyan lowered her gaze, not saying anything. She had initially decided to endure the pressure and get along with He Rongzheng, but her seven-year-old body couldn’t handle it. The anxiety took a toll; she was reaching her limit in this third week. She needed some reassurance. She didn’t really need an oath, but He Rongzheng had mentioned it, and she couldn’t resist.

“Okay, but I have conditions.” He Rongzheng said, his expression no longer the forced kindness he used to coax children, but a serious, almost intimidating, demeanor. “I swear on all my assets, as long as you don’t, and don’t intend to, harm my daughter, my granddaughter, mmm… my grandson, my great-grandchildren, and their spouses, I will absolutely not set traps for you, interrogate you, or monitor you.”

Cheng Tingyan: “…“ What a novel way to swear an oath.

Before Cheng Tingyan could speak, He Rongzheng hesitated and counted on his fingers. “Mmm, although I don’t know if I’ll live to see my great-grandchildren, but it’s better to be safe.”

“Okay.” Cheng Tingyan said, releasing the chess piece in her hand, she replied seriously, “I also swear on all my… future assets, that I won’t harm your daughter, your granddaughter, and their… spouses. As long as your grandson, great-grandchildren, and their descendants don’t try to harm me and my loved ones, I won’t harm them.”

“…“ He Rongzheng was taken aback by her strange oath.

He was surprised that Cheng Tingyan would swear a counter-oath. But… Although he didn’t believe in the “female lead” theory, her words did reassure him. He was still somewhat superstitious, he had been when searching for his daughter, and even more so after the anonymous fortune teller’s call. Whether she was the “female lead” or not, it was always good to be on her good side.

But… He Rongzheng, feeling inexplicably reassured, glanced at the little chubby baby, whose mouth was still being covered, and chuckled. “What, you even have to specify my daughter and granddaughter?”

“They won’t harm me.” Cheng Tingyan said calmly.

The little chubby bunny swayed her body smugly.

He Rongzheng, touched by her words, chuckled. “You even know about great-grandchildren, you know quite a lot for a little child, you must have a long life. Speaking of which, what should my great-grandchildren’s children be called?”

“Soy milk, sweet soy milk…”

Wei Chengli’s voice interrupted them as he walked over with a cup.

“What are you talking about, children?” Wei Chengli asked, putting down the cup, his eyes curious.

“Talking about my great-grandchildren.” He Rongzheng said, glancing at the useless Lili, who couldn’t even control a little baby.

“…“ Wei Maomao, tilting her head, unable to imagine having children, let go of Yan Yan’s hand, she ran over and patted her grandpa’s arm. “Don’t overthink it.”

“Hahaha, our Maomao is still a silly little child.” He Rongzheng said, rubbing her soft hair.

“Grandpa, am I not enough for you? Don’t be too greedy.” Wei Maomao said, running back to Cheng Tingyan’s side.

The little chubby bunny’s cuteness made the two, who had been seriously swearing oaths, smile.

But at this moment, they didn’t know that most of their oaths were meaningless, empty promises.

The freshly ground soy milk was fragrant, He Rongzheng blew on it and took a sip, the sweetness soothing him. “Yan Yan, it’s almost New Year. I heard your family and the Wei family celebrated together last year, how about this year too? We can go to the seaside in the south; the weather there is warm even in winter. You… you’ll like it.”

Perhaps because of their earlier childish oath, He Rongzheng’s invitation sounded very natural, so natural that he almost mentioned that Cheng Tingyan’s mom, with her mobility issues, would also benefit from the warmer weather. Thankfully, he remembered and stopped himself.

“Maomao, do you want to go to the seaside?” Cheng Tingyan asked, looking at the little chubby bunny who was carefully blowing on her soy milk, she gently poked her puffed-up cheek.

“Yan Yan, do you want to go?” Wei Maomao asked, looking up.

“If Maomao wants to go, then I want to go.” Cheng Tingyan said, poking the chubby cheek again. Mmm, so soft~~

“Are you two reciting tongue twisters?” He Rongzheng said, his voice laced with jealousy, he couldn’t bear to watch. “You’re both going.”

Wei Maomao hummed. “Okay, okay, for Grandpa’s legs, we’ll go!”

Cheng Tingyan smiled, seemingly agreeing. But she was mentally calculating the travel expenses and the cost of celebrating the New Year away from home.

She wasn’t planning on fading out of the little chubby bunny’s life, nor did she want to lower her standard of living, then… this was just the beginning.

Saturday, noon, nap time.

Qin Sichao’s phone rang.

[Cheng Tingyan: Hello, Director Qin, sorry to disturb you, the audition you mentioned last week, is it still available?]

Qin Sichao: ???

Shi Dingshan’s phone rang.

[Cheng Tingyan: Hello, Director Shi, sorry to disturb you, that commercial you mentioned last month, do I still have a chance?]

Shi Dingshan: ???

The two, who had just finished lunch and were walking back, each holding an unfinished bottle of beer, listened to the voice messages, then exchanged a look of surprise.