TFEDLAM 16

Chapter 16

Lu Tingchuan looked a little helpless. “Director Song, you really are practicing the Three Visits to the Thatched Cottage, huh?”

The production team of Where Are We Going, Baby? had already approached Lu Tingchuan before. He refused back then, and Song Pei had said he wouldn’t give up—that he’d carry forward the spirit of “three visits to the thatched cottage.” Lu had laughed it off, not taking it seriously. Yet, here the man was again, and from the looks of it, he really meant to keep coming until he got what he wanted.

Sitting beside him, Xia Shi was reading through the show proposal and the script for the first episode that Song Pei had handed over, growing increasingly puzzled.

“Director Song, according to this schedule, filming starts next weekend. There doesn’t seem to be much time left—surely your guest lineup has already been confirmed? So… what’s going on here?”

Lu Tingchuan, being in the industry, knew there must be some twist behind this, though he didn’t know all the details.

Song Pei sighed. “Well, I won’t hide it from you. We originally confirmed five families, but one of them backed out at the last minute—even after signing the contract.”

Lu frowned. “From what I know, you planned to feature four to five kids in total. Even if one family dropped out, Ye Zheng’s family has two children, so that still adds up. Filming shouldn’t be affected much, right?”

After all, in his previous life, the first season of this very show had aired with only four families—and both the parents and kids became overnight sensations. Lu knew well that this project, though considered risky and uncertain by many in and out of the industry, would go on to become a legendary variety show, spawning second and third seasons. But none of the later seasons would ever quite match the success of the first.

As Yu Shuo had said—this was indeed a big opportunity.

After Lu said this much, Song Pei sighed again. “Teacher Lu, you’re well-connected, so you probably know that we originally signed Su Ran first. He was the very first to join, and the others came after. Of course, he was also our main promotional figure for sponsors.”

There was no need to spell things out too bluntly—Lu and Xia both understood.

Su Ran had great looks and sky-high popularity. Just this May, he’d even won the Palme d’Or at Cannes, becoming an international film king and one of the hottest stars in the industry. With his massive fanbase and influence, ad sponsors were naturally willing to pay a premium.

But now that he’d dropped out, those sponsors were bound to be displeased—and the advertising rates would take a hit. The only way to stabilize things now was to find someone of equal or greater fame to replace him, or else the sponsors would pull out, and the TV network would lose a golden opportunity.

Song Pei, speaking earnestly, continued, “The sponsors are one concern, but so are the ratings. We really want to make this a meaningful show, so from the start, we didn’t want all our families to come from the entertainment industry. We wanted people from different walks of life—to show how adults and kids from different social and educational backgrounds interact.”

He paused and added, “But if we don’t have at least one truly influential figure to attract viewers, few people will even notice the show. Of the four remaining families, two are from the entertainment industry—but one’s from Hong Kong, and while they’re popular there, they’re not well-known on the mainland. The other dad is a national TV variety host—he’s got status, but his popularity is limited. Teacher Lu…” Song Pei chuckled, “With your current fame, and the buzz your family’s been getting lately, who in the industry could possibly top you right now?”

Lu only smiled, saying nothing.

Song pressed on. “Of course, I’m not treating you as a backup option. If I’d known earlier that you had a child, I’d have come to you long ago. And since there are no outsiders here, I’ll be frank. Su Ran is good—but you’re still a notch above. He only won his Palme d’Or this year; you won yours five years ago. And last year, your film took both the Golden Horse and Golden Statue awards in one sweep. In terms of achievements, public recognition, or fan reach, you’re absolutely our top choice.”

Lu quickly raised his hand. “Director Song, no need for the flattery.”

Song burst out laughing. “But I’m only speaking the truth!”

Lu turned to glance at his son, Lu Xuan, who was whispering something with Yu Shuo. He couldn’t deny that he felt a little tempted.

He’d been so busy with work that Lu Xuan had mostly been with Xia Shi overseas, and father and son hadn’t spent much time together. And whenever Xia was around, Lu’s attention naturally gravitated toward her, leaving the boy somewhat neglected. He also thought Xia spoiled the child too much. Maybe… this could be a good chance to bond.

Song’s eyes brightened. “Why don’t we hear what the young master thinks?”

Whatever Yu Shuo had said worked—Lu Xuan came running over, eyes shining. “Dad, let’s go! Let’s go!”

Xia Shi’s heart sank a little. She glanced at Yu Shuo suspiciously. “What did you feed him, huh?”

Yu Shuo held up his hands innocently. “Nothing! I just said it’s like traveling with his dad—lots of yummy food and fun places!”

“That’s nothing?” Xia glared.

Lu Tingchuan, playing along, pretended to scold, “Whose side are you on, huh?”

Ding-dong!

The doorbell suddenly rang.

Xia pressed a hand to her forehead. Great. Reinforcements had arrived.

Yuan Yuan came running in, quickly changing her shoes before dashing forward and throwing her arms around Lu Xuan. “Brother Xuanxuan!”

Fang Fang hurried in after her, pulling her sister away. “How many times have I told you—not to go hugging boys like that!”

But Yuan Yuan wasn’t the least bit bothered. She grabbed Lu Xuan’s hand, blinking her big eyes. “Brother Xuanxuan, I missed you! Did you miss me?”

Lu Xuan pursed his lips. Having such an overly enthusiastic friend was… complicated. “A little bit.”

“How big is ‘a little bit’?” Yuan Yuan’s eyes widened as she held up her fingers, measuring. “This much? Or this much?”

After some hesitation, Lu Xuan finally chose the bigger one. “This much.”

Yuan Yuan beamed. Then she turned and greeted the adults politely. Fang Fang frowned, clearly displeased. “You only just noticed the uncle and aunt sitting here? Is your whole world just Brother Xuanxuan?”

Yuan Yuan turned back, dead serious. “Brother Xuanxuan is handsome!”

So she was a face-con from birth, huh? Xia couldn’t help but laugh.

Lu Tingchuan had always wanted a daughter, but only had a son—so seeing this adorable little girl, he couldn’t resist teasing. “So you think Uncle isn’t handsome?”

Yuan Yuan tilted her head thoughtfully. “Uncle Lu, that’s not right. You are handsome, but you’re so much older—and you already have Auntie Xia! You can’t eat from your bowl and look at the pot!”

Lu nearly spat blood. He’d just teased her a bit—how did it turn into him being accused of lusting after a four-year-old girl?

Xia, Yu Shuo, Song Pei, and Ye Zheng—who had just come in after changing shoes—burst out laughing.

For Xia and the others, it was the innocent humor of a child; for Song Pei, it was pure delight. This kid was hilarious—definitely variety gold. And if she appeared alongside Lu Xuan? Even better.

But wait—why was Ye Zheng here?

Song and Ye looked at each other in surprise.

“Director Song, you’re here too?”

“Teacher Ye—you know Teacher Lu?”

Ye adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses. “Of course. We’ve known each other for years. I studied calligraphy under Xiao Chuan’s father.”

Song was stunned. Ye’s calligraphy teacher was a vice-chairman of the national Calligraphers’ Association—a living legend. He’d never heard that Lu Tingchuan’s father had that kind of background! For someone in the entertainment world, that kind of pedigree was a PR dream.

While the adults were still reeling, Yuan Yuan had already taken charge again, pleading with big eyes as she tugged Lu Tingchuan’s sleeve. “Uncle Lu, please let Brother Xuanxuan go! Are you worried you can’t take care of him? Don’t worry, I’ll help you!”

“Uncle Lu, pleeease?” she begged, batting her eyelashes adorably.

Lu could only laugh helplessly. When her “cute attack” failed, Yuan Yuan pouted in defeat. “Uncle Lu, you’re no fun. My mom says my cuteness always works! But you won’t even say yes—so you’re not cute at all!”

Lu could only stare, speechless. Seeing Xia doubled over laughing, he played his trump card. “You’ll have to ask your Auntie Xia. Only if she agrees.”

Xia froze. A second later, both Lu Xuan and Yuan Yuan latched onto her legs.

Feeling her head about to explode, Xia quickly stood up. “Auntie made apple hash browns and cookies today—anyone want some?”

Instant distraction. Yuan Yuan bounced on her toes. “Yes! Auntie Xia is the best! Your apple hash browns are the yummiest! Auntie Xia, you’re the prettiest in the world!”

Xia couldn’t help but laugh, poking the little girl’s chubby cheek. “Such a sweet mouth! You really know how to flatter people!”

With her little sister finally occupied—cheeks stuffed full—Fang Fang sighed like a tiny adult, wiping crumbs from Yuan Yuan’s mouth. “Slow down!”

With the two little troublemakers temporarily contained, Xia finally relaxed—only to look down and find Lu Xuan tugging on her sleeve, eyes full of hopeful expectation.