TFEDLAM 37

Chapter 37

Friday Again

Eight o’clock — time again for the weekly broadcast of Where’s My Baby?

The show had already filmed three rounds, and each round of footage was edited into two episodes. Tonight’s broadcast was only the first episode of the second round, so the production team still had plenty of time and didn’t need to record every week.

Since father and son both happened to be home on a Friday night, the whole family sat together waiting for the show to start.

This time, the group had gone to a small water-town village, and the first task upon arrival was to choose a house. The show had prepared all kinds of fruit — apples, bananas, oranges, lemons, and more.

The village chief explained the rules:
“Our babies and dads can see that there are many fruits placed two hundred meters away on that hillside. You can freely choose how to act. Now, this round is a competition to see who’s the most… hmm, what do you think? The fastest? The one who brings back the most? Or perhaps…”

The chief paused mischievously, leaving it as a mystery. “Anyway, dads and babies, use your creativity! When you return, I’ll announce the real challenge. But remember — both father and child must reach the finish line together to qualify. Ready? Set! Go!”

As soon as the words fell, all five fathers grabbed their children and dashed forward like sprinters — only, their little ones couldn’t keep up with such short legs. So the dads simply scooped them up and ran, while the village chief and crew cheered them on. It was quite a lively race as the five families reached the hillside one after another.

There were so many kinds of fruits that everyone was dazzled. They grabbed whatever they could, stuffing it into their arms. But the crew hadn’t provided baskets or containers. Yu Siyuan reacted first — he took off his jacket, turned it into a makeshift bag, and had his daughter Yu Xiangwan toss fruits inside.

The other dads quickly followed suit. Soon, the fruit-grabbing frenzy looked more like a bandit raid.

Lu Tingchuan’s mouth twitched as he shook his head. “This looks terrible! Son, we can’t do that. Your dad’s at least a respected idol-actor — we have to keep some image. Let’s be strategic!”

The cameraman following behind snickered quietly. Lu Tingchuan turned his head. “What’s so funny?”

“Mr. Lu, do you really think you’ll still have an image after this show airs?”

Lu Tingchuan’s face went blank. “I refuse to answer that question.”

The cameraman burst out laughing. Lu Tingchuan ignored him and turned to his son. “What do you think the crew will judge by? The fastest? The heaviest?”

Lu Xuan shook his head. “I don’t know.”

Lu Tingchuan rubbed his chin, then noticed an enormous jackfruit that had been ignored — too big and awkward for anyone else to carry.

“What about this one? Should we take it?”

Lu Xuan looked at the lonely jackfruit, then at the chaos of people fighting over smaller fruits, and sighed like a little old man. “Okay.”

Seeing that the others — Mo Kang and his son, in particular — were nearly done, Lu Tingchuan quickly grabbed the jackfruit, crouched down, and said, “Climb on, hold tight to Daddy’s neck! I can’t hold you with my hands full, so don’t fall!”

Lu Xuan leapt onto his back, wrapped his arms around his father’s neck, and Lu Tingchuan sprinted down the hill, jackfruit in hand — finishing first.

When the other fathers arrived, they were drenched in sweat and out of breath. Only Lu Tingchuan was neat and relaxed, standing in sharp contrast.

Lu Xuan cheered, tugging the village chief’s sleeve. “Uncle Chief! We’re first! Daddy and I are first!”

Before the chief could reply, Fangfang doused his enthusiasm with a bucket of cold water. “You’re just first back! Uncle Chief never said the challenge was about being fastest! We might have the most fruit! Look, Uncle Chief — my dad and I got so many!”

Yuan Yuan jumped up, not wanting to be left out. “I helped too! I helped too!”

Fangfang quickly added, “Right! My little sister helped too!”

Lu Xuan pouted and sighed — Fangfang always found ways to one-up him, but he was used to it. The audience, however, melted at the sight of his tiny, helpless expression paired with his cute little face.
“So adorable! I’m dying — too cute!” flooded the comments.

The village chief smiled. “So, dads, who do you think will win?”

Lu Tingchuan replied shamelessly, “Of course it’s us! Those guys only have muscles, no brains. I used strategy! See, they grabbed a bunch of random stuff. I only took one — but it’s the biggest and most expensive one: this durian! And we were also the fastest. That’s at least three ‘bests’ in one go!”

Everyone fell silent. They all stared at him blankly.

Lu Tingchuan frowned, not understanding why. Then Lu Xuan tugged his sleeve and whispered, “Daddy, that’s jackfruit, not durian. Durians have spikes. This doesn’t.”

Lu Tingchuan froze. Wait — they don’t look the same? It’s not durian?!

Everyone burst out laughing.

Ye Zheng teased, “Xiao Chuan, you’re so spoiled! Next time, can you not speak unless you’re sure? Ever heard of the phrase ‘making a fool of yourself’? Even your five-year-old son knows more than you! Don’t you feel ashamed? How does Xia Shi put up with you?”

Lu Tingchuan’s embarrassment vanished instantly. He raised a brow, smirking. “She spoils me because she loves me. Jealous much?”

Ye Zheng: [spits blood] Dead on the spot.

Yu Siyuan flung down his jacket. “I’m done! I can’t watch this nonsense anymore! Lu Tingchuan, how can you, a grown man, say stuff like that?!”

Lu Tingchuan only squinted smugly while everyone else averted their gaze.

In the end, strategy did work — Lu Tingchuan and Lu Xuan won first choice of the houses and got to move into the “luxury home.”

Next, while the dads unpacked, the kids got a new mission. Each was given 50 yuan — “a fortune” — to buy groceries at the market by themselves.

At the entrance stood a snack shop with an ice cream freezer. Lu Xuan stopped dead, staring wide-eyed. “Ice cream! So much ice cream!”

Of course, the production crew had expected this.

The shopkeeper smiled kindly at the adorable boy. “Want one?” she asked, holding one out.

Lu Xuan stared longingly but took a step back. Thinking he had no money, she said, “It’s okay, Auntie can give you one for free.”

Lu Xuan clutched his 50 yuan tightly. “I have money.”

“Then do you want to buy it?”

He licked his lips, staring for a long moment before finally shaking his head. “No… Mommy said it’s cold now, and if I eat this, I’ll get a tummy ache. I can’t eat things without Mom or Dad’s permission.”

The lady smiled, putting the ice cream back and patting his head. “What a good boy.”

Still, he lingered by the freezer, peeking longingly even as he walked away.

Watching the scene on TV, Xia Shi was moved. She smiled and kissed his cheek. “Xuanxuan is amazing!”

He blushed and grinned shyly.

It was his first time at a marketplace, so he looked a bit lost, circling around and sighing over the chicken wings at one stall.

Fangfang and Yuanyuan approached. “Xuanxuan-ge, are you buying chicken wings?”

“No. My dad can’t cook them.”

Fangfang frowned. “But Uncle Lu can’t cook anything!”

That one line hit Lu Tingchuan like a brick. Watching with Xia Shi and Xuanxuan at home now, he seriously regretted letting them see this show.

Lu Xuan quickly defended him. “Daddy is great! He can make eggs and stir-fry meat now! He’s awesome!”

Xia Shi laughed, remembering his previous attempts that had turned out… edible, at least. That was progress.

Yuanyuan beamed. “It’s okay! My dad can cook! He just learned cola chicken wings. You can buy them, and he’ll cook them for you!”

Fangfang frowned but nodded. “You can come to our house. Uncle Lu can come too. Grandpa Lu told my dad to take care of you guys more. And Mommy said Daddy always goes to Grandpa Lu’s house to freeload meals — so now you can come freeload at ours!”

Xuanxuan’s eyes lit up, thrilled. “Okay!”

The three kids bought the chicken wings and walked off hand in hand — until Fangfang pushed between his sister and Xuanxuan, declaring, “Hold my hand, not hers!”

Lu Xuan chuckled. “Don’t worry, Fangfang-ge, Daddy said I’ll have my own little sister someday. I won’t steal yours.”

That instantly pleased Fangfang.

Watching that, Xia Shi turned to Lu Tingchuan — this episode was recorded in September, before they went to the U.S. in November. So, he’d been thinking about having another baby that early, huh?

Lu Tingchuan just smiled slyly.

On their way back, a man in a fur costume and terrifying mask jumped out of nowhere.

“This mountain is mine! This road is mine! To pass, pay the toll!”

He had a hideous mask and strange painted patterns on his exposed skin — enough to scare any child. The adults watching knew it was staged, but the kids didn’t. The girls screamed and backed away; little Yuanyuan burst into tears in Fangfang’s arms.

Yu Xiangwan grabbed Betty’s hand nervously — Betty was already crying softly.

Betty and Lu Xuan were closest, and seeing Yuanyuan safe, he moved in front of Betty, covering her eyes. “Don’t be scared! Don’t look!”

It’s funny — when no one strong is around, you force yourself to be brave. But the moment someone comforts you, the walls come down. Betty’s tears finally fell as she clung to him.

“Stand behind me!” Lu Xuan said, shielding her. His small body trembled, fists clenched, but his face was fierce.

The “wild man” roared. Lu Xuan roared back, shouting, “If you don’t go away, I’ll hit you!” and even grabbed a chicken wing to throw.

Only Mo Jia’ang seemed unbothered, groaning, “Ugh, Dad, can you stop pretending? You look so lame!”

The “wild man” froze — he hadn’t expected to be recognized so fast.

“I know your voice!” Jia’ang continued. “And you’re wearing the lucky bracelet Mom gave you!”

All the kids froze in confusion. Mo Kang sighed and removed his mask helplessly.

Jia’ang rolled his eyes. “Could you try acting better next time? You’re terrible!”

The crew’s makeup job was good — none of the other kids had recognized him, only his own son.

Mo Kang grimaced, blaming the props. “Not my fault. Their equipment sucks.”

“Excuses! If Uncle Lu did it, he’d be way better!”

Mo Kang groaned. “He’s an actor — an award-winning one! That’s not fair!”

But Jia’ang didn’t see anything wrong with the comparison.

Once the girls realized it was Uncle Mo, they stopped crying. But Lu Xuan’s face remained serious. “Uncle Mo, do you know this was wrong?”

Mo Kang froze. Trying to coax the kids, he said gently, “I was just joking — I didn’t mean to scare you. Look, it’s all fake, see? The mask, the paint — all fake!”

But Lu Xuan refused to budge. “The mask is fake, but you really made them cry! I don’t like you anymore!”

Ironically, the one who got the angriest wasn’t any of the girls, but the usually gentle Lu Xuan.

Jia’ang jumped to defend his dad. “Hey! My dad apologized! Stop being so mean!”

“Even if he didn’t mean it,” Lu Xuan said seriously, “if someone gets hurt, it’s still his fault! That’s what my parents taught me!”

Mo Kang sighed, forcing a smile. “You’re right. I’m sorry. Will you forgive me? I promise I won’t do that again.”

Lu Xuan pursed his lips. “You still have to apologize to everyone.”

So he did — one by one, even to his own son. After everyone else said it was okay, he looked at Lu Xuan.

Lu Xuan turned his head stubbornly. “Mommy said not every ‘sorry’ deserves an ‘it’s okay.’ It’s not okay.”

Jia’ang pushed him lightly. “He already said sorry! What more do you want?”

Lu Xuan turned and walked off.

After the kids resumed playing, Mo Kang wiped his forehead and grumbled to the crew, “The kid’s right, honestly. What were you guys thinking? Why was I the one picked to scare a bunch of adorable kids? Everyone else got to go fishing! Seriously!”

The crew only laughed — you drew the short straw, pal.

Watching this part at home, Xia Shi turned to her son. “Xuanxuan, you were amazing, protecting the girls. Were you scared?”

Lu Xuan nodded slightly. “But Betty and Xiangwan were more scared, so I had to act brave so they wouldn’t be.”

Her heart swelled with pride, and she kissed him again. “You did the right thing.”

“Mommy, Jia’ang said I was too mean. But I really like Uncle Mo, and he’s always nice to me. I didn’t want to be angry, but…”

Xia Shi understood. It hurts more when someone close to you lets you down.

“Do you still blame Uncle Mo?” she asked.

Lu Xuan shook his head. “Daddy said it wasn’t Uncle Mo’s fault — or mine. I was right, and he was right too.”

She blinked. “Oh? How so?”

“Daddy said it’s like when I was little and you two made me walk by myself and I fell. I got hurt, but it wasn’t your fault — you just wanted me to learn. Uncle Mo just wanted us to learn to be brave.”

On TV, the same conversation was playing — father and son in bed after the shoot. Lu Tingchuan tucked him in, explaining gently.

After thinking a while, Lu Xuan said softly, “Then tomorrow I’ll apologize to Uncle Mo. I shouldn’t have yelled.”

The show ended with the closing credits and behind-the-scenes clips.

Lu Xuan tugged at Xia Shi’s arm. “Mommy, I apologized! Uncle Mo was happy!”

She smiled and hugged him tight. “I’m proud of you, sweetheart.”

His eyes sparkled. “Then can I have a reward?”

She raised an eyebrow. “Hmm? What kind of reward?”

He sneaked a glance at his dad. “Can I sleep with Mommy and Daddy tonight?”

Lu Tingchuan chuckled, frowning playfully. “Didn’t we agree you’re a big boy now? You should sleep alone.”

“But Daddy, you always say I’m too little to do things — and now you say I’m big! You grown-ups just say whatever you want! So am I big or small?!”

Both parents stared in shock — their son had learned to argue back! And every point hit home!

Xia Shi couldn’t help laughing.

Lu Xuan hugged her neck. “Mommy said I can have a reward! And I don’t always cling to you — just sometimes! But Daddy, you’re always clinging to Mommy!”

Lu Tingchuan frowned again — same word, different meaning! That’s my wife!

Before he could protest, Xia Shi scooped up Lu Xuan. “Okay! Tonight, you sleep with Mommy and Daddy. If Daddy disagrees, he can go sleep in the study — or on the sofa!”

Lu Tingchuan’s face said it all: I’ve lost control of this family.

“Does no one remember who’s supposed to be the head of this house anymore?!”

Well… maybe he’d never been, really. But still — he used to have some authority! Now even his son was rebelling!

Did he still have a place in this home? (table flip!)