After Transmigrating into a Professional Bootlicker, I Messed Up - Chapter 77.1

Extra Story 2

This was Ji Chi’an and Ji Chuling’s ongoing “Father-Son War.”

This year marked Ji Chuling’s fifth birthday.

And Ji Chi’an’s thirty-ninth birthday.

Ji Chuling was convinced his dad was an “old man,” who shamelessly competed with him daily for his mom’s attention.

Ji Chi’an thought his son was a “little brat” who shamelessly battled him for his wife’s affections.

Ji Chuling believed that aside from fathering him, his dad was in no way worthy of his mom.

Ji Chi’an thought that, aside from being his son, Ji Chuling had very little to be proud of.

Watching her husband and son, who shared about 80% of the same features, glaring at each other, Lin Luo felt a headache brewing.

Ji Chuling looked a lot like Ji Chi’an. He looked so similar, in fact, that if he ever got lost at the airport, anyone could tell that he was Ji Chi’an’s son. The main difference was in the details: Ji Chi’an’s face was angular, with sharp jawlines and a refined, restrained air. Meanwhile, Ji Chuling had soft, round cheeks, with no visible bones—only adorable chubbiness that made him look constantly pouty and cute, an irresistible sight that made everyone want to pinch his cheeks.

Yet Ji Chuling was unhappy about his cuteness. He believed real men should be tough, not cute, and that he lost in the “battle for mom” every time precisely because his adorable cheeks undermined his manly appeal.

He watched as his dad wrapped a long arm around his mom and led her into the bedroom. Ji Chi’an even turned back to give his son a smug, condescending look, making Ji Chuling’s cheeks puff up in fury.

“Mom should be sleeping with me tonight! Dad, you’re unfair!” Ji Chuling shouted, rushing forward to reclaim his mom.

Ji Chi’an casually extended a hand, holding his son’s head in place with ease. “Be good, son. Your mom and I are working on your gift.”

Ji Chuling raised his head suspiciously. “A gift?”

“Yes,” Ji Chi’an said with a smile. “Don’t you want a little sister like Lin Tuan Tuan?”

Ji Chuling nodded eagerly. He dreamed of a sweet, cuddly little sister, soft and fragrant. But what did that have to do with letting his dad steal his mom?

Still smiling, Ji Chi’an said, “Your mom and I are working on getting you a sister. But if you keep acting up, there might be no sister for you.”

Ji Chuling stared, his little brain trying to process this. He barely understood, but then a pillow flew at Ji Chi’an’s head, followed by Lin Luo’s sharp voice, “Ji Chi’an, how can you say such things in front of a child?!”

Ji Chuling watched as his super-beautiful mom scooped him up and glared at his dad before carrying him back to his room.

He clung happily to her shoulder, inhaling her sweet scent and making a ridiculously silly face at his dad.

Mom was soft as she laid him on the bed, covering him with his blanket and kissing his cheeks. She smelled so good and felt so soft that he instinctively grabbed her clothes and, in a babyish voice he usually never used, said, “I want mommy to sleep with me.”

Softened by her son’s innocent plea, Lin Luo’s heart melted, and she began to settle into bed beside him, ready to sleep with her little sweetheart.

Ji Chuling felt like he’d won a major victory.

But just as she got one leg under the blanket, an all-too-familiar long arm wrapped around her and pulled her away.

Ji Chuling didn’t even need to look to know it was his dad. Scowling, he watched as his dad pulled his mom close and sternly lectured, “Didn’t I teach you that a man must be independent? You can’t be clinging to your mom all the time if you want to be a strong man.”

Ji Chuling puffed up like an angry pufferfish, his little face scrunched in defiance, his eyes even tearing up from frustration.

Lin Luo couldn’t bear to see her son upset, so she immediately pushed Ji Chi’an away, holding Ji Chuling close and scolding her husband, “He’s just a little kid! Do you really need to compete with a child? Have some shame!”

Chuling silently agreed. Yes, dad, have some shame!

But Ji Chi’an, in classic style, kept his composure, leaning against the doorframe with his arms crossed. He gave an exaggeratedly serious speech. “Ji Chuling, you’re five now. You have your own car, your own house, brand-name bags, and even a girl you like. If Little Tuan Tuan finds out you’re afraid to sleep alone or still cling to your mom, do you think she’ll admire you?”

Ji Chuling hesitated. His dad’s words made a strange kind of sense.

“And, Luo Luo,” Ji Chi’an added with a knowing look, “you can’t spoil him too much, or he’ll grow up soft and weak. How will he ever become a man who can stand on his own two feet? I’m almost forty, and he still isn’t independent. Do you want me to still be looking after him when I’m old and gray?”

Ji Chuling was stunned. He watched helplessly as his mom seemed persuaded by his dad’s words and left with him, unable to voice his anger.

After all, he was five, but his dad was thirty-four years older and seventy centimeters taller, and could spin him around with ease. The last time he’d tried biting his dad, he’d ended up chipping a tooth on his dad’s watch, a painful and humiliating experience he’d never forget.

Plus, if he made his dad mad, there’d be no more Burberry coats, LV backpacks, Hermes scarves, yummy chocolates, or toy cars. Of course, he wasn’t shallow enough to care only about those things, but how would he impress Little Tuan Tuan without his fancy items? She was the only one who acknowledged his “manly appeal.”

Staring at the closed door, Ji Chuling’s nose wrinkled, and his eyes misted over. He’d had his mom sleep with him only three times this month. He, too, wanted to cuddle with her, but his dad was taller, stronger, and insanely possessive—he just couldn’t win.

🎭 Behind the Curtain with Kliraz: Adorable Rivalry, Dad Jokes, and a Struggle for Mom’s Love 🎭

The father-son rivalry for mom’s attention is an amusing trope in Chinese family stories, often highlighting the “男主外” (nán zhǔ wài) mindset, or the idea of men as providers. Ji Chi’an’s competitiveness shows his pride as the family’s “alpha.” (≧∇≦)

In China, gifting a younger child with mini versions of luxury items, like Ji Chuling’s little Burberry coat and LV bag, is a real trend among the wealthy. These tiny “status symbols” for kids are meant to mirror the parents’ style!

Ji Chi’an’s attempt to teach independence is a classic case of “parental modeling,” where he instills resilience by challenging his son’s attachment. But Ji Chuling’s reaction shows how parental competition can create humorous insecurities in kids.

The “mommy’s boy” vs. “daddy’s little champ” dynamic isn’t unique to China but resonates in Chinese families, where “family honor” can be very important. Ji Chuling’s adorable frustration makes him more loveable, and you can tell he’s set to grow into his dad’s mini-me.

Have you ever had a family member “compete” for attention? What was the funniest family rivalry you’ve seen? Tell us below! (●´ω｀●)