The Rich Stepfather Became Popular After Slacking Off - Chapter 20
The next morning.
Lin Yi slept in until he naturally woke then lazily sat up in bed and let out a yawn.
Ever since transmigrating into the book, he had been able to sleep however long he wanted. He was finally making up for all the missed sleep from his previous life.
He sat in bed, spacing out for a bit, thinking about the mission the production team had assigned them yesterday.
Something about going up the mountain to pick mushrooms, and whoever made the most money from selling them would win?
Even though it was a competition, Lin Yi didn’t seem the least bit concerned. He slowly climbed out of bed and went to wash up.
Huo Mianmian had woken up earlier than Lin Yi.
After waking, he didn’t disturb Lin Yi, but quietly moved a little stool over to the window. Resting his soft cheeks in his little hands, he sat there quietly while gazing out at the scenery outside.
When he heard movement behind him, he turned his head and saw that his little dad was awake.
His big black eyes lit up at once, and he slid off the stool, trotting over on his short little legs to stand beside Lin Yi and look up at him.
As Lin Yi walked, a tiny figure suddenly appeared beside him.
The little one was tilting his head up to look at him with bright, expectant eyes.
At first, Lin Yi didn’t quite understand what the look meant. He patted the little one on the head and said, “Mianmian, how come you’re up so early?”
Huo Mianmian didn’t say anything, just kept looking at him with those watery, sparkling eyes.
He was wearing a bunny outfit today, with two long ears on the hood and a round cotton tail on the back.
With the hood on and the bunny ears standing upright, plus his delicate, rosy-cheeked little face, he really did look like a tiny bunny.
First thing in the morning and already getting stared at by such an adorable cub, Lin Yi felt like his whole day was made.
Since Huo Mianmian didn’t like to talk much, Lin Yi thought it over and guessed what this look probably meant. He asked, “I get it. Are you really excited because we’re going to pick mushrooms today?”
Huo Mianmian immediately nodded, and the bunny ears on his head bounced adorably.
Just then, the production crew, knowing the father and son were up, entered the bedroom to start filming.
The moment the livestream turned on, viewers saw Mianmian nodding eagerly, causing the chat to explode.
【Aaaaahhh what is this adorable little baby!!!】
【I want to scoop him up and smother him with kisses!!!】
【Ughh this feeling of being able to see but not squeeze is torture!!】
【Every day I have the urge to steal this child!】
Lin Yi was just as overwhelmed by the cuteness and sighed like the viewers. “Tsk tsk, makes me wanna steal this kid.”
Huo Mianmian blinked his pretty eyes.
Lin Yi crouched down and cupped his little face. “Mianmian, how about I steal you home with me?”
Without a moment’s hesitation, Huo Mianmian nodded.
Sure! He wanted to live with little dad.
Seeing how readily he agreed, Lin Yi felt thoroughly gratified and chuckled. “Alright then, it’s settled!”
Then he thought for a second and added, “Wait a minute. You’re already my kid, I don’t even have to steal you.”
He said it with such pride.
【Pulling out my sword. This is too hateful.】
【Lin Yi must’ve saved the galaxy in his last life to get such a cute baby in this one!!】
【If you’re all going to steal the baby, I’m taking the adult!!】
【No way, Lin Yi’s hubby is mine—hands off!!】
After teasing the little one for a bit, Lin Yi, in a great mood, headed to the bathroom to wash up.
A cameraman followed him in with the camera.
The show hadn’t yet filmed the guests’ morning routines, so they figured now was a good chance. Especially with Lin Yi, whose face was arguably the best-looking of all the guests. It would be a shame not to capture it.
Lin Yi brushed his teeth first, then started to wash his face.
A lot of viewers were watching expectantly.
After all, his skin was flawless. Many were hoping to pick up some skincare tips but after watching eagerly for a bit, everyone was stunned.
Lin Yi didn’t do any skincare at all. He just splashed some water on his face, and that was it.
That’s it??!!
All the viewers: Huh???
Most celebrities, regardless of gender, have a skincare routine. Lin Yi’s skin was just naturally perfect. No special care needed.
【Jealousy, envy, hatred!!!】
【Aaaaah why couldn’t I be born with that kind of skin??】
【Looking at my mountain of skincare products and sobbing!!】
【So real beauty just washes with water, huh??】
Even after washing with plain water, Lin Yi still looked stunning.
His skin was porcelain-white, and his features were striking. His alluring peach blossom eyes naturally carried a sense of deep emotion, with their upturned outer corners adding a touch of casual charm.
Fresh from washing, his face was dotted with droplets that made him look even cleaner and brighter.
After a moment, the droplets slid down his face, past his chin, along his neck, to his delicate collarbone, and finally disappeared under the edge of his loose sleepwear, sparking endless imagination.
【Oh my god, help, my heart is racing and my face is red, what do I do?!】
【My wife is too tempting, slurp slurp~】
【Who the hell did Lin Yi marry? I’m going to duel them!!】
【Suddenly I get why Cao Cao was so happy all the time…】
The livestream erupted. The chat was practically blowing up.
At that moment, Lin Yi took a few steps toward the door, propped one hand on the frame, tilted his head slightly, and drawled lazily, “I’m going to change. Mind stepping out?”
He was tall and lean, almost a bit slender. The loose sleepwear draped over him hinted at a slender, flexible waistline.
As he leaned against the doorframe, his sleeve slipped down, revealing a stretch of fair forearm.
It was a completely normal sentence, but the look and posture gave it an unexpectedly seductive air.
【Just change right here! What’s the point of being a VIP member if we can’t see this stuff?!】
【Cameraman, don’t leave. I wanna watch my wife change clothes!!】
【Dear lord, that waist!! Looks like two hands could wrap all the way around it!】
【Who’s the one enjoying all this?? I’m dying of jealousy!!】
【The one Lin Yi married, obviously.】
【Netizens are useless. Why hasn’t anyone dug up who he’s married to yet?!】
Half an hour later, Lin Yi and Huo Mianmian were ready and headed toward the mountain where they would be picking mushrooms today.
Other than their pair, He Nian, Zhao Jin, and Zhou Ke’s teams had already left earlier.
Of course, there was one pair even lazier than Lin Yi’s, Shen Feng and Song Yutao. When Lin Yi left, those two were still snoring in bed, clearly not about to sacrifice sleep for some mushroom-picking competition.
To make climbing easier, Lin Yi wore a simple sporty outfit. Hoodie, sweatpants, and sneakers.
It gave him a youthful and energetic vibe.
He looked just like a college student heading up a mountain for fun.
Huo Mianmian, still in his bunny outfit, followed beside him happily.
He’d been wanting to pick mushrooms for a while now. He had only seen them in picture books before, but now he could experience it himself.
He even brought a little basket, well-prepared for the task.
The father and son strolled cheerfully toward the mountain.
Soon, they reached the base of the mountain.
It was tall and thickly wooded, a perfect place for mushrooms.
The one downside is, the trail wasn’t easy. It was all dirt and quite steep.
Lin Yi, being an adult, didn’t mind but he was a bit worried whether Huo Mianmian could keep climbing.
He turned his head to check.
At that moment, Huo Mianmian was holding his basket and steadily climbing, step by step.
He was so small, with short arms and legs. It didn’t look easy for him. Sometimes a slightly larger rock seemed enough to trip him. After all, he was the youngest child on the show, only three years old. The others were all four or five.
Lin Yi was about to ask if he wanted to take a break.
Then, Huo Mianmian noticed he’d stopped and thought he was tired. He asked first, “Xiao Ba, are you tired? Do you want to rest for a bit?”
Lin Yi’s heart melted.
How could this little sweetheart be so considerate?
Lin Yi replied, “I’m not tired. But if you are, we can rest.”
Huo Mianmian shook his head. “Mianmian’s not tired either.”
Then, with lips pursed, he kept climbing.
From behind, he really looked like a fluffy little bunny hopping through the woods.
Lin Yi stared at his tiny back and couldn’t help but sigh, “So this is how joyful raising a kid can be!”
【Only because your kid is this well-behaved!!】
【Seriously, my kid throws tantrums every day and gives me chest pain!!】
【If I had a little one like Mianmian, I’d want to give him the whole world!!】
They continued climbing.
Lin Yi stayed behind Huo Mianmian the whole time in case he slipped and needed help.
Huo Mianmian’s legs were so short that each step barely covered any ground.
So Lin Yi followed along slowly, lost in thought.
He wondered why Huo Mianmian seemed to show signs of autism.
A child this sweet and lovable should’ve been raised with care. It didn’t seem like he should have psychological issues.
Had something happened to him when he was younger? Or was it genetic?
The genetic theory didn’t seem likely.
Lin Yi didn’t know much about the Huo family, so he didn’t want to jump to conclusions.
His belief was: never judge without knowing the full picture, especially if it might cause harm.
Even so, he started to care more about this.
After all, who wouldn’t like or worry about such an adorable little guy?
As of now, Huo Mianmian hadn’t fully recovered mentally.
He still rarely spoke—only saying a few words all day—and usually kept to himself. Worst of all, he sometimes woke up in the middle of the night.
That wasn’t normal behavior for a three-year-old.
Lin Yi walked and thought.
Meanwhile, elsewhere.
He Nian was frowning hard, staring at Haohao who had fallen to the ground.
He’d been in such a rush to move quickly that he took big strides. Haohao, flustered trying to keep up, ended up tripping and falling.
He Nian’s frown deepened.
He had brought Haohao onto the show because he was a child star with a built-in fanbase. Plus, Haohao’s parents kept saying how talented their son was.
Yet since filming began, Haohao hadn’t helped his popularity at all. He was getting more and more annoyed.
Especially now that Haohao fell and was slowing him down.
He’d already been affected by the incident with Auntie Lin and Uncle Lin at the farmhouse, so he wanted to make a comeback by winning today’s mushroom competition.
Now this?
How was he supposed to come out on top?
He Nian was fuming inside, but he couldn’t show it on camera. He forced a smile and said to Haohao, “Haohao, take your time, okay? I’m going to head ahead first.”
Haohao, more independent than most kids, was still only five. Hearing that He Nian was going to leave him alone in the deep forest made his eyes fill with fear. “I-I want to go with you!”
They weren’t close to begin with, but right now, in this spooky forest, He Nian was the only adult around he could rely on.
He Nian suppressed his irritation and said in his usual gentle voice, “It’s fine, the cameraman uncle will stay with you. Just take your time.”
Then he walked ahead by himself.
No one was going to stop him from winning today.
He was determined to prove himself and step all over Lin Yi.
After all, Lin Yi had always just been a background character to him and he should stay that way forever!
Haohao watched He Nian walk off without hesitation. Panicked, he ignored the pain in his leg and hobbled after him.
Don’t—don’t leave me!
As He Nian grew smaller in the distance, Haohao’s tears kept falling.
Wuwuwu, what should he do?
【WTF! He Nian has seriously gone too far this time!】
【Damn it! I’m so mad my fists are shaking!!】
【Isn’t this borderline child abuse?!】
【He’s done this before! Always pressuring Haohao to work hard for the sake of the mission—like the kid’s not even five!】
【How can anyone still call this guy “kind” and “wholesome”?! How do you say that with a straight face?!】
Although some of He Nian’s fans immediately tried to defend him.
【Come on, it’s a competition. It’s understandable that Nian Nian wants to do his best.】
【It’s not like Haohao’s alone—there’s a cameraman with him. What’s the big deal?】
These brainless comments were quickly drowned out by the furious backlash. Even those fans realized they were clearly in the wrong this time, so they promptly shut up.
On the other side, Lin Yi and Huo Mianmian had already climbed a fair distance.
According to the crew, the area they were in now was where mushrooms began to grow, but if they wanted to find more, they’d have to keep climbing higher.
Lin Yi, being an adult with decent stamina, didn’t really care either way. Yet since Mianmian was only three, he figured this was probably high enough.
He was about to ask Mianmian what he thought, but at that moment, the little one tugged on his shirt.
Lin Yi raised an eyebrow. “What is it?”
Huo Mianmian extended a small finger and pointed ahead.
Lin Yi followed the direction of his finger and saw a little boy leaning against a large rock, sobbing.
Lin Yi was surprised.
Wait… wasn’t that Haohao?
Why wasn’t he with He Nian? Why was he sitting there crying all alone?
Lin Yi walked over to Haohao, taking Mianmian along.
He crouched down in front of the child and asked gently, “Haohao, what’s wrong? Why are you crying here all by yourself?”
Haohao lifted his tear-streaked face and, when he saw Lin Yi, his eyes lit up with a kind of desperate relief. Like a lost little animal finally seeing someone coming to save him.
He choked out, “Brother Lin Yi—wuwuwu!”
All the kids on the show liked Lin Yi, Haohao included but He Nian always made sure to keep him away from Lin Yi.
Lin Yi gently wiped the tears from his face and asked, “Take your time. What happened?”
Comforted by Lin Yi’s warm tone, Haohao’s sobbing gradually calmed. He sniffled and said, “I-I fell… my leg really hurts…”
Hearing that, Lin Yi immediately rolled up his pant leg to check.
Sure enough, Haohao’s right knee was swollen and red, with some dirt smeared on the skin.
Lin Yi frowned, then turned and asked Huo Mianmian, “Mianmian, did you bring tissues today?”
Mianmian was a bit of a neat freak, and always carried tissues around to wipe away dirt or messes.
Sure enough, the little one pulled out a packet from his jacket pocket and handed it over, then quietly squatted beside them, watching as Lin Yi cleaned up Haohao’s wound.
Lin Yi gently wiped away the dirt and inspected the injury again, it’s just a surface scratch. Nothing serious.
He folded Haohao’s pant leg up over the knee to avoid fabric rubbing against the sore spot, then said, “It’s okay, don’t be scared. Just a little scratch.”
Haohao visibly relaxed. “Thank you, Brother Lin Yi…”
Lin Yi wiped away the rest of the tears from his face and smiled. “That’s more like it. You’re a boy, you’ve got to be brave.”
Haohao straightened up a little and nodded. No more tears.
He was going to be a brave little boy!
【Sob sob sob, why am I crying?】
【So moving! Lin Yi being gentle is almost lethal—too powerful!!】
【Ugh, Lin Yi is just so kind. No wonder all the kids love him. Honestly, I want to hang out with him too!】
After calming down, Haohao suddenly remembered something and looked worried. “Should I try to catch up? I’m afraid I’ll get scolded…”
He didn’t say who he was afraid of, but everyone knew.
Lin Yi said firmly, “Your leg isn’t in great shape right now. Don’t try to walk too much. No need to catch up.”
Then, looking him straight in the eye, Lin Yi added, “Don’t worry. As long as I’m here, no one’s going to scold you.”
His voice was calm and full of certainty, the kind that gave people an incredible sense of security.
Haohao looked at him, and slowly, a smile bloomed on his face.
It was the first truly relaxed smile he’d shown since the show began.
【AHHH! That line was so cool!!】
【Yes! Even through the screen, I felt the safety and comfort in his words!】
【Gentle but strong. God, I love this man.】
【If He Nian really dares to scold him, I’ll flame him into the ground.】
【Seriously, does He Nian think we’re all pushovers or something?】
Now that Haohao had joined their group, Lin Yi decided to rest there a bit longer. Later, they could just pick mushrooms in the surrounding area.
While they were resting, Shen Feng and Song Yutao finally arrived, yawning as they climbed the trail.
Shen Feng perked up when he saw Lin Yi, the sleepiness instantly fading from his face.
Curious, he asked, “Why are you guys just sitting around here?”
Lin Yi gave him a lazy side glance. “Isn’t it obvious? We’re resting.”
Shen Feng ran his fingers through his bedhead. “Aren’t we supposed to be in a competition? You’re just sitting here?”
Lin Yi: “…”
You came later than me. How do you have the nerve to say that?
Shen Feng didn’t think there was anything wrong with his question. Seeing Lin Yi sitting on a rock, he was just about to join him but Lin Yi immediately stood up.
Shen Feng stared, incredulous. “Why do you look like you’re disgusted by me?”
Lin Yi raised an eyebrow. “Do I?”
He didn’t think he had shown anything obvious.
Shen Feng insisted, “Of course you did! I come over and you leave!”
He was hoping to sit and have a little chat too, you know!
【LOL Shen Feng looks like a sad puppy that just got rejected.】
【I noticed this ages ago—ever since the first day of the show, Shen Feng’s whole personality changed around Lin Yi. Used to be all aloof and grumpy, now he’s got this needy, tsundere vibe!】
【Haha, ‘attention-seeking’ describes it perfectly.】
Lin Yi knew Shen Feng was a temperamental rich kid and couldn’t be bothered to argue. He just said, “Didn’t you say it’s a mushroom-picking competition? I’m just trying to be productive.”
Shen Feng snorted. “You call this being productive?”
The guy had just been lounging there looking calm as ever.
Lin Yi raised an eyebrow. “Why? What if I end up winning first place?”
Shen Feng, who was used to betting with friends, responded without thinking, “If you win first, I’ll call you Dad!!”
Lin Yi’s brows lifted in surprise.
Oh? Was it his lucky day?
Only after yelling it out did Shen Feng realize what he’d said. Panic crept into his voice. “Wait—what if you don’t win?”
Lin Yi thought for a moment, then said lazily, “Then I’ll call you ‘Son’?”
Shen Feng: “Deal!!”
A few seconds later. “Wait, how is this fair?!”
Lin Yi: “Hahahaha!”
【LOL Shen Feng turns into a fool around Lin Yi.】
【Right? He’s like an overly excited husky.】
【Let’s not forget Lin Yi’s math competition last time—dude did double and triple-digit multiplication in under three seconds. Of course his reaction time and IQ are off the charts.】
【Why is Lin Yi so perfect?!】
【And somehow, I like him more and more every day!!】
The teasing eventually died down, and the group genuinely began searching for mushrooms in the area.
After all, the crew had said that although there were fewer mushrooms here, it wasn’t entirely barren. There was still a chance to find some if they looked carefully.
Since Haohao’s leg was hurt, they didn’t plan to climb any higher. They would just forage nearby.
Huo Mianmian had been looking forward to this mushroom-picking adventure for a long time. Now that his wish was finally coming true, he looked noticeably happier than usual. With a small basket in hand, he walked around the woods, searching carefully.
Wearing that fluffy bunny costume, he really did look like a little bunny hopping around to pick mushrooms.
Before long, he actually found two little mushrooms. His eyes sparkled with joy as he placed them in his basket, then kept searching.
【Wow! Our Mianmian is amazing—already picked two mushrooms so quickly!】
【Of course! Don’t you know who he takes after?】
Lin Yi was also looking for mushrooms but his approach was way more laid-back. He just glanced around casually without much urgency.
Shen Feng, on the other hand, did nothing at all. Arms crossed, he followed Lin Yi closely, matching his every step.
“You sure you’ll find mushrooms here?” Shen Feng asked. “The crew said there are way more mushrooms further up the mountain.”
Lin Yi replied matter-of-factly, “Who says I won’t find any here? Precisely because no one came to this area, I might just get lucky.”
He had considered this earlier. Everyone rushed to the top thinking that’s where all the mushrooms would be, but maybe it had already been picked clean. Why not try his luck here?
Shen Feng was briefly speechless.
Okay… that actually made sense.
But he refused to admit it out loud. If Lin Yi ended up winning, wouldn’t he really have to call him Dad?
Just then, Lin Yi glanced at him sideways. “You’re not even looking for mushrooms. Why are you still tailing me?”
Shen Feng tilted his chin up. “What’s it to you? I want to.”
Lin Yi ignored him and kept looking.
Shen Feng just wouldn’t quit. He kept chattering, “Didn’t you say you want to get first place? Judging by how things are going… you might be out of luck.”
Lin Yi was getting irritated by the noise and just wanted to get rid of him. “Who says I won’t find anything?”
Shen Feng smugly pointed out, “You haven’t found a single mushroom yet.”
This was about more than just the contestz It was about whether or not he’d have to call Lin Yi “Dad,” so of course he cared a lot.
Lin Yi rolled his eyes and randomly pointed toward a slightly uneven pile of fallen leaves nearby. “Isn’t that a whole bunch right there? I’m going to pick them now. So get lost and stop disturbing me.”
With that, he turned and walked toward the spot, just to get Shen Feng off his back.
Shen Feng watched him go with a scoff.
Did Lin Yi think he was stupid? Just pointing randomly and pretending there were mushrooms?
But after a few steps, Lin Yi stopped moving.
Something felt… off.
That random spot he pointed to, did it actually have mushrooms?
Lin Yi squinted and took a closer look.
Wait… those really were mushrooms!
The shape and color… Why did they look so much like matsutake?!
The cameraman quickly zoomed in.
The live stream chat exploded instantly.
【Holy crap holy crap HOLY CRAP!! What am I seeing?!?!?!】
【Aren’t those… matsutake?!】
【No freaking way!!!】
【I can’t believe my eyes!!!】
【What did Lin Yi even do?!】
【Literally nothing. He just pointed.】
【I need to pray to Lin Yi or something—maybe my luck will improve too.】
【AHHHH my Lin Yi husband is too incredible!!】
Meanwhile, Shen Feng, noticing that Lin Yi had stopped walking, followed curiously then he saw the matsutake.
His eyes widened like saucers.
What the hell?! This was unreal!!
Lin Yi was totally cheating, right? This was too lucky to be fair!!
For once, Shen Feng looked completely defeated.
It was basically guaranteed that Lin Yi would win first place now. Who else could top a basket full of premium matsutake?
And that meant… he was really going to have to call Lin Yi “Dad.”
Lin Yi turned to him, wearing a lazy smile. “Remember what you said just now?”
Shen Feng: “…”
Would it work if he smashed his head against a tree and pretended to have amnesia?
Storyteller Starlightxel's Words
thanks for reading~ please drop some comments if you like it and if you see some errors. you can buy me ko-fi here :D