Traveling Through the Book and Becoming a Cub Among the Villains - Chapter 131

Qin Cheng, seeing Ye Qingxi suddenly chanGe direction, hurried after him.

Ye Qingxi ran to Mu Shaoting’s side, feigning confusion, “Aunt, why are you holding my scarf and gloves?”

“Your aunt asked me how to knit them,” Qin Luan replied with a smile.

Ye Qingxi immediately followed up, “Aunt, are you going to knit? Who are you knitting for?”

“Who else but you?” Mu Shaoting pinched his cheek.

Qin Luan wasn’t Ye Qingxi’s mother, and his second brother probably wouldn’t find a mother for their family’s baby either. That meant she would have to step into that role herself.

Mu Shaoting had always admired the adorable, warm knitted items Qin Luan made for Ye Qingxi, especially the unique “Cotton Candy” tag that was exclusively his.

So she secretly watched knitting tutorials in her bedroom and tried her hand at it several times.

The results were utterly disastrous.

Mu Shaoting was too embarrassed to even show them to Ye Qingxi.

Seeing Qin Luan arrive, Mu Shaoting decided to seize the opportunity to consult a professional. She hoped to learn from her and, at the same time, strengthen their bond as sisters-in-law.

Ye Qingxi was surprised to learn that she intended to knit for him.

Not for that scumbag?!

He suddenly felt a little embarrassed, “I already have one.”

“You won’t stay this size forever,” Qin Luan replied with a smile. “You’ll grow out of it.”

Ye Qingxi, “…..”

“It’s no trouble at all,” Qin Luan assured him. “I’m already knitting for Xiao Cheng, so it’s easy to make one for Xiao Xi, too. It’s no extra effort.”

“I feel bad asking,” Mu Shaoting said.

Qin Luan put her arm around Ye Qingxi, “There’s no need to feel bad. Xiao Xi is the youngest in the family, and besides, he’s helped me so many times. Plus, Xiao Cheng loves wearing matching things with Xiao Xi.”

Hearing this, Ye Qingxi turned to look at Qin Cheng.

Qin Cheng, “…..”

Qin Cheng’s ears flushed crimson.

“Weren’t you going to take me to Cotton Candy?” he mumbled shyly.

“Oh,” Ye Qingxi said quickly.

“Then we’ll go play with Cotton Candy,” he told the adult in front of him.

Mu Shaowu nodded, “Go ahead and have fun.”

Ye Qingxi immediately pulled Qin Cheng up and ran toward the stairs.

It was the New Year, and Cotton Candy had a new outfit. Well, not exactly clothes—more precisely, a red woolen scarf.

Donut had one too, but the pattern was different. Cotton Candy’s scarf featured white cotton candy designs, while Donut’s had golden donuts.

These intricately crafted scarves were, of course, the work of Qin Luan.

At that moment, Cotton Candy was wearing his scarf and sleeping soundly in his cloud-shaped cat bed.

Ye Qingxi gently stroked his body without waking him.

“Brother, let’s go play in the Ball Pit.”

Qin Cheng nodded, “Okay.”

The two quietly slipped out of the bedroom and dashed into the Ball Pit.

When 6 o’clock arrived, Mu Shaowu came upstairs to call them for dinner.

Ye Qingxi and Qin Cheng quickly put on their shoes and rushed out.

“Dinner’s ready,” Mu Shaowu announced, glancing at the two of them.

Ye Qingxi hummed in response, took Mu Shaowu’s hand, and then Qin Cheng’s, and happily led them downstairs.

Mu Shaoyan finally emerged from the study.

“How’s the studying going?” Mu Zheng asked with concern.

“Not great,” Mu Shaoyan replied listlessly. “This practice exam feels like it’ll never end.”

Mu Zheng comforted him, “Just hang in there for another half a year. We’ve all been through this.”

Mu Shaoting raised her hand, “Not me! I didn’t work nearly as hard.”

“You have the nerve to say that?” Mu Shaowu interjected as he led Ye Qingxi downstairs. “Your grades were the worst in the family. Shaoyan, buckle down and try to outscore your sister.”

“Absolutely,” Mu Shaoyan agreed without hesitation.

Mu Shaoting scoffed, “Outscoring me is nothing. Try outscoring Eldest Brother!”

Mu Shaoyan, “….”

Mu Shaoyan glanced at his eldest brother, who had graduated from A University years ago. His brother had no idea he wanted to become his junior there.

He wondered what his expression would be when he found out.

“If you need help with anything, feel free to ask me anytime,” Mu Zheng said.

“No need. I have a private tutor,” Mu Shaoyan replied.

“Didn’t Brother Duan Yi go back to his hometown?” Ye Qingxi asked, turning to look at him.

He remembered Duan Yi mentioning he’d be spending the Spring Festival in his hometown, which meant Mu Shaoyan’s tutoring sessions were temporarily suspended.

“He did go home. But he told me to video call or send voice messages whenever I have questions,” Mu Shaoyan grumbled. “He left me twenty practice exams! Twenty! How dare he just abandon me like that?!”

Ye Qingxi, “…..”

Ye Qingxi turned to Mu Shaowu, “Dad, let’s give Brother Duan Yi a generous red envelope after the National College Entrance Examination.”

That tutor was going above and beyond.

Even the Spring Festival couldn’t bring him peace!

“Don’t worry,” Mu Shaowu said, glancing at him. “If your little uncle does well on the exam, I’ll even buy him a car.”

Mu Shaoyan immediately protested, “Then why don’t you buy me a car?”

Mu Shaowu, “…..”

“I want a car, too,” Mu Shaoyan insisted. “An SUV.”

“Fine,” Mu Shaowu said wearily. “Get into a 985 university, and you can pick out any SUV you want.”

Mu Shaoting interjected, “What’s wrong with our 211 university?”

“Seriously, Miss, is that fair? I got you a sports car after your National College Entrance Examination!” Mu Shaowu sighed, exasperated.

Mu Shaoting, “……”

Mu Shaoting immediately backed down, “That’s why I always say you’re the best, Brother! You’re not just handsome on the outside, you’re even more handsome on the inside.”

Mu Shaowu chuckled, amused by his sister’s flattery.

Ye Qingxi couldn’t help but laugh at their banter.

“Then I want a car after my National College Entrance Examination, too,” he muttered to himself.

“Sure thing!” Several voices responded at once.

Ye Qingxi, “????”

Ye Qingxi, “!!!!”

Ye Qingxi stared at the group, Wait, I didn’t think I was speaking that loudly…

Mu Shaowu grinned at his siblings and in-laws, “I heard that! I’m holding you all to it. When my son passes his exam, I’ll be coming for those cars one by one.”

“It’s just a car,” Mu Shaoting said dismissively. “Xiao Xi can pick whatever he wants when the time comes, and I’ll buy it for him.”

“I’ll buy six before the exam,” Mu Shaoyan declared, hands in his pockets. “Six cars for smooth sailing and guaranteed success!”

Ye Qingxi, …Uncle! You’re truly my favorite uncle!

Mu Shaoting wrinkled her nose, “You’re such a nouveau riche!”

Mu Shaoyan chuckled, “Just admit it—isn’t it awesome?”

Mu Shaoting, “……”

Mu Shaowu quickly wrote down the words, “I’ll be waiting for your ’66 great success’ and your triumphant start.”

“No problem,” Mu Shaoyan said smugly. “Even if I don’t buy one for myself, I’ll get enough for our Xiao Xi baby.”

Ye Qingxi, “……”

That’s really not necessary.

Just as he was thinking this, Qin Cheng leaned in and whispered in his ear, “I’ll buy you a car too when the time comes.”

Ye Qingxi, “????”

Ye Qingxi didn’t know whether to laugh or cry, You?

“You’ll still be a student then,” he pointed out.

“I’ll have money by then,” Qin Cheng insisted.

That’s true, but…

“No need~”

What would I even do with so many cars?

I’m not running a dealership.

“But your dad bought a car for Little Uncle,” Qin Cheng argued. “He’s the older brother, and I’m an older brother too.”

Ye Qingxi, “……”

“But I’m the older brother who earns money, and you’re the older brother who doesn’t yet,” Mu Shaowu said, bending down to address Qin Cheng. “Xiao Cheng, focus on your studies. When you grow up and pass the National College Entrance Examination, Second Uncle will not only buy you a car, but also a house.”

Ye Qingxi, “!!!!”

Ye Qingxi turned to his father, You’re so generous!

Mu Shaowu pinched his cheek. “You, too, baby. Daddy will buy you one, too~”

Ye Qingxi smiled and followed Mu Shaowu into the dining room.

The chef had already arranged the dishes on the table and was now cleaning the kitchen. Once he finished clearing the table, his work for the day would be done.

Mu Feng sat at the head of the table, picked up his chopsticks, and gestured for everyone to begin. “Let’s eat.”

The meal started.

Mu Shaowu’s first chopstick full went to Ye Qingxi—a pistachio from the side dishes, “Wishing you happiness in the new year.”

Next came candied sweet potatoes, “May your year be prosperous and vibrant.”

Then a piece of squirrel fish, “May you have abundance year after year.”

Ye Qingxi laughed, finding his father truly amusing, “Dad, shouldn’t you be at home right now?”

“Where else would I be?” Mu Shaowu asked curiously.

“You should be at the Spring Festival Gala, rehearsing your hosting lines.”

Mu Shaowu chuckled heartily, “If you want, I’ll go to the Gala next year if they invite me.”

Ye Qingxi looked surprised, “They invited you?”

“Just kidding! Your dad’s a top-tier celebrity!”

“Then why didn’t you go?”

“Because you weren’t there, of course~” Mu Shaowu helped him to some more dishes. “This is our first New Year together, and I definitely wanted to spend it with you.”

Ye Qingxi couldn’t help but smile.

Mu Shaowu patted his little head, “In a few years, if you want to see Daddy on TV during the New Year’s Eve gala, then I’ll go.”

Ye Qingxi looked at him, unable to suppress his grin. He whispered, “But what if you’re not famous anymore by then? You won’t be able to go.”

“How could that happen?” Mu Shaowu scoffed, thinking his son was worrying about nothing. “Look at your dad’s face! How could I not stay famous? Even if the world ends, I could carve a bloody path through zombies with just my looks!”

Ye Qingxi burst into laughter.

His dad is so narcissistic!

But he really is handsome!

It’s rare to find a man who can be both beautiful and dashing at the same time!

No wonder he became an instant sensation upon his debut.

In the entertainment industry, looks truly are the primary currency.

Ye Qingxi gazed steadily at him, determined to help him protect his father’s handsome face.

The meal was thoroughly enjoyable.

After finishing his rice and dishes, Ye Qingxi also tried some eight-treasure rice.

This time, the eight-treasure rice was sweet and glutinous, with an excellent flavor and texture. The red bean paste was rich and fragrant, and Ye Qingxi loved it so much that he asked Mu Shaowu to serve him several more helpings.

Finally, Mu Shaowu simply went to the kitchen and gave the chef a red envelope, asking him to make extra portions to be delivered later.

The chef happily accepted the gift and promised to comply.

After the meal, the group moved from the dining room to the living room.

As they watched television and chatted, Cotton Candy circled around their feet, occasionally battling imaginary foes and sometimes settling obediently beside Ye Qingxi.

When the clock struck midnight, Mu Shaoyan was the first to stand up. He called out to his young nephew, “Happy New Year! Time for fireworks! Come on, Xiao Xi, Xiao Cheng, Uncle will take you to set them off!”

Ye Qingxi nodded but didn’t immediately follow Mu Shaoyan outside. Instead, he picked up Cotton Candy and placed him in the most soundproof music room, “Be good, stay here and watch. Don’t go outside to listen to the fireworks—you might get scared.”

He patted Cotton Candy’s fluffy head, closed the door, and then hurried to the courtyard.

Mu Shaoyan had already arranged for someone to buy a large quantity of fireworks, waiting for this moment to put on a show for Ye Qingxi.

“Xiao Xi, watch carefully,” he announced.

With that, he struck a match and lit the fuse.

With a “whoosh,” a golden streak shot into the sky, bursting into a magnificent meteor shower against the dark night.

Ye Qingxi gasped in awe.

Even Mu Shaoting couldn’t help but remark, “That’s actually quite beautiful.”

Mu Shaoyan grinned proudly, “Of course.”

He lit another firework. This time, it was green, resembling fluttering leaves that drifted gently downward before vanishing mid-air.

“They’re little Ye leaves!” Mu Shaoting said, glancing down at Ye Qingxi.

Ye Qingxi smiled when he heard Mu Shaoyan call out, “Come on, Xiao Xi, you light one.”

Mu Shaowu immediately hugged his son tightly, “This might not be a good idea. Xiao Xi is so young—what if he gets hurt?”

Mu Shaoyan didn’t think it was likely, but he couldn’t be certain.

Taking precautions, he withdrew the match.

Ye Qingxi, however, quickly insisted, “I can do it, Daddy! It’s okay, I won’t get hurt.”

Mu Shaowu stared at him.

Ye Qingxi nodded earnestly, “Really.”

“Then Dad will do it with you,” Mu Shaowu said, still uneasy.

“Okay,” Ye Qingxi agreed.

Mu Shaowu led him over, and Mu Shaoyan handed him the match.

Mu Shaowu lit it, placed it in Ye Qingxi’s hand, and then held his hand as they jointly touched the match to the firework’s fuse.

With a hiss, the fuse ignited.

Mu Shaowu immediately pulled Ye Qingxi’s hand back and retreated.

A white light shot straight into the sky, piercing the night like the aurora borealis. It tore through the darkness, erupting into countless dazzling, shimmering fragments.

They cascaded down like diamonds, each vying for attention.

Ye Qingxi watched quietly, savoring the warmth radiating from Mu Shaowu’s hand.

This was the first time he had ever held hands with someone while setting off fireworks.

It was also the first time he had ever held hands with someone who held the title of “Dad” while setting off fireworks.

He turned to look at Mu Shaowu.

Mu Shaowu’s face, illuminated by the brilliant fireworks, was breathtakingly handsome, as beautiful as a painting.

This was his dad.

His dad now.

His dad in the future.

The dad he loved.

His only dad.

“Dad,” Ye Qingxi whispered.

Mu Shaowu lowered his head, concern etched on his face, “What’s wrong?”

Ye Qingxi simply gazed at him, his eyes slowly curving into a smile. For once, he reached out his arms, his voice soft and childlike, “Hug.”

Author’s Notes:

Mu Shaowu: !!!

Mu Shaowu picked him up and kissed him hard~

Mu Shaowu: My son asked me to hold him~

Mu Shaoyan on the side: Did I buy fireworks to let you two have a deep father-son relationship?!

Mu Shaowu: You should feel honored~

Mu Shaoyan: ….