Traveling Through the Book and Becoming a Cub Among the Villains - Chapter 133
Yang Yu: [It’s fine, you don’t need to pay. It’s my treat.]
Mu Shaoting, “……”
found him so long-winded.
Mu Shaoting: [Keep it. I can afford it.]
As she was chatting, a childish voice suddenly piped up beside her, “Aunt, who are you talking to?”
Mu Shaoting turned to see her adorable nephew, Ye Qingxi, holding his cat.
No wonder Ye Qingxi had been wary.
From the moment she boarded the car, Mu Shaoting had been glued to her phone, sitting by the window and ignoring everyone else as if the person on the other end were the most important person in the world.
Ye Qingxi had immediately grown concerned, fearing she was falling in love.
“It’s nothing,” Mu Shaoting said, petting Cotton Candy twice before ruffling Ye Qingxi’s hair. “I’m ordering a cake. I’ll treat you in a couple of days.”
Ye Qingxi loved cake.
As Mu Shaoting’s most loyal cake buddy in the family, Ye Qingxi nodded at her words and didn’t ask any more questions.
“Okay!” Ye Qingxi smiled. “Thank you, Aunt!”
“Why are you being so polite with your aunt?” Mu Shaoting pinched his cheek.
immediately pulled his son into his arms, “Keep your hands off my son!”
Mu Shaoting chuckled, “I’m not just using my hands and feet—I’m using my mouth, too~”
With that, she planted a loud kiss on Ye Qingxi’s cheek.
Mu Shaowu, “????”
Mu Shaowu, “……”
Ye Qingxi couldn’t help but laugh and offered his other cheek to Mu Shaowu, “Daddy, you kiss me, too~”
Only then was Mu Shaowu satisfied, giving his son’s soft cheek a hearty kiss.
Honestly! he thought. Everyone in this family—and I mean everyone—wants to steal my son and make him their own!
It’s ridiculous!
Don’t they have their own children?
Come to think of it, aside from Eldest Brother, none of them do.
Mu Shaowu, “……”
Mu Shaowu considered Mu Shaoting and Mu Shaoyan’s current ages, then thought about when they might start having children. Despair washed over him.
Donut stayed home for two days before finally meeting his little master on the third.
He ran over enthusiastically, rubbing against Qin ‘s legs, then flopped onto the floor, rolling over to show his belly.
quickly stroked his head, scratched under his chin, and then scooped him up into his arms.
helped him carry the cat carrier, and they went downstairs together.
When the two cats reunited, Ye Qingxi didn’t dare let them meet directly. Instead, he let them sniff each other’s scents through the carrier.
After feeding the two cats small treats one by one, Ye Qingxi gradually introduced them to each other.
To his delight, the cats seemed to remember each other, showing no signs of hissing or bristling. They obediently nestled in their respective owners’ arms, contentedly munching on their snacks.
“Good boys,” Ye Qingxi cooed, rewarding Cotton Candy with another handful of freeze-dried treats.
When they reached the photography studio, Ye Qingxi and Qin Cheng, each cradling a cat, followed Mu Shaowu out of the car.
Mu Shaowu glanced at the furry bundles in their arms and asked with concern, “Can you manage, baby? Should Daddy help?”
“No need,” Ye Qingxi replied. He could easily hold the cat for this short while.
“What about you, Cheng?” Mu Shaowu turned to his young nephew.
“I don’t need help either,” Qin Cheng declared proudly.
Satisfied, Mu Shaowu led them toward the elevator.
The photographer was already waiting near the elevator entrance. Spotting the approaching group from afar, he guessed it was them and hurried over to greet them.
“Young Master Mu, it’s been a while.”
“Indeed, it has,” Mu Shaowu replied.
Ye Qingxi stood beside him, cradling his cat, and studied the man with sparrow-tail braids. Is this today’s photographer?
The photographer lowered his head and met Ye Qingxi’s gaze.
“So cute~” he couldn’t help but exclaim.
Ye Qingxi, noticing the photographer’s gaze, assumed he was referring to Cotton Candy in his arms and couldn’t help but feel a little smug.
Cotton Candy was already exceptionally well-groomed. At home, doted on him, feeding him homemade treats daily. His face was round and plump, his fur thick, soft, and snow-white, with only his nose and ears tinged with gold, as if dusted with gold powder. Truly adorable!
“How old is he?” the photographer asked.
“7 months,” Ye Qingxi replied.
“Huh?” The photographer blinked, looking bewildered.
Baby, how could you possibly be 7-months-old? How could you grow this big in just 7 months?!
Ye Qingxi, seeing the photographer’s stunned expression, asked, “What’s wrong? Is that not right?”
Is Cotton Candy really 7-months-old?
“Our Cotton Candy didn’t go through an awkward phase,” he explained. “That’s why he’s still so round-faced at 7 months.”
Just because he didn’t have a scrawny, awkward look didn’t mean he couldn’t be a 7-month-old kitten.
“Cotton Candy?”
Ye Qingxi looked down at the cat in his arms.
Cotton Candy immediately let out a dainty “Meow,” its sweet little face perfectly matching its affected tone.
The photographer burst into laughter, “I’m a people photographer, not an animal photographer, so of course I was talking about you, cutie!”
Ye Qingxi, “????”
Huh?
Ye Qingxi blinked. So, when the photographer said “cute,” he wasn’t talking about Cotton Candy… he was talking about him?
Mu Shaowu lowered his head and chuckled, “He’s 5-years-old.”
“Oh,” the photographer nodded. “Is he a relative of yours, Young Master Mu?”
“My son,” Mu Shaowu replied without hesitation.
The photographer, “!!!!”
The photographer’s eyes widened instantly!
What did he just say?
His son?!
Holy crap, what a bombshell!
But…
“You got someone pregnant at 19?” The photographer’s mind reeled.
Mu Shaowu raised an eyebrow, “Is that a problem?”
The photographer, “…..”
Well, it didn’t exactly seem like a problem.
After all, Mu Shaowu looked like that and came from a wealthy family.
And wealthy families were always prone to messy complications.
“Okay… okay,” the photographer nodded.
Ye Qingxi, fearing he might actually believe Mu Shaowu had gotten someone pregnant at 19, which would damaMu Shaowu’s reputation if the rumor spread, quickly interjected, “No, no, that’s not it. My surname is Ye.”
The photographer, “????”
Not the same surname as Mu Shaowu?
“He takes his mother’s surname,” Mu Shaowu blurted out.
Mu Shaoting seized the opportunity to stir trouble, “That’s me!”
The photographer, “!!!”
Ye Qingxi, “???”
Mu Shaowu, …What does this have to do with you?!
The photographer stared at the stunningly beautiful woman before him, even without makeup, and then at the impossibly gorgeous child standing between them.
Visually, it all seemed to check out.
But…
Young Master Mu isn’t single!
This was too much to process!
The photographer felt overwhelmed.
“Do you believe it?” Mu Shaowu asked him.
The photographer, “….”
“Should I…?”
Mu Shaoting burst into laughter, “Of course you shouldn’t believe him! Can’t you see? I’m his younger sister. We look so alike!”
The photographer, “????”
Mu Shaowu shook his head and placed a hand on the photographer’s shoulder, “Let’s go.”
Only after they entered the studio did Mu Shaowu find a secluded spot to explain the situation clearly.
Hearing his explanation, the photographer finally relaxed.
Thank goodness! he thought. If such a huge scandal had been hidden here, I would have been terrified!
If he had accidentally leaked this information, he might as well kiss his career goodbye.
“Still, Young Master Mu, your son is truly handsome. He could follow in your footsteps and inherit your legacy.”
“Me?” Mu Shaowu waved his hand dismissively. “Forget it. Don’t waste my son’s time.”
If he were a Best Actor, that might be different, but he was just a popular idol. What legacy was there to inherit?
“Alright, I’m going to pick out the outfits. Get ready for the photoshoot.”
“Okay.”
Mu Shaowu turned and headed toward the wardrobe room.
There were only a few sets of family portrait outfits.
Since disliked anything too flashy, they tentatively decided on two sets: formal attire and Republican-era clothing.
They would start with the formal attire.
Ye Qingxi chose a black cocktail dress for himself.
Qin Cheng selected the same.
The two went to separate dressing rooms to change.
After they finished changing, immediately exclaimed with enthusiasm, “Wow!”
Mu Feng nodded in satisfaction, “Not bad.”
“Not bad at all! They look absolutely dashing! My two little babies are too handsome!” Mu Shaoting pulled out her phone. “Come on, let Auntie take a picture of you.”
Hearing that it would be a photo with Ye Qingxi, Qin Cheng quickly straightened up and took Ye Qingxi’s hand. Ye Qingxi squeezed back, smiling at Mu Shaoting’s camera.
Mu Shaoting snapped several photos in quick succession.
Qin Luan also took a few pictures from the side.
By the time Mu Shaowu arrived, Mu Shaoting had just finished taking photos and was putting her phone away, ready to change into her own clothes.
Seeing him, Ye Qingxi showed off his outfit.
Mu Shaowu clicked his tongue, “Xiao Xi, you could walk the red carpet in that!”
Ye Qingxi chuckled lightly, “Don’t exaggerate.”
Still, the outfit was undeniably handsome, especially the shirt with its Western European courtly flair—a style Ye Qingxi particularly loved.
Mu Shaowu loved it too—it made his son look like a porcelain doll.
“Dad, hurry up and pick your outfit,” Ye Qingxi urged.
“Alright,” Mu Shaowu replied.
Once the outfits were chosen, it was time for makeup.
The makeup artist led Ye Qingxi to a vanity mirror. He sat down, gazing at his reflection.
The makeup artist stood beside him, opened her kit, and began working.
Her technique was skilled, her attitude serious, and she occasionally asked Ye Qingxi, “How does this feel?”
“Is this okay?”
As Ye Qingxi listened to her and looked at himself in the mirror, he felt that familiar sensation returning.
It was as if he were back on set, back to his days as an actor.
He suddenly felt uneasy.
It was as if he should leap from the chair at any moment, stand up, and rush to the set to film.
“Action!” “Cut!” “Xiao Xi!” “Ye Qingxi!” “Teacher Ye!” “Little Teacher Ye!” Ye Qingxi’s mind buzzed with the echoes of directors calling his name from afar, lines of dialogue, scenes flashing before his eyes, and the faces of countless characters.
They paraded through his thoughts like a flickering lantern show, yet stubbornly lingered in his heart, refusing to fade.
“Teacher Ye.” “Little Teacher Ye.” “Ye Qingxi.” “Xiao Xi.”
Ye Qingxi abruptly stood up.
The eyeliner pencil dragged across the corner of his eye, leaving a long, regretful tear-like streak.
The makeup artist stammered, “I’m so sorry! I’m so sorry!”
Qin Cheng turned to look at him, puzzled, “Xiao Xi?”
Ye Qingxi’s hand had unconsciously clenched into a fist.
His heart was in turmoil, as if a tornado had erupted within him, swirling countless fragments of memories into the air.
“What’s wrong?” someone asked.
The voice was familiar.
Ye Qingxi turned to see Mu Shaowu, his current father.
“Nothing,” Ye Qingxi whispered, sitting back down.
He tried to offer a plausible explanation, “I just needed to use the restroom, so I stood up without telling the makeup artist. That’s why it smudged.”
“Sorry, Miss,” he said.
The makeup artist replied gently, “It’s alright.”
“Let’s go. Dad will take you to the restroom,” Mu Shaowu said, walking over and taking his hand.
Ye Qingxi didn’t resist and followed him to the restroom.
He entered a stall and closed the door, silently gasping for breath.
He wasn’t filming a scene.
He wasn’t filming a scene.
He was just like everyone else.
He was still an ordinary little boy.
He was just here to take a family photo.
That’s right, a family photo.
The words “family photo” successfully calmed his agitated heart.
Ye Qingxi inhaled, exhaled, inhaled again, exhaled again, then flushed the toilet and walked out.
Mu Shaowu was waiting outside his dressing room. When Ye Qingxi emerged, Mu Shaowu took his hand and led him to wash his hands.
“Are you really okay?” Mu Shaowu asked, concerned.
Ye Qingxi gave him a ‘what are you thinking?’ look, “What could possibly be wrong with me?”
Seeing Ye Qingxi’s reaction, Mu Shaowu decided there probably wasn’t anything wrong after all. He breathed a sigh of relief and walked back with him.
“Xiao Xi, are you alright?” Qin Cheng asked when he returned.
Ye Qingxi shook his head and sat back down in the chair.
The makeup artist carefully wiped away the black smudge and resumed applying his makeup.
Mu Shaowu stayed with him for a while, making sure he really seemed fine, before leaving to get his own hair and makeup done.
“You’re so handsome,” the makeup artist couldn’t help but exclaim, gazing at Ye Qingxi. “We’ve had child stars here before, but none of them were as good-looking as you.”
Ye Qingxi smiled faintly but remained silent.
The makeup artist assumed he was shy and didn’t press the matter further.
Soon, Qin Cheng’s hair and makeup were complete. His already striking features were now even more pronounced, making him look ready for a magazine shoot.
He’d be perfect for acting, Ye Qingxi thought to himself. Or rather, their whole family seems destined for stardom in some way.
Qin Cheng stood beside Ye Qingxi, waiting patiently. Before long, Ye Qingxi’s makeup and styling were complete.
Hand in hand, they walked over to Mu Shaowu.
Mu Shaowu was still getting his makeup done. Seeing them approach, he said kindly, “Dad will be a while longer. Why don’t you go play with Cotton Candy for now?”
Ye Qingxi nodded and led Qin Cheng to check on the others. Finding them still busy with their preparations, they went to find Cotton Candy and Donut.
The two kittens were still in their carriers.
The unfamiliar environment and the crowd of strangers made Ye Qingxi and Qin Cheng worry about stressing them out, so they had left the carriers in a quiet, empty room.
When the kittens saw their owners, they began meowing loudly.
Ye Qingxi unzipped the carrier and scooped up Cotton Candy.
His black tuxedo was instantly covered in white fur.
This was the downside of having kittens—the constant shedding. Even with daily fish oil supplements, Ye Qingxi could only keep their coats glossy and healthy, not stop the shedding.
Fortunately, Ye Qingxi didn’t mind.
He soothed Cotton Candy and carried him out of the room.
Cotton Candy was generally a very brave little cat, unafraid as long as familiar people were nearby.
Even now, nestled in Ye Qingxi’s arms, its eyes darted around curiously.
Ye Qingxi played with Cotton Candy for a long time before everyone finally finished their makeup.
He picked up Cotton Candy, and with Mu Shaowu’s arm around him, they entered the photography studio.
The photographer’s eyes feasted on the room full of handsome men and beautiful women.
Heaven knew how many ugly ducklings the entertainment industry’s capitalists had crammed in lately. He’d spent the entire year photographing unattractive people.
He hadn’t seen a group where each person possessed such distinct charisma and unique beauty in over a year.
If he had his way, this entire family should be packaged and sent straight to the entertainment industry.
The thought had barely formed when he felt a sudden chill on his neck.
Mu Feng glanced sideways at him, a look that made the photographer immediately shrink back.
“Young Master Mu, how would you like to proceed with the shoot?”
“Just a normal shoot will do,” Mu Shaowu replied.
He pointed to the sofa and said to Mu Feng, “Dad, please sit.”
Mu Feng eyed the sofa before settling onto it, “Xiao Xi, Xiao Cheng, come over here.”
Ye Qingxi and Qin Cheng immediately went to Mu Feng’s side.
Mu Feng gestured for them to sit beside him.
Seeing this, Mu Shaowu naturally moved to sit next to his son.
But the photographer stopped him.
“Young Master Mu, you can’t sit there.”
“Why not?” Mu Shaowu asked, puzzled.
“It won’t make for a good composition,” the photographer explained.
Mu Shaowu instantly understood.
If he sat there, Qin Cheng would have to sit next to his older brother. But since his sister-in-law would undoubtedly want to sit next to her husband, Mu Shaoting would have to sit beside him to maintain a balanced arrangement. That would leave Mu Shaoyan standing alone in the back.
It wouldn’t look good at all.
So Mu Shaowu moved behind the sofa, positioning himself diagonally behind his son.
The photographer nodded in approval, “Much better for the composition.”
“Alright, everyone, smile!” the photographer called out cheerfully.
Ye Qingxi immediately flashed a bright smile.
Mu Shaowu grinned.
Even Mu Feng slightly lifted the corners of his lips.
“Cotton Candy, look at the camera!”
Ye Qingxi glanced down and saw Cotton Candy staring curiously at him with its blue eyes. He chuckled and gently adjusted the kitten’s position so it faced the lens directly.
Seeing this, Qin Cheng also helped Donut adjust his position.
“Perfect!” the photographer affirmed. “Alright, one, two, three, eggplant!”
At the final “eggplant,” both Cotton Candy and Donut unconsciously tilted their heads, their eyes wide and round with an indescribable cuteness.
The photographer snapped several more shots before handing the camera to them, asking if they liked the photos.
Mu Shaowu took the camera and began previewing the pictures for everyone.
Ye Qingxi quietly observed, seeing his own radiant smile in the photos.
He also noticed Mu Feng beside him, who, despite his usually stern demeanor, unexpectedly radiated a hint of warmth in the picture.
Behind them stood Mu Shaowu, his hand resting on Ye Qingxi’s shoulder as he peeked at the camera.
There was also Mu Shaoting, her smile bright and sweet; Mu Shaoyan, brimming with youthful energy; Qin Luan, gentle and refined; and Mu Zheng, handsome and dignified.
Finally, there was Qin Cheng, sitting beside Mu Feng, holding a cat in his arms just like him.
Each person wore a unique smile.
Each person looked genuinely happy.
This was his family portrait.
His family.
The most cherished anchor in this world, and the most precious miracle he could ever hope for.
This was Ye Qingxi’s first family portrait.
It was also his favorite photograph.
Later, he had the photo printed and turned into a keychain, which he carried with him everywhere.
After the family portrait was taken, they all went out for dinner before returning home.
Qin Cheng, reluctant to leave Ye Qingxi’s side, persuaded Mu Zheng and Qin Luan to extend their stay at the Mu family residence.
Donut also stayed behind to play with Cotton Candy.
On the third day of the Lunar New Year, visitors began arriving to offer their holiday greetings.
Ye Qingxi and Qin Cheng received red envelopes and gifts one after another.
Yang Yu’s cake arrived punctually at the Mu family villa on the fifth day of the Lunar New Year.
Young Miss Mu answered the call and went outside.
He found Yang Yu standing beside an electric scooter, his clothes slightly soiled as if he had fallen.
Mu Shaoting looked puzzled, “What happened to you?”
“I was in a hurry to deliver the cake and didn’t pay attention to the road,” Yang Yu said with a smile. “I took a tumble.”
He took the cake off the scooter and handed it over.
Mu Shaoting asked, “Why didn’t you take a car?”
“The traffic can be terrible,” Yang Yu said considerately. “I thought it would be faster to ride my electric scooter.”
He watched Mu Shaoting, thinking, How can he not be moved by this?
In the dead of winter, a man had ridden miles on a scooter to deliver a cake, even falling along the way.
How can he not be touched?
As these thoughts raced through his mind, Yang Yu casually revealed his gloveless, frostbitten fingers.
But Mu Shaoting was too preoccupied to notice the color of his hands.
She opened the cake box and saw that the cake was slightly smudged, its decorative pattern no longer intact.
“It’s all my fault,” Yang Yu said remorsefully. “That fall earlier… I hope it doesn’t ruin your appetite?”
Of course not, he thought. I was careful not to drop it too hard.
Yang Yu glanced at the young woman before him.
Mu Shaoting was wealthy, so winning him over wouldn’t be about material gifts. It would require emotional appeal, genuine sincerity, and a touch of melodrama to stir his heart.
That’s why Yang Yu had deliberately staged the fall.
He wanted Mu Shaoting to feel indebted, to be moved by his efforts.
He stared at Mu Shaoting, waiting for his expression to change.
Then, he saw Mu Shaoting frown.
A frown?
Why was she frowning?
Of course Mu Shaoting was frowning!
She had promised Ye Qingxi a piece of cake, but now that it was ruined, how could she possibly bring it in?
Wouldn’t that be embarrassing?
Mu Shaoting reluctantly picked up her phone and ordered a new cake from her favorite bakery, asking them to expedite the order.
Yang Yu, noticing her head bent over her phone, grew even more confused, “Are you… angry?”
“No,” Mu Shaoting replied.
She wasn’t unreasonable. The accident wasn’t Yang Yu’s fault, so she had no reason to be angry with him.
“You can have this cake,” she said. “I’ve ordered another one.”
Yang Yu, “????”
He couldn’t understand why she was ordering a new cake. The original one was still perfectly edible!
Still, this worked out perfectly. Now he could put Plan B into motion.
“I’m really sorry,” Yang Yu apologized. “It’s all my fault you had to order another one. How about I treat you to a movie? I won two tickets the other day.”
“No need,” Mu Shaoting refused.
“Are you angry?”
Mu Shaoting, “????”
Does she seem angry?
“There aren’t any movies I like in this year’s Spring Festival lineup,” she said.
Yang Yu, “……”
“Alright, here’s the cake. I’m heading back,” Mu Shaoting said.
Yang Yu, “????”
Yang Yu quickly called out to her, “Mu Shaoting!”
Mu Shaoting turned around, “What is it?”
“Um…” Yang Yu looked at her. “Would you… want to go hiking with us in a few days?”
Mu Shaoting, “????”
He really doesn’t understand me at all, she thought. And he’s trying to win me over?
“You guys go ahead,” she said.
“Why?”
“I don’t like hiking,” Mu Shaoting said dismissively.
She simply wasn’t the type to endure hardship.
Ever since she was little, she’d always taken the cable car when hiking—cable car up, cable car down. It was utterly boring.
Hard work, physical strain, mental exhaustion—if anything even remotely involved those, she’d steer clear.
Yang Yu, “……”
Yang Yu was speechless.
This is way too hard!
Seeing him standing motionless, Mu Shaoting hesitated before asking, “Did you… did you fall badly just now?”
Yang Yu, “!!!!”
Yang Yu’s eyes lit up. Is she worried about me?
She must have been moved by my efforts after all!
“Not at all!” he quickly assured her. “You don’t need to worry.”
Mu Shaoting wasn’t worried. She simply thought, Well, then I won’t cover your medical expenses.
Running errands wasn’t easy.
She did have some sense of responsibility. If his fall had been serious, she would have paid his hospital bill.
After all, her allowance had increased significantly after the New Year.
Yang Yu, “……”
Yang Yu fell silent again.
Mu Shaoting turned and went back inside.
Ye Qingxi, seeing her return, asked curiously, “Aunt, did you just go outside?”
“Mm-hmm.”
“What did you go out for?” he asked cautiously.
“To get the cake,” Mu Shaoting replied.
Ye Qingxi, “????”
“Where’s the cake?”
“It was delivered to the wrong address,” Mu Shaoting said evasively. “It wasn’t ours.”
Ye Qingxi nodded, not giving it much thought.
Mu Shaoting looked at his fair, delicate face and casually pinched his cheek. It felt so soft that she pinched it again.
Ye Qingxi, “????”
Ye Qingxi, “……”
Why were his aunt’s hands so cold?
“Aunt, aren’t you cold?” Ye Qingxi asked worriedly. “Your hands are freezing.”
Mu Shaoting immediately withdrew her hand from Ye Qingxi’s face.
“Did I make you cold?” she asked with concern.
Ye Qingxi shook his head, “I don’t mind the cold.”
“Really? Then warm my hands for me,” Mu Shaoting said, extending her hand.
Ye Qingxi took her hand, held it tightly, and even blew warm air into her palm before rubbing it earnestly.
Mu Shaoting nearly melted with emotion.
Her baby is just too good!
He’s so thoughtful!
Author’s Notes:
Yang Yu: Aren’t you touched by this?
Mu Shaoting: What?
Xiaoxi: Auntie, let me warm your hands.
Mu Shaoting: Woohoo, my baby is so good, I’m so touched.
Yang Yu:???
Storyteller CloudyPastels's Words
Apologies everyone! I do plan on moving this novel soon! Unfortunately, many of us have to leave this group QAQ. Until then I am no longer uploading until it's moved over~ SORRY! I will keep you updated! Patreon/kofi~ earlier uploads & voting on patreon