CH 59

Ch 59: The Bath

Several eggs in the basket were indeed broken due to the recent jolting. Shao Junling held the broken eggs with heartache. Yin Chang felt sorry for him.

If he hadn't watched the livestream, Yin Chang would never have imagined that Shao Junling would pick up the broken basket, make straps with hemp rope, and even dig sweet potatoes in the field and pick persimmons from the trees.

Unlike other children, Shao Junling had also found things like brushes and scrolls during the treasure hunt, but had ignored them. In his eyes, food was the most valuable thing. Only children who have suffered from hunger and hardship knew the value of food.

This had nothing to do with IQ. It was Shao Junling's common sense.

But Yin Chang did not believe that he had learned these things at the welfare institution. It was very likely Shao Junling's experience before the age of five.

Moreover, Shao Junling did not leave You Luming behind. He’d carried the weight of three people alone like an adult--although his help to Qin Xifeng was based on mutual benefit, no matter what, Shao Junling's performance was commendable.

Yin Chang wiped off the sweat sliding down his temples and praised him, "You did a great job today. You worked hard."

A slight blush dusted Shao Junling's cheeks. It was rare for him to be so warmly gazed at and praised by Yin Chang, and he felt a little uneasy.

Yin Chang rubbed his sweaty hair and smiled, "You're all sticky. I'll give you a bath after the shoot."

Shao Junling: "......"

A few minutes later, Xue Ziwen finally came back carrying the tree root.

He sweated profusely and hadn't arrived yet, but was already shouting from a distance to Wang Chen, "Uncle! Uncle! Come and help me!"

Wang Chen gritted his teeth and went forward to ask for an explanation, "What is this?"

Xue Ziwen excitedly boasted, "Doesn't it look like the wooden one in our house?"

Wang Chen frowned, "What wooden one?"

Xue Ziwen asked, "The one on the shelf next to the living room TV in our house! Mom said that thing is very expensive!"

It took Wang Chen a long time to link this worthless thing that his brother had picked up on the roadside with the million-dollar cypress wood carving in his home, "That's art! How can you compare it to this junk that you can find on the side of the road?"

Xue Ziwen was so anxious that he jumped up and down, "It's almost the same!"

Wang Chen said, "It's not even close! What you picked up is garbage!"

After a moment of hesitation, Xue Ziwen's eyes turned red and he burst into tears. He was so upset that he had put so much effort into finding this treasure, only to be criticized and mocked by Wang Chen in front of so many people. He cried and shouted, "You're the garbage! You're the garbage!"

Insulted like this, Wang Chen was so angry that his eyes nearly rolled back. "You're calling me garbage?"

Seeing that Wang Chen was getting angrier, Xue Ziwen lay on the ground and started to throw a tantrum, wailing, "Waaah! You're the garbage! Waaah!"

Wang Chen was originally a popular star and couldn't stand being insulted like this, especially by his own nephew. He didn't care about his image anymore and shouted back, "Say that one more time and see what happens!"

The program team intervened and separated the two before they could come to exchanging blows. The other guests could only watch from the sidelines.

However, the day's activities were not yet over. When the situation had stabilized a bit, the host urged them to move on to the next location.

The second activity was learning to make traditional clay oven roasted chicken with the local villagers, which would be their dinner for the night.

The purpose of the activity was mainly to promote local cuisine and traditional cooking methods, so there were only some pop quizzes throughout the process and no rewards or punishments.

Due to the high temperature near the clay oven, the children watched from a designated area, while the older brothers and sisters helped the professionals. After the chicken was roasted, the guests sat around the clay oven and ate the crispy rice and pickled vegetables made by the villagers.

Because Wang Chen and Xue Ziwen had just fought, even with the staff’s intervention, their relationship was tense.

As a celebrity, Wang Chen could still pretend in front of the camera, but Xue Ziwen was still a child. He was sulking, clearly unhappy.

The guests sensed the tension, so during the meal, a few little ones gathered around Xue Ziwen under the urging of their elder siblings, and gave him chicken legs, and chicken wings, to try to cheer him up.

Children were easily influenced by each other, and Xue Ziwen soon regained his smile. However, just because he played with the other children, it didn't mean he had forgiven Wang Chen.

As soon as dinner ended, Xue Ziwen went to find Shao Junling, "Shao Junling, can I sleep at your place tonight?"

The beds in the cave were clay stove beds. These beds were big enough for four people to sleep on.

Shao Junling looked up at Yin Chang, asking for Yin Chang's opinion. But Yin Chang was on the fence, since after all, Wang Chen was Xue Ziwen's guardian. If they were to take Xue Ziwen in, they had to ask Wang Chen first.

Coincidentally, Wang Chen was also paying attention to Xue Ziwen's movements. When he realized Xue Ziwen didn't want to go back with him, he was so angry that his face alternated red and white. He glared at Yin Chang, then turned around and walked away.

The uncle and nephew were both throwing a tantrum, and Yin Chang found himself caught in the middle and feeling overwhelmed.

The camera crew continued to film, and Yin Chang didn't have the heart to refuse Xue Ziwen, so he took the little guy back to their lodging.

It was still early, just after seven, and the summer night was still bright outside.

Yin Chang intended to talk to Xue Ziwen, but since it was still early, he decided to wait and see what happened. Perhaps Xue Ziwen would change his mind on his own, or Wang Chen would come looking for his nephew.

The program rules prohibited electronic devices, so Yin Chang read a book to pass the time.

The two little guys had their own way of getting along. Xue Ziwen was quite the chatterbox, and chatted with Shao Junling. As long as Shao Junling responded, even if it was a single word, Xue Ziwen would excitedly chatter for half a day.

So, Yin Chang was just laying on the bed, reading a book and listening to the two little guys chatter.

"...My favorite hero to play is Sun Wukong. In the early game, he develops slowly, but later on, with his golden cudgel, he's unbeatable," Xue Ziwen seemed to be talking to Shao Junling about a game, "Once, I encountered a Big sister who wanted to stun me and kill me with one shot! But she failed, and I had just a sliver of health left. Ha ha ha, I charged forward with a three-hit combo, and smashed that vixen to the ground!"

Shao Junling gave a thumbs up. "You're really good."

Yin Chang: "…"

Xue Ziwen: "There are even more fun heroes, like Sun Ce. He can drive a boat and knock opponents unconscious by charging at them. He can also swing his hammer 2A2A and axe the opponent to death!"

Shao Junling: "Amazing."

Yin Chang: "??? What was this mess?"

Although he didn't understand what they were talking about, Yin Chang came to a conclusion: Shao Junling's ability to express himself was improving due to Xue Ziwen!

"Is anyone there?" Huang Han's voice sounded from outside the door.

"En."

Because it was scorching hot, and there was no air conditioning in the countryside, the doors were open to ventilate.

Huang Han brought You Luming in and smiled, "Little Luming wanted to play with your brother, so I brought her over to visit."

"Welcome..." Yin Chang sat up on the bed.

As soon as You Luming entered, she let go of Huang Han's hand and ran to Shao Junling's side, calling out sweetly, "Brother Junling!"

Huang Han sat down next to Yin Chang with exaggerated sorrow. "I've fallen out of favor…"

Yin Chang smiled, but he felt a little strange in his heart. He hadn't seen Shao Junling be particularly enthusiastic towards You Luming. Could it really be that this little girl was swayed by a twig? That was too strange.

Just as they finished chatting with Huang Han, another voice sounded outside the door, "Oh, you guys are here too?"

Huang Han looked up and saw that it was the Qin sisters, "Are you guys out for a walk? Come in and sit!"

Qin Xifeng hesitated at the door and was pushed in by her older sister Qin Jingshan, "I’m dropping off my sister," Qin Jingshan pointed outside the door, "Wang Chen is sitting under that tree alone so I'm going to talk to him."

Yin Chang and Huang Han exchanged a glance. They realized Wang Chen was probably not in a good mood, and Qin Jingshan wanted to comfort him.

"I'll go too," Huang Han stood up, "Haha... I'll leave my sister in your care."

Yin Chang: "??? Is this a daycare center?"

After Qin Jingshan and Huang Han left, the little ones started playing a game of tag.

They didn't know who started it, but just like a cat chasing a mouse, once someone started running, someone else would instinctively start chasing. The two little girls had nowhere to hide. They screamed as they clambered onto the bed and sought refuge behind Yin Chang.

Yin Chang had wanted to lie down and continue reading, but he couldn't focus on the book with them making such a ruckus.

Helpless, he blocked Shao Junling, who was staring at them hungrily, "Hey, don't bully girls."

Shao Junling didn't listen, in the world of children's games, there were no boys or girls, only winners and losers.

He focused on Yin Chang and suddenly pounced on his side, reaching out and grabbing Qin Xifeng's wrist.

Shao Junling exclaimed, "Gotcha!" and turned around to run. The rules of the game were simple: you try to catch me. If you do, the roles are reversed, and I have to catch you.

Qin Xifeng laughed and climbed down from the bed to catch Shao Junling. You Lu Ming was still hiding behind Yin Chang, laughing and cheering Qin Xifeng on, "Go, sister, go!"

However, boys always had a natural advantage in this kind of game. Shao Junling was agile and Qin Xifeng couldn't even touch his clothes. Even if she did, he could use his strength to break free and run away.

You Lu Ming became anxious and pulled Yin Chang's arm, dragging him down, "Brother Yin Chang, help us! Help us!"

Yin Chang: "..."

He was an adult, over 1.8 meters tall, how could he play with these children? Wasn't that bullying?

But he couldn't resist You Lu Ming's insistence, so Yin Chang was forced to join the game.

He walked outside and called out, "Come on, everyone."

The kids followed him out, and Yin Chang opened his arms, "You guys hide behind me...Shao Junling, you come catch us!"

Yin Chang changed the game from "you catch me, I escape" to "the eagle catches the chick," which was more fair for the children.

With all this going on, the scene became even more chaotic. The whole yard was filled with the laughter of children, and even the twin brothers who weren't far away came over when they heard the commotion.

"Ah! They're all here!" Lang Chizhi saw them playing games and his eyes lit up, itching to join.

Although the twins had a feud with Shao Junling and Xue Ziwen, Yin Chang wasn't petty. He waved them to join in. Games were the best way to resolve conflicts between children, and after a few rounds, the kids had indeed become good friends.

When Huang Han and the others returned, they saw this scene of harmony.

"Wow! Yin Chang, I didn't know you were so good with kids!" Huang Han exclaimed with delight.

Yin Chang, having played the role of "mother hen" for half a day, was exhausted. Seeing the guardians come back, he stopped, "Alright, that's enough for today!"

It was getting late, and Yin Chang saw Wang Chen behind Huang Han and Qin Jingshan. They had probably talked enough.

But Xue Ziwen saw Wang Chen and immediately hid behind Yin Chang, as if still immersed in the game, and refused to come out.

Yin Chang turned around and asked Xue Ziwen, "Xue Ziwen, you have to go back with your uncle."

Xue Ziwen puffed out his cheeks, "I don't want to!"

Yin Chang squatted down and patiently persuaded him, "You came to participate in the program, so you should know the rules of the program. You and your uncle are a team. Do you know what it means to be a team?"

This was an English word taught in first grade, and Xue Ziwen naturally knew it. De International School also often emphasized the importance of teamwork.

Yin Chang said, "You have to work together. Your uncle didn't mean to hurt you. He has to take the wood you collected to the market tomorrow and sell it. If he can't get a good price, you'll have to suffer with him, so he's feeling pressure."

Xue Ziwen clenched his fists and insisted, "It will sell for a good price!"

Yin Chang smiled, "Then you'll get to feel justified tomorrow, won't you?"

Xue Ziwen was persuaded. He stole a glance at Wang Chen, who was waiting for him outside. But when he thought of Wang Chen's attitude, he still felt very wronged.

At this time, Shao Junling spoke up, "Just give in to him"

Xue Ziwen protested, "He's the adult. Why should I have to give in to him?"

Shao Junling said earnestly, "Sometimes adults can be stupid too."

Xue Ziwen was receptive to Shao Junling's advice. He looked at the wise Shao Junling and then glanced at the nearby cameraman. He nodded, "Okay! I want the whole country to see how magnanimous I am!"

Yin Chang: "..."

With everyone's "unity and cooperation," Xue Ziwen finally went back with Wang Chen.

Afterwards, Yin Chang breathed a sigh of relief and took Shao Junling back to the room to wash up.

For Yin Chang, giving Shao Junling a bath was troublesome. The little guy was too restless, dodging and weaving around like a slippery eel. Despite this, Shao Junling really enjoyed being "waited on" by Yin Chang. Yin Chang discovered this after helping him take wash after their fight last time. Furthermore, Yin Chang believed this kind of interaction could strengthen their brotherly bond. After their last shower, Shao Junling had clung to him like a kitten, curling up in his arms when they went to sleep.

So this afternoon, Yin Chang used this as a "reward" for Shao Junling.

While showering, Yin Chang thought of Shao Junling's words to persuade Xue Ziwen and curiously asked, "Did you really think you gave into me before you came to participate in the program?"

"Yep," Shao Junling replied.

"What do you mean 'yep'?" Yin Chang laughed so hard he used a bit too much force while scrubbing, "So tell me, when have you given in to me?"

"In so many ways" Shao Junling counted them off on his fingers, "You're wasteful, too kind, have a bad memory... and you don't give me face[1]."

Yin Chang was speechless as he listened, and his movements stopped.

Shao Junling looked into Yin Chang's beautiful eyes that were so close to him and blushed, "I give in to you."

Yin Chang: "I'll give you a bath after the shoot."

(Internal thoughts) Ah, it's a bit of a hassle, but I have to find some way to reward him.

Shao Junling: "Although I'm really shy, if my brother wants to... you can wash me." (/ω＼)

Translator’s Notes:

1: face = pride. Losing face means losing pride so being in an embarrassing or shameful situation. Not giving someone face is not letting them escape an embarrassing situation, or putting someone in an embarrassing situation.