Chapter 3

Zhong Qi, panting heavily, hurried over to Lin Yi, hands resting on his knees, eyes full of curiosity as he studied him.

Lin Yi straightened his back, his mind racing—had he revealed something unintentionally?

But it wasn’t entirely his fault!

In the eyes of a shadow guard, there was no such thing as a competition, only the imperative to give everything.

His actions were purely instinctive.

Lin Yi mimicked Lin Yi’s manner of speaking, tilting his small head up, his big eyes blinking rapidly. “Brother Zhong Qi, why are you staring at me like that?”

A gleam lit up in Zhong Qi’s eyes. “Lin Yi, can you teach me how to run that fast?”

Lin Yi’s big eyes looked puzzled. “Eat more food?”

Zhong Qi: ...

*

Because Lin Yi had fallen into the water, the live broadcast only resumed the next day.

The tour guide held up a small sign, calling everyone to gather. Lin Yi quietly stood beside Zhong Qi, both positioned at the edge.

If it weren’t for Xi Lan and Mian Mian standing next to them, the camera probably wouldn’t have bothered to give them any screen time.

Mian Mian was too sleepy to keep her eyes open and was being carried by Xi Lan. Zhong Qi wanted to greet the film queen, but Xi Lan’s icy demeanor made him hesitate.

Standing beside Xi Lan were Xie Yu and Qin Siyuan.

Lin Yi’s gaze instinctively followed Qin Siyuan.

Qin Siyuan seemed to notice and glanced in his direction, but Lin Yi quickly hid behind Zhong Qi.

Shadow Guard Rule One: Protect the master.

Shadow Guard Rule Two: Never let the master feel like they’re being watched.

Lin Yi reflected on himself—only one day had passed, and the master had already noticed!

But as soon as the thought crossed his mind, Lin Yi stopped himself. He was no longer a shadow guard, just an ordinary seven-year-old child now!

Yet the shadow guard’s code was etched deep in his soul.

Patience.

Step one: stop focusing on the master, Qin Siyuan.

During the live broadcast, viewers quickly took to the chat:

“What’s Lin Yi’s meaning? Xiao Yan saved him, yet he’s so rude—not even greeting him, and actually avoiding him!”

“Who knows if it’s intentional? Maybe to catch Xiao Yan’s attention. Xiao Yan, be good, don’t look at the naughty kid.”

“These haters never get tired; I’m exhausted just watching. If Yi Bao looks at Qin Siyuan, you say he’s flattering. If he doesn’t, you say it’s playing hard to get. So basically, you want it both ways.”

“These people are so noisy. Let me see what today’s task is. I love watching these little cuties clumsily help out.”

“Ha ha, when kids help, it’s always a headache. I’m making dumplings, and my daughter treats the dough like clay, shaping all sorts of weird things.”

The tour guide said, “Alright, everyone’s here. The kids must have rested well last night.

“Today, the kids will help the orchard uncle pick apples with their parents, then exchange the apples for other food.

“The child who picks first will receive a mysterious big gift!”

Ian bounced up, raising his hand. “Pretty lady, does the big gift have a game console?”

The tour guide smiled. “Ian, you have such a sweet mouth, but I don’t know what’s inside the gift either.”

Ian pouted. “Not fun at all.”

“Seems like star kids are like this. Whenever I ask my son to do something, he always makes a deal first.”

“Ian baby, auntie sends kisses!”

“Daily question: When will Lin Yi quit the entertainment industry?”

“I bet first place won’t be Yan Ge, but last place will definitely be Lin Yi.”

“These haters are too much. I bet Yi Bao will be first!”

“Hah, I really don’t get how Lin Yi has fans. Waiting for his fans to be proven wrong.”

...

The director watched the live chat, sometimes pleased, sometimes frowning.

Pleased because the ratings kept climbing, crushing the rival show “My Wonderful Weekend with Dad” on the rival channel.

But seeing so much malice aimed at little Lin Yi online, his heart ached for the child.

“Have the PR department monitor and control the comments for Lin Yi,” the director instructed.

The assistant was surprised; the director had never been involved in these matters before.

Unbeknownst to many, the director was a secret fan of Yi Bao.

The assistant immediately called the PR manager.

The orchard was not far from the meeting point, only about a ten-minute walk.

Mian Mian trotted with short legs, struggling to keep up with Nora, who held her small hand to prevent her from falling on the third near-fall.

He Tong followed behind, quietly chuckling, walking beside Xie Yu. “Yu Jie, I feel like my daughter is more like Xi Jie—just as cold and aloof. Only a sweet little Mian Mian can melt her.”

Jiang Xuan, without anyone noticing, walked beside Xi Lan. “Xi Jie, Mian Mian is really adorable, nothing like our mischievous little guy who only gives me headaches.” He smiled wryly.

“Xi Jie, how do you usually raise your child?”

Even though Xi Lan didn’t speak, Jiang Xuan kept talking.

“Mian Mian’s father takes care of her,” Xi Lan said flatly. “Also, you’re a bit noisy.”

Jiang Xuan: ...

Yang Xing noticed the awkward atmosphere and quickly intervened. “Jiang Ge, Xi Jie, what are you talking about?”

Jiang Xuan forced a stiff smile. “Nothing much, just asking Xi Jie how to raise such a well-behaved little princess like Mian Mian.”

After speaking, Xi Lan didn’t respond further but walked toward Mian Mian.

Jiang Xuan nearly lost control of his expression; he hadn’t expected Xi Lan to be so cold toward him.

Among the guests, the two mothers came from notable families, especially since it was rumored that Xie Yu’s husband was the head of the Qin family in Jing City.

Yesterday, he tried to strike up a conversation with Xie Yu. She answered politely but only spoke about trivial things.

He had reliable information that Xi Lan and Xie Yu were friends and thought to approach through Xi Lan. Now it seemed impossible.

As for He Tong, she was just a small model, and her husband was a small company owner—not worth his attention.

Jiang Xuan was now thirty and needed an opportunity to transform his career. Whether connecting with Xie Yu or Xi Lan, both were good paths.

Though Jiang Xuan himself was a second-generation rich kid, his image in the industry was that he didn’t rely on his family.

Only he knew his father wouldn’t invest in him.

“Xiao Yi, what are you looking at?” Zhong Qi followed Lin Yi’s gaze and saw Jiang Xuan standing with Yang Xing.

Lin Yi shook his head. “Nothing. Dad, let’s catch up with Mian Mian and the others.”

Zhong Qi felt a little dizzy after being called ‘Dad’—he wasn’t used to it, but somehow today it sounded different.

“Want Dad to carry you? Dad’s super fast—” Before he finished, Zhong Qi recalled little Lin Yi’s lightning speed from yesterday evening.

Better not overthink it.

Zhong Qi’s eyes twinkled. “I may not be fast, but I’m tall. Want to try, Lin Yi?”

Before Lin Yi could refuse, he leapt into the air.

Zhong Qi muted his mic and whispered, “Lin Yi, don’t get close to Uncle Jiang or approach Ian on your own.”

A flash of surprise crossed Lin Yi’s big eyes, but he didn’t ask and softly said, “Okay, I’ll listen to you.”

Zhong Qi planted a kiss on Lin Yi’s cheek, leaving him stunned.

Zhong Qi laughed heartily. “Fly, Lin Yi! Want to be first?”

Ian immediately ran after them. “Hey, you’re cheating! Dad, let’s catch up!”

He pulled Yang Bai along as they ran.

Yang Bai had no interest in picking apples; whoever wanted first place could have it!

Mian Mian also joined the wild chase. “Lin Yi Gege, Mian Mian wants to fly too!”

After repeated requests from Lin Yi, Zhong Qi had no choice but to carry Mian Mian.

He Tong teased Qin Siyuan, “Is our Yan Ge jealous?”

“No,” Qin Siyuan replied.

“Immature.”

The tone in the live chat shifted from earlier hostility to pure delight over the adorable kids.

The broadcast offered split screens so viewers could watch whichever group they liked, or six small screens simultaneously.

The most popular was Mian Mian, who was expressionless as Xi Lan held her. “Pick.”

Little Mian Mian looked at an apple, then at her mother, and immediately bit into the apple.

Xi Lan: ...

“Ha ha, this is hilarious—first time seeing Film Queen Xi’s face show so many emotions outside of a drama: confusion, shock, disdain, and the fierce protectiveness of a mother. So layered.”

“More words, please—I only know how to laugh.”

“Did you notice? Nora went to find her sister, saw Mian Mian biting the apple, then turned and left, with He Tong chasing after.”

“Go check Lin Yi’s live room!”

Some murmured, “What’s so interesting about Lin Yi’s live stream?” But curiosity got the better of them, and they clicked in.

“Huh? What’s this? There’s something here too.”

The orchard had cameras pre-installed, no need for following shots—just remote control.

Viewers entering Lin Yi’s stream saw the camera panning, but only fruit trees came into view, occasionally a person, but no sign of Lin Yi.

If the camera were a person, it would probably scratch its head in confusion: Where’s the person?

The production team quickly noticed the problem. Several staff rushed to find Lin Yi, fearing another accident.

But no matter where they looked, he was nowhere to be found!

Zhong Qi hummed happily, picking apples, completely unaware that the child was missing.

The director was about to mobilize everyone to search when the assistant suddenly said, “Director Li, our headsets have a communication function.”

“Oh right, right,” the director said, patting his thinning hair. “How did I forget that?”

He immediately contacted Lin Yi’s channel. “Lin Yi, Lin Yi, where are you?”

Lin Yi was surprised to hear the director’s voice in his earpiece. Although he retained memories of Lin Yi, experiencing the technology of this world firsthand still amazed him.

His voice was soft and sweet: “Uncle Director, I’m in the orchard.”

The director reminded himself that Yi Bao was still a child and tried to sound gentle. “Lin Yi, the camera can’t find you.”

Lin Yi touched his nose—he was used to hiding.

He knew the dark objects were cameras. After observing, he memorized all their locations.

He hadn’t meant to hide on purpose; he was just so absorbed in picking apples that he instinctively concealed himself.

He could swear on his little hands—it really wasn’t deliberate.

Lin Yi apologized obediently, “Uncle, I’m sorry.”

Only his voice was heard in the live room; no image appeared.

Naturally, some began to mock again, but most were curious to find out where little Lin Yi had hidden.

Lin Yi pushed aside dense leaves, revealing his small head and bright eyes like a little sprite.

He even adorned himself with many leaves and wore a grass crown on his head—no one knew when he had crafted it.

When the staff spotted his tiny figure, their expressions were like they had seen a ghost—they had just passed under that tree and hadn’t noticed him!

Lin Yi belatedly realized he might have caused trouble for the production team.

He smiled apologetically, his eyes curved like crescent moons, showing tiny white teeth. Sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting light behind him.

This scene became a classic moment in the live broadcast.

He was truly a little forest spirit!

“Uncles and aunties, brothers and sisters, I’m sorry!” Lin Yi said, then leaped up.

Everyone, still immersed in the enchanted forest atmosphere, was stunned.

He—he actually jumped!