Raising Kids C05

Chapter 5

Just as Brother Jiang had guessed, as soon as Director Li heard it was Xie Hui, he immediately agreed without hesitation and quickly sent over the contract. Once the contract was signed, the program’s official social media account started building hype.

With slogans like “A mysterious guest joins—absolutely eye-popping!” the anticipation skyrocketed.

Most viewers assumed the show was just deliberately keeping them in suspense, but surprisingly, even after the official filming date was announced, the production team still hadn’t revealed which guest would be joining first!

The reality show Celebrity Parenting Daily films first, then edits before airing on television. Thanks to the director’s well-designed segments and the production team’s excellent editing, the show has consistently maintained good ratings.

The assistant director responsible for filming Xie Hui’s family had already communicated with Brother Jiang and Xie Hui in advance. After setting up cameras in the villa, the official filming started the next day from the moment they entered.

With so many unfamiliar uncles and aunts suddenly in the house, Xie Ze was excitedly running around. That night, he even broke his usual habit—he didn’t bring his pillow to sleep with his dad.

Xie Hui was used to having a little troublemaker tossing and turning beside him every night, so the sudden separation felt a bit strange.

That night, after reviewing the program’s daily schedule, he decided to check whether the little rascal had kicked off his blanket.

Just as he opened the door, a small head peeked out from the blanket. Seeing that it was his dad standing at the door, little Xie Ze looked a bit shy.

“Daddy, can you tell me a story?”

“Of course.”

Xie Hui picked a storybook from the shelf that he hadn’t told before, sat by the bed, and patiently read to him. In the quiet night, his warm and magnetic voice lulled Xie Ze to sleep.

Before closing his eyes, his mind was still filled with the dazzling, dreamy fairy tale.

Even though he noticed the child’s breathing had gradually evened out, Xie Hui still finished the story before putting down the book. Then, he gently tucked him in and quietly left the room.

—

The next morning, at exactly 7 a.m., the program crew knocked on the villa door.

Xie Hui was already up. After finishing his morning exercise, he saw the crew carrying cameras, waved at them, and greeted them.

“Good morning.”

The staff member responsible for guest relations couldn’t help but feel a little regretful when seeing Xie Hui. In the entertainment industry, unmarried male actors generally had a bigger advantage.

Especially for someone like Xie Hui, who was transitioning from a young idol to a serious actor—this was an awkward stage in his career. Announcing that he had a child would undoubtedly be a fatal blow to his career.

But for the program, this guaranteed high ratings.

“Ze Ze is a bit of a sleepyhead. He’s still in bed.”

Having traveled through many worlds and played the role of a top actor several times, Xie Hui had a great sense of the camera.

“Can we go see him?”

Hearing the staff’s question, Xie Hui nodded.

“Of course. Let’s go wake him up together.”

Xie Hui led the crew upstairs and pushed open the door to the children’s room. As expected, Xie Ze was still curled up under the blanket, sleeping like a little piglet.

“Baby, it’s time to get up.”

Hearing his dad’s voice, little Xie Ze burrowed deeper under the covers and, in his soft, childish voice, skillfully acted cute.

“Daddy, just a little longer…”

Children seemed to be born with a talent for acting cute. The cameraman zoomed in on the small lump under the blanket.

Having filmed many episodes of this show, they had seen plenty of celebrity kids, but this was the first time they encountered such an adorable scene.

Most of the previous celebrity families—especially those with kids—were quite chaotic. Scenes often had to be reshot multiple times, and even then, the footage might not be usable.

“The show crew is here. Are you still going to stay in bed?”

Xie Hui’s voice carried a hint of amusement. The next second, a fluffy little head peeked out from under the blanket.

The sleepy-eyed child, whose face bore a slight resemblance to Xie Hui, scooted up close to the camera.

“Wow! Uncle, can you film me later?”

Still groggy from sleep, Xie Ze rubbed his sleepy eyes, then lifted his blanket and sat up in bed, seriously negotiating with the cameraman like an adult.

“Sure thing,” the cameraman agreed easily—but of course, he didn’t turn off the camera.

With his years of experience, he was certain this footage would be a hit when aired.

Xie Hui, seeing that the cameraman had agreed, simply smiled without revealing the truth to the little one.

Just like usual, he reached out his hand.

“Daddy, carry me! And for the show, I want to wear the blue outfit—it’s super cool!”

With one arm, Xie Hui picked up the little rascal and walked over to the wardrobe with the other, pulling out the outfit the child had mentioned.

Xie Ze hugged his clothes and ran off to a small room next door. Before closing the door, he stuck his head out to remind the cameraman.

“Boys need privacy too, you know! No filming!”

The crew members were amused by his tiny but serious attitude.

Meanwhile, Xie Hui had already entered the bathroom, reaching for the toothbrush and toothpaste from the shelf.

Once dressed, Xie Ze walked into the bathroom, skillfully stepping onto a small stool and squeezing toothpaste onto his brush.

Xie Hui stood beside him while the cameraman captured their reflection in the mirror—both brushing their teeth together.

On this show, what audiences had always found entertaining was how celebrities, usually distant and glamorous, struggled helplessly with their kids.

In the last season, there was a dad who rarely spent time with his child. From getting dressed to brushing teeth, the whole process took two hours. He even hurt his child while dressing them, making the kid cry nonstop. The floor was a complete mess.

But with Xie Hui, filming went surprisingly smoothly.

When eating, Xie Ze wasn’t as rowdy as other kids. He sat on the chair, gripping his spoon and taking big bites, stuffing his cheeks so full that he looked like a little hamster munching on food—especially adorable.

The director had previously discussed with Xie Hui, suggesting that he reveal a bit about his work during the show to serve as a selling point.

Last night, Brother Jiang had sent over a script—an adaptation of a popular web novel being turned into a TV drama. The role was that of the villainous big boss, and Brother Jiang had already negotiated for him to bring his son along to the shoot.

Since the original novel had decent popularity in the web literature community and the contract was already signed, the director agreed to let him casually mention it on the show as a way to stir up some early buzz.

After eating, Xie Hui went to the study to read the script and work, making no effort to conceal it. The cameraman even zoomed in for a couple of shots.

Meanwhile, another cameraman followed Xie Ze, watching as the little three-year-old, still a bit wobbly when running, toddled off to the backyard.

He fetched a watering can, carefully filling it up and diligently watering the sunflower seeds he had planted.

He went back and forth many times, but not once did he show any impatience. When he was finally done, Aunt Wang had already brought out his drawing board.

Sitting on the small stool, his legs swinging, Xie Ze gripped a paintbrush in one hand and a palette in the other, fully absorbed in his painting.

Sunlight spilled over his soft, fluffy hair, and the cameraman capturing this moment felt like he was witnessing the legendary “other people’s kid” in real life.

After memorizing his lines, Xie Hui glanced at the clock on the wall. It was about time to start preparing lunch, so he got up and walked out.

“Baby, come help with cooking.”

Hearing his dad’s voice, Xie Ze quickly put down his paintbrush.

“Coming!”

He responded first, then ran to the sink to wash his hands, lathered up some soap, and carefully rinsed them clean.

The housekeeper had already prepared the ingredients and stored them in the fridge. Xie Hui took a look at the fresh vegetables and meats inside and decided to make dumplings for lunch.

After washing and chopping the ingredients skillfully, he stir-fried them in the pan.

As for little Xie Ze, he was given two scallions to peel. He dragged a small stool to the kitchen doorway and sat there, peeling them with utmost concentration.

“Mr. Xie, we’ve never heard before that you could cook?”

For male celebrities, being able to cook was a major plus in terms of public image, so it was rare for someone to keep it a secret. Yet, there had never been any talk about Xie Hui knowing how to cook before.

“I only learned not too long ago.”

No one, whether the staff or others, really believed him. They assumed he was just being modest.

The way he handled the knife and prepared food with such ease—no matter how they looked at it, he didn’t seem like a beginner.

While Xie Hui was kneading the dough, little Xie Ze, having finished peeling the scallions, wanted to help. But Xie Hui handed him a few sprigs of cilantro instead, sending him back to his stool to sit obediently.

Once the dumpling wrappers were ready, there was no more excuse. Xie Ze insisted on helping and even rolled up his sleeves on his own, emphasizing in a tiny voice:

“Daddy, I already washed my hands really clean!”

“Do you know how to make dumplings?”

“I—I can learn.”

Xie Hui handed him a dumpling wrapper, lifted him onto his lap, and patiently guided him step by step.

“So, are the dumplings you make for yourself, or are they for Daddy?”

Kids often have a special attachment to things they make themselves.

When Xie Hui first arrived in this world, his mindset was that raising a child was just about keeping them alive, the same as surviving in the infinite world.

But in just a few days, he had unknowingly become a proper doting dad, even starting to tease his son with little choices like this.

Seeing Xie Ze’s hands slow down while making dumplings, his tiny brows furrowing in deep thought, Xie Hui’s lips curled into a faint smile, finding it both amusing and endearing.

“I’ll eat five, and the rest are for Daddy.”

After saying that, Xie Ze placed his freshly made, rather misshapen dumpling aside, then leaned in and gave his dad a loud kiss on the cheek.

“Daddy’s my favorite!”

Although they were technically making food, it felt more like they were playing. The relaxed and cheerful atmosphere, combined with the warmth of home, even made the staff feel at ease while working.

Who would’ve thought that Xie Hui, known to the public as cold and serious, focused only on his career, would be so different in private when interacting with his son?