Chapter 120: The Dad Who Exploits a Child Star (13)

Gu Jingtong had a well-founded suspicion that Xie Hui was showing off to him—but seeing that little guy next to Xie Hui, who barely reached his waist, he felt like maybe Xie Hui did have something worth showing off.

After returning to the room, Xie Chu stood on tiptoe and hugged his father’s waist, tilting his head up and saying seriously:

“Daddy, I think I’m the super lucky one.”

“Hm? Why’s that?”

The Entruster had never really treated Xie Chu well. Although Xie Hui did everything he could to make up for that, the past had left a deep impression on the child. So, Xie Hui genuinely didn’t know what he had done to deserve such words from the little guy.

“Because Mommy didn’t want me, but Daddy did.”

Xie Hui picked him up and sat down on the sofa, watching the child smile with real joy. Remembering the cruel things the Entruster had said in front of the boy, he could only sigh.

“Your mommy loves you too.”

Xie Hui wasn’t involved in the previous relationship and didn’t understand the love or grievances between the Entruster and her ex-husband. Maybe it’s easier to stay rational as an outsider, but he truly believed that adult issues shouldn’t burden a child.

Xie Chu nestled into his father’s arms and used the remote to turn on the TV, switching to his favorite cartoon channel.

“But I think Daddy loves me most.”

Xie Chu seemed to have a fixation with the word most. After saying that, he quietly watched cartoons. Xie Hui couldn’t argue with what he said.

From what the Entruster remembered, Xie Chu’s mother had once considered taking him with her. But the Entruster had firmly refused at the time, so she eventually gave up.

She may have loved her child, but she was no match for Xie Hui.

Xie Hui came to this world just for Xie Chu. To him, his son was everything.

So he leaned in to wrap his arm around the boy’s shoulders, but before he could pull him close, Xie Chu instinctively scooted into his arms.

“That’s right. Daddy loves you the most.”

Xie Chu, who had been watching cartoons with full attention, turned his head when he heard that. He stopped watching his favorite show, his cheeks turning red as he mumbled:

“Ahh, Daddy, you’re so cheesy.”

Even while saying that, he cuddled up even tighter to his father. He barely watched the cartoons after that, sneaking glances at his dad instead, giggling to himself.

—

Xie Chu adapted remarkably well to life with the Film Crew. Aside from the Female Lead Actress Yang Yu, he performed better than anyone else on set.

In Wen Zi’s novel, both the female lead and the child were meant to be more lovable than the male lead. Unexpectedly, that translated perfectly to screen as well.

The actor playing the Male Lead had nothing to criticize—he worked hard. If he were competing with someone on his level, he might feel frustrated but would accept it.

But when compared to a three-year-old kid, even just mentally comparing himself to Xie Chu’s performance, the actor felt ashamed.

It was one thing to be outshone by the female lead—after all, the show was based on a strong-female-protagonist novel. But now even a toddler was outperforming him. Eventually, the male lead gave up and started slacking off in defeat.

Fantasy dramas are mostly shot in front of green screens, with post-production effects added later. When filming scenes involving strange beasts, the crew would use props as placeholders.

When a crew member brought out a broom-like object to represent the final boss, both Xie Chu and the female lead looked extremely serious and focused. Only the male lead couldn’t keep a straight face and repeatedly broke into laughter.

During yet another blooper, the male lead gave up completely, squatting down and clutching his stomach in laughter.

“Director, can’t we use something else? How can you call that the Golden Lizard?”

Hearing him, the entire crew burst into laughter.

It didn’t just not look like a Golden Lizard—it didn’t resemble anything at all.

Director Xu chuckled while holding the script, then glared at the actor in mock annoyance. He was starting to question why he had cast this man as the cool, aloof, deep-feeling male lead.

“If I really brought in a Golden Lizard, wouldn’t you be scared to death? Look at Xie Chu—not a single laugh. How many times have you broken character?”

If Director Xu had compared him to another actor, the male lead might’ve felt a bit resentful. But being compared to a toddler? That really stung. Still, after so many takes, he was getting numb to the embarrassment.

“Hey, Chu Chu, quick—teach Daddy how to stop laughing in scenes.”

Xie Chu didn’t realize the actor was joking with the director. He gripped his prop weapon and thought seriously before answering:

“Uncle Director, if he laughs again, you should dock his pay.”

Every time Xie Chu felt like laughing, he thought of this and managed to hold it in. That, and telling himself silently, “Daddy’s coat flew away because I couldn’t stop laughing.”

The male lead, who had just managed to hold himself together for a retake, immediately broke down laughing again. The rest of the crew laughed along.

Only Xie Chu looked puzzled, tilting his head in confusion.

Because the actor kept breaking character, the director made him go touch up his makeup again.

This was the final scene to be filmed. Director Xu was a perfectionist. While the male lead was off getting his makeup redone, he called the makeup artist to check on the female lead as well.

Only Xie Chu, who hadn’t needed much makeup and never broke character, stood there looking around for his dad, even tiptoeing unconsciously as if that would help.

Director Xu, sipping water, caught sight of the moment and couldn’t help but smile.

Before Xie Chu joined the crew, Director Xu’s biggest worry was whether such a young child could handle so many lines, difficult wire work, and long shooting hours.

In Wen Zi’s original script, the child character stayed physically small but matured mentally over time and remained three years old through the finale.

Xie Chu even nailed those complex later scenes. Ironically, it was the male lead who kept falling apart.

While the male lead was getting his makeup done, his manager scolded him. After that, even when he saw the ridiculous broom-prop, he managed not to laugh.

The Golden Lizard in the script was a boss monster two stories tall, incredibly hard to defeat. The female lead even got injured in the scene, and they had to shoot the action sequences many times.

Director Xu, who had always been mindful of the young child actor, still made sure to explain everything to Xie Chu clearly before filming. But this was the first time the boy had to work until midnight.

Around 10 PM, they finally finished the last scene. Once the director announced the wrap, the whole crew breathed a collective sigh of relief.

“It’s late already—everyone go get some rest. We’ll hold the wrap party tomorrow.”

Not just the actors and crew, even Director Xu himself was completely exhausted.

Xie Chu hadn’t even had time to take off his costume before he leaned back against the chair and fell asleep. Xie Hui asked a staff member from the film crew and, after confirming it was fine to take the costume home, gently picked up his son.

As he was being moved, the half-asleep Xie Chu squinted open his eyes for a moment, but he was too tired to keep them open. He sniffed lightly, recognized the familiar scent of his dad, and reached out to grab his father’s shirt.

“Go to sleep, Chuchu.”

“Mm… okay.”

Xie Hui wasn’t sure for a moment whether his son was asleep or still awake when he answered. He didn’t disturb him further, just adjusted his hold to make sure the little one could sleep more comfortably.

On the way back to the hotel, just outside the main entrance, Xie Hui unexpectedly saw a father and son.

“All you need to do is study every day! What use is there in always thinking about drawing and that nonsense? Do you think you can even keep up with your studies?”

The father’s voice was loud and unrestrained in the public space outside the hotel. As Xie Hui walked past them, he could clearly see the child on the verge of tears from being scolded.

“But Dad… this is my dream…”

“A kid your age talking about dreams? Do you even know what a dream is?”

Just before stepping into the elevator with his son in his arms, Xie Hui heard that last sentence. He frowned slightly, clearly disapproving.

How could a child not have dreams? Most childhood dreams are the purest kind—wanting to be a singer, an astronaut, a teacher… beautiful and full of innocence.

But since he was just a passerby, even though he didn’t agree, it wasn’t his place to interfere in other people’s family matters.

Whenever he saw someone parenting in a way he disagreed with, Xie Hui would quietly remind himself to never become like that.

Once they reached their hotel room, Xie Hui leaned down to smell his son. After filming fight scenes all evening, the little guy had sweated a lot.

With that sweaty smell, if he didn’t get a bath, he’d definitely have a restless night.

Xie Hui laid him down on top of the blankets, folding them slightly over him, then went to the bathroom to run the water. When it was ready, he picked Xie Chu up and started removing his costume.

“Mm… Dad?”

The motion of undressing was enough to stir even the deeply sleeping Xie Chu. He groggily opened his eyes.

“Yeah, let’s take a bath before bed, or you’ll feel uncomfortable tonight.”

Xie Chu, who liked being clean anyway, nodded in agreement upon hearing this.

“Yeah… not bathing is uncomfortable…”

Even when placed in the tub, his eyes remained half-closed. Xie Hui washed him as usual, then dressed him in fresh pajamas.

But just as he tucked the sleepy boy into bed, the little one—who could doze off in a bathtub—suddenly rolled out from under the covers and started tossing and turning.

After a while, Xie Hui couldn’t take it anymore and was about to lift him back into position, when he noticed the boy’s tiny face was full of grievance.

“Wuwu… Daddy, socks…”

Saying this, Xie Chu lifted his bare little feet toward Xie Hui.