He Tried to Save My Life—So I Dragged Him Into a Dawn Hustle

Ning Shixue waited for a while but didn’t receive a reply from Xie Zhaozhou.
He didn’t mind too much.

Perhaps that’s just how busy a CEO is.

It was already half past ten.
He picked up Xie Yaoyao, hurried to wash up in the yard, then took Xie Yaoyao’s bottle and asked him,
Are you really not going to drink milk?

Xie Yaoyao had just bathed, his whole body steaming like a little milk cake, white and soft.
He sprawled on the pillow, whining.
‘I not a three-year-old baby anymore!’

‘As long as you don’t regret it later, don’t come crying to me in the middle of the night.’
Ning Shixue pinched his cheek.

Xie Yaoyao let out another vigorous ‘hmph’ at him.
But he was already sleepy, his voice soft and milky, no matter how much he hmphed, it was overwhelmingly sweet.

Ning Shixue lay down beside him.

Xie Yaoyao’s chubby little hand still clutched a small yellow hat his mother had made for him.
It was like his security blanket; he had to hold it to sleep alone.

His mother passed away from illness when he was one and a half, after which Xie Zhaozhou took over his care.

Xie Zhaozhou hadn’t hidden the truth about his biological parents from him.
Xie Yaoyao always knew Xie Zhaozhou was actually his uncle.

The program team promised 24-hour live streaming, but they couldn’t really be under the camera every second.
Guests needed privacy after all, so the live stream usually ended around midnight.

It was only eleven now, and many viewers were still in the bullet comments.

Xie Yaoyao slept very peacefully.
His thick eyelashes rested on his cheeks, his fair, soft cheeks puffing slightly with each breath.
Occasionally, his rosy little mouth would move a few times in his sleep.

But Ning Shixue slept restlessly.
He rolled over, and the blanket slipped down, revealing a stretch of fair calf.

[Sniff, baby, come give auntie a kiss.
Auntie wants to take a little bite of your cheek.]

[Suddenly, I somewhat understand the little drama queen’s mental state.
Marrying an old man at just twenty-one, who wouldn’t break down?]

[He deserves it, thank you.]

[Dammit, what kind of old man is married to Ning Shixue?
Jealousy distorts my face.
Can’t I have a wife and baby like this? Biting towel.jpg]

In the middle of the night, Xie Yaoyao woke up from the heat.

He had been curled up in his own quilt, but Ning Shixue was very restless, constantly crowding him.
In the end, he could only roll into Ning Shixue’s arms to sleep, his soft cheek pressed against Ning Shixue’s neck.

He lifted his chubby little hand to rub his eyes, puffed out his cheeks, and wanted to push Ning Shixue away with his short little legs.

Instead, he touched Ning Shixue’s scalding hot skin.

So… so hot.

Xie Yaoyao’s large, dark eyes instantly widened.

Ning Shixue had actually been running a slight fever since returning in the evening.
But in the slums, medicine was scarce.
After his teens, he’d been stuck in game instances and was used to enduring illnesses on his own.

He never even thought of taking medicine.

Xie Yaoyao pushed him, tugged at his fingers, but Ning Shixue couldn’t open his eyes.

So Xie Yaoyao wobbled as he got up.
First, he threw a few pillows on the floor, then aimed his little bottom and plopped down with a soft thud, his movements remarkably proficient.

This was how he secretly got out of bed at home.

All the guests lived in the same courtyard compound.
But their room had previously belonged to an elderly person with poor mobility, so the kang (heated brick bed) had been built especially low.

His chubby little feet hit the ground running.
He found his small suitcase, his little face flushed with effort as he huffed and puffed, pulling the suitcase over and squatting down to rummage through it.

His kindergarten teacher said that when children get sick or have a fever, they must tell their mommy and daddy, or other grown-ups, and then have the grown-ups take them to the hospital or give them medicine.

But now Ning Shixue had a fever, and he wasn’t a baby.

Xie Yaoyao scratched his little cheek.
He decided to skip the ‘find a grown-up’ step and give Ning Shixue medicine directly.

He couldn’t read, but he recognized the little sunflower on the medicine box.
The butler grandpa said babies should only take half a pill.
He pried out a whole one, then pattered back to Ning Shixue.

Bad Bad,
Xie Yaoyao’s short legs flailed vigorously, but he still couldn’t climb onto the kang.
He could only use his little hands to try and turn Ning Shixue’s neck.
Take medicine.

He secretly used the little nickname he’d given Ning Shixue.

Because he always thought Ning Shixue was a bad person.

Ning Shixue was in a feverish daze but was stubbornly nagged awake by that milky voice.
His forehead was burning hot, flushed from the corners of his eyes to his cheeks.
He glanced at the children’s fever medicine in Xie Yaoyao’s hand, and those cool peach blossom eyes suddenly curved.

It even seemed like he chuckled.

Xie Yaoyao stared at him dumbly.

Although Sister Miaomiao kept telling him this gege was very good-looking, he always thought a bad stepdad must be as ugly as a little pig.
Until just now.
His little face couldn’t help but flush a bit.

For some reason feeling shy, he lay face-down by the bedside, only his dark, gleaming eyes peeking out to watch Ning Shixue.

‘This is for children,’
Ning Shixue sat up and lifted him onto the kang.
‘It won’t work for me.’

Xie Yaoyao felt soft and plump when held, but he was a solid little lead weight of a child.
Ning Shixue felt a crack in his lower back.
He slumped back down, barely alive.

One could only say children are too innocent.

Xie Yaoyao disliked him so much, but seeing him looking half-dead, Xie Yaoyao began to waver.

Why like this?
Xie Yaoyao, clutching his medicine, used all his might to try and pull him up.
His eyes were a bit red.
I find Big Daddy, we go hospital.

Ning Shixue: “…”

That’s really not necessary.

If Xie Zhaozhou came, he might die even faster.

‘Won’t die,’
Ning Shixue reached up to ruffle his hair.
He originally planned to bury himself under the quilt and sleep it off, maybe feel better upon waking.
But Xie Yaoyao kept crying, so he decided to go find the staff for the first aid kit.
‘You sleep first.
I’ll be back soon.’

Baby also want go,
Xie Yaoyao’s chubby face was full of worry.
He still remembered Ning Shixue didn’t know the way.

Although he was sleepy, this bad stepdad was too delicate.
What if he got lost at night?
He heard many dogs barking and had already imagined Ning Shixue crying in the village, scared by dogs late at night.

To this day, he still thought Ning Shixue was the one he brought out to play.
He was already a mature baby, of course he had to bring Ning Shixue back safely.

Young children lack self-awareness.
They don’t know that Ning Shixue was still sick and that taking him along would be more tiring.
But Ning Shixue didn’t refuse, nor did he say, ‘You’re just a child, you can’t protect me.’

‘Then you put on shoes quickly,’
Ning Shixue directed.
‘Otherwise I not wait for you.’

Xie Yaoyao huffed and puffed as he put on his little shoes.
Worried Ning Shixue might get lost, he proactively went to hold Ning Shixue’s hand, not forgetting to bring his children’s smartwatch.

Because it had a flashlight.

You not allowed,
Xie Yaoyao said, the baby fat on his face puffing out as he instructed like a little adult,
let go of my hand.

Ning Shixue: “…”

Got it, got it.

It was already past 1:30 AM.
In theory, the other guests were also asleep.
But as Ning Shixue left the courtyard, he couldn’t help but frown and glance back.
He felt someone was watching him.

Still, it was unlikely to be dangerous with the program team around, so he didn’t dwell on it.

After they left, Little Tangyuan remained motionless by the door.
He had gotten up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom and suddenly saw Ning Shixue and Xie Yaoyao heading out of the courtyard.
He thought they were going out to play.

He felt a bit envious.
In his soft, milky voice, he whispered to Ji Qing,
Uncle, can we also go out to play?

Only naughty children go out this late,
Ji Qing’s voice was still gentle.
He looked down at Ji Xiao.
Does Xiaoxiao want to be a naughty child too?

But…
Ji Xiao looked up, met Ji Qing’s eyes, pursed his lips, and shook his head.
Xiaoxiao want to be a good baby.
Then everyone will like us.

Ji Qing patted his head.
‘Then go back to sleep.
We have to get up early for tasks tomorrow.’

–

The program team’s staff all lived in the next alley over, about a three-minute walk.
On the way, Ning Shixue said to Xie Yaoyao,
‘You can’t jump off the bed by yourself from now on, understand?’

He had just heard Xie Yaoyao boast about his little bottom.

Soft, won’t break from falling.

It nearly scared a cold sweat out of him.

Luckily nothing happened, otherwise, he’d be dragged off to feed the sharks by Xie Zhaozhou tonight.

Okay,
Xie Yaoyao had to agree.
Who made Ning Shixue sick?
His kindergarten teacher said people who are sick should be taken care of.

So he had to humor this bad stepdad.

Ning Shixue probably hadn’t fully recovered, and the night wind in the mountain village was cold, which caused the fever to return.

The staff hurriedly found medicine for him.
The director, an idea flashing in his eyes, said,
Teacher Ning, on the way back, can we let the cameraman follow you for a bit?

It might be useful later?

If he cared about Ning Shixue’s life or death, if he cared whether he suffered while sick, he wouldn’t have hired Ning Shixue for this show as a living target in the first place.
He only wanted buzz.

Ning Shixue didn’t mind.
‘Go ahead.’

The village was very quiet late at night.
On the way back, holding Xie Yaoyao’s soft little hand with a cameraman following like a ghost behind them felt strangely eerie.

Ning Shixue quickened his pace.

By the time they returned, it was very late.
Ning Shixue took the medicine and soon fell asleep again.
The next day, he was woken by the director’s team.

Let’s go, let’s go!
The director stood in the courtyard, holding a loudspeaker on an endless loop.
Daddies and babies, no more sleeping!
It’s time for babies to set off!

Ji Qing and Little Tangyuan were the first out.

[Sniff, Little Tangyuan doesn’t even sleep in.
Let auntie give you a hug. Crying.jpg]

By the time all the guests assembled, another dozen minutes had passed.
The little ones were all sleepy, swaying on their feet.

Now, let me introduce the first task,
the director cleared his throat.
Today, we’re going to help fellow villagers with farm work.
This includes picking tomatoes, milking goats, feeding chickens, etc.
After completing a task, each family can exchange for one ingredient—that’s today’s lunch.

For the following days, all guests would cook and eat together.

‘And, you can also earn 5 points,’
the director turned serious, explaining the importance of the tasks to the children.
‘The family with the most points can choose their house first next time.’

He Miaomiao rubbed her eyes and raised her little hand.
Uncle, can I choose a castle?

Director: “…”

Uh…

I want to live in a tree hole!
Tang Haohao also got excited.

Xie Yaoyao scratched his little head and said in his milky voice,
I want spaceship!

[Hahahaha the director is thinking, you might as well kill me!!!]

[Auntie will use her toes to dig you a castle.]

Let’s keep that a secret for now,
the director wiped cold sweat from his forehead, quickly changing the subject.
Now, each family can send one person to come draw a task card.

Ning Shixue was too lazy to walk.
He gave Xie Yaoyao’s little bottom a push.
‘You go.’

Xie Yaoyao wanted to go anyway.
He pattered over to the director, stood on tiptoe, his chubby face full of indecision.
Finally, after much effort, he picked the one that looked most pleasing.

Excellent,
the director said.
Now, Teacher He’s family task is picking tomatoes.
You can take your little basket and set off!

He Miaomiao cheered and left, holding her dad’s hand.

Ji Qing and Ji Xiao were assigned goat milking.

Ning Shixue also opened his task card, then his eyes paused.

[??? Making tofu?]

[Is it the hand-pushed stone mill I’m thinking of?
That’s exhausting.
Your back will break after grinding all morning.]

…Kid, you didn’t wash your hands before leaving, did you?
Ning Shixue looked at Xie Yaoyao’s fair, tender little hands with an indescribable expression.

How could your luck be so bad?

Xie Yaoyao pouted, saying defensively,
I wash hands, I also put on lotion.

‘What I mean is, you’re an unlucky charm.’
Ning Shixue explained to him.

Xie Yaoyao’s eyes were full of confusion.
What is, unlucky ball ball?

Unable to communicate, Ning Shixue could only take the address given by the director’s team and prepare to depart.
They had to go to an elderly person’s home, which required leaving the village by climbing a hill.

It was just past six in the morning.
They walked through the alleyways with the cool mountain breeze.

After half an hour of walking, Xie Yaoyao was still excitedly running around.
After another ten minutes, he rubbed his flushed, chubby little face, stamped his foot, and complained aggrievedly,
I not walk anymore.
You really know the way?

They weren’t lost.
If it were another daddy who could carry the child, they would definitely have arrived by now.

But Ning Shixue couldn’t.

It was already fully light, and the mountain village was bustling.
Ning Shixue looked up and saw a large crowd of people at the village entrance.
He suddenly asked the director,
As long as we get one ingredient, right?
It doesn’t necessarily have to be making tofu?

Huh?
The director was puzzled, but that was indeed the case, so he nodded.
Then added,
Teacher Ning, I must remind you, we have already notified the villagers.
If you don’t do anything, they won’t give you anything.

‘How could that be?’
Ning Shixue said innocently.
‘Am I the kind of person who seeks unearned gains?’

[Director: You look like one to me.]

[Is there any other way?
I’ve had it with Ning Shixue.
Miaomiao and the others have already started picking tomatoes.
Can’t he set an example for the child?]

Ning Shixue took Xie Yaoyao’s hand and left, but it wasn’t in the direction given by the director’s team at all.
The director was baffled and could only signal the cameraman to quickly follow.

–

Last night, when Ning Shixue had a fever, Xie Yaoyao sent Xie Zhaozhou several voice messages with his children’s smartwatch, his milky voice choked with sobs.

Saying the bad stepdad was going to die.

Xie Zhaozhou only found out what happened after asking the staff.

But he couldn’t relax, afraid Ning Shixue would cause trouble again.
Arriving at the company in the morning, he simply opened the live stream.

He spotted Ning Shixue and Xie Yaoyao in the crowd almost instantly.

Ning Shixue, holding Xie Yaoyao’s little hand, his slender, straight figure, and the little milk bun in his hand were all exceptionally conspicuous.
He followed a group of elderly men and women forward.
At the end, a cheerful host held a loudspeaker and was shouting:

“Scan the code to receive eggs!”