The Useless Stepmom Brings Her Kids to Reality TV Shows to Photograph Them

170 Yanchen Will Always Be Your Father

Ji Hanzhi didn’t hear what she wanted to hear, so she made an excuse and took her daughters home. She avoided the cameras for the entire day.

Du Xing, who was still waiting outside the Lan Village, was pleased with herself when she saw the live broadcast in the morning. She didn’t want to let Ji Hanzhi know that she was secretly gloating, so Du Xing didn’t send her a message or call her.

When the second episode of the show was about to end, the Festival Group became a hot topic. Ji Hanzhi gained a wave of sympathy.

The five families gathered at the entrance of the village. Unlike the first round, the adults said nothing except a few words of goodbye when they parted. Only the children expressed their reluctance to part with each other.

[The relationship between the guests in this episode is terrible.]

[The Festival Group is just courting death at this point. Will anyone watch the next episode?]

[It was supposed to be a good family variety show. Why did they have to turn it into a melodrama? Don’t you know that even children watch this show? If you want to include romance and fights between exes, why don’t you just turn it into a couple variety show instead?]

[Rumor has it that the next episode is scheduled for September. Kids will have started school so they will be absent.]

[God! Are they changing the version halfway?]

[Didn’t they say that Luo Xi will be joining the show with his nephew? The children will have to be in school and only the parents will be here. What about Luo Xi? Will he be alone?]

[It’s just gossip and nothing else. Let’s all wait for the official announcement.]

[I’m only watching this variety show because of Xuanxuan. If Xuanxuan isn’t coming, then I won’t watch it. I’ve had enough of the Festival Group’s antics.]

[I’m only watching it because of Nannan and Wheatley. Why are you watching it if the babies aren’t coming?]

[What if I like Ms. Lin and Mr. Li? I really want to know about their life.]

[I am worried that no one will be able to hold back Mr. Li if children aren’t there.]

[Hahahaha]

…

While driving back, Lin Wan sat on the front passenger seat. Li Yanchen had one hand on the steering wheel and the other was intertwined with Lin Wan’s hand.

The three children were in the back seat, chattering about the interesting things that happened in this variety show.

After a long while, Li Yanchen interrupted them, “I have to go to country H for a business trip next Monday. I will take you all along with me.”

Li Zexin stopped mid-sentence. He was stunned. He was downright shocked. In the past, in the winter and summer holidays, they would all make a commotion to accompany their father to Chenxin headquarters. Their father would always refuse to even allow them into his office, let alone take them on a business trip.

At the mention of country H, Li Zexuan’s heart thudded. Country H was his nightmare.

“Daddy, are we all going as a family?” asked Li Zekai happily.

“Dad, what did you say? Could you say it again?” asked Li Zexin in a daze.

“I don’t have too much work on this business trip and your school still hasn’t started. I can show you around,” said Li Yanchen. “I can take you to places I have spent the most time in, besides the Chenxin office and Yun City.”

Li Yanchen knew that his brother didn’t have much time left. If his health deteriorated even more, the children might not be able to say their goodbyes.

His sister-in-law had kept her husband’s condition a secret from Li Zekai and Li Zexin. She had kept that secret until the time she passed away. She had hoped that the children would always have a father in the world if the truth was kept from them.

However, after discussing it with Lin Wan, he also felt that the children had the right to know the truth.

“Are we really going?” Li Zexuan was trembling.

“Big brother, why is your arm so cold?” Li Zekai accidentally touched his big brother’s arm. It was freezing.

“Xuanxuan, your brothers have a right to know,” said Li Yanchen in a pained voice.

“What are you talking about? Is it mom’s death anniversary? Is that why you want to take us along? But mom was buried in Yun City! Dad, do you miss mom too? Is that why you want to take us there?” asked Li Zexin. “I am being stupid! Dad won’t miss mom. He thinks we miss her. Ms. Lin, please don’t be jealous.”

“Daddy, do you miss mommy?” Li Zekai asked.

Li Yanchen tightened his grip on Lin Wan’s hand. “Yes. I also asked Auntie Lin. She said she wants to come with us, too.”

“Ms. Lin?” Li Zexin was afraid that Lin Wan would be angry. He reached out and gently pulled at her shirt collar. “Did dad force you to come with us? We don’t need to go if you don’t want to. We can pay our respects to mom in Yun City. We don’t have to go to country H if it makes you uncomfortable.”

Lin Wan’s eyes were slightly red, but she squeezed out a smile. “Already all grown up? Don’t you miss your mother? I am alright. I willingly agreed. Li Yanchen didn’t force me.”

“But… do we really have to go?” Li Zexuan’s hands dug hard into his knees.

“Yes.” Li Yanchen took a deep breath. “I will ask Assistant Qin to book a flight to country H on Monday.”

The faces of the three kids showed various expressions.

Li Zekai was happy that he was going on a business trip with his father, and he was jumping for joy. Li Zexin, likewise, felt ecstatic. He wanted to see the place his mom might have liked but he was still worried that Lin Wan would feel unhappy. He looked conflicted.

Li Zexuan was very quiet. He wondered if his father intended to tell his brothers the truth. His younger brothers didn’t know that their parents were no longer alive. At least in their hearts, they still had a father. He was worried about how they would react after finding out that their father wasn’t really their father.

“Big brother, why do you look unhappy?” Li Zekai asked after he finished singing a few songs.

Li Zexuan shook his head. “Mr. Li, are you going to tell Xinxin and Jiejie the truth about what happened?”

Lin Wan turned back and patted him on the head softly. “Xuanxuan, Yanchen will always be your father no matter what.”

Li Zexin looked confused. “What are you even saying? Of course, Mr. Li is our father.”

“I don’t understand either.” Li Zekai pouted.

Li Yanchen ignored Li Zexuan’s question. “Are you happy to come along with me? I will show you my office too.”

“Okay!” said Li Zekai. He leaned back on the seat. “Big brother, are you worried for Auntie Lin? She doesn’t mind. Right, Auntie Lin?”

“Of course, I don’t mind,” said Lin Wan. “Let’s talk about what we are going to eat tonight. Li Yanchen said he would treat us to a big meal. What do you guys want?’

“Yay! Daddy is the best!” Li Zekai clapped.

Li Zexin looked at Lin Wan. He felt relief seeing that she didn’t mind. “Brother, Ms. Lin is very happy. Don’t worry.”

Li Zexuan forced out a smile. “Alright then! I want Australian lobsters.”

“I want to eat King Crab.”

“I want to eat that Black Abalone.”

...

The three children finally smiled.

Lin Wan placed her hand on Li Yanchen’s thigh. “I am fine with anything.”

In Yun city, after dinner, Li Yanchen headed back to Chenxin headquarters to pick up some documents. The car was parked outside the company.

“Wanwan, come upstairs with me for a while,” he said. “Do you guys want to come along, too?” He held Lin Wan’s hand.

The three children shook their heads. “We have seen your office before. Show Ms. Lin around.”

“Ms. Lin, is this your first time at dad’s company? ” Li Zexin suddenly asked.

Lin Wan nodded.

“Then, please take a good look around. Mr. Li spends more time in his office than at home. It’s to make some friends so that they can keep an eye on Mr. Li.” The boy rolled down the windows.

Li Yanchen was astounded. “Wanwan, don’t listen to Xinxin’s nonsense. I just work in the office.” Li Yanchen flicked his son’s forehead playfully.