Dou Dou

Biodata

Background

Watcher identifies Zhao Danshi's nausea as an impossible pregnancy. The child is later revealed to be Li Ping's, prompting Zhao to seek Li's involvement rather than continue concealing the situation alone 9 17 18.

Before the birth, Zhao names the child Dou Dou, intending the nickname to represent safeguarding the extraordinary secret of two men having a child, as well as holding onto love, hope, health, and good fortune. Watcher's medical scan confirms that Dou Dou is healthy and gives a due date of February 7 23.

Dou Dou is delivered by Watcher's laser-assisted cesarean section after Zhao, Li Ping, and Ran Yuanyao decide that a hospital birth could expose Zhao's condition. He is born healthy at six pounds, two ounces 24.

After the Lantern Festival, Zhao and Li Ping obtain a paternity test and register him as Li Ning Xi in Zhao's household. The household register legally records Zhao and Dou Dou as father and son 25 28.

Appearance

Dou Dou is born red-skinned with thick hair, delicate features, and a resemblance to Zhao Danshi. As he grows, his complexion becomes fair and creamy, with large dark eyes, long eyelashes, and a notably expressive smile 24 25.

• At birth, his eyes and mouth are said to resemble Zhao Danshi, while his nose resembles Li Ping 24.
• He has a soft, chubby build and is described as looking like a doll while held by Zhao 26.
• By late May, he weighs nearly twenty jin and has two small lower teeth 40 45.

Growth & Development

Personality

Dou Dou is consistently portrayed as cheerful, easy to care for, and highly curious about unfamiliar people, food, and outdoor surroundings. He rarely fusses when fed, smiles readily at adults, and responds enthusiastically to attention from both fathers 24 25 26.

He is notably food-motivated: he watches meals intently, eagerly samples new flavors, and becomes especially attached to Zhao Danshi when strawberry puree is prepared 35 43 47.

• Enjoys water and laughs while swimming in both an infant pool and the family's inflatable pool 32 34.
• Is fascinated by fireworks, peach blossoms, mountains, and other new experiences 25 39 45.
• Reacts warmly to familiar people, including Zhao Luxing, Ran Yuanyao, and his great-grandfather 25 36.
• Shows an early stubborn streak when teething, refusing to release Zhao Danshi's fingers after biting them 40 42.

Relationships

• Zhao Danshi — Birth father, legal father, and primary caregiver. Zhao carried Dou Dou, chose his nickname, and registered him as his son 23 24 28.
• Li Ping — Biological father and Zhao's co-parent. Li Ping supports the delivery, shares childcare duties, and becomes openly devoted to Dou Dou 18 24 26.
• Zhao's grandfather — Great-grandfather. He warmly accepts Dou Dou as family, dotes on him, and helps care for him at home 25 28.
• Ran Yuanyao — Godfather and medical supporter. Ran assists during the birth, checks on Dou Dou afterward, and remains concerned for his health 24 25.
• Watcher — The AI responsible for monitoring Dou Dou's prenatal health and performing the cesarean section that delivers him 23 24.
• Dahei — The family's wolfdog. Dou Dou laughs at Dahei and appears unafraid of him 25.

Story Role

• Dou Dou's pregnancy forces Zhao Danshi to confront the consequences of his relationship with Li Ping and eventually disclose the truth to him 17 18.
• His impending birth pushes Zhao, Li Ping, Ran Yuanyao, and Watcher into a cooperative effort to protect Zhao's health and complete a safe delivery 23 24.
• His legal registration cements Zhao's identity as his father and gives Zhao and Li Ping a concrete basis for building a family together 28.
• His needs shape the household's farming, work, travel, and online-content decisions; Zhao and Li Ping repeatedly prioritize keeping him safe, healthy, and off-camera 30 32 45.

Trivia

• Dou Dou's formal name, Li Ning Xi, is chosen with the surname Li and the given name Ning Xi, meaning “peace” and “bustling prosperity” in Zhao's explanation 25 28.
• Zhao and Li Ping deliberately keep Dou Dou out of their rural-life videos to protect his privacy 30.
• Dou Dou drinks formula mixed with Lower-grade Spirit Spring Water, which is associated with his strong health and rapid growth 34 39.
• His first spring outing is a picnic at Oxhead Mountain, where he eagerly reaches for falling peach blossoms 39.