The little one publicly called him Dad

Zheng Ye was more effective than the director. The moment he sat down behind the camera, the entire crew started moving much faster.

Jiang Jingyin stopped showing off in front of his fans, too, and hurried backstage to get his makeup done.

The costume and props staff abandoned their meals and rushed around pushing crates.

Seeing this, the lighting technician rubbed his nose and started adjusting the light stands, too.

"What's going on? Why is everyone so busy?" The junior assistant flipped haphazardly through the script. Although he had no idea what was happening, he still pretended to look busy. "What are we busy doing?"

"No idea." The staff member beside him grabbed a rag and started wiping down a table. "Just keep busy!"

"Oh, okay." The junior assistant asked in confusion, received an equally confusing answer, and wound up even more confused. He muttered in earnest, "So what exactly are we busy doing?"

A young woman in a baseball cap walked over carrying a cardboard box. With a casual glance, she spotted Zheng Ye sitting behind the camera.

Her eyes widened. Once she recovered, she quickly lowered her head and tugged at her cap to hide her face.

Unfortunately, Zheng Ye still caught that fleeting movement.

She was his younger cousin, Zheng Xinxin.

Zheng Ye looked at her.

It had been a long time since he had seen her, and Zheng Xinxin had lost quite a bit of weight. At some point, her big waves had become straight hair, now pulled into a casual high ponytail. Dressed in work overalls, she looked nothing like the vain little girl he remembered.

Then a little boy came scampering over.

He wore a little immortal's robe and a small blue cap. The tiny tot spread his arms as wide as he could and hugged Zheng Xinxin's leg tightly. "Auntie~ You're finally here~ Minmin's been good~"

The boy lifted his little face and puffed out his chest like a tiny peacock waiting for praise. "All the big brothers and sisters praised Minmin today!"

"Really?" Afraid Zheng Ye would notice her, Zheng Xinxin crouched down and whispered, "You've been so good, Minmin. Did you see Daddy?"

"Yes!" At the mention of this, the boy's eyes lit up, and he waved his arms excitedly. "I saw him! Daddy's so handsome!"

Zheng Xinxin ruffled Minmin's hair and asked with a smile, "How handsome?"

"Just... really, really handsome! This—this—handsome!!" As he spoke, the boy spread both hands and tried to draw circles to demonstrate just how handsome.

Zheng Xinxin couldn't hold back a laugh.

Watching this, Zheng Ye felt something stir inside him, too.

He had never been interested in other people's affairs. Good or bad, they had nothing to do with him.

Whenever he watched any drama unfold, it was only because he happened to be there.

But now, he really wanted to know what would happen to this child.

Given Jiang Jingyin's personality, he would never acknowledge the boy. If the boy's mother was still mentally unwell, wouldn't his life be ruined?

Ah~ Minmin's so cute! Come let your big brother get a good snuggle!

Ning Shile's voice suddenly rang out. Zheng Ye turned and saw him gazing at the tiny tot with an expression that was practically melting. That's our future little prodigy, all right!

A math olympiad genius!

A great mathematician!

Ning Shile's voice rose with each exclamation. He really seemed to adore this little one.

He went wild inside his head. Sweet baby, sweet baby, sweet baby! Come let your big brother snuggle you! My sweet baby!

Hearing this, Zheng Ye felt much more at ease. As long as the adults' problems hadn't ruined the little boy's future.

"Are all departments ready?" The director took his seat, picked up his megaphone, and cleared his throat. "Lights! Camera!"

The lights came on, and several people stood by the entrance holding reflectors.

The camera operator wheeled the camera around to find the right position.

The leading man, Jiang Jingyin, finally emerged.

His face was fair as jade, his eyes like stars. Dressed in an exquisite white robe, he cut an elegant figure, with several golden dragons adorning his cuffs. The cold sword in his hand made him seem utterly unapproachable.

"Jiangjiang's so handsome!"

"Aaah, darling! Give the hair and makeup team a bonus!"

The fans visiting the set couldn't help shrieking at the sight and whipped out their cameras to take pictures like mad.

The security guards holding the barrier at the entrance moved farther forward, pushing the fans back.

"Adjust the light on the left a little more." The director bent over with his hands behind his back to check the camera feed. Then he clicked his tongue and pointed. "Bring the light over here."

The lighting technician ran over. The director watched for a while, decided it looked right, and nodded.

"All departments, places!"

"Three! Two! One! Action!"

This was a solo scene for Jiang Jingyin's male lead. After having his capacity for love stripped away and losing his memories, he happened to return to his home in the mortal world, where everything around him felt strangely familiar.

There was no denying that Jiang Jingyin did have some acting ability.

The trace of confusion in his eyes as he entered, the hesitation in his steps, and the lingering reluctance in his fingertips were all perfectly judged.

Oh, that was surprisingly good.

Ning Shile marveled, No wonder this drama became a hit.

"Cut!" The director made an okay sign and quickly moved on to the next shot. "Is our child actor ready?"

Hearing this, Minmin walked over and looked at his father, his face full of delight.

This scene depicted the male lead meeting his wife and child without recognizing them.

Minmin was playing Jiang Jingyin's son.

Ning Shile grew excited. Yes, yes, yes! This is where the real drama starts!

As they act out the scene, Jiang Jingyin realizes Minmin really is his son. He gets worked up and starts snapping at him!

Minmin gets scared and bursts into tears. His real feelings spill out, and he cries for Daddy and tries to hug Jiang Jingyin. Jiang Jingyin shoves him to the ground, looking panicked.

Minmin thinks his daddy really doesn't want him anymore, so he cries and spills the whole truth!

Hearing this, Zheng Ye decided the timing was about right and arranged for someone to mingle with the fans and start a livestream.

At the director's command, filming began.

"F-Father..." Minmin emerged from the room, his eyes sparkling as though he were looking at an idol he adored. He tilted his head up and gazed at Jiang Jingyin, brimming with joy.

Minmin hesitated for a moment, then reached out his little hand to tug at Jiang Jingyin and shyly delivered his line. "Y-you're even better-looking than in the painting~"

The boy's soft little voice tugged at the heart.

The director nodded and whispered, "This child actor is pretty good."

The assistant nodded. "He has real potential."

Jiang Jingyin, however, thought the boy looked familiar. Something about his features resembled someone, but he wasn't quite sure.

Surely it couldn't be him? That woman... wasn't she in a psychiatric hospital?

The child was probably given away ages ago. It shouldn't be him.

Even so, Jiang Jingyin still felt something was off. When Minmin reached out to take hold of him, he instinctively dodged.

In the director's eyes, however, this was a lovely finishing touch. "Good. That spontaneous reaction was excellent."

You think that was good?

There's something even better coming in a moment.

With that thought, Ning Shile pushed the chair beneath the director, worrying, Careful you don't get so shocked you fall over in a minute.