Maybe no one had stolen his iced cola today

A few days before filming began for the variety show, Li Yi finally caught Shi Yan.

"President Shi." Smiling, he handed him a glass of iced cola.

Shi Yan glanced at the cola in front of him and lazily raised his eyelids. "All this buttering up-you must want something. Out with it."

"I'd like three days off to film a show." Li Yi took out his tablet. "But don't worry. Here's the three-day plan I put together. As long as Yingjun follows this schedule, there definitely won't be any problems over those three days."

"That's right. Li Yi's schedule is really detailed. Even I can take good care of the garden with it, so don't worry, young master." Yingjun came over to put in a good word for Li Yi.

"Fine."

"?"

"What?"

"Nothing, nothing. Thanks!"

Once Shi Yan left, Li Yi crouched beside the Chinese lantern lilies with Yingjun and whispered, "Why did your young master agree so quickly today? I thought he'd have a few things to say."

"Maybe no one stole his iced cola today, so he's happy?"

"..."

Was he some kind of ultimate cola fanatic?

On the day filming began, Li Yi got up bright and early, quickly got ready, and put on his backpack to head out.

"Li Yi, what are you doing up so early?" Lu Xingluo, who hadn't shown her face around him for several days, had come looking for attention again.

She wore a short white dress with a black bow pinned at the neckline, looking sweet and demure. A black bow held her hair half up, while the loose half fell in smooth, large waves.

With her light pink makeup, she looked like an innocent little flower.

As long as she didn't speak.

"I got up early to exercise. I'm going to run from home to Little South Mountain," Li Yi answered with a smile.

"Little South Mountain is thirty kilometers from here. I don't believe you're going to run there." Lu Xingluo gave him a suspicious look.

"Then why ask?" Li Yi tugged at his backpack straps, turned, and left.

"..." Lu Xingluo was furious. If she'd known, she never would have tried talking to Li Yi.

She had meant to show off that she had another variety show to film, but before she could even say it, Li Yi had already infuriated her.

"Third Sister, don't let him spoil your mood. It's the first day of filming today. Come have some breakfast and keep your energy up." Lu Junjia led her to the dining table. "Here, your favorite pumpkin porridge. It's just the right temperature."

"Mm, you really are good to me." Lu Xingluo accepted the pumpkin porridge and added, "Today's show is being livestreamed. Remember to use a few extra accounts to cheer me on. My manager will give you the login details."

"Okay, don't worry."

Li Yi was the first to arrive at the nursing home.

He arrived just as breakfast was being served. Setting down his backpack, he volunteered to help hand out breakfast, then took a small tray himself and joined the elderly residents for the meal.

The production crew's cameras captured the whole scene.

[I want all the details on this fresh-faced cutie within ten minutes!]

[Isn't this a charity livestream supporting vulnerable groups? Where did this youthful high school boy suddenly come from!!! I was so excited I dragged my bestie over to watch while she was still pooping.]

[Here I am with an eight a.m. class, randomly opening a livestream, and suddenly my eyes keep lighting up. I feel so refreshed!]

[The preview said there'd be a popular singer, and our idol recently mentioned he'd be doing charity work. I came specifically to see him, but now this cutie eating has had me transfixed for ten seconds.]

[Wait? Is the nursing home's plain congee that good? Why do they all look so happy eating it?]

As Li Yi drank his plain congee, a young man suddenly darted over and held out his hand, his voice bright and cheerful. "Hi, I'm Su Xia. I'm a singer, and I'm here to join you on this charity variety show."

"Hi, I'm Li Yi. I'm about to start university." Li Yi stood and shook his hand, then asked, "Have you had breakfast?"

"Not yet. I just got out of the car and haven't had a chance." Su Xia sniffed. "Hey, little bro, your breakfast smells pretty good. Could I have some?"

"Sure. I'll get you a serving."

"Thanks." Su Xia was quick to make himself at home. He draped an arm over Li Yi's shoulders and grinned. "I'll go get it with you."

"Okay." Li Yi knew the livestream had already started and felt too awkward to pull his hand away, so he could only lead him stiffly to the serving area. "There are lots of options for breakfast. What would you like?"

"The pan-fried dumplings look good, and so do those stuffed lotus root fritters, and the chive pockets..." Su Xia swallowed, about to take a little of everything to try, when he heard his manager coughing insistently nearby.

"Ugh." He sighed, put all the greasy food back, and took a steamed ear of corn and a bowl of plain congee, ready to leave.

"What's wrong?" Li Yi tilted his head and asked, "Didn't you want those? Why did you put them all back?"

Su Xia leaned close to Li Yi's ear and whispered, "My manager won't let me. I have a concert after filming this show. I can't gain weight."

"You won't gain weight if you get enough exercise. We'll definitely get enough today."

"Really?" Su Xia's eyes lit up.

"If you just want to try them, I can get them and give you half of each. The portions are small. Half is only a bite or two."

"Yes, please!"

And so, right under the manager's nose, the two carried out their secret plan.

Back at their seats, Li Yi pulled another plate from beneath his tray. He divided the chive pockets, stuffed lotus root fritters, pan-fried dumplings, egg pancakes, radish cakes, pan-fried buns, pot stickers, spring pancakes, and fried dough sticks on the plate into two portions, then pushed one to the side.

Su Xia happily pulled it over and ate them contentedly, one bite apiece. He looked absolutely blissful!

Boys naturally ate a lot. Li Yi had only taken a bowl of plain congee that morning, intending to get more food once he finished it. Now he wouldn't need to.

[Hahaha... You two are killing me. I want to see the manager's perspective. Her face is probably dark with fury.]

[Sister Ning, have you been starving the poor boy? He's turned breakfast at a nursing home into a buffet.]

[Ah!!! Our Xia is actually here! These two boys look so youthful standing together.]

[What nursing home is this? Why is the breakfast spread so huge? Every single thing looks delicious!]

[Hahaha... With you two attacking from both sides, even LeBron James couldn't defend against you if he were your manager.]

[Oh my god, I'm actually finding shipping fodder in a charity variety show~]

While Li Yi and Su Xia were drinking their congee with their heads lowered, two more people arrived and greeted them with smiles.

"You're making that look so delicious, I'm hungry just watching," said the young actress Qiao Qianqian softly.

"If I'd known, I wouldn't have eaten bread on the way. How am I both full and hungry now?" Variety show veteran Cheng Qing rubbed his stomach and laughed.

"The nursing home prepares extra breakfast every day." Li Yi looked up. "If you'd like some, I can go get you a little."