When had he-or she-ever agreed to this?!
Everyone glared at Chen Liqing, but he ignored them. It was getting late; if they delayed any longer, it would be lunchtime before they set off.
Looking at the rickety fishing boats, they frowned, unable to help worrying that the boats would give out before reaching their destination.
Zuozuo said worriedly to his little friends, "What if this boat breaks? Will we end up feeding the sharks?"
The more he talked, the more likely it seemed. It was fine if the sharks ate him, but what if they ate his big brother too? His brother couldn't swim. What if he drowned?
Terror gradually filled his eyes, and his frightening guesses scared the other children into tears too. Everyone hurried over. What had happened? Hadn't they been fine just now? Why were they suddenly crying?
The viewers, who had seen everything, knew why they were crying. They flooded the comments, saying how funny it was that Zuozuo had single-handedly scared all the other children into tears, how much they loved watching it, and how they wanted more. They also condemned Chen Liqing. If it weren't for his lousy boats, Zuozuo wouldn't have worried, and the other children wouldn't have been scared into tears.
So Chen Liqing was the root of all evil.
If Chen Liqing knew what the viewers were thinking, he would definitely have protested his innocence.
Once the adults learned why the children were crying, they immediately sighed in relief, not knowing whether to laugh or cry. After offering a few words of comfort, they shot looks at the culprit, and Chen Liqing learned it was because of his boats.
Huh? My boats?
He looked at the parents glaring at him, afraid they would come over and tear him apart.
But he still had to defend his boats.
"They may not look like much, but nothing will go wrong with them."
Their eyes were full of disbelief. Chen Liqing's face and neck immediately flushed red, and he said loudly, "I swear on my reputation that they're really safe."
Tch. You? Since when did you have a reputation?
[LMAO, does Director Chen have a reputation?]
[Isn't he a dog among men?]
[Why wouldn't that count?]
In the end, they boarded the fishing boats anyway. Once the boat operators climbed aboard too, the engines started, and the boats gradually pulled away from shore, sailing out onto the vast sea.
The fishing boats had no shelter whatsoever, so the sea breeze hit them straight in the face, blowing all their hair backward.
"Daddy, this is so much fun!" Chaochao said excitedly. Then he suddenly leaned over the side of the boat and reached out to play with the water. The sight scared Gu Wancheng into quickly hauling him back. Once caught, Chaochao lowered his head, not daring to look at him.
Gu Wancheng looked at him sternly. "Chaochao, look at me. You can't go near the side of the boat. You'll fall in."
"Did you hear me?"
Chaochao threw himself into his arms and acted cute, hoping to charm his way out of trouble, but Gu Wancheng wasn't fooled.
Seeing that he wasn't saying anything, Chaochao buried his face in his chest and said glumly, "I understand."
"From now on, you stay right here, or we're going back."
"Nooo!"
"If you don't want to go back, then behave."
"I understand. I'll behave."
Hearing the commotion, the other parents turned to lecture their own children before they could get up to any mischief.
Riding these fishing boats had its own charm. They could feel the ocean's power up close, turn their heads to see the blue seawater right beside them, and smell the damp, salty sea breeze.
Just then, an island appeared. Traveling alongside them, Chen Liqing raised his megaphone. "Everyone, we're almost at the island for our half-month vacation. Feel free to share your thoughts."
Tongtong immediately raised her hand.
"All right, does that little girl with her hand up have something to say?"
Tongtong shouted, "Uncle Director, I'm hungry!"
[Hahahahahahahahaha!]
[Thoughts? What's that? Munch munch munch.jpg]
[Thoughts? None, but I'm hungry.]
Laughter immediately rang out across the sea.
Chen Liqing fell silent for a moment, then said, "You'll get to eat soon."
[Chen Liqing: I got careless and didn't dodge.]
"Can I have shrimp?"
"Then I want cola chicken wings."
"Pumpkin."
"I want meat."
The children chattered away, ordering dishes. Chen Liqing rubbed his temples and said helplessly, "Yes, yes, we'll have all of those."
Hearing his answer, the children immediately cheered. The only person who had suffered was silently regretting it. Why did he have to open his mouth? That was what he got for talking too much.
Now he wasn't going to say another word until they reached the island.
It didn't matter if he stayed silent. The people on the boats were already happily imagining their upcoming island vacation, full of anticipation-all except Gu Wancheng.
Looking at the hopeful group, Gu Wancheng silently spared them a second of sympathy, then spent the rest on himself.
As the boats gradually approached the shore, the people aboard could hardly wait to get onto the island. If they knew what would happen later, would they slap their past selves?
"Please get off the boats in an orderly manner. Don't rush."
They arrived on a beach. Looking at the lush woods on the island, with the sea surrounding them on all sides and no one else there, they felt as though they had stepped into a primitive society.
[The scenery here is nice.]
[I approve of Director Chen's taste.]
[But not his character, huh? Doge.jpg]
[Well, he is such a bastard. Shrug.jpg]
[Would Director Chen still be Director Chen if he weren't a bastard? Clutching head.jpg]
"Ahem, ahem. Everyone, please look this way."
Everyone, who had been looking around curiously at everything on the island, turned toward him. Chen Liqing spoke.
"For our upcoming half-month island vacation, apart from the meal you'll be having shortly, you'll need to sort out your own food."
Huh??
[Huh?? This...]
[Chen Liqing, you bastard!]
[Can they cook? The babies won't go hungry, will they?]
[I've been Brother Jian's fan for ten years, and I can say for sure that he can't.]
[Then Zuozuo's in for a rough time.]
[Can the others cook?]
[Brother Zhao can cook a little.]
[I think Sister Xiashi can only make salads.]
[Brother Chu can.]
[Chengcheng probably can, right?] Remembering Gu Wancheng's privileged family background, one viewer sounded uncertain.
[Our Xiao Yu can cook too.]
[Oh, got it. You may leave.]
[What's that supposed to mean? Let's see your faves manage without asking our Xiao Yu for help.]
[Oh~]
[You...!]
These viewers were all well versed in the art of green tea. How could Jiang Yu's little schemes escape their discerning eyes? It wasn't as though he were the only one who could cook. They certainly didn't want their favorite brothers and sisters having anything to do with him.
Every single person present was dumbfounded and incredulous.
Jian Yue cried out, "Didn't we come here for a parenting variety show? And now you're making us survive in the wilderness?"
Xu Xiashi looked at the pretty dresses she and Mi Tu were wearing. "Director Chen, look at our dresses and say that again."
Tongtong whispered into Chu Yi'an's ear, "Big brother, have we been tricked?"
Chu Yi'an fell silent for a moment, then nodded, confirming her suspicion.
Zhao Chengyu gave Chen Liqing a sharp look, which the latter avoided.
Gu Wancheng sighed. Just as expected.
Chen Liqing's expression remained perfectly calm as he continued, "Yes, you heard that right. We've prepared clothes for Ms. Xu and Mi Tu, so you can change into them later. We've placed some boxes around the island containing things you'll need, but you'll have to find them yourselves."
Xu Xiashi: "..." So you planned this all along. If she'd known, she wouldn't have come.
"You can go beachcombing and exchange what you collect with the production team for dishes you want to eat. You can also choose not to exchange it."
"Now, please head to the accommodations we've prepared for you. Is everyone ready?"
Before they could speak, he immediately said, "Since everyone's ready, follow us."
With that, he immediately turned away, not daring to look at them.
The people left standing there exchanged glances and helplessly followed. After all, they were already here.
[Is this really a parenting show? Confused.jpg]
[This isn't what I imagined.]
[Weren't they supposed to go around having fun with the kids? Why are they surviving in the wilderness right from the start?]
[No idea. The teacher never covered this. Scratching head.jpg]