PCMWF Chapter 155

The production team’s hearts melted at how adorable he was. They looked toward Shen Minyan, who, despite his disguise, stood out among the crowd. How did the Shen family raise such a child?

The staff member in charge of communicating with the adults picked up their phone and urged: “Tell the guests to hurry. The kids are all exhausted and asleep.”

They were outdoors. Even with blankets, they could get sick if this went on too long.

The directors watched the video footage, tears in their eyes: “Who says Chinese preschool education is inferior to other countries? Our four little ones are the best and most well-behaved!”

Choosing to film abroad this time was a decision the production team had made with a lot of determination. Chinese variety show production had always had its shortcomings, especially with children’s shows. Most focused on parent-child relationships, with guests traveling from comfortable homes to challenging places. Adventure-based variety shows from a child’s perspective were almost nonexistent. Most Chinese parents’ philosophy was to protect their children, keeping them within the boundaries of rules and expectations. Parents wanted their children to be obedient and well-behaved, never making a wrong step.

When the preview for “Little Feet Big Adventure” first aired, it faced overwhelming criticism.

[Another show about city people going to the countryside. Boring.]

[What’s the point of a day or two? Try living there for a month if you’re so great.]

[A scripted show. Hmph.]

[So many ways for celebrities to make money. If they really loved their kids, would they let them be judged by the public?]

[…]

[Even the pilot episode seemed scripted.]

[Kids’ shows from Country H are so much better. They feel real. This one is obviously staged.]

It wasn’t until the first episode aired that the reputation slowly grew, and then the Cen family incident happened, followed by Du Ze’s scandal. With popularity came discussion and comparison. After the show became popular, many people compared Youyou and the other children to foreign kids.

For example: “Foreign kids are much braver. These kids are just looking for mushrooms in the woods, with dozens of staff members protecting them.”

“Look at Niu Niu. She’s so insecure. Even with rich parents, she’s too shy to speak up.”

“See? Everyone on this show is just a foil for Su Youli. I don’t believe a kid this well-behaved, clever, and pretty exists.”

Of course, these comments disappeared after the Cen family left the show. Audiences grew to love the children more and more, and word of mouth spread. The comment that “Chinese children are inferior to foreign children” had been like a thorn in the side of the production team. So they held several meetings and decided to film the final leg in Country D. They believed the four little ones were the best, capable of facing any challenge, working together, and completing their tasks.

Ambition burned bright. Through this show, they wanted to tell everyone that Chinese children were the best in the world. From a young age, children were taught to be honest, kind, and united, to help each other, be humble, and polite. These virtues were on full display in the little guests. They might not be as outwardly expressive or as accustomed to adventure challenges as foreign children. But they were innocent and lively. Every moment of their growth captured on camera was something to cherish.

On screen, the little guy saw himself as a guardian for his three friends. He borrowed a small stool from the director and sat in front of the bench to protect his sleeping friends. This was what Shen Yan and Hua Zhao saw when they arrived. The three little ones on the bench were leaning against each other, their faces flushed. In front of them sat an even smaller little one, with his hands on his knees. The red bucket hat almost completely covered his face. From this angle, only his little chin was visible. It seemed the little guy’s drowsiness had also been triggered by his companions. He tilted his head up and yawned.

“Youyou!”

The little guy’s eyes sparkled. When he saw who it was, he smiled, showing his teeth: “Big Brother!”

Shen Yan strode over, grabbed him by his little body, lifted him high, and tossed him up a few times. The little guy’s giggles filled the air.

Afraid of falling, the little guy grabbed his brother’s hair: “Big Brother, this is so much fun!”

Shen Yan held him, his perfectly styled hair now a mess.

“Did you miss me, huh?” Shen Yan nuzzled his nose against the little guy’s neck.

The little guy was overcome with ticklish laughter: “…Yes, I missed Big Brother.”

Shen Yan was satisfied. He set the little guy down and put his backpack on him.

“Youyou, can you walk on your own? Big Brother needs to carry Brother Qiqi and Brother Lele.”

The little guy nodded: “Youyou can do it.”

The three little ones were sleeping like little pigs. Hua Zhao carried Niu Niu. Shen Yan carried one on his back and one in his arms, with one more following at his feet.

“Let’s go! Taking four little pigs back to the hotel!”

The little guy grabbed his brother’s pants and mumbled, “Youyou is not a pig.”

On the way back, they passed a cotton candy stall.

Shen Yan had two kids on him and didn’t dare get distracted. As he walked, he felt a tug on his pants.

“Big Brother, cotton candy.” The little guy pointed at the colorful cotton candy stand.

“Buy!” Shen Yan waved his hand.

The little guy got four cotton candies. He opened his mouth wide, took a big bite, and the soft cotton candy melted instantly on his tongue, making his eyes curve into little crescent moons.

“Is it good?” Shen Yan asked.

“Yes, so good.”

The little guy, happily bouncing, managed to hold onto the other three cotton candies. As they left the playground, Shen Yan noticed a car waiting by the roadside. Shen Yan was puzzled. They didn’t have transportation money.

Hua Zhao explained: “Mi Huan arranged it. He has a friend in Country D.”

Mi Huan and Wang Zhi had seen online videos of people spotting them and had called a friend.

Shen Yan raised an eyebrow, turned awkwardly, and asked: “Isn’t this cheating?”

The director was speechless. How was it not? Shen Yan looked down. The little guy walking beside him was covered in sugar, his smile just as sweet.

“Youyou, ask the director uncle nicely to let us ride.”

The little guy, though confused, did as he was told.

He ran over to the director, stood on his tiptoes, and held up his half-eaten star-shaped cotton candy. “Director Uncle, Youyou wants to ride. Walking is so tiring.”

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