Early-rising netizens, whether going to work or school, were scrolling through their phones while still half-asleep. Then, everyone’s eyes widened in shock at the trending topics on various platforms.
#Explosive! Shen Yan’s Aloof Persona Shattered, Transformed into Nursery Rhyme Prince#
#Shen Yan’s Style Suddenly Changes#
#Shen Yan is Cute!!!#
Netizens:?
Who?
Who did you say is cute?
The video was edited by the editors overnight the previous night, a special preview gift for fans. Netizens who stayed up late exclaimed that the all-nighter was worth it. They never thought they’d hear Shen Yan sing Two Tigers. In the video, Shen Yan’s brows carried a cool detachment. He had never participated in variety shows before, rarely appeared in public, and didn’t seek publicity or flaunt his wealth. Coupled with his unforgettable role as a fallen crown prince, audiences were used to his aloof image.
When “Little Feet Big Adventure” announced its cast, it had already caused a stir online, even sparking rumors of an “illegitimate son.” A young, wealthy second-generation heir and a recent Best Actor winner, Shen Yan was a hot topic in himself. Willingly singing a nursery rhyme on camera just to make his little brother happy was a huge contrast.
Shen Yan sat surrounded by the four little ones, looking relaxed in a dark grey hoodie, his hair casually tousled by the stylist, a faint smile on his handsome face. He picked up Su Youli and sat him on his lap. His usually cool expression softened. The intro music for “Two Tigers” started playing. The little guy looked at his brother expectantly.
Shen Yan looked back at him, pinched his incredibly well-behaved little brother’s cheek, and entered the music on cue: “Two tigers, two tigers, run so fast, run so fast.”
His voice was playful, completely different from his usual movie lines. His body swayed gently to the music, holding the little one in his arms, fully immersed in the song. The other three little ones joined in, encouraged by him. Su Youli sat on his brother’s lap, clapping his little hands excitedly. He knew this song well, clapping along as he sang: “One has no eyes, one has no tail, so strange, so strange.” When he sang “no eyes,” he covered his own eyes, then reached down to cover his bottom, laughing with crescent-shaped eyes. The scene was full of laughter. The quiet Ehuli Forest was no longer lonely. The evening breeze gently brushed everyone’s faces. Netizens, who had just woken up and seen the trending topics due to their regular sleep schedules, immediately left comments and bullet comments:
[Wait, am I seeing this right? Is that Shen Yan holding a cute kid and singing Two Tigers?]
[Yes, you’re seeing it right.]
[This style is so funny. Who would have thought the decisive fallen prince Yin Yun would sing me a nursery rhyme?]
[You know, it’s actually pretty good. I always thought Shen Yan was tone-deaf, hahahaha.]
[Ahhhh, if I had a brother this cute, I’d sing it too, a hundred times!]
[Youyou, Youyou, give us a pure version of Youyou singing Two Tigers!]
[When is the Country D episode airing? I’ve rewatched the previous ones so many times. Hurry up and bring us the latest episode, production team!]
The online discussions were lively. People saw a different side of Shen Yan, making his image more rounded and approachable. Back at the camp, everyone was slowly waking up. Breakfast was ready. The cameraman carried their camera and task card to wake Pei Qiqi and Hua Zhao. For ease of filming, their assigned cameraman was a woman.
“Hua, there’s a task,” the female cameraman said softly outside the tent.
Hua Zhao’s first thought was to check on Pei Qiqi sleeping beside her. The little boy lay peacefully in his sleeping bag, breathing evenly. Hua Zhao’s heart melted. The night before was the first time she had slept in the same bed as Qiqi. As an entertainer, she knew the power of public opinion.
She wasn’t Qiqi’s biological mother. After the show aired, her interactions with Qiqi would be magnified and discussed, both positively and negatively. Qiqi was young, but she was an adult. She didn’t want to be criticized for not setting proper boundaries. Pei Yi didn’t overthink things. His brother had only Qiqi as a son. After his brother passed, he treated Qiqi as his own.
“Just think of yourself as Qiqi’s mom. Don’t overthink it. Netizens aren’t as bad as you think,” Pei Yi said casually, only to get smacked on the back of the head.
“Have you forgotten what they said about Du Ze and Niu Niu?”
Du Ze was unkind to Niu Niu in private but affectionate when the cameras were on. Several times he almost kissed Niu Niu on the lips, and he held her tightly even when she was wearing a short skirt. Some netizens pointed out that even a biological father should be mindful, but Du Ze just laughed it off. He wanted everyone to think he and Niu Niu were closer than a biological father and daughter. Pei Yi held his head and yelped, looking a bit guilty under Hua Zhao’s gaze. Qiqi was already four and had learned a bit about gender boundaries. Apart from his mother, he should keep his distance from other women.
Pei Yi leaned in: “Honey, you’re overthinking it. Du Ze’s kindness to Niu Niu was fake. But you genuinely like Qiqi, and Qiqi likes you too.”
“No. Qiqi is still recovering. What if he hears those things and gets triggered?”
“Qiqi is smart. He can understand a lot already. Don’t tell him everything.”
Whether in private or on the show, Hua Zhao treated Qiqi the same. She would hug and kiss his cheek, pat his head and praise him, hold his hand and walk with him, and take care of him attentively. She just wouldn’t bathe him like a mother would, hold him for half an hour or an hour, kiss him on the lips, or spend long periods alone with him. She maintained a proper distance. The previous night, she had planned to sleep with the cameraman after Qiqi fell asleep. But the moment she moved, the sleeping boy woke up, rubbing his eyes and asking where she was going. Hua Zhao explained patiently that she couldn’t sleep with him.
Pei Qiqi didn’t understand: “Why?”
“Because Auntie isn’t your mother, so I can’t sleep with you.”
“Mom never slept with me. Auntie, don’t go out. It’s cold out there.” Pei Qiqi crawled out of his sleeping bag and took Hua Zhao’s hand.
“Auntie, sleep here,” Qiqi said, patting the mat next to him.
(Author’s note: Movie Emperor Shen: What’s an idol persona? Thrown away, thrown away.)
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