A Cub Just Wants to Snag a Big Shot on a "X-Change" Variety Show! - Chapter 5

Just the memory of his past life made Shen Xiaoman feel uncomfortable.

The “him” in the original plot was truly wicked. If he were Pei Zhiyan, he would definitely be so angry that he’d rush up and get into a massive fight with anyone who insulted him! Knocking his teeth out wouldn’t even be enough—the original Xiaoman was just too much!

Pei Zhiyan remained indifferent to the strange child in front of him, quickly retracting his gaze.

But a moment later, he heard the rapid pitter-patter of small footsteps getting closer and closer—

Pei Zhiyan turned his head warily, but it was too late. The cub, who was a head shorter than him, crashed into his arms like a cannonball. The sheer momentum nearly sent him sprawling to the ground.

Startled and disheveled, Pei Zhiyan stumbled back a few steps. He instinctively hugged the cub tight to steady himself. Once he regained his balance, he looked down with a frown but didn’t say a word.

This sudden turn of events left both production crews stunned. They hurried over, hoisting their cameras.

Xiaoman looked up, gazing at Pei Zhiyan with watery puppy eyes. He opened his mouth as if to say something, but ultimately pressed his lips together and stayed silent.

A flicker of emotion stirred in Pei Zhiyan’s eyes before settling back into cold apathy. He was unaccustomed to such close physical contact with a stranger. He raised his hands, attempting to push Xiaoman away.

To his surprise, though the cub was small, he was surprisingly strong. Xiaoman used every ounce of “milk-drinking strength” he had to cling to Pei Zhiyan’s waist. Confused, Pei Zhiyan looked at the staff, his eyes questioning Xiaoman’s identity.

The staff members’ eyes darted around. Instead of stepping in to stop them, they smilingly introduced Xiaoman and encouraged the two “village kids” to make friends.

“Living in the same residential area is fate! Xiaoman, do you really like this brother?” a staff member prompted, guiding the interaction.

Xiaoman: “Mm-hmm! I like him!”

The staff struck while the iron was hot: “And why do you like him?”

Xiaoman’s milky voice was firm: “Brother looks good! He’s smart! I can tell he’s going to do big things! He’s super amazing! I want to be best-friends-forever with Brother!”

Pei Zhiyan: “…”

The staff were caught between laughter and tears. Not only was Shen Xiaoman “ruthlessly wealthy,” but he was also a little bootlicking “visual enthusiast.” At just six years old, he could praise a brother he’d met for only a minute until he blossomed like a flower. What would he be like when he grew up?

Pei Zhiyan’s face remained expressionless, but the tips of his ears turned slightly red.

Never had anyone shown him such intense enthusiasm and kindness. It made every cell in his body feel extremely uncomfortable.

Yet, there was also a mysterious impulse to let it continue.

Just as he was about to tell the cub to let go, Xiaoman proactively released his waist and spun around, running toward the complex gate like a butterfly fluttering away.

Pei Zhiyan instinctively raised his hand to catch him, but after moving only an inch, he restrained himself and pulled his hand back down. No one present noticed his small gesture.

As he left, Xiaoman turned back to wave. His big eyes blinked as he shouted, “Brother! See you when school starts in a few days!”

Pei Zhiyan was left standing alone, unable to snap out of his daze for a long time.

[Is this mutual appreciation between village kids? Why is this a bit ship-able?]

[It’s just ‘cub-love,’ ship away! Wait, did Little Pei try to reach out just now? I couldn’t see clearly.]

[As we all know, cubs can’t lie or act; they don’t do fake pleasantries. They act purely on personal preference! Wuu, Man-zai is so precious, I’m crying!]

[Ah! A child’s liking is the purest kind! So beautiful!]

[Am I the only one focusing on Man-zai’s ‘social butterfly’ skills?]

[Seriously! He’s too brave. If he likes someone, he just charges in for a hug. He caught Little Pei completely off guard.]

[You really can’t say no to a ‘straight-shooter’ who loves to give compliments. Who understands?!]

[Little Pei is a visual, too! This season of X-Change is so easy on the eyes.]

Satisfied, Xiaoman quickly ran out of Pei Zhiyan’s sight.

Phew. The cub hadn’t actually finished his mental preparation; he was actually a bit intimidated when he saw the protagonist. That was just a quick-witted move!

Regardless of the details, he decided to start with heavy praise. At the very least, he had shown the protagonist that he had no malicious intent. As for the future, he’d cross that bridge when he got there; he would absolutely never repeat the actions of his past life.

When he had hugged Pei Zhiyan, Xiaoman had almost blurted out “I’m sorry,” but he held it in.

Xiaoman didn’t believe his past actions were his true self. All the turmoil related to the plot actually had nothing to do with the two of them now. This world was a brand-new blank sheet of paper.

As he walked toward the building where the Best Actor’s penthouse was located, Xiaoman secretly vowed in his heart: Pei Zhiyan, I definitely won’t bully you. I’ll definitely protect you! So when you become a “big thigh” in the future, you have to let me cling to you! Don’t take revenge on me TAT.

“Brothers and sisters, which floor do I live on? Do I have a key card?” Reaching the bottom of the building, Xiaoman turned around to ask with sparkling eyes, his backpack bobbing.

No one answered him, so he kept walking forward with his head turned back, waiting for an answer.

Until—Thump! He crashed into something and almost landed hard on his bottom.

Luckily, his arm was caught just in time, and he regained his footing. The cub turned his head back, dazed, and looked ahead.

Holding his wrist was a tall, glamorous woman wearing sunglasses. Her red lips were like flame, her expression cool. She raised a sharp, heroic eyebrow and said, “Whose cub are you? What are you doing sneaking around my building? Hmm?”

Xiaoman’s eyes widened. Where am I suspicious?!

He tried to pull away, but a child’s strength was no match for an adult’s. He leaned his upper body back with all his might, nearly toppling himself over, but he still couldn’t break free.

Xiaoman looked back at the staff for help, but they all played “deaf and dumb,” intentionally avoiding his gaze. It was clear they wanted the cub to solve the problem himself.

Xiaoman had no choice but to look back at the woman. He explained in a small voice, “I’m the child staying at Mr. Tao’s house—Uncle Tao Fusong, the actor. We’re filming a livestream. You can see it if you search for X-Change on Yin Yin Video. Beautiful Sister, can you let me into the building? I don’t have a card. Please?”

“You call him ‘Uncle’ but you call me ‘Sister’?” The woman’s answer had nothing to do with his question, a slight smile playing on her lips.

“I can call you ‘Brother’ too…” The little “fence-sitter” realized something was off and quickly added the correction in a whisper.

The woman burst out laughing. She took off her sunglasses and took the cub’s tiny hand in her long, slender one.

“Silly cub. The house you’re staying at is mine. Come on in.”

“?” Xiaoman’s eyes went wide.

Ahhh, I never saw her in my last life! Was she the Best Actor’s wife? Are all managers this beautiful?!

Then what was I just blabbering about? The baby has lost so much face…

[Aww, the cub got played, hahahaha!]

[The crew is so mean, not telling him in advance! Just watching the joke from the side.]

[I’m dying! Congrats to Best Actor Tao on his ‘Brother-Sister’ romance across generations.]

[Signing a petition for Sister Yingying to become an actress, wuu, she’s too pretty!]

[Man-zai’s face is all red—like a little tomato, hehe, so cute.]

[News Flash—Little Tao is currently throwing a massive tantrum at Man-zai’s house!]

[I saw it! Man-zai’s (temporary) house is too dilapidated. The ‘Prince’ is not satisfied.]

[Hmph, city kids really do need ‘X-Changing’! Give him some discipline!]

[Only Grandma is at Man-zai’s house. Did his parents go away to work? Sigh.]

Dazed and confused, Xiaoman was led into the home by Zhang Ying. They arrived at the room he would be staying in. “Tao Ran’s room is a mess because of him. The housekeeper is still tidying it. Stay here for now. Once it’s cleaned in a couple of days, the housekeeper will help you move into Tao Ran’s room.”

“Mm, anything is fine. Thank you, Sister.” Baby Shen held her hand, sticking to the title he’d just used.

As for the generation gap or whatever… he’d deal with that later! The baby was too lazy to consider it now!

Zhang Ying bit her lip to hide a smile and stopped teasing him, her eyebrows arching in a good mood. She ate lunch with Xiaoman, but she took a call during the meal. Afterward, she left in a hurry, telling Xiaoman she had to fly to Beijing. He’d be on his own for the next few days.

But she told him not to worry—the housekeeper would take care of his daily life, prepare everything he needed for school, and he could use the black card she gave him if he wanted to buy anything.

Xiaoman held the black card, feeling overwhelmed. He actually had one from his mother, but his allowance was more than enough, so he rarely used it. But regarding Zhang Ying—they’d only met for less than two hours! How could she be so trusting?

Wasn’t she afraid the cub would take the money and run?!

This definitely didn’t happen in his last life. A manager’s job was often busier than an actor’s, especially since Zhang Ying managed many top-tier celebrities. With a mountain of tasks waiting for her, Xiaoman hadn’t even seen her face back then.

After seeing Zhang Ying off, Xiaoman was still in a fog. The chat was far more excited than he was—nearly reaching a breaking point.

[Why?! I want to be a cub too! I want a black card!]

[Is Man-zai some kind of wealth-attracting God of Fortune?]

[What does a baby understand? He’ll only buy spicy strips and Ultraman. Give the card to me! (Screams)]

[Wake up! Are you as cute as Man-zai?]

[Exactly. Sister Yingying is all about ‘first impressions.’ If she doesn’t like you, you won’t see her even if you ask 800 times! Giving such a heavy gift upon meeting means she definitely likes the cub.]

On the third day of filming, Xiaoman finally reached the first day of school. He was practically growing mold staying at home!

With no one to play with, he could only read, sleep, or chat with the housekeeper. He had talked so much the housekeeper almost filed for “workplace injury,” hurriedly avoiding eye contact whenever she saw him. This made Xiaoman exceptionally excited for his upcoming school life.

The recording mechanism for the X-Change variety show was quite special. Five city kids and five village kids were swapped one-on-one. The village kids staying in the city would all attend a pre-arranged private primary school together as classmates for two months. They were free to choose whether to make friends with each other.

The city kids had it much harder because they were the primary targets of the show’s “discipline.” Every day they had to go to school in the county; the rules were the same as for the village kids, except they had to walk at least two hours on mountain roads every day.

Actually, there were future moguls among both groups of kids. But Xiaoman could only interact with the former group for now. No matter—you have to eat one bite at a time.

As for which cub he needed to “start on” first, Xiaoman didn’t even have to think.

Pei Zhiyan, of course.

According to his memories, Pei Zhiyan was cold and detached. Even blood relatives couldn’t warm his heart. Though he lived in the mud, he used his proud bones to hold himself up. He was fierce, stubborn, and refused to lose. He was incredibly difficult to deal with.

Xiaoman could foresee how hard it would be to get into his heart. But if there was one thing the cub wasn’t afraid of, it was a challenge!

After breakfast, full of fighting spirit, Xiaoman didn’t inform anyone. He ran pitter-patter toward the south side of the complex, heading in the opposite direction of the main gate.

The housekeeper responsible for taking him to school was dumbfounded. She followed the camera crew, chasing after him until she was out of breath. She felt drained, thinking this was like a wild horse breaking its tether—the little cub’s leg strength was amazing.

When she finally caught up, she saw the cub squatting suspiciously at the bottom of a certain building, stubbornly refusing to leave. She was baffled. She secretly took out her phone and checked the comments in Xiaoman’s livestream. Finally understanding, she looked at Xiaoman from a distance with relief.

Not long after, there was a “beep,” and the automatic glass doors of the building slid open.

A cold-faced Pei Zhiyan stepped out. He wore a worn-out cloth backpack. He raised his eyes to find his way, and his gaze caught a movement in the green belt outside the door. He paused.

In that moment of hesitation, Shen Xiaoman, who had been hiding behind the bushes, bounced out happily. He jumped in front of Pei Zhiyan like a beautiful, sudden firework.

His puppy eyes were sparkling.

“Hi! Good morning, Brother!” The cub’s greeting was thunderous, as if he wanted the whole world to hear. “I came to find you so we can go to school together. Let’s go!”