Chapter 113
The roar of a helicopter echoed through the air.
Everyone present stared in bewilderment as the aircraft slowly descended:
Who are we? Where are we?
Isn’t this just a regular street-side roast duck stall? Why is there a helicopter?!?!
Only Jian Yunlan and Taotie remained unfazed.
The moment the helicopter landed, Taotie cast a barrier, blocking all wind and dust. The tricycle within the barrier remained completely undisturbed—even the plates of cucumber and scallion strips on the table didn’t so much as tremble.
Old Madam Huo hurriedly stepped off the helicopter, dragging along Huo Ran, who had been quietly observing from the sidelines.
Truly, the older the ginger, the spicier it is.
Within seconds of landing, Old Madam Huo analyzed the situation and immediately devised a solution—
It seems Mu Mingqiu has decided to leave Huo Ye and pursue Ye Qingquan on his own, thereby securing his position as Little Boss Lan’s stepfather.
And judging by Ye Qingquan’s reaction, he seems more inclined to choose Mu Mingqiu over Huo Ye.
Old Madam Huo inwardly panicked.
If we lose to Mu Mingqiu here, all our efforts will be for nothing!
She pushed Huo Ran forward in front of Ye Qingquan: “Huo Ran, haven’t you always had a crush on Qingquan? Quick, now’s your chance—tell him how you feel!”
Huo Ran: “…”
“Sis-in-law—no, Qingquan.” Huo Ran rubbed his nose, looking somewhat embarrassed.
A gentle soul, unlike the domineering Huo Ye, Huo Ran’s appearance and demeanor were far more mild-mannered. Though undeniably handsome, his charm was the quiet, dependable kind—like the low-key but ever-supportive second male lead in a novel.
During Ye Qingquan’s years abroad, Huo Ran had maintained sporadic but polite contact with him.
Even in the original Genius Baby: Three and a Half Years Old, Huo Ran was an understated character. So when he suddenly started pursuing Ye Qingquan later in the story, readers would cry foul, calling it forced drama and a gaping plot hole.
Now, Huo Ran glanced at Ye Qingquan, then at Lanlan not far away. After hesitating for a long moment, he whispered:
“Qingquan… would you give me a chance? I’ll treat you well, and I’ll treat Lanlan even better—I don’t want to be Lanlan’s uncle. I want to be his father!”
Huo Ye glared at his long-overlooked younger brother like he was staring at a traitor, grinding his teeth.
Oh, so you’ve been biding your time all these years, playing the underdog just to strike at the critical moment, huh?!
For Old Madam Huo, it didn’t matter much whether Ye Qingquan chose Huo Ran or Huo Ye.
But Huo Ye had strong objections!
He was Lanlan’s biological father—how could he stand by and watch Lanlan call his own younger brother Dad?!
Yet, all of Huo Ye’s protests were stifled by a single sharp look from Old Madam Huo.
Huo Ran continued his heartfelt plea:
“Qingquan, I’ve liked you for years, and I adore Lanlan too. Of course, I also love roast duck—no, I mean, I’ve loved you for so long. If you choose me, I’ll give you and Lanlan the best life possible. You’ll never regret it!”
As he spoke, he swallowed hard, forcing himself to stay focused and not get distracted by the tantalizing aroma of roast duck wafting through the air!
Then, his eyes darkened slightly, a shadow crossing his gaze.
“But if you refuse… I wouldn’t mind using some small methods to ensure you can only ever look at me… Hehe.”
Ye Qingquan: “…………Huh?”
Well, damn.
A gentle exterior with a yandere core.
The drama just leveled up.
The onlookers erupted once more.
“The plot just thickened—not only have former lovers turned rivals, but now the scumbag’s younger brother has joined the battle for dominance!”
“Damn, this ready-made ‘sis-in-law romance’ is spicy.”
“Wait, what are they even competing for? The roast duck…?”
“I have a theory—since the second batch of roast ducks is about to be ready, everyone’s panicking, trying to claim Little Boss Lan and the ducks for themselves. That’s why they’re pulling out all the stops.”
Meanwhile, the black-clad spies serving Huo Ran quickly sprang into action. They borrowed the confetti cannons and speakers from Mu Mingqiu’s spies and set up their own impromptu cheering squad:
“Marry him! Marry him! Marry him!”
“…”
Old Madam Huo chose not to respond to the peanut gallery’s commentary.
She gave both her sons an encouraging push forward, looking expectantly at Ye Qingquan: “Qingquan dear, take your time deciding! Whether you prefer domineering or gentle, handsome or yandere—our Huo family has all types available!”
“Honestly, if you’d like, both of them serving one husband isn’t out of the question either.”
As long as she could become Lanlan’s grandmother, anything went.
Mu Mingqiu’s face had already darkened like a burnt wok.
Damn these Huos, ganging up on him with their numbers advantage!
Two against one—how unfair!!!
Yet Old Madam Huo’s methods were precisely this crude and direct.
…And effective.
Ye Qingquan actually fell into serious contemplation.
After all, even when seeing unappealing products in stores, if they came with a “buy one get one free” tag, normal people would still pause to consider.
The current situation was no different.
Huo Ye alone couldn’t compete with Mu Mingqiu, but if Huo Ye came bundled with Huo Ran as a package deal… that did seem rather intriguing!
Ye Qingquan had to admit he was somewhat tempted.
But…
He turned to Lanlan:
“Lanlan, what do you think?”
Lanlan was a genius child, so over time Ye Qingquan had developed the habit of consulting him before any major decisions.
The moment these words were spoken.
Countless heated gazes converged on the little boy by the food stall.
No one said it aloud, but everyone knew in their hearts.
—Lanlan’s custody was the true prize at the heart of this battle!
Whoever ended up with Ye Qingquan would logically become Lanlan’s guardian—not only getting to accompany Lanlan on his stall runs and taste the freshest roast ducks, but also watching Lanlan grow up…
This was practically everyone’s ultimate dream.
Mu Mingqiu, Huo Ye, Huo Ran, Old Madam Huo… all fixed their most sincere, expectant gazes on the little boy, eyes brimming with doting affection:
“Lanlan, what do you think?”
“Don’t be afraid, Lanlan. Just speak your true thoughts. Uncle Mu will always support you, okay?”
“Lanlan, just remember—no matter what, Daddy will always be on your side!”
“Lanlan will always be Grandma’s precious treasure! Whether you choose Huo Ran or Huo Ye, the entire Huo family will be yours in the future!”
“…Heh, don’t believe their nonsense,” Mu Mingqiu shot Old Madam Huo a disdainful look. “They’re all just greedy gluttons.”
“Like you’re any different,” Huo Ran sneered.
“Huo Ran you brat, actually setting your sights on your own brother’s wife? You’ve got some nerve!” Huo Ye, barely holding back his temper, immediately snapped upon hearing Huo Ran speak. “What business do you have butting in here?”
Mu Mingqiu happily fanned the flames: “Fight! Fight! Fight!”
Old Madam Huo’s face darkened: “Present a united front against outsiders, understand?!”
As they argued, they glared furiously at each other, breathing heavily like bulls locking horns, neither willing to back down.
It looked like an all-out brawl might erupt any second.
Finally, they turned in unison to glare at the little boy:
“Lanlan, you decide! Who do you choose!”
“Mu family or Huo family? Older brother or younger brother? Billions in assets or billions in assets?”
“……”
At the center of everyone’s attention, the little boy remained silent.
He bent down to adjust the roast ducks in the oven.
In the night, the small tricycle swayed gently in the breeze, bathed in the warm glow of streetlights.
The roast duck stall was fully stocked with takeout boxes and small dishes—plum sauce, pancake wrappers, cucumber and scallion strips all neatly arranged. The oven emitted a comforting crackle as charcoal burned.
The ducks had been roasting for over half an hour now, their skins having turned a tempting crimson, glistening with rendered fat.
“I—”
The boy poked at the charcoal and finally spoke.
Everyone held their breath in anticipation.
A single sentence from Lanlan would determine victory or defeat—who would emerge as the ultimate winner!
Many had never felt this nervous in their entire lives.
Huo Ye’s Adam’s apple bobbed nervously as he clutched his chest, awaiting his hoped-for answer;
Mu Mingqiu tightened his grip on the engagement ring, dizzy from imagining countless possible outcomes;
Huo Ran stared unblinkingly at the boy, every muscle tensed;
Old Madam Huo even closed her eyes, almost afraid to look…
The onlookers: “…”
What are they all so nervous about?!
In reality, only a few seconds had passed, but those seconds felt like years.
Amidst the silent food stall.
Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, the little boy’s childish voice rang out:
“I choose none of you.”
“Great! He chose none of them!” Huo Ye jumped up excitedly, punching the air. “I knew it—blood is thicker than water! Lanlan would definitely… Huh? Wait—”
Only then did Huo Ye realize what Lanlan had actually said.
BOOM!
Like a thunderbolt from the blue, Old Madam Huo, Mu Mingqiu, Huo Ran, and the rest were struck dumb, their faces turning ashen.
—The little boy’s words still echoed in their ears.
I choose none of you…
None of you…
None…
H-How could this be?
Their lips trembled as they prepared to argue further.
Beside them, Ye Qingquan froze upon hearing this.
Lanlan’s answer… was unexpected. Ye Qingquan had always assumed that deep down, Lanlan might still yearn for another father, a complete family, doting grandparents.
But now it seemed…
Ye Qingquan’s gaze swept over each face before settling on Lanlan.
His eyes cleared, as if he’d made some resolution.
“……”
At the food stall, the little boy pulled a glistening, golden-brown roast duck from the oven.
“I’m just an ordinary roast duck vendor. Everyone here is a customer—I treat you all equally.”
The little boy smiled and announced, “The new batch is ready! Freshly roasted, available now. Uncles, aunts, brothers, and sisters who want to buy, please line up—”
Before the words had fully left his mouth.
WHOOSH!
Out of nowhere, a crowd materialized—men and women, young and old, all buzzing with excitement as they swarmed the stall.
Auntie Wang had arrived with her troops!
At the same time, Xu Shishi’s Lamborghini screeched to a halt. Led by Auntie Wang, the neighborhood regulars charged forward with bowls in hand:
“Roast duck! Little Boss Lan’s roast duck! We finally get to eat it again, ahhh!”
“Today’s so lucky—Little Boss Lan actually set up shop twice!”
“Yeah, am I dreaming…?”
“Little Boss Lan, one duck for me!” Xu Shishi declared imperiously, adjusting her sunglasses.
On the narrow, ordinary street, bright lights filtered through oil-paper lanterns.
The stall bustled with customers—families holding hands, groups of young friends, the silver puppy darting about to maintain order—the air thick with the aroma of roast duck.
Little Boss Lan’s stall was lively once more!
“……”
The tycoons: “Wait.”
Who’s going to care about their feelings?!?!?!
So Ye Qingquan going be surprise that Auntie Wang and her new troops and Xu Shishi arrived again in the crowd for the roast duck as the tycoon’s marriage chaos ended and their stomaches growl again for Jian Yunlan’s roasted duck?
Soooo boring this arc ?