TRSBPASO 51

The next day, the guests celebrated an important traditional festival—the Dragon Boat Festival.

One of the key activities during the Dragon Boat Festival is making zongzi. {T.N.: Traditional sticky rice dumplings, usually eaten during the festival.}

After breakfast, the guests headed up the mountain to gather bamboo leaves for wrapping.

Lin Yi held Huo Mianmian’s hand as they got ready to go.

Just then, Shen Feng came over. “Wait for me! I want to come too!”

Lin Yi glanced at him. “Your back’s okay now? We’ll be climbing a mountain.”

Lin Yi was just casually asking, but Shen Feng suddenly got worked up, earnestly defending himself. “Of course it’s okay! Is my back really that weak?!”

Lin Yi: “??”

Why is this guy so riled up all of a sudden?

【Hahaha, looks like Shen Feng really cares about his back.】

【Rather than his back, I think he cares more about how he looks in front of Lin Yi.】

【Pfft! As if he even has an image to protect in front of Lin Yi!】

【Sis above, that was savage! But I agree—Shen Feng has no dignity left.】

【Shen Feng: You fake fans! You’ll all get sneak-attacked by me tonight!!】

Soon, the group came back from the mountain with bundles of bamboo leaves.

They also picked some mugwort to hang on both sides of the doorframe.

Lin Yi tied a bunch of mugwort and hung it up.

Huo Mianmian stood beside him, tilting his little head to watch what Lin Yi was doing. “Xiao Ba, why do we hang mugwort?”

Lin Yi explained, “They say mugwort wards off evil, brings good luck, and helps keep bugs away.”

Huo Mianmian was surprised that mugwort had so many uses and widened his eyes slightly. “Can we bring some home?”

Lin Yi was amused at how thoughtful he was and smiled. “Of course! When we leave, we can go back up the mountain and get more to take home!”

Huo Mianmian nodded eagerly. “Okay~”

【It’s so sweet when adults teach kids things like this.】

【I’m going up the mountain to pick mugwort too—basically means I’ll have the same vibes as them.】

【Wishing Lin Yi and Mianmian a happy Dragon Boat Festival! Wishing everyone the same!!】

After hanging the mugwort and sprinkling realgar wine, the guests moved on to the activity they were most excited about—making zongzi.

After all, eating is a big deal!! Especially for foodies—it’s top priority!!

The lady of the family host knew how to make zongzi.

She washed the bamboo leaves and glutinous rice, then brought out all kinds of fillings, and started teaching the guests.

Lin Yi didn’t know how to make them, so he paid close attention.

Huo Mianmian also picked up a bamboo leaf, his round eyes closely watching the hostess’s movements.

The father and son sat up straight, like two obedient little students.

【Ahhh this scene is so adorable!】

【I know how to make zongzi—I can teach you!! So, when are you coming to learn from me?】

【Me too! I just need two students this obedient.】

【I don’t just teach, I’ll also cook three meals a day.】

【Well, I’ll cook AND do pick-up and drop-off service.】

【Hahaha, why is everyone suddenly flexing? You guys don’t want to teach zongzi—you just want to see Lin Yi and Mianmian.】

【Sis above, don’t expose us like that.】

Soon, Lin Yi had learned the steps from the hostess and started practicing. He folded a bamboo leaf into a funnel shape, then added some glutinous rice inside. Next, he needed to pick the filling to put in.

Looking at the hostess’s options, Lin Yi saw two categories. One was savory with pork, sausage, salted egg yolk, and preserved vegetables. The other was sweet with red dates, sugar, etc.

After a quick look, Lin Yi decisively chose the savory ones.

The comment section instantly erupted in debate.

【Yay! Linlin likes the same flavor of zongzi as me!!】

【Savory zongzi are GOAT!】

【I’m a loyal fan of savory zongzi too.】

【Linlin, stop!! Sweet ones are clearly tastier!!】

【I love sweet ones too!!】

【Glutinous rice is chewy and sticky—it should be sweet!】

Online, the age-old debate of sweet vs. savory zongzi was in full swing. But Lin Yi was unaware of all that and just made zongzi based on his own taste.

He started with a salted egg yolk filling. He picked one up, placed it inside, then added more glutinous rice, and began folding the bamboo leaf.

This part required skill—both hands had to coordinate to carefully wrap it up, or the rice would spill out.

Though it was his first time, Lin Yi did a fantastic job.

Once he’d folded the leaves, he tied it up tightly with string. And just like that, one zongzi was done.

Lin Yi held up his zongzi and admired it with satisfaction.

Shen Feng was also trying, but he used too much force, and the bamboo leaf tore. Glutinous rice spilled everywhere.

Shen Feng: “……”

He looked over at Lin Yi and saw the perfectly wrapped zongzi in his hands. He couldn’t help but ask, “How did you do it so well?”

Lin Yi replied solemnly, “When I get serious, even I scare myself.”

Shen Feng: “……”

Dude, I just asked a casual question. Why so full of yourself??

【Hahahaha, why are these two always so funny together?】

【This duo is just too shippable!!】

【Another day of grinning nonstop.】

After the salted egg yolk zongzi, Lin Yi made ones with preserved vegetables, then sausage…

He tried all the ingredients. Only then did he feel fully satisfied.

If you’re going to eat, of course you should try them all!

Huo Mianmian was still small.

Even though he watched the hostess’s demonstration carefully, once it was his turn, he forgot the steps. But he didn’t give up. He kept trying to wrap his own zongzi.

After some effort, he ended up with a round ball-shaped zongzi.

Lin Yi saw it and couldn’t help laughing. “Baby, what is this?”

Huo Mianmian looked at his creation and realized it didn’t quite look like the usual zongzi. He pursed his lips shyly and was about to unwrap it and try again.

Lin Yi stopped him. “It’s fine. It’s great just like this. Who says zongzi have to be a certain shape?”

To Lin Yi, kids having creativity was a wonderful thing. Even if their first results were odd, so what? The Sky isn’t going to fall. Let them explore freely.

It’s a uniquely imaginative world that belongs to children.

Huo Mianmian beamed after hearing Lin Yi’s words and happily kept working on his zongzi.

【Ahhh, does anyone else think Lin Yi really knows how to raise a child?】

【Totally! He’s not just easygoing himself, he also creates a world where kids can be free.】

【Sob sob, with a parent like that, Mianmian is bound to grow up happy and confident.】

【If I’d had parents like this, I’d be a super creative scientist by now!】

【Maybe not a scientist, but definitely a much happier childhood!!】

An hour later, the zongzi were fully cooked.

Lin Yi picked one of his own to try and unwrapped it. A burst of delicious aroma hit him. He took a bite—it was the sausage one.

The glutinous rice was soft and flavorful, and the sausage was spicy and chewy. The texture was rich and layered.

Huo Mianmian also started eating his zongzi.

He picked the first one he made—the round one. He peeled the leaves off layer by layer, revealing a ball of sticky rice inside. He took a big bite and was greeted with a sweet, sticky flavor.

His eyes curved into little crescent moons.

So this is how tasty something you make by yourself can be~

When Huo Mianmian smiled happily like this, his eyes looked like they were filled with the sweetest things in the world. Just looking at him warmed your heart.

【I’m about to faint from Mianmian’s sweetness!!】

【I want to sneak Mianmian away~】

【Why are his eyes so pretty and his eyelashes so long!!】

【Sob, even I’m jealous—and I’m a girl.】

【I wasn’t even planning to eat zongzi, but after watching this father and son, I’m heading straight to the store.】

【Same, already placed an order.】

【These two really need to start a mukbang channel. Viewership would be through the roof.】

In the afternoon, the guests were scheduled to visit a vineyard. It was a bit far, so they had to take a car.

Lin Yi got held up with something, so Huo Mianmian went to the vehicle first.

The car had a high step, and Huo Mianmian tried but couldn’t climb up. So he stood next to the car, quietly waiting for Lin Yi.

Zhao Jin, the trainee dad, saw an opportunity and rushed over with his friendliest smile. “Mianmian, how about Uncle helps you into the car?”

He adored Mianmian’s sweet and obedient nature, but the boy rarely got close to anyone other than Lin Yi. So even though he desperately wanted a chance to cuddle him, he never could.

As expected, Mianmian politely declined, his voice soft, “I’ll wait for Xiao Ba.”

This was already a big step forward. At least he spoke a full sentence—before, he would’ve just shaken his head.

Zhao Jin wasn’t giving up. “Mianmian, remember the huge lollipop Uncle gave you on the first day? For that lollipop’s sake, let me carry you this once?”

Still, Mianmian declined. “I want Xiao Ba.”

Though he looked soft and easygoing, once he made up his mind, no one could change it.

Zhao Jin: “……”

Welp, the lollipop excuse didn’t work!

So now the question is—when will I get to hug this cute little bun??

【Zhao Jin is me. I also desperately want to hug Mianmian.】

【Sob sob, who doesn’t?! I just want to scoop him up and squeeze him!】

【So jealous of Lin Yi!!】

Soon, Lin Yi appeared.

As soon as Mianmian saw him, he raised both little arms for a hug. Lin Yi walked over smiling and scooped him up. Mianmian’s body was soft and sweet-smelling.

Holding him felt amazing.

At that moment, Lin Yi noticed Zhao Jin watching them pitifully from the side.

He raised an eyebrow. “What?”

Zhao Jin said enviously, “Your little one is way too loyal. He just had to wait for you. I tried to carry him, but he refused.”

Lin Yi chuckled. “Well of course. He’s mine and mine alone!”

Zhao Jin: “……”

Cool, that just made it hurt worse.

【Hahaha, poor Zhao Jin!】

【Don’t worry, Zhao Jin. Your wife will give you a baby soon—though it might be a little rascal.】

【Zhao Jin: Please, let it be a sweet and well-behaved one!】

Soon, the guests were on their way to the vineyard.

Half an hour later, they got out of the car and were stunned by the view.

A vast vineyard stretched before them. Vines climbed across trellises, heavy bunches of grapes hanging from them, so tempting you couldn’t help but swallow.

Even Lin Yi felt like settling down and living here.

Who wouldn’t fall for a scene like this?

He walked into the vineyard, found a spot to sit, and started picking grapes to eat.

The grape trellises were low—easy to reach. He picked a bunch of green grapes.

The grapes were large and round, like little gems.

He peeled one and popped it in his mouth. With a gentle bite, sweet juice burst out—rich, slightly tart, absolutely addictive.

He kept eating one after another.

Seriously, he could live here forever.

Huo Mianmian also picked a grape, peeled it carefully, and put it in his mouth.

Wow, so sweet~

A staff member explained, “There are several kinds of grapes here. Everyone’s welcome to try them all…”

Huo Mianmian’s ears perked up.

Several kinds? Then he had to pick them all for Xiao Ba!

He sprang into action.

He grabbed a small basket provided by the show and wandered through the vineyard.

He couldn’t tell the varieties, but he noticed the grapes came in different colors and sizes, so he picked one of each kind.

By the end, the basket was heavy.

But there was still one more kind he hadn’t picked yet. He thought for a moment, put the basket down, and went to pick it with both hands.

Just as he was joyfully returning, he saw a bee hovering near his grapes.

He frowned. “No, you can’t eat these. They’re for Xiao Ba.”

Even with his frown, his voice was still soft and gentle.

Of course, the bee didn’t understand him and kept buzzing around.

Huo Mianmian watched for a moment, then picked a grape leaf and started waving it.

“Shoo, go away…”

At that moment, Mianmian was different from usual—cute, but trying to be fierce.

A few seconds later, the bee finally flew off.

He relaxed, added the last bunch to his basket, and happily went to find Lin Yi.

【Oh my god! First time seeing Mianmian frown—so fresh and new!】

【Haha, Mianmian really went all out to protect those grapes for Xiao Ba.】

【Just collected a new Mianmian expression—screenshot saved!】

Lin Yi was still in the same spot, munching on green grapes.

Suddenly, a soft little voice called out, “Xiao Ba~”

Lin Yi turned to see Huo Mianmian walking toward him and in his hand was a basket filled with all kinds of grapes.

Lin Yi quickly got up and took the heavy basket from him.

Surprised, he asked, “Kiddo, where did you get all these grapes?”

Huo Mianmian beamed. “They’re all for you! Each kind tastes different.”

Lin Yi was touched and immediately smooshed Mianmian’s chubby little cheeks. “Thank you, sweetheart!”

Mianmian was delighted and told him about the bee he shooed away.

Lin Yi frowned a little. “Mianmian, next time don’t do that, okay? What if it stings you?”

Mianmian blinked, confused. “Bees can sting me?”

Lin Yi nodded seriously. “Of course! If you upset them, they’ll poke you with a long stinger. It really hurts, and the spot gets all swollen.”

Mianmian’s eyes widened. “Bees are scary!”

He definitely didn’t want to get stung!

Lin Yi continued, “That’s just how they protect themselves. If they could, they wouldn’t sting anyone. So we should try to live peacefully with bees. They’re actually our friends—you know that sweet honey we eat? That’s made by bees working super hard.”

Mianmian nodded hard. “Right!”

He loved honey—it was so sweet.

Lin Yi smiled. “So let’s just stay away from them, and everyone gets along.”

Mianmian replied seriously, “Okay, I’ll remember!”

Lin Yi ruffled his hair. “Such a good boy, our Mianmian.”

【Ahhh, I really love the way this father and son get along.】

【Lin Yi was so gentle just now when he was explaining things!】

【Another day of being totally healed!】