VHBF – Chapter 45 Movie King Daddy (Part 4)

After they finished cleaning the room, it was already getting dark.

During that time, once Yinyin was freed from the sofa, she happily followed behind her daddy. Nobody knew where she found a rag, but she insisted on helping Daddy wipe the table.

Of course, the table was too tall for her—she was too short to reach—so she could only wipe the chairs instead. Whenever she came across a tall chair back, she tiptoed, puffing and huffing as she reached up to wipe, her little face all serious.

After finishing the chairs, she noticed her dad already cleaning the bedroom, so she dashed in and pointed at the broom in Zhu Ji’s hand. “Daddy, Yinyin can sweep the floor too!”

She volunteered eagerly, her little face full of pride. “I’m the best at working!”

Zhu Ji looked at Yinyin’s smug little face and couldn’t help but wonder—how exactly had Yao Li treated this child? She could wipe tables and chairs, and even knew how to sweep?

Most children her age were pampered treasures in their parents’ hands. And especially with Yinyin, who was so cute and lovable—at least to Zhu Ji, it was impossible to dislike such a child.

But here was a three-year-old who already knew how to do so much housework. It was clear Yao Li had never truly cared for her. Going further, had she even abused the child?

Zhu Ji instinctively refused to think too deeply about what kind of life the girl had lived before. Seeing her looking up at the broom in his hand with bright, eager eyes, he could only smile helplessly and hand it over.

The broom was taller than Yinyin herself. Holding it with her tiny hands, she tightened her little face as if she was about to accomplish something monumental. She walked to the back of the room and started sweeping from the corner.

In front of her daddy, Yinyin always loved to show off. What she loved most was when Daddy praised her. Just one word of praise from him was sweeter than eating her favorite candy!

With Yinyin joining in, Zhu Ji worked faster than before. And every now and then, when he glanced back to see the little bundle dragging the broom with all her strength, sweeping seriously, he couldn’t help but smile.

Once the cleaning was done, the room looked brand new. Yinyin cupped her cheeks in amazement and exclaimed, “Daddy, we’re amazing! Look, there’s not even a speck of dust left!”

She touched the chair, then lifted her little palm up to show him—her fair chubby fingers were indeed spotless.

Looking at her face full of expectation, Zhu Ji rubbed her head. He recalled a role he once played, where he acted as a young single father. How did that character praise children again?

After a pause, under Yinyin’s hopeful gaze, he finally said, “Good girl, very good.”

Just those few words were enough to make Yinyin completely satisfied. She answered happily, of course she was very good! Then she declared with utter sincerity, “Daddy is also amazing! The best in the whole world!”

Her eyes were wide open, sparkling like stars, stunningly beautiful.

Zhu Ji thought to himself—children’s worlds really were different from adults. Maybe he should learn from her. The way she praised people was just… irresistibly heartwarming.

As night fell, he realized there was no food in the fridge since it was their first day moving in. Zhu Ji took out his phone and opened the food delivery app. Almost instinctively, his finger tapped on a restaurant known for excellent service and dishes—though the prices were steep.

It was a private kitchen restaurant with excellent chefs and clean hygiene. Most importantly, the food was light and healthy, almost like homemade cooking.

Seeing the menu prices, Zhu Ji hesitated. He lowered his head to glance at the little girl beside him. She was so short—already three years old but only reached his thigh. Could this be malnutrition?

He had never raised a child before and didn’t know what height was normal for a three-year-old.

In the end, he didn’t switch restaurants. He ordered a steamed egg custard, a rib soup, two light vegetable dishes, and two portions of rice. Then he asked Yinyin if she wanted anything.

She touched her round tummy, shook her head, and answered confidently, “If Daddy likes it, Yinyin will definitely like it too!”

Because of her early experiences, Yinyin had developed the habit of never being picky with food. To her, just being able to eat was already something to cherish.

Dinner was settled.

Zhu Ji squatted down to meet her eyes seriously. “Be good, let me tell you something.”

Yinyin blinked and asked in return, “I’m already good! Am I not good enough?”

Zhu Ji: “…”

“Zhu Yinyin, right now I’m very poor. I might not be able to give you a good life. There are two options: nearby there’s an orphanage, and the director is a kind grandma I know well. If you want, I can send you there.”

“Don’t be afraid. I will visit you regularly and give you money.”

He had thought about sending her there for two reasons. First, the orphanage director was kind and loving, and he had been donating five million every year, so he trusted the child would be well cared for.

Second, he knew his current troubles wouldn’t be resolved easily. If crazed haters found out his location, it wouldn’t matter to him as a grown man—but the little girl could easily be scared or even hurt.

He planned to send her there for temporary care, and once things calmed down, he could bring her back if she wanted.

But before he even finished speaking, Yinyin’s eyes turned red. “Daddy, are you going to abandon me?”

She shook her little head quickly, counting on her fingers. “Yinyin is really good. I can do chores, pick up bottles to earn money, and I eat very little, very little. Please don’t send me away.”

The more she thought about it, the sadder she became. She had just found her Daddy, and now he wanted to give her away the very first day!

The system orb dimmed, watching her cry louder and louder, even considering whether it should secretly give her some money.

Zhu Ji was completely flustered. He hadn’t even finished talking before she was sobbing uncontrollably. He hurriedly patted her back and stroked her head, but she only cried harder. In the end, he picked her up.

Immediately, she quieted down, wrapped her arms around his neck, and choked out, “Yinyin wants to stay with Daddy! I don’t want to go anywhere else, okay?”

Her soft baby voice carried a sobbing tone, her teary eyes fixed on him without blinking, as if ready to cry again if he didn’t agree.

Zhu Ji swallowed the rest of his words and nodded. “Okay.”

Children’s moods really were like summer skies—changing in an instant. The moment he agreed, she squealed with joy and planted a loud kiss on his cheek.

Zhu Ji: “…”

The great Film Emperor froze for a whole thirty seconds until Yinyin tugged on him, saying someone was knocking at the door, before he snapped back to reality.

It was the food delivery.

In the dark, the delivery man hurriedly handed over the food without looking inside, muttered something about leaving a five-star review, and quickly left.

Seeing Yinyin’s eager expression, Zhu Ji chuckled.

What he hadn’t finished saying was that if she really didn’t want to go, he was willing to raise her. It would just be hard.

For over a decade, from his youth to thirty years old, he had lived alone. And now, suddenly, there was this soft, little child who looked so much like him. Of course his heart would be moved.

He couldn’t help but think—if he hadn’t been so detached all these years, focusing only on acting, maybe now he could have given a child the best life.

But Yinyin didn’t know his thoughts. She was just delighted to be staying. During dinner, she clumsily used a spoon to scoop what she thought was the tastiest dish into his bowl. “Daddy, eat more so you can grow taller!”

After dinner, two more problems came up—bathing and sleeping.

The old water heater still worked, and Zhu Ji had already turned it on while cleaning earlier. He looked at Yinyin and asked if she could bathe herself.

Although short and clumsy, with stubby arms, she could just barely manage it. After all, the woman before had never cared for her, so she learned to bathe herself.

She almost nodded but suddenly stopped, then shook her head hard. She lowered her head, twisting her little fingers in her clothes, and mumbled, “Yinyin is stupid…”

Zhu Ji: “…”

Who was the one boasting earlier about being amazing and capable at everything?

He paused, then filled a big wooden tub with warm water. Testing the temperature, he pointed at the soap and said, “Sit in this tub. After you get wet, use this to wash your body…”

He carefully explained, but Yinyin hid her hands behind her back, shook her head, and shot back with a serious question: “Doesn’t Daddy know how to bathe?”

Righteously, she continued, “Otherwise, why won’t you bathe Yinyin?”

The system covered its face. Yinyin’s long-standing wish had finally been fulfilled. In the last world’s feudal dynasty, rules had been too strict, and the cold villain wouldn’t give in. But looking at this gentle movie emperor villain now, it doubted he could resist.

Sure enough, after hesitating for a long time, when faced with those clear, shining eyes, the refined man slowly nodded.

“Yay! Daddy is the best!”

Like a little duck, Yinyin jumped into the tub, splashing water everywhere, drenching Zhu Ji completely.

Being a dad was not easy—especially being a dad all of a sudden. No matter how obedient Yinyin was, she was still a child. Overjoyed that Daddy was finally bathing her, she couldn’t stop playing, splashing water left and right.

By the time it was over, Zhu Ji was utterly soaked and exhausted…

Throwing the freshly dressed Yinyin out of the bathroom, he said, “Go sit on the sofa and don’t move.”

Yinyin: “Okay!”

System: “…”