Chapter 111: Yiyi Won’t Lie to Me

Chapter 111: Chapter 111: Yiyi Won’t Lie to Me

As she neared the back door, Nan Zhi found Xu Lin and a few other staff members waiting there.

Seeing her, they quickly hurried over:

"He didn’t run far, did he? Thank God!"

Nan Zhi didn’t want to make a big deal out of it and add to their pressure.

"No, he was just taking a walk nearby. He wasn’t trying to run off."

As she spoke, Nan Zhi rested her hand on Nan Yi’s shoulder.

A protective gesture.

Nan Yi looked at his mother’s hand.

Then he looked at his mother’s face.

Guilt welled up inside him.

He lowered his head, not quite daring to look his mother in the eye.

Meanwhile, Xu Lin was still apologizing profusely.

He said it was the staff’s mistake for not watching Nan Yi properly. After all, he was just a kid, and unexpected things were bound to happen. During filming, the production team had, at the very least, a duty to keep the children safe.

Nan Zhi nodded repeatedly, listening patiently.

Xu Lin continued, "So, that gentleman..."

Nan Zhi realized Xu Lin was talking about Lu Shixu.

"You know him?"

"He’s a friend of the show’s biggest investor, and I think he holds a small stake himself... But for a big shot like him, a small show like ours is nothing. In fact, we’ve used his connections to get a lot of perks within the TV station."

Xu Lin spread his hands as he explained, being quite frank.

When *Cub Observation Diary* first started filming, its internal rating and priority at the network weren’t high.

Aside from Fu Chao, the biggest star brought in by the investor, the rest of the production crew and guests were all unremarkable.

Otherwise, Xu Li wouldn’t have been able to stuff "Nan Zhi," an eighteenth-tier starlet mired in scandals, into one of the only four guest spots.

The fact that they could now occupy a prime time slot and broadcast live before editing... all these perks came from just a single word from Mr. Lu.

’...No wonder the production team is so accommodating toward him. He’s walked into the frame so many times, yet he’s never been filmed from the front, and it’s never even caused any buzz.’

Nan Zhi listened, lost in thought.

She wasn’t too clear on Lu Shixu’s specific identity.

But judging from his car, his clothes, and the aura he exuded with every move, she figured he not only came from a good family but also likely held a high-ranking position.

However, Lu Shixu’s status seemed to be even higher than she’d thought.

’...Of course, that has nothing to do with me, anyway.’

Nan Zhi quickly dismissed the thought and explained with a smile,

"He probably won’t take it to heart."

Xu Lin let out a sigh of relief.

"That’s good to hear."

Nan Zhi said goodbye to the production team and continued inside.

’I was gone for a while; the customers must be getting impatient.’

So, the moment Nan Zhi entered the back kitchen, without even a word, she threw all her energy into finishing the backed-up orders in one go!

At her peak, she even had five woks going at once—chopping vegetables, a soup simmering in one pot, stir-frying in another, and by the time one dish was ready, the soup was perfectly heated... She moved back and forth, exploiting every spare second, her efficiency almost frightening.

And yet, Nan Zhi somehow remained perfectly methodical. No matter what the next step was, not a hint of panic or confusion ever appeared on her face.

She was the queen of this small kitchen, every movement a display of confident command.

...It was a sheer display of skill!

[Here she comes! Here she comes! The time management master is here!]

[This is giving me vibes from the fried rice stall last episode... ah, no, this is even more amazing than last time!]

[I’m watching this livestream on my knees. Don’t ask me why.]

[So certain people should just shut up. How dare they criticize Nan Zhi for lacking professionalism when she left the diners.]

[Haha, are you serious, saying Nan Zhi has no professionalism? Do you really think she’s a professional chef? Don’t forget she’s an actress!]

[Hey, why did Nan Zhi suddenly run out just now?]

[I don’t know... WHOA! The flames are almost reaching the ceiling!]

[Watching Nan Zhi cook is like watching a masterclass...]

[Nan Zhi, my queen, you’re so freaking cool!]

...

Behind her, Nan Yi’s eyes sparkled as he gazed at his mother’s calm, composed face with immense admiration.

But with the light came a shadow.

The moment Nan Yi thought of the little lie he had told, he was overcome with guilt.

Happy one moment and dejected the next, his little soul felt like it was being torn in two.

After what felt like an eternity, Nan Zhi finished a batch of orders. Exhausted, she found a chair in the corner to sit and rest for a moment.

Xie Yu said, "Yeah, you get some rest. I’ll handle everything else."

Nan Zhi was still worried and added, "Call me if you need anything. I’m just resting for five minutes."

After she walked away, Nan Yi hesitantly followed her.

After sitting down, Nan Zhi realized she had forgotten to grab her water cup.

Just as she was about to get up, Nan Yi approached cautiously, holding a cup of warm water.

"Mom."

Nan Zhi could tell at a glance that Nan Yi was hesitating to say something.

"What’s wrong?"

The gentler Nan Zhi’s voice was, the guiltier Nan Yi felt.

He hung his head.

"I’m sorry."

"Hmm?"

"I didn’t follow that uncle because I was uncomfortable. I was just a little upset and wanted to be alone for a bit, so... But I definitely wasn’t trying to run away!"

Nan Yi waved his hands frantically, afraid that Nan Zhi wouldn’t believe him.

A gratified smile graced the corners of Nan Zhi’s eyes.

"I know. But thank you for telling me the truth."

She reached out and gently pinched the tip of Nan Yi’s nose.

Nan Yi was a little embarrassed and also a bit stunned.

’Mom knew?’

"Then why didn’t you ask me..."

"Because I know Yiyi wouldn’t lie to me."

Nan Yi stiffened imperceptibly.

’No, I do lie to you. And I’m not a very honest kid.’

Suppressing the bitter feeling, Nan Yi blinked rapidly and forced a brilliant smile onto his face.

"Mhm, of course!"

Maybe it was because his acting wasn’t convincing enough.

Maybe it was the telepathic bond between mother and son.

Or maybe it was simply that Nan Zhi was always exceptionally sensitive to Nan Yi’s emotions.

Nan Zhi suddenly took Nan Yi’s hands in hers and said with great solemnity,

"Yiyi, I want you to know, I never want you to feel burdened about what you have to tell me. You don’t have to tell me everything. I trust you. If you’re not ready to talk about something, I know you have your reasons."

Nan Yi’s eyes began to sting.

He felt as if his mother had seen right through him yet was still endlessly accepting of him.

His heart felt like it was being soaked alternately in sour and sweet water—aching one moment and happy the next, his emotions constantly pulled back and forth.

Nan Yi tried desperately to hold back his tears but failed.

Tears streamed from his eyes, and Nan Yi clumsily raised a hand to wipe them away.

Finally, he just covered his face tightly with both hands.

A muffled voice came from between his fingers.

"I-I understand."

Nan Zhi silently patted his shoulder.

But her thoughts uncontrollably strayed.

She couldn’t help but think that perhaps one reason for her sharp intuition was that Nan Yi’s behavior was very similar to someone else’s.

—Very much like Lu Shixu’s.

...The mother and son’s conversation in the corner went unnoticed by anyone.

This was a moment of conversation that belonged only to them.