"I concede, Tongtong, you're too formidable. Uncle Wang isn't your match." Although being outplayed by such a young child was embarrassing, Director Wang admitted defeat wholeheartedly. After all, Tongtong wasn't an ordinary child!
Xia Qianqian, who also played chess, eagerly asked, "Tongtong, may I play a game with you?"
"Of course! I can give Auntie Xia a three-piece handicap!"
"You're quite confident, aren't you? Well, since you're so sure, I won't be polite. I'll make the first three moves!" Xia Qianqian knew Tongtong's skill well; even with a three-piece handicap, she wasn't sure she could beat him.
At least she wouldn't lose too badly, and this would better showcase Tongtong's prowess.
Liu Yifeng had personally witnessed Tongtong's chess-playing abilities. Let alone a three-piece handicap, even a five-piece handicap wouldn't guarantee Xia Qianqian victory.
It wasn't that he underestimated Xia Qianqian's skills, but rather that Tongtong was simply too exceptionally talented.
Seeing Tongtong setting up the chessboard, he peeled an orange for him. "Here, Tongtong, have an orange!"
"Thank you, Daddy!" Tongtong reached out and took it, then immediately started eating.
Liu Yifeng also got an orange for everyone else, in case they felt awkward holding theirs.
Then, like a spectator, he watched the two play chess while munching on sunflower seeds.
The others were also eating oranges and watching Tongtong play.
Just then, Da Hei and Da Bai trotted into the room. Da Hei immediately went to Director Wang's side, wagging its tail.
Director Wang no longer felt any initial fear towards Da Hei. He offered Da Hei a slice of orange. Da Hei, careful not to bite Director Wang's hand, gently bit the other end of the orange slice, its mouth not even touching Director Wang's hand.
Watching Da Hei's thoughtful nature, Director Wang grew more and more fond of him. He ended up feeding Da Hei the entire orange.
Finally, he simply held Da Hei on his lap, letting it accompany him while he watched the chess game.
He didn't mind at all if Da Hei was dirty or had fleas.
Da Bai, meanwhile, squatted obediently in front of Tongtong's legs, waiting for its little master to finish playing chess and play with it.
Xia Qianqian didn't know how many moves she had made, only that most of her pieces were gone.
"Auntie Xia, you're about to lose. If I make one more move, you'll have no escape. Would you like me to give you back three pieces?" Tongtong wasn't mocking her, he simply wanted Auntie Xia to be able to play a few more moves.
Xia Qianqian shook her head. "Tongtong, your chess skills are so amazing, even if you gave me back pieces all the way to the start, I still wouldn't be able to beat you.
Like Director Wang, I admit defeat."
She didn't make any more moves, as the outcome was already decided.
"Tongtong, you're simply an all-around genius. It seems there's nothing in this world you can't do," Director Wang praised him from the side.
Tongtong smiled. "Actually, there are many things I don't understand. Uncle Wang is praising me so much that I'm getting embarrassed."
"Oh really? Is there anything you *can't* do? I find that hard to believe," Director Wang's thoughts were now the same as Liu Yifeng's; in his eyes, Tongtong was omnipotent.
However, Tongtong's next answer made everyone laugh: "For example, I can't cook. This morning, I made egg fried rice. Daddy and Grandpa both said it was delicious and ate it all.
But actually, I know my cooking isn't good. I ate it myself through gritted teeth.
Fortunately, you weren't at my house for filming this morning, or you would have been trapped too, having to eat my cooking."
Hearing Tongtong's words, Xia Qianqian immediately comforted him, "Tongtong, it's perfectly normal for you not to know how to cook at your age.
Even I don't know how to cook yet. Things like cooking should be left to adults."
"Mm, I understand." Through his failed culinary attempt today, Tongtong clearly realized his shortcomings. He shouldn't force himself to do such things.
Otherwise, if the food turned out inedible, Daddy would still force himself to eat it, and it would be Daddy and Grandpa who suffered. He couldn't repay their kindness with ill deeds.
Liu Yifeng glanced at the time, seeing it was already half-past eleven. He hadn't had time to buy groceries and cook, so he decided to take them to a restaurant outside.
"It's almost lunchtime. I'll take you out to eat!"
"We'll treat you to lunch today!" Director Wang immediately said.
As Liu Yifeng was about to refuse, Director Wang's voice sounded again. "Yifeng, we've already bothered you enough these past few days, and you've hosted us so generously.
We still have a lot of the program team's budget left. We'll pay for lunch today. If you refuse again, we'll be unhappy."
Seeing that Director Wang had insisted, Liu Yifeng felt it would be impolite to refuse further. He nodded in agreement. "Alright then, you'll pay for today's meal. Tongtong and I will be responsible for eating."
"We'll be paying, but I'm not familiar with the area, so I don't know which restaurant is good.
You find a nice place and lead the way," Director Wang said awkwardly.
Liu Yifeng thought for a moment and decided to take them to a private kitchen restaurant. The taste was unique to the local area, and the prices were quite reasonable.
Since pets weren't allowed in the restaurant, Liu Yifeng had to leave Da Bai and Da Hei at home, promising to pack food for them immediately after the meal.
Da Hei and Da Bai were a little unhappy that they couldn't go, but they obediently stayed behind.
Liu Yifeng, fearing they might get thirsty, prepared some clean water on the ground before driving away with everyone.
Before leaving, Director Wang took a panoramic photo of the villa and sent it to his rival, Old Mo.
"Yesterday, you were still bragging to me about the contestants' homes you filmed in, living in high-end neighborhoods?
Let me show you what the house of the child I'm filming in the city looks like!" After sending the picture, he immediately added a message.
Old Mo was currently at Song Yicheng's house. Song Yicheng's father hadn't gone to work today.
Yesterday, he saw his wife quarreling with the program crew. Fearing that if the relationship wasn't mended, his son might face difficulties in the competition, he took a day off from work.
However, even with him at home, the filming wasn't progressing smoothly.
Today, Director Wang wanted to film a heartwarming scene of the family of three, and Yun Duo'er just needed to appear in front of the camera.
The goal was to create the impression for the audience that Song Yicheng lived in a loving family.
Yet, Mrs. Song, perhaps going through menopause, was either bossing her husband around or constantly complaining, creating a very oppressive atmosphere.
When Song Yicheng was at home, he could only study incessantly. His father cut an apple for him to eat.
As a result, Mrs. Song said that letting him eat at this moment was a waste of his study time.
Then she took a toothpick and personally fed him, so Song Yicheng only had to open his mouth.
Because of this, Old Mo had a private chat with Song's father for a while, hoping they would change their parenting approach.
But Song's father looked helpless. "I've advised my wife too, saying that if she educates our child like this, he'll turn into a complete idiot.
But she doesn't listen. Instead, she thinks that with Yicheng knowing so much knowledge at such a young age, it's all her credit and a reflection of her successful education.
If I say any more, she'll start crying. I'm usually very busy with work, and I haven't been able to manage household affairs properly.
But now that I want to step in, my son no longer listens to me."
He said this with a face full of helplessness.