CHAPTER 358: EPISODE 33.9 SETTING ROLES OVER FRIED CHICKEN

"Our Yanyan actually got the highest score in the entrance exam?" Bai Tingfeng exclaimed, his voice bubbling with ecstasy.

After the initial shock of discovering an illusory crowd in his courtyard, he finally sat down to hear the full story. Relief soon replaced irritation and embarrassment—especially once he learned of his son’s achievement. Pride swelled in his chest, quickly washing away any lingering embarrassment over falling for his husband’s trick.

Shaking his head, Bai Tingfeng broke into a proud smile.

"Good job, son! Now that is a reason worth celebrating—again, tonight!" The alpha laughed as he scooped up his five-year-old and spun him joyfully in the air.

"Yes! We were informed a little late, but still—it feels good to know our son scored the highest among all the kindergarteners," Shen Yuan said, though his tone shifted as he added, "The problem is the speech. Yanyan only has a few days left to write and practice it before school starts."

"That’s hardly a problem," Bai Tingfeng replied with confidence. "I can help him draft it. As guild master of Baihu Guild, I’ve written more speeches than I can count. You can trust me with that."

He then glanced at his husband with a playful smirk, deliberately flattering. "As for practicing delivery, I think it’s best if his most confident parent takes the lead. You know who I mean. Your personality and powers were practically made for this. Don’t even try to deny it."

The celestial fox spirit raised a brow.

Did this man really think he could be swayed so easily by compliments? He was not that simple.

Shen Yuan rolled his eyes. "Duh. You don’t need to spell it out. I literally just did that earlier.

Sure, I didn’t hand him a written speech, but I had him speak in front of a group. I figured if he gets used to eyes on him, his nerves will settle and he’ll be more comfortable in public."

Yanyan, sitting beside them, eagerly nodded. "I still get kinda scared when lots of people look at me... but Daddy gave me some tips, so now I feel a little braver."

Bai Tingfeng blinked, then leaned closer. "Tips? I wonder what kind of wisdom your dad gave you."

"Well, Daddy said that if I feel nervous standing in front of a crowd, I should just imagine them as fluffy animals begging for a pet!" Yanyan shared gleefully.

He didn’t notice how his Papa’s smile faltered.

Really, Shen Yuan? Thinking of people as pets hit differently when it came from a nine-tailed fox.

But Shen Yuan just rolled his eyes at his husband’s look. He said what he said—and it worked!

"I tried that, and I guess it kinda worked," Yanyan continued proudly. "I found myself smiling and more at ease when I was telling the story of the fox spirit."

"Oh..." Bai Tingfeng fumbled for words. "It’s... good to hear your Dad’s tip worked."

And wisely, he left it at that. Antagonizing a pregnant omega was not on his to-do list. Besides, he is still hoping to "score" after this.

"Anyway, since this is worth celebrating, what do you want for dinner, Yanyan?"

Yanyan’s expression lit up, eyes twinkling like stars. "I want... a fried chicken feast! The fast one!"

"Fast-food fried chicken," Shen Yuan corrected gently, though his doting smile betrayed his amusement. Yanyan sure knew how to pick his treats. Normally, Shen Yuan kept junk food to a rare occasion, but for something this special, he could make an exception.

"And don’t forget the gravy and fries while we’re at it," Bai Tingfeng added. It turns out, the master of the Bai family has also got hooked on the deliciousness of junk food.

"Cool! I will order it quickly." Shen Yuan said, taking out his phone to get a food delivery.

That evening, their usual formality was tossed aside.

Instead of gathering neatly around the dining table, like usual, the Bai family sprawled across the living room, plates balanced on their laps, sitting criss-cross applesauce on beanbags.

The idea had been Yanyan’s—he said it was how Xiaoran snacked with his family, and he liked how "careless and comfy" it felt.

Since Yanyan was the star of the night, neither parent objected. For the busy, expectant couple, it was a rare treat to relax and simply stretch their legs in comfort.

"Papa, how did you prepare for your speech?" Yanyan asked mid-bite, cheeks smeared with oil and crumbs.

Shen Yuan leaned in to wipe his son’s mouth. "Thanks, Daddy!" Yanyan chirped happily.

Bai Tingfeng leaned back in thought before answering. "Well, in my case, the welcome speech at the start of kindergarten was written by your great-grandfather. It was full of difficult words."

Shen Yuan shot him a side-eye over his chicken breast. Judging by that reaction, it wasn’t a fond memory.

"Hmm..." Yanyan pouted. "I want my speech to use my own words. It doesn’t sound fun to say things that don’t come from my heart."

Both parents glanced at each other, pleasantly surprised.

"Brave, independent-minded baby!" Shen Yuan praised, flashing his proud daddy smile.

Yanyan blushed. "Hehe... I just like thinking for myself. And when my heart goes thump-thump ’cause I’m being brave... it actually feels good! Saying what I feel is brave—so that’s why I want to do it."

"Aww," Shen Yuan cooed, nearly pinching his son’s cheeks. "You’re developing an admirable quality, my son. I wonder who you got that from."

"You’re the adrenaline-junkie, so it must be..." Bai Tingfeng muttered under his breath.

Unfortunately for him, fox ears were sharp.

"Oh yeah?" Shen Yuan snapped through clenched teeth. "You dare call me an adrenaline-junkie?! And you? What are you hooked on? My ass?"

The words slipped out before he could stop them.

Thud!

A piece of chicken tumbled to the floor.

"What does adrenaline-junkie and hooked-on mean?" Yanyan asked innocently, eyes wide.

Shen Yuan froze, mortified, while Bai Tingfeng wore his eternal deadpan. Honestly, by now, Shen Yuan’s hormone-fueled slip-ups were so frequent they barely surprised him anymore. He simply braced for more in the future.

"Those are grown-up words," Bai Tingfeng explained calmly. "You’ll understand them when you’re older. For now, just leave it."

Better partial truth than another ridiculous excuse.

Yanyan pouted but nodded. He was a good boy—but still a curious one. He’d be sure to tuck those words away until he could ask about them again.

Bai Tingfeng had no idea he’d just set up Yanyan’s poor future teacher for a shock.

Shen Yuan finally cleared his throat, eager to steer the topic away. "Anyway, how should we structure this speech?"

Bai Tingfeng straightened. "We will avoid the usual stiff, formal speeches. Instead, we will focus on something sincere—raw, full of childish aspiration. Directly from Yanyan’s own words."

The alpha and his son exchanged a soul-deep look. "Which means," Bai Tingfeng added, "Yanyan and I will be spending a lot of time together in the next few days."

Yanyan nearly squashed his fried chicken in excitement. "Okay! I’ll go wherever Papa goes starting tomorrow!"

Shen Yuan raised a brow as he sipped his soda. "That’s a solid plan. But what about my session? Yanyan still needs practice. You don’t intend to hog him all to yourself, right?"

"No, no!" Bai Tingfeng shook his head quickly. "Just a day or two is enough to draft and finish the speech."

Shen Yuan beamed a smug smirk, "You sure? The last time I checked, you are still weak in using emotional words. I am confident in your skill in delivering objective speeches. You are strong in that aspect, being that you are a guild master. But emotional speech..."

He meanly scrunched his face. "I think you might need a longer time."

Bai Tingfeng looked offended, "I can do it as long as I put my mind and soul to it!"

"Oh, yeah? Not convinced." Shen Yuan still acted like a rascal. At this point, it was evident that he was just messing with Bai Tingfeng.

The alpha knew it, too. That is why, instead of taking it personally, Bai Tingfeng looked amused while defending himself.

"I am quite good at expressing my feelings, Yuan. Would you not blush if you didn’t think my I love yous are genuine?"

The pregnant fox blushed out of nowhere. "That’s— you are cheating!"

From the side, Yanyan watched his parents volley words back and forth like a ping-pong match. "Are you fighting?"

The two break away from their banter.

"No, baby. I just love provoking your father," Shen Yuan answered smugly.

"And I love teasing your dad," Bai Tingfeng added, locking eyes with his omega in playful challenge.

Seeing his parents so lovey-dovey, Yanyan scooted closer, nestling into Shen Yuan’s embrace. "Hehe, you guys are silly! You love each other, but you don’t act like Dada and Grandpa, or Xiaoran’s parents."

Shen Yuan couldn’t stop himself from smiling. He guessed that it was his son’s way of saying that they are chaotic. "Well, you have abnormal parents. So, you can only live with that."

Bai Tingfeng grabbed a piece of fried chicken and handed it to Yanyan. "But don’t worry, these abnormal parents of yours will always love each other, and whenever you need help, know that we are always willing to be there for you."

Yanyan contentedly took a bite of that chicken. Deep inside, he was thankful he had very supportive parents. Because without them, he is not confident that he would strive to improve himself and agree to give the welcome speech.