The Cannon Fodder Dad of Three Villain Cubs

A college freshman woke up to find himself four years in the future, and as a disposable character in a book.

His three kids are all villains. When they grow up, they oppose the male lead, and he gets dragged into a miserable death.

The eldest is wise beyond his years, talks in a sugary, manipulative way, and has adults wrapped around his little finger.

The second is a classic child prodigy, a famous hacker fluent in eight languages.

The third is a little demon king, throwing tantrums and causing trouble every day.

Ji Zhiqiu's vision went black again and again. Still... maybe an ice cream bar would help calm his nerves.

When the little brats saw it, they wailed and demanded their ice cream back. Ji Zhiqiu smiled sweetly. "Hey, kiddo, would you like an ice cream bar that tastes like a slap?"

Ji Zhiqiu settled into the happy life of a single father.

In the morning, he competed with his eldest in the art of sweet-talking and barely won. His eldest called him useless and took charge of lunch.

In the afternoon, he gave his second son a lesson in the law. The boy saw the error of his ways and decided to chase his dreams in the internet industry, so Ji Zhiqiu could live off his son.

At night, the little brats refused to sleep, throwing tantrums and insisting on watching cartoons. As an open-minded father, Ji Zhiqiu agreed.

Come on, let's see if you can stay up later than a college student.

Let's see who falls asleep first, and that one's a dog!

Ji Zhiqiu completed his duties with flying colors. Convinced he'd done an excellent job raising them, he was just about to lie flat and get some rest when he received an invitation to a parenting variety show.

"..." Which little rascal signed him up?

The kids: Set Dad up on a date!

When the show premiered,

The other guests were a father and son from a wealthy family, a top-tier star who'd had a child young, and a family of artists. Ji Zhiqiu was the ordinary one they used for comparison.

The audience expected a heartbreaking story about a single father raising three kids, but instead...

The second son was clever and sensible. He could earn money for the family and even handle early childhood education, while the youngest sat like a little glutinous rice ball, listening obediently.

Meanwhile, their old man was sleeping so soundly he didn't know which way was up, and once he woke up, he started causing trouble.

The second son shouted angrily, "Ji Zishen, can you do something about your dad?"

The eldest came out of the kitchen, led him over to the sofa, and coaxed him helplessly. "There, there. Play on your phone for a bit. Dinner will be ready soon."

The internet fell into a deafening silence.

This dad was just too... But he's already this beautiful, what could he possibly have done wrong?

Come cuddle with your wife~

Everyone envied Ji Zhiqiu for having three angelic, well-behaved kids. Only he knew how hard it had been to get here.

He couldn't wait to see their faces when they learned the truth. He grinned mischievously.

After the variety show began, Ji Zhiqiu's fanbase exploded and offers poured in. A reporter came to interview him.

Reporter: "Mr. Ji, could you share the secret to your success?"

Ji Zhiqiu: "Living off my kids."

Reporter: "You have admirers lined up all the way to France. Is there anyone in particular you're interested in?"

Ji Zhiqiu: "." The kids' real father had already come knocking.

That night, Ji Zhiqiu was thoroughly pampered until his voice went hoarse.

Boohoo, it's terrifying when an older man gets jealous.

My new novel is out: The Ninth Year After My Death, I Got Pregnant with the Real Young Master's Baby

After eighteen carefree years, Ruan Tang discovered he was a fake young master who had taken the real one's place.

Although he was allowed to stay, he no longer dared to act spoiled or cling to his parents and older brother. Every move he made was deferential and ingratiating.

He felt deeply guilty toward the real young master, Duan Qingye, and devoted himself to caring for him and making amends.

But he ruined everything.

Like the vicious disposable villain in a book, he handed Duan Qingye a spiked drink and committed a terrible mistake.

After one reckless night, he found himself on an unfamiliar street.

It was the ninth year after his death.

Being hated by everyone, dying was the best ending. Ruan Tang didn't contact anyone and wanted to start over.

Penniless and being bullied at work, he was shielded by a pair of arms.

The man was dressed in black, like he was wearing mourning clothes. Afraid of startling him, he spoke very softly. "Ruan Tang?"

Ruan Tang never expected to run into Duan Qingye.

Thinking of everything that had happened, he was sure Duan Qingye must hate him to the core. But Duan Qingye held no grudge and took him home.

After nine years apart, the boy who had once been awkward and taciturn had become elegant, refined, mature, and steady.

Duan Qingye cared for him with the patience of an elder, arranged everything for him, and even knelt to put on his shoes, making him feel like the pampered young master he'd once been.

The fake and real young masters finally managed to get along peacefully, until...

Ruan Tang found the results of his recent medical checkup.

The mistake they'd made that night was still bearing consequences. He was pregnant, and Duan Qingye had known all along.

His first instinct was to run, but Duan Qingye caught him.

Draped in the night, the man was like a demon from hell. His voice was tender, yet touched with madness.

"Tangtang, are you going to abandon me again?"

After the moon fell, the Ruan family home was shrouded in silence, and everyone was consumed by regret.

As the tenth anniversary of his death approached, the Ruan family discovered that the precious son they'd lost was leaning against a man, his belly round with pregnancy.

Their biological son was pleading with Ruan Tang for a smile.

When Duan Qingye noticed them watching, he glared at them like a wolf guarding its food, refusing to let them come even one step closer.

One year later, at the Ruan Group headquarters,

A pretty young man showed up with a child, looking for President Duan.

People around them whispered, thinking it was a scheme to fake a relationship and demand recognition.

The usually cold President Duan hurried over, his eyes full of love and his manner infinitely gentle.

Ruan Tang's parents and older brother even shoved Duan Qingye aside to fuss over him, as if the young man were their own beloved son.

Everyone: ???

Bonus scene

The baby was one year old, but Ruan Tang still kept up his pregnancy habits, resting comfortably in Duan Qingye's arms.

The man bit the tip of his ear. "Nine years is 3,288 days. At an average of seven times a night, you have a lot of making up to do, darling."

Ruan Tang: ??? Seven times what?

In the hazy night, Ruan Tang's gaze lost focus. He touched his slightly rounded belly, so dazed he thought he was pregnant again.

From then on, Ruan Tang spent every day and night working hard to pay off his debt.

Theme: Face life with an optimistic attitude and make every day count.