Chapter Thirteen: Where Has Dad Gone?

For the past half year, Xiao Siqi had been working like a dog, while Xiao Yao lived as carefree as an immortal. Xiao Siqi had held concerts in over ten cities, and Xiao Yao had followed Xiao Chengru around to film dramas in five or six places. The key difference was that Xiao Siqi was working, whereas Xiao Yao’s main job was to play—playing on set and exploring the cities where the crews were filming. So when father and son reunited after this time apart, the stark contrast in their states was immediately apparent.

After enduring the grueling series of concerts, Xiao Siqi looked quite worn out. Yet, seeing Xiao Yao, who had grown taller and sturdier over the past six months, somehow eased much of his fatigue.

Xiao Siqi took a good rest at home for over a month. Shortly after celebrating Xiao Yao’s fifth birthday, his capable agent, Xu Ting, brought him a new job opportunity.

Just like in the previous life, Xiangnan Satellite TV in this world also had a parent-child outdoor reality show called “Where Are We Going, Dad?” The show’s name, theme, content, and production style were all the same as before, with only the participants’ names differing. The show had aired a season in each of the past two years, consistently ranking high in ratings and quickly becoming one of Xiangnan Satellite TV’s flagship programs.

For this year’s season, the production team had their eyes on the father-son duo Xiao Siqi and Xiao Yao. Besides Xiao Siqi’s skyrocketing popularity over the past six months, he appeared to be the only famous single father with a child of the program’s required age in the entertainment circle. Having Xiao Siqi and his son join would be a major highlight as the first single father in the three seasons of the show. Thus, the team eagerly contacted Xu Ting and extended an invitation to the pair.

Although this show was one of Xiangnan Satellite TV’s ratings guarantees, Xu Ting’s first instinct was to decline. She knew the show and knew Xiao Siqi well—if someone so careless and disorganized as him went on the program, it would be asking for trouble. But then she recalled the unusual father-son interaction she had witnessed at Xiao Siqi’s home and thought it might be worth a shot.

When Xu Ting mentioned the invitation to Xiao Siqi, he was quite interested. He had watched the previous two seasons and thought it was a very good program. Moreover, the theme of bonding with one’s child was something he was deeply concerned about now. Xiao Yao was the most important person in his life, but he was such a unique child that their relationship was truly extraordinary. Xiao Siqi was curious to see how other fathers and sons interacted.

Naturally, they needed Xiao Yao’s approval. Xiao Yao, who had fond memories of “Where Are We Going, Dad?” from his previous life and had watched some episodes of this world’s identical show, thought participating sounded fun and readily agreed.

At the end of August, the weather was at its hottest—especially in Xiangnan Province, located in the southern part of Huaxia. Fortunately, no matter how scorching the sun outside, it couldn’t penetrate the airport’s cool, air-conditioned terminal, keeping people from becoming as restless as those on the streets. Yet Chen Min, standing in the arrivals hall of Huanghua Airport in Changsha City, Xiangnan Province, felt extremely agitated.

The reason was simple: the flight carrying the people she was there to pick up had been delayed. As the youngest guest this season on “Where Are We Going, Dad?” and the only single father, the production team had assigned Chen Min, the only female director on the crew, to follow the Xiao Siqi father-son team. She was responsible for picking them up, but the plane from Yanjing was delayed due to weather. Since filming began at the airport, the crew carrying cameras had been waiting in the arrivals hall for over an hour, inevitably drawing attention and causing some people to start whispering and pointing. Chen Min feared they were about to attract a crowd.

Finally, the airport announcement confirmed the arrival of Xiao Siqi and his son. About ten minutes later, Chen Min spotted them—but their attire was quite something.

Xiao Siqi wore a khaki outdoor quick-dry shirt with sleeves rolled up to the elbows, a white quick-dry T-shirt underneath, desert camouflage hiking pants, dusty yellow outdoor hiking boots, and a pair of aviator sunglasses. Though “Where Are We Going, Dad?” was an outdoor show, there was no need to dress so professionally. What surprised Chen Min even more was that the child next to him, who looked about five or six years old, was dressed identically—same clothes, pants, boots, and glasses, even the way the sleeves were rolled up matched perfectly.

Chen Min had been filming “Where Are We Going, Dad?” for three years and had met many fathers at the airport. The first year, inexperienced dads lugged multiple suitcases while managing their kids; the second year, experienced dads traveled lighter but still juggled their children and luggage. Since assistants were not allowed, the fathers were always busy and frazzled. But this guy was different—he pulled a large suitcase with his left hand and steadied the strap of a guitar case slung over his right shoulder, walking out with a relaxed expression. The boy mimicked him exactly, pulling a small suitcase with his left hand and holding the strap of a small guitar case (actually a ukulele bag) on his right shoulder, walking side by side with his father.

This striking image was, of course, faithfully captured by the cameraman, who felt a bit excited. This father-son duo’s entrance alone was spectacular, promising a significant share of footage and greater prominence for their crew.

Seeing the cameraman’s thumbs-up and the crew’s nod of approval, Chen Min quickly led her team forward.

She approached Xiao Siqi and extended her hand. “Hello, Mr. Xiao. I’m Chen Min, your director for the shoot. This is my team, and we’ll be following you throughout. I hope we have a pleasant collaboration.”

Xiao Siqi released the strap of his guitar case, took off his sunglasses and hung them on his T-shirt collar, then smiled and shook Chen Min’s hand. “Hello, Director Chen. Just call me Siqi, please. Don’t call me ‘Mr. Xiao’—people usually call me ‘Dad,’ and I can’t handle that.” He then greeted the crew members behind her one by one, finally putting his arm around Xiao Yao’s shoulder. “This is my son, Xiao Yao. His nickname is Bayi.”

Xiao Yao also took off his sunglasses and hung them on his T-shirt collar, then waved to the crew. “Hello, uncles and aunts.”

While Xiao Siqi greeted the crew, Chen Min’s attention stayed fixed on Xiao Yao. Watching Xiao Siqi shake hands, Xiao Yao showed neither eagerness nor impatience, just calm and quiet waiting. And when he greeted the crew, he first removed his sunglasses before waving and speaking politely. Had he simply imitated his father, or did he genuinely understand these signs of respect in the adult world? Chen Min found it increasingly fascinating and grew curious about Xiao Yao.

However, as a professional director, she knew this was not the time for probing. After introductions, she said to Xiao Siqi, “Siqi, we have a schedule ahead. Let’s get going. Please keep your sunglasses on to avoid drawing attention and delaying our plans.”

Xiao Siqi smiled wryly, nodded, put on his sunglasses again, and followed Chen Min toward the parking lot, reminding her once more, “Director Chen, really, don’t call me Mr. Xiao. I’m not just being polite; I honestly can’t get used to it. Just call me Siqi, okay?”

Chen Min paused briefly, then laughed and nodded. “Alright, Siqi it is.” She thought to herself that he was the most down-to-earth star she had met in three years.

The crew’s filming setup involved one camera operated alternately by two cameramen. While one carried the camera and filmed, the other rested and handled communications with the show’s chief director and other teams. The cameraman on rest, responsible for liaison, noticed Xiao Yao dragging his suitcase behind Xiao Siqi and hurried over to take the handle. “Little guy, let me help you with your luggage. Give me both the suitcase and the guitar bag.”

Xiao Yao refused to let go. “Thank you, Uncle Liu, but I can manage myself. No trouble.”

He remembered the man had introduced himself as Liu Shanxing, in charge of communications.

Liu Shanxing was surprised and looked to Chen Min and Xiao Siqi. Xiao Siqi shrugged and said to Liu, “Let him carry his own stuff. I offered to help him with the suitcase, but he wouldn’t let me.”

Liu scratched his head awkwardly and smiled. “Well, taking care of your own things is good. Didn’t expect your son to be so independent. Still, want me to help?”

Xiao Siqi gave a wry smile. “My son always carries his own things. If I let you help, he’d just laugh at me. Let’s hurry and go.”

Soon, they arrived at the airport parking lot. The crew had two vehicles: an SUV provided by a sponsor and a TV station official car. Xiao Siqi and his son naturally rode in the sponsored SUV, driven by Liu Shanxing, with Chen Min in the front passenger seat. The other crew members took the station’s car.

After stowing their luggage, the four got into the car. Chen Min handed over two wireless microphones. “Siqi, filming starts the moment you get in the car. Cameras are already installed inside, so please wear these lapel mics.”

It was Xiao Siqi’s first time on a reality show. After pinning the mic to his T-shirt, he excitedly waved and made faces at the camera mounted on the ceiling.

“Bayi, say hello too,” Xiao Siqi called out, still playing.

Xiao Yao glanced at his father, thought about how this might be edited and broadcast, so he straightened up politely and waved at the camera. “Hello, everyone. I’m Xiao Yao, also called Bayi.” Then he collapsed back into his seat, pulled out a music player from a large pocket on his right pants leg, plugged in his earphones, and closed his eyes.

Chen Min chuckled at the stark difference between the two. “Does Bayi always put on his earphones and listen to music or sleep as soon as he gets in the car?”

Xiao Siqi laughed. “Not always, but we’ve watched your previous seasons and know the show can be exhausting. So we recharge as soon as we get in.” Then he suddenly remembered, “Yeah, I’d better rest now and conserve energy. Who knows how much you’ll put us through later.” With that, he slipped his sunglasses back on and leaned his head against the seat to rest.

Chen Min was utterly speechless about this father and son.