Chapter 336: Episode 31.7 Belly
A face-changing dude and a dead omega.
Shen Yuan must say, the Cardinals make their members hard to pin down. They have features that make them hard to find even in this modern time.
But the Hunter Association is fortunate because they got an "in" this time.
"Well, it does not matter if the Cardinal of Envy was officially a dead person. He is alive, and remember, we get to him once we manage to get to Lee Jinhyuk first. Therefore, getting a hold of his creative team is important."
Chairman Mao said to Shen Yuan, "Lee Jinhyuk’s team is a production team that works mainly with model-slash-hunters. That is why we might need you to work your side hustle. Model us another crystal ball, and we will hire back Lee Jinhyuk."
"Okay, I will do that. No further questions asked." Shen Yuan raised his arms as though surrendering. "But how are we going to do that when Hunter Association officially postponed business with Madam Zhen, and not to mention, it is suspicious if we shoot another photoshoot when there is still an ongoing campaign? You know, the crystal balls."
Everyone’s head panned down after that question. Well, Shen Yuan has a point. Their action will feel like it came out of nowhere. Enemies could sense that, and as a consequence, that will drive them running.
"When there is trouble in the neighbourhood, say Huhu, help me!
"Woo~! Woo!"
"Bad critters are creepers harming the beach!"
"Woo! Woo!"
"Huhu, help me!"
One little boy and one panda are seen cruising down the halls of Shen Yuan’s home. One is tripping and singing a theme song from a popular cartoon while the other is bumbling with its two hind legs.
The pair has just returned after running around the front lawn and is now on a mission to find a snack.
Right, they were discussing such an important matter on the couch in the receiving area. Interruptions like this in a house with a playful five-year-old and a human-like panda are bound to happen.
"Shhhh!" Shen Yuan shushed loudly to signal Yanyan to pipe it down. The little boy, after seeing the group of adults huddled around the couch, covered his mouth and quietly tiptoed his way to the kitchen.
"That silly child is singing that song again," Shen Yuan muttered, smiling a little. "I swear I almost caught LSS because that played numerous times every commercial break in Cartoon Jr."
"A person like you watches cartoons?" Xia Jinhai looked surprised. Like it is surprising that an adult whose mouth is constantly spitting R-18 jokes finds happiness in watching children’s cartoons.
"What is LSS?" Chairman Mao looked confused. His age finally caught up with him.
The celestial fox spirit does not know whether he should be amused or hurt.
"Seriously? A child just passed by, and your concern changed?"
Shen Yuan turned to his husband for support.
Bai Tingfeng had something better. "Let’s make a promotional video."
The three’s eyes lit up at the same time.
"That is a great idea. Expound, please," the old chairman motioned his hand at the young alpha man.
"I heard it’s been tough forming alliances since that mess in Diyu—except with Countries S and A."
Chairman Mao winced like someone stepped on his pinky. "Yeah... confidence took a hit."
"Well, we now have a perfect excuse to make a promo video. Show off Country C’s top hunters and feature how tight the Hunter Association is with the guilds. Let’s make it seem to the outsiders that we are doing this to appeal to the foreign representatives. Make it so obvious so that once we reach out for Lee Jinhyuk’s creative team, they will not suspect anything."
Shen Yuan made a shrill, excited cry. "If life gave you lemons, make lemonade! Let’s weaponize the mess the Cardinals left us to get to them! I love it!"
The celestial fox spirit grinned like a Cheshire cat. "Guys, meet my husband."
Chairman Mao snickered. Shen Yuan’s silliness aside, he liked the idea too.
"But in this time and age, if we pulled a P.R. stunt like this when people are mourning, we are facing the possibility of getting cancelled." Xia Jinhai.
"It is regrettable that we are doing it when some families are grieving, but what are we going to do if this is what Prime Minister Mo wanted?" Bai Tingfeng asked, his tone laced with meaningful suggestion.
"Bwahahaha!" The celestial fox spirit was the first to laugh. Damn! He loves seeing Bai Tingfeng’s calculative side!
That little bad boy inside his husband tickles his fascination with black-bellied gongs.
"Let’s do it! Prime Minister Mo wanted to see unity, then let’s show him what we can do once we unite!" Shen Yuan clapped.
Chairman Mao’s smile became stiff. Damn, he feels bad for the Mo family. They offended the couple they should never have offended.
"And while we are in it, let’s visit the families of the people who perished during the attack in Diyu." Shen Yuan followed up after a round of laughter. He feels guilty that their action might cause the grief of the affected families.
~~~
Days rolled uneventfully after that discussion. With a solid plan, the Hunter Association used all its gears to set things in motion.
They let the news about the making of the promotional video leak within the industry, but this was done after the memorial of the fallen wardens of the Diyu.
Leading hunters and awakeners like Shen Yuan, Bai Tingfeng and Admiral Wu Jin made a substantial donation for the bereaved families while honouring the bravery and contributions of the deceased in fighting the terrorists.
Chairman Mao gently and indirectly informed the surviving family members of the purpose of the promotional video. Both parties reached an agreement; therefore, no hard feelings arose from the bereaved at the time of the leak— just the hapless hunters from guilds who heard about the news.
Chirp! Chirp! Chirp!
Bai Tingfeng’s phone rang three times for notifications. It disturbed the harmonious background sounds coming from their home theatre.
Amidst their busy schedule, Bai Tingfeng’s family found time to enjoy watching an animated movie with their son. That is why here they are, lounging on their wide, velvety, boa sofa.
For some reason, the family of three are entangled with each other like snakes with Shen Yuan using his husband’s leg as a pillow and Yanyan using his daddy’s arm as a "double-purpose" pillow and bolster.
"Tingfeng, turn your phone on silent. It is movie time." Shen Yuan lazily said to his husband. He innocently rubbed his cheek on his alpha’s legs. Higher than that was dangerous, so he tried to be conservative. He let the back of his head hit just below the bump.
Bai Tingfeng looked like he was constipated. "Okay, my bad. I will silence it now."
"What is it?" Shen Yuan asked while Bai Tingfeng was tinkering with his phone.
"Just a notification from the hunter forum. I am just keeping track of the reaction from my fellow hunters."
"Is it that bad?"
"Not really. Some are bashing the Hunter Association, but most of the shade is on Prime Minister Mo—he was the one known for pushing for this setup."
Shen Yuan’s low laughter stuck in his throat. "Ahh. My day just got better."
"Shhh!" Yanyan’s little fair head turned towards the two naughty parents. His little pointing finger over his pouting lips. "Papa! Daddy! Movie time!"
Shen Yuan laughed heartily. "Okay, we are sorry."
Yanyan was amused at the feeling of his daddy’s vibrating laughter. Having his daddy close to him like this makes a tickling feeling in his heart.
The little boy buried his face in his daddy’s chest and playfully rubbed his nose against it. "No, Daddy. You’re not sorry. I just know you and Papa are going to secretly talk again while we are watching the movie!"
"What? No way!" Bai Tingfeng quickly reacted. "We also enjoyed watching movies. Me especially. Watching movies is my favorite pastime."
Little Yanyan looked at his father, scrunching his face. "Really?"
"Really." Shen Yuan beat his husband in answering. "Your Papa always watches movies with adult themes, and that is the reason why you rarely see him. Yanyan is not allowed to watch such movies."
"Yuan!" Bai Tingfeng’s ears got red. It is hard not to assume something innocent from that statement, knowing his husband’s track record.
"What?" Shen Yuan opened his eyes wide like a few-week-old baby. "I meant horror flicks, action, war, you know, the things not for kids."
Bai Tingfeng was rendered speechless. Now, is it his fault that he tends to think about naughty things?
"Horror?! I want to watch horror movies too!" Yanyan literally jumped up from his daddy’s side. "I want to see ghosts! I want to watch scary movies!"
"Yanyan, you are too young to watch horror."
"But I am already in the age of entering kindergarten." Yanyan reasoned out.
"But you are not even enrolled yet. We did not even know if you passed the test." Shen Yuan countered.
The little cub lost to his foxy daddy. Yanyan plopped back to his place in his daddy’s arm, pouting.
"When will the results come out?" Yanyan poked his Daddy’s stomach, still sulking.
Shen Yuan and Bai Tingfeng couldn’t help but laugh at their cute son.
"Don’t worry, it will not take long." Bai Tingfeng said. "How about this: once you finally get enrolled, we will watch a horror movie. You will be a big boy by then."