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The Atypical Group Darling — Chapter 114
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The Atypical Group Darling
Chapter 114: Bonus Chapter
Jun 13, 2026
⏱ 13 min read
💬 1 comments
And tonight was also a day when the Lu family rarely came home for dinner neatly and completely. The purpose was to collectively prepare for Xueyan's upcoming first competition in his life!
"What! Let Xueyan will tell the story of the big tiger for the competition?"
But after Lu Ting officially announced this latest news of the cub participating in the competition at the dining table, Lu Huai was the first to voice his shock.
Whose idea was this? What exactly is this guy planning, does he want to see Xueyan…
"I wanted to play the big tiger myself, Brother."
Before Lu Huai could start with his conspiracy theories, Xueyan earnestly explained, successfully making Lu Huai choke mid-sentence.
Oh, so it was Xueyan's own idea?
Eldest Brother and the others nearby, who hadn't spoken, also took that picture book from Dad's hands, passed it around for everyone to see, and finally Lu Xun held it in his hands to personally review it.
His expression was so serious it didn't look like he was reading a toddler picture book, but rather a company document.
"Then do we still need to prepare costumes and props?"
And Lu Jing remembered that the competition notice mentioned that preparing one's own props and costumes was allowed. You didn't even need to think to know that for this kind of toddler-stage competition, it was actually very hard to create a gap in the skill levels of the little friends recommended by various kindergartens to participate. Therefore, the choice of topic, props, and costumes was actually crucially important.
If you could leave a deep impression on the judges, you were basically half successful.
"Teacher said the kindergarten will prepare them."
Xueyan added a sentence. Mainly, Xueyan hadn't thought of what props could be prepared either.
Wouldn't it be fine if I just went on stage and acted as the big tiger directly?
"This is different. How could the props prepared by the kindergarten be as exquisite as those personally prepared at home?"
Lu Jing reached out and rubbed the ends of the cub's hair, clearly absolutely not planning to let Xueyan lose to others in this category.
"I will take charge of the costumes and props category, is that okay?"
Unexpectedly, Lu Li nearby suddenly raised his hand to signal.
"The designer I know should be able to help design and customize a performance outfit."
After Lu Li spoke up, the whole family looked over.
"Hah? Is it reliable? If it's not reliable, it would be better if I personally made a set for Xueyan to wear on stage…"
Lu Huai put his hands behind his head, his body leaning back crookedly against the chair, unable to resist voicing his doubts.
I feel like it's not impossible for me to stay up all night learning a bit of sewing techniques and become an excellent tailor. After all, the internet is saying right now that I'm an exceptional genius hahaha!
"What Old Third mentioned should be that fashion designer he frequently collaborates with. It indeed works."
Lu Xun ignored Old Fourth's nonsense, but realized which person Lu Li was talking about.
"Mm. Simmons D. Ralph." Lu Li nodded.
His several widely popular outfits from previous concerts were all personally designed by the other party for him despite their busy schedule.
"Simmons D. Ralph?"
What kind of tongue-twisting and very pretentious foreigner's name is this?
Lu Huai, unwilling to admit that Lu Li's network in this area was wider than his own, instinctively took out his phone to search. The mouth that was just about to continue muttering shut tightly.
In front of his eyes was this pretty man wearing an extremely flashy and ostentatious suit. [Read on RanaTranslations🌸] In the first line of his encyclopedia profile, there was a string of titles like Creative Director, Brand Founder… etc., so numerous it was dazzling.
Regardless of what fields it exactly covers, at least it looks quite intimidating.
"But would this kind of guy be willing to take on a children's clothing design?"
Lu Huai scratched his head, always feeling that if this kind of very pretentious guy heard he was supposed to design an outfit for a toddler little host competition, he would scream something about the spirit of art on the spot and fly into a rage…
"He will be willing even if he isn't, as long as Xueyan needs to wear it, isn't that right?"
Lu Xun slowly closed the picture book in his hands, feeling the candidate recommended by Old Third was quite suitable.
Then it will be this one.
"Cough, there is a chance. It's just that it might require a little bit of persuasion. My relationship with Simmons is considered quite good."
Lu Li wasn't as domineering as Eldest Brother.
After a light cough, he indicated he could try communicating with the other party.
It just so happened that the outfit he wore for his magazine shoot this time was haute couture under Simmons' brand.
While listening to his parents discuss clothes, Xueyan was wholeheartedly thinking about his good friend Charlie.
"Brother, can I let Charlie play a little tiger and accompany me on stage?"
So Xueyan held onto the table, whispering his question to interject.
"Charlie?"
Hearing this familiar name, Lu Xun froze for a moment, not expecting this could actually be done.
The book indeed featured a big white tiger, and that cat of Philenster's happened to be a white cat as well. It indeed could "disguise" itself a bit?
"Tsk, I think it works. Just like in TV dramas where they use Samoyeds to play foxes, hahaha, letting a cat play a tiger is of course very doable. Hurry up and get that guy to send the cat back!"
Lu Huai instantly sat up straight in his seat, rubbing his fists and wiping his palms, wanting to wait for this truck-driving cat to be brought back to the country.
This time I must properly teach the other party what the professional qualities a cat should have are!
"I have a way for this, I will contact them. Except we might need Xueyan to cooperate a bit tomorrow. Also, this has to be handled before Eldest Brother's job fair, right?"
Lu Jing lazily raised her hand to indicate she could do it. After all, once the people were recruited back from the job fair at home, that guy Philenster would definitely throw a fit again. So, she had to take advantage of the other party not knowing about this to bring Charlie back to the country. Thinking of this, Lu Jing even uncharacteristically felt a bit of sympathy.
Because wouldn't Philenster not only have his cat absent from his side, but also his students beside him accepting the offers sent by Eldest Brother?
"Hey, then what can I do? You guys are snapping up all the work at lightning speed one by one."
Lu Huai pointed at himself, feeling his participation in this activity was severely lacking.
Are these guys trying to sideline me, so that Xueyan gradually forgets me, his most beloved fourth brother!?
"You? Old Fourth, it's already very good if you take charge of not causing trouble and not dragging everyone down."
Lu Ting said with a serious face.
"…Despicable, this is clearly discrimination from you guys!"
Lu Huai was so angry his head buzzed.
"Fourth Brother is also very important!"
Xueyan quickly looked at his brother and earnestly encouraged him.
"Mm?"
Lu Huai, who was now not very easy to deceive, opened his eyes wide, wanting to hear the little guy say how he was important.
Although Lu Huai actually just wanted to be praised by Xueyan. As long as he said something casually, he could immediately step down the stairs provided.
As a result, Xueyan, with eyes curving into crescents, said:
"Because I am very happy every day I see Brother, and if I am very happy, I can focus on preparing for the competition!"
For a time, the whole room was silent, accompanied by Lu Huai's feeling of smugness where he wished he could scream on the spot and spin to take off.
Hahahaha, sure enough, I am still Xueyan's most beloved parent—These guys like Eldest Brother scheming and calculating can't damage this fact in the slightest!
Dad, however, sighed deeply.
The sweet cub is just spoiling Old Fourth too much, spoiling this guy into acting improperly all day long!
"Oh right! I actually brought something back too. A classmate in my class said the pastry she made is for Xueyan!"
Lu Huai suddenly got cocky, finally remembering he still had something in his schoolbag to hand over.
"A classmate in your class? Why would she send pastries to my sweet cub.?"
Lu Ting stared at Old Fourth, beginning to suspect if this smelly brat was experiencing early puppy love, and then using the sweet cub as an excuse.
Because this tender pink pastry box looked like it was given by a girl at first glance.
Not only Dad, but even Lu Jing and the others sized it up with great interest and gossip.
"…Hey, hey, hey, at least half the people in our class are Xueyan's fans, okay!?"
Lu Huai, stared at by these bizarre gazes, felt uncomfortable all over. He waved his hands and shook off the bad luck for a long time before saying with great dissatisfaction.
However, as the box was opened, Lu Huai's innocence was instantly returned.
Because the little pastries inside the box, one look and you could tell they were specially made for Xueyan!
In the morning, the female classmate was clearly embarrassed to say in front of so many people that she specifically made little pastries for Xueyan, so she used the excuse that her family happened to make an extra portion of tea snacks and wanted Lu Huai to help hand them over to the cub.
There was a total of six clusters of pastries inside the box. Each cluster was a tender pink mochi with a unique little shape on top. Some had a piece of pear carved to look like the classic little pear hat, while others used a few flower petals to piece together a little round hat.
They even didn't know what method was used to draw little expressions like ">.<" and "^o^" on the sticky rice balls.
"Brother, these little round balls are so pretty!"
Xueyan stared at the six clusters of little pastries inside the box, having already exclaimed unconsciously.
The surrounding parents were even more unable to distinguish for a time whether the little cub leaning on the edge of the box was whiter, or the mochi inside the box was whiter.
Can this be considered the sweet cub's first fan gift in life? This guy Old Fourth actually has such ingenious classmates in his class? The other party even noticed Xueyan's little quirk of always liking to wear a hat to cover his hair, indicating their thoughts are also very delicate.
"Hehe, how about it, not bad right?"
If I hadn't taken Xueyan to the autumn outing back then, how could he have gained this first batch of fans?
Lu Huai smugly felt that the reason this guy Lu Li could be so popular was purely because the fans hadn't seen Xueyan!
Everyone should eat something good while they can!
Regarding Old Fourth's cockiness this time, the family also had nothing to say for a moment.
Because the sweet cub hugging the little pastries was indeed extremely happy, with a feeling of joy like finding a priceless treasure.
However, after being happy for a long time this night, Xueyan pursed his lips and gradually became a bit confused. When going to sleep at night, he looked at his brother beside the pillow.
"What's wrong? [Read on RanaTranslations🌸] Sleepy?"
Lu Xun had just lain down when he saw Xueyan in front of him hugging that box of pastries and looking over.
Because Xueyan said he wanted these six little round balls to accompany him to sleep, Lu Xun only hesitated for a moment before unprecedentedly agreeing to let the cub bring food onto the bed.
In front of Xueyan, Lu Xun was certain he seemed to have no absolutely unshakable bottom lines, as long as Xueyan was happy.
Fortunately, the smell of this mochi wasn't strong, but rather a faint, sweet rice fragrance. Placed by the pillow, it was as if even the dreams at night would become sweet.
"Brother, I am thinking, why would this older sister make such pretty pastries for me?"
Xueyan asked softly.
"Because she likes our Xueyan. Isn't that what Old Fourth said?"
Lu Xun reached out and tucked the loose hair by Xueyan's ear behind it, the corners of his mouth slightly turning up as he spoke.
"But I have only seen that older sister once, I don't even know what she is called."
Xueyan, hugging the pastry box, was both happy and a bit confused and apprehensive.
This was different from parents and good friends. [Read on RanaTranslations🌸] Regarding Fourth Brother's older sister classmate, Xueyan didn't even know her name while looking at the photo in Fourth Brother's phone.
He only remembered that at that time, this older sister was the first to patronize his and Fourth Brother's juice stand during the autumn outing, and even gave him and his brother a portion of grilled fish.
And Lu Xun, looking at the joyful yet confused little guy in front of him, had a few hints of tenderness surface in his usually bottomless dark eyes that even he himself didn't notice.
"Because our Xueyan is very worthy of it."
"If you are thinking of doing something, how about you also make a gift next time and let Old Fourth return it to her?"
"Mm!"
Hearing his brother's suggestion, Xueyan instantly nodded very earnestly, feeling he couldn't let down this older sister's pretty little pastries.
With his well-behaved appearance, Lu Xun still couldn't resist. He reached out and hugged Xueyan into his embrace, lowering his head to peck his forehead and ear, as if he could never kiss him enough.
But Old Fourth was indeed right about one thing, which was that even if Xueyan didn't become a star like Old Third, and his photo exposure online was reduced as much as possible, it was still inevitable that he would attract attention wherever he went.
Because his appearance was truly too beautiful.
From birth, growing up until now, he was almost more eye-catching year after year. Back in Brisbane, even passersby couldn't help but bend down and wave to ask if they could take a photo. Domestically, it was even more so. Lu Xun even suspected a bit that with the kindergarten recommending Xueyan to participate in this competition, he would probably attract quite a lot of attention at the competition venue.
Perhaps on that day we still need to arrange for people to keep a close watch.
Having seen too many of those "gone if you are slow" comments online, Lu Xun now looked at anyone walking past Xueyan with a bit of the vigilance and defensiveness of a parent.
Translated by
Rana65
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Hi, I'm Rana, the solo translator behind this site. I only pick books that I genuinely love, so every translation is done with the utmost care. Thank you for your support!
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