After chatting idly with Yu Yanchen for a few moments and hanging up the phone, Jiang Shunnian pounced over and hugged his little one again. He fake-cried in the milky-scented embrace of his child, begging for comfort. “Nono, Daddy’s going to have to eat grass for the next few days, wuwu.”
“Why eat grass?” Nono looked baffled, but he immediately patted his dejected daddy’s back to comfort him. “I’ll eat grass with Daddy.”
Jiang Shunnian melted every time—his kid was so cute he could barely function. His little one is absolutely the cutest in the world!
“For Nono, Daddy can eat anything!”
It was just low-fat meals, right? He’d grit his teeth and bear it.
And so, for the next few days, Jiang Shunnian stuck to his low-fat diet. He calmly choked down steamed broccoli, boiled beef brisket, tomatoes, and cucumbers without batting an eye. On top of that, he ran five kilometers around the neighborhood every morning, then did an hour of stretching when he got back.
While Nono slept, he’d pop on headphones to watch the latest movies and TV dramas, studying acting techniques and practicing lines in front of the mirror over and over.
It had been four years since he’d acted—he was afraid he couldn’t even deliver a full line properly anymore.
Luckily, he still had some talent. After a few days of practice, he started getting the feel back.
Of course he was tired—exhausted, really. Especially after that first five-kilometer run; he collapsed the moment he got home. But when he saw Nono sensibly pouring him a glass of warm water and toddling over carefully, Jiang Shunnian felt like he could run a few more laps.
Two days later, Yu Yanchen texted him: he’d secured an audition slot for three days from now.
No script available, though—just that it was a web drama with a trendy rebirth entertainment industry setup. The role Jiang Shunnian was auditioning for was a vicious cannon fodder: trash-talking the heroine, tripping her up, and getting thoroughly slapped down in the end.
The truly reborn Jiang Shunnian: ……
This web drama hadn’t appeared in his awakened memories, but he could understand why. He only knew the plotlines involving Nono, and the book started when Nono was sixteen. This must count as a prequel?
All Jiang Shunnian knew was that in the future, Nono would get entangled with that scum Qin Huan. He didn’t know the other details.
What Jiang Shunnian didn’t know was that in the pre-rebirth timeline, although Qin Huan and Jiang Yunnuo ended up together because of the child, things hadn’t gone smoothly. A big shot surnamed Fu had suddenly appeared out of nowhere, suppressing Qin Huan mercilessly and even trying to steal Jiang Yunnuo away. But thanks to the plot’s inevitable forces and the protagonist’s halo, all his plans failed. He ended up crippled in both legs, and the entire Fu Family was swallowed up by Qin Huan.
In the unwritten parts of the plot, the man in the wheelchair had gone alone to a strange city, lingering for a long time in front of a certain grave……
Perhaps this was the novel’s will filling in the gaps.
Jiang Shunnian pondered deeply. Though this world was a book, all its rules were complete, logical, and incredibly real. At least in his previous life, he’d never once suspected it was fake.
He clearly remembered the pain of his incision after giving birth to Nono, the joy of becoming a father for the first time, and the fulfillment of watching Nono grow bit by bit.
He couldn’t help thinking deeper. A book’s plot revolved almost entirely around the protagonist, so his death must have been set by the author. Then why had he been reborn?
And after his rebirth? Would the author notice something wrong with one of her characters? Was someone watching him right now? If they discovered his behavior didn’t match the script, would they try to “correct” him?
Jiang Shunnian suddenly shivered. Better not think too deeply—it’s creepy.
No matter what, he had been reborn. For Nono, he’d fight against this so-called “fate.”
The audition city wasn’t far from his—a high-speed rail ride took about three hours round trip, eating up a whole day. He didn’t have close friends nearby and couldn’t bear leaving Nono alone all day, so he decided to bring him along.
He could even take the little one out to play after the audition.
These past few years, he’d lived off his savings and occasional online voice acting gigs—nothing stable.
Even trips with Nono were to nearby cities. Housing here wasn’t exorbitantly priced, but with only 700,000 in savings, he couldn’t buy. He rented a one-bedroom for 700 a month.
He had few personal expenses—just cheap clothes under a hundred bucks. Most of the money went to Nono’s birth surgery, postpartum recovery, formula, toys, and supplements. Luckily, Nono was healthy and hadn’t needed the hospital much by age three.
His own body was pretty good too—Nono must have inherited his strong constitution.
Now he had over 300,000 left, enough to last a while.
“Nono, wanna go out and play the day after tomorrow?” Jiang Shunnian scooped up his son with a beaming smile, asking softly.
“Yay!” Nono raised his little hands in cheer. “Going out with Daddy—awesome!”
The night before departure, the father-son duo packed their bags.
Unsure how many days, Jiang Shunnian only brought three outfits for himself, but more for Nono—plus a little jacket. Spring had arrived, but days and nights still had big temperature swings; better safe than sorry.
Nono carefully placed his tiny clothes next to Jiang Shunnian’s, like a sapling snuggling a big tree—adorably heartwarming.
Once everything was packed, Jiang Shunnian bathed his son and hit the hay early.
Nono was a bit too excited, though, tossing and turning before finally drifting off.
The next morning, they boarded the high-speed train to S City.
Nono gazed out the window the whole way, whispering his observations to Daddy without disturbing anyone. Watching his sensible, well-behaved boy, Jiang Shunnian’s heart turned to mush. My son— no way is he suffering as some abused protagonist shou. That Qin Huan can get lost!
Once they arrived, Jiang Shunnian juggled Nono in one arm and the suitcase in the other. Soon, he spotted Yu Yanchen’s assistant waiting to pick them up.
She was a petite, pretty girl—lively and quick to recognize him.
“Brother Jiang, over here!” The assistant waved. “I’m Brother Chen’s assistant—just call me Xiao Ju.”
“Nice to meet you, Xiao Ju.” Jiang Shunnian wore a mask, but his eyes crinkled with a smile. “Thanks for coming.”
“No trouble at all!” Xiao Ju was chatty. “Brother Chen has an ad shoot this morning and will join you for the audition this afternoon. Lunch is booked—we can head straight there? It’s about a forty-minute drive.”
“Sure, no problem,” Jiang Shunnian agreed.
Jiang Yunnuo added softly, “Thanks, big sis.”
Xiao Ju had actually been stunned earlier. This kid is way too gorgeous.
Fair skin with a rosy glow, eyes that seemed to sparkle gold, a straight pretty nose, cherry-pink lips—like he was rendered in a different layer from everyone else.
And Jiang Shunnian’s visible features were delicately beautiful too. Together? Total beauty overload.
Xiao Ju’s heart trembled from the cuteness. He’s only twenty-three— I want this kid so bad!
In the car, Xiao Ju briefed Jiang Shunnian on the stars who’d blown up recently and Yu Yanchen’s career over the years.
She was his cousin, fresh out of college last year with no good job offers, so she’d started working for him.
“Brother Chen hasn’t fully broken out yet, but things are better than before—he’s got a few endorsements. Oh, the role you’re auditioning for is in the same crew as Brother Chen. It was cast already, but the actor bailed for a hero role. Anti-villain gigs aren’t popular—everyone avoids ’em if they can.”
Jiang Shunnian agreed completely. Once typed as a villain and going viral, audiences pigeonholed you, making positive roles scarce. You’d end up a villain specialist.
“But Brother Jiang, you’re so good-looking—even as a villain, no one could hate you.” Xiao Ju grinned.
Jiang Shunnian felt a bit shy and was about to downplay it when little Jiang Yunnuo piped up: “Yeah! Daddy’s the most beautiful!”
Loyal dad stan, Jiang Shunnian thought.
“……”
They chatted the whole ride and arrived at the private room. Yu Yanchen wasn’t done shooting yet but texted Xiao Ju he was almost there—eat if hungry, no need to wait.
Jiang Shunnian wouldn’t dream of it. He just ordered a plate of desserts for Nono.
Kids got hungry fast.
Jiang Yunnuo loved the sweet, fluffy mini cakes, but his first spoonful went straight to Jiang Shunnian.
After five days of boiled veggies and chicken breast—down eight pounds—Jiang Shunnian started salivating at the sight. Breakfast had been one boiled egg and a small cup of sugarless oatmeal, gone before boarding the train.
But he turned away, voice strained: “Nono eat it. Daddy doesn’t like these.”
Nono eyed him puzzled. Did I remember wrong? Before, Daddy always took big bites of cake and said grown-ups eat more.
Maybe he doesn’t like this kind.
“I got it! When we get home, I’ll buy Daddy’s favorite cake.”
He had tons of red envelope money—Daddy let him manage it himself.
Jiang Shunnian wanted to cry. After this audition, sweet treats were off-limits for good, most likely.
Xiao Ju watched their interaction, stifling giggles behind her hand.
Nono polished off a whole mini cake alone and was full. Soon Yu Yanchen arrived, pulling Jiang Shunnian into a tight hug right away. “Brother, finally!”
Jiang Shunnian was thrilled too—no seeing each other in four years.
Yu Yanchen towered over him at 185 cm—slim-clothed, ripped underneath. Too bad he hadn’t blown up yet.
Jiang Yunnuo hopped down from his chair, craning his neck. This uncle’s so tall! When Yu Yanchen looked his way, he flashed adorable dimples. “Hi Uncle Chen, I’m Nono.”
“Wow, brother—your kid’s too cute, too pretty!” Yu Yanchen was twenty-six like Jiang Shunnian, still single as birth, while his bro’s kid was already toddling.
He crouched, arms out. “C’mere, uncle hug.”
Nono wasn’t shy at all, toddling right over to be scooped up.
“So obedient!” Yu Yanchen adored the squishy bundle. “How’d you make such a good-looking, well-behaved kid? Here, uncle’s meet-cute gift.”
He pulled a fat red envelope from his pocket and stuffed it into Jiang Yunnuo’s arms.
Jiang Shunnian blocked him quick. “Yanchen, don’t—you’ve helped tons already!”
“You’re you, Nono’s Nono.” Yu Yanchen insisted. “Don’t refuse, or you’re not treating me like a brother.”
Jiang Shunnian couldn’t stop him and accepted.
Jiang Yunnuo blinked in confusion but echoed Daddy: “Thank you, Uncle,” topping it with a cake-scented kiss.
Once seated, Yu Yanchen took the lead. His drama was low-budget web fare—no TV broadcast. The male lead outranked him, backed by a little sugar daddy. He played male second—the heroine’s devoted lapdog…… er, deep-affection second male. Wrapped in a trendy rebirth setup, but at heart, just more domineering CEO schlock.
“Don’t look down on it, Shunnian—it’s the best I could do.” Yu Yanchen’s face dimmed. “I know you’ll blow up on your own talent soon.”
Jiang Shunnian was grateful, not picky. “Don’t worry—we’re like before. Supporting each other.”
Yu Yanchen nodded. “Yeah, mutual support.”
After lunch, they headed straight to the suburban filming base. Yu Yanchen had scenes that afternoon, so he brought Jiang Shunnian to meet the director first. Xiao Ju volunteered to watch Nono.
She thumped her chest. “I’ll take great care of him!”
Nono assured Daddy: “Go work—I’ll look after big sis Xiao Ju.”
On the way to set, Yu Yanchen hesitated, words on the tip of his tongue.
He’d always wondered when his bro got married—never seen the wife, didn’t know if he should pry, but curiosity burned. He hedged: “Shunnian, Nono’s custody is with you?”
Usually, for a kid this age, courts favored mom.
Jiang Shunnian’s heart skipped a beat.
Post-rebirth, he’d only thought of finding Nono’s other dad to raise him together. But what if the guy went for full custody—what if he took the child and left him behind!
![After Backstabbing the Protagonist [Quick Transmigration]](https://i0.wp.com/dobynovels.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/quick.jpg?resize=151,215 "After Backstabbing the Protagonist [Quick Transmigration]")
