After lunch was finally prepared, Director Zhou gathered everyone again.

The shared dishes were placed on the long wooden table: steamed egg with shrimp from Shen Qingyu’s family, tomato scrambled eggs from Tang Mianmian, mushroom soup from Wen Xuci, a slightly suspicious stir-fried potato dish from Qin Zhao, and vegetable pancakes from Xu Zhixia.

Qin Zhao stared at his potato dish. “It looks edible.”

Tang Mianmian glanced at it. “That is the highest praise you can give it?”

Qin Zhao looked at his son. “Xiaochuan, say something encouraging.”

Qin Xiaochuan took one look and said, “Dad, maybe don’t cook next time.”

Qin Zhao: “…”

Xiao Heng looked over and comforted him seriously. “Failure provides data for future improvement.”

Qin Zhao clutched his heart. “Why does your comfort hurt more?”

Xiao Nian whispered to Xiao Heng, “You should say, ‘Uncle Qin, you worked hard.’”

Xiao Heng nodded, then looked at Qin Zhao. “Uncle Qin, you worked hard. Failure provides data for future improvement.”

Qin Zhao: “…”

The entire table burst into laughter, and even Xu Zhixia smiled.

The bullet comments rolled happily.

【Xiao Heng learned, but not completely.】

【He added emotional packaging to the damage.】

【Uncle Qin, you worked hard. Also, you failed.】

【This is the funniest lunch I’ve watched.】

For a while, the atmosphere was genuinely warm. The children ate together, and Xiao Nian carefully shared a shrimp with Tang Tang while Xiao Heng explained to Yuan Yuan why symmetrical food arrangement improved visual comfort. Wen Nuonuo listened with wide eyes, while Qin Xiaochuan secretly tried to trade his father’s potatoes for more steamed egg.

Lu Jingheng noticed immediately and moved the plate of steamed egg closer to Xiao Nian and Xiao Heng.

Shen Qingyu noticed too and looked at him. “Don’t be stingy.”

Lu Jingheng said, “There is not enough.”

“We can make more.”

Lu Jingheng paused, then pushed the plate back toward the centre.

Qin Xiaochuan immediately took a spoonful. “Thank you, Uncle Lu!”

Lu Jingheng nodded. His face was still cold, but he did not stop him.

The bullet comments were touched and amused.

【Lu Jingheng almost protected the egg like corporate assets.】

【Shen Qingyu said don’t be stingy and he listened.】

【President Lu’s parenting style: resources must be secured.】

【Shen Qingyu’s parenting style: share with the other children.】

【They balance each other well.】

After lunch, Director Zhou finally announced the result of the room inspection.

“Room One’s heater has indeed not been fully repaired.”

The guests’ expressions changed.

Director Zhou continued, “No family will stay in Room One tonight. The programme team apologises for the oversight.”

He then looked toward Shen Qingyu. “Teacher Shen, the room was drawn by your family, but since it is unsuitable for children, we will remove it from the list. The remaining rooms will be redistributed.”

Before Shen Qingyu could speak, Liu Xin stepped forward. Her face was still pale, but this time, there was no trace of her earlier excuses.

She bowed first to Xiao Nian. “Xiao Nian, I’m sorry. I should not have walked so close to you with the tray, and I should not have explained before asking if you were hurt.”

Xiao Nian looked at Shen Qingyu.

Shen Qingyu said softly, “You can decide whether to accept.”

Xiao Nian thought seriously, then said, “I accept, but please don’t do that to other children.”

Liu Xin’s eyes reddened again, but this time, the tears looked different.

She bowed to Shen Qingyu. “Teacher Shen, I’m sorry.”

Shen Qingyu nodded. “I accept.”

Liu Xin lifted her head.

Shen Qingyu’s gaze was calm. “Director Zhou will handle the rest.”

Liu Xin understood. Acceptance did not mean erasure, and an apology did not mean the investigation ended.

The bullet comments strongly agreed.

【Xiao Nian is so well taught.】

【“Please don’t do that to other children” — baby has such a soft heart.】

【Shen Qingyu let the child decide. That’s good parenting.】

【He didn’t force forgiveness.】

【He accepted the apology but didn’t cancel accountability. Excellent.】

Director Zhou then announced the new rule.

“Since Room One is unavailable, we’ll use a room-exchange challenge.”

Qin Zhao immediately looked devastated. “I knew peace wouldn’t last.”

Director Zhou smiled. “Each family will complete a simple parent-child relay. Ranking determines room selection order.”

Tang Mianmian crossed her arms. “Simple?”

Director Zhou smiled more kindly. “Very simple.”

Qin Zhao whispered, “High-risk phrase.”

Xiao Heng nodded. “Confirmed.”

The relay was set up in the open space near the village courtyard, and the task had three parts. First, the child would carry a small beanbag from one basket to another. Second, the parent would solve a simple household puzzle. Third, the family would carry a small basket of vegetables together to the finish line.

The difficulty was not high, but with children, cameras, and competitive adults, no task was ever truly simple.

Director Zhou explained, “The first-place family chooses rooms first. The last-place family chooses last. However, if any family wishes, they may exchange their ranking with another family after discussion.”

Qin Zhao raised his hand. “Can I exchange my cooking skills instead?”

“No.”

“Understood.”

Before the challenge began, Shen Qingyu crouched down in front of Xiao Nian and Xiao Heng.

“Do you want to try?”

Xiao Nian nodded. “Yes.”

Xiao Heng asked, “Is the goal speed or stability?”

Shen Qingyu said, “Safety first. Then completion. Speed last.”

Xiao Heng nodded. “Priorities understood.”

Lu Jingheng stood behind them, silent.

Shen Qingyu looked up at him. “Do not calculate an optimal route.”

Lu Jingheng paused, then said, “I already did.”

Shen Qingyu: “…”

The bullet comments laughed again.

【He already did HAHAHAHAHA.】

【President Lu cannot turn off strategy mode.】

【Shen Qingyu married a human algorithm.】

【And gave birth to two small versions.】

The challenge began.

Tang Tang and Yuan Yuan went first for Tang Mianmian’s family, giggling as they ran. One beanbag fell, but Tang Mianmian cheered so loudly it sounded like they had won an Olympic medal.

Wen Nuonuo was careful and slow, but Wen Xuci encouraged her gently the whole way. Qin Xiaochuan ran too fast and nearly overshot the basket, causing Qin Zhao to scream, “Brake! Son, brake!” Xu Xingxing was shy, but Xu Zhixia walked beside her patiently, letting her take her time.

Finally, it was the Lu family’s turn.

Xiao Nian held the beanbag with both hands, and Xiao Heng stood beside him like a tiny coach.

“Brother, maintain moderate speed. Do not panic. If you drop it, pick it up. Dropping is not failure unless you abandon the task.”

Xiao Nian nodded seriously. “Okay.”

Shen Qingyu’s expression softened, and Lu Jingheng looked at Xiao Heng with faint approval.

The whistle blew, and Xiao Nian ran.

He was not the fastest or the most stable, but he ran with all his effort, his cheeks flushed and his eyes bright.

Halfway through, the beanbag slipped, and the audience held its breath.

Xiao Nian froze for half a second.

Xiao Heng shouted, “Brother, dropping is not failure!”

Xiao Nian immediately bent down, picked it up, and continued running. When he placed the beanbag into the basket, he turned back with a bright smile.

“Dad! I finished!”

Shen Qingyu clapped. “Very good.”

Lu Jingheng said, “Excellent.”

Xiao Nian’s smile became even brighter.

The bullet comments softened.

【Dropping is not failure unless you abandon the task.】

【Xiao Heng, baby, why are you suddenly inspirational?】

【Xiao Nian looked so happy.】

【This family really teaches children well.】

The second part was Shen Qingyu’s.

The household puzzle was a set of mixed cards showing different household items, and the parent had to match each item to the correct usage. For most adults, it was easy, but for celebrities who rarely did housework, it was a trap.

Qin Zhao had mistaken fabric softener for detergent, and Tang Mianmian had laughed at him for a full minute.

Shen Qingyu picked up the cards and sorted them quickly: laundry detergent, fabric softener, dish soap, baking soda, rice vinegar, and stain remover.

Within seconds, he was done.

The staff member checking the answer froze. “All correct.”

The comments surged.

【So fast?】

【Didn’t rumours say he was a useless rich-family omega?】

【He knows household items better than Qin Zhao.】

【To be fair, everyone knows better than Qin Zhao.】

Qin Zhao shouted from the side, “I heard that!”

The final part required the family to carry a vegetable basket together. It was not heavy, but the rule required every family member to hold part of the basket.

Lu Jingheng took one side, Shen Qingyu took the other, and Xiao Nian and Xiao Heng held the front handle together.

The four of them moved forward, and at first, the image was almost too harmonious.

Then Xiao Heng said, “Father, your step length is too large. Please reduce by approximately thirty percent.”

Lu Jingheng immediately shortened his steps.

Xiao Nian said, “Dad, the basket is touching my sleeve.”

Shen Qingyu adjusted it. “Better?”

“Better.”

Xiao Heng added, “Brother’s sleeve interference reduced.”

Shen Qingyu said, “Thank you for the report.”

They crossed the finish line second.

Tang Mianmian’s family was first, the Lu family was second, Wen Xuci was third, Xu Zhixia fourth, and Qin Zhao last.

Qin Zhao looked at the sky. “I knew it.”

Qin Xiaochuan patted him. “Dad, failure provides data.”

Qin Zhao turned slowly toward Xiao Heng. “Your influence is spreading.”

Xiao Heng nodded. “That is efficient.”

The courtyard burst into laughter.

According to the ranking, Tang Mianmian could choose first. She looked at the room list.

Room Two was the best for families with two children: warm, spacious, and close to the kitchen. Room Three had good lighting but was farther away. Room Four was small but cosy. Room Five had the smallest bed. Room One was removed.

Tang Mianmian glanced at Shen Qingyu’s bandaged fingers, then at Xiao Nian, who had just experienced the earlier scare.

She took Room Three.

The guests were stunned.

Her daughters looked up. “Mom, didn’t you say Room Two was best?”

Tang Mianmian smiled. “Room Three has better sunlight. Mom likes sunlight.”

But everyone understood. She had left Room Two for Shen Qingyu’s family.

The bullet comments immediately reacted.

【Tang Mianmian is so warm.】

【She deliberately left Room Two.】

【I love her.】

【She saw Xiao Nian was scared earlier.】

It was the Lu family’s turn.

Shen Qingyu looked at the room list. Room Two was indeed the best: close to the kitchen, with a large bed, an extra child bed, and stable heating. It was a good room for the twins.

But then his gaze moved to Xu Xingxing, who stood quietly behind Xu Zhixia. The little girl had been shy all day, and during the relay, she had nearly cried because she thought she had slowed her father down.

Room Four was small. Room Five’s bed was too small. Room Three was taken. Room Two would be the most comfortable for any family with a sensitive child.

Shen Qingyu looked at Lu Jingheng.

Lu Jingheng already understood. “You decide.”

Shen Qingyu looked at Director Zhou. “We’ll take Room Four.”

Everyone froze.

Xu Zhixia looked up.

Room Four was not bad, but it was smaller than Room Two.

Director Zhou asked, “Are you sure?”

Shen Qingyu said calmly, “Room Four is enough for us.”

Lu Jingheng nodded. “Enough.”

Xiao Nian looked at Shen Qingyu, then at Xu Xingxing, and seemed to understand vaguely.

Xiao Heng understood more clearly. “Dad is allocating resources based on child sensitivity, not ranking advantage.”

Shen Qingyu touched his head. “You can say it more simply.”

Xiao Heng thought for a moment. “Dad is being kind.”

The courtyard went quiet.

Shen Qingyu’s fingers paused on Xiao Heng’s hair.

Then he smiled faintly. “Barely.”

Xu Zhixia stared at him.

After a moment, he stepped forward. “Teacher Shen…”

Shen Qingyu looked at him.

Xu Zhixia’s expression was complicated, with shame, gratitude, and uncertainty mixed together. He had been cautious toward Shen Qingyu—not hostile, but cautious. He had believed some of the rumours, not completely, but enough to keep his distance. And now, the person he had kept his distance from had silently left the better room for his daughter.

Xu Zhixia lowered his head slightly. “Thank you.”