Chapter 1

The baby-raising variety show Almighty Mom became an instant hit upon its launch. The adorable kids in Season 1 gained massive popularity, becoming household-name child stars. The adults also saw a resurgence in fame, making it last year’s most-watched national variety show.

With the announcement of Season 2, excitement on the internet exploded, and countless netizens eagerly expressed their anticipation.

At exactly 9 AM on Saturday, the official Weibo account of Almighty Mom revealed the guest lineup for the second season and announced the start of filming.

@All-round Mom V: Almighty Mom Season 2 is officially beginning recording! Let’s welcome our guests: @Xie Bing and her son Ao Liangjun, @Mo Man and her daughter Ying Shishuang, @Shen Linyan and her son Liang Tianyi, @Shen Qingqing and her son Zhou Jiayan, along with our amateur group guests @Cui Xia and her daughter Song Yiyi. Dear fans, join us in an hour for a live broadcast and a glimpse into each guest’s home!

As soon as this Weibo post was released, it ignited heated discussions across the internet.

[The production team is amazing for getting actress Xie Bing to join!]

[Mo Man is here too. She hasn’t acted in many movies since marrying Ying Ying six years ago. The beautiful sister is finally making a comeback!]

[It looks like there are two pairs of stepmothers and stepchildren this time.]

[I’m really looking forward to seeing Shen Linyan and her stepson. Even though they are stepmother and stepson, they are closer than a real mother and son. Shen Linyan’s Weibo posts almost melted my heart! And Mr. Liang is also very handsome. This family of three is truly pleasing to the eye.]

[Why does someone like Shen Qingqing keep getting opportunities? She rose to fame but was wiped out! Now she’s back to ruin variety shows again!]

[Wasn’t Shen Qingqing caught ignoring her stepson? How does she still have the nerve to bring him on a variety show to fix her image?]

[Shen Qingqing must have cast a spell. She found a second-marriage husband who keeps praising her. He must have lost hundreds of millions before.]

The comments on the official Weibo were initially controlled by fans of different celebrities. However, once the fans left, netizens flooded in to curse Shen Qingqing.

At the center of this public storm, Shen Qingqing had just woken up to a call from her agent. The middle-aged woman’s voice still echoed in her ears.

“Qingqing, are you awake? Don’t tell me you’re still sleeping! The production crew will be at your house in an hour. Hurry up and get up. Go downstairs and rehearse with your kid so no one catches you off guard.”

At the same time, a robotic voice in her mind screamed, “Host, come on! You must surpass the original heroine and become the most virtuous and capable mother.”

Shen Qingqing massaged her temples, looking at the unfamiliar bedroom decor. She sighed.

Yes, she had traveled into a book.

A week ago, she was a child star who had been famous for over ten years, winning Best Actress at 28. But now, she had become a different Shen Qingqing.

That day, she had celebrated her award with a few drinks. Then, a sharp pain hit her chest. When she woke up, everything around her had changed.

A system appeared in her mind.

The system explained that she had transmigrated into a reality show called ‘The Most Pampered Daughter-in-Law’, featuring wealthy stepmothers raising children. The heroine of the show was her half-sister, Shen Linyan, while she was merely a contrast to highlight Shen Linyan’s excellence.

Shen Linyan, an illegitimate daughter one year older than her, married into the Shen family after Shen Qingqing’s mother passed away. She quickly won over their father, while Shen Qingqing was gradually neglected.

Both sisters entered the entertainment industry. Shen Linyan became famous for playing a popular supporting role in a big IP, while Shen Qingqing remained an 18th-tier actress, offending many people along the way.

Unwilling to accept defeat, the original Shen Qingqing set her sights on Zhou Yexuan, a powerful businessman whose life had been saved by her mother years ago. Using manipulation and emotional leverage, she forced Zhou Yexuan into marriage.

After the wedding, Zhou Yexuan indulged her, investing heavily in her career and securing her lead roles in major productions. However, her poor acting skills prevented her from truly becoming famous.

Not long after Shen Qingqing’s marriage, Shen Linyan also married into the wealthy Liang family and quickly won over her new in-laws.

Coincidentally, both sisters had five-year-old stepsons of the same age.

The original Shen Qingqing barely acknowledged her stepson, treating him like air after marriage.

Meanwhile, Shen Linyan formed a close bond with her stepson and gained a massive fan following by taking him on outings. Her image as a loving stepmother landed her a spot in Season 2 of Almighty Mom.

Jealous, Shen Qingqing begged Zhou Yexuan to help her get on the show.

On the show, Shen Linyan became an instant sensation with her perfect parenting skills, earning the title of “Most Beautiful Stepmother.”

Shen Qingqing, on the other hand, resented Shen Linyan and blamed her stepson Zhou Jiayan for not being as lovable. After being provoked multiple times, she mistreated the child, nearly causing his abduction due to negligence.

Netizens quickly exposed her abusive behavior. Outraged, they labeled her a “vicious stepmother” and even reported her to the police.

Upon discovering the truth, Zhou Yexuan divorced her and sent her to prison for child abuse.

Even after growing up, Zhou Jiayan harbored deep hatred and eventually had her committed to a mental hospital.

The system’s robotic voice coaxed and threatened, “Host, do you want to survive? Complete the system’s tasks, become an all-around wealthy wife, and outshine the original heroine!”

Shen Qingqing rolled her eyes. Who were they trying to fool?

She had spent her past life working tirelessly to earn billions, only to die suddenly before enjoying it. Was there anything more tragic than dying rich without spending a dime?

In this life, she decided to take it easy.

Moreover, after checking her finances, she found that her original self had inherited hundreds of millions from her mother—more than enough for a lifetime of luxury.

She wasn’t planning on divorcing just yet.

After all, the Zhou family had maids, Michelin-level chefs, and Zhou Yexuan spent most of his time abroad. They barely saw each other.

This was the perfect retirement life!

With that in mind, she called her agent, Yin Yan, intending to reject the variety show.

But just as the call connected, she hesitated.

The system’s mechanical voice warned, “Host, the baby-raising variety show is the foundation of this world. If you refuse, the world will collapse, and your retirement life will disappear. Please don’t self-destruct.”

Shen Qingqing silently cursed the system for ruining her peace!

Sighing, she decided to go with the flow. At worst, she could treat it as a paid vacation.

Even though she was reluctant, Shen Qingqing got up.

She walked into the bathroom and stared at her flawless reflection in the mirror.

This face was almost identical to Shen Qingqing’s in her past life, only younger.

Even without makeup, she looked as if she had her own. Her thick, curled eyelashes seemed naturally lined, her lips were bright red, her nose was straight, and most importantly, her eyes were full of brilliance.

Shen Qingqing quickly applied light makeup, changed into a loose sports suit, and headed downstairs.

In the living room, a little boy in a small suit sat on the carpet, playing with Lego.

He was about one meter tall, with naturally curly hair, a chubby face, big round eyes, and short, pudgy hands sorting through the building blocks.

Hearing footsteps, the child looked up and coldly called, “Mom,” before turning away, leaving Shen Qingqing with only his indifferent back.

This was her stepson, Zhou Jiayan. Unlike Shen Qingqing, who was lazy in the mornings, Zhou Jiayan got up at 7 a.m. and had breakfast at 8 a.m. Now was his rare free time.

But it was clear he didn’t like her.

Shen Qingqing wasn’t surprised. Based on the original storyline, there was no reason for him to like her.

The previous Shen Qingqing had ignored her stepson. However, when she planned to appear on a variety show, she started pretending to be a loving mother. Though Zhou Jiayan was only five, he was smart enough to sense her insincerity.

She had already forgotten that Zhou Jiayan only began ignoring her after she refused to take him to the amusement park the day after she arrived in this world.

Before that, they had gotten along fine.

That day, Zhou Jiayan’s eyes had shone as he softly reminded her about their planned trip to the amusement park, even packing his schoolbag in anticipation.

But she, still in shock from transmigrating, refused him outright. “You’re too young, only 1.15 meters tall. You can’t go on many rides. Wait until you grow to 1.2 meters.”

Meanwhile, as Zhou Jiayan played with Lego, he was conflicted.

He was a precocious child and had heard from the housekeeper and friends that most stepmothers were cruel and mistreated their stepchildren.

Yet, as a child who had grown up without a mother, he still hoped his stepmother would be kind, someone who would accompany and love him. His kindergarten classmate Liang Tianyi often boasted about how nice his stepmother was.

But he was disappointed. Still, being a sensible child, he tried to get along with her to avoid worrying his father.

A month ago, his stepmother decided to take him on a variety show and began acting friendly.

But she never really understood his likes and dislikes. For example, she gave him a Boonie Bears ^[1]a Chinese animated series featuring bear characters. doll, which he had loved at three. Now, at five, he preferred Ultraman ^[2]a Japanese superhero franchise..

Zhou Jiayan was speechless. Why were adults so fake?

He didn’t want to be on the show but agreed for his father’s sake.

When his stepmother suggested taking him to the amusement park, he reluctantly agreed. His father was often away, and the nanny and servants wouldn’t take him. Hearing his friends brag about their trips made him secretly envious.

He had eagerly waited for that day, only for his stepmother to suddenly change and completely forget their agreement.

Even when he gave her a subtle reminder, she dismissed him by bringing up his height.

Heartbroken, he swore not to talk to her again until she took him to the amusement park.

Now that the variety show recording was approaching, he knew his stepmother would try to make peace.

If she kept her promise and took him to the amusement park, he would grudgingly cooperate.

After breakfast, Shen Qingqing sat on the sofa, waiting for the production crew.

The system’s voice echoed in her mind: “Host, go play Lego with the child. When the crew arrives and sees this, it’ll look heartwarming.”

Shen Qingqing sighed and glanced at Zhou Jiayan.

She didn’t hate children and even enjoyed watching cute baby videos—so long as she didn’t have to care for them herself.

Zhou Jiayan had a nanny to look after him. He was as adorable as a little glutinous rice dumpling, the perfect “online baby.” ^[3]a term used for children admired through social media without real-life responsibilities..

So, Shen Qingqing was happy to admire him from a distance.

The boy was currently building a model more complex than the others—a rocket and launch pad—nearly complete.

In her past life, Shen Qingqing’s parents had pushed her to become a successful woman. She had been enrolled in dance classes from birth and never had a real childhood.

So, when she grew up and bought her own home, she filled a room with dolls in rebellion.

She had never played with Lego before—it seemed too tedious—but watching the child piece it together bit by bit was strangely entertaining. She found herself moving closer involuntarily.

Zhou Jiayan pricked up his ears, listening for her movements. Feeling her approach, his ears turned red.

Was she finally going to apologize and take him to the amusement park? What should he wear for the trip?

Lost in thought, he slowed down and struggled to connect two pieces properly.

Shen Qingqing, impatient, asked curiously, “Is this hard? Why is it taking so long?”

She leaned closer, picked up the instruction manual Zhou Jiayan had set aside, and started reading.

Already feeling wronged, Zhou Jiayan took her words as mockery, thinking she was belittling him for being small and slow.

Unconvinced, he huffed, “I built all of this! I can finish it soon!”

Shen Qingqing skimmed the instructions, noting that the model could move once assembled. Her curiosity grew, and she wanted to see it completed as soon as possible.

So she reached out and gently touched the proud child’s furry head, coaxing him, “There is strength in numbers. I’ll help you, and maybe we can finish it faster.”

Shen Qingqing sat on the floor, picking up scattered building blocks to assemble them. However, Zhou Jiayan was stubborn, and past conflicts made him believe his stepmother looked down on him.

He muttered, “I don’t want to do this with you.”

Then, to Shen Qingqing’s surprise, he grabbed the unfinished model and ran. But his small frame and the large, incomplete model worked against him. The pieces slipped from his arms, shattering instantly.

Shen Qingqing was stunned. Did Zhou Jiayan dislike her that much? She had only wanted to help.

Zhou Jiayan, equally shocked, stood frozen. His big eyes welled up, and tears streamed down his cheeks.

The system was equally dumbfounded. How did helping with a model lead to a child’s meltdown? Just how scary did Shen Qingqing look?

At that moment, the doorbell rang.

The system sensed trouble and was about to warn Shen Qingqing not to open the door, but the servant had already done so. The program crew, holding cameras, entered.

The first live broadcast shot of Shen Qingqing and Zhou Jiayan was of the tearful child looking up at her.

The system felt its program was collapsing. It could already imagine the live chat’s reaction: Vicious stepmother Shen Qingqing caught bullying her stepson!