Chapter 3

Zhou Jiayan’s explanation left the live-stream viewers speechless.

Though it sounded unconvincing, he had spoken confidently and without hesitation. Even if he was hiding the truth, it was clear he was just too embarrassed to admit it.

However, the audience refused to acknowledge their mistake and continued stirring trouble.

[Seriously? What kind of mother lets sand blind her stepson?]

[If you’re not the real parent, you just don’t care.]

[Neglect at its finest!]

Hearing Zhou Jiayan’s flimsy excuse, Shen Qingqing almost burst out laughing. This kid was so prideful!

But to avoid making him cry again, she decided to drop the matter and change the subject. “Let’s not just stand here. Go sit in the living room while the crew sets up.”

Ye Wei, a man in his thirties and the temporary host of Shen Qingqing’s live stream, smiled. “Hahaha, Miss Shen is right. Let’s start the official filming.”

The crew quickly set up cameras around the room, with the main camera placed in the living room.

Unfortunately, this angle also captured the scattered Lego models on the floor. Seeing this, Zhou Jiayan’s face turned red.

Panicking, he rushed over with his short legs, gathered all the fallen models, stuffed them into the toy box, and hid them in the storage room.

Shen Qingqing rubbed her forehead. “This little fool just exposed himself again.”

Anyone who wasn’t clueless could guess what had happened, and the live chat erupted in laughter.

[I think I know what the “small situation” is, haha!] 

[Did the Lego model finally get built only to break?] 

[That’s a big deal! The kid must’ve spent hours on it. No wonder he’s crying so hard.] 

[Crying over this is understandable, but Yanyan is too proud to admit it—he just says there’s sand in his eyes!] 

[Yanyan has followed the principle of “a man sheds blood and tears, not sweat” since he was five! ^[1]phrase used to describe someone who refuses to show weakness.]

The “Almighty Mom” production team was experienced and quickly set up the cameras.

Ye Wei smiled and said to Shen Qingqing, “Before we officially start, let’s do a short interview.”

Shen Qingqing hadn’t watched the show before but was familiar with similar formats. She nodded, “Okay, let’s begin.”

Shen Qingqing and Zhou Jiayan sat on the sofa, facing the camera. However, Zhou Jiayan, still holding a grudge, deliberately sat a full meter away from her.

Shen Qingqing pursed her lips. She had no intention of sitting close to him either!

Their obvious dislike for each other quickly became a hot topic.

[Haha, look at the kid’s disgusted expression. Their relationship is terrible.] [Zhou Jiayan’s crying earlier wasn’t Shen Qingqing’s fault, but he clearly doesn’t like her.] [Is Shen Qingqing trying to fix her image? Dream on.]

Ye Wei sensed the awkward tension but remained professional, smiling as he began the interview. “We’ll ask three questions each. Just answer honestly.”

Turning to Zhou Jiayan, he asked kindly, “Little Jiayan, do you know what our show is about?”

Zhou Jiayan answered confidently, “Yes! I’ve seen it on TV. The show has mothers and their kids spending time together, going to different places, and competing with other families.”

Ye Wei nodded, impressed. The boy seemed sharp.

Next, he turned to Shen Qingqing. “Miss Shen, do you often take care of children? Do you consider yourself an all-round mom ^[2]a mother who excels in all aspects of parenting.?”

Zhou Jiayan perked up, listening intently. Based on what Shen Qingqing had done so far, he believed she was the worst mother ever! If she lied, he would expose her immediately!

In the original novel, the same question had been asked. Shen Qingqing, trying to repair her image, had boasted about caring for Zhou Jiayan, but her actions and his lack of cooperation had exposed the truth.

But now, Shen Qingqing had no desire to play the role of a perfect stepmother. She shrugged and replied honestly, “Not much. We have servants and nannies at home, so I don’t need to. Besides, I don’t interfere with Yanyan.”

Zhou Jiayan was stunned. She actually told the truth? But it wasn’t that he didn’t need her—it was that she ignored him! He clenched his fists, frustrated all over again.

Ye Wei’s smile faltered. This was the first time a guest had been this blunt—especially someone here to fix their reputation. But as a professional, he moved on.

He asked Zhou Jiayan, “Yanyan, do you think you can listen to the adults and complete this journey?”

Zhou Jiayan was confident. His teachers often praised him for being diligent and smart. However, he glanced at Shen Qingqing skeptically. He wasn’t sure about her!

After hesitating, he nodded. “I’m an obedient child… but I only listen to things that make sense.”

Shen Qingqing chuckled. No doubt he was implying that she was unreasonable!

Ye Wei, however, was impressed. What a strong-willed kid—truly a product of elite education!

He turned to Shen Qingqing. “Miss Shen, do you think you can complete the tasks with Yanyan during the show?”

She smirked. “Depends on luck. Your production team will definitely make things difficult.”

The crew chuckled. Their reputation for setting up challenges was well known.

“Finally, describe each other in one sentence.”

Zhou Jiayan thought about everything Shen Qingqing had done and clenched his fists. He tried to come up with the strongest words he knew. “She’s beautiful and smart… but lazy and fickle. She’s a bear!”

A five-year-old’s vocabulary was limited, and the phrase he heard most was adults warning him not to act like a naughty “bear child” ^[3]a term in Chinese referring to an unruly or mischievous child.. To him, calling someone a “bear” was the worst insult!

This variety show typically had a warm and loving tone. Most guests described each other in flattering ways, making viewers suspect the show was scripted. But this was the first time a mother was roasted by her own child on air.

[Did Zhou Jiayan just publicly diss his stepmother? I thought they were just distant, but they clearly have issues!] 

[What did Shen Qingqing do for a five-year-old to call her that?!] [She must have treated him badly. Why else would he describe her this way?]

Everyone turned to Shen Qingqing, expecting a reaction. But she remained completely unfazed, as if Zhou Jiayan’s words weren’t about her at all.

Shen Qingqing reflected on the past week and realized what Zhou Jiayan meant.

Is he accusing her of the amusement park incident and the Lego mishap today?

Shen Qingqing felt wrongly blamed. The amusement park issue was due to her original body’s actions, and she wasn’t the one who broke the Lego model.

At that moment, the system in her mind panicked, “Host, please explain quickly!”

Shen Qingqing couldn’t help but complain, “Did you forget that your suggestion made Zhou Jiayan break down and cry?”

Hearing this, the usually proud system fell silent and could only watch Shen Qingqing perform.

Shen Qingqing looked at the chubby child. How dare he call her a bear? Now, she would show him how “bear-like” she could be!

She gave the camera a sly smile, “Zhou Jiayan is serious, hardworking, but also a little naive, a fool.”

As soon as she said this, it was clear she referred to Zhou Jiayan’s previous description.

Was there a conflict between the mother and son?

Zhou Jiayan, quicker than the netizens, shouted, “I’m not stupid! My teachers say I’m very smart!”

Shen Qingqing looked at Zhou Jiayan with sympathy. He had so many things she could expose, yet he still tried to argue. Don’t blame her for revealing his secrets.

“If you’re so smart, why did you run around with the unfinished Lego set and break them all over the floor? Just because I didn’t take you to the amusement park, you’re holding a grudge? You can point fingers at me in front of everyone, but I can’t tell the truth?”

Zhou Jiayan froze, unable to respond, his mouth hanging open.

How could his stepmother reveal this in public? His “mature and stable” image was completely ruined!

After hearing their conversation, everyone understood the situation. The way Shen Qingqing and the child argued felt more genuine than a serious explanation.

Everyone in the room burst into laughter, and the live broadcast audience also laughed with “hahahaha.”

[Yanyan has such a strong sense of self-esteem, so cute.]

[I think now I understand. No wonder Yanyan was so awkward before.]

[Honestly, I thought Shen Qingqing did something bad, but it was the toy and amusement park issue.]

[Speaking from experience, kids do that. My son is the same.]

[Don’t mention it. I find the relationship between Shen Qingqing and her son quite interesting.]

[Other broadcasts are serious, but Shen Qingqing’s room is hilarious. The mom’s carefree, and the son pretends to be mature.]

[I actually think Shen Qingqing’s room is the most interesting. The others are too serious.]