Chapter 19 Part 2

With that, Shen Linyan turned and left with Liang Tianyi, heading into the ancient town.

Shen Qingqing, watching them walk about 100 meters away, then pulled Zhou Jiayan along into the town.

But instead of rushing forward, she carefully looked around and observed her surroundings.

Zhou Jiayan was puzzled and tugged at Shen Qingqing’s skirt. “Shouldn’t we hurry to our residence?”

Shen Qingqing gently tapped her head. “Silly girl, I’m teaching you how to be smart.”

As a commercialized town, “Zhuangyuan Town” naturally had many shopkeepers. Since they needed to run businesses, they required transportation to move goods.

The town prohibited gasoline-powered vehicles, but small electric scooters and tricycles were allowed for business use.

Shen Qingqing carefully picked her target. She avoided restaurants since vegetable transport trucks would likely be dirty—she might as well walk instead.

Soon, she spotted a handicraft shop. It didn’t seem to have many customers, and a middle-aged woman in her fifties sat near the entrance, weaving colorful silk knots.

However, in Shen Qingqing’s eyes, the designs were outdated and not very practical—no wonder business was slow.

She took Zhou Jiayan’s hand and walked over, saying, “Auntie, have you ever thought about updating your designs to something more fashionable?”

The woman looked up and saw a stunningly beautiful young lady standing before her. She was momentarily dazzled but quickly became cautious.

She eyed Shen Qingqing warily and said, “You’re such a pretty girl, but why are you trying to scam me? The police have been promoting anti-fraud awareness a lot recently, so don’t even try.”

Shen Qingqing was stunned. She had never expected to be mistaken for a scammer.

Should she praise the police for their effective fraud prevention campaigns?

The live broadcast room erupted with laughter.

[Hahaha, what an unexpected turn of events! The auntie’s reaction is priceless.]

[Props to the auntie! I love seeing Shen Qingqing embarrassed!]

[Hahaha, our country’s anti-fraud campaigns are really working! Even small-town aunties are aware!]

[But seriously, what is Shen Qingqing trying to do? How will a handicraft shop help her?]

Shen Qingqing took a deep breath to calm herself, then smiled and said, “Auntie, I’m not a scammer. I’m here filming a variety show. Of course, I’m not a big celebrity, so it’s normal if you don’t recognize me. But you can check with the cameramen behind me—they’re from the ‘Almighty Mom’ program.”

The middle-aged woman turned and saw several staff members in black T-shirts carrying cameras, with “Almighty Mom” printed on them.

Though she wasn’t very familiar with the entertainment industry, she had watched popular variety shows before. Plus, a few days ago, she overheard a neighbor mention that a TV show was going to be filmed in town. Seeing the crew, she believed Shen Qingqing.

With a bright smile, she tidied her hair and asked, “Will I be on camera? Oh, if I had known, I would’ve dressed up this morning!”

Shen Qingqing always spoke sweetly to those she wanted to please. “Big sister, you are in such great spirits! We young people can’t even compare to you. Don’t worry.”

“Hahaha, you’re really good at talking!” The middle-aged woman liked Shen Qingqing more and more. She thought such a beautiful girl couldn’t possibly be a liar. Recalling Shen Qingqing’s words earlier, she asked, “What did you mean by that? Are you on a mission?”

Seeing that the woman directly asked about her purpose, Shen Qingqing didn’t waste time and explained, “Big sister, I noticed that most of the items in your shop are handmade crafts you knitted, but your shop doesn’t seem to be doing well. I wanted to give you some advice.”

The middle-aged woman sighed, “To be honest, my business isn’t just bad—it’s terrible. Luckily, this is my family’s shop, and my son works outside, sending me living expenses every month. So, I don’t worry too much about making money. But still, who wouldn’t want to earn more? You’re a celebrity, you must know a lot. Just tell me!”

Shen Qingqing smiled and said, “Big sister, do you know what’s trending among young girls now? They love wearing Hanfu. Especially since this is an ancient town, many young girls come here dressed in Hanfu for photos. I see that your craftsmanship is very good—you should consider learning to make Hanfu accessories online.”

The middle-aged woman’s eyes lit up. “So many girls wearing ancient-style outfits… I thought they were here for a film shoot! So Hanfu is popular now? Where can I learn online?”

Shen Qingqing took out her phone. “Big sister, why don’t you add me on WeChat? I’ll send you tutorials later.”

The woman was surprised by how down-to-earth Shen Qingqing was. She took out her phone and added her on WeChat.

Having done business for years and watched many reality shows, the middle-aged woman quickly realized something. “Big sister, I know you’re not just helping me for nothing. Are you completing a task for the program?”

Shen Qingqing smiled shyly. “Big sister, I won’t hide it from you. This isn’t an official mission—I just want to ask for a small favor. The program crew loves to torment guests. Unfortunately, my son and I were assigned to walk five kilometers to our residence today, and we’re not allowed to use money. We’ve had a tough day. I can manage, but my son is only five years old… So I wanted to ask if you have a faster way to transport goods that could help us.”

The middle-aged woman looked down and saw a cute little boy in a tiny suit standing next to Shen Qingqing, staring up at her with big, watery eyes.

Women at her age adored children, and she was immediately moved. “Oh, it’s not a big deal. Cars aren’t allowed in the ancient town, so we usually use electric tricycles to deliver goods. If you don’t mind, you and your son can sit in the back, and I’ll take you there.”

Shen Qingqing beamed. “Thank you so much, big sister.” She patted Zhou Jiayan beside her. “Say thank you to Auntie.”

Zhou Jiayan had been amazed by his stepmother’s actions. When she patted him, he subconsciously said, “Thank you, Auntie.”

Hearing herself called “Auntie” by such a young child, the middle-aged woman laughed. “Hahaha! Sister, you and your son really know how to talk. I’m almost a grandmother, yet you still call me Auntie.”

Shen Qingqing acted surprised. “Oh, big sister, you look about 40! Are you about to have a grandchild already?”

Flattered, the woman happily left her shop in the care of a familiar neighbor, grabbed her keys, and rode out an electric tricycle.

Shen Qingqing and Zhou Jiayan sat in the back. Though the road was bumpy and the wind strong, it was much better than walking.

Feeling the wind against her, Shen Qingqing nudged the quiet child beside her. “See? I told you I’d find a way. I won’t let you suffer.”

Zhou Jiayan responded with an arrogant “hmph” but had to admit—his stepmother was quite impressive!

Meanwhile, the live-stream audience was shocked.

[I have to admit, Shen Qingqing is actually smart. Everything flowed smoothly!]

[Damn! I wanted to see her break down halfway, but she found a tricycle instead.]

[She’s so good at talking—she made the woman so happy in just a few sentences!]

[If she’s this eloquent, how did she offend so many people before? Was she fearless?]

Of course, not everyone was impressed.

[Isn’t this cheating? Did the program say they could ask outsiders for help?]

[She’s just using ordinary people to get ahead. Is that fair?]

[I feel sorry for Shen Linyan and her son, who are still struggling next door.]

But most viewers, having watched the whole process, defended her.

[She didn’t break any rules. The program said no money, but she exchanged advice for help.]

[Nothing wrong with what she did. Some people just want to see her suffer.]

Meanwhile, Shen Linyan and Liang Tianyi were still trudging along the bluestone road ^[1]ancient-style paved roads made of large stones..

The uneven surface made their cart clatter loudly, forcing them to slow down.

Although Shen Linyan was irritated, she kept a smile on her face. Since Shen Qingqing also had to walk, the harder she worked, the more she could highlight Shen Qingqing’s “weaknesses.”

As they walked, Shen Linyan encouraged her stepson, “Xiaoyi, we’re almost a third of the way there. Keep going! We’re close to victory.”

Liang Tianyi was still just a child. Although he was active in sports, today’s long and intense journey left him exhausted.

Hearing his stepmother’s words, he felt even more frustrated. He had walked so far, yet he was only a third of the way there!

Despite his good upbringing, Liang Tianyi was still a spoiled child. He pouted and said, “Mom, I don’t want to walk anymore. It’s still too far. I don’t want to be in the show—I just want to go home.”

Shen Linyan held back her impatience, turned around, crouched to his level, and spoke gently, “Xiaoyi, these are the show’s rules. Since you agreed to participate, you need to follow them. If you quit halfway, not only will I be disappointed, but your grandparents and dad will be upset too.”

“But I’m really tired, and my feet hurt.”

Just as Shen Linyan was about to comfort him further, she noticed an electric tricycle passing by. Sitting in the back were Shen Qingqing and her son.

Her first thought was that Shen Qingqing must have thrown a fit and forced the show’s staff to give her a ride.

She felt this was unfair, but at the same time, she was secretly pleased. If Shen Qingqing had really demanded special treatment, she’d definitely get scolded by netizens and might even become a trending topic.

Liang Tianyi also saw Zhou Jiayan on the tricycle. There was no rivalry between them, and they got along well. Excited, he waved and called out, “Jiayan! Zhou Jiayan, I’m here!”

Hearing his friend, Zhou Jiayan waved back happily and asked the driver to stop for a moment.

The middle-aged woman driving the tricycle couldn’t refuse such a cute child, so she braked immediately.

Liang Tianyi ran forward, his eyes wide with envy and excitement. “Wow! You get to ride in a car? That’s awesome!”

Seeing her stepson approach, Shen Linyan followed. She frowned slightly and said disapprovingly, “Qingqing, where did you get this tricycle? You didn’t force the show crew to give it to you, did you? That wouldn’t be fair.”

Before Shen Qingqing could respond, Zhou Jiayan proudly chimed in, “My mom gave this auntie some helpful advice, and in return, she agreed to drive us to our residence. It’s not from the show staff.”

Shen Qingqing ruffled her son’s hair with a smile. This little one was already learning how to boast.

Then, she explained, “The show’s rules say we can’t use money, but they don’t say we can’t trade something of equal value, right?”

Shen Linyan’s heart sank. Shen Qingqing had outsmarted her. Forcing a smile, she said, “Qingqing, you really thought outside the box for this one.”

While Shen Linyan was feeling conflicted, Liang Tianyi could only feel admiration. “Wow, Auntie, that’s amazing! Yanyan, you’re so lucky! I’m so tired from walking, and pulling my suitcase is really hard.”

Zhou Jiayan, proud of his good fortune, looked even happier. If he had a tail, it would be wagging high in the air.

But he was also a kind-hearted child. Seeing his friend’s tired face and the extra space in the tricycle, he suggested, “Xiaoyi, there’s still some room left. Why don’t you ride with us? It’s a bit bumpy, but it’s way faster than walking!”

He then turned to the driver. “Auntie, is it okay if Xiaoyi joins us?”

The middle-aged woman nodded immediately. “Of course! It’s an electric tricycle, so it won’t be any trouble for me.”

Liang Tianyi’s eyes lit up, and he turned to Shen Linyan eagerly. “Mom, can we join them?”

Shen Linyan, however, wasn’t willing to accept Shen Qingqing’s help. She would rather struggle than owe her anything.

Putting on an awkward expression, she said, “There’s not much space left. There’s no room for both of us. We should just keep walking. It’s not that far anyway.”

“But, Mom…” Liang Tianyi tried to argue, but Shen Linyan cut him off.

“Enough, Tianyi. You’re already five years old. You need to be sensible and stop troubling others.”

Shen Qingqing could tell exactly what Shen Linyan was thinking—she was too proud to accept help. But in doing so, she was not only making herself suffer but also making the child suffer.

She wasn’t particularly kind, but she didn’t mind helping out a cute kid. So she said, “Lin Yan, you’re right—there isn’t much space. If we squeeze in too much, it could be unsafe. But there’s definitely room for one more child. How about letting Xiaoyi ride with us? You can walk and push the luggage to our destination.”

Shen Linyan felt incredibly frustrated. She didn’t want to accept Shen Qingqing’s offer, but if she refused, it would look like she didn’t care about her stepson’s well-being. If she agreed, it would feel like she was losing to Shen Qingqing.

She looked down at Liang Tianyi, who seemed just as conflicted. He didn’t want to be tired anymore, but he also didn’t want to leave his mother behind.

Shen Linyan asked, “Xiaoyi, do you want to go with them?”

After hesitating for a moment, his childish instincts won, and he nodded. “Mom, I really don’t want to be this tired anymore. I’m sorry.”

Hearing this, Shen Linyan knew she had lost. She was furious at Shen Qingqing for outmaneuvering her and bitterly thought that since the child wasn’t hers, she’d never be able to fully control him.

But what could she do? She still had to act like a devoted stepmother to maintain her position in the Liang family.

Forcing a gentle smile, she said, “There’s nothing to be sorry about. I understand you’re tired. Go ahead with Auntie and Yanyan. I’ll catch up soon.”

Liang Tianyi looked up at Shen Linyan’s face. After confirming she wasn’t angry, he nodded. “Okay, Mom. I’ll wait for you and save some food.”

Shen Linyan then placed Liang Tianyi in the car and gave him a few words of advice. Turning to Shen Qingqing, she sincerely said, “Qingqing, thank you so much.”

Shen Qingqing admired Shen Linyan’s ability to adjust so quickly and even express gratitude. She couldn’t let herself lose in this unspoken competition.

She smiled. “It’s nothing. As mothers, we want the best for our children. Don’t worry, I’ll take Xiaoyi safely to where I’m staying.”

After exchanging a few more pleasantries, the electric tricycle drove away, leaving Shen Linyan to continue her journey on foot.

Shen Linyan had already arranged for a team of internet commentators to guide the narrative in the program’s live broadcast chatroom. Their task was to praise Shen Linyan while subtly shifting negative attention onto Shen Qingqing.

[Shen Linyan looks so pitiful walking alone.]

[She’s working too hard. The production team is heartless to make such a beautiful woman suffer.]

[What a great mother. She let her child go with Shen Qingqing while she sticks to the rules.]

However, some viewers who had been watching the entire situation unfold started questioning the narrative.

[Wait, wasn’t it her choice to walk alone?]

[Shen Qingqing and Zhou Jiayan didn’t have to walk because they were smart about it.]

[Why did Shen Linyan immediately assume Shen Qingqing asked for special treatment?]

[Shen Qingqing was kind enough to help, yet Shen Linyan’s fans are still trying to twist the story?]

Sensing the discussion turning against her, Shen Linyan’s team quickly intervened to shift the focus.

[Fans are just feeling bad for their idol. Let’s not overthink it.]

[Shen Linyan probably didn’t mean anything by her question. Most people would be curious about how Shen Qingqing managed it.]

[You guys are reading too much into this. If Shen Qingqing was truly unhappy, she wouldn’t have agreed to take care of Xiaoyi.]

With this coordinated effort, the controversy soon faded before escalating.

The tricycle moved swiftly, and within ten minutes, Shen Qingqing and the others arrived at their next destination—the Zhuangyuan Mansion.

This mansion was originally built by the top scholar of a previous dynasty after he returned home in glory. It had been well preserved, and part of its courtyard had been converted into a hotel. This was where the guests would stay for the show.

At the entrance, director Xu Xiang stood waiting. He had arrived earlier with Cui Xia, the amateur guest who won the electric car ride.

Seeing Shen Qingqing arrive on an electric tricycle with two children, he was visibly surprised. “Ms. Shen, where did you get this tricycle? You didn’t hire it, did you? That would break the rules.”

Shen Qingqing smiled and gestured to the middle-aged woman beside her. “Director, I didn’t spend a single cent. I just gave this lady a little suggestion, and she agreed to take us here. As for Liang Tianyi, we met him on the way, and since there was an empty seat, we brought him along.”

The program’s photographer, who had been documenting Shen Qingqing’s journey, stepped forward to confirm the details. Even someone as strict as Xu Xiang had to acknowledge that Shen Qingqing had not broken any rules.

At that moment, the middle-aged woman beamed and walked up to Xu Xiang. “Director, can you make sure I get some screen time? I’d love to see myself on TV. When the show airs, I’ll definitely help promote it.”

Although Xu Xiang enjoyed teasing the guests, he was always friendly toward the local residents. Since she would inevitably appear in the broadcast, he smiled and reassured her. “Don’t worry, ma’am. I’ll make sure you get some screen time. Just wait and see yourself on TV.”

Satisfied, the woman said goodbye to Shen Qingqing and rode away on her tricycle.

Watching Shen Qingqing walk into the mansion, Xu Xiang sighed. He hadn’t expected her to be so sharp-witted, finding yet another loophole in the rules.

No, he needed to double-check the next set of challenges and make sure she wouldn’t find a way around them again!