Cheng Leyan watched as that crystal tear meandered into Rong Wangzhi’s clothing.

He felt weird: It was like watching a bill slip into Wangzhi’s clothes.

The scene was just bizarre.

So why every time the boss was dolled up, did it provoke peculiar reactions?

And the tear, it traced a path that defied physics, didn’t it?

419: [Defy physics? Hardly, tears flowed this way on my past hosts. They had long lashes too, and lips tempting enough for a kiss.]

Wow, with each word, the system would’ve suspected old R18 colleagues if this person didn’t look the part.

Feeling parched, Cheng Leyan had some water and brought a warm towel for crying Mama Rong.

Mama Rong wiped her face, slightly calming her emotions, then eagerly asked, “Is crying a good sign? Could Wangzhi actually hear us?”

Cheng Leyan replied, “Ma, many vegetative patients have such reactions. Some can even scratch an itch. Some describe hearing family speak. But whether and when they wake up is unknown.”

Mama Rong murmured, “True.”

Having a strong will, she quickly recovered, calling medics to check, and reviewed the surveillance with Cheng Leyan: still the same situation, the feed cut out for ten seconds, then it picked up right before Cheng Leyan’s exclamations.

Cheng Leyan went to remove Wangzhi’s eye makeup using wipes, but after extensive rubbing, the eyeliner, shadow, and aegyo-sal didn’t budge, seemingly welded on.

It was truly bizarre.

Seriously, Cheng Leyan remarked, “Mom, Mr. Rong must’ve attracted some special spirit, like a MAC ghost, Maogeping ghost, or 3CE ghost! Did you call Master Liu?”

Mama Rong: “Called. Lately, Master Liu is practicing closed guarding meditation, he issued this: ‘All appearances are illusions.’”

Cheng Leyan baffled: “What does that mean?”

Mama Rong calmly: “I don’t know either. But no need to understand, having his words, suggests the issue isn’t major, as he’d surely take money to solve it if it were.”

Cheng Leyan in awe: this Master was pure and unsophisticated.

With her calm assurance, Cheng Leyan eased.

Mama Rong glanced at Zhuozhuo.

Since Aunt Zhang left, Zhuozhuo’s appetite steadily rose, even looking rounder in the face. From being timid and wanting to curl up, he’d become much bolder.

Most importantly, his eyes brightened again.

Watching Zhuozhuo getting better bit by bit, Mama Rong teared up. Resisting the urge to hug, she solemnly said, “Cheng Leyan, you’ve taken great care of Zhuozhuo. I thank you on behalf of Wangzhi.”

Smiling, Cheng Leyan replied, “Mom, no need to be formal, it’s what I should do. Mom, you don’t know, Zhuozhuo knows over 1,500 characters already, our little one is a genius!”

Proud, Zhuozhuo puffed out his chest.

Mama Rong beamed: “Indeed, our little genius.”

Eventually, the conversation turned to Rong Wangzhi: “Gosh, our Wangzhi was so smart too, reciting over ten poems at two. So considerate too; when I was sick, he refused kindergarten, insisted on caring for dear Mom…”

And thus continued, with a long reminiscent tale.

Despite being comatose, somehow, Rong Wangzhi felt touched.

Ms. Zheng never shared these past trivialities with him.

He mostly respected his mother, not particularly close, usually just sending suitable jewelry via his assistant. He was reserved and aloof; Ms. Zheng was flamboyant, their paths never really crossed deeply.

But maybe, at this moment, a stone had been tossed into the stagnant lake of their mother-son relationship.

Enthused, Ms. Zheng went on about the past, while Cheng Leyan chipped in tales of Zhuozhuo, leading Ms. Zheng to conclude, heartily, “Inheritance! Our Zhuozhuo is just like Wangzhi!”

Rong Wangzhi:…Thanks, but there’s no cross-bloodline inheritance.

Though since becoming a vegetative state, his prime concern was Zhuozhuo. Hearing how Zhuozhuo was improving everything filled him with relief.

To his genuine gratitude, Cheng Leyan.

If ever he awakened, divorce would be certain, but he’d ensure to compensate Cheng Leyan for caring for Zhuozhuo.

Oh right, who keeps striking that electronic wooden fish?

Is it Cheng Leyan?

Annoying.

Can that noise stop, he’d pay.

Next moment, Mama Rong: “Ah, is Zhuozhuo striking something? An electronic wooden fish? Does it help? Here, let me strike for my son too.”

Cheng Leyan: “Exactly, strike and ailments vanish. Strike, and happiness arrives. Strike, and the whole family thrives.”

Mama Rong: Strike, strike, strike, strike, strike.

Strike hard.

Rong Wangzhi:…Why do you all seem like one family!

Why is it that I’m the odd one out!

They seemed like they were playing “Taiko no Tatsujin,” even finding joy in the striking.

Amidst their laughter, Butler Li knocked: “Madam, Young Mistress, the dismissed tutor Xiang Jinglin’s mother is here.”

Zhuozhuo was laughing but upon hearing “Xiang Jinglin,” reflexively wanted to retreat.

Cheng Leyan just lifted Zhuozhuo: “How did she get in?” This place has tight security.

Butler Li: “Someone’s hiring a maid in the neighborhood, she came for an interview, likely with fake credentials.”

Cheng Leyan: “Geez! Why put effort into this! What’s her aim?”

Aware of Xiang Jinglin’s troubles, Mama Rong frowned: “Quite, daring to show up!”

Butler Li hesitated: “The old lady’s outside, claiming she wants justice for her son, demanding recovered salary. Mainly, she appears elderly, claiming hypertension and heart issues. Even with security and management, no one dare act.”

Instantly getting it, Cheng Leyan said: “Ah, that tactic. Alright, I’ll face her. Baby, stay upstairs.”

Yet, Zhuozhuo firmly shook Cheng Leyan’s hand.

He wanted to go. He couldn’t retreat here, always having Stepfather shield him. He aspired to protect Stepfather one day.

Being the iron man, he’d protect Stepfather.

Cheng Leyan cheerily responded: “Alright then, we all go. Caregivers, bring a wheelchair, take Mr. Rong too.”

Confused, Mama Rong asked: “Bringing Wangzhi down, why?”

Rong Wangzhi puzzled too, being a vegetative meant having little purpose.

Then they heard Cheng Leyan: “If the old lady lies down to fake injury, we’ll put Mr. Rong in front! Set him down, counter her scam. A vegetative against an old lady, a fair fight.”

Mama Rong: …

Rong Wangzhi: …

Rong Wangzhi: “You’re overthinking. Ms. Zheng won’t permit such, I’m her child.”

Next moment, Mama Rong: “Quick, take Wangzhi, everyone go! If that old lady causes trouble, we’ll push Wangzhi in front, see who dares!”

Rong Wangzhi: ………

Utter disbelief toward his mother, astonishing.

Incredulously, yet unharmfully, he was swiftly set on the wheelchair, joining the procession downstairs.

At the villa entrance, a gray-haired, wrinkled old lady sat on the ground.

Previously, disgusted with Xiang’s mistreatment of Zhuozhuo, Cheng Leyan shared recordings at Xiang Jinglin’s college forum.

Anonymous, but swiftly decoded. The rich girl Xiang pursued blocked him, months of effort wasted, dreams shattered.

Outraged, Mama Xiang intervened, demanding their money back.

Now, the old lady dramatically slapped her thighs, wailing: “Scammers! My son worked for nothing, filthy rich but a crook, making money heartlessly!”

In an upscale neighborhood, where onlookers simply gawk.

Flustered, her face hot, Mama Rong shouted: “What’s the fuss? Your son acted like a decent person!? Bullying a child, worse than a beast! Butler Li, play her son’s recording!”

Yet undeterred, the old lady cried: “All lies, fabricated by you! My son didn’t do it, you wronged him! He worked two months, where’s his pay, why? Even at the highest court, I’m justified!”

Tugging her hair, writhing in the dirt, endlessly screaming: “Bullied by wealth, they oppress this widowed mother, worked without pay!”

Mama Rong, from a prestigious background, shielded from such nonsense, was shocked: “What are you doing, get up…”

Oblivious, the old lady rolled closer, attempting to grasp her skirt.

Cheng Leyan tucked Zhuozhuo in Butler Li’s arms, shielding Mama Rong.

419 joined his anger: [Host, Host! What to do?]

Cheng Leyan: [Relax, got experience.]

419: [Huh? Done similar work before?]

Cheng Leyan: [Worked at a supermarket, distributed eggs to elderly. Watch my performance.]

Brandishing his phone, aiming at the old lady, he instantly transformed, joyously vocal: “Live broadcast on! Welcome, dear viewers, use your fortune-touched hands, give the streamer free likes. Follow for guidance, the first step of destiny.

“A viewer asked, what’s the stream? Today, it’s this marvelous old lady. Watch her drama, her rolls, how masterfully done.”

Unexpectedly, Mama Xiang didn’t foresee a live stream!

Live-streaming her!

Nearly fainting from fury.

Maliciously, she glared: “Deliberately provoking me?”

Then, decisively sprawled out, eyes shutting, wailing: “Heart pains, I can’t breathe, call an ambulance! Dying here today!”

Cheng Leyan countered: “Accusing me? Cameras prove no contact.”

Ignoring, she kept calling chest pains.

Ah, she resorted to that.

Cheng Leyan first ordered Butler Li to call the police, then signaled to Mama Rong, yelling: “Hubby?! What’s wrong, hubby?? Are you also unwell?”

Gritting her teeth, Ms. Zheng thought: Alright!! Time for my son! Wangzhi, it’s your moment!