Chapter 22

The first episode of the second season of “Super Mom” was finally aired simultaneously on TV and the old independent online platform after much anticipation.

The night after recording, Shen Mingyou took Nian Nian to watch the show on TV at home.

Live broadcasts are different from post-edited programs. Many older people don’t watch live broadcasts, and young people often miss them due to work. They prefer edited variety shows, which are clearer and shorter, lasting 40 to 50 minutes.

In the current footage, Nian Nian, wearing a small apron, works as a cashier in a milk tea shop, skillfully calculating and handing change.

Post-processing added cute effects to Nian Nian’s thoughts, with colorful stickers on the subtitles. Whenever she gave change, a math problem appeared, matching the amount she gave.

Later, the artist liked using small pigtails as a special effect for Nian Nian. Whenever she thought, the pigtails moved up and down or curled in circles, adding a cute touch.

Seeing the pigtails on TV, Nian Nian tried to grab them but only caught her own hair.

“Nian Nian, those are special effects, not real pigtails.”

Nian Nian loved the pigtails and quickly gave Shen Mingyou two rubber bands, asking, “Mom, tie them up.”

“…” Shen Mingyou smiled, “Nian Nian’s hair is too short for pigtails.”

“It’s okay.” Jiang Chen, watching TV and listening to his daughter, suggested, “Barbershops offer hair extensions now. We can extend Nian Nian’s hair so she can have pigtails.”

Nian Nian, excited, jumped off the sofa and put on her shoes, saying, “Let’s go now, Nian Nian wants long hair.”

Shen Mingyou: “…”

Jiang Chen, unaware of his bad idea, grabbed the car keys, ready to take his daughter for hair extensions.

Shen Mingyou grabbed the little girl, who was anxious to run out, and said, “Nian Nian, your hair is more delicate than an adult’s. Hair extensions use chemicals that aren’t good for children. If you want to tie your hair into pigtails, you can wait until your hair grows naturally, okay?”

Jiang Chen, after receiving a sidelong glance from his wife, could only sit back down.

After the first episode of “Super Mom” was broadcast, it achieved the highest ratings of the year for Orange TV’s variety shows. Shen Mingyou and Nian Nian became favorites among the audience. Shen Mingyou wasn’t an unknown figure; before retiring, she had starred in a few works that gained massive popularity due to her looks, earning her a significant fanbase. Even though five years had passed, her former fans were thrilled to see her back on TV.

As the show continued, more and more fans began paying attention to Shen Mingyou, and she and her daughter became widely discussed online.

[The show is amazing! I think it’s even better than the first season, especially with Shen Mingyou and Nian Nian. I love them so much!]

[All the kids are adorable, but I really love Nian Nian. This is my first time following a child online, and she’s such a sweet and smart girl. I’m thrilled!]

[Can Shen Mingyou act in TV dramas again? Her face is so perfect for it. It would be a waste if she didn’t.]

[Even if her acting isn’t great, I’d still watch her as a vase beauty! Just like Tang Qian—his acting isn’t the best, but I can’t help liking him for his looks!]

[I originally thought Gu Aifei would get the most attention after the show aired, but Shen Mingyou totally surprised us as a dark horse. Even a rising star like Gu Aifei seems overshadowed by her.]

[People are curious about Shen Mingyou for many reasons. For instance, everyone knows she’s wealthy, but nobody knows just how rich. Plus, there’s her mysterious, wealthy husband. There’s a lot of speculation about him online, and curiosity naturally attracts attention.]

[I haven’t kept up with live broadcasts or internet stuff lately, but when I saw Shen Mingyou on TV, I realized my favorite star from five or six years ago had made a comeback. Welcome back! Five years later, and I still support you.]

With recommendations from her old fans, the hashtag #Shen Mingyou Welcome Back# quickly became a trending topic.

Gu Aifei read the comments carefully, growing more and more anxious.

Just last night, Gu Aifei had a long dream. When she woke up, she realized she was living in a book. She was the heroine of a cool novel set in the entertainment industry. Coming from an ordinary family, she had awakened the ability to foresee people’s futures at the age of 20. Using this power, she had rapidly risen in the industry. Her TV shows became increasingly popular, and her fame grew year by year until she became one of the top stars in the entertainment world, adored by countless fans.

Her husband, Zhou Jingxing, was the male protagonist of this novel, though he played a minor role since this was a story with a strong female lead. However, once news of her secret marriage and children with Zhou Jingxing was revealed, her career faced a major crisis. To overcome it, she joined the parenting reality show “Super Mom” with her twin children.

In the show, she and the twins were supposed to win the audience’s hearts, and her relationship with Zhou Jingxing would be admired. This variety show was supposed to not only help her resolve the crisis but also boost her popularity to new heights. After the show, she’d get the best resources and finally become the top actress.

That was her destined ending.

It was a beautiful conclusion she had worked hard for and dreamed about.

But now, it felt like someone had maliciously altered the story. Shen Mingyou, who should have left the industry after being criticized in the first season of “Super Mom”, had become the only unexpected change.

Not only had she stayed, but her rising fame due to “Super Mom” completely overshadowed Gu Aifei, the intended heroine.

What went wrong?

Shen Mingyou’s exit from the industry, as written in the book, never happened. Did that mean Shen Mingyou’s fate had changed? Would she continue to shine in the industry, slowly stealing Gu Aifei’s spotlight and everything that was meant to be hers?

Would her happy ending… change because of Shen Mingyou?

Gu Aifei’s panic grew. Her instincts told her that it was all because of Shen Mingyou. As long as Shen Mingyou remained, her future would become increasingly uncertain. She had to restore things to their original course. If she didn’t act, she might be the one who failed and left the stage.

She couldn’t let that happen.

“Tang Qian, do you remember Shen Mingyou?” Gu Aifei put down her phone and looked at Tang Qian, who was fixing his makeup in front of the mirror.

She had just seen Tang Qian’s name mentioned under the comments about Shen Mingyou’s trending topic. Just like the netizens had said, Shen Mingyou and Tang Qian shared one major trait—they were both vase beauties.

Gu Aifei was currently filming a drama in which she was the female lead, and Tang Qian was the male lead.

Coincidentally, Tang Qian was also the male lead in the drama Shen Mingyou had dropped out of when she retired from the entertainment industry.

The three of them were oddly connected.

Before Shen Mingyou had left the industry, a tabloid had reported her acting like a diva. The person she had allegedly acted like a diva towards was none other than Tang Qian, the male lead.

At that time, Shen Mingyou was more famous than Tang Qian. He might have tried to get close to her, but Shen Mingyou, being arrogant, had ignored everyone on set, including Tang Qian.

Later, paparazzi had caught her giving Tang Qian the cold shoulder, and that’s how the news of Shen Mingyou acting like a diva.

At the time, the movie starring Shen Mingyou flopped at the box office. A few days later, Shen Mingyou quit the show. Gu Aifei, who was her stand-in, took advantage of the opportunity. She recommended herself to the director and eventually became the heroine of that TV series.

Years passed, and Shen Mingyou faded from the entertainment industry. Gu Aifei became a popular young actress, and Tang Qian, despite having no acting skills, was also successful due to his good looks.

Now that Shen Mingyou is making a comeback, one can only wonder how Tang Qian, who was rejected by Shen Mingyou back then, must feel.

“Why are you bringing her up all of a sudden?” Tang Qian put down the mirror, visibly unhappy when Gu Aifei mentioned Shen Mingyou’s name.

“Nothing,” Gu Aifei smiled. “We’re all old friends. If we get the chance, we should reconnect.”

“Heh, why would I want to reconnect with her?” Tang Qian scoffed. He was a petty person, still holding onto the time Shen Mingyou scolded him.

“It’s been a while since all that happened. Now that we’re all in the same circle, you’ll run into her sooner or later. Wouldn’t that be awkward?”

“What’s there to be awkward about?” Tang Qian snapped while watching his assistant nervously pour milk tea into a cup. “Careful, old man! If you spill it, are you going to pay for it?” he scolded.

Gu Aifei smiled. After working with Tang Qian a few times, she knew him well. He was a vengeful and stingy person. Whenever he bought food or drinks, he only ever bought for himself and constantly blamed his assistant.

Not only that, but he wasn’t very smart. His only redeeming quality was his handsome face, much like the gigolos described in TV dramas. Perhaps he realized he couldn’t get by on talent, so he relied on practicality and charm. Over the years, using his good looks and smooth talking, he successfully got involved with a wealthy woman who was said to have a lot of power and money.

The rich woman was generous, securing excellent resources for Tang Qian. Even though his acting skills were poor, he had backing, which landed him in several high-profile shows. As he became more famous, his temper grew worse. While he acted meekly in front of the wealthy woman, he loved to bully those he looked down upon and show off his status.

Gu Aifei couldn’t help but wonder whether the rich woman behind Tang Qian was more powerful than Shen Mingyou’s wealthy husband.

She smiled and said, “I’m not saying it’ll be awkward for me. I’m just worried that if you two run into each other, there could be another fight, and you might get the short end of the stick.”

“Me, at a disadvantage?” Tang Qian sneered. “I can take anything, but I’ll never be at a disadvantage.”

“Next time I see Shen Mingyou, I’ll make her apologize in person. If she doesn’t, I won’t let her off easily.”

_

After finishing the second episode of the variety show “Super Mom,” Shen Mingyou had to shoot a commercial for brand H according to her contract.

The drama “Hello, President” had wrapped up and entered post-production, soon to be released.