Chapter 17 “Help! My blood is boiling!”…

Chapter 17 "Help! My blood is boiling!"...

After the live broadcast ended, netizens were scratching their heads, eager to piece together the whole story at once.

At first, everyone got to know Zhu Zhu during the live broadcast of the guest auditions for the second season of "Switching Lives." Later, influencer Sweet Donut went to deliver love and exposed the preferential treatment Zhu Zhu's family showed towards her younger brother over her, which drew widespread attention. Following that, there was the text live broadcast incident on the entertainment forum, where the enthusiastic poster Xiao Zhou clearly mentioned that it was quite the spectacle at the time, with two elders disembarking from a private jet to take Zhu Zhu back to North City!

The saga of a young heiress being recognized and returning to a wealthy family is something everyone loves to watch, and what they love even more are the love-hate entanglements that stem from such families.

However, after Zhu Zhu was recognized and returned to the wealthy family, she turned around and called Ji Ning "Mom" out of the blue...

Is there any direct connection here?

"@Program team, are you asleep? We can't sleep."

"Smile.jpg"

"It's just creepy... Could this all be a publicity stunt? From the moment Zhu Zhu appeared on screen, someone in the live chat said she looked like Ji Ning when she was young, and it might have been a setup from the start."

...

The rooms set up by the program team were each a mess in their own right, but they varied in size.

Ding Muyun and her husband Xiang Xinghui drew the largest room, complete with a living room, kitchen, and even several single rooms.

Ding Muyun has high standards for herself. Since her debut at seventeen, for a full twenty-three years, even though the entertainment industry's atmosphere wasn't great back then, she has managed to avoid scandals and even most rumors, and has forged a successful career with her exceptional acting talent.

Twenty-three years have passed, and the triple award-winning actress has become a true national quality idol.

"Don't worry, I'll take care of the rest," Xiang Xinghui said.

The live broadcast had ended, but Ding Muyun was still tense. She glanced at the cameras in every corner of the room, checked inside and out, and then took out a few pieces of clothing from her suitcase to cover the cameras completely.

Most of her life has been spent in front of cameras and spotlights.

So much so that when facing the most real version of herself in the mirror, she sometimes finds it hard to switch between her personal and professional life. This situation has happened more than once.

Ding Muyun covered her face with her hands, gently pressing her forehead and temples.

"It's a rare vacation, just relax," Xiang Xinghui said.

Ding Muyun pinched her shoulders.

This time, she indeed joined the recording of this variety show to relax.

Xiang Xinghui waited in silence for a while, trying to find a topic, but couldn't come up with much.

He smiled and said, "By the way, Mom called me earlier, saying she thought we were on a divorce show."

"How could that be?"

During her leisure time on set, Ding Muyun had followed the young people in the crew and watched a few episodes of divorce shows. In these programs, there were countless arguments, breakups, and reconciliations, exposing the dark and fragile sides of human nature, yet they were praised by the audience as real.

Ding Muyun admitted that "Goodbye Marriage" is indeed a well-produced show, but there's no way she would participate.

High reputation, high acting skills, the perfect idol in the hearts of fans...

These are all labels on Ding Muyun, and she won't tear them off.

"I—"

"Let's rest," said Ding Muyun. "I've brought your pajamas; they're in the luggage. You can pick a room later."

Xiang Xinghui and Ding Muyun had been sleeping in separate rooms for a long time.

At first, it was because they were both busy with work and didn’t want to disturb each other, so they started sleeping separately. Over time, this became a habit, and they gradually grew distant, even at home, preferring to maintain their own spaces.

They were so familiar with each other, yet they grew polite and distant over time.

Actually, over time, they hadn't completely forgotten the early days of their love.

They just never reminisced; thinking of the past... it always seemed a bit laughable, childish, or even inexplicable.

"Goodnight," Ding Muyun said.

Her tone was calm as she reminded her husband to close the door.

...

The rooms assigned to the two rising starlets were the worst, not even having a toilet.

The show's rules stated that assistants couldn't be brought during recording, but insiders knew that some previous shows had similar rules, just to fool the audience. In reality, stars had a bunch of assistants hiding off-camera.

Since entering the industry, Pan Siran's career had been thriving, but she developed bad habits, her ability to take care of herself gradually deteriorated, and she thought about sneaking her assistant into the resort. However, in the afternoon, when the show's bus came to pick them up, the director saw her assistant and immediately refused.

Once on the bus, seeing that even the triple crown actress came alone, she had to give up.

Now, Pan Siran placed her suitcase on the ground, completely clueless about how to organize it, her beautiful brows tightly furrowed.

The toilet was outside, in an unfamiliar, cold, and quiet environment, without even a streetlight in sight.

Not knowing if it was safe, the two female guests had to go together, but the journey was quiet, without even the most basic conversation.

Upon returning, it was another round of busyness.

The post-wash skincare routine took a long time to complete.

Fang Manyin opened her suitcase and took out a sheet mask.

She tore open the packaging, gently pressed it onto her face, smoothing it out, letting her skin soak up the moisture.

The sound of Pan Siran rummaging through her suitcase echoed in her ears.

The items in the suitcase were neatly categorized, everything in its place, but after searching for a long time, she was still at a loss.

"Didn't bring a mask?" Fang Manyin asked, initiating the conversation.

Pan Siran didn't expect her to talk to her and shook her head.

"Didn't bring skincare products either?"

"Forgot that too."

Pan Siran had major skin issues, with allergies and dryness never ceasing. When not on shows, she would occasionally book skin management appointments, but the basic skincare she needed couldn't be skipped, or she wouldn't be in good shape tomorrow.

"It's like this during the season change," Fang Manyin said.

Her friendly words hung in the air as she reopened her suitcase.

Pan Siran, meanwhile, was lost in thought. Watching her take out a sheet mask, memories seemed to flash back many years, when they had just finished their art exams, two young girls renting the cheapest room in a hotel near the school, sharing a single bed. They shared cheap hydrating masks, gently patting their cheeks, feeling their skin drink up the essence, smiling and dreaming of becoming stars, making bold promises, hoping one day to have their own place in the industry.

Eventually, they managed to secure their place in the industry.

However, their friendship crumbled, bringing them to where they are now.

Pan Siran gazed at Fang Manyin, her expression blank, her heart softening as she stepped forward.

Fang Manyin tore open the packaging: "This mask... is really effective, hydrating and repairing."

Pan Siran reached out her hand: "Thank—"

But Fang Manyin didn't pass the mask to her.

Instead, she gently pressed it onto her own face, layering it over the mask already there.

"Two layers are even more effective."

Pan Siran: ?

...

Next door to the two rising starlets lived the top male idol siblings.

They were exhausted after a long day but couldn't sleep.

That was because they had ended up with the worst room.

It was a single room with just a small bed and a basic bathroom nearby. Whether it was psychological or not, it always seemed to stink. As soon as the top male idol stepped into the room, the live chat exploded with fans lamenting his plight, but they couldn't protest without breaking the show's rules, which would only invite more criticism.

"How are we supposed to sleep in this tiny room?" muttered Tong Zhile.

"Let's see if any other guests are willing to switch rooms," said Tong Zhiqi.

Tong Zhile rolled her eyes: "Who would agree?"

The triple crown actress was approachable, but she was a senior, and it wouldn't be right to disturb her.

The two rising starlets were on the rise, both sharp and diplomatic, and might be willing to do the top male idol a favor.

But he couldn't bring himself to do something so ungentlemanly.

That left only the non-celebrity guest group.

"That's not an option either; we can't bully the non-celebrity guests like that," said Tong Zhiqi.

"Enough," Tong Zhile said dismissively. "All this talk is pointless. Let's just get some sleep."

As soon as she finished speaking, her back hit the edge of the bed, and she leaned back, lying down directly.

"Tong Zhile, you took the bed. Where am I supposed to sleep?"

Several suitcases were on the floor, mostly filled with the top male idol's belongings.

She stretched her legs and gave a hard kick, the wheels of the suitcases rolling, clearing a large space.

"There."

Tong Zhiqi: "Are you kidding me? I—"

"I'm the younger sister."

"?"

Now he knows she's his sister.

It's late at night.

Top male idol (a term used in Chinese entertainment to denote a highly popular male celebrity) Tong Zhiqi lies on the ground, uncomfortable no matter how he lies, feeling restless no matter how he tries to sleep.

The walls are not soundproof, and from time to time, he can hear crisp sounds coming from next door.

"Pia!" (the sound of a hand clap or slap)

"Pia!"

Tong Zhiqi: ...

Where did so many mosquitoes come from next door?

...

There aren't that many mosquitoes, only one, at most, but it has already bitten Ji Ning to the point of exhaustion.

She had never lived in such a shabby place before.

The mosquito buzzes around her ear, having toughened up in harsh conditions, flying fast and high, and even mastered the art of disappearing, making it quite cunning.

Can't find it, just can't find it.

Zai Zai, however, is full of energy, waving her little hands, occasionally going "pia."

But obviously, she's also making no progress.

Zhu Zhu won't allow the little mosquito to bite her mom, so she puts her hands behind her back and starts patrolling.

Ji Ning inexplicably feels a bit touched and reassured.

The little helper is really putting in the effort.

The room isn't small, and old tables and wardrobes have been wiped down, so at least they won't leave your hands dusty when touched. Xiao Tuanzi tiptoes, her round eyes scanning like searchlights, searching carefully, not missing any corner of the room.

With a "clang," Zhu Zhu opens a drawer.

She almost buries her little head inside, but she still can't find the mosquito.

Ji Ning: ...

The silly little one.

At this rate, Zhu Zhu will be fighting mosquitoes till the end of time.

"Let's not look anymore," Ji Ning calls her over. "Let's complete the mission card first."

Zhu Zhu, at three and a half years old, hasn't started kindergarten yet. And according to the "care" of the Zhao family, if she hadn't been taken back, she probably wouldn't have had the chance to go to school even as she grew older.

Ji Ning originally thought that Zai Zai wouldn't know any characters, but surprisingly, she recognizes some simple words on the mission card.

"Wh...at..." Zhu Zhu points at the mission card with her little finger, "you..."

Feeling Ji Ning's encouraging gaze, her confidence swells: "This is 'men'."

Zhu Zhu said that she learned to read by following the subtitles while watching TV.

When her grandmother held her younger brother and played with him, she often ignored Zhu Zhu. During those moments, Zhu Zhu would quietly sneak off to watch TV from afar, feeling happy.

Most of the time, the TV was showing the dramas her grandmother watched.

She would look forward to when it would be her brother's turn to watch cartoons.

Xiao Tuanzi, still young and innocent, spoke in bits and pieces, but it tugged at people's heartstrings.

She first learned to speak and then began recognizing words. Despite her small size, she could already handle a broom and mop to clean...

"I don’t know the rest," Zhu Zhu admitted.

Ji Ning then explained the task to Zhu Zhu.

Since it was a program to mend relationships, the tasks were designed around that theme. The room was stocked with paper and pens provided by the show’s crew. The mother and daughter answered the questions seriously and shared their thoughts.

What moment sparked the change in their relationship?

Such a formal question was hard for Zhu Zhu to grasp. She only started to understand after Ji Ning broke it down for her.

Ji Ning twirled a pen in one hand and propped her chin on the other, thinking aloud: "It must have been..."

She drew a few simple strokes on the white paper with the pen.

Zhu Zhu: "Is this you?"

Zai Zai sees her mother through rose-colored glasses.

Even if it's just a simple sketch, she thinks it looks like her mother.

Ji Ning added a few more strokes, drawing a belly.

Zhu Zhu rested her chin on her hands, staring even more intently.

"The baby is blowing bubbles in the belly," Ji Ning said.

"Does it hurt?" Zhu Zhu asked worriedly.

"I forgot."

As she spoke, she gently stroked Zai Zai's little brow.

"But such a cute baby should be more effective than painkillers."

Zhu Zhu blinked her eyes, somewhat shy, and when she smiled, her cute little teeth showed.

The task card was completed, and Zhu Zhu even helped by adding a few more bubbles on the side.

The mosquitoes in the room probably just finished resting and were ready to continue their battle with them.

Ji Ning lifted the blanket and snuggled into the bed with Zai Zai.

Their heads were covered, and their hands conveniently covered their ears.

"Mom, what is this?"

"This is like 'burying your head in the sand'!"

Ji Ning took the opportunity to teach Zai Zai a lesson on idioms.

Before she could finish the idiom story, her phone rang.

It was Ji Guoting calling.

The concerned father urged her not to be foolish and to immediately withdraw from the reality show with the child, as there was still room to turn things around.

"Under no circumstances should the relationship between Zhu Zhu and you be exposed."

"We covered up your past mistakes, and if—"

Ji Ning hit the end call button.

"Let's continue with the idiom lesson," she said seriously. "This is called 'turning a deaf ear.'"

...

At eight o'clock the next morning, the small signal light on the room's camera lit up on time.

What the production team hadn't anticipated was that the livestream of the regular guest's room would see an instant surge in online viewers.

The previous night's surprise segment, originally just Director Tao's playful idea to create suspense by distributing task cards and sparking discussions, was slipped under the door of the most unremarkable regular guest's room.

If it wasn't a bit mischievous, how could it be called a surprise?

Unexpectedly, by chance, he managed to boost the popularity of the regular guest's livestream.

However, Director Tao also knew that netizens would soon push back.

The production team had arranged the surprise segment, but the blame fell on the regular guest. As soon as the live chat in the regular guest's room started scrolling, some began making malicious assumptions.

What conspiracy theory was there?

It was just a coincidence that Ji Ning brought Zhu Zhu to the studio, and Director Tao was pleasantly surprised to discover that she was the former child star from back in the day, immediately deciding to cast them both as regular guests...

Wait!

At this moment, Director Tao belatedly pondered a question: how did Ji Ning and Zhu Zhu know each other?

"So, can we get an explanation for last night's surprise segment?"

"Has Ji Ning been planning a comeback? Taking advantage of this opportunity, using this innocent child who looks so much like her, putting on a full act, like stepping on a stepping stone, and once she climbs up, she'll kick the child away."

"I've seen fake romantic pairings, but never fake mother-daughter bonds. This is too absurd."

"Have you watched the 'Intern Parents' reality show? They also had intern dads and moms. It's normal for a show."

"So, is this the 'Intern Parents' reality show? From start to finish, the production team never asked Zhu Zhu to call Ji Ning that. Isn't trying to cover up supposed to be reasonable?"

"Zhu Zhu has never experienced a mother's love. When she mistakenly believes it's real, the show will probably end. Who will care about the child's feelings then?"

"Please, Ji Ning's team, provide a reasonable explanation. Don't take advantage of poor Zhu Zhu."

Amid the accusations in the live chat, a clear greeting sounded.

"Good morning."

It was Ji Ning's voice.

Right after, the screen showed her figure moving around the room in her home clothes.

Likely when the live stream started, the camera made a "beep" sound, which she noticed and looked up.

"Ah—where was I cursing just now? I suddenly forgot."

"One look and I was overwhelmed by her beauty, suddenly understanding the feelings of a foolish king."

"Ugh... I can't breathe..."

"Did she really take advantage of Zhu Zhu? But I feel the child is much happier than before."

Zhu Zhu was still under the covers.

She sat up, wrapped tightly in the blanket, only a small head peeking out.

"Good morning."

The next second, Ji Ning casually grabbed a pack of tissues and blocked the camera.

"Swish, swish, swish," she retracted her hand in a few quick moves.

Xiao Tuanzi had already gotten dressed, her two feet dangling at the edge of the bed.

"? Changed already?! That was so fast, teach me how to not dawdle!"

"Such a good kid, unlike my brother, who always says 'right away, right away' whenever I ask him to do something, without moving his little butt."

"Was Zhu Zhu in the military?"

"Let me see if the bedsheet is folded into a neat square!"

"So no explanation for yesterday's easter egg?"

The criticism in the live chat was about to explode.

The naive intern PD from the amateur group guessed that Ji Ning hadn't checked the netizens' comments online last night.

She didn't know if she would be criticized, so she quietly pulled Ji Ning to a corner of the room and whispered a tip-off.

Ji Ning listened for a long time and silently drew two conclusions.

First, she had no team to help explain.

Second, why should she prove to the netizens that her daughter is her daughter?

"Who cares about them," Ji Ning said lazily.

The recording equipment was on the table not far away.

Her casual remark was picked up by the live stream.

"Still need to give the netizens an explanation..." the intern PD, inexperienced, kindly said, "otherwise, you'll attract hate."

"Change the title?" Ji Ning suggested, "Cousin—"

The intern PD immediately nodded.

Calling her 'cousin' works too, at least it won't lead to speculation that she's exploiting children for attention.

Ji Ning: "Aunt Mom."

"?"

"???"

"Hahahahahaha, I'm laughing so hard."

"I actually kind of became a fan of hers."

"What about the awkward character she was supposed to be?"

"Thud"—

It was when Zhu Zhu came over to find her, stumbling on her little legs, and accidentally tripped over a chair.

The old backpack hanging on the back of the chair fell to the ground, spilling its messy contents everywhere.

Zhu Zhu, realizing she might have caused trouble, sat on the ground in a daze.

"Zai Zai doesn't dare to look up, head down—it's heartbreaking."

"She's probably been scared of being scolded since she was little..."

"I hope she can be more patient with Zhu Zhu."

The floor was a mess.

Xiao Tuanzi was scrambling to tidy up.

But suddenly, Ji Ning stood in front of her.

Then, she saw her mom squat down.

Ji Ning scooped up—

A pile of messy items was moved to the bed, with no intention of organizing them, as if waiting for the program to finish and the items would automatically return to their places.

Zhu Zhu looked dumbfounded.

"Mom's amazing, as usual."

The production team required everyone to meet outside the resort at 8:30 AM.

It was almost time, so Ji Ning and Zhu Zhu set off together.

Their footsteps faded into the distance.

The sound of their relaxed chatter gradually faded away.

...

It was a rare weekend, and Mr. Wen and his partner were happily spending their time together at home.

He wanted to catch up on yesterday's episode, but his partner had already seen it, and rewatching it together was out of the question. Without a second thought, he opened today's live stream.

As he watched, Mr. Wen noticed something was off, and slowly, his expression turned to stone.

His partner muttered, "Are you watching or not? You're not saying a word—how boring."

After a long while, Mr. Wen finally spoke up.

"My boss has been looking for someone, you’re aware of this, right?"

"Haven’t heard you mention it recently, it’s been years, still looking?"

Mr. Wen’s partner had heard about Mr. Jiang’s story before.

Outstanding height, looks, background, an ambitious career drive and personal abilities—by any measure, he was already top-tier.

Add to that his hopeless romantic nature...

It was a total knockout.

"Being so unforgettable, what exactly happened between them before?" Mr. Wen’s girlfriend mused, "Just vanishing like that, no hard feelings? People always forgive later pain for the sake of past happiness."

Mr. Wen: "Actually, I’ve only met her twice."

Once was four years ago.

The second time was a few days ago when Mr. Jiang was on a business trip and ran into her at a hotel in North City.

"Wait, including today, it makes it the third time."

"Today?"

Mr. Wen pointed at Ji Ning on the screen.

He looked even more confused than his girlfriend.

And it carried a bit of heaviness.

Last night, he had been mentioning this ex-child star in front of Mr. Jiang.

Totally clueless.

There was a commotion in the live stream—it was Zhu Zhu’s voice.

Mr. Wen looked back at the flood of comments, his gaze drawn to Zai Zai, who was waddling like a little penguin during the assembly.

"Why does this child look so familiar? Feels like I’ve seen her somewhere..." he muttered to himself.

At that moment, Mr. Wen’s phone rang.

It was a call from Mr. Jiang.

"Book a flight."

"The earliest one, to North City."

On the other end of the phone, Mr. Jiang’s voice was cold, with a restrained tone.

After hanging up, Mr. Wen belatedly realized.

If he remembered correctly, last time at the North City hotel, Ji Ning already had this child with her.

...

The celebrity guests were slowly making their way to the meeting spot.

In the room, the camera was still running.

Netizens were meticulously analyzing the items that fell out of Ji Ning's old backpack.

"This backpack seems to be a style from many years ago, and she doesn’t even have a decent suitcase. Was the child star really that poor back then?"

"Am I the only one curious about the brand of the blue jar skincare product? I wanted to mention it yesterday—Ji Ning's skin is really good..."

"The skin's foundation must be natural. Those few jars of skincare products look like they belong to a series, never seen before, probably some off-brand."

"I know this! It should be a high-end niche skincare brand, customized for members based on skin type, with a hefty membership fee!"

"? Does Ji Ning really not have a team? It feels like there are some PR folks mixed in here. What niche brand? If you know, say it; otherwise, it's just bragging."

"Wait a minute, am I the only one who noticed a document envelope fell out of the backpack? It's from a paternity testing facility in Nancheng..."

Netizens are acting like Sherlock Holmes, not satisfied with just watching the live stream. They even took screenshots and zoomed in for detailed analysis.

During the comparison process, a forum even opened an analysis thread.

"The packaging of the skincare products is correct. Such a niche brand probably doesn’t have counterfeit products."

"The paternity testing facility in Nancheng... wasn’t Zhu Zhu trafficked to Nancheng?"

"Shocking! I found that the ugly old backpack style was actually a limited edition back then, very expensive."

Netizens analyzed frame by frame, getting more and more into it.

New discoveries floated through the comments section.

"Last night, the Yating Group's official website posted a statement regarding the adoption of Zhu Zhu, but it was only kept up for about a minute before being deleted."

"Actually, I’m not sure. I checked out several listed company websites at the time, wanting to see if there were any social recruitment posts."

"If I’m wrong, just pretend I didn’t say it. Please don’t send me a lawyer’s letter! Being unemployed is tough enough; I really can’t handle a lawsuit QAQ."

Ji Ning's topic popularity gradually climbed.

Even though she has been out of the spotlight for years, her appearance in the public eye can still attract high attention.

It’s undeniable—some people are naturally the center of attention.

"Help, I’m so excited!"

"So what exactly is Ji Ning’s background? I’m getting more and more curious about her."

"Can anyone dig up her background? It’s so intriguing."

Affluent families, missing children, paternity tests, attempted cover-ups... There aren’t so many coincidences in the world. Everything has traces to follow, and by following the clues, one can always uncover the details.

The melon is sweeter when you dig it up yourself.

"If Zai Zai is her biological child, of course, she looks like Ji Ning when she was young! But why did Zhu Zhu disappear later? Didn’t anyone look for her?"

"And what about Zai Zai’s father? Is he someone shady?"

After being reminded by the PD, Ji Ning also opened her phone and searched for her own name.

Her past, in the eyes of her parents, seems to be a dark, damp, and deeply taboo subject.

What exactly is there to hide that’s so shady?

Out of curiosity, Ji Ning sent an anonymous bullet comment.

She typed enthusiastically and casually read aloud: "+1, can't wait to see what happens next!"

With a quick tap, the message was sent off.

The little internet troll baby followed suit, holding up two stubby fingers.

"Make that 2!"