Chapter 25 Caught Off Guard

Chapter 25: Blindsided

Huo Xinghai was stunned for a second, then let out a mocking laugh. "Look at her from head to toe—does she look remotely like a mother? And you’re claiming to be my *real* mom? My real mom is almost fifty this year!"

Gu Qingyin glanced down at herself—canvas shoes, wide-leg pants, and a fitted T-shirt.

She could’ve been mistaken for a college student who hadn’t graduated yet.

But…

Gu Qingyin stormed over and landed another slap on Huo Xinghai’s head, scolding, "Don’t shove your stereotypes onto me! Your mom is just like this!"

Tears welled up in Huo Xinghai’s eyes from the pain and frustration, but he didn’t dare fight back.

Huo Xingye, who rarely felt a pang of sympathy, finally intervened. He pulled up the paternity test report on his phone and thrust it under Huo Xinghai’s nose. "Want me to read it out for you?"

Huo Xinghai was stunned. He took the phone and pored over the report repeatedly before looking back at Gu Qingyin.

Gu Qingyin couldn’t help rolling her eyes at him. "All looks, no brains."

He looked the most like her but hadn’t inherited any of her intelligence.

Huo Xinghai’s eyes widened again as he finally noticed that Gu Qingyin’s features—especially her eyebrows and lips—were a mirror image of his.

Gu Qingyin was even more annoyed by his dumbfounded expression and turned away with a cold snort. But then, a bright voice suddenly rang out beside her ear—

"Mom!"

Gu Qingyin froze.

The next second, Huo Xinghai dropped to his knees and clung to her legs with tears in his eyes. "Mommy!"

Gu Qingyin shuddered, goosebumps prickling all over her skin.

Huo Xinghai had switched gears way too fast! One second, he refused to believe it, and the next, he was kneeling and calling her "Mommy"—using baby talk!

Compared to Huo Xingye, this "Mommy" sounded downright cheap.

Gu Qingyin gave a frosty smirk. "Tell me, where do I rank on your list of moms?"

Huo Xinghai blinked tearfully. "I never had my own mom before, so it didn’t matter how many I claimed. But now I do!" He pulled out his phone, typed away furiously, then held it up for Gu Qingyin to see. "From now on, you’re my only mom!"

Gu Qingyin peered closer—Huo Xinghai had just posted a Weibo update.

*"I want to join a show with my mom. You guys wouldn’t object, right? @HappyFamily*

*P.S. Official statement! I, Huo Xinghai, have only one mom in this lifetime! So-called ‘mom fans,’ know your place!"*

Gu Qingyin had the sudden urge to cover her face. What kind of nonsense was this? This was so mortifying.

Her phone pinged with a notification—a repost and comment from *HappyFamily*. The excitement of the production team was palpable in their reply.

*"We’d be honored to have the top star join us!!!"*

"What kind of show is this?" Huo Xingye asked with dread, having also seen the Weibo post.

"China’s hottest parent-child travel livestream variety show! Each season features three families. My rival is in this season, and he mocked me the other day for not having a mom." Huo Xinghai seethed quietly, though his face showed only hurt. "But I’m not a motherless child anymore!"

Gu Qingyin’s heart ached with both fury and sympathy. She immediately forgot her earlier annoyance and nodded firmly. "I’ll go with you. Let’s see how bold your rival is to bully my son!" Huo Xinghai beamed. "Mom, you’re the best!"

Huo Xingye sighed helplessly. They'd agreed to reveal it together after the youngest brother returned. Now, with the second brother bringing Gu Qingyin onto the show, what if the youngest thought Mom was playing favorites?

He knew all about the second brother’s rival. Forget past conflicts—just mocking him for not having a mother deserved a lesson that’d stick with him.

In the past, Huo Xingye would've taken care of this himself, but now it seemed unnecessary.

With Gu Qingyin around, this was bound to be the best show the second brother had ever done since his debut.

No use crying over spilled milk. What was done was done. They’d just have to take it one step at a time.

If explained properly, maybe the kid would buy it?

But thinking of the youngest’s stubborn temper, Huo Xingye wasn’t so sure.

The show crew moved at lightning speed. That very evening, they arrived at Huo Xinghai’s company with a contract, ready to ink the deal.

Huo Xinghai’s manager, Jian Xilin, was floored. He smiled politely at the production team, then stepped outside and deadpan, pulled up Weibo—only to gasp in shock.

Had Huo Xinghai lost his mind? To outdo his rival, he was even faking having a mom now?!

Furious, he dialed Huo Xinghai’s number. “Right now! Immediately! Delete that post and issue a clarification! Say it was just a dare!”

Sure, he’d still get flak, but at least he’d save face. It was better than being exposed later for hiring someone to play his mother!

Huo Xinghai laughed. After working together for so many years, he knew Jian Xilin well—and what he was worried about.

He couldn’t help bragging a bit as he reassured him, “Relax, she’s not hired. She’s my real mom.”

Jian Xilin: ...The hell? Since when did you grow a mother?!

In the end, after repeated assurances from Huo Xinghai, Jian Xilin signed the contract with the production team.

Of course, the main reason was that Huo Xingye had sent him a message, telling him to get this done quickly.

With the CEO’s guarantee, even if this “real mom” was hired, Jian Xilin wasn’t about to be the weak link!

The production team bounced out excitedly, announcing that they’d kick off with a live episode this Saturday, starting from the celebrity’s home. They’d visit in person to pick up the guests and head to the airport.

Jian Xilin nodded with a smile. “Address coming your way.”

Huo Xinghai’s own place was out of the question—it was textbook bachelor pad, with zero warmth of a family home.

Jian Xilin thought sarcastically, *Oh, real mom, huh? Then filming at her place for a parent-child show makes perfect sense.*

With that in mind, he asked Huo Xinghai for the address without missing a beat.

Jian Xilin sent the message casually, already brainstorming which of Huo Xinghai’s properties would best pass as his mother’s home. Worst case, he could borrow one from the CEO.

But before he could settle on an option, Huo Xinghai swiftly sent him an address.

Jian Xilin paused, then smirked. *The brat actually did his homework this time?*

Fine. If that was the case, he wouldn’t be the weak link.

He’d expect the worst but prep the best damage control. Even if they were backed into a corner, he’d counterpunch!

Come Saturday morning...

At 7 a.m., the livestream went live. Fans old and new came pouring in, overloading the stream for over ten seconds before stabilizing—before the comment tsunami hit.

"Hai Baoer!! Mom is here!!"

"?? Huo Xinghai actually has mom fans? Don't embarrass yourself!"

"His permission is his problem—my fandom is my choice."

"Spread the word!!"

"I'm curious to see what Hai Baoer's real mom looks like and if she's good enough for my son."

"Hello! I'm host Ocean, long time no see everyone!" A young man appeared in the livestream with a beaming smile, his tone full of anticipation. "Now, let's visit A-lister Huo Xinghai's place together!"