Chapter 27 A Strange Understanding

Chapter 27: Strange Synchronicity

The show "Happy Family" had just begun airing when it took over multiple trending lists.

#Huo Xinghai's Biological Mother

#The Youngest Mom on the Internet

#Gu Qingyin's Beauty Secrets

Many casual viewers flocked to the livestream after seeing the trending topics. The director, watching the continuously rising viewership data, beamed with satisfaction.

In contrast, the introductions of the other two families were much more ordinary—what viewers considered "regular families." If one had to pick the most noteworthy among them, it would be Huo Xinghai's archenemy.

Fu Zimo's family had some wealth, and his mother was dressed in elegant, jewel-toned outfits. Her features were graceful and gentle, though her slightly plump figure looked a bit heavier on camera.

Most of the viewers in the livestream were Fu Zimo's fans, so instead of nitpicking, they poured on the compliments.

They praised Mrs. Fu for her kind and motherly demeanor, saying she carried none of the airs of a wealthy socialite and was exceptionally down-to-earth. They lauded the villa's decor as low-key but high-end, exuding good taste. They said Fu Zimo made it on his own merit, being genuine and unaffected, without relying on his family's influence.

After finishing his morning jog, Fu Zimo returned to the living room, where he and Mrs. Fu shared a warm moment of mother-son affection. Then, using shower time as an excuse, he went upstairs to check the audience's reactions.

He was quite satisfied with his performance earlier, genuinely believing it would attract more fans. But when he opened Weibo, he realized all the attention had been stolen by Huo Xinghai.

After watching the recorded clips, Fu Zimo couldn't help but snort in derision. Huo Xinghai had somehow hired an actress to play his mother, flaunting it so brazenly—utterly reckless.

Before encountering Huo Xinghai, Fu Zimo had never faced any real setbacks in his life. He had always been the center of attention, with everyone—whether genuinely fond of him or not—fawning over him with smiles.

But after crossing paths with Huo Xinghai, he repeatedly found himself humiliated.

Huo Xinghai had zero tolerance for people he disliked. Every time Fu Zimo tried to provoke him, he would be torn apart in arguments, leaving him frustrated. Yet, Fu Zimo was stubborn—the more he lost, the more he wanted to fight back, constantly fantasizing about crushing Huo Xinghai beneath his feet.

Over time, it became a habit. Seeing Huo Xinghai without throwing a few barbs made him feel restless.

At first, it was only Fu Zimo who relentlessly targeted Huo Xinghai. But after being provoked one too many times, Huo Xinghai also had enough.

The two engaged in public spats and behind-the-scenes clashes, often inflicting as much damage on themselves as they did on each other. They would rather suffer themselves than let the other have even a moment of peace, making them the most infamous rivals on the internet.

So when news broke that they would appear on the same show, netizens were eagerly waiting, hoping for an early clash between the two.

As a rival, Fu Zimo had Huo Xinghai's number. Especially after their feud escalated, he had secretly investigated Huo Xinghai multiple times.

Huo Xinghai had grown up without a mother—this was no secret, as all his classmates from childhood knew.

Fu Zimo tossed his phone aside, turned on the shower, and suppressed the urge to immediately expose Huo Xinghai's lies.

He would wait until the hype grew even bigger, until more and more netizens grew fond of Huo Xinghai and Gu Qingyin...

Fu Zimo narrowed his eyes, hiding the malice in his eyes.

This time, he would take Huo Xinghai down.

---

At the Huo family's ancestral home, the mother and son were having breakfast together.

Gu Qingyin had soy milk, fried dough sticks, boiled eggs, while Huo Xinghai's plate held a sandwich, coffee, mashed potatoes.

The interviewer's eyes lit up as he asked, "Mr. Huo and Mrs. Huo have quite different tastes! Do you often eat together?" Huo Xinghai set down his coffee cup, about to respond, when Gu Qingyin spoke up in a puzzled tone, "Isn't eating together occasionally enough? Adults need their freedom. Do you go home every day to eat with your parents?" She scoffed slightly. "Don't be so needy."

Hai Baoer coughed awkwardly and forced a laugh, "Then whose preferences do you cater to more when occasionally eating together?"

Gu Qingyin was speechless. "Just make whatever you like to eat. No one said Chinese and Western dishes can't be on the same table." Wasn't the example right in front of him obvious enough?

Hai Baoer laughed nervously, "Mrs. Huo is really something else."

"Seriously jealous! When will I ever achieve food freedom?"

"Who understands?! Parents who don’t force their kids to eat things they dislike—how can you not love them?"

"Urgent! How can I get a mom like Hai Baoer's? Asking for a friend!"

"Hai Baoer: Guess I drew the short straw."

"Our Hai Baoer is so lucky!"

Huo Xinghai’s eyes sparkled with amusement, his tone proud. "My mom's in a league of her own."

After breakfast, under the supervision of the production team, the mother and son returned to their respective rooms to pack.

The destination this time was an island, so swimwear and sunscreen were must-haves, along with some spare clothes. Finally, tossing a small crossbody bag into the suitcase finished packing.

They packed so light that even an 18-inch suitcase wasn’t fully packed.

Hai Baoer couldn’t help but ask, "Mrs. Huo, don’t you usually use makeup?"

Gu Qingyin’s voice was calm and confident. "I’m blessed with good genes—no need."

Hai Baoer was momentarily speechless. In just one morning, he’d already felt the urge to retrain himself several times, as if his hosting skills were lacking.

Rarely, Gu Qingyin seemed to take pity and glanced up at him, asking uncertainly, "If I don’t wear makeup, will I look ugly on camera?"

Hai Baoer instinctively nodded but stopped halfway. With a face like Gu Qingyin’s, "ugly" wasn’t really in the cards. Truly, when you're that good-looking, you can get away with anything.

After some thought, Gu Qingyin decided she should bring a little makeup. She didn’t care for herself, but she couldn’t embarrass her son.

"Wait a moment." Gu Qingyin got up and went to Huo Xinghai’s room, finding him organizing things in the closet area. She cut straight to the chase: "Where’s that BB cream you recommended to me the other day?"

Huo Xinghai looked surprised. "Didn’t you say it was too much trouble and didn’t want to use it?" He turned and rummaged through the dresser, pulling out an unopened bottle, then grabbed two newly purchased face masks and handed them over.

Gu Qingyin took them. "We’re filming a show now—gotta look presentable." Reciprocating, she asked, "Need any help?"

Huo Xinghai shook his head. "I’m almost done." He was taking his time packing because he’d been interacting with fans.

Gu Qingyin nodded and left, her expression neutral but feeling a little wistful.

She hadn’t even gotten to fully enjoy the fun of parenting before he’d grown up, leaving few opportunities for her to be needed.

Gu Qingyin silently resolved to cherish every moment with her son. Once they start their own families, who knows if they’d even see each other once a year—or even less.

Five minutes later, the livestream temporarily shut down as Huo Xinghai and Gu Qingyin boarded the production team’s car to the airport, then flew to the island.

Four hours later, the livestream resumed, showing crystal-clear waters and powdery white sand.

The three families stood on the beach under the blazing sun, hauling their bags, looking thoroughly miserable.

"Can’t we drop our bags at the hotel first?" The only girl among the three whined dramatically. "This princess is about to melt."

The live chat lost it with messages coming to Tian Tian's defense and condemning the program team.

The director acted as if he hadn’t seen them, charging forward with the schedule. "Since the three families aren’t very familiar yet, let’s start with a get-to-know-you game."

Hearing this, Huo Xinghai and Fu Zimo exchanged glances, almost simultaneously flashing politeness smiles before turning away with eye rolls.

The live chat lost it again.

This weird mutual understanding was just too strong!