Chapter 6

Chapter 6

The door opened, revealing a woman on camera.

With lustrous dark hair, almond-shaped eyes, a delicate nose, and porcelain skin that put celebrities to shame, she was breathtaking.

"..."

"I'm stunned beyond words."

"Ahhh, I need all her info within three seconds!"

"Damn, I just thought the ice queen next door was pretty, but this civilian just stole the spotlight. She could debut with that face."

"Is she an older sister? Please, please let her be an older sister."

The director and assistant were dumbstruck by her beauty, stumbling over their words.

"W-we... are..."

"I know. Just got the call... come in." Her voice was weak as she held the door open before moving to the dining table on her own. "Make yourself comfortable."

She was beautiful in stillness, but when she spoke, there was a detached, carefree air about her.

The director and assistant unconsciously held their breaths as they followed her inside. Just as they were about to speak, Wen Zhi clutched her empty stomach and asked, "Mu Mu, where's breakfast?" Even slight hunger made her anxious.

Mu Mu scampered over, climbed onto the table, prepared a glass of milk, stirred it with a small spoon, blew on it with pouted lips, and only handed it to her once he was sure it wasn’t too hot. "Mom, drink this first. Breakfast is coming soon."

The director and assistant: "..."

The live stream viewers snapped out of their daze and furiously typed away.

"Live stream viewers: Crack, my heart's shattered—she’s actually a mom!"

"What kind of loser did this flower end up with? Come out and duel!!"

"Am I the only one focusing on her words? How does an adult ask a kid for breakfast? Helpless beauty?"

"Didn’t you see she looks unwell? She must be feeling sick."

"Even if she’s unwell, a mom shouldn’t let such a young child take care of her."

Soon, breakfast arrived.

The crew expected something simple, but the table was overflowing with an extravagant spread.

For just two people—who needs this much?

In this modest apartment, it didn’t seem like they could afford such luxury.

The crew and live stream viewers stared in curiosity.

Being careful with her sensitive stomach, Wen Zhi ate slowly. Half an hour later, the director checked his watch and spoke up. "Um..."

Little Dumpling's head snapped up, dark eyes locking onto him. "No speaking at the table."

The director felt strangely intimidated and awkwardly shut his mouth.

An awkward tension filled the apartment. Wen Zhi patted the little one's head and smiled at the two. "Mu Mu was brought up with strict table manners—don’t mind him. Have you eaten? Would you like some?"

The assistant quickly shook her head.

After the mother and son exchanged pleasantries, they continued eating at their usual leisurely pace. The director, holding the camera, stared blankly for a full hour.

Live stream viewers were practically drooling as they watched: "This is basically a mukbang at this point."

"Why does it feel like the production crew is getting steamrolled? It's just like us office workers suffering through a boss's lecture."

"It's been over half an hour, and the director still hasn't managed to say a single complete sentence. Meanwhile, the other guests have already started their normal filming."

"So boring. If it weren't for this pair's stunning looks, I would've left ages ago."

"If you want to leave, go ahead. We stans of beauty aren't going anywhere."

When the two finally finished breakfast, the director finally piped up with his first request.

"Could you introduce yourselves first?"

Wen Zhi nodded and greeted the camera: "Hello everyone, I'm Wen Zhi, Mu Mu's mother."

After a long pause with no follow-up, the director asked, "...That's it?"

Wen Zhi: "That's it."

The director then looked at Mu Mu, who straightened his little face and imitated Wen Zhi's manner: "Hello everyone, I'm Mu Mu, Mommy's Mu Mu."

"LMAO, peak beauty meets chaotic energy—even their self-introductions are refreshingly unique."

"This kid's such a serious little bean. If only he'd smile, my heart would melt!"

"Haha, I need to see the cameraman's face RN."

"Am I the only one who noticed the beauty's surname is Wen? Wen Bingchun next door is also surnamed Wen—could they be related?"

"Don't even. Just because Wen Bingchun is surnamed Wen, so am I—does that make us relatives too?"

This convo was going in circles, and with time running short, the director cut straight to the point: "Next, we'll need to film your morning routine together. This footage will be edited into the preview for the main show. Just act naturally and show the audience your most authentic selves."

Wen Zhi nodded and straight-up ignored the crew, happily taking her son out.

Wen Zhi had originally planned to take her son to the best hair salon downtown for a haircut, but the moment they stepped out of the car, they were swarmed by a group of Tony teachers and their hype squad, all calling out "Sis! Sis!" on repeat.

Salons weren't this extra back in the day.

However awkward Wen Zhi felt, she didn't show it—she'd faced down palace guards in her time, let alone these youngsters.

Little Dumpling, though, freaked out and immediately darted back to death-grip the car door, refusing to enter the salon. The assistant, figuring he was spooked, quickly reassured him: "Don't be afraid, these brothers won't bite."

Live stream viewers lost it.

"OMG same! I dread salons where a row of guys calls out 'Sis'—it makes my legs shake."

"Why can't they just cut hair normally?"

[Historical flashback] Little Dumpling's face turned pale from fright—finally being a normal kid! Why am I low-key relieved?

Mu Mu death-gripped the car door, pursing his lips: "I'm not scared of them..." [historical flashback] He'd been the crown prince of Great Yong—he wasn't even afraid of his father. "...Our hair and skin come from our parents—no cutting allowed."

In the height of summer, his long hair was tied back, giving him a heat rash on his neck. Wen Zhi squatted in front of him and coaxed gently, "Mu Mu, long hair is hard to take care of. Look at the assistant, and those guys by the door—they cut their hair, and it’s both cooler and looks good."

Mu Mu pursed his lips and stared at Wen Zhi with puppy-dog eyes. "...Do I really have to cut it?"

Wen Zhi nodded. "It’s a fresh start. From now on, you won’t have to shoulder any burdens."

Mu Mu thought for two seconds. "Alright then... but I want to go somewhere else to cut it."

Not only were the live stream viewers curious, but even Wen Zhi was curious where he meant.

Ten minutes later, little Mu Mu sold his own hair. The hair collector hadn’t received such good hair in a long time and happily gave him an adorable pixie cut.

Little Mu Mu handed over his first-ever earnings—500 yuan—to Wen Zhi and said matter-of-factly, "Mom, I’ll sell my hair to take care of you from now on!"

The director and assistant bit back their laughter, not daring to make a sound: If they had to live off hair sales, the mother and son would probably starve.

Wen Zhi was both touched and surprised. "How did you come up with the idea to sell your hair?"

Little Dumpling replied earnestly, "Waste not, want not..."

Wen Zhi: "..."

"I was genuinely moved just now, but now..."

"The little fuddy-duddy remains a fuddy-duddy."

"That hair collector has pretty good skills."

"Wrong, it’s mainly because of his good looks. He’d rock a buzz cut too, hahaha!"

She couldn’t just *not* use the money her good son earned from selling his hair to support her.

Wen Zhi took the 500 yuan and brought Mu Mu to the supermarket. She pushed a shopping cart and went to plop Mu Mu into it. Mu Mu clung to the edge of the cart, his face burning with embarrassment, shaking his head in refusal. "No..."

Wen Zhi bent down to coax him. "This is your chariot. In the supermarket, you have to sit in this. Mom used to sit in it every time when she was little." She then pointed at a little girl sitting in a cart ahead. "Look, even that little sister is sitting in one."

Mu Mu averted his gaze, his tone a mix of resignation and disdain. "This is a shopping cart... Big Head Son never sat in one when he went to the supermarket."

The director and assistant were dying trying not to laugh.

Wen Zhi: Having a too-smart son is troublesome.

She pushed the cart toward the snack aisle, grabbing whatever snacks caught her eye without even checking the prices.

Some viewers in the live stream were already commenting.

"They only have 500 yuan, and Wen Zhi isn’t even looking at the prices? She’s loading up on ¥40-a-pound chocolates like there’s no tomorrow!"

"The nuts are expensive too. Enough already—that’s the money the kid earned from selling his hair!"

"What kind of mother is this? How can she buy so much spicy strips? And kids shouldn’t eat so many snacks anyway."

"Quit griping about snacks. Isn’t making money meant for enjoying food? My dream is to buy snacks without checking prices."

Mu Mu frowned at the items in the cart and stealthily put some of the snacks back. After this back-and-forth, when Wen Zhi turned around, the cart was still empty. She froze for a moment, then gave Mu Mu a suspicious look.

Mu Mu’s face turned red, but he held firm and reminded her, "Appetites are bottomless... Doctor Uncle said your stomach isn’t good..."

Wen Zhi: "But these are for you."

Mu Mu was stunned for a moment, clearly not expecting this answer.

She picked up the items one by one again, her eyes crinkling with a smile as she said, "I want Mu Mu to try everything I've eaten or never had before. I’d be upset if you didn’t try them."

This time, Mu Mu didn’t put them back, though he tagged along reluctantly.

Wen Zhi walked to the toy section and handed him a bubble blaster. Mu Mu glanced at the price tag and immediately put it back, shaking his head to refuse.

At checkout, Mu Mu clung to the counter, staring intently at the numbers, worried sick it’d go over 500. The total barely stopped at 499.6, and he sighed in relief before starting to worry again—selling his hair to support Mom clearly wasn’t gonna work.

Wen Zhi, noticing his little-old-man demeanor, pretended to complain about the bags being heavy. Instantly, Mu Mu stopped overthinking and reached out to help carry them.

"Hahahaha, that little stick-in-the-mud’s expression is enough to make me laugh for a year!"

"Ms. Wen spends money so recklessly, no wonder her son’s already a tightly wound little worrywart at this age. Only 40 cents left!"

"Definitely a pretty but useless mom. Pretty but useless + tightly wound son—this mother-son pair might be in trouble."

When they returned to the apartment and started packing, Wen Zhi secretly pulled out the ridiculously expensive bubble blaster and slipped it to him.

Mu Mu asked nervously, "Mom, where did you get the money for this?"

Wen Zhi laughed. "Stashed some cash."

Mu Mu sighed in relief and muttered, "It’s not like I wanted it." He’d just seen it on the tablet and glanced at it a little longer.

Wen Zhi ruffled his hair, puzzled. "Little Mu Mu, why do I feel like you’ve become frugal? Don’t worry, Mom’s got money to spare. You can ask for anything you want."

Little Mu Mu thought: Mom always does this, shouldering everything herself.

But he couldn’t expose her, or she’d be sad.

Whatever. Someday, he’d make sure Mom was very rich.

The two of them carried their luggage—one large, one small—and boarded the show’s arranged car to the airport. The assistant explained along the way, "Our destination is a scenic village in City B. First, we’ll meet the other guests at the airport, then fly there together."

Wen Zhi gave a distracted "Hmm" and curled up in her seat to play a game, while Mu Mu beside her focused intently on his tablet.

The assistant looked frustrated: Do this mother and son even care about getting famous on the show?

The camera zoomed in, and live stream viewers craned their necks to check what Wen Zhi was playing on her phone. It was PUBG—her character stood in the middle of the road with a gun, then threw a grenade and blew herself up.

Viewers: Yikes, she’s terrible at games too!

The assistant chimed in, "Ms. Wen, have you never played this before?"

Wen Zhi shook her head. "Just ‘Cloud Dream Immortal.’ This is new to me, but it’s fun."

"Hahahaha, ‘Cloud Dream Immortal’ was over a decade ago, no wonder she sucks!"

"After watching all morning, Pretty face, zero skills—that’s Wen for you."

"The universe balances things out, huh?"

"What’s Mu Mu zoned into so intently? He’s been glued to it since getting in the car. Isn’t that bad for his eyes?"

Viewers grew curious again, and the cameraman delivered—the shot immediately switched to Mu Mu.

Viewers were floored: A five-year-old was reading up on global economic history!

Wow, shouldn't this be something kids their age should be watching?

Some live stream viewers found the kid well-behaved and diligent, while others thought he was too rigid and unappealing.

The only consensus was: his face is really easy on the eyes.

The car drove all the way to the airport, with Wen Zhi holding Mu Mu's hand in one hand and carrying baggage in the other, following the staff guiding the way. Dressed in casual clothes, a fisherman's hat, and sunglasses, her glowingly fair skin stood out wherever she went.

People passing through the airport kept looking in their direction.

Five minutes later, the assistant shouted toward the east side of the waiting area, "They're over there!"

Wen Zhi quickened her pace. When they were about five or six meters away, she finally caught a glimpse of the other person's profile through the crowd.

It was the B-list actress Wen Bingchun, known for her gentle and intellectual persona.

Standing beside Wen Bingchun was a chubby little boy, about the same age as Mu Mu, who happened to be holding a toy gun as well.

Wen Bingchun held one side of the toy gun, telling him he couldn't bring it on the plane. The child wasn't happy and jerked his hand forcefully, sending the toy gun flying straight toward Wen Zhi's face.

The on-site filming crew let out shocked cries. Wen Bingchun whirled around, her eyes widening in horror when she saw Wen Zhi.

Live stream viewers: Oh no! Is the first encounter between the two Wens going to end badly?!