Chapter 3

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Gu Yunhao was utterly stunned. It took him several seconds to realize that Ning Yuxuan was talking about returning the gift to her. He had originally hoped to hear some soft words from her, but instead, he was met with ridicule.

Anger surged from his heart, and he blurted out, "Ning Yuxuan! Do you really think I care about that worthless thing of yours? I'll bring it to you tomorrow!"

On the other end of the line, Ning Yuxuan’s voice sounded light and casual: "Tomorrow? Are you sure?"

Gu Yunhao’s mouth was quicker than his brain: "It’s settled then, tomorrow. Whoever doesn’t come is a dog!"

He exhaled deeply, intending to say more cutting words—

Beep, beep…

The call was disconnected.

Gu Yunhao: "…"

He instinctively glanced at Cen Meng beside him and saw her staring at the screen with a very grim expression.

Following her gaze, he looked at the live broadcast projected on the television and felt his heart drop sharply.

Ning Yuxuan hadn’t dodged the camera at all and had answered his call directly.

Due to the live broadcast’s delay, the screen just showed Ning Yuxuan uttering the words "debtor."

Now, the live chat was full of insults aimed at him.

[Just now, I thought Ning Yuxuan’s attitude was a bit off, but now I have to say she deserves the criticism! People like him should be scolded!]

[Ugh, I hate people who don’t pay back their debts. Support Ning Yuxuan!]

[Debts must be repaid, it’s only right and proper!]

Gu Yunhao had been pampered by those around him since childhood, always hearing flattery and praise. He had never endured such humiliation.

Although the audience didn’t know precisely whom they were cursing, Gu Yunhao knew very well.

Yet he had no way to respond or defend himself, so he clenched his fists with a pale face and muttered a curse at the television.

…

After ending the call, Ning Yuxuan returned to the kitchen.

Ning Fei and Ning Shiyue exchanged a silent glance but did not ask about the phone call.

Ning Yuxuan’s academic record was actually quite good; she had legitimately been admitted to University A.

However, after graduating, she had switched jobs multiple times—some lasting only a month or two, with the longest never exceeding half a year.

Later, for some reason, she suddenly tried acting in TV dramas, but that too ended in failure quickly.

Recently, Ning Yuxuan had been revolving entirely around Gu Yunhao, her mind consumed by love and nothing else, even losing contact with her previous friends.

Ning Fei and Ning Shiyue didn’t have to guess; they knew the recent call must have been about Gu Yunhao.

Concerned about her daughter’s mood and unwilling to discuss the call on the live broadcast, Ning Fei gently suggested, "Xuanxuan, if you’re tired, why don’t you rest in the living room for a while? It’ll be just me and Xiao Yue here."

Ning Shiyue agreed, "Yeah, the kitchen’s so small, you’re just in the way here. You might as well go watch TV in the living room."

Ning Yuxuan raised an eyebrow, "No, I have to keep an eye on you. What if my braised fish turns into steamed fish?"

Ning Shiyue, who had been a bit worried, was now amused and stopped washing the dishes in her hands. "You think I’m as rogue as you?"

[Lol, the braised versus steamed fish joke never gets old.]

[Hahaha, rare to see Ning Shiyue so animated on a variety show. Thought her cold face was the norm.]

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[Indeed, Ning Shiyue smiles way more on this show than others, but it’s always because she’s annoyed.]

Ning Yuxuan’s interruption brought the kitchen atmosphere back to lightness.

The three worked together, and soon prepared three dishes and a soup. The family sat down to enjoy lunch.

The production team had prepared some questions in advance, just in time to ask during the meal.

The first question was directed to Ning Fei: "Teacher Ning, this season of ‘Dear Mom’ has invited three guest groups. May I ask if you know anything about the other two groups?"

Ning Fei wiped her mouth with a napkin before replying calmly, "I heard that this time you invited Qin Man and her daughter Jiang Ning’an, as well as an actress named Cen Meng and her mother, right?"

‘Dear Mom’ is a live reality show centered on family affection. Its first season was both a critical and popular success, prompting the production team to quickly prepare for a new season.

One of Ning Fei’s friends in the industry had participated in the first season and spoke highly of the production team, saying the show had brought her closer to her children.

Having long struggled to repair her relationship with her daughter, and with her daughter showing renewed interest in the entertainment world, Ning Fei thought participating in this show might help.

Ning Fei had been a superstar actress in her youth, one of the hottest names in the industry at the time. Even after retiring for years, she still retained a loyal fanbase and enjoyed top national recognition.

Once she expressed interest, the production team promptly contacted her, and the contract was signed soon after.

To meet Ning Fei’s wishes, the director specially themed this season around mother-daughter affection, calling it ‘Dear Mom: Mother-Daughter Special Season.’

The other guest, Qin Man, was another top actress of the same era as Ning Fei.

Dramatically, Ning Fei and Qin Man had competed for the Golden Dew Award for Best Actress in the same year. Whichever won would be the first to achieve the prestigious ‘Triple Crown’ of the three top awards.

In the end, Ning Fei won Best Actress, narrowly denying Qin Man the Triple Crown, which she only achieved six years later.

In many online goddess rankings, Ning Fei and Qin Man’s names often appeared consecutively.

With these two legendary actresses appearing on the same show, the program’s popularity soared as soon as the guest list was announced.

Additionally, Ning Fei’s son Ning Shiyue and Qin Man’s daughter Jiang Ning’an, both young actors active in the industry, added further excitement.

As for the third guest, Cen Meng, her fame and national recognition couldn’t compare to the two actresses.

Yet after a few years in the industry, Cen Meng had garnered a modest fanbase through various TV dramas and had a brief surge of popularity from an onscreen romance with a male co-star.

After receiving confirmation from the staff, Ning Fei smiled and said, "I’m quite familiar with Teacher Qin Man. I’ve watched some of her works, and a few I really like. But we haven’t been in touch privately for a long time. Apart from her works, I don’t know much about her or her daughter."

"As for Miss Cen Meng—" Ning Fei paused, "I heard she’s a promising new actress. I look forward to meeting her for the first time."

Even after more than ten years out of the industry, Ning Fei answered questions with grace and poise, flawless in every way.

[No wonder she’s my goddess! So clear and organized in her speech, and her voice is so lovely!]

[Listening to Teacher Ning is so soothing, like a breath of spring breeze.]

Among the many compliments, a few dissenting voices appeared.

[Can I say something? I never liked Ning Fei because she sounds so fake, always with that smile that doesn’t feel genuine at all.]

But since most viewers were fans of Ning Fei and Ning Shiyue, the comment was quickly attacked.

[If you don’t like Teacher Ning, why are you even watching this stream? Just here to cause trouble, huh?]

[If you don’t like her, fine; but so many of us adore Ning Fei the goddess, you’re just one voice.]

…

After several more questions to Ning Fei, the staff turned to Ning Yuxuan.

"Miss Yuxuan, you’ve acted in TV dramas before and are now here with Teacher Ning. May I ask what your plans are? Will you continue to work in the entertainment industry and pursue acting?"

Before filming, the staff had briefly discussed the questions with the guests.

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According to the original plan, Ning Yuxuan was supposed to go along with the flow and express interest in acting, laying the groundwork for future entrance into the industry.

The reason Ning Yuxuan wanted to enter show business was simple.

She realized Gu Yunhao was growing colder toward her because he had met a young actress named Cen Meng.

To win her boyfriend’s heart back, Ning Yuxuan was determined to prove she was no worse than Cen Meng: whatever Cen Meng could do, she could do too.

However, these were merely the thoughts of the “villainous supporting female, Ning Yuxuan.”

Ning Yuxuan answered calmly, "No, I don’t plan to continue acting. I’m here this time because I want to accompany my mother."

The staff was momentarily taken aback—this differed from the rehearsed answer.

The audience also buzzed with comments.

"Ah… what a pity. Such a beautiful face, and we won’t see her in movies or dramas anymore?"

"If you’d seen her acting, you wouldn’t feel that way. It’s downright painful to watch!"

"It’s better she doesn’t join the industry. She can post photos and vlogs on social media for us to enjoy her beauty instead."

"I don’t believe it. If she really didn’t want to be in the industry, why come on a variety show? Isn’t it just to build a persona and gain sympathy?"

"Mocking loans isn’t right either. At least Ning Yuxuan’s words make sense now."

The staff regained composure, relieved that Ning Yuxuan’s answer didn’t affect the next question.

They continued, "Miss Yuxuan, do you have any plans for your career recently?"

"Plans…" Ning Yuxuan smiled leisurely and confidently, "I’ve decided to be a full-time daughter for my mother."

Ning Fei and Ning Shiyue: "…"

Staff: "…"

Netizens: "…??"

[What the heck is a full-time daughter? Does that mean staying home and living off your parents?]

[Hahaha, to say living off your parents so boldly, I have to admit I admire Ning Yuxuan.]

[Honestly, if I had a mom like Teacher Ning, I’d be happy to be a full-time daughter too!]

[If you ask me, as long as Teacher Ning is willing, being a mama’s girl isn’t so bad!]

The staff took a long moment to recover from their shock and asked Ning Fei, "So… Teacher Ning, what do you think?"

Ning Fei cleared her throat and smiled faintly, "If I could, I’d be willing to be my daughter’s lifelong support."

Deep down, Ning Fei hoped her daughter would find something she truly loved to do, rather than wasting her energy on her boyfriend as she did now.

But in front of others, Ning Fei would always defend her daughter without hesitation and stand by her side.

Moreover, her words about being a lifelong support were sincere, her eyes full of love and indulgence.

[Aww, I suddenly envy Ning Yuxuan so much, to have a mother who loves her unconditionally.]

[I’m crying, Teacher Ning is just too wonderful! Teacher Ning, do you mind if I become your cyber daughter?]

[Count me in! I want to sign up to be Teacher Ning’s daughter too!]

This season’s show focused on mother-daughter relationships, but Ning Shiyue’s popularity meant the production team naturally wouldn’t let her off the hook.