The first episode of "Dear Mom" features three groups of guests living together in a villa for two days and one night.
As the live broadcast begins, viewers are greeted by a modern, minimalist two-story villa.
The camera slowly moves into the living room on the second floor, where the first group of guests appears: the acclaimed actress Qin Man and her daughter, Jiang Ning'an.
“Wow, the very first to appear are Qin Man and Ning'an!”
“Qin Man looks so intellectual and elegant in that white blouse—truly a timeless beauty!”
The live chat is buzzing, but on site, only Qin Man and her daughter are present, and the atmosphere feels somewhat quiet.
Those who watched the preview know that this mother and daughter aren’t exactly close.
After giving birth, Qin Man was busy filming, so Jiang Ning'an was raised by a nanny during her childhood. At fifteen, she went to North America to study.
It wasn’t until two years ago that Jiang Ning'an returned to China and began her own career in the entertainment industry.
Every move they make under the camera’s gaze is scrutinized by the audience.
“Even though they haven’t spoken much, I noticed Jiang Ning'an has been quietly observing her mom.”
“Yeah, just now when Qin Man coughed, Jiang Ning'an went to get her some water.”
“Qin Man must love her daughter—hopefully this show will help them both open up slowly.”
A rustling sound comes from the stairs, drawing their attention.
The second group of guests—Cen Meng and her mother, Qiao Yazhen—are heading upstairs.
Seeing the two women seated in the living room, Cen Meng quickens her pace.
“Hello, Ms. Qin, I’m a huge fan of yours. My name is Cen Meng,” she says with a bright smile. “I’ve loved all the roles you’ve played, and today I finally get to meet you!”
Qin Man stands and shakes Cen Meng’s hand, nodding slightly. “Hello.”
As a veteran in the entertainment industry, Qin Man has encountered countless self-proclaimed fans, so Cen Meng’s words don’t particularly move her.
In fact, Qin Man’s only reason for joining this show is her daughter.
She isn’t very interested in the other guests and has no intention of making friends with them.
Cen Meng, accompanied by her mother Qiao Yazhen, also greets Jiang Ning'an. “Hi, Ning'an! I really enjoyed your recent drama ‘The Heart’s Quest.’ I stayed up late binge-watching it! You were amazing!”
Like her mother, Jiang Ning'an is reserved and responds with a faint smile and a simple “Thank you.”
After facing such “cold shoulders,” Cen Meng feels a bit uncomfortable inside.
But she doesn’t show it and keeps her cheerful smile. After all, her fans are watching and will surely speak up for her.
Sure enough, the live chat is already defending Cen Meng.
“That mother and daughter are way too cold. Cen Meng gave them so many compliments, and this is the reaction?”
“Yeah, even if she’s a top actress, she shouldn’t act so high and mighty toward newcomers.”
Immediately, others jump in to counter.
“I think they were polite—they both smiled and said thank you. Some people are just nitpicking.”
【Exactly, it’s totally understandable that everyone feels a bit unfamiliar at the start. Cen Meng’s fans, please don’t be so sensitive, okay?】
At the same time, a nanny van slowly pulled up outside the filming location.
Guided by the staff, Ning Yuxuan and Ning Fei, the last pair of guests to appear, walked up to the second floor of the villa together.
As Ning Fei stepped forward, Qin Man also stood up.
“Long time no see, Qin Man,” Ning Fei smiled and extended her hand.
“Long time no see, Ning Fei.”
The director gave a close-up shot of their handshake before switching to a shot of the two women looking at each other.
【This should be the first time in fifteen years that these two have appeared together on screen, right? I wonder what they’re thinking right now?】
【Their rivalry back then, and now they both have daughters—it’s kind of poetic!】
【The director really knows how to play to the cameras; the sense of destiny here is off the charts!】
Among the live comments, there were still some fans of the two actresses who disliked each other, but most viewers were thrilled by this long-awaited reunion. The quarrels in the comments were completely drowned out.
Meanwhile, Ning Yuxuan and Jiang Ning’an were also greeting each other.
Ning Yuxuan introduced herself first.
Jiang Ning’an responded with the same polite yet slightly distant attitude she had shown toward Cen Meng earlier: “Hello, I’m Jiang Ning’an.”
Just when everyone thought their conversation would end there, Ning Yuxuan spoke up again.
“There’s a question I’ve been holding back for a long time. Today, I finally have the chance to ask you.”
Jiang Ning’an was momentarily stunned, then immediately went on high alert.
She knew her mother’s personality well. When her mother lost the Best Actress award to Ning Fei back then, she probably felt some lingering regret and unwillingness.
But so many years had passed, and Qin Man had since achieved the Grand Slam of awards. The past was long gone like smoke.
Therefore, Jiang Ning’an had no intention of causing trouble for Ning Yuxuan. After the show, everyone would go their separate ways.
But if the other party wanted to stir things up, she was not someone to back down.
Jiang Ning’an stood quietly, waiting for Ning Yuxuan’s question.
The live comments exploded with excitement.
【Here it comes! Things seem calm on the mothers’ side, but the daughters are about to throw down!】
【Haha, I love this! Let them fight!】
【Let me guess—Ning Yuxuan is going to ask, ‘Is your mom truly at peace with losing to my mom back then?’】
Amid the eager anticipation, Ning Yuxuan seriously asked, “I want to know—does Cai Xin love her master more, or the Demon Lord?”
Jiang Ning’an: “……”
Cai Xin is the lead female character Jiang Ning’an portrayed in the hit fantasy drama *Legend of Cai Xin*. This show has been the surprise hit of the year, just wrapping up its finale a few days ago and sparking heated discussions online.
In the story, Cai Xin develops feelings for two men, and which one she loves more has been a hot topic among the fans of both couples.
The camera captured Jiang Ning’an’s stunned expression, and the live audience was equally shocked that Ning Yuxuan would ask such a question.
【Hahaha, no wonder it’s Ning Yuxuan—always right on the cutting edge of fandom!】
【I have to admit, I’m really curious about Ning Yuxuan’s answer to this question.】
【Definitely the Demon Lord! Anyone shipping the master-disciple romance is a heretic—I’m not listening, not listening!】
【LOL, Jiang Ning'an was totally caught off guard just now. Come on, give us CP fans an answer!】
Jiang Ning'an snapped out of her surprise and looked at Ning Yuxuan with a probing gaze.
Ning Yuxuan met her eyes sincerely: “It’s okay, just say it boldly! Even if I’m shipping the wrong couple, I can handle it!”
It was clear she genuinely wanted to know the answer, not just using it as an excuse to start a conversation.
Jiang Ning'an: “……”
She cleared her throat. “These two men are the most important people in Caixin’s life. The master is the one who guided Caixin from innocence to maturity. From beginning to end, the master has always held a place in Caixin’s heart—at first as love, then as a confidant—”
As she spoke about her role, Jiang Ning'an gradually grew more talkative: “...But the Demon Lord was the first to make Caixin realize she could be firmly chosen. He’s also the one who stood by her through the toughest times. What they went through together is irreplaceable. He’s truly her soulmate.”
After she finished, half the chat erupted in cheers, the other half in wails.
【Ahhh, so this is admitting the Demon Lord is Caixin’s true love? I’m crying for my master!】
【Haha, I knew it was the Demon Lord! Thanks, Ning Yuxuan, my ship is complete!】
【Never thought I’d get some post-show content for my ship on a variety show! Let’s all say: thank you, Ning Yuxuan!】
Ning Yuxuan beamed after hearing Jiang Ning'an’s answer: “Thank you!”
Then she shot a triumphant glance at Ning Fei: “Mom, did you hear that? I told you my ship is real!”
This drama was something Ning Yuxuan stumbled upon last weekend while browsing recommendations on a video app. She clicked on it casually.
A few episodes in, Ning Yuxuan got more and more hooked. Since she had no one to discuss it with, she called in Ning Fei to watch it together.
Mother and daughter binge-watched all the way to the finale—and ended up shipping opposite couples.
Ning Fei looked at her daughter helplessly and shook her head: “Alright, I heard you. But I still prefer the master’s quietly devoted love.”
【LOL, Ning teacher and Ning Yuxuan are basically acting out me and my roommate. So real!】
【CP fans arguing, while the protagonists watch the fun unfold—hahaha!】
Ning Yuxuan blinked and suddenly looked at Qin Man: “Teacher Qin, have you watched the drama? Which couple do you support?”
Caught off guard by being addressed by name, Qin Man paused for a moment.
Unconsciously, Jiang Ning'an’s lips curved into a slight smile.
All along, Jiang Ning'an had regarded her mother as her role model and goal.
But she wanted to make a name for herself through her own efforts, not by relying on her mother’s connections in the industry.
Therefore, Qin Man starred in big directors’ works, while Jiang Ning'an, a newcomer who had just debuted, acted in a xianxia idol drama.
Jiang Ning'an thought her mother probably hadn’t watched her drama. After all, no matter how popular it was, it was just an online idol series—not exactly high art.
She was about to step in and smooth things over when Qin Man suddenly spoke.
“I’m more fond of the pairing of Cai Xin and Master,” Qin Man smiled. “Especially the part where Master looks at Cai Xin’s back and chooses to let her go—that really touched me.”
Jiang Ning'an’s eyes widened slightly.
So… her mother really had watched her drama?
【Hahaha, Teacher Qin likes Master too! My wounded heart feels soothed!】
【I declare it two to one, the Master fans win!】
【No, no, the lead actress herself is on the Demon Lord’s side! It’s clearly a tie!】
The fans in the live chat were happily debating the two sides of the CP (couple pairing), while some viewers noticed that Cen Meng and her mother had been silent all along.
【Hey, didn’t Cen Meng say she really liked this drama too? Why isn’t she saying anything?】
Earlier, when greeting Jiang Ning'an, Cen Meng had even mentioned Jiang’s new drama and said she admired her performance.
But now, as Cen Meng watched the others discuss the show, she found herself unable to join in.
The reason was simple: she had never actually watched Jiang Ning'an’s drama. What she said before was just polite flattery to get closer.
At this moment, Cen Meng wanted to speak up but worried that she might accidentally reveal her lie about the plot.
She could only give her mother a subtle look, and the two of them pretended to listen attentively on the sidelines.
Fortunately, it wasn’t long before the production crew came over to move things along.
After the guests greeted each other, the first segment divided them into two groups: mothers and daughters, who were to go shopping for gifts for each other.
The live stream split into two perspectives, following the mothers’ group and the daughters’ group separately.
On the daughters’ side, the directing team took the three of them to a nearby mall popular with young people.
The crew’s rule was that no matter what they wanted to buy, the three had to stick together.
After getting off the car, Cen Meng was the first to speak up: “Ning Yuxuan, Ning Yuxuan, where do you want to go first?”
Jiang Ning'an replied, “I’m fine with anything. Let’s go wherever you want first.”
Ning Yuxuan said she planned to stroll around a bit before deciding.
The crew gave them four hours for eating and shopping, which was plenty of time.
Cen Meng blinked her eyelashes: “Then… can we go to the bookstore first?”
She smiled at the camera. “My mom, like me, loves literature. I want to personally pick out a book for her.”
From the teaser, Cen Meng had deliberately showcased that her family was a scholarly one.
This was part of her strategy from the start. The other two mothers were both award-winning actresses, so since her mother couldn’t compete in looks, she had to emphasize their cultural depth.
Fans were all very supportive.
【Meng Meng really comes from an intellectual family, totally different from ordinary girls!】
【I always said Cen Meng carries this scholarly aura—definitely not just another ordinary celebrity fan.】
Encouraged, Cen Meng continued: “My mom and I often share books we love. For example, she really admires a writer named Yi Xin. I even went all the way to the UK to get a special signed edition of Yi Xin’s latest work for her.”
When she mentioned the author’s name, knowledgeable viewers in the live chat immediately reacted.
【Yi Xin?! The British-Chinese author who was nominated for the Nobel Prize?】
【I know that author too—she’s been all the rage in the community lately! I heard her new book’s special signed commemorative edition has only single-digit copies. People have offered tens of thousands just to get one, but none are available!】
【That impressive? I thought Cen Meng’s love for reading was just part of her persona, but turns out it’s the real deal!】
【I have to admit, it feels like Cen Meng has instantly pulled ahead of the other two by a mile…】
After speaking, Cen Meng couldn’t hide the pride in her eyes.
From an angle the camera couldn’t catch, she glanced toward Ning Yuxuan with a provocative look—
Come on, mock me all you want. Better yet, expose your ignorance in front of the entire national audience.
But Ning Yuxuan only shot Cen Meng a glance, showing no reaction.
Ning Yuxuan was deep in thought.
She knew the author Cen Meng mentioned.
Because of the close friendship between Ning Fei and Xie Zhiyan’s mother, Zheng Xinmei, Zheng Xinmei sent Ning Yuxuan a birthday gift every year.
For Ning Yuxuan’s twenty-fifth birthday, Zheng Xinmei sent her a special signed edition of a novel by Yi Xin, which had been sent back by Xie Zhiyan, who was then doing business in the UK.
It was said that since this was Yi Xin’s eighth work, the special signed commemorative edition was limited to just eight sets. Plus, it was only sold domestically in the UK, making it extremely rare for readers in China to get their hands on one.
Cen Meng happened to have one of the other eight copies—it wasn’t entirely impossible.
But… could it really be such a coincidence?
After a moment’s thought, Ning Yuxuan took out her phone.
To be safe, all the guests’ phones were kept on her during the outdoor shoot.
Ning Yuxuan sent a message to Xie Zhiyan: 【Do you remember the book you sent me from the UK back then?】
