The atmosphere in the car was unbearably awkward.
Cheng Xiyang's perfect facade finally cracked at the edges, his smile freezing in place.
The live-stream audience, always eager for drama, erupted in laughter immediately.
[Hahahaha well this is perfect—he was barely passing before, but now he’s officially failed!]
[LOL what was Cheng Xiyang thinking, repeatedly asking Ning Yuxuan to rate him? Did he not get enough humiliation already?]
[Cheng Xiyang: My anxious heart has finally flatlined.]
Cheng Xiyang’s fans, however, were furious.
[Who does Ning Yuxuan think she is? What gives her the right to score anyone?]
[I’d give Ning Yuxuan a zero—no, a negative score!]
[I only tuned in for Cheng Xiyang, but this show is unbearable. The regulars are openly bullying the new guest!]
[This show is disgusting. I’d have turned it off already if not for Cheng Xiyang.]
Fans of the show weren’t about to let Cheng Xiyang’s supporters have the last word, firing back without hesitation.
[Get your facts straight—your precious idol was the one who begged Ning Yuxuan to rate him! If he hadn’t insisted, would he have gotten a 59?]
[If some people’s fans are so unhappy, maybe they shouldn’t have joined the show in the first place!]
[Love it or leave it!]
Inside the car, Liu Yufang finally snapped.
Before the show, her son had reminded her to speak less, work more, and stay friendly to leave a good impression on viewers.
But there are limits to what one can endure.
Watching the son she’d raised like a treasure get publicly scored a 59, Liu Yufang couldn’t hold back.
“Listen here, young lady,” Liu Yufang glared at Ning Yuxuan, her voice dripping with disapproval. “My Xiyang was just trying to be nice, and this is how you treat him? How dare you give my son such a score?”
Hearing someone speak to her daughter like that, Ning Fei’s eyebrows knitted together.
But before she could say a word, Ning Yuxuan gently squeezed her mother’s hand in reassurance.
Ning Yuxuan knew Ning Fei had never been good at arguments. In all these years, she’d rarely seen her mother engage in verbal fights.
If Ning Fei was wronged, she’d usually walk away rather than confront the other person.
Back in the Lin family, that’s exactly how she’d handled things—except when her daughter was involved.
In Ning Yuxuan’s memories, the few times her mother had ever argued fiercely were when she’d stood up for her against the Lin relatives.
But things were different now. She wasn’t a little girl hiding behind her mother anymore.
“Ma’am,” Ning Yuxuan met Liu Yufang’s gaze, her tone calm but firm. “I don’t understand your issue. Wasn’t it your son who asked me to score him? I was just obliging his request. Or do you, too, think his behavior was questionable?”
Liu Yufang faltered. “You—!”
Ning Yuxuan remained unruffled. “Me, what?”
Behind Liu Yufang, Cheng Xiyang gripped his mother’s shoulder. “Mom, calm down…”
He knew he was in the wrong here. More importantly, he was aware that while his mother might seem like a skilled debater, her logic was shaky.
Normally, she might overpower others with sheer force, but this was a live broadcast. Coming across as aggressive and unreasonable would only turn viewers against them.
His mother was just a civilian—but he’d be the one facing the backlash.
But Liu Yufang was already too worked up.
She shoved her son’s hand away, her voice rising. “I won’t waste words on your nonsense! I don’t have the patience for your twisted reasoning. All I know is that a young girl like you should show some respect when speaking to her elders! Where are your manners?”
Ning Yuxuan smirked.
Oh, so they were playing this game now?
She fixed her eyes on Liu Yufang and spoke deliberately. “Ma’am, I still don’t follow. What do you mean by ‘a young girl like me’? Are you saying it’s fine for boys to disrespect their elders? That boys can lack manners?”
Liu Yufang sputtered. “You—!”
Ning Yuxuan glanced at Cheng Xiyang. “Ah, I forgot. Of course you’d say that, Auntie—given how much you dote on your son.”
Cheng Xiyang’s expression darkened.
Having spent years in the entertainment industry, he was far more attuned to sensitive topics than the average person. He immediately caught Ning Yuxuan’s implication.
He tugged at his mother’s arm urgently. “Mom, stop talking…”
If she said something reckless in the heat of the moment, the internet would run wild with it.
But Liu Yufang was too far gone, trembling with rage, determined to teach this ill-mannered girl a lesson.
“What’s wrong with doting on my son?” she snapped. “I nearly died giving birth to him, and he’s grown into such an outstanding man—of course he’s better than some little girl! Girls should know their place—be demure, polite, and—”
“Mom!” Cheng Xiyang exploded, cutting her off. “I said ENOUGH!”
If she kept spouting such views, his reputation in the industry would be ruined.
Liu Yufang froze.
Hearing her son’s furious shout, she finally fell silent.
As the cameras around them registered in her mind, a belated wave of regret hit her.
Still, she didn’t fully grasp how controversial her words had been—only that she’d lost her composure on national television, squabbling like a shrew.
With the argument over, the live-stream audience, always hungry for drama, was almost disappointed.
Though the show had seen its share of chaos since Cen Meng’s days, this was the first time guests had clashed so openly on air.
[That’s it? I was just getting into it!]
[Boring. I wanted to see Ning Yuxuan roast that auntie some more.]
Others dissected the fight, most siding with Ning Yuxuan.
[Cheng Xiyang’s mom is insufferable. She wouldn’t listen to reason, just kept deflecting.]
[Ning Yuxuan nailed it. Can’t stand people who pull the ‘respect your elders’ card!]
Cheng Xiyang’s fans fought back:
[Cut the auntie some slack—older generations think differently!]
[Ning Yuxuan was so rude to an elder! Even if she was wrong, you don’t humiliate someone like that!]
[Why are people praising Ning Yuxuan for arguing with an older woman? That’s not something to celebrate!]
Though Cheng Xiyang couldn’t see the comments, cold sweat trickled down his temple.
At least his mother had stopped talking. The situation was—barely—under control.
Cheng Xiyang quickly changed the subject, silently praying the audience wouldn’t dwell too much on his mother’s earlier remarks. "Alright, alright, today is Teacher Qin’s birthday. No matter what misunderstandings there might be, let’s all make peace for Teacher Qin’s sake."
As he finished speaking, the car slowly came to a stop.
The group stepped out and returned to the villa.
Qin Man and Jiang Ning'an arrived at the filming location five minutes later.
Everyone gathered in the living room on the first floor, where the staff announced the next segment: sharing birthday wishes.
The production team first asked Qin Man and Jiang Ning'an to present the collected greeting cards they had gathered, selecting a few to read aloud.
Unaware of the surprise the crew had planned, Qin Man picked up the topmost pink card and began reading: "Dear production team, I’ve been a loyal viewer since the first season. Thank you, 'Dear Mom,' for helping me appreciate the warmth of family and deepening my understanding with my own mother."
Jiang Ning'an then read two more cards.
The crew had prepared a large felt board, where the two pinned up the selected messages.
Next, it was Ning Fei and Ning Yuxuan’s turn to share their collected wishes.
Ning Fei unfolded a card but paused before reading.
"Teacher Qin," Ning Fei said with a smile, "my throat isn’t feeling too well today. Since you’re so eloquent, could you read this for me?"
Qin Man looked at Ning Fei in surprise.
Logically, even if Ning Fei was unwell, Ning Yuxuan should have been the one to step in.
But reading a card wasn’t a big deal, so Qin Man nodded. "Of course."
She took the card from Ning Fei’s hands and began, "Dear Teacher Qin…"
After the first few words, Qin Man sensed something unusual.
She skimmed the rest of the text and realized the message was actually from one of her fans.
A faint understanding dawned on her as she glanced around.
Ning Fei and Ning Yuxuan were both smiling at her, and even the crew members wore knowing grins.
Qin Man finally grasped it—this was the surprise the production team had arranged for her.
"Teacher Qin," a staff member encouraged, "please keep reading."
Qin Man chuckled. "Alright."
The message was from a longtime fan, listing their admiration for the various roles Qin Man had portrayed over the years.
It ended with a heartfelt "Happy Birthday" and a string of warm wishes.
This particular card had been deliberately chosen by Ning Fei from the stack.
Over her long acting career, Qin Man had attracted countless devoted fans, many of whom had written sincere and passionate tributes.
Some praised her as an ageless goddess, while others commended her dedication to her craft.
But as a fellow actress, Ning Fei believed Qin Man would cherish recognition for her roles above all else—just as she would.
That was why she had selected this one.
Sure enough, by the time Qin Man finished reading, she was visibly moved, her voice even trembling slightly.
[Aw, this is so touching—I’m tearing up too!]
[Did you notice? Ning Fei deliberately picked this card and placed it on top. She really understands Qin Man best!]
[I knew these two actresses respected each other deeply. They just get what kind of appreciation means the most!]
Qin Man went on to read several more birthday wishes from fans.
Unfortunately, with fifty-two cards in total, there wasn’t enough time to share them all.
Qin Man said earnestly, "Thank you to the production team for this wonderful surprise, to everyone who helped collect these messages, and to all the fans who took the time to write them. I’ll treasure each one and take them home with me."
Soft background music began playing as the crew wheeled out a two-tiered birthday cake, its candles already lit.
Led by the staff, the entire room broke into a chorus of "Happy Birthday."
Not just the guests—every crew member joined in.
Jiang Ning'an, who had also been kept in the dark earlier, now stood beside her mother, singing the loudest.
Amid such warmth, even with some prior inkling, Qin Man couldn’t help but grow misty-eyed.
"Mom," Jiang Ning'an said gently, "make a wish."
Qin Man nodded slightly.
The crew dimmed the lights.
Qin Man clasped her hands, closed her eyes, and silently made her wish.
Ten seconds later, she opened them again. "Done."
Jiang Ning'an asked curiously, "What did you wish for? It took so long!"
Qin Man shook her head with a soft smile. "If I say it, it won’t come true. But..."
She met her daughter’s gaze. "It was about you."
Jiang Ning'an froze.
[Qin Man is seriously the best—even her birthday wish was for her daughter!]
[Has anyone else noticed how much Qin Man has changed? She’d never have been this open before.]
[Right? I still remember how strict she seemed with her daughter in the previews.]
After blowing out the candles to cheers, Qin Man took a knife from the staff and cut the cake.
The double-layered dessert was large enough to share with all six guests and still leave plenty for the crew.
The atmosphere remained cozy as everyone enjoyed their slices.
Once the cake was served, Ning Fei presented the sunglasses Ning Yuxuan had picked out earlier, along with the golden pendant.
"The sunglasses were Yuxuan’s choice," Ning Fei explained. "The pendant was a joint decision. Consider these our birthday gifts to you. Happy Birthday, Qin Man."
Qin Man clearly hadn’t expected another surprise after the crew’s heartfelt gesture.
"Th-thank you," she said, accepting the gifts. "I don’t know what to say, but this means a lot."
Ning Yuxuan added cheerfully, "Mom and I were clueless about what to get at first. Luckily, Ning'an mentioned you liked sunglasses, so we weren’t completely lost. I just hope they match your taste."
Qin Man immediately replied, "I love them."
To prove it, she put them on right away.
[Wow! Who knew this style would suit Qin Man so well? I thought it might clash with her vibe!]
[Are you kidding? Back in the day, Qin Man was called the "Chameleon Queen"—she could rock any look!]
Seeing the gifts from Ning Fei and Ning Yuxuan, Jiang Ning'an suddenly spoke up. "Actually... I prepared a gift too."
Qin Man, who had just removed the sunglasses, turned to her daughter with startled eyes.
[Haha, even Qin Man didn’t see this coming—today’s full of surprises!]
[One after another, she’s truly blessed!]
Jiang Ning'an said somewhat sheepishly, "I originally planned to give this to you after the live broadcast ended, but since everyone’s celebrating your birthday now, I thought I’d join in. Also..."
She hesitated, leaving her sentence unfinished. "Well, you’ll understand once I bring it out."
With that, Jiang Ning'an hurried upstairs.
Earlier, when the guests had checked in, their luggage had already been placed in the rooms they’d stayed in during the first episode. Cheng Xiyang and Liu Yufang were staying in the room previously occupied by Cen Meng.
Two minutes later, Jiang Ning'an returned with a gift she’d retrieved from her suitcase—a jewelry box.
Under the curious gazes of the others, Qin Man opened the box to reveal a pair of pearl earrings designed like pink flowers with pearl chains.
The earrings perfectly complemented the petal-shaped sunglasses Ning Yuxuan had picked out, as if the two gifts had been coordinated in advance.
Jiang Ning'an explained, "I bought these earrings two months ago while filming abroad. What a coincidence that they match the floral theme of Yuxuan’s gift, so I decided to bring them out now."
Ning Yuxuan smiled, her eyes curving. "It really is a coincidence. Maybe it’s the tacit understanding we built while cooking together?"
Jiang Ning'an couldn’t help but laugh. "Maybe so."
"Mom," Jiang Ning'an suggested tentatively, "would you like me to help you put them on?"
After receiving Qin Man’s approval, Jiang Ning'an disinfected the earrings with an alcohol wipe and carefully fastened them on her mother.
Qin Man then put on the sunglasses as well.
The two accessories paired harmoniously, as if they’d been intentionally matched.
The live chat was flooded with praise.
Only Cheng Xiyang wore an awkward expression.
Out of the six people present, everyone except Qin Man herself had brought a gift—except for him and his mother.
He had considered buying something, but in his rush to complete tasks earlier, he’d assumed Ning Yuxuan wouldn’t prepare anything either, so he’d let it slide.
Now he regretted it. Even a small token would have been better than nothing.
...
While the atmosphere on set was warm and cheerful, the online discourse was far less kind.
Before evening, clips of Ning Yuxuan and Liu Yufang’s argument during the livestream had already trended on social media.
Liu Yufang’s remarks about "girls needing to be virtuous" had sparked widespread backlash.
[What’s wrong with this auntie? She’s a woman herself—how can she look down on other women?]
[Exactly! Respecting elders is one thing, but why single out "girls"? Do boys not need manners?]
[Did you hear her? "Girls are supposed to be virtuous"—what, so they can be maids for your son?]
Had Liu Yufang been just any conservative older woman, the reaction might not have been so intense.
But she was Cheng Xiyang’s mother.
Cheng Xiyang had built his public image around being gentle, approachable, and respectful toward women—a persona carefully crafted by his team.
A past viral clip of him encouraging female fans to prioritize self-love over fandom had once earned him praise as a progressive voice in the entertainment industry.
Now, Liu Yufang’s words inevitably led people to question Cheng Xiyang’s true beliefs.
[Wow… Cheng Xiyang’s mom said that? Does he think the same way?]
[My image of him is shattered… I always thought he was the sweet, considerate type…]
[Logically, I know these aren’t his words, but it’s hard not to assume he shares her views. She’s his mother!]
Cheng Xiyang’s fans scrambled to distance him from the controversy.
[Liu Yufang’s words don’t represent Cheng Xiyang! Stop using this to attack him!]
[Cheng Xiyang is his own person! Don’t hold him accountable for someone else’s remarks!]
But netizens weren’t buying it—and neither were Ning Shiyue’s fans, who seized the chance to retaliate.
They hadn’t forgotten how Cheng Xiyang’s fans had mocked Ning Shiyue when his relationship with Ning Fei was exposed, spreading rumors that he’d only won competitions due to nepotism.
Now, the tables had turned.
[“Struggled to give birth to this precious son”—pfft. If I didn’t know his name was Cheng Xiyang, I’d think it was Cheng Yaozu!]
[Stop defending him. Raised in that kind of household, how decent could he really be?]
[Cheng Xiyang is nothing compared to Ning Shiyue. Look at how Ning treats his sister! Thank goodness Cheng doesn’t have one—she’d just be exploited!]
Cheng Xiyang’s manager was livid when he saw the trending search.
The show had always been a risk, but Cheng Xiyang had insisted on joining for the exposure.
The manager had known Liu Yufang was trouble, but Cheng Xiyang had promised to keep her in line.
And now, this disaster on the first day of filming.
The only silver lining was that Cheng Xiyang hadn’t said those things himself. The team could still spin this as him rising above his upbringing.
The manager immediately called the company to strategize damage control.
By evening, the public opinion had shifted slightly.
New trending searches appeared, flooding timelines with compilations of Cheng Xiyang’s past feminist-friendly statements.
Clips resurfaced of him encouraging female fans to prioritize self-love, along with interviews where he’d expressed longing for a younger sister to dote on, or his frequent declarations that he’d be a devoted "girl dad" someday.
The comment sections were now filled with supporters.
[See? I knew Cheng Xiyang wasn’t like that! His words prove he’s not sexist!]
[Netizens are so quick to judge. You can’t assume someone’s character based on their parent!]
[I stand with Cheng Xiyang! He’s a good person—he shouldn’t suffer for his mom’s mistakes!]
[Maybe his mom’s views are outdated, but Cheng Xiyang isn’t! Anyone who knows him can see he’s one of the most respectful male celebrities out there!]
...
After Qin Man’s birthday celebration, the day’s filming came to a close.
The livestream ended, and the guests retired to their respective rooms.
This afternoon, Ning Fei had been out all day, and ever since returning, her legs had been bothering her. Even after soaking in a bath, the discomfort hadn’t eased much.
In the past, whenever something like this happened, Ning Fei would use a massage gun to relieve the tension. But after rummaging through her luggage, she realized she’d forgotten to bring it this time for the show.
Ning Yuxuan suggested, "Mom, should I go ask Teacher Qin and the others? Maybe they brought one."
Ning Fei hesitated. "Wouldn’t that be too much trouble for them…?"
Ning Yuxuan glanced at the time. "It’s only a little past nine. Teacher Qin and the others probably aren’t asleep yet. I’ll go ask. If they don’t have one, I’ll massage your legs for you."
After a brief pause, Ning Fei nodded. "Alright."
She didn’t want to trouble her daughter, but her legs were genuinely uncomfortable—without some relief, she’d have trouble falling asleep.
Only Ning Yuxuan and Ning Fei’s rooms were on the third floor; the other two groups’ bedrooms were on the second floor.
Ning Yuxuan threw on a coat over her nightgown and headed downstairs to look for Qin Man and Jiang Ning'an.
Qin Man’s room was at the far end of the hallway. As Ning Yuxuan passed Cheng Xiyang’s room, voices spilled out from inside.
"I only said a few words about her! Mom just wanted to stand up for you—why are you scolding me instead?"
"Mom, keep your voice down! What if someone hears? I know you meant well, but the things you said could easily make people online think our family favors sons over daughters!"
"So what? You’re my precious son—who else should I care about more? Look at that Ning Fei, talking all sweet, but in the end, isn’t she just like me? She had a daughter first, then immediately tried again for a son!"
Ning Yuxuan:
"……"
She remembered Cheng Xiyang introducing himself earlier that day as an only child.
But from the sound of it, he seemed to have an older sister.
Suddenly, Ning Yuxuan thought she understood why Ning Shiyue disliked Cheng Xiyang.
