Chapter Forty-Five: Acting Skills

Yangyang lingered at the bathroom door, his small face covered with exhaustion, yet he still spoke softly, "Mom, Suisui is so smart, I can't compare to him."

The livestream had long since ended, and there were no staff members from the production crew nearby. Yin Shanshan revealed a side completely different from her usual composure in front of the cameras.

Her eyes flashed fiercely as she strode forward, grabbed her son's arm, and dragged him to sit at the desk.

"Yangyang, you're the child your father and I have high hopes for. You should know we're not here to play. Finish all of these tonight—"

Meanwhile, Su Wan Ning returned home and planted kisses on both of her children.

"Did you have fun today?"

This was her nightly ritual, a question she never missed. Although she'd originally joined the show to clear her name, gradually, Su Wan Ning found herself caring more about her children's feelings.

Niannian answered enthusiastically, nodding without hesitation, "Mom, everyone loved the songs I sang!"

"That's right, our Niannian is the best. And Suisui, I bet lots of older kids were surprised by you on camera today."

Even the most intelligent child is still a child; Suisui couldn't help but smile at her words, causing Su Wan Ning to sigh inwardly.

They both came from her womb, so why did only one inherit such high intelligence?

The next morning, everyone gathered at the breakfast spot arranged by the production team. Yin Shanshan arrived late, bringing Yangyang with her.

Yangyang looked listless, his eyelids drooping, and he ate slowly and without energy.

Yu Xin, sitting nearby, noticed and asked, "Yangyang, what's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"

Yangyang was about to reply when Yin Shanshan interrupted, "It's just the heat—he's tired, nothing more."

"The weather is indeed challenging here," the host Wang Zan announced, "so today we've arranged a parent-child swimming activity."

Cheers erupted from the crowd, and even the livestream audience buzzed with excitement.

[Does this mean we'll get to see the goddess in a swimsuit? The production team is amazing!]

[Say what you will, Feng Rui has the best figure of them all.]

[It is really hot, but I wonder if any of them can actually swim.]

"Before we head to the pool, everyone needs to pick up swimsuits, goggles, and other gear. In the meantime, kids and adults will be split into two groups, and they'll shop for each other's equipment."

Of course, the director wouldn't let them off so easily. Each child was given a three hundred yuan shopping fund, and the parents received the same.

Soon, the production team sent the kids to the largest supermarket in the village, while the parents headed to a shop in a neighboring village.

The children walked together, with Niannian and Suisui unconsciously surrounded in the center by the other three.

[The kids are so sweet, looking out for the youngest.]

[Da Xi is smiling so much more these days!]

At the village supermarket, Mingming ran straight to the owner.

"Hello, we'd like to buy swimsuits!"

"They're over there," the owner replied, pointing. The kids rushed over.

The swimsuits in the village ranged from simple and conservative to bold, revealing bikinis.

Yangyang remembered his mother's advice and immediately spotted a blue one-piece swimsuit.

"This one..."

"Brother, it's so pretty! Mom would look great in it," Niannian chirped, bouncing over and pointing at Yangyang's chosen swimsuit.

Suisui nodded in agreement, "Yes, it's beautiful."

Silently, Yangyang lowered his hand. His siblings were still young; as the eldest, he had to let them have their way.

Meanwhile, Da Xi recalled Yu Xin's request to pick something pink.

"Pink... pink..." Most swimsuits were covered in flashy patterns and vibrant colors. Da Xi searched painstakingly, finally finding a pink one-piece.

"I want this one!"

The owner glanced at it, his expression hard to read. "Are you sure, little one?"

[No, Da Xi, that swimsuit is so old-fashioned—how can you give it to Yu Xin?]

[Is this kid trying to be funny?]

[That swimsuit's been gathering dust in the corner, it's so ugly no one buys it.]

Da Xi looked around; it was the only truly pink option. She nodded decisively, "This is the one!"

So the outdated swimsuit ended up in Da Xi's bag. The owner only charged eighty yuan, and Da Xi thoughtfully paired it with a matching pink swim cap and goggles for Yu Xin.

Suisui and Niannian bought the blue ruffled swimsuit, and Yangyang settled for a plain one nearby.

Only Mingming hadn't chosen yet. He'd been lost in the toy section and, when asked, looked up indifferently and pointed randomly, "I'll take this one!"

[Feng Rui is going to lose her mind.]

[Mingming is too adorable. If I were Feng Rui, I'd be furious at that swimsuit.]

For just twenty yuan, Mingming bought his "swimsuit," spending the rest on snacks and toys. He even generously patted his chest and shared his snacks with the other kids.

On the other side, the four adults arrived at the shop. They quickly adjusted the swimsuits, caps, and goggles for their children.

Yu Xin sidled up to Su Wan Ning. "Ning, look—there's only one small size left of this swimsuit. I think it would suit Suisui."

It was indeed nice; Su Wan Ning had noticed it as soon as she entered, but the sizing was a bit small.

"Better not. It's just right now, but he'd only wear it a few times. Kids grow fast. Next year it won't fit."

Yu Xin was taken aback.

[Seriously? A celebrity cares about such things—a swimsuit worn for years?]

[That sounds exactly like something my mom would say…]

[Oh please, is she really so frugal? No need to try so hard to play the virtuous wife and mother.]

Su Wan Ning lowered her head and continued shopping, but Yu Xin lingered.

"Ning, I feel like you're a bit sensitive, right? I've been here a few days and I still don't feel like we've gotten close."

Su Wan Ning paused, then slowly turned toward her.

[Yeah, what's she pretending for? Isn't Yu Xin just as popular as her?]

[Su Wan Ning really doesn't seem close to the other families.]

"The tasks from the director are so exhausting, and there's never a chance. I always see you with Yin Shanshan and Feng Rui—I didn't want to intrude."

Su Wan Ning handled it smoothly, watching Yu Xin's smile stiffen, and seized the moment to add, "As long as you don't mind! I have a lot of scandals, I'm worried I'd affect you!"

With that, Su Wan Ning casually draped her arm over Yu Xin's, smiling even more warmly than her companion.

[She's not wrong.]

[Yu Xin looks stunned—did Su Wan Ning's friendliness catch her off guard?]