Chapter Seventy-Eight: Moving China

Yin Shanshan was indeed very strict; she had already made her child work so hard, and even when they went out to play, homework was still required. The barrage of comments was filled with voices of pity. At that moment, Daxi, sitting nearby, couldn’t hold back her tears any longer. Her shoulders trembled as she sobbed, looking utterly pitiful.

The director immediately signaled for the cameras to zoom in.

Daxi sniffled. “I miss my mom so much. Since coming here, I’ve only spoken to her on the phone.”

Even at a time like this, Daxi didn’t mention Yu Xin by name. Instead, she began introducing her mother to the other children.

“My mom is especially gentle and loves to smile. My dad loves her very much too. At home, she doesn’t even wash dishes, but she always helps me wash fruit…”

Hearing this, a look of envy appeared on Mingming’s face.

“That’s so nice. I haven’t seen my mom in ages.”

In this moment, the two children found a rare sense of sympathy for each other. For the first time, Mingming made a warm gesture, handing Daxi a tissue.

Sui Sui and Nian Nian, standing off to the side, showed little reaction.

“Big brother, I really like Mom right now. What about you?” Nian Nian’s eyes seemed to shine as she pressed her silent brother for an answer.

The camera focused on Sui Sui, who remained speechless. Unable to resist his sister’s persistent coaxing, he finally pursed his lips and gave a nearly imperceptible nod.

Nian Nian was satisfied at last. “I think our mom is wonderful. She can make so many delicious things and is so gentle—she plays with us every day!”

“I’m so envious of you,” Mingming said sincerely.

With that, the heartwarming segment arranged by the production team came to an end. The four guests, unaware of what had happened, didn’t discuss it when the children returned.

Each family received different ingredients. Having lost the first competition, Su Wanning ended up with the worst and most challenging dish to prepare—lamb chops.

As the champion, Yin Shanshan received not only nutritious ingredients, but even milk tea and desserts.

Once the children had finished washing the food and brought it back, Su Wanning took one look at her lamb chops and potatoes and decisively set up a barbecue grill.

The charcoal was lit, and the pre-marinated lamb chops sizzled as soon as they hit the grill, the high heat triggering a wonderful reaction.

The aroma spread instantly. The lamb chops from the grasslands had no unpleasant odor, only the savory scent of meat. A sprinkle of cumin added a spicy fragrance that made everyone’s mouth water.

Originally, each family was supposed to eat separately, but the smell of the lamb was too enticing. One by one, the children gathered around the grill.

Mingming was at the very front, his nose almost touching the barbecue before Su Wanning hurriedly shooed him back.

“Careful, you’ll get burned. Step back a little.”

Despite Su Wanning’s warnings, the aroma was irresistible. The children crowded around, eyes wide and pleading, making it hard for anyone to say no.

Nian Nian giggled, her lashes curling with delight. “Mingming, don’t worry. When the meat’s done, I’ll share with you!”

“Thank you, Nian Nian!” Mingming was so excited he nearly hugged her, but Sui Sui intervened with a straight face, gently blocking him.

Su Wanning found the scene amusing. As she turned the lamb chops on the grill, she said, “Alright, alright, they’ll be ready soon. You can all stay here and eat with me.”

“Yay!” Daxi high-fived Mingming, while Yangyang stood to the side, a hint of hesitation on his face.

Su Wanning understood. “Don’t worry, your mothers will be informed. I’ll have the director tell them.”

With that reassurance, Yangyang finally relaxed, nodding obediently. “Thank you, Aunt Su.”

Feeling a pang of affection for the well-mannered child, Su Wanning handed him the first lamb chop when they were ready.

But Yangyang didn’t take it. “Let Nian Nian have it first.”

At that, Mingming reached out and snatched it for himself. “If you’re not going to eat it, I will!”

He blew on it quickly and took a big bite, the juices and spices exploding on his tongue. He squinted in bliss.

“It’s amazing! This is the best lamb chop I’ve ever had!”

“Slow down. Don’t worry, there’s enough for everyone.”

Luckily, the ingredients provided by the show were abundant. After dividing the lamb, Su Wanning dug a few small potatoes out of the coals.

Instead of slicing and grilling them as was common in the city, she’d tossed them whole into the fire. Now, though the skins were charred, peeling them revealed golden, fluffy flesh with a natural, starchy aroma.

Mingming’s nose twitched, his eyes lighting up. “What’s that? It smells so good!”

Su Wanning smiled, handing him half a potato sprinkled with a thin layer of salt.

“Careful, it’s hot.”

But Mingming wasn’t afraid. He barely blew on it before taking a big bite. Though the heat made him grimace, the delicious simplicity of the potato made him exclaim, “This is the best potato I’ve ever had!”

Su Wanning made sure each child got some potato and other vegetables. By the end of the meal, everyone’s stomach was round and full.

Meanwhile, the three mothers, hearing that their children were all at Su Wanning’s, reacted differently.

Yu Xin was clearly a bit jealous, her tone sharp as she spoke to the camera. “I made that salad especially for Daxi today, thinking she might find breakfast too greasy. Who would have expected this…”

Feng Rui didn’t care; she simply made lunch for herself and ate contentedly.

Yin Shanshan showed little outward reaction, but despite her feigned indifference, she kept frowning. In the end, she couldn’t finish her lunch and stood up abruptly.

“Yangyang usually takes a nap after lunch. I’ll go find him.”

She arrived just as the children finished eating. Yangyang looked up at her, a flicker of fear in his eyes.

Fortunately, with the cameras rolling, Yin Shanshan said little and took her child back.

Su Wanning returned to the yurt with the other children. After playing for a while, they couldn’t stay awake and soon drifted off to sleep.

At this point, the director gathered the four guests and played the footage recorded while the children were washing vegetables.

First, the camera showed Yangyang, the little one bravely holding back tears as he spoke. Yin Shanshan’s expression softened.

Then came Sui Sui and Nian Nian’s segment—one cheerful, the other awkwardly confessing their feelings.

Su Wanning’s eyes grew moist, but she forced herself to hold back the tears.

“This is a special gift from our production team,” Director Wang Zan announced, pleased with the emotional reactions he saw. He was certain this segment would resonate with the audience.

Su Wanning sniffed and was the first to smile. “Children really are at the best age.”