The Alpha Daughter-in-Law's Whitewashing Journey in a Reality Show with Her Child (GL) - Chapter 8

After driving home, Qin Shiyue went into the kitchen to make dinner. She cooked Chu Xiao’s favorite, braised pork and Coke chicken wings. She also did the unprecedented and let Chu Xiao have a glass of Coke.

When they were done, Chu Xiao patted her round little belly and asked happily, “Mommy, what’s so special about today? Why did we get to eat so many good things?”

Qin Shiyue simply said, “It’s a very important day.” She didn’t elaborate.

Chu Xiao didn’t quite understand but helped Mommy clean the table. Then, Mommy pulled her out into the yard for a walk to help them digest their food. In the middle of their walk, Mommy fiddled with her phone for a bit, then said she had something to do, and pulled her back inside to get a bath.

She didn’t understand what Mommy had to do. The world of adults was a little complicated.

After blow-drying Chu Xiao’s hair, Qin Shiyue made a video call to Chu Siyun. Chu Siyun answered quickly. She seemed to be in a car on her way back to the hotel and looked very tired.

Qin Shiyue pointed the camera at Chu Xiao and said in a feigned casual voice, “I’ve changed my mind about that thing you mentioned today.”

Chu Siyun immediately perked up. “You agreed?”

Qin Shiyue said, “No, no, no. You ask the child. If she agrees, I agree.”

Chu Siyun asked, “Baby, do you agree?”

Chu Xiao didn’t understand what her moms were talking about and looked at Mommy with a puzzled expression.

Qin Shiyue said, “She doesn’t know. You explain it to her clearly. You have to tell her both the pros and cons and let her make her own choice. You’re not allowed to influence her.”

Chu Siyun immediately nodded. “Okay.” This sounded like there was still a chance.

Qin Shiyue took her laptop and sat on the sofa by the bed, typing away while listening in on the conversation between the two.

Chu Siyun said, “Xiaoxiao, there’s a parent-child travel show that’s invited our family of three to go on it. Mom and Mommy want to ask for your opinion.”

Chu Xiao asked, “What’s a parent-child travel show?”

Chu Siyun explained, “It’s a show where the production team invites a few families to travel together. The production team is, um, a group of people. The production team finds a few suitable places, and we go there to play, but they film the whole process to show more people. This show won’t just have our family of three; there will also be other kids and their parents. But it’s not just about playing. They’ll give us tasks to complete while we play.”

Chu Xiao summarized it perfectly. “So, I can play with Mom and Mommy, and also with lots of other kids?”

That seemed to be right. Chu Siyun nodded.

Chu Xiao immediately said, “Then I want to go.”

Chu Siyun was overjoyed.

Qin Shiyue, who was listening in, was not happy and leaned closer. “Why are you only mentioning the things that a child would find appealing? Why aren’t you talking about the downsides?”

Chu Siyun laughed awkwardly. “I haven’t had a chance yet.”

Qin Shiyue said in an unruffled tone, “Xiaoxiao, you have to think carefully. It’s for a show, not just a simple trip. First, after the show airs, a lot of people will see us playing. Many people might like you, but there will definitely be some people who don’t like or even hate you. Second, the tasks the show gives us might not be simple. You’re still too young, and it might be very difficult for you to complete them. Also, people with cameras will be following you all the time. A camera has a long lens, and it’s a bigger machine than Mommy’s camera. You’ll lose a lot of freedom because the camera crew will film your every move.”

Chu Xiao’s little face scrunched up as she started to think.

Should I go?

I won’t have any freedom. I don’t like that. There will be people who don’t like me. That’s sad. There will be difficult tasks. That’s okay.

But if I go, Mom and Mommy will both be with me. Even though the camera crew will be filming me, I’ll be filmed with Mom and Mommy.

On one side were things she hadn’t experienced yet; on the other side were Mom and Mommy. Mom and Mommy were more appealing, of course.

Chu Xiao finally made her choice. “Mommy, Mom, I want to go. Can I?”

Qin Shiyue sighed, picked up her laptop, and went back to the sofa. Chu Siyun was as happy as if she had just won a war. She knew this would happen.

Qin Shiyue didn’t want to talk. She angrily typed on the keyboard, venting her frustration.

Chu Siyun arrived at her destination and walked towards the hotel, holding her phone. Some fans were waiting at the entrance. Chu Siyun nodded in acknowledgment as she walked into the lobby.

Once inside, Chu Xiao asked curiously, “Mom, there are so many people?”

Chu Siyun explained, “Those are my fans, people who like to watch the movies I’m in.”

Chu Xiao was surprised. “Mom makes movies?”

Chu Siyun said proudly, “Yes, Mom’s movies are great. All the trophies in the little room are because Mom is so good at making movies.”

Chu Xiao said, “Wow.” So her mom was that amazing. “Can I watch the movies you’re in?”

Chu Siyun thought about her recent works. They were too complicated, too gory, and a little too sexual for a three-year-old. “No, you’re too young to understand. You can watch when you’re older.”

Chu Xiao was a little disappointed.

While they were talking, Chu Siyun arrived at her room. She usually took a shower first, so the video call ended there. Chu Xiao climbed into bed by herself and called out, “Mommy, tell me a story. It’s time to sleep.”

Qin Shiyue was busy with her work and said, “You read the picture book yourself first. When your mom is done with her shower, video call her again and have her read to you.”

Chu Xiao compromised. “Okay.”

Before, Chu Xiao had a smart speaker in her room to listen to stories, but Qin Shiyue found that she would stay up too late just to listen to them, so she took it away. Chu Xiao loved being patted on the back while she listened to a story, and she would fall asleep very quickly. So Qin Shiyue started telling her a story herself every night.

Now it was basically decided that they were going to be on the show. She could be sure that Chu Siyun wanted to be a better parent and be part of her child’s life. Since she was busy right now, it was the best strategy to have Chu Siyun put the child to sleep. Chu Siyun was so good at memorizing lines that she probably wouldn’t be bad at telling stories either. Maybe Chu Siyun would even be happy to do it, which would make her life a lot easier.

About ten minutes later, Chu Xiao finished her picture book. “Mommy.”

Qin Shiyue answered, “Hmm?”

Chu Xiao asked with a little confusion, “This picture book is so good, so why did Sister Yaoyao say it wasn’t?”

Qin Shiyue was even more confused than her daughter. “What?”

Chu Xiao said, “Last week, I recommended this picture book to Sister Yaoyao, and she said it was too childish and not for big kids like her.”

What? As far as Qin Shiyue knew, “Sister Yaoyao’s” full name was Feng Yunyao. She was Chu Xiao’s classmate in kindergarten and her best friend. They were in the same class, so how different could they be? Chu Xiao was born in June, so Feng Yunyao could only be a few months older. Why was she calling herself a “big kid”?

It was amusing. She was trying to act mature at such a young age. Chu Xiao was like a little silly girl who only cared about eating candy. They were a perfect match.

Judging the time, Qin Shiyue video-called Chu Siyun again. The other side answered, but the screen was a little off. What was the camera pointed at? Qin Shiyue quickly pushed Chu Xiao away, who was trying to lean in.

Why did that person answer the phone without any clothes on? Is that appropriate?

What a disgrace!

Finally, Chu Siyun shook her long hair, unplugged the hair dryer, and picked up the phone from the sink. “Why aren’t you talking?”

Oh, she wasn’t naked. She was wearing a towel. But this towel was useless. Her shoulder, collarbone, and a certain area were all exposed.

Qin Shiyue urged, “Go put on some pajamas.”

Chu Siyun walked towards the closet. “Okay. Is there anything else?”

The camera was pointing at nothing, and Qin Shiyue said, “I’m a little busy. You tell Chu Xiao a story to put her to sleep.”

She couldn’t see Chu Siyun, only hear the rustling of clothes. A minute later, the phone was picked up, and Chu Siyun, now in long-sleeved pajamas, said, “I’m telling the story?”

Qin Shiyue nodded and handed the phone to the eager Chu Xiao. Chu Xiao took the phone and climbed back into bed.

Chu Siyun asked, “Baby, what do you want to hear?”

Can Mom even tell a story? Chu Xiao chose a simple one. “How about Cinderella?”

Chu Siyun picked up her tablet and searched for a children’s story. “Put the phone on your pillow and close your eyes. You’ll fall asleep soon.”

Chu Xiao did as she was told. Soon, Chu Siyun’s clear voice came from the other end of the phone. “Spring came to the kingdom. The meadows were lush and green, and the flowers in the garden stood tall. The lambs…”

Qin Shiyue felt something was wrong. She had found a translated version of the Disney movie script. A bedtime story for a child should be easier to understand. Forget it. It was the first time. She shouldn’t interrupt them. She would talk to her about it after tonight. The child would fall asleep after a little while anyway. It didn’t matter.

Half an hour later, Chu Siyun paused and took a sip of water. Chu Xiao asked in a small voice, “Mom, are you tired?”

Chu Siyun forced a smile. “No, I’m not. Let’s continue. The prince sighed. He was tired of hunting again and again. Every time it was a big show…”

Qin Shiyue couldn’t take it anymore. She climbed onto the bed, held Chu Xiao in her arms, and gently patted her back. As expected, this was the most effective method. With Chu Siyun’s story, Chu Xiao was asleep in two minutes.

Qin Shiyue carefully tucked Chu Xiao in, took her phone, and tiptoed out of the room with her laptop. Outside the door, Qin Shiyue looked at the exhausted woman on the phone screen and said, “Next time, find a children’s book. The one you read was too complicated.”

Chu Siyun said, “Okay.”

Qin Shiyue chuckled softly.

Chu Siyun noticed it immediately. “What are you laughing at?”

Qin Shiyue lied, “Nothing.”

Chu Siyun was angry but didn’t dare say anything. She was definitely laughing at her for not even being able to tell a story properly.

Qin Shiyue went to the study, leaned back in her chair, and was about to hang up. Suddenly, something flashed in her mind, and she changed the subject. “Do you want to know what you said last night?”

She’s bringing this up again. She’s not going to let it go, is she?

Chu Siyun just gave up. “What?”

Qin Shiyue spoke quickly. “I’m not going to tell you. Go to bed early. Bye.”

Then she quickly hung up the video call. Chu Siyun was left alone at the table, completely bewildered.

This person… this person is too much!

So annoying.