Next was turning in all electronic devices, snacks, and toys. Aside from the part where Jared Woods threw himself on the ground and cried, it went rather smoothly.
The tour guide raised the megaphone again. "We have prepared five different styles of houses for everyone to choose from. Please follow me for a tour."
The guests toured the five houses. Number one was a cozy little courtyard with a fence, filled with flowers and vegetables. Number two was the goat house, which came with penned-up goats and a separate kitchen. Number three was the village chief's two-story Western-style house, fully furnished. Number four was a courtyard in the style of the Republican era. It was said to be quite old, but it was very well-maintained. And number five was a dilapidated earthen house. The doorway was only loosely covered by a curtain, and it hadn't been lived in for a long time. Its only redeeming quality was a jujube tree in the yard, laden with red dates.
After the tour, it was time to draw lots for the houses.
All the cards were placed in a bamboo basket for the children to draw.
Jared Woods was the most excited, running up first. He opened his card and cheered, "Yay, it's number two! We can see the goats!" He happily tugged on Chelsea Raines's sleeve. "Mom, look! It's number two!"
Chelsea Raines clicked her tongue in disappointment. "I was hoping to stay in the little villa. Looks like we're not so lucky."
Margaret Jennings and her daughter drew the number one fenced courtyard, while Ruby Preston and her son drew the number four Republican-era courtyard.
Now only two pairs had yet to reveal their cards, corresponding to the best and worst-case scenarios.
Renee Jennings opened her card, ecstatic. "We got number three! Nathan, sweetie, you're the best!"
Nathan Lynch was also thrilled.
Naomi Kenway opened her card at the same time and saw the two large, black words on it: House Five.
Ian Shaw was terrified. He flinched reflexively, remembering that every time he failed to please his mother, the consequences were scolding and verbal abuse.
Naomi Kenway put away the card and raised her eyebrows in pleasant surprise. "How did you know Mommy loves jujubes? This is practically our dream house!"
Ian Shaw couldn't believe Naomi Kenway's attitude toward him. "But… the house is so rundown…"
"But our house has a jujube tree! Isn't that cool? None of the other houses have fresh jujubes to eat."
After hearing that, Ian Shaw's disappointed expression vanished.
After congratulating Renee Jennings, Chelsea Raines didn't forget to mock Naomi Kenway. "Getting so happy over a broken-down house. How unsophisticated."
But as soon as she finished speaking, her own son, Jared Woods, tugged her sleeve. "Mom, does our house have a jujube tree?"
Chelsea Raines flared up in anger. "You're so useless! All you think about all day is eating!"
[Renee really is as lucky as they say. Naomi and her son have the worst luck.]
[Can anyone actually live in number five? Are we sure this isn't a prank by the production team?]
[Naomi is famously lazy. Isn't making her live in house number five going to be the death of her? I suggest Naomi just quit the show now.]
[Naomi's attitude toward her son is actually pretty good. She's been guiding Ian with positivity. She might be a bit lazy and selfish, but at least she's genuinely good to her child.]
[Not necessarily. There's a little thing called a 'persona.' Don't forget the entertainment reporters' exposé from before.]
Naomi Kenway picked up her suitcase, ready to take her son to house number five.
"Nina, wait!"
Naomi Kenway turned around and saw Renee Jennings hurrying over, holding Nathan Lynch's hand.
"Nina, house number five is too dilapidated. No one can live there. The house I drew is quite spacious. Why don't you two come stay with me in house number three?"
The cameraman's voice came from the side. "Ms. Jennings, that's against the rules."
Renee Jennings put on a surprised expression. "We really can't stay together?"
"I'm sorry, you can't."
"Well… how about you let Ian come back with me, then? Ian is too young. He definitely can't stay somewhere as basic as house number five." This was Renee Jennings's true goal. She had already established her "gentle and considerate good mother" persona. If she now took the initiative to care for the neglected Ian Shaw, that persona would become even more solid.
"Nathan and Ian get along so well. Nathan wants to play with his little brother Ian, right?" Renee Jennings guided.
Nathan Lynch had no impression of Ian Shaw at all, but he could only play along with Renee Jennings's words, forcing a well-behaved look. "Come play with me."
Just then, the other guests passed by and chimed in, advising Naomi to let Ian go back with Renee Jennings. The conditions in house number five were too harsh; the child shouldn't have to suffer.
Naomi Kenway didn't want to be separated from her son for even a second, but she still bent down and asked, "Do you want to go with Aunt Jennings?"
'In the book's plot, Renee Jennings is the "people's sweetheart" on this kids' show. Besides me, the villainess, all the guests and children adore her. My own son will probably go with her too. After all, you could hardly say we're close…'
Renee Jennings coaxed, "Ian, Auntie's house has lots of toys, and yummy snacks, too. Don't you want to come and see?"
But to everyone's surprise, Ian Shaw refused without the slightest hesitation, his high, childish voice firm. "I just want to stay with my mom."
Renee Jennings frowned. "The house at number five is very run-down, and there are big bugs, you know."
"I just want to stay with my mom," Ian Shaw repeated.
Naomi Kenway breathed a sigh of relief, both surprised and delighted.
"Nina, I think you'd better let Ian come with me. You shouldn't always be trying to use threats on a child," Renee Jennings said, looking at Naomi Kenway with disapproval.
"What do you mean by that?" Naomi Kenway narrowed her eyes at her.
"Do I have to spell it out? If you hadn't threatened Ian, how could he possibly be willing to stay by your side in house number five?"
Naomi Kenway found this laughable. "Are you mistaken about something? What makes you think my son would abandon me for a stranger like you?"
At that moment, Renee Jennings was like a saint standing on the moral high ground. "That's because you abuse him. You're terrible to him."
"Did you see it?"
Naomi Kenway's breezy question left Renee Jennings at a loss for words. Of course, she hadn't seen anything. It was just that the photos circulating online all confirmed Naomi's neglect and irresponsibility—but those were just online rumors.
Chelsea Raines couldn't help but chime in, "All you know is how to run your mouth, Naomi. Renee is being kind-hearted and you're just throwing it back in her face. You'll regret it when your child is suffering. You're so lazy you could die; you even need an assistant to feed you. You can't even take care of yourself, so how are you going to take care of a child? Let me tell you, when you come crying to us later, we're not going to pay you any mind."
"That's none of your business. I will take very good care of my son."
Chelsea Raines scoffed. "That house is full of dust and doesn't have a single decent piece of furniture. I'd like to see how you take care of Ian."
As she spoke, she put her arm around Renee Jennings's shoulder. "Renee, let's not bother with her. People like her never appreciate the kindness of others."
Ruby Preston lingered for a moment before sighing and walking away.
[Renee is so beautiful and kind-hearted!]
[It's a shame. It would've been better if Ian had gone with Renee. I'm really scared the online rumors about Naomi abusing her child are true. When Naomi and Ian are alone, even with cameras, you can't guarantee Ian's safety.]
[Naomi has some nerve. How dare she say she can take care of Ian? She's a good-for-nothing with practically negative life skills. I bet even sweeping the floor is a challenge for her.]
[Naomi is famously lazy; she can't survive without her assistants and maids. And now she's spouting nonsense about taking good care of Ian? Is she joking?]
[Maybe Naomi already paid someone off. I heard she bought her way onto this show. Otherwise, how could someone with such a terrible reputation get on a national variety show like this?]
[Making such big promises. Can't wait to see her eat her words!]