Renee Jennings was stunned by Naomi Kenway's gaze. When she snapped out of it, she cursed herself internally. 'How could I be intimidated by a good-for-nothing loser like Naomi Kenway?'
After forcing herself to calm down, Renee Jennings said softly, "Don't be nervous, Nina. I'm actually here to bring you two breakfast."
'It doesn't matter if Ian Shaw can't see. At least the viewers in the livestream saw everything, so my goal is mostly accomplished.'
"Breakfast?" Naomi Kenway glanced down at the steamed buns she was holding.
"That's right." Renee Jennings smiled, her fair, pretty face a picture of sincerity. "I woke up pretty early and figured you and Ian probably hadn't eaten yet, Nina, so I brought your share over."
"They're fresh, big steamed buns. I know you're used to gourmet food, Nina, so you probably look down on simple fare like this, but the production team said the harsh conditions are necessary to achieve the show's goal of authenticity. On my way here, I was chatting with Pearl, and she said there was supposed to be a serving of baozi. But I was the first one there and I didn't see any, so I guess it must have been a trick. All the guests are having steamed buns and pickled vegetables. It's not like I'm intentionally giving you the worst food, Nina. I even grabbed an extra egg for Ian."
"Oh, and look, Nina. The breakfast Nathan and I are having is also steamed buns."
Renee Jennings held the steamed buns out to Naomi Kenway. "Please, Nina, just take them."
'If Naomi Kenway accepts this breakfast, she'll be indebted to me. If she doesn't, she'll just reinforce her image as a diva in the viewers' eyes.'
"Baozi? You mean the ones on the table?" Naomi Kenway tilted her head slightly, gesturing for her to look inside the door.
Renee Jennings froze for a moment, a sinking feeling in her heart growing stronger. She followed Naomi Kenway's gaze and saw two baozi and an egg sitting on the new table inside the earthen hut...
The turn of events hit her like a sledgehammer. Renee Jennings stood stunned for a long moment, her voice catching in disbelief. "How are they here with you? How could the baozi be here with you..."
Naomi Kenway casually flicked her long hair, her tone teasing. "What do you think? Why would the one special breakfast show up here?"
Renee Jennings's expression darkened.
"I got up at 4:30 this morning to get breakfast. I appreciate the thought, Miss Jennings, but you should probably give this to someone who needs it."
"Mommy..." Ian Shaw's voice, though faint, reached them, and Naomi Kenway recognized it instantly. She was no longer in the mood to mess with Renee Jennings. "I have something to take care of. You should head back."
Silence returned, but Renee Jennings couldn't snap out of her stupor. 'Her plan had been so foolproof. Who could have guessed she'd run into the worst and most unlikely scenario?'
'How could Naomi Kenway have suddenly become so diligent?'
Mindful of the cameras around them, Renee Jennings quickly composed her expression and forced a smile onto her face.
"Ms. Jennings, are you all right? Are you not feeling well?" a nearby staff member asked with concern.
Renee Jennings smiled, returning to her usual self. "Ah... I'm fine. I just didn't sleep well last night, so I'm a little dizzy, a little dizzy..."
Though her steps were light as she left, she looked utterly dejected.
*
Naomi Kenway went into the inner room. Ian Shaw was already up and had gotten himself dressed.
The buttons on his denim jacket were done up perfectly straight, and his shoes weren't on the wrong feet.
"Did one of the cameramen help you get dressed?"
Ian Shaw shook his head, his childish voice clear. "Ian did it himself."
"Then Mommy will take you to brush your teeth."
"Ian already brushed his teeth."
'A child's independence is a good thing, but the reason for Ian Shaw's independence was far too cruel—and it was something she herself had caused.'
Naomi Kenway's heart ached, but a huge smile blossomed on her face. "Ian can dress himself and brush his own teeth now? You're so amazing!"
Ian Shaw had never been praised by anyone before. His eyes grew even brighter. "Really?"
'His teachers said he was quiet and withdrawn. The other kids said they didn't like playing with him.'
'No one had ever called him amazing.'
"Of course! You're the best! You're the smartest, cutest kid Mommy has ever seen!"
Ian Shaw suddenly covered his cheeks, but the red blush coloring his pale earlobes gave him away.
[Ian's actually blushing! So cute! I wanna squish his cheeks!! Being able to put on a complicated outfit by himself, Ian really is amazing!]
[Putting everything else aside, I really like Naomi Kenway's praise-based parenting style.]
[Ian is cute and well-behaved, but he's a little shy with strangers, and also a bit... not too bright. It's a shame. If only he were as smart as Nathan, who can recite the classics by heart and is a great socializer!]
[I really don't get how someone can drag down one kid to praise another. What's your problem, person above? And where did you get that Ian isn't smart? Did he whisper in your ear that he's not very bright?]
[I don't understand why the person above is coming at me, I'm just stating my opinion. All the other guests' kids have huge vocabularies and are great at math problems. If Ian were really that smart, why wouldn't Naomi Kenway show him off? It just means Ian is a pretty average kid. Aside from his looks, he's a whole level below the other kids!]
[Maybe Naomi Kenway is just more low-key. Not showing off doesn't mean he can't do it!]
...
"Mommy, what are we eating?"
Ian Shaw's attitude toward Naomi Kenway had changed significantly; he was no longer as warily afraid of her as before. However, Naomi also knew a barrier still existed between her and her son, and only time could break it down.
Naomi Kenway took his small hand. "We're having baozi today. Do you like them?"
"I love them!"
*
After returning to the villa, Renee Jennings, as expected, ran into Ruby Preston, who had been waiting for a long time. She spent a great deal of energy explaining herself, and while Ruby Preston seemed to accept it, her expression remained sour.
'Looks like I've made a bad impression on Director Preston this time.'
'Of all the guests, Ruby Preston was the last one Renee Jennings wanted to anger. After all, she was an internationally famous director. After gaining popularity from this parenting show, she hoped to branch out into the film and television industry. If she could get on Director Preston's good side during the show, it would be a huge boost to her career in entertainment.'
As Renee Jennings mulled over ways to win back Ruby Preston's favor, she was so lost in thought that she nearly collided with Nathan Lynch at the door.
Nathan Lynch hugged her leg, his voice tinged with tears. "Mommy, why did you take so long to come back? It's so empty in here, Nathan was so scared..."
Renee Jennings was mentally exhausted, but she managed to force a smile for Nathan Lynch. "Nathan, isn't Mommy back now?" She held up the now-cold steamed buns in her hand. "Mommy brought you breakfast."
"Mommy's the best!" Nathan Lynch's face lit up with excitement, but then he heard Renee Jennings ask, "Have you finished the math problems I gave you?"