The Villain Mom Awakens — Going Viral by Parenting on a Reality Show-Chapter 64: Recording Episode 3 in Lyrish Village

Chapter 64: Chapter 64: Recording Episode 3 in Lyrish Village

Ethan Shaw had already left for the office. After a moment’s thought, Naomi Kenway sent him a message:

I’m taking Ian to film the show. We’ll be back in four days.

Naomi then picked up the suitcase, held Ian’s small hand in her other, and glanced back one last time to make sure she hadn’t forgotten anything before heading out.

Suddenly, her phone chimed with a notification. Naomi pulled it out and glanced at the screen.

It was the fastest Ethan Shaw had ever replied: Be safe.

Naomi raised an eyebrow and sent back a simple "Mm."

Naomi and her son met up with the production crew at the airport before boarding a flight to Jovant. It was a fairly long trip, so Naomi dozed off for a little while on the plane.

「An hour later, the plane landed.」

Naomi pushed her son along on the suitcase, remembering to wave at the fans on either side. A flashing sign read "The Rich Wife Crew," and it took her a moment to recall that this was her fan club’s name.

Renee Jennings approached from another aisle, leading Nathan Lynch. Thinking about Nathan’s recent rebellious streak gave her a headache; he was getting harder and harder to control.

"Nathan, are you thirsty? How about Mommy gets you a carton of milk?"

Knowing that pure manipulation and threats were no longer enough to control Nathan, Renee had resorted to love-bombing him as well. As it turned out, the combination was still quite effective.

Nathan thought for a moment before accepting the milk.

Renee Jennings breathed a sigh of relief. She leaned in and whispered in Nathan’s ear, "Nathan, Mommy loves you. As long as you promise never to say those things that make Mommy sad again, Mommy will love you forever. People say that a mother and son’s hearts are linked. It’s such a small thing, Nathan, so please don’t keep holding it against me. When you ignore Mommy, Mommy just stays in her room and cries for ages..."

At the word "cries," Nathan’s head shot up. He looked disbelieving, then hesitant.

"Nathan, I wasn’t considerate enough before. Mommy will definitely treat you well from now on, okay? Don’t be so distant with me. It makes Mommy so, so sad!"

As Renee spoke, she wiped away a non-existent tear from her face.

Such a clumsy performance was more than enough to fool a mentally immature child. 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

"Mom, don’t cry..." Nathan’s heart softened as expected, and he no longer recoiled from Renee’s touch.

Renee Jennings breathed an inward sigh of relief. ’Kids are so easy to fool,’ she thought. No matter what, she and Nathan couldn’t be seen fighting on the show; otherwise, her entire public persona would collapse.

Renee spotted Naomi Kenway in the distance. She immediately changed direction, turning to walk toward the left instead.

"Ms. Jennings, we’re supposed to go to the right!" a crew member reminded her from behind.

Renee gave a perfunctory reply, "I see fewer people on the left. Let’s avoid the crowded areas so we don’t cause more congestion."

She didn’t want her son to have any more contact with Naomi.

Naomi, naturally, had also seen Renee. But the moment the other woman spotted her, she grabbed her suitcase and took the long way around, as if Naomi were a gaping chasm she had to avoid at all costs.

Naomi let out a soft laugh and paid her no mind.

After arriving at the airport in Jovant, Naomi took Ian Shaw on a van toward their final destination. Ian had napped on the plane, so he wasn’t tired anymore, but he was still a bit groggy. He hugged Naomi’s arm and snuggled up beside her.

"Ian, don’t fall asleep. We’re almost at our destination."

"Okay."

Seeing her son was still listless, Naomi tried to get his attention by changing the subject.

"We get to see the other little guests again. Is there anyone you’ve particularly missed, Ian?"

Ian Shaw shook his head.

"No one? Not a single person?"

Ian Shaw paused, then mumbled two names: "Sister Carina, Brother Sean."

Naomi smiled. "So you like Sister Carina and Brother Sean. We’re going to see them very soon. Are you happy, Ian?"

Ian hesitated for a moment before nodding.

"Happy."

[Did Ian just wake up? His hair is sticking up everywhere, hahaha!]

[Of course those three are the closest. Carina and Sean both look after Ian like a little brother, so it’s no wonder he likes them. I’m so jealous of the guests on the show who get to be so close to Ian. I want to squish his cute little cheeks too!]

[Wow! They’re wearing matching parent-child outfits today, so so pretty! Ian looks best in denim overalls, he’s so cute I could die. My big-sister heart is melting!]

...

The van stopped, and Naomi took her son’s hand as they walked toward the meeting point. The other guests were also arriving one after another.

The sound of gongs and drums erupted as local villagers performed on stilts—their traditional ceremony to welcome visitors.

Naomi watched, fascinated, occasionally leaning down to explain things to her son. Ian seemed equally curious, his eyes glued to the long stilts. He tugged on Naomi’s sleeve, looking worried. "Mom, that’s so high. Will the men fall down?"

"They won’t," Naomi reassured him. "The uncles have practiced these moves countless times, so they won’t make any mistakes."

That set Ian’s mind at ease.

When the performance ended, Naomi applauded along with the other guests, her eyes filled with admiration.

The tour guide, still holding his signature megaphone, announced, "Welcome, everyone, to the scenic Lyrish Village! This is a beautiful little hamlet in Jovant, known for its picturesque landscape." He bowed. "We welcome you all!"

He briefly mentioned the accident in the rainforest, expressing the production team’s apologies, and ended by praising Naomi. "It was all thanks to you last time, Naomi. Your reactions were incredibly sharp."

Naomi quickly waved her hands in a gesture of humility. "It wasn’t that amazing. My hearing is just a little better than average."

The other guests also chimed in with their thanks.

Chelsea Raines glanced around before awkwardly taking two steps forward and bowing to Naomi. Noticing Jared Woods just standing there dumbfounded, she smacked his hand.

Jared Woods yelped in pain and hastily bowed as well.

Naomi stared at them. "What are you two doing?"

Chelsea Raines cleared her throat. "Last time... it was because of my stereotypes about you that I... I misunderstood you. So I wanted to offer you a formal apology."

She had no real desire to apologize. She was only doing it because the online backlash had cornered her; nowadays, she got cursed at every time she left the house.

"Stereotypes?"

Chelsea Raines froze. She had already apologized, but Naomi had latched on to a strange detail.

"Why are you always so focused on these useless points?"

"Is that your idea of an apology?" Naomi asked with a smile.

Chelsea gritted her teeth, fought back her temper, and spoke again. "I spoke without thinking..."

Renee Jennings couldn’t bear to watch any longer and stepped in to mediate. "Nina, Chelsea is very proud. Why don’t you stop putting her on the spot?"