Chapter Thirteen: The Secret of the Carb Monster Who Never Gets Fat

On the road, Su Wan-ning greeted the camera beside her, livening up the mood before picking up the topic of foraging for wild vegetables once more.

“Darlings, you still have time to give birth to a son. My daughter is willing to wait for him for nineteen years—her mother-in-law has made the decision!”

“But to get back to the point, let’s continue gathering wild greens. I actually have some experience to share with you. For example, there’s a wild vegetable I really like called dandelion. It propagates quickly, is easy to care for, and, best of all, yields a harvest almost all year round… Ah, that patch of land is perfect for growing dandelion!”

Su Wan-ning’s eyes shone as she pointed to a vegetable plot nearby.

The livestream chat erupted with laughter.

“She really seems to want to teach us how to forage for wild vegetables.”

“Help! A female celebrity actually eats wild greens?”

“I’m not telling you to learn from Wang Baochuan and dig wild vegetables for a man. What I mean is, instead of foraging for wild greens because of a man, why not rent your own plot and grow your own food!”

Upon reaching the gathering point, Su Wan-ning wrapped up with a concluding remark. Many girls in the chat echoed her sentiments, and the livestream’s popularity soared.

According to the pre-show registration rankings, each family received ingredients based on their popularity. The top-ranked Yin Shanshan received the most—a basket overflowing with a dazzling array of food.

But in Su Wan-ning’s hands were only three eggs, three tomatoes, and three potatoes.

Six-year-old Yangyang noticed this and took some ingredients from his own family’s basket, running over to Niannian.

“You don’t have enough to eat, little sister. I’ll share some of my food with you.”

Niannian, already shy in the unfamiliar setting, wanted nothing more than to hide behind her older brother. She shook her head vigorously and replied in her childish voice, “No, thank you.”

“Top-student brother and soft, adorable sister—I’m obsessed!”

“Did you notice Sui Sui’s eyes? He looked like he wanted to knife Yangyang! Truly a sister-protecting maniac.”

A wave of odd couple shippers flooded the chat. Noticing this, Yin Shanshan walked over and took her son’s hand.

“Yangyang, if your little sister doesn’t want it, don’t insist.”

Su Wan-ning didn’t want to interfere in the children’s interactions, but upon hearing this, she keenly sensed that Yin Shanshan seemed somewhat hostile toward her.

The ingredients were simple, but Su Wan-ning showed not a hint of discouragement. With everyone in the livestream waiting to see her fail, she confidently set to work.

As she cooked, she narrated, “Did you all think I’d make scrambled eggs with tomatoes? Then you’re underestimating me. Today I’m making braised eggs with tomatoes—the silky eggs simmered in tomato broth, soaking up the flavor, perfect for children’s palates.”

The camera focused on the pot before her: vibrant red tomatoes stewed to a soft pulp, encasing tender yellow eggs, topped with a sprinkle of fresh green scallions, all bubbling invitingly in the pot.

In the countryside, they used the simplest of stoves. While Feng Rui was still fussing over the fire, Su Wan-ning had already tossed the three potatoes into the hearth.

“When potatoes are roasted by the fire, they become soft and fluffy, releasing their rich aroma. This is the joy of carbs!”

“Hahaha… This celebrity loves carbs as much as I do—so why is she so slim?”

Su Wan-ning couldn’t see the chat, but as if sensing their thoughts, she continued, “Are you wondering why you love carbs as much as I do, but aren’t as thin as me?”

She paused, looked at the camera, and shook her head with mock sorrow. “You have to eat less, understand, darlings?”

“Hahaha, got it, darling!”

“She actually called me darling. I don’t dislike her as much anymore.”

“Don’t say it out loud! We’re still friends!”

“She’s such a faker—it’s sickening.”

“I just came from Feng Rui’s livestream. She couldn’t even light the fire, but Su Wan-ning’s cooking is amazing!”

Sui Sui and Niannian gave her plenty of face, enjoying their potatoes and braised eggs with immense satisfaction.

With their stomachs full, the crew announced a lunch break. Su Wan-ning was about to take the children to rest when the chat filled with groans of disappointment.

Wang Zan was hesitating when Su Wan-ning’s phone rang. The caller ID showed Qin Jingchen.

Wang Zan’s face lit up. He gestured for the cameraman to keep rolling, then handed the phone to Su Wan-ning.

“Mr. Qin is calling.”

In an instant, the chat exploded.

“Who is Mr. Qin? Is he Niannian and Sui Sui’s father?”

“The production team is stirring up drama!”

“It’s so obvious—totally deliberate. But we want to see it!”

Under everyone’s expectant gaze, Su Wan-ning steeled herself and answered.

“Hello, hus…band?” she stammered out the cringeworthy word.

After all, he was her husband in name, and more importantly, her financial backer—Su Wan-ning would never turn her back on money.

She had to keep the boss happy!

But she’d forgotten that the original Su Wan-ning had a poor relationship with Qin Jingchen. The man on the other end of the line paused, then spoke in a cold tone, “Where are the children? Why did you take them on the show without asking me?”

So he was here to settle scores.

Qin Jingchen’s voice was broadcast through the camera, and the chat immediately erupted in criticism.

“I knew it—she took the kids on the show without permission, just to whitewash her image. Their father is angry now!”

“Su Wan-ning is so selfish. Are the children only hers?”

“This is going to be good. Will they argue?”

Off-camera, Vincent’s brows were tightly knit.

The hard-won image they had managed to restore was about to be destroyed once again.