NOVPUBYu Wanqiu needed to ask Jiang Lan and Liu Liangting for their opinions.
Jiang Lan usually arrived home after 6 p.m., while Lu Yicheng got back a little earlier—always at 5:50 sharp. After picking up Liu Liangting, he would watch over the child while waiting for Jiang Lan to return.
Once Jiang Lan was home, the two would prepare dinner together, though sometimes they would eat upstairs instead.
Going upstairs was convenient, especially since Lu Shuangchen was a skilled cook. Occasionally, Yu Wanqiu would also cook, though less frequently.
Yu Wanqiu called Jiang Lan directly and said, "Come straight upstairs for dinner when you get back. There’s something I want to discuss with you. Zhang Tian just called me—he asked if we’d be interested in joining the variety show Family Treasures."
Zhang Tian had attended both Jiang Lan’s wedding and Liu Liangting’s full-month and first-year celebrations. Since he didn’t have a daughter of his own, he often joked about "stealing" Liu Liangting away.
Zhang Tian adored children and had been working on a new variety show for the past two years.
Mother-in-Law Is Coming Season 2 had set the standard for mother-in-law and daughter-in-law reality shows in China—no subsequent show in the genre had matched its popularity.
Jiang Lan replied, "Let’s talk about it when I get home… I’m almost there."
Before leaving in the morning, Jiang Lan had promised Liu Liangting a small cake.
Liu Liangting had a sweet tooth, especially for candy and cake, but to protect her teeth, Jiang Lan only indulged her once a week.
She had initially assumed Lu Shuangchen and Lu Yicheng would spoil the child, but both men were firm—once they said no, they meant it. Lu Yicheng worried about cavities, while Lu Shuangchen disapproved of snacks in general.
Jiang Lan couldn’t bear to see her daughter cry, so she had promised her a small piece that morning.
As soon as she hung up, Lu Yicheng called—this time via video. The screen filled with Lu Lingnuan’s big, eager eyes as she pressed close to the phone.
It was June, and the weather was hot. Her daughter was still wearing the purple dress Jiang Lan had picked out that morning, though her pigtails were now lopsided.
"Mommy, when will you be home?"
Jiang Lan had just stepped out of the bakery. "Fifteen more minutes, sweetheart. Look at the clock on the wall—when the long hand moves three more ticks, I’ll be there."
Lu Lingnuan pouted. "That’s so long… Can I stay on the phone while I wait for you?"
Before Jiang Lan could answer, Lu Yicheng’s voice cut in. "Lu Lingnuan, Mommy needs to focus on driving. Step back from the phone—I’m counting to three!"
Lu Lingnuan lifted her chin and whispered, "Daddy’s being mean… Mommy, hurry home. He’s going to spank me. And fix my hair—Grandpa’s braids are so ugly…"
Jiang Lan glanced again at the uneven pigtails. "Alright, I’ll redo your braids when I get back. I also brought the cake you love. Hang up now, okay? I’ll be home soon."
Lu Lingnuan hesitated. "You hang up first."
Jianglan blew her a kiss. "See you in a bit."
After the call ended, Lu Lingnuan plopped onto the sofa, cupping her cheeks in her hands like a little mushroom. The clock’s long hand had already moved so many ticks, and Mommy still wasn’t home.
Lu Yicheng washed some fruit. "Lu Lingnuan, put the phone down."
She huffed and tossed it into the couch cushions, then dragged a stool to the door to wait.
Just for Jiang Lan.
Lu Yicheng’s heart softened. "Liu Liang, come have some fruit."
Lu Lingnuan shook her head. "No. I want Mommy to feed me."
Watching her, Lu Yicheng was reminded of a cat video Jiang Lan had once shown him—a kitten waiting by the door all day for its owner to return.
Liu Liang was just like that kitten.
"I’ll feed you," he offered.
Lu Lingnuan shook her lopsided pigtails again. "No."
Daddy wasn’t gentle. When Mommy fed her, she’d praise her endlessly even if she ate something she disliked.
But Daddy? He’d shove the next piece in before she’d even finished the first.
Her cheeks would puff up like a hamster’s—no thanks.
"Daddy, use the strawberry fork. The toothpick’s ugly," Lu Lingnuan instructed. "When Mommy comes home, she’ll use the fork. She says toothpicks might poke me."
Since when did a little kid have so many demands?
Lu Yicheng just wanted to ease Jiang Lan’s load—if their daughter was already fed, she wouldn’t have to do it later.
"Lu Lingnuan, you’ll have to learn to eat on your own soon. What will you do in kindergarten?"
At four, she’d be old enough to attend, freeing Lu Shuangchen from daytime childcare. Lu Yicheng could pick her up after work.
He couldn’t wait for her to grow up.
Their daughter took after Jiang Lan—she loved meat but was picky about vegetables and fruit. The clinginess, though? That was from him. Since both he and Jiang Lan worked weekdays, leaving her with Grandpa, Lu Lingnuan latched onto Jiang Lan the moment she returned.
With Lu Shuangchen, she could dress and feed herself. But as soon as Jiang Lan walked in? Mommy do it!
Like a little shadow.
Jiang Lan had endless patience, often bringing small gifts home from work. She played the violin, told the best stories—in Lu Lingnuan’s eyes, she was the perfect mother.
Meanwhile, he was the evil stepfather.
As the clock’s minute hand finally ticked three times, Lu Lingnuan perked up at the sound of the elevator outside.
"Dad, Mom's back!" Lu Lingnuan was practically plastered against the door, her tiny frame barely over a meter tall, as if she wanted to squeeze right through it.
In the past, Lu Lingnuan would fling the door open at the slightest sound, but sometimes it wasn’t Jiang Lan returning. The building had four households, and while it was fine if it was just a neighbor, the consequences could be dire if it turned out to be someone dangerous.
Even though the neighborhood had good security, they couldn’t afford to be careless, so Lu Lingnuan was strictly forbidden from opening the door herself.
Lu Lingnuan: "Dad, listen! It’s Mom! Mom’s back!"
"My little cake is back too!" Lu Lingnuan’s eyes sparkled as she shrieked, "Mom! Mom!"
She chattered like a little sparrow, her voice bright and incessant.
Lu Yicheng chuckled. "Got it, got it. My wife’s back. Step back a little, or Mom might knock you over when she opens the door."
Lu Lingnuan shuffled back a few steps.
Lu Yicheng held her hand as they stood by the entryway. The lock turned, the security door swung open, and Lu Lingnuan dashed forward to cling to Jiang Lan’s leg. "Mom, you’re finally home!"
Jiang Lan set her bag on the shoe cabinet and scooped her daughter up with a grunt. "Did you miss me?"
She turned to Lu Yicheng. "No need to cook—we’re eating upstairs."
Lu Lingnuan: "At Grandpa’s place…?"
"You don’t sound thrilled," Jiang Lan teased, setting her daughter down after a moment—the kid weighed a solid thirty pounds, after all. She then wrapped her arms around Lu Yicheng. "Welcome home, hubby. You’ve worked hard."
Lu Yicheng didn’t feel it was much of a hardship. No matter how tired he was, seeing his daughter and waiting for Jiang Lan made it all worth it.
"I’m fine. I’ll massage your fingers for you tonight."
Jiang Lan slipped off her shoes and headed for the living room, Lu Lingnuan trotting after her. "I’m so tired of Grandpa’s cooking!"
Lu Yicheng sighed. "Look how picky she is. She should be grateful there’s food at all."
Jiang Lan laughed. "Take her to eat half of her cake first—save the rest for later. There’s one for you too, less sweet. Don’t overdo it. I’ll wash up and fix her hair. Look at those braids—how could you just leave them like that?"
Lu Yicheng had tried, but he was hopeless at braiding. Every morning, he dressed her up nicely, but after her nap, the hairstyle had to come undone. By evening, it was a mess.
Lu Shuangchen wasn’t any better—no matter how long he spent with the kid, he just couldn’t master braiding.
...
Lu Lingnuan watched eagerly as Jiang Lan headed for the bathroom. "Mom, I wanna wash my hands too!"
And so, Jiang Lan gained a little purple shadow.
After washing up, mother and daughter settled on the sofa to share half a cake. Eating cake was when Lu Lingnuan was at her best behavior—she licked the fork clean, chattering between bites. "I had stewed ribs for lunch, two whole pieces! Grandpa made me eat so much greens… yuck."
She was a little chatterbox.
By the time they finished and dawdled a bit more, it was almost seven.
Finally, they headed upstairs for dinner.
Jiang Lan held her daughter’s hand as they climbed the stairs. Lu Lingnuan piped up, "Mom, can you and Dad swing me?"
She wanted them to each grab one of her arms and lift her up like a swing.
Jiang Lan: "Let Dad carry you up. Mom can’t swing you anymore."
Lu Yicheng crouched down, letting Lu Lingnuan climb onto his back. She nestled against him obediently. "Can we read lots and lots of stories tonight?"
Jiang Lan couldn’t fathom how such a tiny head could hold so many random thoughts.
She feigned ignorance. "Who’s 'Duoduo'?"
Lu Lingnuan: "Not 'Duoduo' stories—lots and lots of stories!"
Lu Yicheng watched the two of them, eyes brimming with amusement. "Lots and lots," he echoed.
Lu Lingnuan kept talking. "Mom, sleep with me tonight! Tell me stories, rub my feet, hold me… you smell so nice… I wanna sleep with Grandma too, not Dad. Dad can sleep with Grandpa—"
Lu Yicheng: "You’re sleeping alone."
The short flight of stairs ended before Lu Lingnuan could finish her rambling. Lu Yicheng set her down, and when the doorbell rang, she immediately hid behind Jiang Lan.
Jiang Lan sighed. "…Did you cause trouble again today?"
"Nuh-uh! I just stuck shiny stickers on Grandpa’s forehead… but he didn’t scold me!" Lu Lingnuan clutched Jiang Lan’s clothes tightly, then lunged at Yu Wanqiu the moment the door opened. "Grandma! Teacher Yu! I missed you so much!"
She called her "Teacher Yu" after Jiang Lan—kids didn’t understand family titles, and Yu Wanqiu didn’t mind.
Yu Wanqiu lifted Lu Lingnuan effortlessly—she kept up with her fitness, her arms strong.
Lu Shuangchen emerged from inside, giving Lu Lingnuan a resigned look. "You’re here. Dinner’s almost ready."
Lu Yicheng went in to help, while Jiang Lan said, "Dad, let me help too. Teacher Yu, can you watch Liu Liangting for a bit? She’s been playing with those stickers all day—just tossing them around."
Yu Wanqiu smiled, nuzzling her granddaughter’s cheek. "Don’t throw them away yet. Your dad doesn’t know how to play with her properly."
Yu Wanqiu couldn’t figure out why, despite having so many toys at home—Barbie dolls, puzzles, all kinds of stuffed animals—Lu Lingnuan never showed any interest in them. Instead, she was obsessed with the remote controls and Yu Wanqiu and Jiang Lan’s makeup.
Who on earth did she take after?
After dinner, Lu Yicheng took Liu Liangting to wash her hands while Yu Wanqiu and Jiang Lan discussed the variety show.
After much consideration, they decided it was the best option. Yu Wanqiu was a public figure, Lu Yuan’s business was growing, and Jiang Lan often performed. Liu Liangting had already been photographed many times.
Some of the photos had been bought by Yu Wanqiu’s studio, while others had leaked online.
Fans were highly curious about their family, especially Liu Liangting. Since they couldn’t prevent exposure, they might as well embrace it by joining a show.
Given their careers, it was impossible for Liu Liangting to stay out of the public eye forever.
Yu Wanqiu said, "Zhang Tian’s shows are very down-to-earth, with minimal game segments. Cameras will be installed at home, and we’ll just live as usual while filming."
...
It would be similar to the old show Mother-in-Law Is Coming.
Jiang Lan nodded. "Then let’s do it. We’ll explain it properly to Liu Liangting. Though it’ll be hard on Dad, taking care of her every day."
Liu Liangting had practically been raised by Lu Shuangchen. Filming would also let Jiang Lan see how the two interacted when she wasn’t around.
Lu Shuangchen had no objections, and neither did Lu Yicheng. As the child grew older, a variety show would just mean an extra camera in their lives.
As for online comments, they’d dealt with plenty of haters over the years. Critics would always find a way to nitpick, so Lu Shuangchen just needed to focus on taking care of the child.
Though young, Lu Lingnuan was always included in decisions about her.
Jiang Lan crouched down to ask her. Lu Lingnuan stretched out her hand, asking Jiang Lan to rub lotion on it. "Will lots of people watch me?"
Jiang Lan nodded. "Some will like you, but others might not. We’ll move to a big villa for filming, and you can make new friends."
"Will it just be me and Grandpa?" Lu Lingnuan clung to Jiang Lan’s arm. "I want Mommy!"
Jiang Lan reassured her, "Daddy, Grandma, and I will all be there."
Only then did Liu Liangting agree. "Can I have ice cream and White-Bearded Grandpa?" (Note: Likely referring to KFC or a similar fast-food mascot.)
Jiang Lan sighed. "If you’d mentioned that earlier, maybe we could’ve gotten some. But now that you’ve already agreed..."
Kids weren’t supposed to eat too much fried food or ice cream, but Liu Liangting loved them—she’d probably sleep at White-Bearded Grandpa’s if she could. Lu Shuangchen never indulged her, and neither did her father. Only Jiang Lan and Yu Wanqiu occasionally gave in.
Liu Liangting let out a disappointed "Oh," but quickly perked up again. "It’s okay! I’m full tonight. Mommy, feel my tummy—is it round?"
Jiang Lan patted her belly and held her little hands, spending some time upstairs before heading home.
By nine, it was bedtime for Lu Lingnuan, who insisted on Jiang Lan telling her a story. According to her, "Mommy’s voice is so soft, I fall asleep right away."
"Daddy and Grandpa’s stories are boring."
Only after lulling Liu Liangting to sleep did Jiang Lan finally shower. The day had been long and exhausting, and even coming home didn’t bring rest.
But hearing her daughter’s sweet, sleepy voice made it all feel lighter.
Lu Yicheng was just as tired, with no break since returning. Tomorrow was the weekend, but he still had contracts to sign. Filming would start next week. Among the guests was Shen Xingyao’s three-year-old son, two months younger than Lu Lingnuan.
Two other families were joining: Zheng Qiu’s four-year-old granddaughter, Yuanyuan, and the three-and-a-half-year-old son of another celebrity, nicknamed Putao.
The show required filming at a designated villa, with each family occupying one floor.
The Lu family was assigned the fourth floor, with four rooms: one for Lu Shuangchen and Yu Wanqiu, one for Jiang Lan and Lu Yicheng, and Liu Liangting would sleep with her parents for now, given her age.
The other guests came by to greet them. Lu Shuangchen helped Liu Liangting unpack, mostly her toys and dolls.
He kept everything neatly organized—until playtime, when chaos inevitably took over.
Lu Lingnuan was fascinated by the cameras, peering at them from all angles. "Can Mommy see me here?"
It was Monday, a workday. Jiang Lan was at the office, Yu Wanqiu at school, and Lu Yicheng wouldn’t be back until 5:30 PM.
Jiang Lan returned a little after six.
Every time Lu Shuangchen saw Liu Liangting asking for her mother, his heart ached.
But he’d never ask Jiang Lan to quit her job. The child belonged to both of them—why should Jiang Lan have to give up her career?
At least Liu Liangting was luckier than Lu Yicheng had been, with both parents and grandparents around.
Lu Shuangchen knelt beside her. "Yes, Mommy can see you here."
Lu Lingnuan hugged the camera. "Mommy, I’ve been good! Can you bring me a chocolate cake tonight?"
All she ever thought about was cake.
Lu Shuangchen gently redirected her. "...Liu Liangting, let’s play with blocks, okay? Grandpa will help you build a castle."
Lu Lingnuan stared at the camera a moment longer, waiting in vain for her mother’s voice, before finally agreeing. "Okay."
Children forget quickly, and soon Lu Lingnuan was playing with building blocks alongside Lu Shuangchen—though it was mostly her stacking them while he watched.
No matter how she arranged them, Lu Shuangchen would clap and say, "Liu Liangting is so amazing, so clever!"
If Lu Yuan’s employees saw this, they’d be stunned.
The old Lu Shuangchen was stern and unsmiling. During meetings, a single sharp glance from him could make a room full of grown men break into a cold sweat. Now, his voice had softened without him even realizing it—slower, gentler, almost tender.
Lu Lingnuan beamed at him. "Grandpa, look! You can do it like this!"
Lu Shuangchen patted her head. Even though she’d only added one more block, he acted as if she’d built an entire house. "Ah, now the house is even taller!"
They played with the blocks until ten, when Lu Shuangchen took Liu Liangting downstairs to play.
Lu Lingnuan usually woke at seven-thirty, ate breakfast, and then, after Jiang Lan and Lu Yicheng left for work around eight, she’d play for a while before heading out at ten.
They’d return by eleven to cook and eat lunch.
The villa complex had a small park, and at this time, Liu Liangting would normally go out to play. Children shouldn’t stay cooped up at home—playing with other kids in the neighborhood helped build confidence.
But since they were with the production crew, cameras followed them outside.
Lu Lingnuan waved at the camera. "Mom, I’m going out to play! Grandpa says there are lots of kids at the new place. Can you see me?"
As Lu Shuangchen took her out, Du Wanzhou was also preparing to leave with her grandson.
Once, Du Wanzhou had dreamed of having a grandson. Now that she had one, she was starting to regret it—boys never sat still, as if they were monkeys in a past life.
Shen Xingyao’s son, Chenchen, was given strict instructions: "Don’t bully other kids, don’t scare people with bugs, and protect Liu Liangting, understand?"
Chenchen, who took after his mother, spent most of his time with Du Wanzhou while Shen Xingyao was busy filming.
He stared at Liu Liangting with wide eyes. "The little sister is so pretty, like a princess!"
Lu Lingnuan was dressed in an outfit Jiang Lan had picked out that morning—a pale yellow dress, her hair in twin braids tied together with a strawberry-patterned hairband.
Her shoes were pink and round-toed, her cheeks rosy with baby fat, a few wispy strands of hair framing her forehead. She looked unbearably adorable.
If Lu Shuangchen had dressed her, she’d never have ended up like this.
Du Wanzhou thought so too—she looked like a little princess, while her own grandson was a handful.
"Don’t talk nonsense, that’s your older sister. Be polite."
Chenchen stubbornly thought of her as a little sister. "I wouldn’t scare her with bugs!"
Du Wanzhou took her grandson to play with Lu Lingnuan. Chenchen was unusually well-behaved today, pushing her on the swing and even letting her play with his toy airplane.
Du Wanzhou found it fascinating—not only did Chenchen adore Liu Liangting, but she herself couldn’t help but adore the little girl too. But with Lu Shuangchen’s intimidating presence, Du Wanzhou didn’t dare strike up a conversation.
By eleven, Lu Shuangchen took Liu Liangting back home. He handled lunch, cooking while she played nearby.
"Liu Liangting, what do you want for lunch?" he asked.
"I want the white-bearded grandpa!"
Lu Shuangchen knew she meant KFC—she only remembered the mascot, not the name.
Her own grandpa ran a huge company, yet she was still such a little fool.
"Besides the white-bearded grandpa?"
"Then… chocolate cake! And the white-bearded grandpa!" Lu Lingnuan really, really wanted it. She missed her mom again.
Lu Shuangchen offered alternatives. "Braised pork ribs or cola wings—which do you want?"
Instantly, KFC was forgotten. "Cola wings!"
Cola was delicious, after all.
Lu Shuangchen pressed further. "Garlic broccoli or glass noodles with baby bok choy—which one?"
Liu Liangting didn’t want either. "I want cake."
She was getting older, harder to fool.
Lu Shuangchen sighed. "Liu Liangting, you have to pick one."
She tugged at his hand. "No, I don’t!"
"Yes, you do."
"No, I don’t!" Lu Lingnuan said firmly. "I won’t eat broccoli or bok choy. No!"
Before Lu Shuangchen could argue, she stopped walking. "Grandpa, my feet hurt. I can’t walk anymore. Carry me."
They were already halfway back from the park to the villa. She’d been well-behaved all morning, but even if she hadn’t, Lu Shuangchen couldn’t resist when she reached up to be held.
For him, carrying a child was effortless.
He crouched down and lifted her, speaking patiently. "Eating veggies helps you grow tall. Don’t you want to be tall? You can’t just eat meat or cake. If you eat your greens, your mom will be so happy when she comes back."
Lu Lingnuan wrapped her arms around his neck. "Grandpa, stop talking. If it makes Mom happy, I’ll eat them tonight."
That way, Mom could see her eating and be even happier.
Lu Shuangchen: "...Eating them now would make her happy too."
Lu Lingnuan: "Liar! Mom can’t even see me right now—otherwise, why isn’t she talking to me?"
In a child's world, mom and dad are everything. In Lu Lingnuan's mind, her mother left her with Grandpa because she had to work to earn money for little cakes. She believed her mother would take her back once work was over.
During the nearly ten-hour days, Lu Lingnuan spent most of her time missing her mother.
Lu Shuangchen admitted that the camera couldn’t immediately let Jiang Lan and Yu Wanqiu see Liu Liangting, but the videos—whether edited or raw—were sent over every day. Jiang Lan would definitely watch them.
Holding Liu Liangting in his arms, Lu Shuangchen reassured, "She will watch them. You miss your parents, and they miss you too."
Lu Lingnuan pouted. "Grandpa, did Mom abandon me? Just like Grandma left you, dumping us both here. Mom goes out to have fun with Dad and Grandma after work at night..."
Lu Shuangchen knew all too well—when it came to good things, Lu Lingnuan never spared a thought for him.
