The Villain Mom Awakens — Going Viral by Parenting on a Reality Show-Chapter 181: Ian Becomes an Internet Sensation

The production team for *Youth* continued their usual practice of posting behind-the-scenes clips on social media. The snippet of Ian Shaw saving the scene was edited in as well. The cherubic four-or-five-year-old, with his rosy lips and pearly teeth, wore a tailored little suit. Despite his grumpy expression, his big, watery eyes were cute enough to melt anyone’s heart.

When the clip was released, the one who gained the most fans wasn’t any of the main stars, but Ian Shaw, who had only appeared for a few seconds. Countless viewers claimed their hearts had exploded from the cuteness, and related memes and reaction GIFs quickly started circulating online.

[Isn’t that our Ian? Did he come to the set to keep his mom company? (Like) (Like)]

[It really is our Ian! Is he already working to pay for his own preschool tuition?]

[Are extras this competitive nowadays? What fairy tale did the crew snatch this little angel from? He’s so handsome, though he doesn’t seem to smile much.]

[For those who don’t know, let me explain. The little boy in the video is our baby Ian, full name Ian Shaw. He’s currently on a super popular kid’s reality show called *My Super Mom*. If you’re interested, please go watch and support Ian! Also, Ian is a bit introverted, but it’s not that he doesn’t like to smile. He smiles a lot when he’s with his mom, and it’s the sweetest thing!]

[I knew Naomi Kenway would pull something like this. The moment Ian gets a little famous, she pushes him into acting. The kid is so young! Why does she always force him to do things he doesn’t want to? What an irresponsible mother.]

[This is completely expected. A perfectly good kid turned into his parent’s cash cow. I thought Naomi Kenway said her family was well-off? Why is she still using her child for clout?]

[How do you know Ian doesn’t like it? Besides, didn’t the production team already say he was just there to help out in a pinch?]

[What a smart kid! His acting is amazing! To be so good at such a young age! He inherited his mom’s talent! (Like) (Like)]

[Isn’t Naomi Kenway’s acting just mediocre? All I can say is her son is already a better actor than she is.]

[To the commenter above: have you not seen the recent clips? Our Nina has obviously been doing a great job!]

[What a cute little actor! I’m going to follow this series just for him!]

...

The comments were a mix of praise and suspicion, with some accusing Naomi Kenway of planning to push her son into show business and live off his earnings.

Ian Shaw’s appearance inexplicably went viral. Ruby Preston called to tell Naomi that the audience’s reaction had been incredible. She added that the male and female leads in the show have a child and asked if Naomi had any intention of letting Ian play the role.

Besides the offer from Ruby Preston, all sorts of acting invitations came pouring in, including some from major productions, all expressing interest in working with Ian.

Naomi Kenway didn’t agree right away. Instead, after hanging up the phone, she earnestly asked for Ian Shaw’s opinion. She knew her son was very smart and would certainly have his own thoughts on the matter. 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

She held Ian’s small hand and said earnestly, "After you helped out on set last time, our Ian won over a lot of new fans, and Mommy is so proud of you. Just now, a lot of shows sent invitations for you. They want you to play characters in their productions..."

Naomi’s free hand brushed the soft hair from Ian Shaw’s forehead. "Mommy wants to know what you think, Ian. Do you want to go act on a set? No matter what you decide, Mommy will support you."

Ian snuggled affectionately in Naomi’s arms, looking up with his wide eyes. "Will Mommy be acting there too?"

Naomi faltered for a second, then smiled. "These invitations are for you, Ian, not for me. But if you’re interested, Mommy will make time to come visit."

Ian shook his head, apparently no longer interested.

Naomi understood his answer. "All right, then Mommy will turn down those invitations for you."

*

Renee Jennings, for her part, hadn’t expected Ian Shaw to suddenly go viral online, with a level of fame that far surpassed her own social media accounts. After doing some research, she discovered that Naomi Kenway had taken Ian Shaw to a film set. ’She figured this sudden explosion in popularity was all part of Naomi’s plan.’

’Her eyes lit up as she realized the brilliance of Naomi’s team’s strategy.’

The very next day, Renee Jennings took Nathan Lynch to a film set, coaxing him into shooting several scenes with the promise that he wouldn’t have to do his extra homework. Christina Lynch had tacitly approved of Nathan acting. After all, Ian Shaw’s case was a clear success story. Christina would be more than happy if they could cultivate Nathan into a little child star.

Nathan Lynch had no natural talent for performance; his only reaction to any difficulty was to cry. This annoyed Renee Jennings to no end, and she specifically told the crew not to edit in any of the footage of Nathan crying.

Renee Jennings drilled the lines with Nathan Lynch many times until he could finally recite them fluently from memory. Renee then quickly pulled out her phone, recorded a few clips of him practicing, and posted them to her social media with the caption: [Kids are so smart these days. He remembered it after just one try! Mona, you’re Mommy’s pride. Mommy will love you forever.]

Unsurprisingly, the comments section was flooded with people praising Mona as a child genius. A few people expressed skepticism, but they were quickly swarmed and attacked by Renee and her organized fan groups.

Renee Jennings smiled in satisfaction as she watched Nathan nervously reciting his lines from the script and then scrolled through the comments on her phone.

Renee Jennings already had her marketing strategy prepared. She replicated the formula that had made Ian Shaw go viral, and by adding some paid traffic into the mix, Mona predictably became a hot topic as well.

Seizing the opportunity, Renee took it upon herself to accept roles for Nathan Lynch in several more productions.

Just when Renee Jennings was feeling smug, something unexpected happened. Naomi Kenway’s studio released an official statement declaring that they would not be accepting any roles for Ian Shaw, as his priority at this stage was to focus on his studies and have a normal childhood.

The contrast immediately cast Renee Jennings in a negative light; she was labeled as a mother who was exploiting her child. Throngs of people flooded her social media page with insults, while Naomi became the paragon of a good, respectful mother.

Renee Jennings gritted her teeth in fury, wondering if she had walked right into a trap set by Naomi.

After weighing the pros and cons, Renee still decided to have Nathan film the new series. The publicity, after all, was too good to pass up.

Nathan Lynch was furious when he found out Renee had accepted so many roles for him without his permission. He clenched his fists. "Didn’t you promise the last shoot was the final one? I hate acting! Why do I have to do it again and again?!"

He wiped at his tears. "All the other kids at preschool are making fun of me! They say playing a little beggar means I’m a loser, and now they won’t play with me anymore!"

Renee Jennings and Christina Lynch sat together in the living room, listening to Nathan’s aggrieved complaints.

Renee hesitated before speaking. "Mona, everything Mommy’s doing is for your own good! Just think of how glamorous it is to be a child star! So many people will love and adore you, you’ll earn tons of money, and you’ll even be following in your father’s footsteps!"