The Villain Mom Awakens — Going Viral by Parenting on a Reality Show-Chapter 287: We Will Meet Soon

"Ian misses his daddy?" Naomi Kenway ruffled Ian’s hair. After a moment’s thought, she decided to dial Ethan Shaw’s number.

The call connected almost as soon as it started ringing. The faint sound of a discussion could be heard from the other end. Amidst the noise, Ethan Shaw’s slightly weary voice stood out. "Nina?"

The end of the word lifted slightly, suggesting he was in an excellent mood.

"Miss me?"

"Ian misses you a lot."

"Oh? Just Ian?" his voice came through, laced with a smile.

Naomi cleared her throat. Hearing his familiar voice, she felt her cheeks grow warm for some reason. She found it hard to answer his question. "Are you in a meeting? I thought I heard other people."

"It is a bit noisy, isn’t it?" Naomi could faintly hear Ethan give an instruction, followed by the soft click of a doorknob. "It’s quiet now."

[As someone who’s a sucker for a good voice, I have to say, her husband’s voice is amazing!]

[Just Ian? Nina, you still haven’t answered!]

[Why are so many people saying her husband is just some new-money trash? With that voice and bearing, he’s clearly a top-tier professional!]

[I just escaped from Renee Jennings’s stream. It was horrifying. Renee and Nathaniel can’t go three sentences without talking about love. And Mona was right there! It gave me goosebumps. I’m not allergic to romance, but their dialogue is so cheesy. You know what I mean, right? Just greasy. If I listened any longer, I think my ears would have fallen off!!]

[How could anyone start a rumor that Nina and her husband are on bad terms? This is so sweet! You can tell from his voice alone that he absolutely dotes on her!]

[Do people actually fall for this kind of publicity stunt? Come on, this tactic is a dime a dozen. It’s all for views. The whole conversation was probably scripted with the production team. Only an idiot would believe it!]

[I hate people who just have to be contrarian. They’re probably miserable themselves and want to believe all happiness in the world is fake.]

[When is her husband going to show his face? I’m so curious! What kind of amazing man did it take to win over our Nina?]

[From the time he accidentally walked into the shot, you could tell from his profile he’s definitely not bad-looking! Plus, look at our precious Ian’s adorable little face. Ian and Nina don’t look that much alike, so take a guess who he *does* look like?]

[Ian is so handsome. I can’t even imagine how drop-dead gorgeous his dad must be.]

...

"Daddy..."

Hearing Ian’s cry, Naomi quickly held the phone to her son’s ear.

"Daddy..." Ian called out, his sweet, childish voice heart-meltingly cute.

After a brief pause, Ethan replied, his voice gentle. "It’s so late. Is Ian still not asleep?"

Ian shook his head, then remembered Ethan couldn’t see him and said, "Ian’s not asleep yet. Ian just watched TV with Mommy, and Aunt Preston and the others..."

Naomi listened to the conversation between father and son. Since the production team required the phone to be on speaker, she could hear Ethan’s voice with perfect clarity.

Ian chattered on, telling Ethan all about the fun things that happened that day. When he got to the part about Naomi receiving a banner for selling watermelons, his voice was filled with pride. "Mommy sold watermelons today! She sold more than two hundred thousand of them, and the village gave her a banner! It was a really big flag! My mommy is the kindest, smartest, and best mommy in the whole wide world!!"

"Oh?" Ethan played along, sounding very surprised. "She really sold more than two hundred thousand?"

Ian nodded. "Ian was with Mommy the whole time, watching. There really were more than two hundred thousand orders."

Ethan smiled, pleased. "It’s amazing that Mommy sold so many watermelons. And it’s amazing that Ian stayed with her the whole time."

Ian beamed at the praise and scratched his head shyly. "Ian isn’t *that* amazing... My mommy is the most amazing in the world! My daddy is the second most amazing, and Ian is the third most amazing! We’re the most amazing family in the world!"

Listening from the side, Naomi couldn’t help but smile.

[Such a heartwarming family!]

[Ian isn’t just amazing, he’s super cute!]

[Comparisons really are cruel. A minute ago, Mona was telling Best Actor Lynch about selling watermelons, and at first, he said she was just messing around. He only changed his tune when he heard it was a task for the show.]

[When is her husband going to be on the show? Hope the production team sees this comment!]

[+1, I can’t wait! Their interactions in real life must be just as full of love!]

[+1, +1, mashing that +1 button!]

...

Two minutes later, Ian handed the phone back to Naomi. He was still flushed from the excitement of the chat.

Naomi took the phone. "If there’s nothing else, I was going to—"

"Wait."

His tone was urgent. Thinking it must be something important, Naomi said quickly, "I’m listening. Go ahead."

"Um... what did you have for dinner?"

Naomi paused, surprised that was what he wanted to ask. She thought for a moment and listed what they’d had for dinner.

"I saw that your location for the next couple of days is in X Province. The temperature drops a lot at night, so remember to wear a jacket so you don’t catch a cold."

"Okay," Naomi said.

After a bit more small talk, Ethan suddenly asked, "Why am I the only one asking questions? Is there nothing you want to say to me? Don’t you miss me at all?"

His voice held a rare note of hurt. Naomi was taken aback at first, then suddenly felt a little flustered. "Of course not... I do. I guess I miss you a little. You’re still at work so late... be careful on your way home. The chef at home should have dinner ready for you."

[Hahaha, her husband has Nina completely wrapped around his finger! I’ve rarely seen her get this flustered!]

[A top-tier professional out in the world, but comes home to pitifully ask his wife, ’Why don’t you miss me at all?’ This gap moe is killing me!]

[Who said they’re not in love? They’re clearly SO in love!]

...

After they talked for a little while longer, Ian rubbed his eyes and said he was sleepy. Naomi glanced at the time and ended the call. She took her son to wash up, then tucked him into his bed.

The sun rose and set late in X Province. As Naomi drew the curtains, she noticed it still wasn’t completely dark outside.

It was late, and all the cameras had been taken down for the night. Naomi locked the door after they were gone.

She padded back to her bed in her slippers. Though she lay down, she didn’t feel very tired. Ethan’s words echoed in her mind—that they would see each other soon.

’What did he mean by that?’

’Tomorrow’s trip will be over, and then, as usual, we’ll go home the day after. So why did he make a point of saying that?’

"Mommy..." Ian mumbled. Naomi turned over, only to realize he was just talking in his sleep.

A sudden wave of drowsiness washed over her, and Naomi slowly closed her eyes.