Volume One, Chapter Two: The Birth Mother Comes to Take the Little Bundle Home

At that moment, the backstage production department of the show was unusually quiet.

“Ms. Lu, I’m sorry, but your educational background doesn’t quite meet our requirements.”

The interviewer handed back the résumé to the slightly tense young woman sitting across from him.

She froze, unable to accept the reality. Her delicate eyebrows furrowed slightly, making her bright almond-shaped eyes appear even clearer and more captivating.

The interviewer softened his tone and added, “Although we’re not sure how you were notified to come for this interview, this position requires a diploma from a Project 211 key university, so...”

So she was out of the running?

Wonderful!

Lu Xiaoman blinked her almond-shaped eyes, a knowing look in them.

Thankfully, before leaving, she had cleverly tampered a bit with her résumé; otherwise, she would have actually had to work here.

She could never fulfill Lu Mingxi’s wishes!

Thinking of that sly little rascal, a smile flickered in her eyes.

Ten minutes had passed, and she wondered if the little guy still had the patience to wait for her outside.

“Thank you, I understand.”

Lu Xiaoman smiled, took the résumé, stood up briskly, and without looking back, opened the door and walked out.

Behind her, the interviewer’s surprise was impossible to conceal.

He had interviewed countless candidates, but this was the first time he’d seen someone fail an interview and still be so cheerful about it...

“Lu Mingxi!”

Lu Xiaoman stood in the empty corridor. A gust of wind blew her thin clothes, scattering her hair over the corners of her eyes, and suddenly a wave of anxiety washed over her.

She wasn’t worried about Lu Mingxi getting lost—she was worried about the trouble he might cause!

From past experience, whenever that little one was out of sight for more than ten minutes, trouble was sure to follow.

The most recent incident was when he had taken a kindergarten girl away, prompting a frantic search. Eventually, he was found leisurely sipping soda and eating fries in a KFC with the pretty little girl, enjoying the air conditioning.

When the adults, drenched in sweat, found them, he even had the nerve to defend himself:

“The little sister said she was hungry, so I brought her here to eat. Mommy, uncles, aunts, would you like to join us?”

She had rushed over to scold her son but was stopped by the girl's parents.

“Lu Mingxi’s mother, it’s not his fault. My daughter didn’t have an appetite this morning and only had some milk, no wonder she was hungry. We should thank him—your son really knows how to take care of others. You’re in for a good life.”

A good life? She had no such illusions; she just hoped the brat wouldn’t scare her into a heart attack.

Now, where could he be?

Wait—she mustn’t panic. She needed to calm down and think.

Lu Xiaoman sat down on a nearby bench, twisted off a bottle cap, and took a sip of water. Suddenly, a flash of inspiration lit up her mind.

Why was Lu Mingxi so insistent on her coming to this TV station to interview for the position of Creative Director in the production department?

High salary, respectable job, and the chance to meet all kinds of people.

That was what Lu Mingxi had told her.

But she knew that his true goal was to find the “daddy” he longed for.

Even though she had told him repeatedly since he could talk that his father was dead.

But Lu Mingxi simply refused to believe it.

This was a television station...

Looking for his father?

Heavens!

Lu Xiaoman didn’t bother to screw the bottle cap back on or pick up her bag—she dashed forward.

At the matchmaking show’s live set.

The host received instructions through a Bluetooth earpiece and stopped Lu Mingxi.

“Little one, please tell us exactly what’s going on. We can help you find your daddy.”

Lu Mingxi glanced at the fading figure he had just left behind and felt a little regret. But then, remembering that you can run from the monk but not the temple, he felt reassured.

He had already learned that this building and several nearby towers belonged to the “bad daddy.” A few times each month, the man came down to supervise the staff. He was not afraid that the bad daddy would run away.

“My mommy and I have depended on each other all these years...” Lu Mingxi exaggerated every hardship he had ever suffered in his life.

Several kind-hearted ladies had tears in their eyes, some red-rimmed, all indignantly cursing the scoundrel who had abandoned his wife and child.

By the time Lu Mingxi finished his tale, his mouth was dry. It seemed about right.

Even if his father didn’t pay much attention to the show, with such a popular live broadcast, some of what he said would surely reach his father’s ears.

That disdainful glance from his father just now was surely a result of not really looking at him.

Just looking at his face—though everyone said he looked like his mother—didn’t even one feature resemble his father?

And if his father saw his mother with him, surely he would acknowledge his existence.

Maybe soon, his father would come looking to claim him.

Then...

“Lu Mingxi!”

Before his pleasant daydream could end, an angry shout jolted him awake.

Lu Mingxi lifted his eyelids slightly and saw Lu Xiaoman standing by the corner of the stage, her face full of anger.

Mommy was finally here.

“Mommy!”

Lu Mingxi wasn’t afraid. He called out cheerfully and then naturally took her hand, running toward the center of the stage.

“Hurry home,” Lu Xiaoman said, seeing through her son’s intentions. She bent down and scooped him up.

She blocked his face and lowered her own head, wanting to leave this troublesome place quickly.

But someone stepped in before she could.

“Ma’am, please wait,” the host said with a bright smile.

Lu Xiaoman looked up cautiously, assuming they were about to hold her responsible for her son’s actions. She apologized immediately: “Sorry, I will take full responsibility for any consequences.”

“May we please have an interview with you?” The host’s smile grew even warmer.

Lu Xiaoman: ...

If she wasn’t mistaken, this was a matchmaking show, right?

“Well, we just heard your story, and everyone was very touched. Our chief editor has decided to help this little boy find his biological father.”

What story?

Lu Xiaoman eyed the child in her arms suspiciously.

Lu Mingxi had been telling stories since he was three to get his way. She had no doubt this was another one of his fabrications.

“Mommy, don’t be afraid.”

At that moment, Lu Mingxi stretched out his head, facing the countless warm gazes around him, and suddenly with a trembling voice said, “I know Daddy is powerful and everyone is afraid of him. But now that all these uncles and aunts are watching, he won’t dare bully us. Also, I will protect Mommy.”

In just a few words, the little boy painted a vivid picture of a ruthless villain, steeped in accumulated power and high-ranking authority.

Compared to the handsome, dignified face in her memory, the contrast was stark, and Lu Xiaoman involuntarily shuddered.

He was quite the storyteller.

But with Lu Mingxi stirring things up like this, the crowd’s interest only deepened.

“Ma’am, could you disclose some more information about the child’s father? His appearance, position, or even just his surname...” The host pressed on, seizing the moment.

Lu Xiaoman opened her mouth but then her gaze flickered.

“That’s our private matter. No comment. Please step aside.”

Her aura suddenly turned cold, and the light in her almond-shaped eyes was intimidating.

The host instinctively stepped back as the mother and son strode away.

Most of the audience was still confused, but at that moment, the host’s Bluetooth earpiece crackled with static.

“Why did you let them go? This is live broadcast! Such a good opportunity for the show’s impact, and you didn’t seize it. What are you even doing?”

“The other party refused the interview. There was nothing I could do...”