Renee Jennings was stunned by Naomi Kenway's gaze. When she snapped out of it, she cursed herself internally. 'How could I be intimidated by a good-for-nothing like Naomi Kenway?'
After barely composing herself, Renee Jennings said softly, "Don't be nervous, Nina. I actually came to bring you two breakfast."
'It doesn't matter if Ian Shaw can't see. At least all the viewers on the livestream saw it. My goal is more or less accomplished.'
"Breakfast?" Naomi Kenway glanced down at the steamed buns in her hand.
"Yes," Renee Jennings said with a smile, her fair, pretty face a picture of sincerity. "I got up early and figured you and Ian hadn't eaten yet, so I brought your portions over."
"They're fresh, big steamed buns. I know you're used to delicacies, Nina, so you probably look down on such simple fare. But the production team said the tough conditions are necessary to achieve the show's goal of authenticity. I was chatting with Pearl on my way here, and she mentioned there were supposed to be steamed meat buns, but I was the first one there and didn't see any. I guess it was just a red herring. All the guests are having steamed buns and pickled vegetables. It's not like I'm intentionally giving you the worst food, Nina. I even got an extra egg for Ian."
"Oh, and look, Nina. The breakfast Nathan and I are having is steamed buns, too."
Renee Jennings held the steamed buns out to Naomi Kenway. "Please, just take them, Nina."
If Naomi Kenway accepted the breakfast, she'd be indebted to Renee. If she refused, she'd only reinforce her diva image in the viewers' eyes.
"Steamed meat buns? You mean the ones on the table?" Naomi Kenway tilted her head slightly, gesturing for her to look inside.
Renee Jennings froze, a growing sense of dread creeping into her heart. She followed Naomi Kenway's gaze and saw two steamed meat buns and an egg sitting on the brand-new table inside the mud hut...
The turn of events hit her like a sledgehammer. Renee Jennings was stunned speechless for a long moment. Her voice faltered, full of disbelief. "How do you have them? How do you have the steamed meat buns..."
Naomi Kenway casually brushed back a strand of long hair, her tone teasing. "What do you think? Why would the one special breakfast end up here with me?"
The color drained from Renee Jennings's face.
"I got up at 4:30 this morning to get breakfast. I appreciate the kind thought, Miss Jennings, but you should give this to someone who actually needs it."
"Mommy..." Ian Shaw's voice called out. It was faint, but Naomi Kenway recognized it instantly. She was no longer in the mood to play games with Renee Jennings. "Something's come up. You should head back."
Silence returned, but Renee Jennings couldn't snap out of her stupor. Her plan had been so foolproof, yet she had run into the worst and most unlikely outcome.
'How could Naomi Kenway have suddenly become so proactive?'
Remembering the cameras, Renee Jennings quickly schooled her features and forced a smile onto her face.
"Miss Jennings, are you all right? Are you feeling unwell?" a nearby staff member asked with concern.
Renee Jennings smiled, back to her usual self. "Ah... I'm fine. I just didn't sleep well last night. Feeling a little dizzy, that's all. A little dizzy..."
Her steps were slow and deliberate as she left, but they lacked any energy.
*
Naomi Kenway went into the back room. Ian Shaw was already awake and had changed his clothes.
The buttons on his denim jacket were done up perfectly, and his shoes were on the correct feet.
"Did the cameraman help you get dressed?"
Ian Shaw shook his head, his small voice clear. "Ian did it himself."
"Then Mommy will take you to brush your teeth."
"Ian already brushed his teeth."
'A child's independence is a good thing, but the reason for Ian's was just too cruel. It was something she herself had caused.'
A pang of bitterness went through Naomi Kenway's heart, but a huge smile blossomed on her face. "Ian can dress himself and brush his teeth all by himself! You're amazing!"
Ian Shaw had never been praised before. His eyes grew even brighter. "Really?"
'His teachers said he was quiet and withdrawn. The other kids said they didn't like playing with him.'
'No one had ever called him amazing.'
"Of course! You're the best! You're the smartest, cutest kid Mommy has ever seen!"
Ian Shaw suddenly covered his cheeks, but the blush creeping up his pale earlobes gave him away.
[Ian's blushing! So cute, I just wanna squish his cheeks!! He can even put on complicated clothes by himself. Ian is seriously amazing!]
[Setting aside everything else, I really love Naomi Kenway's style of positive reinforcement.]
[Ian is cute and well-behaved, just a little timid. And maybe a bit... slow. It's a shame. If only he were as smart as Nathan. He can recite classic texts backward and has great social skills!]
[I can't believe someone is actually pitting two little kids against each other. What's your problem, person above? And where are you getting that Ian isn't smart? Did he whisper in your ear and tell you himself?]
[Don't get why the poster above is attacking me, I'm just sharing my opinion. All the other kids on the show have huge vocabularies and are great at math. If Ian were really that smart, don't you think Naomi Kenway would be showing him off? It just means Ian is a pretty average kid. Aside from his looks, he's miles behind the other celebrity kids!]
[Maybe Naomi Kenway is just low-key. Just because she doesn't show him off doesn't mean he's not smart!]
...
"Mommy, what are we eating?"
Ian Shaw's attitude toward Naomi Kenway had changed significantly. He no longer recoiled from her with that same wary fear. However, Naomi also knew a barrier still existed between her and her son, and breaking it down would take time.
Naomi Kenway took his small hand. "We're having steamed meat buns today. Do you like them?"
"I do!"
*
When Renee Jennings returned to her villa, she unsurprisingly found Ruby Preston waiting for her. She spent a great deal of energy explaining herself. Ruby Preston seemed to have accepted the explanation in the end, but her expression remained grim.
'Looks like I've made a bad impression on Director Preston,' she thought.
Of all the guests, Ruby Preston was the last person Renee Jennings wanted to anger. After all, Preston was an internationally renowned director. Renee planned to use the clout from this parent-child reality show to launch a career in film and television. Getting on Director Preston's good side during this show would be a massive boost to her career in the entertainment industry.
Renee Jennings was racking her brain for a way to get back into Ruby Preston's good graces when, lost in thought, she nearly collided with Nathan Lynch at the door.
Nathan Lynch clung to her leg, his voice thick with tears. "Mommy, why were you gone so long? It's so empty in here... Nathan was so scared..."
Renee Jennings was mentally exhausted. She forced a smile for Nathan Lynch. "Nathan, Mommy's back now, isn't she?" She held up the now-cold steamed buns. "Mommy brought you breakfast."
"Mommy's the best!" Nathan Lynch's face lit up with excitement, only to fall when Renee Jennings asked, "Have you finished all the math problems I assigned you?"