The Useless Stepmom Brings Her Kids to Reality TV Shows to Photograph Them

90 Are You Still Sleeping?

“Reporters?” he said. “isn’t that too light a punishment? They won’t suffer any losses. At most, they will be criticized for their actions. I know that An Yang is currently on a project. I can have him removed from the project, if you want. As for Wu Zhenzhen…”

Li Yanchen had never openly investigated the incident. Lin Wan had never mentioned it so he didn’t want to open old wounds. But now that Lin Wan was ready to face her past, he definitely wanted to support her in any way he could.

“Don’t do something behind her back. I want her to know that it’s me. I want her to know that she can’t escape from the consequences of her mistakes. It will have to wait until after the class reunion. I want them to go through public humiliation first.” Lin Wan’s heart was heavy.

“Alright,” he said. “I will try to shorten the trip and come back in three days. I will email Lu Yao and then I will go to sleep. If there is anything you need in my absence, let Assistant Qin know. He will handle it.” Li Yanchen turned around and went back into the study.

!!

Lin Wan spaced out in the living room for a while before returning to her bedroom. When she woke up the next day, Li Yanchen had already left the Royal Water Bay Villa.

In her WeChat, there was a message from him. “I didn’t want to wake you. If you have anywhere to go, you can tell Assistant Qin and he will drive you. I told him to wait at the garage.”

Lin Wan did not plan to go out today. Other than exposing Song Jing and the others, she still had to think of a way to earn enough money for the breach of contract for the next episode. Otherwise, if she left one day and the host came back, she would be in a huge debt. Given the host’s personality, she would be depressed to death.

After Lin Wan finished her breakfast, she found a book called “Economic Thinking” in the study. After flipping through the pages, she was discouraged. If she wanted to earn millions in a short period of time, it was unrealistic to rely on books. She leaned back in her chair. Her mind was blank.

In the garage, Assistant Qin had been sitting in the car for almost two hours. He was bored so he got out of the car and talked with Auntie Huang.

“Assistant Qin, try this. Mrs. Liu from next door sent it over. Mrs. Liu has been making some goods recently. To promote it, she has been giving out food all over the neighborhood.” Auntie Huang opened a packet of egg yolk rice crust.

“Do the ladies in this neighborhood need to earn their own money?” Assistant Qin held the rice crust to his mouth. Royal Water Bay Villas were the top in Yun City. Only the insanely rich lived here.

“I think she is just bored so she wants to do something to pass the time. I also think it’s a good idea. If you have nothing to distract you then it will make you feel lonely. This way one can keep busy.” Auntie Huang always chatted with other ladies in the neighborhood, so she knew a thing or two about everyone. “Have you been waiting for Madam all day?’

“Yes. Boss ordered me to be on stand-by.”

“Do you want me to ask Madam if she is planning to go out today?” Auntie Huang squinted her eyes and looked at the room on the second floor. ‘I am going to go ask Madam what she wants to eat for lunch, anyway.”

“That would be really helpful. Thank you.”

Xia Mo gave Lin Wan a call from her shop, The Sweetheart Inn.

Lin Wan, who was still thinking about her in the study, saw a familiar caller ID. She lazily pressed the speaker. “Hello?”

“Are you still sleeping?” asked Xia Mo. She knew Lin Wan woke up late usually, so she had waited till nine in the morning to call her.

“Yes. What’s the matter?” Lin Wan rested her chin on the table.

“You’re home alone?”

“Well… not really. There is the Auntie who cooks and Assistant Qin, I think.” Lin Wan rubbed her temples.

“Should I come to pick you up? There are new items here today. Wait for me. I will start from here now.” Xia Mo didn’t wait for Lin Wan’s answer and drove to the Royal Water Bay.

Lin Wan did not intend to refuse. She had nothing to do all day, anyway.

When Auntie Huang went upstairs to ask Lin Wan what she wanted to eat for lunch, Lin Wan was changing her clothes. “Madam, are you going out?”

“Yes. I won’t be eating at home.” Lin Wan did want to go out. She didn’t want to trouble Auntie Huang to cook for her.

“Oh, alright.” Auntie Huang seemed to have another day off as she walked down the stairs. “Assistant Qin, Madam will be going out in a while.”

It was Xia Mo’s first time at Royal Water Bay Villa. She parked her car at the entrance of the community and called Lin Wan. “I’m here. Which building do you live in?”

“Block 9.” Lin Wan held her phone between her shoulder and her ear. She was still looking for her clothes.

Xia Mo drove the car directly to the entrance of Block 9. She had long known that Royal Water Bay Villas was the wealthiest in Yun City, but she had not expected it to be this luxurious. The courtyard was bigger than all the townhouses she had seen till now.

Assistant Qin and Auntie Huang, who were still chatting in the courtyard, saw the car at the entrance. Auntie Huang walked over.

Xia Mo took off her sunglasses and got out of the car. “Hi, is Lin Wan around? I am her friend.”

Assistant Qin was taken aback. Ever since Lin Wan married Li Yanchen, no one had ever come to look for her. In the past, he was always the one who would drive her when she went out. He had assumed that she had no friends. She didn’t even hang out with the neighboring ladies.

He walked to the gate. He recognized Xia Mo. “Ms. Xia, what brings you here? You have an appointment with Madam?”

“Yes, I just called her.” Although Xia Mo did not know the people in front of her, she could roughly guess that one was the driver and the other was the Auntie.

Auntie Huang greeted her politely. “Please, park your car and come in. I will go get Madam.”

Before Auntie Huang could lead her inside, Lin Wan came rushing through the main door.

Xia Mo smiled brightly. “You didn’t expect to see me, did you?” she asked. She took Lin Wan’s hand. “It’s just me and the cashier girl at my shop today.”

Assistant Qin looked very confused. Li Yanchen had told him that Lin Wan didn’t like to talk too much and didn’t like to socialize. So, he had instructed Assistant Qin to be on stand-by if she needed anything.

When Assistant Qin had watched the livestream, he had assumed that Lin Wan being friends with the ladies there had all been scripted for the show. She had just arrived and was already making plans with friends. She didn’t look like someone with social anxiety at all.

“So, I will be taking Lin Wan away for the day,” said Xia Mo to Auntie Huang and Assistant Qn. “Don’t worry. I will bring her back safely. This is my business card. You are always welcome to visit.” Xia Mo didn’t care who stood in front of her. She gave everyone her business card.

“Thank you,” said Assistant Qin, accepting a card. He turned to Lin Wan. “Madam, you can give me a call and I can come and pick you later.” His task for the next few days was to be Lin Wan’s driver. He was very confused when his job was suddenly reduced.

“That’s alright. I can drop her home. My shop is not very far from here,” said Xia Mo happily.

After Lin Wan left, Assistant Qin returned to the office and sent Li Yanchen a message. “Xia Mo came to visit and took Madam with her. I came to the company.”

The first thing Li Yanchen did when he got off the plane was to head to the hospital where his brother was.

“Mr. Li still hasn’t improved. His condition has worsened. His joints are stiff, and his lungs are infected. I’m afraid he doesn’t have much time…” The attendant reported the patient’s condition.

“Thank you for the information,” said Li Yanchen. “You may leave.”

Li Yanchen was aware of his brother’s critical condition and yet, he still felt despair. For the past seven years, he had let himself hope that his brother might get better, and everything would return to normal.

He talked to his brother at length about the three children’s performance in the live broadcast. Li Yanchen had gone to great extent over the years to wake his brother up in country H, but nothing had worked.

After getting out of the hospital, Li Yanchen composed himself and locked his emotions away. He then rushed over to Party A’s company.