Stepmom Alpha’s Guide to Raising Kids - Chapter 11

Congenital heart disease?

Qi Zi remained dazed long after leaving the airport.

Lu Luozhu—how could she possibly have congenital heart disease?

Qi Zi refused to believe what the medical report stated. Lu Luozhu had always seemed so healthy, almost excessively so.

Qian Qianqian noticed Qi Zi’s unusual expression. “Is there a problem with the production team?”

Qi Zi: “Find time to take Lu Luozhu for another physical exam.”

Qian Qianqian patted her chest in relief. “Thank goodness it’s not an issue with the production team. Wait—so something’s wrong with Lu Luozhu?”

Her first thought was that Lu Luozhu had contracted some unsavory illness. Just as she was about to ask, she noticed Qi Zi’s expression darkening further. Even long after leaving the airport, her tightly pressed lips remained sealed.

Meanwhile, Lu Luozhu boarded the program’s shuttle bus. The production team loved stirring up drama—they seated her next to An Song while placing the two little ones in the front row.

An Song sat shoulder-to-shoulder with Lu Luozhu, though she acted as if she were next to some kind of plague, keeping as much distance as possible.

Lu Luozhu: “Stop scooting over. Half your butt is already hanging off the seat. If you fall into the aisle, in ten minutes, Weibo will be flooded with headlines like ‘Lu Luozhu Bullies Veteran Actress’ or ‘Lu Luozhu and Her Manager Have a Falling Out.’ And trust me, my manager won’t lift a finger to take those down.”

An Song: “…”

The host: “…”

A flurry of question marks flooded the live stream’s chat.

“Seriously, sis? You just stole all our commentary!”

“Only someone who’s spent a decade on Weibo could come up with that.”

“Alright, I’m off to trash-talk you on Weibo right now.”

“LMAO, first time seeing An An speechless like this.”

An Song had no choice but to sit properly next to Lu Luozhu. From the diagonal front seat, Bai Rui, ever the peacemaker, chimed in with a smile, “I heard the production team booked us a homestay in the ancient town. My little one’s been so excited she couldn’t sleep since the night before last.”

Bai Rui was a well-known host, famous for her kind-hearted image in the industry. She rarely appeared on variety shows, maintaining her reputation as everyone’s beloved big sister.

Mentioning the children softened An Song’s expression.

“My little sister was the same. She threw a tantrum at midnight yesterday, insisting we leave immediately. Nothing could calm her down until she cried herself to sleep.”

Little Jasmine, sitting in the front row with her twin braids, couldn’t bear hearing this. Her lips quivered before she burst into tears again.

Ningning, seeing her friend on the verge of another meltdown, swiftly slapped a tiny hand over Jasmine’s mouth.

Jasmine: “…Mmph QXQ”

Ningning: “No crying, or your sister’s gonna leave you behind.”

Bai Mianmian, sitting a row behind: “?”

Everyone turned to glare at Lu Luozhu—what on earth have you been teaching this child?

Lu Luozhu merely smiled under their collective scrutiny. She had no intention of defending herself or interfering with the kids’ antics. Bai Mianmian, Bai Rui’s daughter, was naturally quiet. Hearing the commotion, she mimicked Ningning’s tone.

“Rawr~”

Bai Rui: “?”

Rawr?

Viewers had expected Ningning to be spoiled and self-centered under Lu Luozhu’s care. Instead, she turned out to be the most mature child on the bus.

At just over three years old, the youngest of the group, Ningning sat with an air of authority, like a tiny gang leader.

When the bus arrived at the ancient town,

Lu Luozhu pulled a 24-inch suitcase with one hand while Ningning clutched her frog plushie, looking around curiously.

“Mom, look! The sisters and aunties have so many suitcases.”

Lu Luozhu glanced over to see An Song pushing down four suitcases with the help of staff, while little Jasmine carried her own small handbag.

Bai Rui held Bai Mianmian in one arm and pulled a large suitcase with the other, as staff followed behind with two or three more.

Ningning stared blankly at the scene, her grape-like eyes welling up like runny poached eggs.

Lu Luozhu: “Don’t cry.”

Ningning: “Awoo!”

Noticing the teary-eyed Ningning and Lu Luozhu leaning casually on her suitcase, An Song strode over with a displeased expression.

“You only brought one suitcase? Where are the child’s things?”

“Do you even know how much stuff kids need? There aren’t any baby stores here for last-minute shopping.”

Lu Luozhu thought to herself, Don’t overestimate my financial situation.

She couldn’t understand why An Song, despite her obvious disdain, kept coming over to throw barbs. Surely she can’t actually like Qi Zi and is just showing off in front of me?

Lu Luozhu: “No, most of the suitcase is for the kid. I only packed a few changes of clothes.”

An Song clearly didn’t believe her, scrutinizing Lu Luozhu up and down. The more she thought about how such a pretty face hid a dull, vain soul, the more resentful she grew.

The longer she looked, the more Lu Luozhu irritated her.

“Hope you’re telling the truth. Though I’ll admit, you’ve got some skill—not everyone can manage being a stepmom.”

With that, An Song flounced off dramatically.

As she passed Lu Luozhu’s suitcase, whether intentionally or not, she gave it a light kick with the tip of her shoe.

It didn’t budge—as if welded to the ground.

An Song: “?”

Little Jasmine, trailing behind her sister, mimicked Ningning with an “Awoo!” as she passed.

An Song: ?

Ningning: “Let’s play a game, awoo!”

Little Jasmine: “Awoo!”

Bai Mianmian: “Awoo!”

Bai Rui: ?

Lu Luozhu ruffled Ningning’s hair. “Stop awooing. Every cat within a ten-mile radius knows you’re here now, probably dragging their whole family over to meet you. At this rate, don’t call me Mom anymore—your real mom’s out there stealing fish to feed you.”

A white cat perched on the wall, attempting to swipe a dried fish: Miaow?

Live chat comments exploded:

“Classic Lu Luozhu—her mouth’s practically venomous.”

“That cat looks so innocent. I could kiss ten of them in one go.”

“An Song’s staring at Lu Luozhu like she’s seeing something new, lol!!!”

“First I worried Lu Luozhu would corrupt the kid. Now I’m still worried Lu Luozhu will corrupt the kid…”

“With that mouth, it’s a miracle she hasn’t been beaten to death yet.”

“@Qi Zi, does Lu Luozhu act like this at home too?”

Other viewers questioned why Lu Luozhu had only brought one suitcase—until she arrived at the program’s arranged homestay and opened her 24-inch luggage. Three-quarters of the space was packed with Ningning’s essentials, while her own clothes occupied just a quarter.

But what truly shocked the crew was how much she’d managed to fit into such a small suitcase.

“Good thing no kind stranger tried to help you carry that.”

“Who uses a vacuum sealer to pack a suitcase?!”

“Alright, stepmom, what other surprises are you hiding from us?”

Lu Luozhu was organizing her belongings while Ningning sat obediently beside her, clutching her little frog plushie. Neither crying nor causing a disturbance, the child eventually grew bored and placed the frog on her head. With two pairs of eyes—one large, one small—staring at Lu Luozhu, the scene was oddly endearing.

After leaving the homestay, the program recording officially began.

Three adults and three children stood in a neat row. Ningning still had the little frog plushie perched on her head until Lu Luozhu plucked it off.

The other two children were poised and ready, standing straighter than soldiers at attention. Only Ningning remained relaxed, tilting her head in confusion as she gazed at the white cat perched on the eaves of the Hui-style architecture—as if sensing some inexplicable kinship.

The host finished the opening remarks and began explaining the game rules: “We’ve arrived at a centuries-old Jiangnan town. On every street here, the production team has hidden carefully selected mysterious items. You can ask local residents and shopkeepers for clues. You have one hour. Families will compete as teams, and the one that finds the most items will win…”

Lu Luozhu glanced at the table, where an extravagant diamond crown and gem-studded scepter—beloved by children—were displayed. Ningning, however, seemed indifferent, her attention clearly elsewhere.

Holding the clue slip given by the production team, Lu Luozhu frowned at the two words written on it: “Legacy.”

It might as well have been blank.

She wondered how to motivate the little one to win the game and satisfy her sugar mommy, hoping for some extra allowance.

Suddenly, Ningning’s eyes locked onto one of the prizes on the table. Her tiny fists clenched, brimming with determination.

“Froggy! Mommy, I want to win! Mommy, we’re gonna be first!”

Lu Luozhu followed her gaze and saw… “…?”

A promotional poster for a restaurant—Hot Pot Bullfrog.

With a gentle smile, Lu Luozhu said, “Of course, sweetheart. Hard work pays off. Do your best!”

First of all, that’s not your frog. Second, you’re too young to eat bullfrog. Third, you’re also too young for hot pot.

Your hard work, my reward.

Lu Luozhu had been in poor health for a while, sticking to a light diet. It had been ages since she last indulged in something as rich and spicy as hot pot.

Meanwhile, several kilometers away on a film set, Qi Zi had the show’s live stream running in the background on her phone.

Catching sight of Lu Luozhu’s scheming smile, Qi Zi scoffed. “Silver-tongued and full of tricks—always deceiving children.”

And medical reports.

The acclaimed actress, surrounded by admirers, flipped her phone face-down on the table. With a faintly amused lift of her brow, she casually ordered, “Summon Lu Luozhu tonight. Tell her her sugar mommy misses her and wants to… negotiate terms.”