The Villain Mom Awakens — Going Viral by Parenting on a Reality Show-Chapter 311: Returning to Veridia

"This bed is so small. I was afraid I’d fall off, so I had to squeeze in a bit. Sorry to crowd you."

A deep voice murmured beside her ear.

They were so close that Naomi Kenway could even feel his warm breath against her ear.

"You... you’re not asleep either?"

"It seems... I can’t quite fall asleep."

Naomi Kenway nodded. "Me too..." She quickly changed her tune. "I’m already sleepy. You should get some rest."

"Okay." The voice in the darkness was calm and steady. "Good night."

It might have just been Naomi Kenway’s imagination, but she felt like Ethan Shaw’s voice was even closer now. His warm breath ghosted across the side of her ear, sending a faint shiver through her. Her ears had always been very sensitive.

’In this situation, I can’t just tell Ethan Shaw to sleep on the floor. After all, we don’t even have a spare blanket, let alone a sheet. I can’t bring myself to make him just lie on the carpet like that.’

Naomi Kenway was certain Ethan Shaw wasn’t asleep. His breathing was very light, pausing slightly from time to time.

Naomi Kenway closed her eyes and tried to force herself to fall asleep quickly, but it was truly difficult. She couldn’t even manage to ignore the breathing of the person beside her.

*

At seven the next morning, Ian was the first to wake up. He used the faint light in the room to check the clock on the wall, then planted a SMOOCH on Naomi Kenway’s cheek. He shuffled over and planted another SMOOCH on Ethan Shaw’s face.

And just like that, both Naomi Kenway and Ethan Shaw were kissed awake.

Naomi Kenway struggled to open her eyes. She hadn’t slept well last night and still felt a bit dizzy and groggy. Even so, she managed a smile for Ian and said, "Good morning, sweetie."

"Mama, good morning~"

A slight rustle came from beside her as Ethan Shaw propped himself up into a sitting position. His hair was slightly messy, and he squinted, his mind not yet fully awake. His usually impeccable appearance now had a rare, untamed, and casual air about it.

Naomi Kenway stared, slightly stunned. She noticed the faint dark circles under Ethan Shaw’s eyes. ’Did he not sleep well either?’

She voiced her question directly, "You don’t look so good. Did you not sleep well last night?"

"A little."

The light in the room was incredibly dim. Ethan Shaw got up to turn on the lights, and the room instantly brightened.

Ethan Shaw seemed to notice something. He walked over and cupped Naomi Kenway’s face, his voice laced with confusion and concern. "Why do you have dark circles? Didn’t you sleep well last night?"

Naomi Kenway said, "I had a bit of insomnia. I counted a thousand sheep and still couldn’t fall asleep. Maybe it’s because... I have trouble sleeping in new places. I’m just not used to sleeping here yet."

"You seem so listless..." Ethan Shaw reached out and massaged Naomi Kenway’s temples, asking, "How about this? Does that feel any better?"

Naomi Kenway had to admire Ethan Shaw’s massaging skills. In just a few minutes, her groggy head felt much better. She smiled and teased, "Chef Shaw, with skills like these, you could open your own shop."

Ethan Shaw laughed along with her. "Thank you for the compliment, but I’m rather particular. I don’t like giving massages to just anyone."

"Perfect. I’ll be your loyal customer. I guarantee you’ll be rolling in it."

The corners of Ethan Shaw’s lips curved up slightly, but his gaze fell on the circles under her eyes, still filled with concern. "You must have been exhausted lately. Once we get back home, you can turn down some of your work engagements and get some proper rest."

Before Naomi Kenway could reply, there was a knock on the door. As expected, it was the cameraman, here to start filming.

Ethan Shaw went to open the door, a faint smile on his face. "Good morning."

The lead cameraman smiled, nodded, and said, "Good morning to you, too."

Before the male guests arrived, the show’s staff had received some intel. They had originally thought Ethan Shaw would be the most difficult to deal with. After all, he held a high position, was extremely busy, and it would be normal for him to be arrogant and put on airs. Even Best Actor Christina Lynch, who was publicly known for being good-tempered, enjoyed being fawned over. But Ethan Shaw had shattered their perceptions shortly after arriving. The man was incredibly polite, with gentle and proper manners. No one who interacted with him could find a single fault.

"Would you like a glass of water?" Ethan Shaw asked.

The cameraman said, "No, thank you."

Naomi Kenway went to wash up as usual, with Ian brushing his teeth beside her. After he finished, he showed his white teeth to Naomi Kenway. "Mama, look! Didn’t Ian do a good job brushing?"

Naomi Kenway leaned in for a closer look and affirmed, "They’re sparkling clean. You’re amazing, Ian!"

An even brighter smile spread across Ian Shaw’s face.

After they finished getting ready, they saw a staff member placing breakfast on the table. She glanced at Naomi Kenway and said with a smile, "Ms. Kenway, here is your breakfast. After you eat, please gather at the village entrance at eight o’clock. We’ll be heading back to Veridia."

Naomi Kenway nodded. "Thank you."

The breakfast was rather light—steamed buns and plain congee. It was the show’s standard pairing.

Not long after they finished eating, they heard a jumble of footsteps in the hallway outside, accompanied by the sound of suitcase wheels rolling on the floor. Naomi Kenway knew the other guests were leaving one by one.

After packing everything into their suitcases, Naomi Kenway’s family also headed out. Ethan Shaw followed behind, carrying the two large suitcases, while Naomi Kenway walked ahead, holding her son’s hand. On the stairs, she asked Ethan if he needed help, but he just shook his head. The two huge suitcases did indeed look light in his hands, so Naomi Kenway looked away.

Downstairs, they could see the luggage that had been collected earlier, all neatly arranged. Naomi Kenway found their family’s belongings.

Christina Lynch’s family had just gotten downstairs. Christina Lynch and Renee Jennings still put on a show of being a sweet and loving couple, but the viewers in the livestream chat weren’t buying it like before.

[One is a self-centered chauvinist, and the other is a selfish jerk who blames her own mistakes on a child. You two really are a match made in heaven! Hope you two last forever, just stop torturing other people.]

[I can’t imagine how Mona grew up in an environment like that.]

[Mona is so pitiful. His biological mom cheated and just left, his biological dad ignores him and is busy being lovey-dovey with his current wife, and his stepmom just bullies him and forces him to do things he doesn’t like.]

[I used to think Best Actor Lynch’s family was so harmonious and beautiful. Looking at them now, it just feels so ironic. This couple are both great actors!]

...

Christina Lynch noticed Ethan Shaw nonchalantly take the expensive watch out of his case. He felt a pang of envy and bitterness. He took his own watch from another corner of his case, feeling a bit ashamed.

’So what if he has some stinking money! I might focus mainly on acting, but I still have shares in the Lynch Family. I just don’t want to touch that money. If we’re really comparing, I’m not necessarily worse off than Ethan Shaw!’