After Peng Li made her demand, she waited expectantly for a response from the Qin family. But the room fell silent, with each family member regarding her with subtle amusement.

“What’s this? You’re not willing to do me this small favor?” Peng Li scoffed, glaring at Qin Mom as if she were being unreasonable.

Qin Mom replied dryly, “Haven’t you been online lately? The last person who wanted someone kicked out of the entertainment industry ended up being disowned by her own family.”

Qin Dad added with a smirk, “And they even tried to go through our daughter-in-law, too. We all saw how that turned out…”

Everyone turned to glance at Ji Fei, who just looked back with an innocent expression.

Peng Li, indignant, protested, “How could that be the same? We’ve known each other for years, after all! Don’t you think your younger generation should show me, an elder, some respect?”

The Qin family bristled at Peng Li’s tone.

Ji Fei couldn’t resist mentally chiming in: [Show respect? What, did you give out red envelopes to the Qin kids or something? What kind of “respect” do you think you’re owed here?]

The absurdity of her logic had everyone stifling smiles. Qin Zhao, in particular, noted that he hadn’t even gotten a single dollar from her—how did that make her a senior figure with the right to ask favors?

As Peng Li’s words met with silence, she grew visibly irritated.

“Hou Lan, don’t make me call your parents to complain about how unhelpful you’re being!”

The younger Qin family members were taken aback. This woman was actually threatening to “tell on them.” 

Qin Mom, used to Peng Li’s antics, replied calmly, “We Qin’s don’t bully others or abuse our influence. Besides, this involves my daughter-in-law’s reputation in the entertainment industry. Unless she chooses to stay out of it, she’s known for being fair and impartial—a true ‘Judge’ of the industry.”

Ji Fei cringed slightly at the over-the-top description.

[Qin Mom’s clearly been influenced by social media hype; the way she’s saying this is making me feel like I’m in a corny superhero comic!]

Qin Mom seemed quite proud of her statement, while the rest of the Qin family could hardly contain their laughter.

“You…!” Peng Li was taken aback, not expecting Qin Mom to be so firm on what she considered a minor issue.

Then she quickly gathered herself and pressed on, “What bullying? I’m just here to inform you that Sun Man is a person of poor character, and to suggest that this so-called ‘Judge’ should deal with her in the next episode. We wouldn’t want her continuing to corrupt my godson!”

The Qin family was well aware that Peng Li had a godson, but they’d never bothered to keep track of her affairs. All they knew was that her indulgence of this godson was a well-known joke, and that her obsession with him had even contributed to her divorce.

Peng Li had a biological daughter with her ex-husband, but as time went on, the in-laws noticed that she barely cared about her daughter, showing little affection. Instead, she doted obsessively on her godson. If there hadn’t been clear biological ties, people would have suspected something amiss. But the blatant favoritism ultimately alienated her husband’s family. After years of neglect and coldness, her daughter developed severe emotional issues, prompting her father’s family to demand a divorce, believing any stepmother would be better than Peng Li.

After the divorce, custody of the daughter went to her father, and they all but cut ties with Peng Li—not out of spite, but because Peng Li herself had no interest in maintaining contact.

When asked why she treated her daughter this way, Peng Li once explained that she’d dreamed her daughter was a nemesis from a past life, reborn to ruin her, bringing her downfall and disgrace. This bizarre justification wasn’t even widely mocked, as the wealthy often clung to such superstitions.

Now, she was asking her old rival, Qin Mom, to help her deal with Sun Man over this godson. It was clear her “godson” held a place in her heart that even her own daughter didn’t.

The Qin family exchanged curious glances, wondering why Lang Zhe, of all people, was her godson.

Ji Fei, equally intrigued, leaned in to listen.

Peng Li continued rattling off schemes and tactics for taking down Sun Man, sounding more like an overbearing mother-in-law disapproving of her son’s partner than a godmother.

Meanwhile, the Qin family paid half-hearted attention as Ji Fei’s inner commentary picked up again.

[Ah… So that’s it. Peng Li was once a die-hard fan girl of Lang Zhe’s father, Emperor Lang.]

With their recent gossip know-how, the Qin family immediately understood what Ji Fei meant.

So it was a classic case of “love me, love my dog”?

[Back then, Emperor Lang and Lu Fei had been together. Despite Peng Li’s relentless pursuit and lavish gifts, he firmly rejected her. Neither he nor Lu Fei feared Peng Li’s wealth and connections, and with their own powerful ties, they weren’t intimidated. Ultimately, Peng Li had no choice but to retreat, devastated. But after Emperor Lang passed away when Lang Zhe was just six or seven, she was so grief-stricken that she insisted on helping Lu Fei care for Lang Zhe, practically forcing her way into his life as a godmother.]

The Qin family found it hard to keep a straight face.

Ji Fei went on.

[Well, that explains why she came to the Qin family now. She’s just throwing a tantrum! I was wondering why her visit was so sudden.]

The Qin family perked up with curiosity. Throwing a tantrum? Over what?

[Lu Fei, Lang Zhe’s real mom, actually likes Sun Man after getting to know her. But here’s Peng Li, running over here because she’s upset. Lang Zhe even said he wants to get back together with Sun Man, and Peng Li thinks she can stop him by getting us to interfere? I just want to say, no need—Sun Man has no intention of going back to that mess.]

The Qin family was surprised to learn that Lu Fei, who had a reputation as an “evil mother-in-law,” actually approved of Sun Man. She seemed like a fair-minded person after all.

Too bad she didn’t know her son’s true colors, though Sun Man did. Lu Fei’s approval was pointless, and Peng Li was acting like she had full control over her godson’s life.

But this all led to the question: What exactly had Lang Zhe done to earn the label of a “bad seed”? Lu Fei might be unaware, and Peng Li certainly didn’t know, but Sun Man had clearly seen through him and chosen to leave.

By this point, Peng Li had talked herself hoarse, finally noticing the family’s inattentiveness. She fumed, “Are any of you even listening to me?”

The Qin family nodded absently, making token noises of agreement. If this drama weren’t tied to Ji Fei and Qin Zhao’s next show, they wouldn’t have bothered to sit through it.

The family’s indifference left Peng Li feeling deeply annoyed. If it weren’t for her beloved godson, she wouldn’t have subjected herself to this.

It was all Lu Fei’s fault. In the past, she’d handled other girlfriends without Peng Li’s interference, thoroughly investigating and dismissing anyone unsuitable for Lang Zhe. How had she failed to see Sun Man’s flaws?

If Peng Li hadn’t promised Lang Zhe she’d keep a certain incident under wraps, she would’ve reported Sun Man to the police.