Chapter 282: Chapter 282: The First Time Seeing Rhys Quinn Talk So Much

It wasn’t just Naomi who was surprised; the livestream chat was also abuzz with shock.

[Rhys Quinn? Is that really Rhys Quinn? I’m not seeing things, am I? Is that the famously arrogant creative genius, Rhys Quinn?]

[It really is Rhys Quinn. He has the official verification badge.]

[Judging by the background, looks like another day of Rhys Quinn being forced to make a public appearance.]

[How many big shots in the entertainment industry does our Nina know? I’m floored. Even Rhys Quinn agreed to a call…]

…

“Good afternoon,” Rhys Quinn said.

“Good afternoon. I didn’t expect you to agree to a call. It’s an honor.”

Rhys Quinn chose his words carefully. “I see you’re selling watermelons. I’m actually quite interested. My mother is from X Province.”

Naomi was slightly surprised, only now noticing that his features were indeed a little more defined and deep-set than most people’s. “What a coincidence.”

“Are you filming a show?” Suddenly, Rhys Quinn’s gaze fell upon Ian, whom Naomi was holding. He frowned slightly. “Who’s this kid? Why are you holding him? How old is he?”

Naomi smiled, introducing him with a proud tone. “This is my son, Ian. He’s four years old. Isn’t he adorable?”

Naomi looked down again. “Ian, this is Uncle Quinn.”

But Ian seemed not to understand, simply staring at Rhys Quinn on the screen with wide eyes. ’He didn’t really like this uncle, because this uncle was always staring intently at his mommy.’

Seeing that he didn’t respond, Naomi didn’t press him and just continued to say with a smile, “My son is very cute and smart.”

Rhys Quinn coughed lightly. His raven-black eyelashes drooped, and his complexion was pale, as if he hadn’t seen the sun in ages. He struggled to digest this fact, finally understanding the meaning behind Naomi’s strange livestream account name.

He murmured, still unable to accept it:

“So… you have a son.”

Naomi didn’t understand his reaction. “I know I look young, but he’s my son, biologically. The show we’re on right now is a parenting variety show.”

“My apologies, I don’t usually follow entertainment news,” Rhys Quinn said. He studied Ian Shaw carefully, searching for a compliment. “Your son looks a lot like you.”

Memories of Ms. Kenway tutoring him resurfaced. She had once told him that the inspiration for her creative work came from the person she loved most—her daughter. She said her daughter was the most beautiful princess, a treasure sent from heaven, an angel who healed all her sorrows.

Back then, a young and inexperienced Rhys Quinn had wondered what kind of amazing person could possibly live up to so much praise. He felt a flicker of curiosity toward this stranger he’d never met—and he was rarely curious about anything.

At a chance audition, he recognized Naomi. Ms. Kenway’s daughter was indeed as brilliant and dazzling as her mother had described.

But before they could even formally work together, he’d learned she already had a son. A strange, inexplicable melancholy settled in his heart, and Rhys Quinn didn’t know why.

Rhys Quinn reined in his thoughts and said earnestly, “His eyes are a lot like yours.”

Naomi paused. “I actually think Ian’s eyes are more like his father’s.”

“Really? I’ve never met his father. I just think both of you have very bright, expressive eyes. Your son’s are a little rounder.”

No mother is ever uninterested in talk about her son. She thought back carefully before replying, “Thank you. Your eyes are very beautiful, too.”

[Why do I get the feeling Rhys Quinn looked a little disappointed just now, at the exact moment he heard Nina had a kid?]

[I’m kinda starting to ship them for some reason, but it’s doomed from the start. A tragic pairing.]

[Nina is twenty-eight, so it’s normal for her to have a kid. But she looks so young, I’d believe you if you told me she was still in college!]

[Such a shame. I really thought we’d see him finally fall for someone.]

[Fall for someone? I hope he just focuses on his music. Dating and marriage can wait. He’s still so young; his energy should be focused on creating. If he starts dating, I’ll stop being a fan. I’m not kidding.]

[The comment above is a bit extreme. After all, Rhys Quinn isn’t an idol; he’s a real, talented singer-songwriter. I feel like Quinn seems pretty lonely most of the time. I hope he finds his happiness.]

[Quinn’s Mom is from X Province? We’re from the same place!]

…

While chatting, Naomi didn’t lose sight of her goal. In the background, sales continued to climb steadily.

Bringing her attention back to the screen, Naomi asked, “Since your mother is from X Province, Mr. Quinn, you must have tried the watermelons from there, right?”

“Just call me Rhys. Mr. Quinn sounds strange.”

“Alright, Rhys.”

“I eat watermelons from X Province all the time…”

Just as Naomi was about to segue into her sales pitch, he began to praise them himself. “I remember the watermelons being incredibly sweet. I like the ones with that grainy, crystalline texture. They’re essential for beating the summer heat; I think about them every year. And I recognize the region you’re selling from—it’s very famous in X Province. My mother loves the watermelons from her hometown. She always says that no matter where else you get them, they’re never as sweet as the ones from back home.”

After he finished, Rhys took a sip of his coffee.

Rhys was usually a man of few words, and this was the first time Naomi had ever heard him say so much at once. She realized a moment later that he was helping her sell the watermelons.

[Whoa, that’s the first time I’ve ever heard Rhys Quinn talk so much. I thought I was imagining things.]

[Hahaha, this is so rare! Pigs must be flying!]

[His mom likes the watermelons from X Province, too? Then I have to buy one and try it.]

…

Rhys’s promotion was incredibly effective. Twenty thousand watermelons sold out in an instant. A huge part of the audience who missed out started clamoring for Naomi to release another batch.

Naomi had a staff member add another thirty thousand.

Rhys’s influence was staggering. In the time it took for him to lower his head and sip his coffee, the thirty thousand units sold out again.

[Please add more! I really want to try a watermelon from X Province!]

[I’ve never seen Rhys Quinn praise a watermelon like that before. I have to try one!]

[To be fair, the watermelons from X Province really are sweet, and the price is pretty good. Everyone should buy one to try. This celebrity endorsement seems legit.]

[I can’t believe I’m seeing my hometown on here! I’m from that village! My dad told me that our watermelons really weren’t selling. It’s heartbreaking to see them rot in the fields, and my dad often gets so worried he can’t even eat. Thank you, Nina! And thank you to everyone who bought one! The watermelons from X Province absolutely will not disappoint. I can guarantee it!]

…

Naomi couldn’t help but look at Rhys with a hint of admiration. Seeing the stock was empty, a staff member added another fifty thousand, which also showed as ’Sold Out’ just a moment later.

Many people in the comments were still shouting for more watermelons. Noticing the staff member beside her wasn’t doing anything, Naomi leaned over and asked in a low voice, “Why haven’t you restocked the shopping cart?”

The staff member leaned in, their voice brimming with excitement. “We can’t! We’ve sold out of our entire stock!”

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