Between Fame and Family Lies Love

Chapter 1

“Thomas Chen, I can’t believe you finally decided to show up.”
A woman’s exasperated voice pierced through the tavern, drawing the gaze of a few scattered patrons.
For anyone unfamiliar, it might sound like just another woman confronting a cheating partner. But just one glance would dispel that notion.
Although the woman sported sunglasses and a mask, her meticulously curated outfit and the air of sophistication surrounding her suggested she was no ordinary individual.
Opposite her sat Thomas Chen, dressed in simple but clean attire, his expression tense.
“Couldn’t you wait until Martin Tyndall was a little older to do this?,” he said, furrowing his brow.
He’d been dragging his feet for days, reluctant to plunge their young child into the world of single parenthood.
Eleanor Fairchild, however, was having none of it. She unleashed a torrent of accusations toward Thomas, her frustration boiling over like a pot left on the stove.
“How long do you plan to drag this out? If I hadn’t leveraged Martin’s custody against you, would you even be here?”
“Do you have any idea how damaging it would be if people found out I’m married right now? All my hard work would be for nothing,” Thomas replied.
“Just look at yourself now! Do you even realize how far we’ve drifted apart?”
At that moment, Eleanor glanced around, noting a couple of patrons and the server staring at them. She adjusted her sunglasses and lowered her voice, but her disdain didn’t waver.
“I want a divorce now.”
“Fine, then let’s get it over with,” Thomas said, a hint of defeat in his voice. “I don’t want anything except for Martin.”
“Over these years, I’ve made quite a bit of money, you know,” Eleanor began, trying to gauge his commitment as she prepared for what she expected to be a drawn-out negotiation.
“Good,” he replied unexpectedly, catching her off guard. “I’ll just take Martin.”
She hadn’t imagined he would concede so easily. For a brief moment, Eleanor felt flustered.
Yet, it didn’t take long for her to regain her composure. After all, she figured Thomas was only putting on a brave front. Given his current predicament, there was no way he could support himself and their son.
Reality struck her, and her expression shifted to one of alertness.
“You can have the kid, but it’s crucial that you don’t spill any of our secrets afterward. If you do, I will definitely fight for custody.”
“Eleanor, I’m not you. I would never use our son as a bargaining chip.”
“That’s right. You’d never want Martin around, especially not now when you’re so worried about how marriage could affect your career,” he scoffed, shaking his head.
Eleanor felt a pang of embarrassment but couldn’t come up with a counterargument. Resentfully, she reached into her bag and pulled out the divorce papers.
“I’ve prepared the agreement. Let’s just get this done.”
Thomas took the document from her, scanning its contents quickly. Unsurprisingly, it stated that Martin was to come live with him.
The moment Thomas finished signing, Eleanor snatched up the agreement and walked out without a word.
Thomas turned to gaze out the window, lost in memories.
Six years ago, he and Eleanor had met at a concert, and before long, they were inseparable. Their romance blossomed into marriage, and they welcomed a beautiful daughter together. Life was ordinary yet filled with warmth until it all changed.
After Martin was born, Eleanor unexpectedly gained fame after a chance appearance on a reality show. She quickly became a rising star in the entertainment industry, heavily promoted by The Entertainers Guild.
In a mere three years, she transitioned from a dedicated mother to a sought-after new celebrity, all the while neglecting her children.
He recalled a particular incident: their son had fallen ill, feverish and crying, while Eleanor was preoccupied with securing votes online for her latest project. Thankfully, Thomas had been present to rush Martin to the hospital in time.

Chapter 2

After everything settled, Eleanor Fairchild felt no guilt at all; instead, she blamed Thomas Chen for everything.
She swiftly passed off their son, Martin Tyndall, completely on to Thomas and fully immersed herself in her burgeoning stardom.
At that time, Thomas had been struggling in Sutherdale for six long years and had finally earned a promotion that he hoped would change their lives.
With no choice but to step back, he even quit that job to search for something more manageable—a nine-to-five gig that allowed him to be closer to home.
His only goal was to ensure he had enough time to provide for their child.
In the beginning, Eleanor would occasionally visit their son. However, those visits became scarce to the point where she only showed up during the New Year, just long enough to exchange pleasantries before disappearing once more.
As Thomas found himself encroached by the glitzy world of entertainment, Eleanor’s disdain for him only seemed to deepen.
Once, she had believed that his good looks could carry them through, but now she couldn't even spare him a second glance.
While he managed to scrape by as a junior employee at an office, Eleanore now mingled with high-profile celebrities, rendering Thomas’s few months of salary insignificant against their lavish dinners.
To make matters worse, his new job only brought in a meager three thousand a month, hardly anything compared to her staff's pay.
In Eleanor’s eyes, Thomas was beneath her now—especially after she had attended a recent networking party where a wealthy investor jokingly brought up her marital status. It hit her that she couldn't delay things any longer.
The entertainment industry was a volatile space this year, with fan expectations swinging wildly; the tolerance for scandal was trickling down.
She had debuted as the embodiment of an untouched star, and if news broke of her marriage, it would ruin her.
Not only would she miss her timing to break into the ranks of established celebrities, but she would also risk being labeled a has-been artist.
This was why Eleanor hurried to detach herself from Thomas and Martin.
Buzz.
At that moment, her phone buzzed on the table, pulling Thomas from his thoughts.
“Tomorrow morning at 8 AM, meet at Town Hall for the paperwork.”
The next day, at Town Hall, the staff verified the details before stamping their divorce certificate.
In an instant, Eleanor ignored Thomas as she breezed past him, practically floating to the waiting car service outside.
She wouldn’t even waste a moment to talk trash—there was no point in engaging with someone she deemed a loser.
As Thomas stood frozen at the entrance, Eleanor felt a wave of relief. The gnawing anxiety that had weighed on her began to dissolve.
After all, as long as they were still married, her secret would remain at risk of being uncovered, threatening everything she had worked for.
Meanwhile, Thomas, whose heartbreak made him appear lost, was momentarily stunned when something unexpected flashed in his mind upon receiving the divorce certificate.
“Congratulations, Host, you have unlocked the Divorce Achievement! Activating the Perfect Comeback Life System.”
【Initial Activation Reward: A Mobile Food Cart, with bonus skill: Fried Delights】
【System Notification: The host earns one point for every dollar you make, along with corresponding experience points. Every one hundred points allows for a lottery draw for random skills that aid in your comeback】

Chapter 3

As the cheerful voice echoed in Thomas Chen's mind, a barrage of virtual screens filled with enticing information flashed before his eyes.
In an instant, Thomas was taken aback. Fried sweets were just your average treat sold by any breakfast vendor, something he often made for his son Martin Tyndall at home.
But according to the system, these fried delights were elevated to an art form.
From the simplest dough to the filling, each step was brilliantly detailed, leaving Thomas in awe.
The system displayed dozens of versions of the finished fried treats, not to mention the intricate classifications involved.
In comparison, the fried sweets he used to make seemed like utter rubbish.
Eleanor Fairchild removed her sunglasses, peering down her nose at Thomas from the backseat of a luxurious car.
Beside her, Sir Reginald the Broker stifled a giggle, “Honestly, this kid is just pretending to be something he’s not. With your daughter’s tuition and dance lessons, he must be racking up over ten grand a month. I truly don’t get why he’s fighting for custody.”
Though Eleanor's face radiated disdain, a fleeting shiver ran through her. She wanted the fight, but her current situation left her powerless.
“Whatever, I’m single now. Arrange my next appearances immediately.”
With that cold command, Eleanor urged the driver to accelerate. She was utterly exhausted with Thomas and couldn’t bear to look at him one more time.
After slowly processing the information from the system, Thomas finally raised his head.
Watching the extravagant car disappear into the distance, he found a shared bike and headed straight for Joyful Meadows Kindergarten.
Before he knew it, Thomas arrived at the kindergarten's entrance, his shared bike starkly contrasting the lineup of luxurious family cars parked outside.
As usual, he leaned against a sycamore tree by the school gate.
After all, he felt the gap between him and the other parents was insurmountable, fearing to place any psychological burden on Martin.
He waited until most of the children had been picked up, then adjusted his clothes.
Just as he was about to enter, a graceful woman emerged from the school holding Martin’s hand, smiling and chatting away.
This woman was stunning, her features perfectly aligned to create a visage that looked like it was sculpted by an artist, with a light dusting of makeup adding an ethereal quality to her presence.
“Martin’s dad, why are you always here waiting? The other parents usually wait in the classrooms,” she said.
The mild hint of annoyance in her tone didn’t irk Thomas; instead, her gentle voice wrapped around him like a warm hug.
“I just didn’t want to interrupt the kids while they’re practicing dance,” he replied, sounding a bit ridiculous.
Anyone taking dance lessons here was either wealthy or from a powerful lineage.
He felt out of place amidst them, worried it might reflect poorly on Martin.
“Oh, I wouldn’t say that. Sometimes, kids simply need companionship…”
Thomas had heard such reassurances before. He managed a sheepish smile, reached into his pocket, and pulled out an envelope.
“Lydia Greene, here’s the dance class fee you helped cover for Martin last time. It’s been a hectic few days, so I apologize for being late.”
Lydia didn’t reach out to take it, instead guiding Martin back to him.
“No worries, a few days won’t make a difference. Take Martin home; he must be hungry.”
With a smile, she brushed the shoulder strap of her bag, her kindness radiating warmth.
“Martin’s dad, no matter what happens, don’t give up. Martin has an extraordinary talent for dance. He just ranked first in the toddler pre-selection today—his future is limitless.”

Chapter 4

With a serious demeanor, Lydia Greene turned and walked away.
“Dad, Miss Elizabeth knows about you and Mom. She said she’d help me with the dance class fees for the next few weeks, so you don’t have to worry about that,” Martin Tyndall said, waving a small trophy in front of Thomas Chen.
Thomas glanced at the trophy, then affectionately ruffled Martin’s hair. “It’s all good, Martin. Just focus on your dancing and school. Everything else is up to your dad.”
Martin nodded obediently, but something caught her eye, and she tilted her head to look at Lydia’s retreating figure. “Dad, I think Miss Elizabeth should be my mom. Why don’t you go after her and ask her to be my mom?”
Thomas was momentarily taken aback, coughing from surprise. “You little matchmaker, when did you start playing Cupid?”
Martin stuck out her tongue and expertly climbed onto Thomas's shoulders. “Dad, Mom doesn’t want us anymore, and you lost your job. How are we going to make money? Should I just quit dancing?”
Feigning anger, Thomas pinched the tip of Martin’s nose. “What kind of talk is that? My Martin is the most talented dancer in the world! You can’t just give up like that! I have a plan to make some money.”
Martin looked skeptical. “But it seems like we only have the cash in your wallet. What are you planning to do? You can’t be serious, right?”
“Of course not! I’m going to show you what our future looks like.”
With that, Thomas hopped onto a shared bicycle and headed toward the address provided by the system.
Just a few blocks from the kindergarten, they arrived at a somewhat weathered but functional food truck. Thomas pulled the specially prepared key from his pocket and unlocked the door.
Inside was completely ready: all the necessary permits were in order, the kitchen was immaculate, and two days’ worth of fresh ingredients were stocked. There was also a small bedroom connected to the driver's area.
With his driver's license and health card in hand, he was already set to open for business as soon as he hammered out the pricing for their fried delights.
“Wow, Dad, is this what you call a business? Where did you get this?” Martin’s eyes sparkled with excitement.
Thomas pinched Martin’s cheek playfully. “Your dad has worked hard for many years and saved a bit. This was just enough to buy a mobile kitchen.”
“Dad is the best!” ecstatically, Martin planted a kiss on Thomas's cheek. “Does this mean this will be our new home?”
Thomas felt a pang in his heart. After this divorce, he barely had anything to his name. If it weren't for the food truck from the system, he might have ended up stuck renting a small apartment.
“Sort of. But I promise, one day, I’ll buy you a big house.”
Comforting Martin, Thomas picked up a small chalkboard and began jotting down pricing for their food venture.

Chapter 5

“White Sugar Flavor, $1.00.”
“Black Sesame Flavor, $2.00.”
Thomas Chen expertly set up the price signs and placed them to the side. Over the years, life in Sutherdale had made him keenly aware of the local prices, and he was confident that his pricing was just right.
“Dad, I’m a bit hungry,” piped up little Martin Tyndall.
Kids like Martin were always famished, especially after exhausting themselves in today’s regional competition. Sadly, Thomas had nothing on him except for an envelope Lydia Greene had returned with a letter inside. His instincts screamed at him to keep that money untouched. The food cart only had the raw ingredients for making the fried delights, with nothing extra to spare.
Sensing Thomas's discomfort, Martin deftly sidled up to him. “Dad, why don’t you make me some fried dough? I need to check your skills; otherwise, tomorrow morning’s business could flop!”
Thomas chuckled despite his irritation and playfully pinched Martin’s nose. “Sounds like I’ve never made it for you before. Just wait.”
Rolling up his sleeves, Thomas walked over to the cart's kitchen section, referring to the skills the system had provided. Pouring water and mixing flour, he began preparing some filling to set aside. What was supposed to be a simple task quickly turned into a sweaty endeavor, as he found the process wasn’t as easy as he expected. Thankfully, his past cooking experiences helped him adapt quickly.
As the oil heated up, the aroma of frying dough filled the air. “Wow, Dad, it smells so good! The sugar cake you made before didn’t smell this good. Where did you learn this new technique?” Martin exclaimed.
“Of course, it’s your old man! I figured it out myself,” Thomas boasted, pleasantly surprised that a few tweaks made such a difference. As the first batch emerged golden brown, Martin wasted no time grabbing one with an oil paper wrapper. He took a bite, and the flavors melted in his mouth — soft, sweet, and heavenly with each creamy filling flowing smoothly down his throat.
“Delicious! Dad, I want more, I want more!” Martin shouted joyfully.
Surprised by how good his own creation tasted, Thomas couldn’t help but smile as he tried a piece himself. Before long, a lady in a bright red dress, waving a fan, was drawn over by the enticing scent. “Hey, is this a food cart? What are you selling? It smells amazing!”
“Just ordinary fried dough, but we haven’t officially opened yet…” Thomas began, but before he could finish, Martin grabbed a small stool and stood at the window, proudly holding up the price sign Thomas had written.
“Granny, want to buy one to try?” Martin’s adorable pitch instantly charmed the older lady.
“Wow, sweet girl, you’re so cute! I’ll take a black sesame one,” she replied with a warm smile.
Watching Martin, who seemed to have a flair for business, filled Thomas with mixed emotions. Eleanor Fairchild's departure had hit Martin hard, but somehow, it helped him grow. Martin quickly grabbed Thomas’s phone, had it ready for payment.
Thomas carefully wrapped a black sesame fried delight and handed it over. The lady took her treat, popped a piece into her mouth, and lit up with excitement. “Oh my, it’s delicious!” she squealed, and with a swift motion, she waved her fan to call to her friends in the distance.
“Hey, come over! This young man’s sugar cake is delicious!” Her loud voice attracted a horde of older folks, all eager to join in on the flavorful frenzy.

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