Lu Chen, a pragmatic man who previously sold pancakes to build his fortune, finds his life upended when his younger sister Lu Yan forces him to read a novel titled Exploding Popularity on Parenting Reality Shows. Upon skimming the book, he discovers a character named Lu Chen who is a workaholic CEO and the background husband of a triple-award-winning actor named Ji Miandeng. In the novel, this family serves merely as cannon fodder, with the son, Lu Tuan, eventually dying at the hands of toxic fans. When Lu Chen wakes up the next morning, he realizes he has transmigrated into the body of the CEO. He is now living in a four-million-dollar penthouse with his husband, Ji Miandeng, and their two-year-old son, Lu Tuan. Accepting his new reality, Lu Chen decides to alter the tragic fate of his family by preventing them from joining the parenting reality show that serves as the novel's central plot device.
The original CEO was emotionally distant, treating his family as accessories to his wealth. Lu Chen, however, approaches fatherhood with the same efficiency and care he applies to business. He immediately identifies the danger of the reality show and attempts to cancel Ji Miandeng's participation. During a phone call with Ji Miandeng, Lu Chen asserts his authority, citing the family's high profile as a reason to avoid public scrutiny. Ji Miandeng, who had been planning the show as a way to preserve memories of his son and potentially make a career comeback, is taken aback by his husband's sudden involvement. Despite Lu Chen's objections, Ji Miandeng has already manipulated their son into persuading the CEO to agree. Lu Tuan, a charming and intelligent toddler, had been coached by his little daddy to ask for the show, believing it to be a game rather than a media event. When Lu Chen discovers the child's deception, he realizes that simply forbidding the show is not enough; he must navigate the situation while maintaining a stable family environment.
Lu Chen shifts his strategy from avoidance to management. He agrees to join the show but on his own terms, intending to protect his family from the malicious plotlines that await them. He brings Lu Tuan to his office, integrating his son into his daily routine and demonstrating a level of paternal attention that shocks his employees. The dynamic between the three men begins to shift as Lu Chen actively participates in Lu Tuan's upbringing, learning to praise him and engage with his emotional needs. Ji Miandeng observes these changes with a mix of surprise and suspicion, noting that his husband is becoming more affectionate and involved. The tension between them is palpable but underpinned by a growing, unspoken respect.
The family travels to Province C for the first episode of Growing Up With You, staying in a luxurious RV provided by the production team. During the journey, Lu Chen interacts with the live stream audience, displaying a calm and authoritative demeanor that contrasts with the original character's aloofness. He sings a children's song with Lu Tuan, a moment that goes viral and humanizes the CEO in the eyes of the public. The family's harmony stands in stark contrast to the other participants, particularly the protagonist couple, Zhao Yu and Jing Fan. Zhao Yu, a successful actor who overshadowed Ji Miandeng during his career, views Ji Miandeng as a rival and seeks to diminish him through subtle manipulations and public perception. Jing Fan, Zhao Yu's husband, is equally competitive, resenting Ji Miandeng's lingering fame.
Upon arriving at the hotel, the protagonist family visits Lu Chen's room, attempting to establish a friendly facade while subtly probing for weaknesses. Lu Chen remains polite but distant, refusing to engage in the social games that the original plot would have demanded. He declines a shared lunch invitation, avoiding the trap that would have generated rumors in the original story. The interaction highlights the growing divide between the two families: one built on genuine care and mutual respect, the other on ambition and hidden hostility. Lu Chen's presence disrupts the expected narrative, forcing the protagonists to adapt to a family that refuses to play the role of the tragic cannon fodder. As the show progresses, Lu Chen continues to shield his family from harm, using his business acumen to manage public relations and his newfound paternal instincts to nurture Lu Tuan. The story follows their journey as they navigate the pressures of fame, the schemes of their rivals, and the evolving dynamics of their unconventional family.
