When Zhou Yuehan heard his mother mention that others called him a bad kid, he anxiously grabbed her hand to explain.
Si Nian found it amusing, but then she noticed the scratches under his eyes—just a little higher, and they could have reached his eyeballs.
Children's skin is delicate, and the marks were swollen with traces of blood, looking painfully tender.
"Of course, our Yuehan isn’t a bad kid. But next time something like this happens, don’t fight back head-on. If you can’t win, just run away and tell the teacher. Then come home and tell Mom and Dad—we’ll handle it for you!"
She was worried that Yuehan’s impulsive nature might cause him trouble in the future.
Good habits should be instilled early.
The little boy nodded half-understandingly, indicating he got the message.
Si Nian took him to the clinic to clean the wound with hydrogen peroxide before heading home.
As soon as the sound of the motorcycle reached their ears, Shitou immediately ran over to the Si household, carrying Yaoyao in his arms.
"Auntie, you're back! Look, I helped take care of Yaoyao—she was so well-behaved!" he announced loudly, his inner monologue screaming: Finally, a chance to score a meal at Auntie’s place!
Whatever Auntie cooked every day smelled so good it kept him up at night.
But he never had the nerve to invite himself over.
Si Nian bent down to pat his head and praised, "Shitou, you’re amazing for helping with Yaoyao. Come inside—Auntie will give you some candy."
"Yay~ Auntie’s the best!" Shitou cheered, darting inside.
Zhou Yuehan frowned, unsure when Shitou had gotten so close to his mother.
She even called him amazing.
She’s never called me amazing.
Biting his lip, he watched Shitou run into their house before quickly chasing after him.
Just as Si Nian handed Shitou a few pieces of candy and biscuits, Zhou Yuehan’s pitiful voice piped up beside her, "Mom, I want some too."
Si Nian paused, then smiled and gave him a handful. "Here you go. Since Yuehan got hurt today, you can have a couple extra."
Instantly, the gloom on Zhou Yuehan’s face cleared, his eyes sparkling with joy.
But he didn’t forget to share with his sister.
"Yaoyao, this is the candy Mom gave me. Here’s one for you, one for Gege, and I’ll save the rest." He unwrapped a piece, the rich milky aroma flooding his nose, making him swallow hard.
But Zhou Yuehan remembered his mother’s warning—eating too much candy would rot his teeth and invite bugs.
If he gave all the candy to his siblings, they’d be the ones with cavities, while he’d have perfect pearly whites. Mom would definitely love me more then.
Delighted by this thought, he spun in circles before dashing upstairs, grabbing a mirror to admire his tiny teeth with great care.
Si Nian had bought a lot of mung beans.
Originally, she planned to make mung bean soup, but drinking it chilled every day wasn’t healthy.
Leaving them unused would be a waste.
So she decided to try making mung bean cakes instead.
Well-made mung bean cakes had a fine, moist texture—fragrant, soft, and not sticky, perfect as a snack or tea-time treat for kids.
Biscuits were too dry, prone to getting stuck in teeth and causing irritation.
She soaked the remaining few pounds of mung beans overnight. Since the skins were tough and unpleasant, she planned to rub them off after soaking, ensuring the steamed paste would be extra smooth.
A few pounds weren’t much, so she asked Shitou, who immediately ran home and returned with half a sack of mung beans.
Not wanting to take them for free, Si Nian gave him fifty cents as payment.
Once the cakes were ready, she’d send some over to Aunt Zhang’s family as thanks.
The Zhang household was always busy—the adults worked in the fields, while Aunt Zhang chopped firewood, fed the chickens, cooked meals, did laundry, and cleaned.
She barely had a moment to rest.
Yet despite that, she still made time to help look after Yaoyao.
Si Nian felt guilty about it.
The Lin Family also had two little ones who, though they never said it outright, clearly craved her homemade treats.
She’d make extra and send some their way too.
As Si Nian finished soaking the beans, Zhou Yuehan wandered over curiously. "Mom, what are you making?"
"Ma-ma, ya-ya-ya-ya~~~" Yaoyao mimicked her brother’s tone, crouching by the basin with a candy in her mouth.
Si Nian burst out laughing. "These are mung beans. After soaking, we’ll steam them into cakes. Mom’s making mung bean cakes for you."
The moment Zhou Yuehan heard it was food, his eyes lit up like stars, gazing at her in awe as drool nearly escaped. "Mom, you’re amazing! You can even make mung bean cakes!"
He’d once seen rice cakes sold in town—soft and fragrant. Though he’d never tasted them, he knew they had to be delicious.
Mom’s incredible. She makes so many yummy things—even mung bean cakes!
She’s the prettiest, most amazing mom in the world!
Amused by his awestruck expression, Si Nian puffed up proudly. "Mom can make lots of things. Just tell me what you want, Yuehan."
Zhou Yuehan shook his head eagerly, his smile sweet as honey. "I love everything Mom makes!"
Oof—this kid’s sugar-coated words are lethal.
The more Si Nian looked at him, the more adorable and lovable he became.
Guess it’s true—when you raise them yourself, everything about them feels perfect.
She pinched his cheeks affectionately. "When Mom finishes tomorrow, I’ll pack some for you to take to school."
"Yay~ Bring it to school~~" Zhou Yuehan jumped for joy, bouncing sky-high.
Si Nian chuckled but quickly turned serious. "But since Mom’s making these for you, shouldn’t Yuehan work hard on his studies to repay Mom?"
Zhou Yuehan nodded vigorously. "Mom, I’ll go do my homework right now!"
With that, he scrambled to grab his backpack, acting as though homework was the most thrilling task in the world.
Si Nian was pleased. Kids shouldn’t be forced. The right incentives motivate them better.
Especially for kids like Zhou Yuedong and Zhou Yuehan, who came from broken homes starved of affection.
The slightest kindness made them want to give their all in return.
That alone drove them to improve.
Constant scolding would only make them withdraw and doubt themselves.
After finishing his homework, Zhou Yuehan eagerly brought it to her for review.
"Mom, look! I did it all!"
Si Nian took one glance and nearly laughed—his handwriting was a mess of chicken scratches.
And upon closer inspection? Good grief, 80% of it was wrong.
Torn between sympathy and amusement, she patiently pointed out the mistakes.
Zhou Yuehan had been nervous, blushing in embarrassment, but when Si Nian didn’t scold him—instead teaching him earnestly—his face brightened again.
His eyes shone like stars, brimming with happiness he’d never known before.
Mom really is the best mom ever!
The next day, Si Nian woke early to make the mung bean cakes.
She mashed the steamed beans into a paste, mixed in sugar, and stir-fried it. Without molds, she shaped them by hand.
Luckily, she was deft-fingered—in no time, she’d crafted little rabbit shapes, using black sesame seeds for eyes.
They turned out adorable.
Due to limited ingredients, she could only prepare the simplest dishes.
After hours of hard work, she finally finished everything.
She packed a few portions into the lunchboxes for the two children, watching them head downstairs to carry them to school.
Zhou Yueshen hadn’t returned last night, so the two kids had to walk to school on their own.
Just as they stepped out, Si Nian caught up with them, holding Da Huang on a leash.
The children froze in surprise, completely baffled when Si Nian mentioned taking Da Huang to school.
At first, they didn’t understand why—did Da Huang need an education too?
But soon, the little ones realized Si Nian’s thoughtful intentions.
Before they even reached the school, Zhu Youcai and a group of older students blocked their way.
If the two small kids had faced these bullies alone, they would’ve surely been beaten.
But now, they had Da Huang with them...
Another exhausting day.
