The rice from this era was soft, sticky, and sweet—absolutely divine!
Seeing her eat, Zhou Yuehan quickly let go of his older brother’s hand and dashed over, his grubby little hands propped on the table as his eyes nearly glued themselves to the braised pork, staring greedily.
A flicker of irritation flashed in Zhou Yuedong’s eyes, but he knew his younger brother was a foodie. The moment something delicious appeared, he couldn’t control himself.
Especially when it was something as fragrant as braised pork.
"If you're hungry, go wash your hands and eat," Si Nian said, glancing at the boy with a mix of amusement and pity. While feeding Yaoyao in her arms, she reminded him.
Yaoyao, delighted to see her brother, stretched out her chubby little hands, babbling as if inviting him to join.
Zhou Yuehan’s eyes reddened instantly. "C-Can I really eat this?" he asked, voice trembling.
Si Nian nodded. "Of course. Your father brought this meat back for you. Who else would eat it if not you?"
Zhou Yuehan immediately bolted into the kitchen like a whirlwind, scooping himself a large bowl of rice and even remembering to grab one for his older brother before rushing back.
"Big bro, you should eat too," he pleaded, eyes full of hope.
Zhou Yuedong clenched his fists, hesitating for a long moment before finally walking downstairs and sitting quietly beside them.
Zhou Yuehan stuffed a piece of meat into his mouth and nearly cried from how good it tasted—tender, melt-in-your-mouth perfection.
He wolfed down the rice like a starving child, wiping his tears between bites.
Si Nian felt a pang in her chest.
She knew the two brothers were afraid of her, so she finished her own meal quickly and stood up, carrying Yaoyao.
She wasn’t one to eat much at night, and the braised pork was a bit too greasy for her taste. She had only taken a few bites to try it.
The sudden movement startled Zhou Yuehan so much he nearly dropped his chopsticks.
Mouth still stuffed with rice, he shrank back, not daring to look at her.
Si Nian took a deep breath. "It’s hot out. Remember to wash the dishes after you finish. I’ll be taking Yaoyao to sleep with me tonight."
"Oh, and there are plenty of steamed buns left. I might not wake up early tomorrow, so if you’re hungry in the morning, just heat them up yourselves."
With that, she turned and went upstairs.
The moment she left, the two boys exhaled in relief.
In the 1980s, without the distractions of nightlife, evenings were eerily quiet.
By seven o’clock, most households had already turned off their lights and gone to bed.
In another twenty years, this would be considered the epitome of discipline.
But Si Nian couldn’t sleep.
The little one, having napped too much during the day, was now sprawled on the bed playing with a teddy bear pillow—something she had never seen before but was thoroughly enjoying.
Still, children tire easily, and soon enough, she was fast asleep, hugging the pillow tightly. Si Nian pulled the blanket over her and sat at the desk to read.
The knowledge from this era was quite different from what she was used to, but as a graduate from a prestigious university in her past life, it wasn’t too difficult.
Mostly, she just didn’t want to sleep right after eating, so reading helped pass the time.
After what felt like hours, Si Nian yawned and got up to fetch her nightgown.
The original owner’s sleepwear was made of silk—cool and smooth to the touch, incredibly comfortable.
No wonder she had refused to leave. Now it made sense.
Just as she was undressing, the door suddenly swung open.
Si Nian gasped and instinctively covered herself.
The intruder quickly retreated, slamming the door shut. A deep, apologetic voice came from outside. "My apologies!"
A faint scent of alcohol lingered in the air. Had Zhou Yueshen been drinking?
Her face burned. In her previous life, she had never even held a man’s hand, yet here she was, accidentally exposed on just her second day in this world.
She tried to calm herself. It’s fine, it’s not like a glance will kill me.
Patting her flushed cheeks, she hurriedly dressed. Thankfully, nightgowns in this era were modest—long sleeves and a skirt that reached her ankles.
Since she also had something to discuss with him, she mustered her courage and opened the door.
Outside stood a tall, imposing figure. His profile was sharp, his posture straight.
Hearing the door open, he turned slightly, his deep, penetrating gaze both keen and intimidating.
Si Nian froze, breath catching in her throat.
Just as the novel had described—this man was terrifyingly unapproachable.
"My apologies. I had a bit to drink and forgot you were staying in this room now," Zhou Yueshen said, straightening up. He crushed the cigarette in his hand, his sharp features half-shadowed in the dim light, towering over her like a mountain.
His expression carried genuine remorse. After a long day of work, he had been dragged into drinking before returning home. His mind had been foggy, and he had instinctively pushed open the door—only to be met with a glimpse of pale skin.
The shock had sobered him instantly.
He had completely forgotten about Si Nian’s arrival earlier that day.
Having disrespected her, he felt compelled to make amends.
Si Nian, still mortified by the incident, forced out a stiff, "I-It’s fine."
"Can’t sleep? Not used to it yet?" Zhou Yueshen’s breath carried the weight of alcohol, but it wasn’t unpleasant—no trace of sweat or grime.
Si Nian shook her head. "No, I was just reading. I didn’t expect you back so soon. Are you hungry? Should I make you something?"
Zhou Yueshen studied her for a moment. In the dim light, the young woman stood gracefully before him, her dark hair cascading over her shoulders, her features bright and elegant. Her skin was flawless, not a pore in sight.
Her nightgown, though simple, was clearly made of high-quality fabric, adorned with delicate patterns. Even in sleepwear, her poise was impeccable—her slender fingers untouched by labor.
A girl this beautiful—would she really be willing to marry him?
Zhou Yueshen wasn’t one to delude himself.
Though he had made money running his factory these past few years, he was already thirty, raising his sister’s three children with no plans for more. How many women would accept that?
"No need. I’ve already eaten," he replied curtly.
"Oh..." Si Nian fell silent. The nearly ten-year age gap made it hard to find common ground.
Sensing her discomfort, Zhou Yueshen spoke first. "I don’t know why you came here of your own will, but I’ll give you a week. If you change your mind at any point during that time, you’re free to leave. After a week, we’ll register the marriage."
"Don’t worry—I won’t lay a finger on you during this period," he added, his tone calm and reassuring, as if to ease any fear from tonight’s mishap.
"I’m rarely home anyway. If my presence bothers you, I won’t return this week."
