Zhou Tingting's mother had even issued an ultimatum—if Zhou Tingting couldn't handle this matter, they would divorce.
Only then did Zhou Tingting relent, revealing that there was a savings passbook at home with money inside.
That was why the two of them had come to the Zhou Family.
But who could have expected they’d be stopped by two children?
After all, he was a government employee who cared about his reputation. At this moment, he couldn’t bring himself to make a scene, yet he was unwilling to leave empty-handed.
All he could do was glare fiercely at his wife.
Being scolded by her nephew like this, Zhou Tingting felt both anger and heartbreak. No matter what, this was her own sister’s child, her own nephew.
And yet he treated her this way.
It had to be Si Nian poisoning their minds behind her back, filling their ears with lies about her. That was why the two children had turned out like this.
Zhou Tingting was fuming, but remembering her goal, she held back. Taking a deep breath, she said, "Fine, I won’t stoop to your level."
With that, she made to go upstairs.
As long as she got the passbook, she’d leave immediately.
She didn’t even want to be in the Zhou Family in the first place.
"Zhou Tingting, this is my final warning—if you dare touch anything in this house, I’ll call the police right away!"
Zhou Tingting was livid. "I’m taking what belongs to my own brother! What right do you have to call the police?"
Si Nian smirked faintly. "You don’t actually think stealing from your brother would keep you out of jail, do you? Your family already has one person behind bars—do you want to join them?"
At these words, Zhou Tingting’s face paled, her entire body trembling so violently she could barely stand.
She knew how ruthless Si Nian could be. This was no empty threat.
Before the marriage, it wouldn’t have mattered—even if she took something, Si Nian couldn’t have done anything.
But now that Si Nian and her eldest brother were legally married, she was part of the Zhou Family.
With her brother’s trust in Si Nian and their own sibling relationship at rock bottom, even if Si Nian reported her, her brother might just turn a blind eye.
Her mother-in-law had already lost her job. If she ended up in jail too, her own career would surely be affected!
Thinking of this, Zhou Tingting’s eyes reddened, cornered by Si Nian’s words. "You wouldn’t dare! I’m Zhou Yueshen’s own sister!"
Si Nian remained unfazed. "What does that have to do with me? You’re not my sister."
Her tone turned icy as she added, "If you don’t believe me, go ahead and try."
The threat wasn’t just intimidating to Zhou Tingting—even her husband was shaken.
They had always been the type to bully the weak and fear the strong. When their jobs and interests were at stake, they didn’t dare act recklessly.
The Li Family’s situation was already complicated enough.
If his wife really ended up in jail, he’d be finished too!
Li Jiaming wasn’t foolish enough to let that happen. Hurriedly, he placated, "Sister-in-law, you’re overreacting. Tingting just has a sharp tongue and keeps upsetting you. Please don’t take it to heart."
Then he shot his wife, whose eyes were red with fury, a glare. "Let’s go! What are you standing around for?"
This time, he was truly disappointed in his wife. If he’d known she’d be this useless, he never would have married her.
He couldn’t help but envy Zhou Yueshen—how could a country bumpkin like him land such a stunning wife, one with such a strong personality too?
She wasn’t someone you could push around.
Li Jiaming dragged his seething wife out of the Zhou Family, already planning a different approach.
Unlike his foolish wife, he wasn’t about to keep provoking someone he knew was dangerous.
And now, look where it had gotten them.
The Zhou Family might not hold much political influence, but judging by this grand house, they certainly weren’t lacking in wealth.
To have a wife with such a well-connected family and not know how to leverage it—what a fool!
Inside the house, Si Nian looked at the two little ones, their expressions still unsettled, and comforted them, "It's alright now. Remember what I told you before? If something like this happens again, don’t confront them head-on. How could two children possibly stop two adults? If they dare to take something, let them. The best solution is to send them straight to the police later, not to put yourselves in danger. Understand?"
Then she turned her attention to the younger boy, whose ear was still red and swollen, and asked gently, "How are you, Zehan?"
Zhou Zehan had been fine earlier. Though his ear hurt from being yanked, he’d been happy seeing his nasty aunt chased away. But the moment Si Nian asked, his eyes welled up, and he burst into tears, choking out, "Mom, Auntie called you a fox spirit! That’s why I wouldn’t let her go upstairs!"
Last time, when Granny Liu came to the house, it was because of him that Mom’s things got stolen.
This time, his aunt had stormed in, shouting insults. Even if it meant getting hit, he wouldn’t let her take Mom’s things!
But he hadn’t listened to her instructions—would she be angry?
Si Nian ruffled his hair and said, "No matter what, next time something like this happens, don’t confront them directly. Remember what I told you: in dangerous situations, protecting yourself is the first thing you should do. Understand?"
Zhou Zehan nodded, though only half-understanding. He felt it was his duty to protect Mom’s things, and getting hurt didn’t matter. But since she insisted, he’d obey and not act so recklessly next time.
Relieved that Si Nian wasn’t mad, he brightened up and added proudly, "She pulled my ear, so I bit her thigh! It hurt her so bad! I didn’t lose out, Mom."
Si Nian paused, then sighed helplessly, pinching his cheek.
This stubborn refusal to back down—how much trouble would it bring him in the future?
"You’re still laughing? No matter what, she’s an adult. If she got angry, could you fight her off?"
Then she turned to the older boy. "Zedong, next time your brother acts like this, hold him back. What if no one’s home and he gets hurt?"
Zhou Zedong nodded, agreeing that his brother had been too impulsive.
Their aunt had barely stepped inside before Zehan started arguing with her—he hadn’t even had time to react.
Mom was right; if Zehan kept this up, he’d only suffer later. So he replied earnestly, "I understand, Mom."
"Hu-hu~" Yaoyao toddled over, clutching a tiny biscuit in her hand, and stood on tiptoe to blow gently on Zhou Zehan’s ear.
Her vocabulary was still limited—"Mom" was her most frequent word, and when she felt pain, she knew to "hu-hu" (blow on it).
Seeing her second brother’s ear pulled had reminded her of when Granny Liu had yanked her own ear before. Back then, Zehan had blown on it to make the pain go away.
"Little sis, Second Brother isn’t hurt at all!" Zhou Zehan lifted his chin proudly.
Even though he’d been scolded, he felt he’d done the right thing—protecting Mom’s things.
It was worth it.
Suddenly remembering something, he hurriedly dug through his schoolbag and pulled out a test paper, beaming. "Mom, look!"
Si Nian glanced at it—a math test, sixty-four points.
She raised an eyebrow. "Zehan, you’re amazing! You passed!"
Zhou Zehan shyly lowered his head and scratched the back of his neck. "N-not that impressive."
Si Nian smiled, gently patting each of the children before saying, "Go and rest now. Mama will cook dinner for you."
"Okay, Mama!"
The little ones' moods shifted as quickly as they came—soon, they were bouncing with joy again.
With their mother around, they were happy no matter what.
Si Nian headed into the kitchen to prepare dinner. After steaming the rice, she began simmering a pot of pork rib soup.
She added chunks of potatoes and radish to the pot, letting them stew until tender and flavorful.
Stepping out of the kitchen, she saw the two children working on their homework.
When Zhou Zedong noticed her, he stood up, and his test paper accidentally slipped off the table.
Si Nian instinctively reached down to pick it up—and there, unmistakably, was a perfect score of 100.
She raised an eyebrow in surprise.
