Si Nian raised an eyebrow and acknowledged with a sound before turning to Zhou Yueshen, silently asking with her eyes: What’s wrong with him?
Zhou Yueshen glanced at Yu Dong but said nothing.
He had been fine just moments ago.
As the car drove away from the city, noon arrived, and Yaoyao, drowsy in the backseat, soon tilted her little head and fell asleep in her father’s arms.
Zhou Yueshen draped a jacket over her and turned his gaze to Si Nian beside him.
Si Nian was recounting the earlier events, mentioning how Fu Qianqian was supposed to go on stage but had complained of stomach pain. At this, Yu Dong suddenly snapped out of his listless state. "What? She’s unwell? How could that be? Is she alright?"
So she hadn’t deliberately ignored him—she was just feeling unwell?
Yu Dong frowned deeply, worry flickering in his eyes.
Si Nian studied him for a moment before shaking her head. "Not sure, but she’s probably fine now."
Yu Dong exhaled slightly in relief.
Si Nian turned back to Zhou Yueshen. "Were you allowed to drive through the school gate for deliveries?"
Logically, with so many people and officials gathered on the field, vehicles shouldn’t have been permitted.
Zhou Yueshen lowered his gaze to her. His Adam’s apple bobbed slightly as he replied in a deep voice, "No."
"Then how did you know I was there?"
Yu Dong, snapping out of his thoughts, quickly interjected, "Sis-in-law, it was me. I heard there’d be a broadcast host speaking at the school today and got curious, so I tagged along. Boss definitely wasn’t here to see other women."
Si Nian nodded thoughtfully.
Though she didn’t know the exact reason in the original novel, Zhou Yueshen and his men would have shown up here regardless.
In the story, the original host—consumed by jealousy toward the female lead—had attended the event, only to be humiliated by Fu Yang before being caught red-handed by Zhou Yueshen, who had come to deliver goods to the school. Their already strained relationship deteriorated further...
Laying the groundwork for their eventual divorce.
Quite the dramatic twist.
But now, while the events had unfolded, the outcome had changed.
Neither she nor Zhou Yueshen were affected. Instead, it was Fu Yang and Lin Sisi who ended up worse off.
How the tables had turned.
Unable to resist, Si Nian glanced at the man beside her.
Zhou Yueshen’s expression remained unreadable.
She averted her gaze and remarked, "If you were looking at other women, you wouldn’t tell me anyway."
Zhou Yueshen arched a brow and turned to her.
He leaned down and pressed a kiss to the tip of her nose.
"Wouldn’t happen."
His tone was calm, yet his words carried absolute certainty.
He left her no room to pick a fight.
Yu Dong: "..."
Who exactly is driving this car?
After dropping the two off at home, Zhou Yueshen and Yu Dong didn’t linger, returning to the pig farm to continue their work.
Si Nian bid them farewell, carrying a few books and Yaoyao back inside.
The two older children had already returned from school. As soon as Si Nian stepped through the gate with Yaoyao, the eldest rushed over and grabbed her hand. "Mom, come quick! Little Brother’s tooth hurts!"
Frowning, Si Nian hurried inside, setting down the books before following him upstairs.
In the room on the second floor, the younger boy lay on the bed clutching his cheek, moaning in pain, his face pale.
"Xiao Han, let Mom see your tooth," Si Nian said, sitting beside him and studying Zhou Zehan’s swollen face.
The moment he saw her, Zhou Zehan sat up straight, determined to hide his discomfort. "It’s nothing! I just fell."
Zhou Zedong immediately countered, "You’re in pain. I heard you last night."
He’d asked his brother about it then, and Zhou Zehan had admitted his tooth hurt.
Zhou Zedong had wondered if it was from eating too much candy—Mom had warned them about cavities.
After the recent banquet, there had been plenty of sweets left, and they’d been indulging daily.
He’d meant to tell their father that morning, but Zhou Zehan insisted he was fine.
Zhou Zedong hadn’t thought much of it—until after school, when he noticed his brother’s face was swollen.
Only then did he realize something was wrong.
Si Nian softened her voice. "Let Mom check how bad it is."
Zhou Zehan winced but shook his head.
"Mom, it doesn’t hurt..."
Under her stern gaze, he finally mumbled, "Okay, maybe a little. But I can handle it. It’ll be better tomorrow."
Back then, whenever he was hurt or sick, he’d just endure it until it passed.
Surely his tooth would heal on its own too.
Si Nian recognized this as a sign of teething.
At seven years old, Zhou Zehan was at the age where baby teeth fall out.
It was normal.
The tooth would likely loosen soon.
"Alright, but if it gets worse, you must tell me, understand?"
"Tomorrow it’ll be fine!" Zhou Zehan declared eagerly—only to jerk in pain, nearly fainting from the sudden spike of agony.
Yet the moment Si Nian looked at him, he forced a brave face.
This kid really cared about his pride.
At dinner, concerned he might struggle to eat, Si Nian prepared soft rice porridge and steamed eggs—his favorite.
Zhou Zehan, who had been slumped over his homework, perked up at the aroma.
His eyes sparkled at the sight of the jiggly, savory egg custard.
Mom didn’t make it often, but when she did, he always devoured it.
"Mom, is this for me?" He glanced at his siblings—neither had any. Just him!
Si Nian smiled, ruffling his hair while eyeing his swollen cheek. "Yes, just for Xiao Han. Tonight, you get extra."
Usually, she limited their protein intake, serving steamed eggs sparingly.
All the kids loved it.
"Thanks, Mom! You’re the best!" Suddenly, his toothache felt lighter. He swallowed hard, then scooped generous portions into his siblings’ bowls before digging in himself.
Si Nian watched but didn’t comment.
Zhou Yueshen didn’t return that night. Worried about Zhou Zehan’s tooth, Si Nian checked on him after he fell asleep.
She’d meant to see if the tooth was loosening, but upon entering, she heard his labored breathing.
Flipping on the light, she found his face flushed with fever.
She quickly patted his cheek. Zhou Zehan stirred weakly, his body burning as if on fire.
