Combined with his eerie behavior, it was downright spine-chilling.
At this moment, Si Nian even entertained a terrifying thought: Could he... be planning to kill me?
Her heart skipped a beat.
She took a deep breath, suppressing her emotions, and asked with feigned calm, "Is something wrong?"
Zhou Yuedong studied her for a moment before finally looking away. His lean face already bore traces of handsomeness, but his eyes were shadowed with a cold, brooding intensity.
No surprise—those destined to become powerful figures in novels were never ordinary.
Zhou Yuedong tightened his grip on his backpack straps and wordlessly turned to leave.
"What a weirdo," Si Nian muttered, exasperated, before turning back to cook the noodles. She began seasoning each bowl with lard, soy sauce, and chopped scallions.
As the hot broth hit the bowls, glistening oil droplets rose to the surface, and the rich aroma of scallion-infused lard filled the air.
A simple scallion oil noodle broth was ready.
In Zhou Yuedong’s room, Zhou Yuehan sat frozen in front of his older brother, cradling their little sister, Yaoyao, who was happily sucking on a piece of candy.
"Bro, what do we do?" He swallowed hard, staring at Yaoyao, who clutched a cookie in one hand and a White Rabbit milk candy in the other, utterly bewildered.
Zhou Yuedong wiped the drool from Yaoyao’s chin. "Let’s wait a few more days and see."
"But—but Grandma Liu said that bad woman bullied Yaoyao," Zhou Yuehan protested, hugging his sister tighter, unwilling to let anyone take her away.
"What do you think of Grandma Liu?" Zhou Yuedong’s gaze was unnervingly deep for a ten-year-old.
Zhou Yuehan paused, then frowned. "I don’t like her much either. Her cooking’s terrible, and she’s always lying to Dad..."
He trailed off, suddenly realizing something.
Zhou Yuedong took Yaoyao into his arms, carefully examining her rosy cheeks. "Exactly. She lies."
"......"
Knock knock knock—
The door was rapped lightly.
Si Nian’s gentle voice drifted in from outside. "Little boss, little second boss, dinner’s ready."
The brothers exchanged a glance before standing and heading out.
Si Nian observed the two children. Both wore patched gray cloth clothes, damp with sweat from the summer heat after their long walk.
The boys bore a strong resemblance, though the elder had a colder demeanor, while the younger seemed timid and cautious.
Just as Si Nian discreetly averted her gaze, she felt a tug on her skirt.
She looked down to find Yaoyao gazing up at her with big, sparkling eyes, tiny arms outstretched for a hug.
A soft warmth flickered in Si Nian’s eyes as she bent to scoop up the little girl before turning toward the stairs.
Children’s reactions were always the most honest—they loved those who treated them well.
Clearly, Yaoyao adored her.
But Yaoyao had never once reached for Grandma Liu.
Zhou Yuedong lowered his gaze and followed with his brother.
On the table sat steaming bowls of noodles, each topped with a golden fried egg. The savory aroma wafted through the air, making the two boys, who hadn’t eaten all day, swallow hard.
Si Nian sat down and glanced at them. "Eat up. There’s more in the kitchen if you’re still hungry."
As she spoke, she began feeding Yaoyao, twirling noodles onto a spoon.
This time, Zhou Yuedong didn’t stop his brother from eating her food. The two boys devoured the noodles ravenously. They’d had noodles before, but never this rich and springy—nothing like the bland, wheat-heavy versions they were used to.
This stepmother’s cooking was hundreds of times better than Grandma Liu’s. For once, they ate until they were full.
After dinner, the boys dutifully cleared the table and washed the dishes. Si Nian, relieved, headed upstairs to change. The noodle-making had left her smelling of food, and she was eager to shower.
Just as she was pulling on her pajamas, someone knocked.
Assuming it was Yaoyao, Si Nian chuckled without turning. "You little thing, can’t even leave me for a—"
Her words died as she turned, smile freezing.
Zhou Yueshen swiftly pulled the door shut.
Si Nian: "......" Her scream lodged in her throat.
Expressionless, she finished dressing, mentally scolding herself for not locking the door.
Once changed, she stepped out to find Zhou Yueshen standing with his back to her.
Her eyes trailed over him, head to toe.
He had a neat, no-nonsense haircut and wore a sweat-drenched gray tank top, the damp fabric clinging to his back, faintly outlining the contours of his muscles.
His arms and shoulders were sun-darkened, his build lean but tightly corded—a wiry, powerful frame.
Veins stood out along his forearms, his fingers thick and long. Rumor had it men like that were... very capable.
Si Nian’s throat went dry. By the time she snapped out of it, he’d turned, and her gaze dropped lower—
Zhou Yueshen: "......"
"Mind if I use your shower? The pipes in the shared bathroom broke," he asked, voice low.
Si Nian jerked her eyes up, her fair cheeks tinged pink. "Sure, go ahead."
"Appreciate it." He gave a polite nod and strode in, eyes fixed straight ahead.
Si Nian had assumed he’d return late as usual, so she hadn’t bothered locking the door. At least the man had some decency.
Sighing in relief, she went downstairs to cook him a bowl of noodles.
Given how generously he’d paid her, she didn’t mind making him a few meals.
Zhou Yueshen was quick—ten minutes later, he descended, damp and fresh.
His gaze swept over the house. In just one day, it had transformed. Gone were the swarming mosquitoes and the usual mess that grated on his nerves.
Now, everything was spotless, the floors gleaming, the air crisp.
No doubt the woman’s doing.
Most rural homes didn’t bother mopping to this extent.
A glass vase of wildflowers, plucked from the roadside, sat on the table, lending a touch of warmth.
On the couch, the boys were doing homework while Yaoyao lay on her belly, watching TV. The usually grubby toddler now looked plump and rosy, her clothes clean and sweet-smelling.
Zhou Yueshen arched a brow, scooping her up. The scent of milk and cookies enveloped him.
She still clutched half a biscuit in her tiny fist.
These were luxuries the house had never seen before.
Zhou Yueshen had no experience raising kids. He’d assumed providing meals was enough.
Work kept him too busy to care for them personally, but he never skimped on money.
Yet no matter how much he gave, the children remained scrawny as twigs.
Zhou Yueshen had considered finding a woman before, but the last one he’d brought home turned out to be malicious and nearly harmed his children.
After that, he had no choice but to hire someone to come in and cook for the three kids.
But even that didn’t make much of a difference.
"Dad."
"Dad."
The two older boys straightened their backs instinctively when they saw him, greeting him with respect.
"Mn." Zhou Yueshen settled his youngest daughter on his lap and studied the two boys, whose features bore a resemblance to their late sister. Both of them regarded him with a mix of reverence and fear—his face naturally carried a sternness from his years in the military. Even the toughest recruits had tiptoed around him back then, let alone these two little ones.
"How’s school?" he asked coolly.
