Zhou Zehan immediately slowed his pace. Although Zhou Yueshen had never been harsh with them, his sharp, intimidating gaze alone was enough to make a child cry. Zhou Zehan was still afraid of this father.
Once he passed Zhou Yueshen, he dashed into the kitchen to wash his hands.
Just as Zhou Yueshen walked over, Si Nian waved at him. "Zhou Yueshen, come here. Let’s make dumplings together."
Zhou Yueshen lifted his gaze to look at her for a moment before nodding. "Alright."
He walked over and sat beside Si Nian.
Zhou Zehan soon came running back, shaking his hands dry, and squeezed himself right between Zhou Yueshen and Si Nian.
He even complained, "Dad, scoot over a little and make room for me!"
Zhou Yueshen glanced at his younger son and shifted slightly to let him in.
Zhou Zedong, carrying his little sister, walked over. He looked at the two, then at his brother sitting between them, pursed his lips, and took a seat on Si Nian’s other side.
"Brother, watch me make dumplings!" Zhou Zehan pinched a piece of dough and put on a show for Zhou Zedong.
Zhou Zedong glanced at the crumpled wrapper but said nothing.
Unbothered, Zhou Zehan continued, "Brother, let’s have a contest—see who can make the most!"
"Mom, who do you think will win, me or Brother?"
Si Nian smiled warmly. "Mom doesn’t know who’ll win, but she’ll cheer for both of you."
Zhou Zedong’s hand, reaching for the dough, paused. He stole a glance at Si Nian, and when their eyes met, his little face flushed. He quickly lowered his head, silent, but his hands noticeably sped up.
Zhou Zehan nodded confidently. "Then I’ll definitely win!"
He might not be as good as his brother in studies, but when it came to making dumplings, he was sure he’d win. Why? He didn’t know—he just had that inexplicable confidence.
"I want mine stuffed with lots of meat!" He plopped a huge lump of filling onto his wrapper.
Zhou Zedong stayed quiet but added a bit more meat to his own. Unlike his brother, though, he wasn’t foolish—too much filling would burst the wrapper.
Si Nian glanced at Zhou Yueshen. She had assumed he wouldn’t be skilled at this, but the older man’s technique was surprisingly deft.
Raising an eyebrow, she peeked at the younger boy—his wrapper had split from overstuffing.
The little one looked around guiltily, and when he thought no one noticed, he pinched off some dough to patch it up...
Meanwhile, Zhou Zedong, serious as a little adult, kept his head down, carefully shaping the dumplings with utmost concentration...
Da Huang sat nearby, watching the family make dumplings with keen interest.
Just as the family was happily engrossed in their task, a shrill voice suddenly rang out from outside: "Big Brother, where’s your Da Huang? Did you slaughter him? Good! That big dog looks vicious—wouldn’t want it biting anyone."
At the sound of the voice, everyone inside—including Da Huang—frowned and looked toward the door.
Da Huang: "?" Heard I’m dead?
Si Nian frowned as Zhou Tingting walked in, lugging bags.
She’d barely stayed quiet for long before stirring up trouble again.
And she actually had the nerve to show up.
The two boys watched warily as Zhou Tingting entered. Zhou Yueshen’s expression turned cold. "What are you doing here?"
Zhou Tingting took in the cozy, warm scene of the family gathered around the table making dumplings, and jealousy gnawed at her.
Her own life was in shambles—her mother-in-law had lost her job, her brother-in-law was in prison, and they had to spend money every month to support him.
The burden had fallen entirely on her and her husband.
Yesterday, she’d had a huge fight with him and was kicked out.
With nowhere else to go, Zhou Tingting had slunk back to the countryside.
She knew that ever since her fallout with her brother, the Li family had stopped treating her with respect.
They constantly berated her, calling her a jinx.
Zhou Tingting was fuming. And when she heard yesterday that the Zhou family had helped Si Nian’s family sell braised meat and made money, the insults only worsened.
Now, she’d even been thrown out by her husband.
Swallowing her pride, she decided that if she could mend things with her brother, her husband would surely come crawling back to beg for her return.
So, after much deliberation, she had come back.
Luckily, today went smoothly—she hadn’t run into that big dog at the door, or she wouldn’t have dared barge in.
Facing the family’s unwelcoming stares, Zhou Tingting shamelessly set her bags down and plopped herself at the table, eyeing the dumplings.
"Brother, why else would I come? To see you and the kids, of course! I’ve been so busy lately—it’s been ages since I visited. I know I was wrong before, and I’ve learned my lesson. Can’t you forgive me? No matter what, I’m still your little sister."
She put on a pitiful act, then glanced at the meat filling. The trip here had been exhausting—the bus only went as far as the town, so she’d had to walk the rest of the way, carrying her bags.
Now, hungry and tired, she didn’t hold back.
"You’re making dumplings? Perfect, I’m starving. Sister-in-law, could you boil me a bowl?"
She actually called Si Nian "sister-in-law" and spoke in an ingratiating tone.
It made Si Nian’s skin crawl.
As the saying goes, "Excessive courtesy hints at deception."
That described Zhou Tingting perfectly.
Before Si Nian could respond, Zhou Yueshen spoke coldly, "Don’t you have hands?"
Si Nian was her sister-in-law—who was she to order her around?
Zhou Tingting’s smile stiffened. Normally, she would’ve lashed out at Zhou Yueshen’s tone.
But today, as if possessed, she forced a laugh. "Right, right, I’ll do it myself."
The boys slumped when they saw her scoop up dumplings to cook, their little faces sulky.
The warm atmosphere had been shattered. They disliked this aunt.
Yet Zhou Tingting remained oblivious. She eagerly brought bowls and chopsticks for everyone.
"Big Brother, my husband kicked me out. I might have to stay here for a few days. Don’t worry, I’m not here to cause trouble—I’ve finally seen the Li family for who they are. I’ll never argue with you over them again."
She pretended to wipe away tears, stealing glances at Zhou Yueshen.
But his expression remained icy, unmoved.
Gritting her teeth, Zhou Tingting suddenly burst into tears.
"Brother, please let me stay for a while! I know you’re disappointed in me for what I did to Sister-in-law, but the Li family forced me!"
Then, turning to Si Nian, she pleaded, "Sister-in-law, let me stay! I’ll work for you—do anything! I’ll leave after a while, I promise!"
Si Nian stayed silent, looking at Zhou Yueshen instead.
Zhou Tingting was his sister—it wasn’t her place to intervene.
After everything that had happened, her reputation in the village had already taken a hit.
She didn’t care much, but too much gossip wasn’t good.
Some things, she felt, were better left to Zhou Yueshen.
Zhou Tingting continued crying—but not without helping herself to the freshly made dumplings.
She was quite picky, deliberately picking only the prettiest dumplings to eat.
Zhou Zehan recognized them immediately—those were the ones his mother had made!
The little boy’s mood instantly soured. He hugged the plate of dumplings in front of him, ready to leave the table, unwilling to look at his annoying aunt any longer.
Zhou Tingting frowned. Zhou Zehan used to be so timid around her, like a mouse spotting a cat—utterly terrified.
But now, he had the audacity to glare at her.
If her elder brother and Si Nian wanted to give her attitude, fine. But this little orphan daring to disrespect her, his own aunt? He had truly lost his mind!
He wasn’t like this before—it must be Si Nian spoiling him rotten.
Unable to hold back, she remarked pointedly, "Elder Brother, look at how poorly this child is being raised. He doesn’t even greet his own aunt and has the nerve to glare at me. Who knows what kind of upbringing he’s getting?"
Zhou Yueshen suppressed his irritation, his tone turning even colder. "I raised him. If the elder can’t set a good example, don’t expect the younger to respect you. There’s no extra room here for you to stay. Go home."
His voice held no room for negotiation, unaffected by Zhou Tingting’s attempts to butter him up.
His younger sister had always been foolish, but she was still family. Zhou Yueshen couldn’t just abandon her.
She had improved somewhat after getting married, but ever since he wed Si Nian, her old habits had resurfaced.
Her constant stirring of trouble exhausted him.
Zhou Tingting guiltily rubbed her nose, recalling how she had brought people over last time to cause a scene, likely scaring the children.
Was that what her brother was referring to?
She conceded weakly, "Elder Brother, I know I was wrong. I apologize. But have you forgotten? In a few days, it’ll be our sister’s death anniversary. I came back mainly for that..."
Mentioning her late sister, she forced out a few tears. "It’s been so long since she passed, and now it’s just the two of us left. She wouldn’t want to see us like this."
She studied Zhou Yueshen’s face, but his expression remained unmoved. Resentment simmered in her heart.
He was her own brother! Yet he wouldn’t even let her stay for a couple of days.
Zhou Tingting felt utterly betrayed, her heart shattered into pieces.
"If you won’t forgive me for what I did to Sister-in-law before, then I’ll kneel outside until you do."
With that, she set down her chopsticks and made a show of heading out.
Three... two... one... Someone stop me already!
Zhou Tingting grew anxious. She didn’t actually want to kneel—she was just bluffing to scare them. Today was New Year’s Day, and the streets were crowded.
If people saw her kneeling, rumors would spread.
That was why she had resorted to this threat.
But the family remained stone-hearted.
Furious, Zhou Tingting rolled her eyes.
Since no one stopped her, she couldn’t back down now—her words were already out.
Gritting her teeth, she actually knelt.
The moment her knees hit the ground, Zhou Tingting felt a humiliation like never before.
Her pride had been thoroughly trampled.
Kneeling inside would have been performative, but outside, anyone could pass by.
If people saw, not only would the Zhou family lose face, but so would she!
At that moment, Si Nian finally spoke. "Enough. Get up. I can’t bear such a grand gesture."
Zhou Tingting’s face twisted briefly, but under her brother’s cold gaze, she forced a smile. "Then... can I stay? Sister-in-law, you’re busy with the kids and bringing meals to my brother. You must be overwhelmed. If I’m here, I can help. Don’t worry, I won’t freeload."
In truth, she planned to steal their recipes.
Her mother-in-law had lost her job. If she could learn their braised meat technique, money would never be a problem again.
Thinking of this, Zhou Tingting decided her suffering was worth it.
This was her moment of endurance for future gains.
Of course, she wouldn’t dare reveal her true intentions now. Instead, she put on a show of sincerity—wanting to help, make amends, and mend their relationship.
Si Nian arched a brow. "Oh? You mean that?"
Zhou Tingting smiled obsequiously. "Of course!"
Si Nian glanced at Zhou Yueshen. "Fine. Since your sister is so eager to help, let her stay. Otherwise, if she kneels outside, people will think we’re heartless siblings."
The blunt remark made Zhou Tingting flush with anger, her molars grinding.
Zhou Yueshen studied Si Nian for a moment, then gave a slight nod.
......
The once-joyful dumpling feast had lost all its charm with Zhou Tingting’s arrival.
Even the most delicious meat now tasted bland.
Zhou Tingting went to scoop more dumplings, but the moment she picked one, Zhou Zehan piped up, "That’s the one Dad made for Mom!"
Gritting her teeth, Zhou Tingting forced a smile as Zhou Yueshen glanced over. "I was getting this for Sister-in-law!" She then shot the boy a glare.
Nosy little brat.
But Zhou Zehan wasn’t afraid anymore.
Before, he would have cowered. Now, he knew his parents would protect him.
When Zhou Tingting reached for another, he immediately said, "That’s the one Brother made for Mom!"
"...And this one’s mine. I didn’t make any for you."
"You—!" Zhou Tingting nearly smashed her bowl in frustration.
Mom this, mom that! Your real mom is dead! You’re just calling a thief your mother now!
Ignoring him, she went for the prettiest dumplings—who’d want those ugly, misshapen ones anyway?
Once the family had their fill, she hastily tossed a few exquisitely wrapped ones into the pot.
Zhou Zehan, having set his plate aside, suddenly rushed back and stared at her cooking dumplings, eyes wide.
"What now?!" Zhou Tingting was losing her mind.
"Those are the ones Mom made for me! Waaah, you can’t take them!"
Zhou Tingting: "......?"
After dinner, Zhou Yueshen went upstairs to install a bathtub for Si Nian.
Seizing the opportunity with him gone, Zhou Tingting immediately dropped her act.
She plopped onto the sofa like she owned the place, watching the two boys watch TV before barking orders.
"Zedong, Zehan, is this how you laze around all day? Country kids shouldn’t be this idle. Make yourselves useful!"
She pointed imperiously. "Zedong, fetch your aunt some water."
"Zehan, sweep the floor. Can’t you see how dirty it is? And that filthy dog—who lets it inside? It’s probably crawling with parasites! Clean everything, inside and out. Ugh, I can’t stand it!"
The two boys exchanged a glance but didn’t move.
Si Nian descended the stairs just then and, hearing this, smirked. "Auntie, didn’t you say you came here to ‘serve me hand and foot’? Why are you ordering the kids around? Zedong and Zehan finally have a day off—they need to rest. How else will they focus on their studies?"
Si Nian finished speaking and flashed Zhou Tingting a friendly smile. "Since Auntie has sincerely apologized and even offered to work for me, going so far as to kneel, as the eldest sister-in-law, I can't just turn a blind eye to such humility. So, I’ll give you this opportunity now. The house is indeed a bit dirty—sweep the floors and mop them thoroughly with water. Oh, and with the New Year approaching, all the windows inside and out need cleaning too. Once that’s done, wash the dishes in the kitchen. We’re also running low on firewood, and since you’re free with no work commitments, you can gather some later. The sun’s out today, which is rare, so after collecting firewood, scrub Da Huang’s doghouse clean—he’ll need it for the winter..."
