"Y-you want some too?" Zhou Yuedong felt somewhat flustered facing her, afraid he might do something wrong and upset her. "I'll put in two more then."
After all, he was just a boy barely over ten years old. Even if he disliked women in his heart, fear still dominated his emotions.
Zhou Yuedong was quite handsome, with sharp, prominent features. His eyes were large, just like Yaoyao's, but his brows were more angular. Right now, however, his eyebrows drooped like a helpless, abandoned puppy—pitiful and lost.
Si Nian sighed. "This isn't the right way to eat it. Here, let me show you."
She glanced at the stove fire, then picked a few large sweet potatoes from the corner and tossed them in.
The ones in the pot were nearly done, so she fished them out. "Peel these for me, then mash them in a bowl."
Zhou Yuedong fumbled nervously, nearly dropping the bowl and chopsticks. He stole cautious glances at her expression, but when he saw she wasn’t paying him any attention, his face flushed red as he began peeling the sweet potatoes.
Though Si Nian didn’t look at him, she could tell from the sounds he made.
The flour she had bought earlier was almost gone after making noodles the day before.
With a house full of men, their appetites were enormous—supplies never lasted more than two days.
There wasn’t enough left to make noodles, but it would suffice for some pancakes for the kids to take to school.
The sweet potatoes had boiled until soft and mushy, easily mashed into a paste. Zhou Yuedong handed them to her in no time.
Si Nian took the bowl, mixing the mashed sweet potatoes into the flour and kneading the dough.
Zhou Yuedong had never seen this method before and watched curiously.
Soon, the white dough gradually turned golden-orange, smooth and fragrant with the sweet aroma of flour and sweet potatoes.
Si Nian lightly greased the pan, shaping the dough into pancakes and pressing them onto the large wok to fry.
One batch of dough made five large pancakes.
She stood by the stove, flipping the golden-brown cakes until their surfaces turned crisp and fragrant before taking them out.
She poured a little water into the pot and dropped in a few eggs to boil.
By then, the sweet potatoes in the stove were ready.
Si Nian dug them out and handed each of the boys two pancakes. "Eat the sweet potatoes for breakfast. Save the pancakes for lunch—cold sweet potatoes are too dry."
Without waiting to see Zhou Yuedong’s complicated expression, she took the remaining pancakes and walked out.
Taking a bite, Si Nian closed her eyes slightly as the sweet flavor filled her mouth—perfect for breakfast.
Zhou Yuehan’s eyes widened at the sight of the fragrant pancakes.
After eating for a while, Si Nian finally spoke. "I’m taking Yaoyao into the city later. I’m not sure when we’ll be back, so if you return before then, make your own meals."
Zhou Yuehan immediately tensed up. Unlike his brother, he wasn’t as sharp-minded. The idea of her taking their little sister away made him anxious.
After all, child trafficking was rampant these days, especially with girls. Many families, unable to afford raising them, sold their daughters to remote villages as child brides.
He’d heard that Tiedan’s mother in their village had been bought and was often beaten.
Instinctively, he looked to his brother, hoping he would object—but instead, Zhou Yuedong simply said, "Okay."
Zhou Yuehan was so shocked he nearly dropped his pancake.
What was wrong with his brother? Wasn’t he the one who hated all the women who came into their home?
How could he just let this woman take their sister away?
Was she threatening him?
Zhou Yuehan’s face twisted in horror, as if realizing the fate of their family now rested on his shoulders alone.
Zhou Yuedong glanced at his brother’s dumbfounded expression and shoved a pancake into his mouth.
Though still stunned, the moment the delicious pancake touched his tongue, Zhou Yuehan couldn’t help but chew unconsciously.
Mmm~ So tasty! So good!
Before they left, Si Nian handed each of them a boiled egg.
After washing Yaoyao and feeding her, Si Nian packed up and boarded the bus to the city.
Yaoyao had rarely ridden in a vehicle before, so she was thrilled, babbling excitedly the whole way, her big, beautiful eyes wide with curiosity.
The road was rough and unpaved, jolting Si Nian into drowsiness, but the little one remained wide awake. She didn’t cry, sitting obediently on Si Nian’s lap the entire time. Passengers nearby couldn’t help but remark how well-behaved she was.
Si Nian smiled and kissed Yaoyao’s soft little cheek. When they arrived at the city station, she took the child’s hand and stepped off the bus.
She had no intention of visiting the Si Family, so she headed straight for the radio station.
The moment she walked in with Yaoyao, an irritated voice called out from behind her.
"Si Nian? What are you doing here?"
Turning, Si Nian saw a girl around eighteen or nineteen, dressed in office attire, her hair cut short and her face heavily made up.
The girl’s eyes filled with disdain when she confirmed it was really her. "Weren’t you kicked out of the Si Family and sent to the countryside? Couldn’t handle the hard life, so you came crawling back?"
Her tone dripped with schadenfreude.
Si Nian searched her memories and finally placed her—this was Fu Qianqian, the younger sister of the military officer she had once been engaged to.
They were the same age and had never gotten along, for a simple reason: growing up in the same compound, Si Nian had always been the prettier, smarter one, while Fu Qianqian, despite being the daughter of a high-ranking official, always fell short in comparison.
Over time, resentment festered.
Especially after Si Nian became engaged to her brother—Fu Qianqian had been seething ever since.
Both had only completed high school—Si Nian had given up further education to prepare for marriage into a wealthy family, while Fu Qianqian simply hadn’t wanted to study.
When the radio station held auditions for announcers, they’d both applied.
Si Nian got the job as a host, while Fu Qianqian was relegated to backstage work. The bitterness had only grown.
They’d been at each other’s throats long before any wedding could happen.
Now that Fu Qianqian knew Si Nian was actually a country girl, not even a real member of the Si Family, she was overjoyed.
But Si Nian couldn’t care less. She had no ties to that family anymore—no need to endure Fu Qianqian’s taunts like before.
With a dismissive glance, she turned to leave.
Fu Qianqian, ignored: "?"
"Stop right there!" She stomped after Si Nian, blocking her path. "I’m talking to you! Are you deaf?"
Si Nian paused, frowning down at the girl, who was half a head shorter.
That condescending gaze made Fu Qianqian bristle. She instinctively lifted her chin.
No matter how much better her family background was, she could never match Si Nian in height, looks, or intelligence.
Her height, in particular, had cost her the announcer job—she’d been told she was "too short" next to Si Nian.
Infuriating!
