"Dad~" His voice carried more happiness than usual, as if he wasn't as afraid of Zhou Yueshen anymore.
Zhou Yueshen had never seen the younger boy so cheerful before. Compared to his older brother, the younger one had always been more lively—but only when Zhou Yueshen wasn’t around.
Now, though, he was practically glowing. Zhou Yueshen wondered what had gotten him so excited.
Soon, he noticed the new backpack on the boy’s shoulders.
His dark eyes flickered as he crouched down and ruffled the boy’s hair. "You got a new backpack? It looks nice."
"Yeah!" The boy’s eyes sparkled as he nodded vigorously, his thin face alight with excitement. "She bought it for me!"
He glanced toward the kitchen but didn’t dare call Si Nian "stepmom," much less "Mom."
Then he tugged Zhou Yueshen toward the table. "Big brother got one too! Look!"
"And there’s clothes for little sister, and a dress!"
"See here? There’s fruit candy and popping candy!"
"And these cookies—they look so good! I’ve seen my classmates eat them."
He stared longingly at the bag of cookies. He’d never tasted them, but he just knew they had to be delicious.
Zhou Yueshen surveyed the items on the table—candy, cookies, backpacks, children’s clothes, milk powder, and honey. Almost everything was for the kids.
Aunt Liu stood frozen nearby, her face a picture of disbelief.
Si Nian had actually bought the kids backpacks and clothes?
No way!
Since when was she so generous?
She must have lost her mind!
Just looking at those things, anyone could tell they were expensive.
Oh, she was clever, all right. She must have figured out how much Zhou Yueshen cared about the kids and was using them to win him over.
Aunt Liu had underestimated her. City women really were different.
Her face twisted with resentment—partly over the wasted money, partly out of sheer envy.
If Si Nian hadn’t come, that money might have ended up in her own pocket.
Si Nian seemed to hear the commotion and stepped out of the kitchen.
She had just finished stewing the ribs and steaming the rice when she heard the noise.
She hadn’t expected Zhou Yueshen to be back already.
Carrying a large bowl of braised ribs, she set it down on the dining table.
After a brief glance at Aunt Liu’s venomous expression, she turned to Zhou Yueshen. "You’re back. Wash your hands and have something to eat first. Dinner isn’t quite ready yet."
Zhou Yueshen looked at the steaming ribs, the rich aroma making his stomach growl. He had to admit—the woman knew how to cook.
He nodded. "Alright."
Then his gaze shifted to Aunt Liu, his voice turning cold. "Aunt Liu, if there’s nothing else, you can go now."
Aunt Liu’s eyes nearly popped out of her head when she saw the huge bowl of ribs on the table.
She had figured that since she was already here, and they were so familiar, she might as well stay for dinner.
But Zhou Yueshen was dismissing her outright.
Her face flushed red. "Yueshen, don’t misunderstand what I said earlier. I wasn’t trying to ruin your relationship. I only repeated what I heard because I was worried about the kids being mistreated!"
She put on a pitiful expression. "I’ve been so busy these past few days that I haven’t had time to come cook. I feel terrible leaving all the work to Miss Si Nian—cooking and taking care of the kids all by herself. Don’t worry, I’ll come back tomorrow to help."
Aunt Liu wasn’t stupid. As much as she hated Si Nian, she knew that this woman was sharp. If she kept antagonizing her now, she’d only lose out.
Better to play nice for now and secure her job.
This woman had just arrived—she was bound to be on her best behavior. Aunt Liu refused to believe she was genuinely kind. Sooner or later, her true colors would show.
Si Nian had lived two lifetimes—did Aunt Liu really think she couldn’t see through her act?
When Zhou Yueshen wasn’t around, Aunt Liu hadn’t been nearly so polite.
Si Nian was considering how to persuade Zhou Yueshen to send her away. The two families had known each other for a long time, and their relationship was close. She was worried he might let her stay.
Wouldn’t that just be annoying?
But before she could speak, Zhou Yueshen said calmly, "No need, Aunt Liu. We already agreed—once I found a wife, I wouldn’t trouble you anymore. I’ve already paid you for this month. There are only two days left. After that, you don’t need to come back."
Zhou Yueshen wasn’t a fool. He’d been too busy with work before and had no choice but to hire help.
He’d never skimped on money or food for the kids.
Yet they’d only grown thinner.
Children at their age should be thriving—a few good meals, and you’d see the difference in days.
Before, his kids had been sallow and scrawny, worse off than even the village children.
But in just a few days since Si Nian arrived, their cheeks had filled out, their skin had a healthy glow, and they were clean—no longer little mud monkeys.
He’d paid Aunt Liu generously, hoping she’d take good care of them.
But the results had been disappointing.
More than once, he’d caught the kids sneaking out at night to drink water because they were hungry.
He’d even given them money, but they’d been too frugal to spend it.
Aunt Liu’s face paled in panic. Her worst fear was coming true.
"Y-Yueshen, this isn’t right!" she stammered. "Miss Si has only been here a short while. If I leave, she’ll be overwhelmed with all the work!"
Si Nian smiled faintly. "Thanks for your concern, but I don’t think it’ll be a problem. Aside from cooking and looking after the kids, there’s really not much else to do. You’re exaggerating, Aunt Liu."
In the countryside, being able to just cook and take care of children was already a luxury. Most women had to work in the fields with babies strapped to their backs, then come home to feed pigs and chickens, cook for the whole family, and clean up after everyone before they could sleep.
Si Nian only had to cook and mind one little girl.
Zhou Yuedong and Zhou Yuehan hardly needed her supervision—they took initiative, cleaning and doing laundry on their own.
The house only had one dog to look after. Compared to others, this was an easy life.
Aunt Liu made it sound like some Herculean task.
Gritting her teeth, Aunt Liu forced a smile. "You’re from the city—you’re not used to our rural hardships. With my help, things would be much easier for you."
Si Nian didn’t give an inch. "No need to trouble yourself, Aunt Liu. I can handle it."
Before Aunt Liu could argue further, Zhou Yueshen cut in. "Aunt Liu, I’ve made myself clear. You should go."
Desperate, Aunt Liu pleaded, "Yueshen, you can’t do this to me! Without this job, how will I survive? I’ll take less—forty, no, forty-five a month! I’ll take care of the kids, clean, do anything! Just don’t fire me!"
