Her features were strikingly beautiful—so exquisite that she didn’t even need makeup. Her lips were rosy, her teeth white, and when she smiled, two small dimples appeared on her cheeks. Her eyes curved gently, framed by long eyelashes that seemed to come with their own eyeliner, making her gaze even more profound.
She was exceptional at taking care of children. In just a few days, Yaoyao seemed like a completely different person.
Just like her, she had become more refined and delicate.
Zhou Yueshen noticed that she must be very particular about cleanliness.
For instance, she bathed and washed clothes every day.
She kept the room spotless.
Although this rural setting seemed completely out of place for her, now that she lived here, even the house had transformed, taking on an air of elegance.
An ordinary small building felt more like a charming garden villa.
How to describe her? She was like a pure white rose thriving among the wild weeds.
For a moment, Zhou Yueshen found himself momentarily distracted.
It wasn’t until his pant leg was tugged that he looked down and met his daughter’s clean, beautiful little face, tilted up as she held out her tiny milk bottle to him, that he snapped back to reality.
Si Nian noticed him too, a hint of surprise in her eyes. “You’re done so quickly?”
Zhou Yueshen bent down and lifted his daughter into his arms, nodding. “Yeah, got here early.”
It was autumn now, and everyone was busy with farm work. Getting here early might even allow them to lend a hand.
Although Zhou Yueshen had promised Si Nian a week’s time—not only for her but also for himself—it was clear he was quite pleased with her.
Si Nian naturally sensed the man’s attitude, which was no longer as cold and businesslike as when they first met.
She gave him a gentle smile. These past few days, she had noticed how many people were busy with the farm work.
Knowing that the original family came from the countryside, she figured they must be used to hard work too.
That was why she had deliberately worn pants suitable for labor.
She couldn’t just return and do nothing.
As she headed downstairs, Si Nian saw a large ham and a pork hock placed in a bamboo basket in the yard.
Nearby were fresh eggs, a bag of rice, a bottle of what looked like expensive liquor, and a pack of cigarettes.
She tucked the candies and biscuits she was carrying further back.
At that moment, she felt utterly out of place.
Look at this—that was the mark of someone important. So generous, so lavish.
Si Nian opened and closed her mouth a few times before asking, “Isn’t this too much?”
“They’re your family. This is only right,” Zhou Yueshen explained calmly.
Seeing her stunned, parted red lips, he offered the matter-of-fact explanation.
Si Nian drew her jaw back in. In truth, she was a rather selfish person. She wasn’t familiar with the original family and didn’t know about the three thousand yuan issue.
This time, her only intention was to investigate the money situation and see what kind of family they really were.
She hadn’t planned to bring much back, partly because she worried about greedy people who might pester her again if she showed generosity this time.
Of course, this was not something she could tell Zhou Yueshen.
Well, since it had come to this, it was a tacit confirmation that this man cared about her—otherwise, he wouldn’t have prepared so carefully.
Thinking of this, Si Nian felt a faint warmth rise to her cheeks.
“Thank you for everything.”
“You’re welcome.” Zhou Yueshen nodded slightly, accepting the small bag of candies and biscuits from her hand. Though not much, these things weren’t cheap, especially compared to meat.
The man effortlessly hoisted a large basket of goods onto his back, not even bending his waist once.
With one hand carrying the rest of the items, Si Nian’s hands were empty. She quickly held Yaoyao’s hand, took the keys, locked the door, and the two of them headed toward Lin Family Village.
Si Nian carried the child, walking beside Zhou Yueshen. It was still early, and although the sun was bright, it wasn’t too hot.
Because Si Nian was holding the child, Zhou Yueshen slowed his pace considerably.
Even so, it wasn’t long before Si Nian’s arms felt sore, and a light sweat appeared on her forehead.
She wasn’t usually this delicate, but the original Si Nian had never done any hard work, and simply couldn’t endure any hardship.
Her body’s discomfort naturally tugged at her nerves.
Although Yaoyao could walk, she was very slow.
Zhou Yueshen stopped and said in a low, deep voice, “Si Nian, let me hold Yaoyao.”
It was the first time she’d heard him call her by name. His voice was much deeper than that of a young man, and hearing him say her name sounded incredibly handsome and alluring.
Si Nian regretted having only liked pure, innocent high school boys before.
She wiped the sweat from her brow and didn’t hesitate to hand the child over.
“I’ll carry this,” he said.
Si Nian quickly took the cigarettes and alcohol from his hand.
Compared to the child, these were much lighter.
Zhou Yueshen said nothing more, and they continued walking.
Passing by a stretch of farmland, the surrounding villagers enthusiastically greeted Zhou Yueshen.
He seemed very popular in the village; some even looked at him with a hint of flattery.
Zhou Yueshen responded indifferently, treating everyone the same.
Once they were out of sight, the villagers couldn’t help but whisper among themselves.
“See that? Si Nian is so lucky. Zhou Yueshen brought back so many good things in just one trip—those pigs must weigh over a hundred jin each, and a big sack of rice too. The cigarettes and alcohol are all the best brands. The Lin family’s ancestral tomb must be smoking green smoke!”
“Exactly. I heard he only gave three thousand as a bride price last month, and now he’s bringing all this. They say Si Nian was switched at birth and the Lin family never raised her. Zhou Yueshen is just too generous.”
The villagers were both envious and jealous.
“But what good does it do? She doesn’t even want children. All the money earned in the future will go to his own family. She’s just marrying in as a servant. I’m not envious at all.”
“True. These days, if you don’t have your own son, who will take care of you when you’re old? Si Nian is really foolish. She thinks with Zhou Yueshen’s status, if he wanted children, would they even get to her?”
Though the villagers were full of envy, jealousy, and resentment, they dared not act rashly. After all, Zhou Yueshen had said he didn’t want children.
His children were from the Zhou family—his sisters’ children—and none of it would be shared with outsiders.
They were still young now, so it was hard to tell, but when the eldest and second eldest grew up and married, the first person they might drive away could very well be her.
Right now, she was enjoying all the glory, but her future might be miserable.
The villagers watched Si Nian’s retreating figure, whispering and speculating.
Meanwhile, Si Nian and Zhou Yueshen had already arrived at Lin Family Village.
Lin Family Village wasn’t far away, but it was even more remote—a small village tucked deep within the mountains. Like Xingfu Village, it was divided into three groups: the first group at the bottom, the second in the middle, and the third perched at the top.
The two of them had taken the mountain path, and after rounding a bend, the village finally came into view.
Surrounded on all sides by mountains, the area was largely developed, with terraced fields stretching everywhere.
They descended from the mountain, navigating a rough and uneven path.
The difference compared to Xingfu Village was striking.
Si Nian had also heard that Zhou Yueshen’s livestock farm had expanded significantly, which in turn had boosted the economy of Xingfu Village.
