Zhou Yuedong's gaze was equally complicated, and he remained silent.
Zhou Yueshen walked out with the lunchbox in hand and saw the two children standing outside. He already knew what had happened. Though the children might have been at fault, they were still too young to suspect ill intentions, which had given Aunt Liu the opportunity to take advantage.
Seeing them so guilt-ridden was heartbreaking.
He ruffled his sons' heads with his large hand and said in a deep voice, "Go inside. She won’t blame you."
Standing by the hospital stairwell, Zhou Yueshen lit a cigarette, took a deep drag, and with his other hand, crumpled a letter before tossing it into the trash bin...
After a final check-up, Si Nian prepared to leave the hospital.
Zhou Yuedong and Zhou Yuehan sat in the hallway, fidgeting nervously when they saw her emerge.
Noticing the two children, Si Nian smiled warmly. "Come on, since we’re in the city, let’s go explore a bit."
In truth, this incident hadn’t been entirely without its benefits—at least it had shown the children that she wasn’t the unreasonable stepmother they might have feared.
Zhou Yuehan, standing behind Zhou Yuedong, tightened his bony little grip on his brother’s sleeve.
Zhou Yuedong silently watched Si Nian without a word.
Just then, Zhou Yueshen returned.
A faint scent of tobacco clung to him, though it wasn’t unpleasant.
After a brief glance at the boys, he took Yaoyao from Si Nian’s arms and said simply, "Let’s go."
Only then did the two children move.
Observing their hesitation, Si Nian sighed inwardly.
The revolution is far from over—there’s still work to be done.
The family left the hospital and headed toward the city center.
It was the same commercial district Si Nian had visited before. Though urban development in the 1980s was still incomplete, basic necessities were readily available.
Food, clothing, and daily essentials could all be found here, making it a popular spot for city dwellers.
At the entrance of the shopping mall, a grand plaza featured a fountain and even a carousel.
Having grown up in the countryside, Zhou Yuedong and Zhou Yuehan had never seen such a bustling place before. They stared in awe, completely mesmerized.
Zhou Yuehan, who had been listless earlier, was now utterly captivated by the spinning carousel.
All around, parents accompanied their children on the ride, their laughter filling the air.
So this is how city kids live.
A flicker of longing passed through their eyes, but neither dared to voice their wish.
To them, Zhou Yueshen, though kind, was always stern—a strict father.
As for their stepmother, she hadn’t been around long. Even if she seemed different from the last one, they weren’t sure if it was an act. Asking for anything felt impossible.
Yet Si Nian turned to Zhou Yueshen and suggested, "Yaoyao’s never ridden one. Maybe we can try it on our way back."
Zhou Yueshen glanced at the carousel, his sharp features even more striking under the sunlight.
After a pause, he nodded gently. "Mm."
Si Nian realized that while he appeared cold and unapproachable, he was actually quite accommodating—so long as requests were made openly.
No wonder the novel had described him as reticent and inexpressive, leading his children to misunderstand him as they grew up.
Since it was Saturday, the mall was packed with families enjoying their day off.
The two boys followed nervously, overwhelmed by the sheer luxury.
The floors were spotless, and they stepped carefully, afraid of dirtying them.
Trailing behind like little shadows, they stuck close.
Si Nian led them to the second floor, where children’s clothing was sold. Though pricier, many could still afford it in this era.
Their eyes immediately landed on a jacket identical to the one worn by the wealthiest kid in their class.
Amidst the sea of dull gray fabrics, the little blue leather jacket stood out, adorned with patterns.
Rumor had it that one cost ten yuan.
An unimaginable sum.
Ten yuan could buy so much food.
Though people often said the Zhou family was well-off, the boys knew how hard their father worked for that money.
He left before dawn and returned late, toiling tirelessly year-round.
With such effort behind every penny, they never dared to indulge.
They always wore old, patched clothes—just like the other village kids.
At school, they’d occasionally glance at their better-dressed classmates, but that was all.
Yet now, their stepmother was holding up that very jacket, asking, "How about this one? Think it’ll fit?"
Si Nian’s eyes were sharp—she noticed instantly where their gazes lingered.
Kids were easy to read.
Spotting a "Buy One, Get One" sign nearby, she grinned. "Looks like my luck’s holding. What do you think?"
Zhou Yueshen had never bought clothes for the kids in the city. He was too busy, with no time to browse stores, let alone keep up with trends.
Seeing the variety now, he realized how outdated his perception had been.
With a nod, he replied softly, "You choose."
Si Nian handed the jacket to the boys to try.
Zhou Yuehan’s eyes sparkled as he reached for it, but the saleswoman snatched it back. "Wait—are you actually buying it?"
Si Nian frowned. "What do you mean?"
"You can’t try it unless you’re sure you’ll buy. What if he dirties it? We can’t sell it then."
The saleswoman, long accustomed to city life, rarely saw customers in coarse cloth and straw sandals—let alone children with patched clothes.
Who even wears patches these days?
Clearly, they were from some remote village.
Her voice carried, drawing curious and disdainful glances from other shoppers.
Zhou Yuehan’s face burned red.
Though young, he understood the implication—she thought he was too dirty to touch the clothes.
Under the scrutiny, he couldn’t lift his head.
Even in the village, they’d faced judgment, but city folks’ disdain cut deeper.
Zhou Yuedong stayed quiet, but his expression darkened.
For a fleeting moment, a bitter thought crossed his mind—
Did our stepmother bring us here on purpose, to humiliate us as payback for Aunt Liu pushing her?
