However, Si Nian's reaction made it clear to him that he had indeed misjudged people too harshly.
Si Nian was the first to step forward, scolding sharply, "What do you mean? How can we know if the clothes fit without trying them on? Yes, our Second Child's clothes aren’t the best, but they’re clean. How could trying on your clothes possibly dirty them? Honestly, if your eyesight is this bad, you shouldn’t be working. Go see a doctor before you end up blind in your old age."
The two children were dressed plainly, like kids from the countryside, but Si Nian was different. Her appearance was as striking as a peony—radiant and noble. Her delicate skin, tall figure, and refined attire made it obvious she was someone not to be trifled with.
Her words were sharp, instantly rendering the saleswoman speechless.
The saleswoman had only seen two scruffy-looking kids reaching for the clothes and, fearing they might dirty them, had snatched the garments away in a moment of panic.
It hadn’t even crossed her mind that the woman standing nearby was their guardian.
Now, cornered and unable to retort, her expression darkened.
Zhou Yueshen, holding one of the children in his arms, glanced at the flustered saleswoman with an impassive expression. "Apologize to the children," he said.
His presence alone was overwhelming—just a single look from him carried an almost crushing weight.
The saleswoman immediately felt a chill run down her spine. If it had just been the woman, she might have dared to argue back. But this man, though seemingly indifferent, exuded an intimidating aura.
His deep, hawk-like eyes made disobedience unthinkable.
This wasn’t a request—it was an order.
The two children stood frozen.
They were used to being mocked, especially by women, who rarely treated them kindly.
They knew that if it weren’t for them, their father would have many admirers.
It was because of them that he had no children of his own, and that was why those women resented them so much.
Over time, the two boys had come to fear women.
"I—I wasn’t wrong! Why should I apologize?" the saleswoman stammered.
With so many people watching, apologizing to two rural brats would humiliate her. How could she ever show her face here again?
"Everyone, take a look—does my son look dirty to you?" Si Nian asked the onlookers who had been watching curiously.
The crowd hesitated, surprised by her directness.
But after a moment, they examined the children closely and shook their heads.
It was true—though the boys wore old, threadbare clothes, they were clean and well-kept.
Si Nian scoffed. "See? I told you your eyesight was bad. Even everyone else agrees they’re not dirty. What gives you the right to call them filthy?"
The saleswoman’s face flushed red.
Just then, the commotion drew the attention of Manager Wang, who hurried over with a frown.
"What’s going on here?" he asked.
The saleswoman, now desperate to save face, immediately twisted the story. "Manager, these people are causing trouble. They won’t buy anything but insist on letting their kids try on clothes, ruining them in the process. I tried to stop them, but they wouldn’t listen."
Some bystanders, not wanting to get involved, stayed silent. But one woman in red high heels, accompanied by a child of similar age, spoke up disdainfully, "Honestly, people should know their place. If you can’t afford it, don’t come here. It ruins the shopping experience for the rest of us."
Another added, "Some people love pretending to be rich. Dressing themselves up while their kids look like beggars—no wonder there’s a misunderstanding."
Encouraged by the support, the saleswoman straightened up, regaining her confidence.
The crowd, too, began to side with her, casting judgmental looks at Si Nian.
After all, if she dressed so well, why were her children so shabby?
It wasn’t unreasonable for the saleswoman to assume the worst.
Si Nian laughed in disbelief.
Since when was the victim to blame?
The Second Child, innocent and naive, unlike Zhou Yuedong, who overanalyzed everything, was on the verge of tears. Terrified that his stepmother was being ridiculed because of him, he tugged at Zhou Yueshen’s sleeve and pleaded, "Dad, let’s just go home. We don’t need to buy anything."
Zhou Yueshen looked down at the trembling boy. Though nearly eight years old, malnutrition had left him small and frail. Now, standing in the crowd, his face was pale with fear, as if the people around him were monsters.
It dawned on Si Nian then—this was the world these children had been living in.
Before, when they were with her, they had always been obedient and restrained.
She had never noticed anything unusual.
But now, she realized their struggles weren’t just superficial—they ran much deeper.
They were sensitive. Fragile.
Afraid and helpless.
Zhou Yueshen’s gaze darkened, his eyes icy as they locked onto the saleswoman before shifting to Manager Wang.
"Manager Wang," he said, his voice low and cold.
The manager, still frowning, was startled to hear his name. He turned toward Zhou Yueshen and, upon recognizing him, widened his eyes in shock. "Z—Zhou Yueshen!"
He hurried over, astonished. "What brings you here?"
Zhou Yueshen replied flatly, "Buying clothes for the children."
Manager Wang blinked, glancing at the two boys before realization struck. His eyes widened further. "So they’re…?"
The saleswoman’s mind went blank. The man knew the manager?
Si Nian was equally surprised. "You two know each other?"
Manager Wang quickly smiled. "Of course! Our supermarket’s fresh meat is supplied by Zhou’s farm. We’ve been partners for over a year."
Si Nian was stunned. This was a city supermarket—Zhou Yueshen’s farm operated on this scale?
The crowd, too, was shocked.
Everyone knew Hongxing Supermarket’s meat came from grain-fed pigs—tastier, fresher, and of higher quality.
People often traveled far and lined up just to buy it.
But no one had imagined the supplier was this man standing before them!
This was true wealth.
The woman who had mocked Si Nian for being "out of place" now stood frozen, her expression stiff.
She was a teacher, used to seeing rural children—often dirty, poor, and out of place in the city.
Disliking them had become second nature.
So when she saw this family making a scene, she hadn’t been able to resist sneering.
Now, she regretted it.
