Everyone thought he was a solitary child, his eyes always cold and wary, like a guarded wolf cub—unlike the innocence of other children, carrying a hint of fierceness.
For a long time, he and his younger brother had little contact with outsiders, living like shadows in the village, barely noticed by anyone.
No one wanted to play with the brothers either.
But these past few days, things had changed.
The two of them suddenly appeared in flashy new clothes and shoes, even sporting brand-new backpacks...
Their eye-catching outfits quickly drew the attention of many kids their age.
Girls had even started approaching them first.
But Zhou Yuedong realized he still disliked women.
Except for... that one person.
When they returned home, they heard from Grandma Zhang that Grandma Liu and their aunt had come to cause trouble for their stepmother.
Then their father and stepmother went to the city, and no one knew how things turned out.
Hearing his younger brother sigh, Zhou Yuedong shot him a glance.
The brother who had never liked their stepmother much now mentioned her in nine out of ten sentences ever since she bought him new clothes.
For example:
"Bro, what do you think she’ll cook today?"
"Bro, I got my clothes dirty. What if she gets mad when she sees?"
"Bro, she gave me cookies today. Does that mean she doesn’t hate me?"
"Bro... she’s actually pretty nice."
Zhou Yuedong never responded, because deep down, he knew it too.
After finishing his homework, he started cleaning.
He wiped every corner spotless.
Because... the stepmother liked things clean.
The two boys were distracted, while Yaoyao held out a White Rabbit milk candy to Da Huang, babbling as if saying, "Eat it, go on, eat it!"
Da Huang lay with his front paws crossed lazily, squinting at the tiny figure before him. He sniffed at the candy in her hand half-heartedly before turning away in disappointment.
His tail wagged occasionally, but he didn’t shoo the little girl away.
Then, the sound of a motorcycle approached outside.
In an instant, three little figures and a dog all turned to look.
On that sleek motorcycle sat the very person they’d been worried about.
The two boys stopped what they were doing and stared.
Yaoyao, even more excited, wobbled over on unsteady feet, her little twin buns bouncing with each step.
Da Huang stood up, stretching his front paws as if just waking up—but his eyes stayed fixed on the scene outside.
His dog mom... his dog mom was finally back QAQ.
Si Nian looked at the four figures (plus one dog) in the yard, their expressions ranging from joy to anticipation, worry to longing (Da Huang’s), and a soft light flickered in her eyes.
If at first, she had only hoped to improve things with the kids—just enough so they wouldn’t hate her or seek revenge in the future—now, she genuinely cared for them.
Seeing Yaoyao clinging to the iron gate, her tiny figure radiating happiness, Si Nian quickly got off the bike.
But after nearly an hour on the motorcycle, even if her bottom didn’t hurt, her legs had gone numb.
The moment her feet touched the ground, they gave way.
Zhou Yueshen, who had just parked, instinctively reached out to steady her.
His fingers brushed against her arm, and her skin felt impossibly soft—as if the slightest pressure might break her.
He quickly let go, rubbing his fingertips.
By then, Zhou Yuedong had opened the gate, and Yaoyao stumbled toward them.
Si Nian took two steps forward, scooped up the child, and planted a kiss on her cheek, making Yaoyao giggle uncontrollably.
Then the little girl stretched out her hand, babbling and pointing at her father’s motorcycle.
Yaoyao had never seen one before, but watching the adults ride it reminded her of the horses they’d ridden before—it looked fun.
Though she couldn’t speak yet, she remembered.
Si Nian raised an eyebrow. "Yaoyao, do you want to ride Daddy’s motorcycle?"
Yaoyao nibbled her fingers and nodded eagerly.
Smiling, Si Nian turned and placed her in front of Zhou Yueshen.
"Zhou Yueshen, take her for a ride."
Zhou Yueshen looked down at the tiny figure in his arms, her small hands exploring the motorcycle with wide-eyed wonder, touching every part as if it were the most fascinating thing in the world.
A rare warmth flickered in his eyes. The children weren’t his by blood, but he truly loved them—he just hadn’t done well enough, letting them suffer and be bullied...
He’d thought that once they grew older and could take care of themselves, things would be fine.
Only now did he realize how much he’d missed by being too busy—countless chances to show them care.
That was why they’d turned out this way: timid, hesitant, withdrawn.
He’d blamed it on their family circumstances.
But now he knew—it was his own fault.
Si Nian was also raising children for the first time.
Yet she did better than he ever had.
From the bottom of his heart, Zhou Yueshen was grateful to her.
Her arrival had brought warmth and color to this cold, quiet home.
The light in the children’s eyes was because of her.
Now, the simplest things—things he could do without a second thought—meant the world to them.
Zhou Yueshen turned the key and started the engine.
Just then, he felt a tug on his pant leg.
Looking down, he saw Zhou Yuehan staring up at him, eyes sparkling with hope and nervousness. "Daddy, ride."
Zhou Yueshen paused, then glanced toward the iron gate where Zhou Yuedong stood, not approaching. The eldest was the most mature, but even he couldn’t hide the admiration and longing in his gaze.
Boys loved these things more.
A low chuckle rumbled in Zhou Yueshen’s chest as he lifted his son onto the bike behind him, his voice uncharacteristically light. "Hold on tight."
Zhou Yuehan immediately wrapped his arms around his father’s waist, pressing his small face against the broad back, his cheeks flushing with excitement like a little apple.
Zhou Yuedong watched from a distance, envy stirring as he saw his brother clinging to their father without hesitation. He could never be like that—he was used to holding back, hiding, keeping himself locked in his own little world, afraid to step out.
Even if he wanted to, he wouldn’t speak up.
But the next moment, his stepmother—who had somehow appeared beside him—gave him a gentle push from behind.
Zhou Yuedong stumbled forward instinctively.
"Go hold your brother, or it won’t be safe."
He stopped and turned to look at her.
The sky was overcast, heavy with unshed rain, not a single ray of sunlight breaking through.
Yet the woman standing before him seemed to pierce through the gloom, shining into the dim corners of his heart like the brightest light he’d ever known.
His heart pounded as he walked toward the motorcycle, breath quickening with nervousness.
His father’s tall figure loomed before him.
Clenching his small fists, he mustered every ounce of courage and called out, "Dad."
