"Little Zhou? What brings you here?" Lin's mother, who was just about to see her daughter off, stared in surprise at the man arriving with two children in tow.
Zhou Yueshen gave a slight nod and greeted, "Uncle Lin, Aunt Lin." His gaze then shifted to Si Nian, who was holding some items as if preparing to leave. He frowned slightly. "Nian Nian mentioned you were gathering things for the wedding. I finished my work and came over—I didn’t want to trouble you with everything."
Hearing this, Lin's mother let out a relieved sigh. She had been worried that Zhou Yueshen might be displeased since Si Nian had stayed for two days without returning.
She looked at her tall, steady son-in-law with satisfaction and beamed. "Nian Nian was just saying she missed you all and wanted to go back early. Who knew you’d show up right then? This is perfect!"
At these words, Zhou Yueshen paused and turned to Si Nian, his dark eyes unreadable.
He had assumed she would stay a few more days.
Had she really been planning to return so soon?
Was she uncomfortable at home, or was it because of... them?
Lin's mother shot her daughter a knowing look.
Just look at these two—already missing each other! What a good sign!
Though her son-in-law was older and had three children, and though he seemed cold at first glance, she had come to see that he was thoughtful and caring—a good man who would cherish her daughter.
As long as Si Nian didn’t mind these things, they would surely have a harmonious life together.
And the children weren’t as intimidating as the rumors made them out to be—no chasing away stepmothers or throwing tantrums.
To her, the kids clearly adored her daughter!
Just look at how their eyes lit up when they saw her—they already treated her as family.
Lin's mother, being a mother herself, could easily read the children’s expressions.
But upon closer inspection, the two kids were noticeably thin—even more so than her own twin sons, who had always been smaller than average due to congenital malnutrition.
Yet these two...
Recalling what her son had told her about their circumstances, Lin's mother sighed inwardly.
Yaoyao was the first to react upon seeing her older brother, stretching out her little arms and running toward him.
Zhou Yuedong bent down to pick her up, ruffling her hair affectionately.
Lin Yu watched from the side, green with envy. Wasn’t that the kid who got dropped off at school every day on a motorcycle?
Not only did he have a dad who drove him to school, but he also had such an adorable little sister!
Was Lin Yu doomed to a lonely existence without a sister of his own?
Yaoyao was far more enthusiastic with her brother, clinging to his neck and nuzzling against him.
Even Zhou Yuedong’s usually stern face softened into a rare, doting smile.
Si Nian, oblivious to the children’s antics, snapped out of her daze after hearing Zhou Yueshen call her "Nian Nian." Her mother’s teasing left her slightly flustered.
It wasn’t that she was in a hurry to go back—she just wasn’t used to staying in unfamiliar places for too long.
She hadn’t expected Zhou Yueshen to bring the kids over.
Embarrassed, she scratched her head and asked, "Is the factory not busy anymore?"
His voice was deep and casual. "No, I’ve delegated everything for now."
His employees knew he was getting married—a once-in-a-lifetime event—so they were handling things diligently without needing his supervision.
Si Nian studied him. This was the first time she’d seen him in anything other than casual wear. The black, military-style fitted outfit, neatly belted at the waist, accentuated his tall, broad-shouldered frame.
The sleeves were slightly rolled up, revealing the well-defined muscles of his forearms...
The clothes suited him so well it was almost criminal.
His hair had been freshly trimmed into a buzz cut, making his sharp features and deep-set eyes even more striking.
Si Nian had never understood the appeal of men in uniforms—until now.
The older man looked effortlessly handsome in a simple undershirt, but in this fitted outfit? Downright devastating.
She wondered if he had somehow bewitched her—because from every angle, he exuded an irresistible magnetism.
Even the way he said her name sounded unbearably attractive...
"That’s perfect! I was just about to ask Nian Nian to tell you about going into town to pick out fabric. There’s still time, and I’d like to make her wedding dress myself, with her sister-in-law’s help."
Lin's mother clapped her hands in delight.
Zhou Yueshen glanced down at Si Nian. Her cheeks were flushed as she gazed up at him, her eyes filled with something like admiration.
He paused, then looked away and nodded.
"Alright."
Time wasn’t an issue.
Whether it was buying fabric, taking wedding photos, or picking out rings—if she wanted it, they could go anytime.
He knew city weddings involved many traditions—jewelry, clothes, ceremonies.
He would give her everything.
Si Nian watched quietly as Zhou Yueshen listened attentively to Lin's mother listing the necessary items.
His sharp profile was mesmerizing.
She swallowed hard...
Both her mother and Zhou Yueshen turned to look at her.
Si Nian: "Ahem..."
"Nian Nian, you go with Zhou Yueshen. I’ll watch the kids," Lin's mother said quickly.
Her daughter’s happiness? She, the mighty Lin's mother, would protect it!
Si Nian glanced at Zhou Yueshen, who showed no objection, so she agreed. "Alright."
Having Lin's mother look after the kids was a relief.
Little Zhou Yuehan sidled up nervously, clearly wanting to say something but not daring to speak to Si Nian directly. Instead, he tugged at his father’s sleeve. "Are you leaving, Dad?"
The unfamiliar surroundings made him anxious about being left behind.
Zhou Yueshen crouched down, still towering over his son. He ruffled the boy’s hair with his rough hand and said gently, "Dad and Mom are going to buy some things. We’ll bring back treats for you and your sister. Be good for Grandma, understand?"
"Grandma?" Zhou Yuehan blinked at his father, then timidly peeked at Lin's mother.
Lin's mother smiled warmly. "That’s right, sweetheart. I’m your grandma. Don’t worry, I’ll make you something delicious while you wait."
At the mention of food, Zhou Yuehan’s eyes sparkled.
If his stepmother cooked so well, then Grandma’s food must be twice as good!
He nodded eagerly. "I’ll wait here for you!"
Once they returned, he’d finally gather the courage to ask his stepmom to attend his parent-teacher meeting!
He shot Si Nian an excited look, leaving her puzzled.
But after just two days apart, the kids seemed even more attached to her.
A good sign, indeed.
Who would’ve thought the future "big bad wolf" of the underworld was now just a tiny bean craving a mother’s love?
Si Nian reached out to pat his head, and Zhou Yuehan immediately blushed and ducked behind his brother.
Lin Yu said with a sour tone, "Hmph, what's so great about that?"
Lin Feng glanced at Zhou Yuehan, then looked at his younger brother.
