Si Nian was stunned. "What did you just call me?"
Zhou Yuehan froze, realizing he had accidentally blurted out the word "Mom" that had been lingering in his heart. Panic surged through him.
Dad had said it was okay, but he had never dared to say it out loud.
He had only silently repeated the word in his mind—a term both unfamiliar and familiar.
Yet, though it was just two simple syllables, when he tried to voice them, it felt impossibly difficult.
Zhou Yuehan’s little face paled, terrified that Si Nian would reject him.
He had been so awful before, so hateful—even causing her to be pushed down by Grandma Liu.
People outside didn’t like them, calling them burdens.
He looked to his older brother for help.
Zhou Yuedong’s jaw tightened, but he remained silent.
Hearing his little brother say those two words had struck him like lightning.
The air grew heavy with silence.
Even Yaoyao, playing on the sofa, sensed something was wrong and paused mid-bite of her cookie, glancing over curiously.
Seeing the sudden shift in the children’s expressions, Si Nian realized her reaction might have scared them. She quickly bent down and ruffled the younger boy’s short hair, feeling the tension in his scalp beneath her fingers.
He was truly afraid.
Softening her voice, she smiled. "Yuehan, say it again."
Zhou Yuehan’s eyes widened, his pupils trembling.
"Mo...Mom?"
"Good boy." Si Nian rewarded him with a piece of candy from her pocket.
Though there were sweets at home, she didn’t let the children have them often—too much sugar wasn’t good for their teeth.
She only gave them as rewards when the boys helped with chores.
And they were well-behaved. Even if she left the candy on the shelf, they never took any without permission.
Zhou Yueshen might not have been the most attentive, but his discipline was solid.
Zhou Yuehan accepted the White Rabbit milk candy with awe, cradling it in his palms.
"Yuehan, do you know where we can find lots of mushrooms?" Si Nian asked, tousling his hair again.
Zhou Yuehan nodded eagerly, stepping forward with hopeful eyes. "Mom, I know! I can take you."
"Alright, you’ll come with me."
Si Nian’s heart melted. A successfully won-over little bean was just too adorable. Now she understood why mothers adored their children so much—she was finally feeling that connection herself.
"Ma-ma! Ma-ma!" The littlest one, Yaoyao, seemed to catch on, stretching her arms out for a hug, her words still clumsy.
Si Nian had been teaching her to say "Mama" during idle moments, but after the first success, she hadn’t managed it again.
Yet now, thanks to Zhou Yuehan’s slip, Yaoyao had picked it up too.
Zhou Yuedong hurried to pick up his little sister, sneaking glances at Si Nian.
He wanted to go too, but he couldn’t bring himself to ask.
Si Nian had originally planned to take just Zhou Yuehan—hiking with Yaoyao would be troublesome.
But the moment she met Zhou Yuedong’s pleading gaze, she couldn’t refuse.
"Yuedong, hold your sister’s hand. We’ll all go together."
Zhou Yuedong’s eyes lit up, and he nodded firmly.
As Si Nian led the three little beans toward the door, Da Huang stood up.
Si Nian sighed. "Seriously?"
But seeing the dog straining against his chain, wagging his tail desperately, her resolve crumbled.
They’d been away for days, leaving Da Huang tied up alone. It was pitiful.
With a wave of her hand, she declared, "Family outing!"
Freed from his chain, Da Huang bounded around them in joyful circles.
Zhou Yuedong and Zhou Yuehan adored him, even letting Yaoyao ride on his back for a bit.
Zhou Yuehan dashed inside to grab a small basket, then rushed back out.
"Mom, I’ll carry it for you!" His eyes sparkled brighter than the sun.
Si Nian smiled and nodded. After locking up, the whole family set off toward the nearby mountain.
Last night’s heavy rain had left the woods misty and damp. By now, most villagers were busy in the fields.
It struck Si Nian then—Zhou Yueshen’s family didn’t farm?
In this era, nearly every household worked the land, yet he’d never mentioned it.
She was curious. Honestly, she’d love a small garden to grow vegetables and fruits.
Happiness Village nestled against the mountains, and the Zhou home stood close to the village entrance. Soon, they reached the foot of the hill.
The forest was still soaked, mist clinging even at midday. Si Nian had worried the kids would tire quickly, but in the end, she was the one struggling.
After just a short climb, sweat dripped from her forehead, her clothes damp from the humid air.
Meanwhile, the two boys, the dog, and Yaoyao marched ahead effortlessly.
Si Nian paused, hands on her hips, panting. When the children glanced back, she straightened instantly, pretending she was fine.
Another ten minutes uphill, and she wiped her brow, scanning the surroundings.
The mountain was rich with resources—wild plums, edible greens, berries, and mushrooms dotted the landscape.
But the obvious fruits had already been picked clean by village kids.
She even spotted some leftover roots of Codonopsis, though most had been dug up.
Well, the locals weren’t fools. Nothing valuable stayed untouched for long.
Still, common mushrooms were plentiful. With the harvest season keeping everyone busy, few had time to forage now.
As she knelt to gather some, Zhou Yuehan suddenly shrieked.
Startled, Si Nian hurried over.
"What’s wrong?"
"Mom! Da Huang killed a bunny!" Zhou Yuehan’s eyes welled with tears as he pointed at the wild rabbit lying motionless in Da Huang’s jaws.
Si Nian gasped.
The rabbit was huge—at least six or seven pounds.
Da Huang had snapped its neck in one bite, leaving no chance for escape.
The dog, a descendant of wild Tibetan mastiffs, still carried that primal instinct.
Though raised by humans, the wilderness awakened his predatory nature.
Baring his teeth, Da Huang looked downright terrifying.
Si Nian quickly pulled Zhou Yuehan close, regretting her decision to bring the dog.
Worried the bloody scene would traumatize the kids, she mustered her courage and scolded, "Da Huang! Drop it!"
To her surprise, the dog—who had ignored Zhou Yuehan’s protests—immediately released the rabbit and nuzzled her hand.
Si Nian stroked his head as Da Huang rumbled with contentment, reminding her oddly of a child.
She exhaled in relief.
Tossing the rabbit into the basket, she turned to resume mushroom hunting—but Da Huang suddenly tugged her pant leg, dragging her toward a burrow.
There, he dug into the soil, uncovering a nest.
Three or four tiny white rabbits huddled together, trembling.
Si Nian: "..."
In the end, Si Nian mercilessly placed three or four little rabbits into the woven basket and carried them home.
Mushrooms and such didn’t matter—tonight’s dinner would be spicy rabbit stir-fry!
The cheerful family had just arrived home when they spotted a woman standing at the doorstep.
