When they arrived at the meat stall, the mother and children's eyes lit up. The marbled pork belly on the cutting board looked absolutely gorgeous—one bite would surely make it sizzle with juices. Nan Sheng thought to herself that this meat would be perfect for braised pork.
Without hesitation, she bought four pounds of it. The butcher, impressed by her decisiveness, happily struck up a conversation. "Comrade, would you like some pork intestines? No coupons needed, and they're dirt cheap—just have to clean them yourself at home."
"How much for the intestines?"
"Fifteen cents a pound!" The price was indeed a steal. A whole set wouldn’t even cost fifty cents.
"I'll take them all, big bro. Wrap them up for me."
After that, Nan Sheng bought some brown and rock sugar before cycling back to her parents' home with the two kids in tow.
The children didn’t dare comment on their stepmother’s extravagance. Sizhe figured it was already a blessing that she hadn’t sold them off—he didn’t dare ask for more.
Twenty minutes later, they arrived in Wangshan Village. Sizhe hopped off the bicycle first, followed by Nan Sheng, who then pushed the bike as they walked.
Things got awkward quickly—her inherited memories weren’t complete. The system had shown her what her relatives looked like but hadn’t provided directions to her own home.
What now?
She randomly picked a fork in the road and ended up at the educated youth outpost. A strikingly beautiful female educated youth stepped out of the house, her expression shifting from surprise to annoyance upon seeing Nan Sheng.
She quickly masked her emotions. "Isn’t this Nan Sheng? Are you here to see Yu Sheng? He’s out working in the fields."
Seeing Nan Sheng return laden with bags, Su Jinyan couldn’t hide her displeasure. This woman had no sense of frugality—how could she ever save up two thousand yuan at this rate?
Nan Sheng had no idea who this person was, and she was on the verge of blowing her cover when an angry voice cut in.
"Su Jinyan, what scheme are you plotting now? My sister’s already married, and you’re still pestering her!"
A savior! Nan Sheng turned around, moved to see her dear younger brother, Nan Mingli.
The siblings had always been close—until Yu Sheng came to the countryside. Nan Sheng had repeatedly sent money and gifts to that scoundrel, driving Nan Mingli to distance himself in frustration.
Though "distance" might be an exaggeration—it was more like helpless exasperation, too angry to scold her properly.
"Mind your manners. Don’t be so rough when talking to a girl."
Nan Sheng feigned anger to keep Su Jinyan from suspecting anything. After all, this was the female lead—and undeniably stunning.
"Jinyan, I’ll head home first. Let’s catch up another time."
With that, she handed the bicycle to her brother and took her daughter’s hand, following Nan Mingli home.
Still fuming, Nan Mingli pushed the bike while muttering under his breath.
"Sis, have you lost your mind? How many times do you need to be tricked before you learn? I told you—Su Jinyan and Yu Sheng are both rotten!"
Siqi stared wide-eyed at Nan Sheng, thinking her uncle was even fiercer than her stepmother. Meanwhile, Sizhe pondered what those two had swindled from her—should he help get it back?
Nan Sheng smacked her brother lightly on the back of the head. "No respect! Is this how you set an example for the kids? Big kid, Qiqi, this is your uncle. Say hello!"
Sizhe: "Hello, Uncle!"
Siqi: "Hello, Uncle!"
Nan Mingli only grew angrier at the sight of the children. His sister was a capable young woman, skilled in both household and farm work, with no shortage of suitors. How had she ended up married to a widower?
He grunted in acknowledgment, too upset to speak further.
The Nan family home was in the opposite direction from the educated youth outpost. It was a decent three-room house, though without a living room. The kitchen had been split into two, with a small bedroom sectioned off for Nan Mingli.
Once they arrived, Nan Sheng unceremoniously unloaded her purchases inside. Noticing the empty west room, she frowned. "You’re staying in that tiny room? Why not move into the west one?"
Nan Mingli shot her a look. "If I move there, where will you stay when you visit? My room’s fine—I’m used to it."
The reason Nan Sheng had rushed back was because of a newly unlocked plot point: her birth mother, Zhong Yanyan, would suffer broken ribs that afternoon after being trampled by a frenzied ox while working.
Before learning this, the original Nan Sheng had secretly given Yu Sheng the nine hundred yuan she’d saved up. When her brother later came to borrow money for their mother’s treatment, she couldn’t provide it.
As a result, Zhong Yanyan’s condition worsened due to delayed treatment, leaving her bedridden. The original Nan Sheng, too ashamed, never returned home.
Now, Nan Sheng was determined to avert this tragedy. Since she’d taken over this life, she would shoulder the responsibility of caring for her family.
"Isn’t it still work hours? How did you know I was back? Let’s skip the fields this afternoon—we should spend some time together as a family."
Nan Mingli hadn’t seen his sister in months. Though he wouldn’t admit it, he’d missed her dearly.
"The brigade leader sent me to fetch someone from the educated youth outpost—that’s how I ran into you. I still have to go back to work. There’s meat buried in the jar at home—cook whatever you like."
As for whether they’d skip work in the afternoon, that wasn’t his call—especially not their father’s. Nan Jingyu still hadn’t come to terms with his daughter marrying "that man" and had nearly disowned her.
Thinking of this, Nan Mingli warned his sister, "Dad’s still mad at you. When they come back for lunch, mind your tone—don’t start another fight."
Honestly, without him, this family would fall apart.
Nan Sheng brushed it off, waving for her brother to hurry back to work. As for her father’s temper—so what? She’d just thicken her skin and visit more often.
Her main goal today was simple: keep her mother, Zhong Yanyan, safely at home.
The children could sense they weren’t entirely welcome. While Nan Mingli was around, they stayed reserved. Knowing Sizhe was perceptive, Nan Sheng explained softly,
"Your father was married before and already had you two. It’s natural my family wouldn’t approve of me marrying into this. But don’t worry—they’re good people. In time, they’ll treat you like their own grandchildren."
Sizhe didn’t care how his stepmother’s family viewed him—it wasn’t like he’d visit often. "Then can you tell me why you married my dad?"
Hearing this, Siqi perked up, curious about their conversation.
"What else? He’s a soldier with a monthly stipend—richer than most men. I’m not one to suffer hardships."
She certainly couldn’t say the original owner had been duped into trying to steal his money to fund her affair with a pretty boy…
