The Beautiful Stepmother from the Eighties: Marrying a Factory Director to Raise Kids

Chapter 466

The other person was holding a bag, standing at the door.She seemed somewhat hesitant.

Si Nian almost didn't recognize her.

"Zhang Xue?" she called out uncertainly.

Zhang Xue was startled and quickly turned around. Seeing Si Nian standing behind her carrying some things, she was surprised. "Sister Si Nian, you're home?"

Si Nian frowned and asked, "I just got back. What are you doing standing at my door? Do you need something?"

Zhang Xue smiled enthusiastically, "I came to bring you a gift."

Speaking of it, her tone carried a hint of smugness.

She handed over the luxury brand bag she was holding. "I recently found a gig, and now I'm my own boss doing business. This is a very popular skincare cream from Hong Kong. It's a big brand. I heard you mention before that your skin gets dry here, so I wanted to give you a bottle to try."

"If it works well, you can help introduce some customers to me. I'm giving it to you for free, I'm quite a loyal friend, right?"

She had a patronizing attitude, as if Si Nian had just scored a huge bargain.

Si Nian glanced at the logo on the bag and raised an eyebrow. It really was the name of a major brand.

However, it was so obviously fake at first glance that it made her cringe, especially since she was currently using this exact cream herself.

She looked at Zhang Xue's expression, remained silent for a moment, and then said, "You're selling this now?"

Zhang Xue nodded, "Yeah, I'm selling it pretty well. Everyone likes it, and it's much cheaper to buy it from me, otherwise it's very expensive, and you can't even buy it easily. This is stock sent over from Hong Kong, and I use it myself too."

"No need, I'm pregnant right now and can't use skincare products casually. You should keep it for yourself."

Si Nian lacked interest and didn't accept it.

She knew perfectly well whether Zhang Xue liked her or not.

Suddenly bringing her a gift out of nowhere.

That could only mean she was offering unsolicited flattery for ulterior motives.

Zhang Xue's smile stiffened. She had invested quite a bit to give Si Nian such an expensive bottle of face cream. Did she know how much this bottle cost, and she actually didn't want it?

Si Nian didn't look at her ugly expression, but said lightly and distantly, "Do you have anything else?"

Zhang Xue's face looked awful, but thinking of something, she held it in and forced a smile, "Sister Si Nian, actually there's one more thing. I wanted to ask for your help."

Si Nian paused. So she had guessed right?

She was getting a bit impatient. "Look at my current state, how can I help you?"

Zhang Xue said, "Don't worry, it's not a big favor. I just want to borrow some money from you. My goods have been selling really well lately, but I'm just a bit short on capital to get more stock. It just so happens that a large batch of goods is coming from over there this week. You also know it's not easy for us to get goods from Hong Kong, so this time I want to keep a bit more to sell slowly, and when the time comes, you..."

"I can't help you," Si Nian interrupted her.

"Why? It's not like I won't pay you back. You're so rich, it shouldn't matter to borrow a little, right?"

Zhang Xue was a bit agitated and very uncomprehending.

They had known each other for so long, and she wasn't even willing to lend a little money?

Sure enough, what people said about the richer you are, the stingier you get was true.

Actually, she came today wanting to borrow money from Chen Haoran. After all, among the people she knew, only Chen Haoran and Si Nian were wealthy enough to help her.

It just so happened that she thought she'd visit Si Nian this time, so gritting her teeth, she even brought her a bottle of face cream.

Who knew she wouldn't give her any face at all.

It was truly embarrassing for her.

"There's no other reason, I'm just not lending it. I advise you best not to do this..."

Si Nian just wanted to tell her these were fake goods and advise her not to do it, but who knew Zhang Xue would react like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, exploding instantly and interrupting her excitedly.

"If you won't lend it, then don't, is it necessary to say that? Even advising me not to do it, you all just can't stand seeing me make money, right?"

"Liu Nana is like this too, and so are you. You're both women, why is your jealousy so heavy?"

Si Nian: "...?"

After Zhang Xue finished speaking angrily, she said coldly, "Forget it, forget it, the worst comes to worst I just won't borrow from you, to avoid having to look at your sour faces."

After saying that, she turned and left with a cold face, carrying her things.

Si Nian looked up at the sky speechlessly; this person was way too sensitive.

It wasn't that she was worried about Zhang Xue failing in business and being deceived.

She was worried about the people who would be deceived by her, which was why she tried to advise Zhang Xue.

But since she wouldn't listen, Si Nian couldn't be bothered to care.

Si Nian carried her things into the house.

As soon as she entered the yard, Da Huang stood up, wagging its tail.

It barked a few times at her.

It seemed that even though she had been away for over a month, Da Huang hadn't forgotten her.

Si Nian smiled and rubbed Da Huang's dog head, patted its head, and walked inside.

She saw Chen Haoran and the children sitting in a row on the sofa watching cartoons.

Her mouth twitched.

Zhou Yuesheng had been back for so long, and Chen Haoran still hadn't left?

She thought the children were just complaining about Chen Haoran, but she didn't expect him to actually be squatting at her house?

Si Nian coughed.

The children all turned their heads at the same time.

Then they instantly exploded with excitement.

"Mom! Mom is back!"

Second Child jumped up high on the spot and rushed over from the sofa, half running and half jumping.

"Eldest brother, Mom is back!"

He ran over in a few steps and hugged Si Nian's arm, wagging his imaginary tail like a little puppy, looking up at her with sparkling eyes. "Mom, I scored seventy points on my test a few days ago!"

Looking at the children, Si Nian's eyes and brows unconsciously softened. Hearing this, she immediately smiled gently, "Our Little Han is getting more and more amazing."

Although Zhou Zedong was also very happy, he wasn't like his younger brother. Hearing this, he glanced at his brother and suppressed his excitement to say to Si Nian, "Mom, I took the test too."

"How did Little Dong do?"

"Same as always, full marks," Zhou Zedong said.

After saying that, he lowered his head shyly, his ears turning a bit red.

Then he looked up at Si Nian again, his eyes seemingly waiting for something.

Si Nian raised an eyebrow and smiled.

"You are all amazing! Mom feels so relieved. Mom is so tired, Little Han help me put the bag to the side."

Si Nian hadn't brought many things, just carrying a bag and a purse.

Mainly because she was pregnant and couldn't carry much, and she hadn't brought back the clothes she took with her.

But the things in the bag were treasures that had to be brought back.

These were some wild mushrooms she had asked people to buy while she was staying at home during this time.

It was currently mushroom foraging season over there.

They made a particularly delicious soup.

So she had gathered a bagful and brought them over to eat.

Second Child immediately started rummaging through it curiously.

Chen Haoran also leaned over, "What is this?"

He curiously pulled out a bag of mushrooms still covered in dirt, strangely shaped, having never seen mushrooms like this before.

Si Nian glanced at them and said, "These are wild mountain mushrooms from our hometown. I brought them over to make soup; the soup will be very fresh."

"Wow, that sounds delicious!"

"Mom, I'll go cook."

Zhou Zedong also came over, his eyes lighting up.

He hadn't cooked mushrooms before.

"I'll go help you cook," Chen Haoran offered immediately. Usually, when he came here, there was no work for him to do, and he was feeling a bit guilty about it. Hearing that this was for stewing soup, he thought it must be very simple.

Although he didn't know how to cook, he had learned quite a bit following Zhou Zedong recently.

Stewing soup would be a piece of cake.

With that, he immediately took the ingredients and headed to the kitchen to help.

Si Nian was a bit tired. After sitting on the train for a day and a night, she smelled like the train all over.

She immediately went upstairs to wash up and change into clean clothes.

After taking a shower and changing clothes, Si Nian smelled a delicious aroma coming from the kitchen.

She was actually feeling a bit hungry.

She went into the kitchen to help.

Thinking that the Eldest Child had never cooked mushrooms before, she was afraid he wouldn't know how, so she had to go keep an eye on things.

After all, these were wild mushrooms. Although they were edible, they could not be eaten raw and had to be cooked thoroughly.

Otherwise, they could cause poisoning.

Just as Si Nian was about to remind them, she heard Chen Haoran's voice coming from the kitchen: "Mmm, these mushrooms are really delicious, so smooth, tender, and juicy."

As he spoke, he picked up another piece with his chopsticks and put it in his mouth.

Si Nian: "..."

"Sister, you're here. Your mushrooms are so fresh and delicious! Where can I buy them? I want to buy some to take back for my family to try."

Chen Haoran asked while still chewing on the mushrooms.

Si Nian was silent for a moment before asking, "How long have these mushrooms been in the pot?"

The Eldest Child was busy washing side dishes nearby. Hearing this, he looked up at Si Nian: "Mom, are you hungry? They just went into the pot a little while ago. Wait a moment, I'll be done soon."

"Little Dong, you didn't eat any, did you?"

Si Nian looked at him with concern.

Zhou Zedong paused for a moment, then shook his head and said, "I didn't eat any. Only Brother Chen ate some."

After speaking, he looked at Chen Haoran.

Chen Haoran's hand, which was about to sneak another piece, paused. He tilted his head in confusion and asked, "What's wrong, Sister? Aren't these meant to be stewed and eaten?"

Hearing that the Eldest Child hadn't eaten any, Si Nian breathed a sigh of relief, then said, "They are meant to be eaten, yes, but this thing must be boiled for fifteen to twenty minutes before it can be eaten, otherwise it might cause poisoning..."

Chen Haoran's mouth froze open, and the mushroom in his hand dropped to the floor with a splat.

"What?"

Thinking he had misheard, he asked again.

Si Nian patiently repeated, "They will cause poisoning."

Chen Haoran looked at the Eldest Child washing vegetables nearby, then at Si Nian's pitying gaze, and was dumbfounded.

"Why didn't you say so earlier?"

"I forgot."

Si Nian touched her nose awkwardly.

"Mom, is the poisoning going to be very serious?"

Zhou Zedong frowned and asked.

"It might be, but it might not be. I'm not entirely sure either, I've just heard about it."

Si Nian always cooked them thoroughly at home before eating, so she hadn't experienced it herself.

She said uncertainly, "Maybe it will just cause dizziness, nausea, hallucinations, or something like that?"

Zhou Zedong breathed a sigh of relief. "That's not too bad."

Acting like a little adult, he patted the stiff Chen Haoran: "Brother Chen, don't worry, you won't die."

Chen Haoran: "..."

Couldn't he say something a bit more comforting?

"Then what should I do now?"

He only cared about this question right now.

Even if he wouldn't die, being poisoned wasn't a good thing, right?

Si Nian checked the time and said, "It's best to go to the hospital to get it checked out. If there's really a problem, you can get treated in time."

Chen Haoran was speechless. In the end, he could only ride his bike to the hospital with a dark face.

There was no other way. This family consisted of the weak and the young. Could he really count on them to take him to the hospital if something happened to him?

"Mom, once they're cooked thoroughly, they won't cause poisoning?"

Si Nian nodded. "Stew them for a bit longer."

When Zhou Yueshen came back in the evening and saw that Si Nian had returned, he was completely silent for a full thirty seconds.

Si Nian stared back at him for a while, blinked, and said, "Why aren't you saying anything? Are you not happy that I'm back?"

Zhou Yueshen took a deep breath, looking a bit angry. "Didn't we agree that I would go pick you up?"

Although he had been busy recently, he had been calling her hometown every few days to check on Si Nian's situation.

Knowing that her father had been discharged from the hospital, he had planned to go pick her up.

But Si Nian said she wanted to stay a few more days.

He didn't say much about it.

As a result, the person who told him she was going to stay a few more days the day before yesterday appeared at home today.

Zhou Yueshen wasn't angry that she didn't tell him; he was just too worried about her traveling alone.

"I figured you're so busy every day, and having to take time off to pick me up would be too much trouble. I'm just pregnant, it's not like I can't take care of myself. I came back on my own to give you a surprise."

She became unhappy: "You're even giving me an attitude. People always say absence makes the heart grow fonder, but look at you."

After speaking, she started to feel sad.

She sat to the side, turned her body away, and gave him the cold shoulder.

Zhou Yueshen immediately regretted his attitude just now. He knew she was emotionally sensitive right now, yet his tone had been harsh.

Great, now he had really upset her.

Zhou Yueshen touched his nose and had no choice but to step forward and properly apologize.

"Nian Nian, I didn't mean it that way. I was just worried that it wasn't safe for you to be alone."

Zhou Yueshen gently stroked Si Nian's hair. Under the dim yellow light, his features were indescribably soft, and in the quiet room, only his gentle, magnetic voice could be heard.

Si Nian also knew she was in the wrong. She was just worried that if she told Zhou Yueshen she wanted to come back, he would rush over to pick her up without even sleeping.

That was why she decided to come back alone.

She wasn't a child, after all.

Seeing the man giving her a way out, she immediately said, "I just didn't want you to have to run around so much. I feel bad for you, and you're still not happy about it."

Zhou Yueshen didn't know whether to laugh or cry. "I know, but you are more important to me."

Si Nian felt a sweet warmth in her heart, and the corners of her mouth couldn't help but turn up.

Being with a man like Zhou Yueshen, it was really hard to feel depressed.

Then she heard Zhou Yueshen say, "I have to go back to the company in a bit. I originally planned to come back and see the children, but I didn't expect you to be back too."

He frowned, resting his chin on the top of Si Nian's head, not really wanting to leave.

They hadn't seen each other for a long time, and he had been thinking about her constantly.

If he hadn't been absolutely unable to get away, he wouldn't have let her stay in her hometown alone.

Zhou Yueshen never knew he was such a sentimental person.

"It's so late, and you still have to go work?"

Si Nian leaned against the older man's solid and gentle chest, not wanting him to go either.

When she was in her hometown, she always woke up in the middle of the night without her older man to pull up the covers for her and hold her.

Habit is a scary thing.

If her dad hadn't been in the hospital for so long, she would have wanted to come back much earlier.

Zhou Yueshen sighed softly. "Chen Nan's son had an accident, and he went back, so I have to go hold a meeting."

Mentioning this, he also remembered that when Si Nian was in her hometown, she would take the children up the mountain to pick mushrooms herself, so he reminded her, "In the future, when we eat mushrooms, remember to cook them for a longer time, understand?"

He heard that Chen Nan's son got poisoned from eating wild mushrooms.

Apparently, he stuffed them into his mouth before they were fully cooked, which caused the accident.

He was worried Si Nian didn't know about this.

Si Nian paused and said guiltily, "He ate them at our house."

Zhou Yueshen: "..."