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

Chapter 484

"What does falling in love mean?"Jiang Jiu looked completely bewildered.

"It means meeting someone you like."

Second Child used to think that when he grew up and got a wife, he would be like his dad and marry a girl as beautiful as his mom.

But he had never met anyone as pretty as his mother before.

So he had never known what that felt like.

Now he knew.

Jiang Jiu asked, "Ah? Second Brother, are you getting married?"

Second Child almost choked on his own saliva. He quickly covered Jiang Jiu's mouth and whispered, "Don't talk nonsense, it's still way too early for that."

"How is it early? I heard people say that dating means you're going to get married."

Because previously, someone tried to set his dad up on a date, saying they wanted to find him a stepmother to take care of him.

His dad refused.

Because he didn't like her.

If Second Brother liked someone, didn't that mean he was going to get married?

Jiang Jiu's imagination ran wild for a moment, and he started to feel sad.

If Second Brother got married, wouldn't that mean no one would play with him anymore?

So he said rather sadly, "Second Brother, please don't forget me when you get married."

Although Zhou Zehan felt this was weird, he couldn't quite put his finger on why. Hearing these words, he nodded blankly. "I won't forget you."

Meanwhile, on the bus, Xie Xian, who was sitting next to Yaoyao, sneezed twice in a row.

The teacher quickly asked with concern, "Are you okay, Little Xian? The temperature here is colder than in the city. Be careful not to catch a cold."

After all, if he got sick, it would affect his performance in the competition.

Xie Xian nodded and didn't say anything.

It was already two o'clock in the afternoon when the bus arrived at the mountain city.

It was actually raining in the mountain city, and the air was a bit damp and cold.

Si Nian took Yaoyao's jacket out of her bag and put it on the drowsy little girl.

Beside them, Xie Xian looked out at the gloomy weather, frowning his little brows, not knowing what he was thinking about.

He looked preoccupied.

The teacher said worriedly, "Why is it raining? What bad luck. Little Xian, did you really not bring a single jacket? What should we do?"

Si Nian looked at his short sleeves.

She dug out another jacket from her bag and handed it over. "Teacher, please put this on him. It's cold outside, and we don't want him to catch a cold."

Although it was a girl's jacket, the two children were about the same age, so it shouldn't be too small.

The teacher thanked her, "Thank you so much, Mother Si. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't know what to do."

She quickly put the jacket on Xie Xian.

A faint fragrance entered his nose. Xie Xian twitched his nose, looked up at the front, and saw Si Nian leading Yaoyao off the bus.

He lowered his eyes, pursed his lips, and touched the clothes with his small hand.

The teacher took them to check in. Since Xie Xian didn't have any family members with him, the teacher shared a room with him, while Si Nian shared a room with her daughter.

The hotels in this era were not terrible, but they weren't great either, carrying a dusty smell.

Si Nian took out disposable bed sheets and made the bed before letting her daughter go to sleep.

Since they were only staying for one night, they just made do. She wasn't a picky person anyway.

She merely instructed and taught her daughter that in the future, when a girl is away from home, she should bring her own personal items and not use the hotel's toiletries, as they were dirty and had been used by many strangers.

Having lived with her since she was little, Yaoyao also knew the importance of cleanliness and immediately nodded to show she understood.

During dinner, the teacher brought Xie Xian over to discuss the details of tomorrow's competition. Because the topics would be given on the spot, no one knew what they would have to draw tomorrow.

She just told the two children not to be nervous and to perform normally as they usually did.

It wouldn't matter even if they didn't win a prize.

It was the participation that counted.

The two children were not nervous at all. Although Yaoyao had never competed herself, her older brother had many competitions of all sizes every year, and even her second brother, despite his poor grades, excelled in sports and frequently participated in various athletic events.

Since they were in the same school, she often went to the venues to cheer him on.

Seeing her second brother's high spirits when he won medals, Yaoyao believed that competing was a very interesting thing.

So not only was she not nervous, but she was also looking forward to it very much.

As for Xie Xian, he cared even less. This was not his first time participating in a competition, and he had always come in first before.

This kind of competition had long lost its challenge for him.

If the teacher hadn't mentioned that Yaoyao would also be competing, he wouldn't have come here behind his mother's back.

The next day, the competition was held as scheduled.

Si Nian took her daughter to line up to enter the venue.

They were not allowed inside the competition area and could only wait outside.

After watching her daughter go in, she found a seat and sat down.

The teacher next to her also walked over and sighed.

Si Nian said, "Although my Yaoyao has loved learning to draw since she was little, she just draws freely and her foundation isn't very good. Teacher, how did you come up with the idea of letting Yaoyao participate in the competition?"

The teacher was stunned for a moment. Indeed, Yaoyao hadn't been in their class for long. Logically speaking, for such a competition, she should have chosen a child with more stable skills.

She felt a bit awkward, thinking that Mother Si was truly too sharp.

She felt somewhat embarrassed.

Sure enough, Si Nian looked at her and asked, "Is it because of that boy?"

The teacher said apologetically, "I'm sorry, Mother Si, I didn't mean to use Yaoyao. I did consider Yaoyao because her drawings amazed me. I think she is a child with excellent talent and is absolutely qualified to participate in such a competition. But what you said is also right, her foundational skills are not yet perfected, which is why I was torn."

"Originally, I thought it would be fine just to have Little Xian participate, but he refused. I accidentally mentioned Yaoyao, and he asked me if Yaoyao was participating. When I said yes, he immediately agreed."

"I figured it's probably because no one else is willing to play with him. Only Yaoyao doesn't care about his looks, which made him feel warmth, and that's why he acted this way and chose to participate together with Yaoyao. I meant no harm, and I hope you won't be angry."

Si Nian nodded. "It's fine, it's also a test for Yaoyao."

It was true. With such stunning beauty, being called a pretty boy since he was little, he received not only marvels at his appearance but mostly attacks.

They called him a sissy, saying he didn't fit the mighty and domineering identity of a man.

Si Nian could imagine what kind of environment this child had grown up in.

She understood even more why he went and got such an ugly haircut.

The competition ended quickly. As soon as Yaoyao came out, Si Nian saw Xie Xian following closely behind.

"How was it?" Si Nian withdrew her gaze and asked her daughter.

Yaoyao said happily, "It was so fun, Mom! I've never seen so many people who can draw. Everyone is so amazing."

Her eyes were filled with excitement. In the past, she was the only one around who knew how to draw, and she couldn't find anyone to discuss it with.

Later, after her mother sent her to learn drawing, she met Xie Xian. Xie Xian was incredibly good at drawing, which immediately caught her attention.

Now, seeing hundreds of students sitting together drawing, that kind of scene was a very novel experience for Yaoyao.

She felt her blood boiling with excitement.

She thought that her second brother must have felt exactly the same way during his competitions.

Si Nian smiled and rubbed her head, As long as you like it. If you enjoy it, you can participate in more competitions in the future. Not only will you meet more people, but you'll also get to see grander scenes.

Si Nian recalled that in the novel, Yaoyao couldn't speak, so she liked to express her inner feelings through drawing. However, because no one in the countryside understood art, she was left to immerse herself in her own world alone, gradually falling into depression.

But things were different now. Yaoyao had a cheerful personality. Not only was she unafraid of interacting with strangers, but she had also met more and more like-minded friends.

Si Nian hoped she would grow up bright and generous.

Only by experiencing better things and grander scenes from a young age would she avoid being easily deceived when she grew up.

In the afternoon, the results were announced.

The first place went to Xie Xian; his artwork was even purchased by an art gallery as a collectible.

His first-place win was truly well-deserved.

Yaoyao won fifth place, though it was quite controversial. On one hand, her foundation was weak and her lines were messy; on the other hand, her imagination was astonishing, and her artwork had a unique artistic conception. Several judges strongly vouched for her, which secured her the fifth place.

Yaoyao hadn't expected to win an award at all and was completely dazed.

Mom, I won an award! I won an award too! Coming back to her senses, she exclaimed and turned to happily hug Si Nian beside her.

Si Nian was also a bit surprised, not expecting her daughter to actually win. She smiled and said, Mom saw it. Go claim your prize, and after you get it, we'll go home and tell your brothers.

Yaoyao nodded and went up to the stage to receive her award.

Out of a total of ten awards, their group took two.

The teacher was grinning from ear to ear with joy.

On the way back, the teacher insisted on treating them to a meal.

Si Nian declined, explaining that she had two children waiting for her at home, leaving the teacher with no choice but to accept.

Seeing Si Nian leading Yaoyao into the car, Xie Xian then spoke up, I'm not going either.

He immediately followed them.

Oh, my little ancestor, if you're not going, then you're not going, but wait for your teacher!

After saying that, the teacher hurried after them.

The journey back took another five hours, and Si Nian's bottom ached from sitting.

By the time they finally reached the city, it was already getting late, and the parents led their children back to their respective homes.

Si Nian was also preparing to head home with her daughter when she was called to a stop.

She turned around and saw it was Xie Xian. Holding the clothes in his hands, he said with a complex expression, Thank you for the clothes.

Si Nian smiled, reaching out to take them, and said, You're welcome. We'll be heading back now, you should go home early too. Yaoyao, say goodbye to your friend Xiao Xian.

Bye bye Xiao Xian, see you tomorrow.

Xie Xian looked at her and nodded.

Only after the two had walked away did he withdraw his gaze and turn to leave.

Yaoyao originally wanted to show off her trophy.

But unexpectedly, when she got home, both her eldest brother and second brother were already asleep.

Even Da Huang only left its butt sticking out.

Her face was full of disappointment. Seeing the letdown written all over her little face, Si Nian said, Let's give Dad a call, he shouldn't be asleep yet.

Zhou Yueshen had returned to their hometown, and there was a phone at home there. Si Nian didn't write letters anymore. In the past, her family worried about phone bills and always wrote to her; she felt it had a sense of ceremony and wrote back in kind.

But when there were important matters, a phone call was still necessary.

Yaoyao's eyes lit up, and she immediately pattered over to call her dad.

Sure enough, the call connected quickly. Her eyes sparkled as she said loudly, Dad, I participated in a drawing competition and got a certificate!

On the other end, hearing his daughter's voice, Zhou Yueshen chuckled softly, his tone gentle, It's Yaoyao. You won an award? That's amazing. Where is your mom?

Mom went to take a shower. Are you and little brother doing well? When are you coming back?

Just as Zhou Yueshen was about to say something, someone tugged at his pant leg.

He looked down. His son, who had gone to bed early but hadn't fallen asleep, was wearing little pajamas and staring with bright eyes at... the phone in his hand.

Mama?

Zhou Yueshen shook his head, No.

The little guy immediately let go.

Zhou Yueshen: ...It's your sister.

His hands grabbed on again: Listen, I want to listen.

Seeing that his dad wouldn't give it to him, he yelled loudly, Sister, help! Smelly Papa is trying to tear us apart, you're going to lose your cute and obedient little brother, boo hoo hoo~

Zhou Yueshen: ...

Ever since bringing his youngest son back to their hometown without telling him beforehand, the little boy's resentment towards him had grown deeper by the day.

He handed the phone to him, and the little guy, with tears and snot running down his face, complained to his sister.

It was as if Zhou Yueshen wasn't his father, but a kidnapper who had abducted him.

They talked for at least half an hour. Seeing that he had stopped crying, Zhou Yueshen finally spoke, Are you happy now?

The little guy then felt a bit guilty, stiffening his little neck and saying, I, I'm not happy at all. Mama, sister, brother, and Da Huang aren't here...

At the thought that out of the whole family, he was the only one stuck with his dad, the little guy felt a wave of sorrow and cried sadly, Boo hoo hoo, I miss Mama so much.

Zhou Yueshen had a massive headache. He scooped up his son and coaxed, Your mom will be back very soon. Stop crying, a true man bleeds but doesn't weep.

Really? The little guy looked at his dad suspiciously.

Zhou Yueshen nodded, Why would I lie to you? Go to sleep.

Then let's pinky promise.

He held out his little pinky finger.

Zhou Yueshen's mouth twitched, but he had no choice but to play along.

He finally managed to send the little guy to his room, but just as he was about to leave, he was pulled back again.

Little Tuanzi pouted and said aggrievedly, Mama used to tell me a story every day...

Zhou Yueshen: ...

...

Ever since Second Child saw his dream hairstyle, he had been obsessing over it.

When the holidays finally approached, he clamored for Si Nian to take him to get a haircut.

Seeing that he truly liked it, Si Nian, although barely able to hold back from criticizing her son's taste, figured he was just a kid and his happiness was what mattered most. So, she agreed, taking him to get the exact same style before the winter break.

Afterwards, when they went to school together, Eldest Child refused to walk with him, finding it too embarrassing.

But Second Child felt great about himself, still believing he looked incredibly handsome.

Si Nian was busy writing her thesis and forgot to call home for several days.

As a result, just as she finished her work, a call came from home saying that something had happened.