Chapter 9 Dr. Zhu’s Family Background

"This, I heard, is because Dr. Zhu’s family doesn’t approve."

"Hmm? Dr. Zhu’s family doesn’t approve?"

"Yes, Dr. Zhu’s father is a regimental commander in the military district, and her mother is also in the army. Now look at Captain Lin—he’s from the countryside and has three children. How could her family possibly agree to this?"

Wang Guilan finished speaking with a hint of embarrassment. "Xiao An, I didn’t mean to say Captain Lin isn’t a good person."

An Yan was surprised; she hadn’t expected Zhu Yan to have such a formidable background. Her previous doubts, however, were now resolved. "Aunt Wang, I know you didn’t mean anything by it. I’m not upset."

Seeing that An Yan wasn’t angry, Wang Guilan breathed a sigh of relief and continued, "Ah, these three children are truly unfortunate—so young and already without parents. Luckily, they have Lin You, their uncle, to look after them."

"Xiao An, forgive me for meddling, but marrying Captain Lin is the right choice. If you’re good to the three children, he’ll be good to you."

An Yan understood her implication, but it still felt like a kind of moral coercion. She wasn’t someone who would treat the children well merely as a condition for earning Lin You’s affection. Such a marriage wasn’t what she wanted, nor would it last.

Nevertheless, she nodded. "Aunt Wang, don’t worry. I’ll certainly be good to the three children, and to Lin You as well."

With An Yan’s reassurance, Wang Guilan began chatting about other things. Time passed quickly, and before long, Lin Nuannuan had woken from her nap.

In the afternoon, the ‘mother and daughter’ spent time together telling stories. Er Dan dropped by to visit, and while he was there, An Yan circled the house several times. She discovered a large plot of land behind the yard; many families had already planted vegetables, some had even fenced off areas for sheep. Only Lin You’s family seemed somewhat out of place.

"There’ll be something to do in the future," An Yan thought as she gazed at the land before her, already beginning to plan.

Around four in the afternoon, she estimated that the two children’s school should be finishing, so she went to the kitchen to prepare dinner. There was still some meat left from lunch, so she didn’t need to fuss over other dishes. As for the staple, she couldn’t serve noodles again.

Looking at the flour and meat at hand, she had an idea and began kneading the dough, planning to make steamed buns.

The two youngsters saw An Yan working with the dough and wanted to help. An Yan could only give each of them a small ball of dough to play with, which finally settled them.

She was busy in the kitchen, sweating as she worked, when she turned around and saw a boy standing silently at the doorway, staring straight at her.

Startled, An Yan dropped her chopsticks to the floor. How did this child walk without making a sound? "Xiao Zhe, you’re back. Where’s your brother?"

Lin Hongzhe said nothing, continuing to stare at her for a moment before turning and heading to his room.

"This kid is so young, yet his gaze is terrifying! He scared me half to death," An Yan steadied herself and resumed making the buns.

She packed the buns with plenty of filling, each one plump and round. Once steamed, a light squeeze would send juices trickling from the folds.

In the room.

Lin Hongzhuo had returned as well. He looked at Lin Hongzhe sitting across from him. "Brother, what should we do? Are you really going to let that woman in the kitchen become our stepmother?"

"Wait."

"Wait? Wait for what?"

"Father said, half a month," Lin Hongzhe answered tersely, unwilling to waste words. Of the three children, he was the eldest and had suffered the greatest blow. The year their parents died, he had been there as well.

Once, he was like his younger brother, fond of smiling, but since that incident, he never smiled again.

"Half a month? Brother, do you remember how that previous woman treated us?"

"If she dares to lay a hand on you or our sister, I’ll make her regret it," Lin Hongzhe’s eyes flashed with a murderous intent.

...

Knock, knock, knock.

As the brothers spoke, their door was knocked, and An Yan’s gentle voice came from outside. "Xiao Zhe, Xiao Zhuo, come out for dinner."

The brothers exchanged glances and got up to leave the room.

An Yan could sense the hostility in their eyes, especially Lin Hongzhe’s—cold, so cold, even scarier than Lin You’s gaze.

She smiled, hoping to ease relations with them. "I didn’t know what you liked, so I just made a few things. If it doesn’t suit your taste, let me know."

At the table, Lin Nuannuan was already clutching a bun as big as her face, munching away, her mouth slick with grease. "Brothers, eat!"

Her brothers’ expressions softened at their sister’s words. Each sat beside Lin Nuannuan, clearly intent on protecting her.

An Yan found it amusing and said nothing—after all, it was natural for brothers to dote on their sister.

"You eat, I’ll bring over two more dishes from the kitchen."

Earlier, Lin Hongzhuo had insisted he wouldn’t eat anything the woman cooked, but the aroma from Nuannuan’s bun had him swallowing his saliva.

"Brother..."

"Eat."

Children are, after all, children. Hearing his elder brother’s command, Lin Hongzhuo grabbed a bun and took a huge bite, and the taste... instantly won him over.

"Brother, it’s delicious..."

Lin Hongzhe said nothing, but An Yan, bringing over the dishes, overheard and replied, "If it’s good, eat more. There’s plenty in the kitchen—no need to hold back. Try... Auntie’s braised pork."

"Hmph." Lin Hongzhuo turned his head away, but his eyes were fixed on the plate of braised pork.

"I know you two don’t like me, but don’t let it stop you from enjoying the braised pork—it’s delicious," An Yan said, picking up a piece and eating it herself.

"I just don’t want to waste food," the boy retorted, though his hands never stopped, eating several bites in succession.

"Xiao Zhe, do you have a moment? Auntie wants to talk with you." After dinner, An Yan called out to Lin Hongzhe.

"Brother, don’t go..." Lin Hongzhuo tried to stop him.

"It’s fine."

In the yard.

"Xiao Zhe, I know my arrival was sudden, and you weren’t prepared for it, but I promise I’ll never treat you as the previous woman did—I’ll never hit you."

An Yan spoke sincerely. "You don’t need to call me ‘mother’ if you don’t want to—just call me ‘auntie’ or, like Nuannuan, call me ‘sister’."

Lin Hongzhe looked at her deeply. "Call you ‘auntie’? Wouldn’t that make you a generation younger than Nuannuan?"

An Yan: "..."

"It doesn’t matter if you’re good to me or not, but if you treat my sister or brother badly, even if I can’t beat you, I’ll fight you with everything I have!"

An Yan felt the murderous intent in his eyes and shivered. This child truly was fierce.

"I swear!"

***

After their talk, An Yan cleaned up the kitchen, coaxed Lin Nuannuan to sleep, and collapsed onto her bed. Being a mother wasn’t easy; being a stepmother was even harder.

"Forget it, I’ll take a bath."

She returned to Lin You’s room to find some clothes, just about to change into pajamas and take a bath, when the door was opened again...