At night, Xie Jinghao lay on Shen Meng’s kang with Xiao Gang. Beside her, Shen Meng held Xiao Kai and Mingfang, while Mingyang and Mingliang stood on the ground, engaged in a standoff. Eventually, Shen Meng relented. After all, the kang was quite spacious, and the kids were all skinny; sleeping together wouldn’t feel cramped.

After crying earlier, Lu Mingyang seemed softer but refused to make eye contact with anyone. His eyes darted around because he felt deeply embarrassed to have cried in front of his younger siblings. It was utterly humiliating to him.

Once everyone had fallen asleep, Lu Mingyang and Lu Mingliang occasionally peeked at Shen Meng. In their memories, they had never shared a bed with their mother. They had no recollection of their biological mother, and their stepmother in the past had shown them nothing but indifference.

Now, lying together on the same bed felt utterly novel.

The Next Day

When Shen Meng woke up, a tiny foot was resting on her chin. Looking around, she saw that none of the four children had slept properly. One’s leg was draped across another’s waist, and someone’s foot was resting on someone’s head. The foot beneath her face belonged to the little rascal Lu Mingkai. She leaned in closer and noticed a faint white streak near the child’s lips, along with a droplet of crystal-clear saliva at the corner of his mouth.

Adorable beyond words, Shen Meng couldn’t help but plant a kiss on him.

After the chaos of the previous day, Shen Meng was thoroughly drained. For breakfast, she simply stir-fried some cabbage with lard, added some spicy soup and steamed buns made from a mix of wheat and cornmeal from her space, and prepared two bowls of steamed eggs for Xiao Gang and Xiao Kai.

The meal was generous, fragrant, and flavorful. As soon as the aroma wafted to the east wing, the people sleeping there dashed into the courtyard. Barefoot, Lu Mingliang hopped his way to the kitchen door.

“Mom, what delicious food did you make?”
“Mom, it smells so good!”
“It smells amazing!”

Behind him, Mingfang and Mingkai joined in, loudly praising Shen Meng. Walking in last was Lu Mingyang, who wasn’t as outwardly expressive as his siblings. After opening and closing his mouth several times, he finally managed to say, “Mom, your cooking smells wonderful.”

Shen Meng looked at the bright-eyed children and smiled. “Alright, enough with the sweet talk. Go wash up quickly and get ready to eat. We’ll eat in the main hall today. Mingyang, help me carry the food. Xiao Kai, take care of your younger brother and help Xiao Gang wash his face and brush his teeth, alright?”

“But Xiao Gang doesn’t have a toothbrush!”
“Then Xiao Kai, just help him wash his face. After washing up, we’ll head to town. I’ll hire an ox cart, and we’ll visit the hospital with your third aunt. Then, I’ll take you all to a photo studio to get a family photo. We’ll send the photo to your father along with a letter.”

This plan had just occurred to Shen Meng. Everyone in the Lu family and the village deeply respected and admired Lu Zhenping. Reflecting on the dream scenes and the original host’s memories, Shen Meng realized her impression of Lu Zhenping’s appearance had become vague. Still, it was evident that he was an extraordinary person.

For such a man, Shen Meng needed to win his favor. A man who had been away from home for so long must have complicated feelings, whether for his biological or adopted children. Unless his heart had already strayed, Shen Meng believed in his character.

This was a task she had to complete. She needed to bind his heart to theirs before his return.

“Really? Mom, is it true?”
“Can I talk to Dad? I want to talk to him!”

Shen Meng ruffled Lu Mingliang’s hair. “Of course, it’s true. Once we finish breakfast, we’ll go. Mingyang, take your siblings to wash up. Don’t forget to fetch a basin of water for your third aunt to wash her face. Let’s eat soon.”

“Got it, Mom!” The boys were thrilled. The farthest they’d ever traveled was from their hometown to this Village. Visiting the county town and taking photos had been beyond their wildest dreams.

Watching the excited children, Shen Meng felt a surge of joy. Just as she turned, a small hand tugged at her clothes. It was Lu Mingkai, who had run back with a slightly aggrieved expression.

“Mom.”
“What’s wrong, Xiao Kai? Why aren’t you happy?”

Lu Mingkai lowered his head, glancing briefly at Shen Meng before speaking softly, “Mom, do you think Dad will like me? He’s never met me. Maybe he doesn’t like me, and that’s why he hasn’t come back.”

“Sweetheart, why would you think that? Didn’t your dad always ask about you in his letters? He definitely misses you. You’re his precious child. Your dad hasn’t returned because he’s protecting our country—he’s a hero! You should be proud and happy about that. When we go to the photo studio, I’ll have you wear a little soldier uniform. Then we’ll send the photo to your dad to show him how obedient, smart, and impressive his son is. Doesn’t that sound great?”

The little boy’s eyes sparkled as he nodded enthusiastically.

When breakfast was served, Xiao Gang and Xie Jinghao were visibly uneasy. Even though they had eaten better food here before, Xiao Gang had been thoroughly frightened by Wu Xianglan’s behavior the previous night, stealing food and creating chaos.

“Eat up, Xiao Gang. This steamed egg is specially made for you and your brother. None of the older kids got any.”

Xiao Gang glanced at her, then at the egg custard on the table, but hesitated to reach for it. His timid eyes made him look utterly pitiful.

Xie Jinghao gently stroked his cheek. “Eat, Xiao Gang. Your aunt made it just for you. Once you’re done, we’ll go to the county town together. Wouldn’t that be fun?”

“Okay~” His soft, childish voice melted everyone’s hearts.

After breakfast, Shen Meng went to the brigade office and rented an ox cart from Zhang Hongfa for one yuan.

Post-harvest, the production team had fewer tasks, so running a trip with the ox cart in the morning helped bring some extra income to the village.

The driver was Uncle Guai, the same man who had read Liu Sanjin’s letter last time. Learning about the previous night’s events, he sympathized with Xie Jinghao and Shen Meng. He even lent a hand with the luggage and carried the children onto the cart, a notable improvement in his attitude.

After Shen Meng and the others left, the village gossip mill churned. Rumors about Wu Xianglan’s selfishness and fights with her sisters-in-law spread quickly.

Lu Jiahe, infuriated by the news, punished Wu Xianglan and her two children. When he stepped out of the house, he could feel the judgmental gazes of the villagers.

Meanwhile, Lu Jiaxuan, frustrated by the commotion at home, had his thoughts elsewhere.

“Lu Jiaxuan, are you here? You’ve got mail!”

Lu Jiaxuan’s head shot up, and he rushed to the postman. “That’s me! Thank you!”

“No problem, haha!”

Nodding his thanks, Lu Jiaxuan tore open the letter right away. As he read it, sweat beaded on his forehead.

The letter was from Lu Zhenping. Its message was simple: if he wanted the position at the commune, he had to find a way to split off the first branch of the family.

The choice was his: the position or the benefits the first branch brought to the family.