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At the moment she sensed a sharp, chilling hostility, Jiang Zhi Ning instinctively turned to look in that direction. In the dim surroundings, a pair of fierce, guarded eyes met hers.
Her heart skipped a beat.
The owner of those eyes was just a boy, around ten years old.
Even though the killing intent in his gaze faded when he saw Song Yuzhou, Jiang Zhi Ning could still feel the animosity directed at her.
“Song Chen, come here,” Song Yuzhou said in a low voice.
Without speaking, Song Chen walked toward them, carrying a little girl in his arms.
As they got closer, Jiang Zhi Ning finally saw them clearly.
Song Chen led the way, followed by a boy about five or six years old. The younger boy looked at Jiang Zhi Ning cautiously with his large, wide eyes.
In Song Chen’s arms was a little girl, about two years old, wearing dirty clothes. Her hair was messy, and her deer-like eyes showed clear fear. She wouldn’t even look at Jiang Zhi Ning.
The moment Jiang Zhi Ning saw the children, a thought struck her: Looks like this stepmom gig won’t be easy.
Song Yuzhou took the little girl from Song Chen’s arms and said simply, “From today onward, she is your stepmother. We are now a family.”
Upon hearing this, Song Chen replied, “Father, I don’t need a stepmother. I can take care of Xiao Ye and Xi Xi.”
“I can take care of little sister too,” Xiao Ye added in a soft voice.
Watching the scene, Jiang Zhi Ning crouched down slightly and rested her hands on her knees, putting on what she thought was her most friendly smile.
“Even though you can take care of your sister, she’s still a little girl. Wouldn’t it be better to have me looking after her too?”
Song Chen didn’t say anything, just stared at her. His eyes seemed to say: She’ll hurt us.
“And,” Jiang Zhi Ning continued gently, “do you want your dad to stay alone forever, with no one to talk to? Climbing into a cold bed every night?”
Song Yuzhou coughed lightly, clearly embarrassed. He hadn’t expected her to say something like that in front of the kids.
“Be serious,” he muttered awkwardly.
Jiang Zhi Ning blinked innocently. “What? I am being serious.”
Song Chen turned his head away. He’d heard what others said behind their backs—that with three children clinging to him, Song Yuzhou would never be able to remarry. That they had ruined his future.
Seeing his reaction, Jiang Zhi Ning didn’t press further. Pushing too hard wouldn’t help.
She shifted her focus to the little girl in Song Yuzhou’s arms. Start with the easiest target: the youngest.
Gently pinching her cheek, Jiang Zhi Ning tilted her head and asked sweetly, “Your name’s Xi Xi, right? Can I give you a hug?”
Xi Xi looked at her hesitantly. She reached out a bit, then pulled back in fear.
Suddenly, Jiang Zhi Ning had an idea. She pulled a piece of candy from her bag. “Do you want this? If you want the candy, you have to let me hug you.”
“I want it!” Xi Xi’s eyes lit up instantly as she reached out her little arms.
Smiling, Jiang Zhi Ning hugged her and placed the candy in her small hand. “Here, let Daddy unwrap it for you.”
“Daddy! Candy!” Xi Xi giggled happily.
Song Yuzhou took the candy, unwrapped it, and placed it near her mouth.
Xi Xi squealed with joy, clapping her hands. “Yummy! Candy is yummy!”
Watching her win Xi Xi over with a piece of candy, Song Chen’s suspicions deepened. Manipulative. She’s definitely got tricks.
Seeing Xiao Ye eyeing the candy longingly, Jiang Zhi Ning pulled out a few more and offered them to him.
Xiao Ye reached out but glanced at Song Chen for approval.
“Relax,” Jiang Zhi Ning said softly, “I’m not dumb enough to hurt you.”
Song Chen thought for a moment. She had a point—if she were truly dangerous, she wouldn’t act so openly.
After two seconds of silence, Song Chen finally took the candies and handed them to Xiao Ye.
Xiao Ye’s face lit up as he ate one. “So sweet! It’s really good, big brother!”
Watching them react like they’d never had candy before, Jiang Zhi Ning was a little surprised.
Though candy was a bit pricey in this era, with Song Yuzhou’s salary, he should’ve been able to afford a treat now and then.
So the issue clearly wasn’t money.
Jiang Zhi Ning glanced thoughtfully at the children before turning to Song Yuzhou. “Xi Xi’s clothes are a little dirty. I’ll go give her a bath. You handle the boys?”
“Alright.”
Jiang Zhi Ning looked down at the little girl in her arms and stroked her head lovingly. “Xi Xi, want to get all clean and pretty like a little princess?”
Hearing “princess,” Xi Xi looked up nervously. “Can I?”
“Of course you can,” Jiang Zhi Ning beamed and carried her inside.
Song Yuzhou boiled some hot water and brought it in for her, then went back to talk with the boys.
In the room, Jiang Zhi Ning gently lowered Xi Xi into a wooden tub and began washing her.
Xi Xi stared at the gentle woman with wide, curious eyes.
“You’re such a good girl, Xi Xi. Want to play with bubbles while we wash?”
“Bubbles?” Xi Xi asked, full of curiosity.
Jiang Zhi Ning rubbed soap over Xi Xi and worked up a nice lather.
Seeing the bubbles, Xi Xi squealed with delight. “Bubbles! Bubbles!”
While Xi Xi played, Jiang Zhi Ning took the opportunity to clean her thoroughly. It seemed like no one had ever washed her properly before—there was grime in places like behind her ears.
As Jiang Zhi Ning focused on washing her, she suddenly felt something soft against her cheek.
Surprised, she turned her head—Xi Xi was smiling sweetly at her.
In that moment, Jiang Zhi Ning’s heart melted.
When Jiang Zhi Ning emerged from the room holding Xi Xi again, Song Chen stared in shock. His sister looked like a whole new person.
Her face was freshly washed and pink. She was wearing a clean little dress Song Yuzhou had bought earlier. Her messy hair was now styled into two neat buns—adorable and sweet.
“Big brother!” Xi Xi squealed, hugging Jiang Zhi Ning’s neck and waving at Song Chen.
He stepped forward and scooped her into his arms, sniffing the faint fragrance.
“Remember what I said—we’re a family now,” Song Yuzhou said calmly.
Song Chen didn’t reply, but his arms tightened around Xi Xi ever so slightly.
“I’m taking her out to play,” he said, turning to leave.
Seeing this, Xiao Ye quickly followed.
“Seems they don’t really accept me as their stepmother yet,” Jiang Zhi Ning said with a soft smile.
“They will,” Song Yuzhou said quietly. “I spoke with them. They’ll come around. Zhi Ning… let’s talk.”
Seeing the seriousness in his eyes, she nodded and they sat down inside.
Song Yuzhou hesitated for a moment, then finally spoke with brutal honesty: “I can’t have any more children.”
What?!
Jiang Zhi Ning’s gaze instinctively dropped lower. She swallowed hard.
He… can’t?