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“Thank you.”
After a long inner struggle, Song Chen finally uttered a quiet word of gratitude.
Even though he wasn’t sure whether Jiang Zhi Ning was planning something long-term or playing the long game, just the fact that she had bought clothes and shoes for all three siblings earned her a “thank you.”
Jiang Zhi Ning paused for two seconds, then gave a radiant smile.
“You’re welcome.”
Seeing that warm, bright smile, Song Chen froze briefly before quickly looking away.
After buying clothes and shoes, Jiang Zhi Ning also brought the kids to pick out snacks and candy. Though it cost a lot and she felt the pinch, the light in the children’s eyes made it all worthwhile.
“This stuff is so expensive. Why are we buying it?”
Song Ye, carrying bags in both hands, looked confused as he saw the bottle of malted milk essence in her hands.
“It’s to help with your nutrition,” she said.
The bottle cost forty yuan—Jiang Zhi Ning naturally felt it was expensive. But looking at their thin, undernourished faces, she hardened her heart and bought it anyway.
Song Chen and Song Ye were taken aback.
No one had ever treated them this well before.
Their father, Song Yuzhou, did love them—but he was always busy and not good with words, so the attention he gave them was far from detailed or tender.
Unaware of the boys’ emotional shifts, Jiang Zhi Ning held Xi Xi’s hand and led the group ahead.
After leaving the department store with bags in hand, they packed everything into the car.
“Mommy, aren’t we going home?”
Xi Xi looked up curiously.
Jiang Zhi Ning squatted down and smiled,
“Of course not—we’re going out to eat!”
Xi Xi clapped her hands excitedly,
“Yay! Big brothers, Xi Xi is so happy today!”
Just as Jiang Zhi Ning stood up, she heard a familiar voice:
“Jiang Zhi Ning?”
She turned and saw Shen An’an, staring at her in shock.
“Did that little girl just call you ‘Mom’?”
“Yep,” Jiang Zhi Ning replied cheerfully.
Before she could say more, Shen An’an burst out laughing.
“So, you married an old man in a fake marriage, and he already had three kids? Jiang Zhi Ning, oh my god—you really became someone’s stepmom? That’s hilarious!”
She laughed so hard she almost cried.
Jiang Zhi Ning watched her with a beaming smile,
“Go ahead, laugh harder—maybe your crow’s feet will show up better.”
Hearing that, Shen An’an immediately stopped laughing and sneered,
“How desperate are you for a man, that you’d rather raise someone else’s kids and marry an old guy?”
“Old men have their own charm. You wouldn’t understand.”
Jiang Zhi Ning replied calmly, showing no hint of the shame or embarrassment Shen An’an was hoping for.
“Makes sense. Everyone in the Shen family is poor—how could they ever help you find a decent match?”
Shen An’an mocked, looking at the children with disdain.
“Look at these kids—so pale and thin, like a bunch of monkeys. Especially that oldest one—those cold eyes make him look like a little devil.”
At that, Song Chen clenched his fists tightly.
The next second, a slap landed hard on Shen An’an’s face.
Song Chen was stunned.
“Jiang Zhi Ning, you hit me? Do you even know who I am? Sheng Hao is about to be promoted to company commander! That means I’ll soon be the commander’s wife! If you dare lay a finger on me agai—”
Before she could finish her threat, Jiang Zhi Ning delivered another slap.
Shen An’an’s eyes widened, furious rage bubbling up.
“With a mouth that foul, did you not brush your teeth this morning? All that tartar—you’re not worried about poisoning people with your breath?”
Jiang Zhi Ning pinched her nose with a disgusted look.
Shen An’an’s temples bulged with rage.
“You bitch! Just wait—I’ll make you pay for this!”
Jiang Zhi Ning cupped her cheek in mock fear,
“Oh no, I’m so scared. Maybe shout a little louder so everyone can witness your trashy village-woman temper?”
That shut Shen An’an up instantly.
Even though she was engaged to Sheng Hao, the engagement itself had been a bit scandalous. The Sheng family wasn’t fully on board with her.
Now wasn’t the time to stir up more trouble.
“Just wait till I become the company commander’s wife. You’ll regret this!”
Shen An’an gritted her teeth, turned, and stormed off.
Watching her leave, Jiang Zhi Ning shook her head,
“Such poor combat skills. Clearly hasn’t studied The Legend of Zhen Huan properly.”
Just then, she felt a gentle tug at her skirt.
Looking down, she saw Xi Xi staring up at her with frightened, uneasy eyes.
“Mom… Mommy…”
Clearly spooked, Xi Xi was trembling a little.
Jiang Zhi Ning immediately scooped her up and gently patted her back.
“It’s okay. The bad lady is gone now.”
Breathing in Jiang Zhi Ning’s faint, comforting scent, Xi Xi slowly relaxed and wrapped her arms around her neck in a tight hug.
Holding Xi Xi close, Jiang Zhi Ning turned to the still-silent Song Chen.
“Song Chen, don’t ever let anyone insult you like that. No one has the right to look down on you. Understand?”
Song Chen’s eyes widened slightly.
She stood up for him?
“…Mm.”
He responded softly.
“Alright, let’s go eat.”
Jiang Zhi Ning smiled and carried Xi Xi toward the restaurant.
Song Chen and Song Ye followed behind.
“Bro, I like our new mom,” Song Ye whispered.
“She’s different from our old one.”
Song Chen was silent for a long moment before murmuring,
“Let’s keep watching.”
At the small restaurant, they had wontons and dumplings. Watching the kids wolf down their food, Jiang Zhi Ning couldn’t help but smile.
That evening, Jiang Zhi Ning sat on the bed rubbing her sore calves.
This body was so fragile—just walking around for a few hours had her aching all over.
Especially her legs—they felt like they were about to give out.
Just then, Song Yuzhou entered the room.
Seeing her rubbing her calves, he walked over and sat beside her without a word.
Before she could say anything, his large, strong hands gently grasped her leg and rested it on his lap.
“You…”
Before Jiang Zhi Ning could finish, Song Yuzhou had already started kneading her calf muscles.
Oof—so sore.
“Tired?”
he asked in a deep voice.
Earlier that evening, Song Ye and Xi Xi had proudly shown off their new clothes and shoes. The joy on their faces was something he had never seen before.
“A bit, but when it’s the right kind of tired, it’s worth it,” she replied with a smile.
He looked into her eyes, his gaze warm and intense.
His hands were strong and skilled. Under his massage, the tension in her legs melted away.
“Thanks, Comrade Yuzhou,” she grinned and gave him a playful kiss on the cheek.
“Consider it a reward.”
His face was inches from hers. He stared at her soft, pink lips. His Adam’s apple bobbed.
The next moment, his hand slipped behind her neck and he leaned in.
Caught off guard, Jiang Zhi Ning’s eyes widened as his masculine scent enveloped her.
Taking advantage of her surprise, he parted her lips and deepened the kiss, taking her breath away.
Stunned, she blinked rapidly, taking in his rare burst of passion.
Was… this his first time kissing her?
She closed her eyes and wrapped her arms around his neck, kissing him back.
Song Yuzhou was clearly inexperienced, a bit clumsy, but full of sincerity.
As their kiss deepened, when they finally parted, a thin thread of moisture connected their lips, and both were breathing heavily.
Forehead pressed against hers, his gaze intense, face flushed.
“Should I go lock the door?”
At that, Jiang Zhi Ning smirked, breathy and seductive,
“Comrade Yuzhou… already got a taste and now you want more?”
His cheeks turned red as his dark eyes locked onto hers with unmistakable hunger.
He finally understood why his fellow soldiers had always raved about this.
Jiang Zhi Ning reached up, touching his freshly-shaved chin.
“Did you… buy it?”
“Buy what?” he asked, confused.
She raised an eyebrow.
“Condoms.”