Chapter 42: I Like You

As soon as Song Chen got home, he ran over to Song Ye.
“Xiao Ye!”

He had just returned from school and heard that Song Ye had gotten into a fight.

“Gege, I’m fine.” Song Ye beamed.

Seeing the smile on his face, Song Chen frowned.
“Still smiling after being bullied? You dummy.”

“Brother, I like her as our mom,” Song Ye suddenly blurted out.

Song Chen’s brows furrowed.

Then Song Ye told him everything that had happened that afternoon.

After listening, Song Chen’s eyes showed disbelief.

“Gege, she’s really gentle. I… I want a mom,” Song Ye said, his eyes full of hope.

“Maybe that’s just one of her tricks. Don’t forget—back then, the woman who pushed you into the pond was also nice to us at first.”

Song Ye’s lashes trembled.
“They’re… not the same.”

Song Chen patted his head.
“You’re still young and easily fooled. This woman is more calculating than any of the others who tried to marry Dad.”

“But, Gege—”

“Enough. I’ll keep an eye on her. No matter how cunning a fox is, it’ll eventually show its tail,” Song Chen interrupted him.

Seeing this, Song Ye could only return to his room feeling frustrated.

Watching his little brother’s retreating figure, Song Chen murmured in confusion,
“Does she really want to be our stepmom?”

As soon as Song Ye stepped into the house, he saw Jiang Zhi Ning busy in the kitchen.

He ran over, full of curiosity.

“Mama, are we having steamed buns tonight?” Xi Xi blinked as she looked at the white buns and vegetables on the cutting board.

“We’re having burgers tonight. I made them especially for your brother,” Jiang Zhi Ning answered with a warm smile.

“For me?” Song Ye was surprised.

“Yes,” Jiang Zhi Ning replied as she continued preparing the food without pause.

There weren’t any ovens in this era, so she had to improvise. She used white buns as a substitute for hamburger buns.

She sliced them in half horizontally, added freshly fried meat and ham, layered in some washed lettuce, and finally spread some homemade tomato sauce—since there was no butter or mayo available.

Ten minutes later, a few steaming hot burgers were done.

“They look so yummy.” Xi Xi stared at them eagerly.

“You little foodie, is there anything you don’t think is delicious?” Jiang Zhi Ning chuckled.

Xi Xi thought for a moment, then giggled sweetly,
“Everything you make is delicious, Mama.”

Hearing this, warmth glowed in Jiang Zhi Ning’s eyes.

“Quick, give them a try!” she urged.

Xi Xi and Song Ye didn’t hesitate to grab a burger each and started eating with gusto.

It was Song Ye’s first time eating something like this. His eyes sparkled with delight.

Especially knowing that Jiang Zhi Ning had made it just for him—it made the burger taste even better.

“Well?” she asked.

“So good! So good!” they both exclaimed.

Hearing the praise, a smile lit up Jiang Zhi Ning’s eyes. Seeing them wolf down the burgers gave her a deep sense of accomplishment.

From the corner of her eye, she noticed Song Chen standing in the distance, cold and distant.

She picked up a burger and walked over.
“Want one?” she asked with a gentle smile.

“No,” Song Chen said flatly, turning away without a trace of emotion.

Jiang Zhi Ning chuckled to herself.
Looks like winning Song Chen over won’t be easy.

“I really like this. Can we have it more often?” Song Ye asked cautiously, eyes filled with nervous hope.

Jiang Zhi Ning knelt down, smiling brightly.
“Of course! I’m your mama, after all.”

Song Ye looked at her, and while Song Chen wasn’t nearby, he mustered the courage to say,
“Thank you, Ma… Mama.”

Jiang Zhi Ning froze for a second, then smiled tenderly.
“Aw, my sweet boy.”

Hearing her response, Song Ye couldn’t hide his joy. He shyly munched on his burger and scampered away.

—

Later that evening, in the house—

Jiang Zhi Ning hummed a happy tune to herself, feeling content.

She hadn’t expected her cooking skills to become so useful.

“I should grow more food in the space. That way I can treat them to more good meals,” she said cheerfully to herself.

She truly believed that kindness and effort would always be rewarded.

Just then, Song Yu Zhou entered the room and closed the door behind him.

“Are the kids asleep?” Jiang Zhi Ning looked up.

As always, Song Yu Zhou had put Xi Xi to bed.

She had to admit—this man was incredibly reliable. He could cook, clean, and—most importantly—he was attentive and gentle.

Sitting by the bed, Song Yu Zhou nodded.
“Xi Xi kept insisting she wanted to sleep with you. She’s completely accepted you now.”

Jiang Zhi Ning replied playfully,
“That just means I’m irresistible.”

She meant it as a joke, but to her surprise, he responded seriously,
“Mm.”

Meeting his gaze, Jiang Zhi Ning felt a little flustered.

“Wife… thank you,” Song Yu Zhou suddenly said.

“Why are you thanking me?”

“Thank you for marrying me. Thank you for treating the kids so well,” he said sincerely.

Hearing that, Jiang Zhi Ning looped her arms around his neck.
“We’re husband and wife—no need to be so polite. Besides, if it weren’t for you, I’d be dead already.”

Song Yu Zhou cupped her face, his thumbs gently caressing her cheeks. His eyes were full of earnest affection.
“I’ll treat you well. For a lifetime.”

“You’re treating me well just because I’m good to the kids?”

“Mm.”

Jiang Zhi Ning’s lips curved slightly as she pouted.
“So it’s not because you like me?”

“I do like you,” Song Yu Zhou quickly said.

Oh?

Her eyes sparkled as she leaned in closer, teasing,
“Like what?”

Seeing her beautiful face so close, Song Yu Zhou swallowed nervously.

After a long pause, he rasped out,
“I like you.”

A glint of laughter flickered in Jiang Zhi Ning’s eyes. She leaned in even closer, their lips almost touching.
“Do you like me, or do you like sleeping with me?”

Song Yu Zhou’s heart pounded wildly.
“First I liked you… then I liked sleeping with you.”

“Really?” Jiang Zhi Ning raised her brows in mock disbelief.

To prove it, Song Yu Zhou grabbed her hand and placed it on his chest.

Feeling the heat of his skin and the rapid heartbeat beneath her palm, Jiang Zhi Ning’s expression softened.

“My heart races every time I see you. I even got checked—no medical problems,” he said seriously.

Seeing how sincere he was, Jiang Zhi Ning gave him a quick peck on the lips.
“Here’s your reward.”

But before she could move away, Song Yu Zhou wrapped his hand around the back of her head and deepened the kiss.

Startled, Jiang Zhi Ning’s eyes widened.

“That wasn’t enough of a reward,” he murmured in a deep voice, his tongue slipping past her lips.

His kiss was dominant, intense—like a soldier’s—greedy and demanding.

He paused only to breathe, then kissed her again and again.

Jiang Zhi Ning tilted her head slightly, welcoming his passionate hunger.

From their earlier clumsy kisses to now, Song Yu Zhou had clearly become more skilled.

He nibbled, sucked, and teased her lips, eager for more.

His rough hands weren’t idle either—they slid over her soft shoulders, gently tugging her pajama collar to the sides, slowly pulling it down, revealing her smooth, pale skin…