Hearing Shen Meng talk about splitting from the family, Xie Jinghao forced a smile. As a sister-in-law, she couldn’t outright encourage her older brother and sister-in-law to separate from the family, but she couldn’t deny she thought it might be a good idea. Things had gotten so tense that it seemed like a split might actually be best. Not wanting to dwell on the topic, she let it go.

Lu Mingkai pushed the enamel cup toward his sister. He had taken a few sips and wanted her to try the sweet brown sugar water, which he thought tasted wonderful. As he moved to pass it to Lu Mingfang, he hesitated, looking up at Shen Meng and Xie Jinghao to make sure it was okay.

“Mingfang, take a few sips. Drink a little, then let your aunt have some,” Shen Meng said gently. Lu Mingfang glanced at her and, for some reason, felt comforted by her mother’s warm smile. She took the cup, feeling an unexpected sense of warmth.

Shen Meng looked the two children over. Lu Mingfang’s hair was dry and brittle, her clothes were tattered, and her shoes were so worn that cotton was sticking out, with her toes peeking through—a pair of shoes that had clearly been worn from winter to summer. In contrast, little Mingkai, while skinny, was clean and clearly looked after well. Shen Meng thought about Lu Mingyang and Lu Mingliang, and knew that the little guy was taken care of by his older brothers and sisters. It showed that these kids were still good-hearted.

“Jinghao, actually, I have something I want to ask you for help with. I’m not very skilled at sewing, and I got some fabric a while back to make a winter jacket for Mingfang. I’ve been saving cotton for it—could you check if I have enough?”

Shen Meng got up, took a floral green peony-patterned fabric from the kang cabinet, then took out some cotton she had stored away—real Xinjiang cotton that she’d secretly taken from her personal space.

“Oh my goodness, so much cotton! Sister-in-law, where did you get all this?”

Xie Jinghao couldn’t hide her surprise. If the family had known about this cotton, surely Liu Sanjin, their mother-in-law, would have taken it away.

“The children’s father sent a fabric coupon before, and I slowly saved up the cotton after buying the fabric. Mingfang is growing up, and girls her age should have clothes they can proudly wear. I’ve saved up enough to make her a jacket but didn’t want to tell the kids yet in case I couldn’t manage to get enough.”

Lu Mingfang looked at her mother in surprise. She had thought her mother’s promise to make her clothes was just an empty statement. When they had moved out, she had reluctantly handed the fabric back, not daring to touch it. But now, her mother was actually giving it to her aunt to make her a jacket. The fabric was so soft, and that fluffy white cotton—she could only imagine how long it had taken her mother to save it. She had heard that some families began setting aside materials for their daughters early on, and when the time came for marriage, they would have decent quilts ready.

“Mother…”

Seeing tears welling up in Mingfang’s eyes, Shen Meng reached over and lightly ruffled her hair. She wanted to give her daughter a hug, but she knew that Mingfang still felt nervous around her. Too much affection at once might overwhelm her.

Xie Jinghao felt happy for the kids, seeing Shen Meng showing care for them. She gladly agreed to help.

“All right, leave it to me! I’ll make Mingfang the jacket and maybe a pair of cotton shoes if there’s extra fabric. Once you’re feeling better, maybe you could check the commune store for more fabric. The boys will need winter clothes too. And I can make the shoes for the little ones as well. I’m due in December, so I have plenty of time.”

“That sounds perfect, and thanks. Just bring Xiaogang over to play with Mingkai—they’ll keep each other company,” Shen Meng agreed. She knew taking the fabric and cotton to the main house was risky, as it likely wouldn’t make it back.

“Will do. I’ll head back now, but let me know if you need anything else,” Xie Jinghao replied.

Shen Meng handed her the cup of brown sugar water, which Lu Mingfang had taken a few sips from, and waited until she drank it before letting her leave. Once she was gone, it was just Shen Meng and her children in the room.

The quiet that followed felt slightly awkward, especially for Shen Meng. She had always imagined having children, but not under these circumstances. The two kids had suffered a lot from her predecessor’s actions, so she knew being too friendly too fast might seem suspicious to them—especially since Lu Mingyang was sharp-minded.

“Mingfang, you’re such a good child. I know I haven’t done right to you and your brothers, but I want to thank you for taking such good care of Mingkai. Mingkai, remember the kindness your siblings have shown you. When you’re older, you have to repay them.”

Lu Mingfang lowered her head, and tears started streaming down her face. Mingkai, sensing the warmth and gentleness in his mother’s words, couldn’t help but reach out with his small hand.

“Mom…”

Shen Meng reached over and pulled Mingkai into a soft embrace, resting her chin gently on the top of his head.

“Yes, son, Mom’s right here.”

Savoring the warm moment, Shen Meng extended an arm and gently pulled Mingfang closer.

Mingkai, who had grown up mostly cared for by his siblings, rarely received physical affection from his previous mother. He had often seen other kids clinging to their mothers, their mothers patting their little backs. How he had envied them! Now, cradled in his mother’s arms, he leaned closer, inhaling her comforting scent.

“Mom smells so nice….” he mumbled with a delighted smile.

Mingfang, sitting beside her mother, pursed her lips as though she wanted to get closer but didn’t dare to. To her, it felt like a dream.

Meanwhile, Lu Mingyang and Lu Mingliang were hurrying home with bundles of firewood on their backs. With only Mingfang, Mingkai, and their mean stepmother left at home, they had been worried the entire time. They hurriedly dropped the firewood in the yard and rushed toward the west room. Seeing it empty, they felt a jolt of panic and raced to the east room. In the few steps it took to get there, Lu Mingliang’s mind filled with dreadful images of his siblings in distress.

But when they burst into the room, both boys froze in shock. There, in their mean stepmother’s embrace, sat their younger siblings, looking cozy and content. The scene was so peaceful and warm, they couldn’t help but look at each other, stunned and wondering if they were seeing things.