The people who came were Huo’s daughter-in-law, Jiang Meilan, and her son, Huo Jinxi.

Mrs. Shen was genuinely surprised. After all, the Huo family was the richest in the entire region. Some people in the village even said the men in the Huo family made their fortune through business abroad, and that they were planning to move to the county seat soon.

There was a huge gap between the rich and the poor, and the Shen and Huo families were never in direct competition.

Jiang Meilan stepped forward with her son and smiled politely. “It’s me, Mrs. Shen,” she said. “I brought my son over for a visit today.”

Mrs. Shen was a bit stunned. She had no idea what had brought such distinguished guests to her humble home.

Jiang Meilan was wearing a soft, goose-yellow dress and white heels, with a small white leather handbag hanging from her shoulder. She looked tall, graceful, and glowing. Her son, dressed in a neat white shirt and blue romper, looked every bit the part of a little gentleman. Their presence in such a modest place almost seemed out of place.

Mrs. Shen’s eyes lingered on the boy. He was the youngest in the Huo family, the only one who was mute, and had been spoiled since birth. He looked healthy and tall for his age, with a promising future ahead.

Still, in Mrs. Shen’s heart, her own children were the best.

Since they had come to visit, Mrs. Shen couldn’t help but entertain them. She led them into the sitting room. “Our house isn’t much, so please don’t mind the modest surroundings,” she said, feeling a bit embarrassed.

The room was rundown, dimly lit even in daylight, and the sparse furniture made it feel cramped, especially with two guests now added to the mix.

In the back room, Shen Jianlin saw Jiang Meilan and her son through the window. Lowering his voice, he turned to his wife, Lin Xiujuan, and said, “Look at her skirt—it’s really nice, don’t you think? If you like it, when I go to the county seat next time, I’ll buy one for you.”

Lin Xiujuan smiled knowingly, shaking her head. “No need, don’t waste the money.”

Shen Jianlin was insistent. “No, I’ll get it for you. You’d look even better in it. After all, you’re way more beautiful than she is, my dear daughter-in-law.”

“Go ahead, and you’ll see how little we have,” Lin Xiujuan replied with a smile, placing their baby, Fubao, into her crib before following Shen Jianlin to greet the guests.

Fubao, powerless to stop them, closed her eyes. Once again, her parents were showing off their affection right in front of her. It was harsh, but somehow, she kind of liked it.

When Jiang Meilan saw the whole Shen family come out to greet her, she was a bit embarrassed. “I’m so sorry to barge in,” she said. “I heard you had a beautiful little girl. My son heard the news and insisted we come. I’m wondering if he’s taking an interest in her?”

The family laughed, thinking it was just a joke, unaware that the little boy had quietly slipped away as soon as they entered. He had snuck into the back room, where he now stood, staring down at the crib with a serious expression.

Fubao was fast asleep, her tiny fists clenched.

“Tsk,” thought the boy. “I was so stupid when I first saw her, but now she’s even more of an idiot.”

Could a silly girl like her really be chosen to be a daughter-in-law?

He crossed his arms and looked down at the baby in the crib, his expression unusually intense for his age, like he was already pondering the important decisions of life. He looked like a little adult.