Reborn in the 1980s: I became a stepmother in the 1980s

Part 140 Furious

Zhou Yuedong immediately tensed up, his small hands clenched tightly.

Si Nian couldn't help but find his nervousness both awkward and adorable. Normally, he was so serious and stern, but now he was showing a bit of vulnerability. Of course, this wasn't a bad thing. Kids should be like this. The harsh environment had forced him to grow up too quickly, but in reality, he was just a child.

"My little Dong is amazing, getting such a high score. Tonight, Mommy will make something special to celebrate."

She reached out to pat his head, showing her encouragement and approval.

Zhou Yuedong's eyes lit up, but his expression remained a bit shy. His face turned slightly away, yet he couldn't hide his joy. He used to think that maintaining good grades was necessary to change his situation. But now he realized that doing well in school not only helped with that but also brought warmth and recognition. He couldn't help but feel a bit elated, a small smile appearing on his lips.

Si Nian noticed and couldn't resist pinching his gradually chubbier cheeks.

"Mom, I'm going to feed the rabbits," Zhou Yuedong said, his face turning bright red as he quickly ran towards the door.

His blush was visible from afar.

Si Nian chuckled softly. Seeing him so easily embarrassed, it was hard to imagine him as the future stern and brooding scientist.

Nearby, Zhou Zehan saw Si Nian pinch his brother's cheek and immediately leaned his face over.

"Mom, pinch mine too."

Si Nian chuckled and reached out to pinch his cheek too, causing the little one to giggle and hold his face with a silly grin.

"Alright, hurry up and do your homework. Big brother has finished, so Xiao Han can't slack off either," Si Nian said before heading into the kitchen.

For dinner, they had stewed pork ribs and some fresh baby bok choy they had bought. The baby bok choy was crisp and sweet, perfect for soup.

Just as the soup finished stewing, Zhou Yueshen returned, dragging along enough firewood to last them through the winter.

Because their village preferred cooking on a large stove, they often needed a lot of firewood. They had used up what they had stored during the banquet.

Cooking with firewood always made the food taste better, and a few pieces could burn for a long time, making it both energy-efficient and safe.

Si Nian remembered when she was a child, they used to burn coal, but nowadays coal was expensive, so most rural households only bought it in the winter. Most people still preferred using firewood. She didn't like using coal anyway; it could be really smelly.

She had been thinking of going up the mountain to gather some firewood tomorrow, but she hadn't expected Zhou Yueshen to bring some back.

Behind him was Yu Dong.

The two men neatly stacked the firewood they had brought on the wall. Now that he had changed into a vest, Zhou Yueshen looked like the tall and strong rough man he usually was.

Si Nian stood at the doorway, admiring his back.

Taking in the fragrance wafting from the house, Yu Dong took a deep breath. "Sister-in-law, what delicious meal have you cooked today?"

Si Nian replied, "I stewed pork ribs. Come in and have a seat, and we'll eat dinner together before you go."

"Alright!" Yu Dong nodded enthusiastically, his pace quickening as he resumed his work.