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

Part 222 Lin Xue is missing

The firewood is burning in the house. While it doesn't match the warmth of a fireplace like Si Nian's family has, it's still quite cozy.

Closing the door cuts off the wind, making it incredibly comfortable. The lightbulb in the Lin household isn't very bright, giving off a dim yellow glow that strains the eyes a bit.

Only during the New Year do families allow themselves to use more electricity. With winter here, it gets dark by five or six, so inside the house, it's nearly impossible to see without lighting candles.

No one sits down to eat right away; instead, they first pay their respects at the ancestral altar. This is a long-standing custom in the village. During festivals, families honor their ancestors first and kneel to offer incense, praying for their blessings.

Once the ritual is complete, everyone finally gathers around the table for the meal. Lin Mama doesn't spend much time cooking; Lin Papa usually takes on more of that responsibility. Today is special, and she has prepared a whole spread. Si Nian takes off her gloves and slips into the slippers Lin Mama knitted for her before sitting down next to Zhou Yuan.

Lin Mama immediately ladled a bowl of soup for each of them and set it in front of Si Nian and Zhou Yuan. "Xiao Zhou, Nian Nian, let's see if my cooking has improved a bit!"

Si Nian took a sip of the soup and said, "It's good." Zhou Yuan nodded in agreement.

Lin Mama beamed with delight and urged them to try the other dishes. They both obliged, sampling everything one by one.

Lin Mama didn't have much of a talent for cooking; she usually just made meals that were edible and didn't really enjoy being in the kitchen, so she only cooked occasionally. The flavors weren't exactly terrible, but they weren't great either—just acceptable.

After they tasted the dishes, Lin Mama asked, "Is it good?"

Si Nian forced a nod and said, "Not bad." Zhou Yuan, with a blank expression, replied, "Tasty."

Lin Mama was overjoyed and took a few bites herself, then scoffed, "It's still the same, tasteless. You two just know how to flatter me."

Si Nian blinked, puzzled. She didn't quite understand how Lin Mama could use all sorts of ingredients but still end up with a flavorless dish.

Lin Papa chimed in with a grin, taking a bite of the shredded potatoes. "I think it's great! Just to my taste. Besides, you don't like cooking anyway."

He served some meat to the children, saying, "Come on, Xiao Dong, Xiao Han, eat more meat to help you grow."

"You're just full of nonsense." Lin Mama shot him a look, remembering how he privately complained about her cooking to others. "Yao Yao, come here! You smell like alcohol and are scaring our precious granddaughter!"

With that, she turned her attention to Yao Yao's cute little face, reaching out with open arms. "Come here, Yao Yao, Grandma will hold you."

Si Nian said, "Mom, Yao Yao can feed herself. You guys just eat; the food will get cold soon."

Lin Mama smiled in response and found a spot to sit down.

Seeing the two brothers squished next to Si Nian—one tall, one short—she couldn't help but think they were adorable. But then she glanced at her two sons, who were sitting far away, and her expression darkened.

Her heart sank—completely shattered!

There was no TV, no Spring Festival Gala, and definitely no shows. New Year's was just about everyone sitting together for a meal and giving out red envelopes. Lin Mama distributed red envelopes to the whole family.