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

Part 14 Food delivery controversy

Sinian steamed the rice in the pot and prepared some shredded potatoes and washed cabbage, intending to stir-fry spicy and sour shredded potatoes and make cabbage soup.

She didn't hesitate to use oil. After heating the lard in the pan with scallions and ginger, a strong and dominant aroma filled the entire kitchen. Even Stone, who was playing marbles with Yoyo in the living room, couldn't remain calm.

"Auntie's cooking smells so good, much better than Grandma's," Stone exclaimed, unable to contain his excitement.

As Sinian walked out of the kitchen, she noticed Stone drooling.

With a smile, Sinian rummaged through the cabinet and handed him a piece of crispy sesame biscuit. "Have this to fill your stomach for now. Auntie will cook rice for you later."

She had bought quite a few biscuits and candies yesterday, mainly to appease Yoyo. With so many children in the house, having some snacks on hand could also help curb hunger occasionally.

Seeing Stone looking pitiful, Sinian couldn't bear it. Sugar was precious these days, and people in the countryside rarely indulged in sweets. Even when she gave him a few candies, he was willing to share them with Yoyo. He was indeed a sensible child, something Sinian appreciated.

"I like sensible kids," Sinian thought to herself.

"Auntie, you're so nice!" Stone's eyes lit up like stars when he saw the biscuit.

Sinian patted his head. "Later, Auntie will go to deliver lunch to your uncle. Can Stone help Auntie take care of Yoyo for a while?"

Stone nodded eagerly.

Sinian entered the kitchen and fetched a stainless steel lunchbox. She separated the rice and vegetables into different compartments, and then served Stone a bowl of rice with the remaining vegetables. Stone happily exclaimed, "Auntie, you're so kind!"

Sinian smiled and nodded, then she gently touched Yoyo's outstretched arms, who wanted to be picked up. With the lunchbox in hand, she headed out the door. Just as she stepped outside, Auntie Zhang came to call Stone home for lunch. Seeing Sinian with the lunchbox, Auntie Zhang pointed the way with a smile, "Heading out already? Need directions? Just follow this main road, and you'll see it. Their livestock farm is quite big."

Sinian thanked her and followed the direction Auntie Zhang pointed, walking briskly with the lunchbox in hand. Despite the scorching June sun, the village wasn't as blistering hot, and a gentle breeze brushed against her skirt, providing some relief.

To protect her delicate skin, Sinian wore a beautiful sun hat. Its design not only shielded her from the sun but also complemented her facial features, making her look charming.

As she passed by some fields where people were busy with farming activities, many of them paused their work to glance at her as she walked by with the lunchbox.

None of the locals recognized her, but many had seen her yesterday. Consequently, discussions sparked about who she might be—a relative from another village, perhaps. Regardless, no one in their village had ever seen someone so beautiful.

Sinian calmly accepted the scrutiny of the people she passed on the road. She didn't feel the need to ingratiate herself to fit in. After all, she had married into a wealthy family, so there was no need to seek approval from others. Instead, she greeted them with a gentle smile, acknowledging their gazes.

In rural communities, distances between people were often bridged with smiles. A nod the first time, a conversation the second time, and by the third time, they were practically friends. Seeing her friendly expression, everyone was pleasantly surprised, and some even smiled back eagerly.

Most villagers were simple and easy to get along with. True troublemakers were few and far between. As long as city dwellers didn't look down on or disrespect them, most villagers only envied the city folks' lifestyle.

As Sinian walked, she reflected on her past. Having worked away from home for over a decade, she couldn't even afford a down payment for a house. She had longed to return to the village and renovate her own home to live a pastoral life.

However, reality can be harsh. In the future, achieving financial freedom is simply impossible for hundreds of thousands. Yet, in this second chance at life, she gets to experience such a lifestyle. Regardless of the plot in books, she doesn't care. All she wants is to live well.

At this moment, inside the livestock farm, everyone sits on the ground, covered in sweat after a busy morning, having their meal. Although working in the pig farm is exhausting, with early starts and late finishes, the earnings are much higher compared to farming. Everyone wears expressions of resigned acceptance.

The livestock farm also has residential quarters, as a precaution against accidents, and someone must be on guard duty every night. In the morning, after having their meals at home, they come out to work. Lunch is sent from home, and those who finish work early return home to eat, while those who finish late make do with what they have here.

Since the lunch break is usually short, nobody bothers to cook. While everyone is enjoying their meal with their spouses, the person delivering lunch to Zhou Yueshen finally arrives.

Seeing her approach, everyone cheers, "Boss, it's Sister Liu from the Liu family here to bring you lunch!"

Zhou Yueshen walks over and sees the bashful Liu Guifang, furrowing his brows slightly. Liu Guifang approaches with the lunchbox, wearing a flowery cotton coat. Although the weather is hot, people in the countryside always dress warmly regardless of the season.

This oversized cotton coat was bought for her by her family before she got married, and she was reluctant to wear it. If it weren't for her mother insisting that she dress nicely to bring lunch to Zhou Yueshen today, she wouldn't have worn it. She had two braids tied on her head, looking shy and bashful, like an unmarried girl. The people around couldn't help but feel ambiguous.

Everyone here is experienced and knows well what's going on in this girl's mind. They had heard that the previous arranged marriage proposal for Zhou Yueshen didn't succeed, and they didn't have a good impression of the Lin family from the other village either. Hence, they thought highly of this girl from their own village. Although Liu Guifang had been married before, she didn't have any children, and her age was appropriate. Previously, when Liu Guifang helped with delivering meals because Liu's mother was busy, everyone thought she was a good girl.

"Dressed up like a butterfly, I knew something fishy was going on in the Liu family," a woman couldn't help but gossip as she glanced at her husband.

"What do you know? Do you think it's better to look gloomy and unkempt like you after getting married?" This retort was met with a scolding from the man beside her.

The infuriated woman pinched him hard.

Liu Guifang handed the lunchbox to Zhou Yueshen, her voice dripping with sweetness, "Zhou, Brother Zhou, my mom asked me to bring you lunch. I'm sorry, I was delayed on the way."

Since Liu's mother was currently helping take care of Zhou's children and delivering meals, it wasn't surprising for Liu Guifang to occasionally help out. Zhou Yueshen nodded indifferently, "Thank you."

He had just taken the meal when he heard the gasps of people around him. Subconsciously, he glanced over and saw a woman standing at the iron gate, holding a meal box in her hand.

She was dressed in a gorgeous goose-yellow dress, with delicate black leather shoes on her feet, revealing half of her slender and fair legs.

A thin belt was wrapped around her waist, gently held, while she delicately held a meal box with slender fingers.

Looking up, her black hair was casually tied into a low ponytail, with shiny strands falling on her shoulders, fluttering in the wind.

With an oval face, black eyes, and bright features, she was a strikingly beautiful young woman, radiating a youthful aura. The goose-yellow color was vibrant and suited her well, accentuating her fair complexion like snow.