Chapter 1 - 10

~ heya I'm back with a new exciting Transmigration story, After reading it for the past few days I find it very interesting So I upload it here so everyone can share the experience with me. Plz note this note my original work.

Transmigrated as the Evil Stepmother, I Bully the Whole Family, Yay!

Chapter 1

What is the happiest thing in the world?

Answer: Winning a five-million-dollar lottery jackpot!

And what is the most painful thing?

Answer: Just after hitting the jackpot, before spending a single cent, you suddenly receive a time-travel package. Yep, that’s the kind of terrible luck I have—me, Nan Sheng!

As the saying goes, extreme joy often leads to sorrow; I’ve now experienced that firsthand!

Oh, and don’t get me wrong—I’m not some flawless, perfect heroine from a novel, a shining white lotus in a prosperous world. No, I’m the cold-hearted, ruthless stepmother!

The system told Nan Sheng that as long as she unlocks the entire storyline of this book, she can choose to stay or leave. Thinking about the countless zeros in her bank account, Nan Sheng was filled with determination.

Back! I absolutely have to go back!

To help her get into the groove quickly, the system generously unlocked the first three chapters for free. After just browsing through them, a dirty little girl suddenly appeared in the courtyard.

“Mom, I dug up some vegetables. Can we have an egg for dinner tonight?”

Siqi looked up at her stepmother, her big eyes glistening with tears. She held a small basket filled with wild greens—she must have spent quite some time gathering them.

Nan Sheng, a grown woman who had never married, used to only drool over kids through a screen. Now, seeing such a well-behaved child, her eyes instantly gleamed green with excitement.

“Of course! Mom will fry you an egg right away!”

Nan Sheng turned and headed to the kitchen, ready to work hard. But when she scooped out the porridge, she realized it wasn’t porridge at all—more like corn mush so bad that even a fly would slip and slide in it.

Is this even food?

Lin Sizhe, the stepson, also came back from work. The system prompted Nan Sheng that he was the key person she needed to win over to unlock new chapters.

Sizhe had just turned ten and had already started earning work points for the commune. Seeing his little sister so filthy, he immediately called her over to take care of her.

“Siqi, don’t put away those wild greens just yet. I’ll take you to wash your face.”

In his heart, he swore that once his father came home, he would definitely kick the stepmother out!

Nan Sheng was unaware of what was going on outside. She was about to pour the porridge back into the pot and add some cornmeal to cook, but got stuck at the first step—how the heck do you light a fire under this old rural kang bed?

She asked the system, but it was useless!

No wonder intelligent technology can never replace humans; sometimes this thing is just downright useless.

Sizhe washed his sister’s face in the courtyard and braided her hair. The siblings went inside together, expecting a meal that was already prepared—but it was just plain broth, thin and tasteless.

But when they entered the room, the table was completely empty. What was this? Did someone just save them the trouble of going to the bathroom?

Sizhe thought to himself, even if he was going to get beaten, today he had to make sure his sister ate her fill. Just as he was bracing himself, he heard Nan Sheng call him over.

“Big one, come help me with something.”

Suddenly, she sounded polite!

Sizhe didn’t respond but walked over directly. Seeing Nan Sheng’s face, a flash of hatred crossed his eyes. Was she about to hit him?

“Here? Hurry up and light the fire. I’ll cook the porridge and fry the dishes.”

Nan Sheng didn’t bother being polite to her stepson. Kids are kids; when it’s time to boss them around, you can’t be soft-hearted. If you raise someone clueless about farming, you’ll suffer in the end.

Starting a fire is definitely better than getting beaten, Si Zhe silently crouched down and lit the firewood.

Nan Sheng kept watching him, feeling that she had finally learned how to do it, then began cooking the porridge. Her mistake was adding too much firewood right after lighting the fire, which almost smothered the flames.

Nan Sheng continued issuing orders, “Big one, you get the other pot going too. Then go to the vegetable garden and pick a few cucumbers, wash them clean. I’ll use them later to stir-fry some eggs.”

Nan Sheng gave an order, and Si Zhe followed it exactly. When he returned with the cucumbers, he kept staring at his stepmother.

His unusual behavior made him suspect that Nan Sheng wanted to poison him and his sister so she could run away.

As Nan Sheng cooked, she recalled the events of the previous three chapters with a sense of disbelief. The original protagonist and the male lead in the book had been dating, but to save money, they starved themselves and their children until they looked like walking skeletons.

When people are this hungry, tempers flare. So the two kids got beaten even though they hadn’t eaten enough. Maybe adding a couple of eggs at noon would help them recover a bit...

The meals were simple and didn’t take long to prepare.

When Nan Sheng finally brought the food to the table, her daughter Mei said, “Mom, you really did fry eggs! Qi Qi still has to go to the field this afternoon to dig up more wild vegetables!”

Wow, this daughter of hers looked quite handsome after washing up.

“So capable! When the New Year comes, I’ll kill a chicken for you to eat!”

Nan Sheng praised her generously, shaking her head in admiration at the child’s beauty.

Siqi was still very young. After sitting down at the table, despite the porridge just coming off the stove, she bent down to eat immediately. Seeing this, Nan Sheng flicked her arm with a chopstick.

She instantly regretted it, sure she had hurt the child. Damn muscle memory—she quickly tried to make up for it.

“Siqi, be good. The porridge just came off the stove; it’s too hot. Let it cool down a bit before eating.”

Siqi nodded vaguely, wiping away tears and obediently sitting back in her chair to wait.

Si Zhe touched the edge of his bowl to check the temperature but said nothing. Instead, he quietly took his sister’s bowl and stirred it quickly with his chopsticks.

The porridge, made from cornmeal, was thick and creamy. The plate of cucumber stir-fried with eggs was piled high. Si Zhe glanced at it—at least six eggs had been used.

What kind of shock did their stepmother take to be willing to spare food for them?

Once the porridge cooled, Si Zhe fed his sister spoonful by spoonful. He didn’t dare just give her eggs; he fed her mostly cucumber.

After Siqi finished eating, she rubbed her round belly and tilted her face to one side. “Tummy’s full!”

Nan Sheng, who had been starved for a long time, couldn’t eat much herself. She only drank a bowl of porridge, letting Si Zhe eat the rest.

Later, he even felt a bit guilty, wondering why he hadn’t fed his sister a few more bites of eggs.

In the afternoon, Si Zhe still had to go to work. After Nan Sheng washed the dishes, she sat on the kang bed, lost in thought. Next to her, Qi Qi was sleeping soundly.

She summoned her system, and a book slowly opened in front of her, but only the first three chapters were unlocked.

Chapter One: The male lead actively seduces the female supporting character Nan Sheng, and she falls in love at first sight.

Chapter Two: The male lead, a sly playboy, deliberately plays the victim. The supporting female character sells herself to raise money to help him return to the city and marries the wealthy, two-kid father Lin Han.

Chapter Three is even more heart-wrenching—throughout the whole chapter, it’s all about how the children are being mistreated. Watching it made her feel deeply sorry for the two kids; this kind of romance is really tough on them.

After finishing a hearty meal, Nan Sheng checked the affection meter. It was pitch black—so touching in its own way. She sighed deeply; this was truly a difficult task to complete.

Sizhe was busy working, weeding at a speed that rivaled adult women, yet because of his young age, he could only earn six work points.

The villagers saw such a small child having to work and cursed Nan Sheng silently for not sparing the kids.

Grandpa Lin, worried about his grandson, sent his eldest grandson, Lin Sizhong, over to bring some steamed buns made from cornmeal to his younger brother. But Sizhe refused, saying, “Big brother, please take the buns back.”

Every family was struggling to get by, and those buns were saved from the mouths of Grandpa and Grandma. He didn’t want them, and besides, his eldest aunt would scold him if she found out.

“Just take it for now. My mother is talkative, but she means no harm.”

Lin Sizhong was eighteen this year, old enough to marry. His family was living frugally to save a bride price for him, so much so that they hadn’t eaten meat for months.

Sizhe was proud. Once, when he was starving, he went to Grandpa’s house for a meal but was pushed away by his eldest aunt. He would rather go hungry than go there again.

“Big brother, please take it back. I really don’t want it. I ate well at noon.”

Sizhe was stubborn. After saying this, he bent down and continued working. Lin Sizhong had no choice but to leave. He had been out too long, and the villagers working alongside him would start to complain.

As the sun set, everyone rushed toward the scorekeeper when they heard a whistle.

Sizhe wore a cold expression. If it weren’t for his little sister still being young, he wouldn’t want to go home at all.

Lately, every time it rained, he prayed for a thunderbolt to strike and kill his stepmother.

When he got home, the meal was already prepared, and Nan Sheng’s tone was gentle.

“Big boy’s back? Wipe yourself off and get ready to eat.”

Sizhe said nothing, suspecting that his stepmother might be ill.

Nan Sheng placed the dishes on the table. Besides a large plate of steamed buns, there was a dish of scrambled eggs with tomatoes. Each bowl was thoughtfully filled with cool boiled water, in case anyone choked while eating.

Seeing Sizhe standing still by the table, Siqi, who had already taken a bite of a bun, called out to him.

Her eyes sparkled. “Brother, come eat!”

Chapter 2

Sizhe sat at the table, tentatively reaching for a steamed bun. Good—his stepmother wasn’t watching, so he could eat. The sweet and sour stir-fried tomatoes and eggs were appetizing, pairing perfectly with the buns. Siqi’s bowl had also been thoughtfully filled with half a portion, allowing her to scoop the food into her mouth with a spoon.

Even though his stepmother had changed, Sizhe still didn’t dare eat too much. After two buns, he set down his chopsticks. Nan Sheng, unsure of his appetite, cautiously asked, “We’re out of alkali noodles, so the buns taste a bit sour. Do you not like them, Sizhe?”

Sizhe frowned and glanced at her. In these times, having enough to eat was already a blessing—who cared if the food was sour? He was just afraid that if he ate too much, his stepmother would start beating them again.

When her son didn’t respond, Nan Sheng didn’t press further. Instead, she pushed the remaining two buns toward him. “Eat up. It’s hot out, and leaving them overnight will spoil them.”

Her reasoning was simple: a full stomach meant a better mood, and a better mood would surely boost their affection for her.

Seeing her sincerity, Sizhe finally dug in, devouring the buns and even wiping the plate clean with the last one to soak up every bit of the tomato and egg sauce.

Lin Han had joined the military at fourteen, back when his family was poor and he needed a way out. Before marriage, he had saved up money, which Father Lin and Mother Lin used to build three rooms—the very ones they lived in now.

The eastern and western rooms were for sleeping, while the middle one served as the kitchen and a small living area.

Nan Sheng stayed in the eastern room. She retrieved the small box where the original owner had hidden money, unlocked it, and found a pile of cash and ration tickets inside. After counting, it totaled over 800 yuan—all hers now!

Five hundred of it was Lin Han’s savings, given to her before he returned to the military. As a soldier, he wasn’t one for schemes. Since the original owner had agreed to care for his children, he had entrusted her with everything.

The remaining 300 yuan was the betrothal gift from the Lin Family to the Nan Family, also paid by Lin Han himself, meant for buying a sewing machine and a watch. But the original owner had refused to purchase anything, so her parents gave the money back to her as a dowry. They had been deeply unhappy about her marriage to Lin Han, nearly cutting ties over it.

The rest was a mix of Nan Sheng’s frugal savings, Lin Han’s military stipend from the past two months, and the money she made from selling eggs.

The male lead was a schemer—he didn’t like the original owner and only wanted to swindle her out of her money, even pretending to be in a relationship to deceive her.

Nan Sheng was amused. Seriously, were toxic male leads trending these days?

“Dreaming of returning to the city? Keep dreaming!”

That night, Nan Sheng slept deeply. Her body was still weak and needed recovery. By the time she woke up, Sizhe had already left for work, but Siqi was rubbing her empty stomach, whimpering.

“Mom, I’m so hungry!”

Nan Sheng smiled. Kids were easier to win over—just a little kindness, and they’d start acting sweet. How adorable!

She fetched a basin of water, washed up, then cleaned Siqi’s face and hair. The little girl stayed still, sensing that her stepmother was different today.

With only cornmeal and coarse grains at home, Nan Sheng couldn’t whip up anything fancy. She made a simple porridge and stir-fried greens, making do with Siqi for the meal.

Since she had chores to do, Nan Sheng sent Siqi out to play. The girl hesitated. “Mom, don’t I need to gather wild vegetables?”

Nan Sheng patted her head. “There’s enough for the chicks. Take the day off and go play, okay?”

“Yay!”

Siqi was thrilled—she loved playing with her cousin at Third Uncle’s house.

Nan Sheng reminded her, “Stay away from the mountains and the river. And if you visit a friend’s house, don’t take their food. Got it?”

Siqi nodded. She understood—food was precious, and she shouldn’t impose. “I won’t wander, Mom. I’ll just go to Third Uncle’s to play with my cousin.”

Nan Sheng was naturally tidy, and since the original owner had neglected the kids, she had to step up.

She cleaned the siblings’ room, washed their dirty clothes, and only remembered the lack of alkali noodles for buns when it was almost time to cook.

That wouldn’t do. After some thought, she headed to a neighbor’s house. “Granny Zhang, are you home?”

The system was reliable when it came to simple social interactions—as long as it didn’t involve major plot points, it would remind her how to address people.

The Zhang family was out working in the fields, leaving only the frail Granny Zhang at home to handle chores. Hearing the call, she opened the door and was visibly surprised to see Nan Sheng.

“Oh, Lin Han’s wife! Come in, come in!”

The villagers whispered that Lin Han’s wife mistreated the children, but Granny Zhang believed she was just young and inexperienced—time would help her bond with them.

“Granny Zhang, I’ve run out of alkali noodles. Could I borrow some? I’ll return them after I buy more in town.”

Kind-hearted, Granny Zhang led her to the kitchen. “No need to talk about borrowing among neighbors. Take what you need.”

Nan Sheng had brought a small bowl, and Granny Zhang poured half a bowl’s worth from her alkali noodle bag. “Sizhe’s gone to work again? That boy should be in school—he’d have a brighter future.”

Sizhe was a top student, always scoring first in exams, well-known in Xiangyang Village. Granny Zhang wanted to persuade Nan Sheng to let him return to school.

“He dropped out on his own, stubborn as he is. But after working these days, he’s probably regretting it. I’ll send him back to class in a day or two.”

Nan Sheng mixed truth with lies to salvage her reputation. Sizhe had indeed quit school—afraid his stepmother would starve Siqi if he wasn’t around.

The original owner, seeing him idle, had forced him to work for extra rations.

Granny Zhang was delighted for Sizhe and warmed up to Nan Sheng. “Good, good! We’re close neighbors—come to me if you need anything.”

Back home, Nan Sheng started kneading dough. In this heat, the buns would be ready to steam in under an hour after adding the alkali noodles.

With time to spare, she also made porridge and stir-fried green beans. But Sizhe had already returned from work—where was Siqi?

Assuming his stepmother had sent her to gather vegetables again, Sizhe turned to leave, but Nan Sheng stopped him.

“Check Third Uncle’s place. Siqi said she was going to play with her cousin.”

At this hour, if she wasn’t back yet, Third Aunt might assume she was there for a free meal.

Relieved to hear Siqi was at Third Uncle’s, Sizhe left—but he didn’t return either. Nan Sheng figured they must have stayed for dinner.

As she ate, a boy rushed in—Lin Sicheng, Eldest Brother Lin’s second son.

“Auntie, it’s bad! Sizhe got beaten by Third Uncle, and Siqi was slapped twice by Third Aunt. You’d better go see!”

Nan Sheng’s blood boiled. “What happened? Why did Third Brother hit my kids?”

She grabbed a thick stick from the firewood pile on her way out.

Lin Sicheng said, “I don’t know. Maybe Third Aunt hit Siqi first, then Sizhe went to reason with Third Uncle and got beaten too.”

Xiangyang Village had over 300 households. Third Brother Lin Jianshe lived about 200 meters away—a short sprint.

A small crowd had gathered outside Lin Jianshe’s house. Inside, Eldest Brother Lin’s family stood protectively in front of the children.

When Nan Sheng arrived, Third Brother Lin and his wife barely paid her any attention—they all knew the second sister-in-law wasn’t particularly invested in her children.

Sizhe was currently shielded between Eldest Brother Lin and his son, with two cane marks on his arm and his clothes covered in dirt. He wasn’t crying, though, instead glaring defiantly at Third Brother Lin.

Siqi was cradled in the arms of her eldest aunt, rubbing her eyes and calling for her mother, clearly having suffered quite a bit of distress.

Before anyone could react, Nan Sheng swung a stick straight at Lin Jianshe. "How dare you lay a hand on my kids? Don’t you have your own? If you’ve forgotten how to act like a decent human being, I might as well send you straight to your next life!"

No one had expected Nan Sheng to react this way, and before Lin Jianshe could dodge, he took several hard blows. As he stumbled back, the stick struck his face. His wife, Sun Qian, snapped out of her shock and lunged forward, ready to fight Nan Sheng.

"You’ve got a death wish! How dare you hit my man!"

Transmigrated as the Evil Stepmother, I Bully the Whole Family, Yay!

Chapter 3

Eldest Brother Lin and his son quickly turned to stop Third Brother Lin, not letting him get into a fight with Nan Sheng. It would be ridiculous for a younger brother-in-law to hit his sister-in-law, and besides, it was their own spouses who had started it all.

Meanwhile, Nan Sheng and her sister-in-law were already tearing into each other. They fought so fiercely that no one dared to step in and separate them for a while.

Third Lin’s wife only knew how to grab hair, but Nan Sheng was taller, which gave her the upper hand. Soon, Third Lin’s wife found herself on the losing side.

Nan Sheng tugged at her hair with her left hand, while her right hand slapped hard across her face.

The sharp smacks echoed loudly, making everyone’s face ache just from hearing them.

“Eldest Brother Lin, you’re one thing, but Siqi is just a kid—how dare you two lay hands on her? Today, I’m going to tear the skin off your face and see just how thick it really is.”

By the time they were pulled apart, Third Lin’s wife looked a mess—her hair was tangled and wild, her face swollen high, and there were numerous scratches from fingernails bleeding all over.

Nan Sheng had also taken a beating; her scalp throbbed painfully. But when it came to fighting, she was still the authority and definitely wouldn’t admit defeat.

Father Lin and Mother Lin were slower on their feet. The elderly couple cared a lot about face and immediately started scolding as soon as they walked in.

“Are you bored out of your minds? What’s the point of fighting for no reason? Anyone who doesn’t behave can just get out of Xiangyang Village! The Lin family doesn’t want troublemakers like you!”

Father Lin, Lin Guozheng, was the village chief. His words carried weight, and no one in Xiangyang Village dared to cross him—not even the Lin family. Seeing their father, Third Lin and his wife immediately cowered.

Sun Qian covered her face, crying out, “Father, you have to control Second Sister-in-law! She started hitting people as soon as she came in. Look at what she did to me and Third Brother!”

Father Lin shot her a glare, telling her to shut up, then turned to Nan Sheng with a look of deep disgust. “Go back to your own home. Isn’t that shameful enough already?”

What kind of curse had he brought upon himself, marrying one daughter-in-law worse than the next?

Nan Sheng refused to back down. “Why should I leave? I was married into this family by your son. I’m stuck taking care of two kids, and on top of that, I get bullied by my younger brother-in-law. What kind of justice is that?

Today, their couple dared to hit my child. Tomorrow, will they come after my life? Grandpa of the child, if you don’t stand up for me, I’ll hang myself right here in this yard. Let’s see if your Lin family can still find a daughter-in-law after that!”

Nan Sheng was sharp-tongued. She’d experienced the coldness of the world from a young age and knew that kindness often invited exploitation.

Today, she wouldn’t give anyone face. She had to take back control of the situation.

Father Lin didn’t trust her words and instead shifted his gaze to his eldest son, where he noticed Sizhe was injured. He thought to himself, could it really have been Third Brother who started all this trouble?

Eldest Brother Lin nodded. Third Brother was simply inhuman. It was one thing to scold the kids for misbehaving, but how could he lay hands on them?

Besides, Second Brother had already done plenty to help both families.

A neighbor with a sense of justice also spoke up, “Chief, today it’s not Lin Han’s wife’s fault. It was Eldest Brother Lin and Qiqi who were beaten by Third Brother and his wife. Lin Han’s wife was just angry.”

Sizhe silently nodded. It was true that his stepmother liked to fight, but today’s incident wasn’t her fault.

Father Lin felt a pang of guilt for having wronged his daughter-in-law. He apologized to the neighbors, “Sorry for troubling everyone. Please go back home and have your meals; we still have work this afternoon.”

The neighbors, understanding the situation, offered a few words of comfort and then headed back to their own homes. The Lin family members also went inside.

Inside the house, Father Lin and Mother Lin sat on the kang (heated brick bed). Lin Guozheng waved over the eldest son, “Big Boy, come here and explain to Grandpa what happened today.”

Nan Sheng had just finished a fight and was feeling weak. While others might have stood, she plopped down heavily onto a stool, listening as Big Boy began to speak.

“Grandpa, when I got off work, I came home and saw my sister wasn’t there. So, I went to Third Uncle’s house to bring her back for dinner. But as soon as I entered the courtyard, I heard my sister crying. Third Aunt was scolding her, calling her greedy and accusing her of stealing Siyu’s biscuits. When I went inside, I saw her face was red and swollen from being hit.”

Father Lin clenched his anger but listened quietly as his grandson continued.

“I got upset and pushed Third Aunt away, trying to pick up Qiqi. But then Third Uncle came back, saw what was happening, and without asking for any explanation, picked up a rattan cane and started whipping me.”

Big Boy took off his shirt to show Father Lin the marks—over ten welts, all struck with force.

That was the last straw for Nan Sheng. She stormed over to Third Brother Lin and slapped him twice.

“I’m a stepmother, and I’ve never hit him that hard. Who the hell do you think you are, calling yourself his real uncle? Consider our ties severed—completely severed!”

Third Brother Lin was holding back his anger too. Seeing his wife being bullied was unbearable, and now, after being slapped, he dared not say a word or even look up at his father’s stern face.

He bowed his head and apologized to Lin Guozheng, “Father, I know I was wrong. I won’t be foolish like this again.”

His wife remained silent, clearly feeling wronged.

Mother Lin, who was the village teacher and always spoke with reason, said firmly, “This whole mess is the fault of Third Brother and his wife. How old is Qiqi? Even if she ate a little something, what harm is there? Do you think she could eat you all into poverty?

And Third Brother, I don’t know how you could raise your hand to hit her. Look at Sizhe—he’s already so skinny. Aren’t you afraid you might break his spine? Both of you, apologize to the children right now!”

Third Brother Lin agreed, but his agreement wasn’t enough, especially with Nan Sheng being such a stubborn thorn in the side.

“I don’t agree. Saying sorry and ‘it’s okay’ won’t just erase what happened. He hit our Big Boy so many times, and he deserves to be hit back the same number of times. Otherwise, this isn’t over!”

Big Boy felt wronged too. Seeing his stepmother stand up for him, he even felt a bit touched by her support. Third Brother’s wife joined in the shouting.

“No way! Second Sister-in-law just hit us that many times, and she went all out. She already paid for it. If we get hit again, our family’s the one who’ll suffer!”

Nan Sheng thought to herself, “You’re good at keeping score, huh? Fine, let’s settle this properly then.”

Both sides refused to back down. Mother Lin was caught in the middle, hoping as the elder that the family could live together in harmony.

Nan Sheng glanced around, looking for Third Brother’s daughter. Not seeing her in this room, she turned and headed to another.

Before anyone else could react, the sound of Lin Siyu’s crying drifted over.

Third Brother Lin and his wife exchanged worried glances. Their second sister-in-law really lacked virtue—how could she even lay a hand on a little child? Siyu was barely three years old!

When everyone arrived at the west room, they saw Nan Sheng holding the child in one arm. As Third Brother Lin and his wife approached, she made a show of trying to slam the child to the ground.

“Don’t drop her, Second Sister-in-law, let’s talk this through!”

Sun Qian’s heart nearly jumped out of her chest. Her precious little one was literally in someone else’s hands—how could she just stand by?

The others looked tense as well. “Second brother’s family, put the child down first. If you want to fight, fight Lin Jianshe and his wife—they’re tough and can take it.”

“Feeling sorry now, are you?” Nan Sheng sneered. “Our child is only five years old. When you bullied her, did you ever think she was just a kid? And Sizhe is only ten, yet Third Brother Lin actually whipped him with a cane! I’m making this clear—Lin Jianshe will get a beating he can’t dodge. If you don’t agree, I’ll take it out on his daughter. Nobody’s getting the better of anyone here!”

With that, Nan Sheng gave the child a light smack on the bottom, barely any force, but it scared Siyu into a crying fit. Pretending to be impatient, she warned, “Shut up. Cry again and I’ll hit you!”

Siyu covered her mouth with both hands, tears streaming down her face as she looked at her parents. She looked even more pitiful than Siqi had before.

“I agree! Dad, come hit me now!”

He only had this one daughter. Seeing her cry was worse than death to him.

Father Lin sent the eldest son outside to fetch a thick vine. Third Brother Lin was especially eager, stripping off his shirt without hesitation. He took a full thirty lashes from his older brother, no mercy given.

This time, Nan Sheng was finally satisfied. She put the child down on the kang (heated brick bed) and called her two children, “Come on, let’s go home and eat!”

The others: ……

Your nerve is really something!

Chapter 4

Sizhe twitched his lips and picked up his little sister, who was staring at her stepmother with adoring eyes and an open mouth, carrying her as he stood behind Nan Sheng.

"Uncle, Auntie, we’ll head back first."

The eldest child felt somewhat wronged by his grandparents' attempts to smooth things over, but since the elderly couple had always treated him and his sister well, he couldn’t bring himself to criticize them.

Better to just go home and eat—he was pretty hungry anyway.

Father Lin and Mother Lin also called for Eldest Brother Lin’s family to return with them, as the elderly couple lived in the same courtyard as their eldest son.

Auntie Zhou Wei, being straightforward, couldn’t help but remark after what had just happened, "The second wife has a bad temper, but she’s quite protective of the kids outside."

Eldest Brother Lin shot a glance at his parents, signaling his wife to keep quiet, though he, too, had begun to see his sister-in-law in a new light.

After Nan Sheng brought the two children home, the corn porridge on the table had already congealed. She poured hot water over it and stirred, and the three of them—one adult and two children—sat together to eat, an inexplicable warmth filling the moment.

They still had work to do in the afternoon, so Sizhe ate quickly, taking big bites of steamed bun and gulps of porridge whenever he choked. Siqi, however, ate absentmindedly, stealing glances at Nan Sheng between bites. She thought her mother looked so impressive when she stood up for them.

She liked it!

Though it would be even better if she didn’t scold her too!

Noticing her gaze, Nan Sheng tapped the table with her chopsticks. "No distractions during meals." She was counting on the eldest to finish off the remaining food.

Siqi obediently straightened up and focused on eating, her sweet mouth piping up, "Mom, your cooking is so delicious!"

Nan Sheng couldn’t help but smile. With enough oil, how could the food not taste good?

Still, she was a meat lover, and going a few meals without it left her craving it.

"Sit properly. In a few days, I’ll go to town to withdraw some money and buy a couple of pounds of meat for us to eat."

"Yay! Mom’s the best!"

Watching Siqi beam at such a simple promise, Sizhe began to wonder if his sister was really their father’s biological child. After being fooled for months, she still dared to believe their stepmother’s words—truly admirable courage.

Once he finished eating, he wasted no time heading out. "I’m off to work!"

In the afternoon, Nan Sheng stripped the bedding from both children’s beds to wash. Unable to sit still, Siqi grabbed a small basket and ran out to forage for wild greens.

Nan Sheng didn’t stop her. Once the bedding dried, she’d have to sew the covers back on, and the messy house needed reorganizing—there was too much to do.

When Sizhe returned in the evening, he carried a net bag. Siqi excitedly rushed over. "Brother, did you catch any shrimp?"

In the past, he would’ve just roasted whatever he caught over a fire. Why bring it home today?

Sizhe glanced at his stepmother before pouring the contents of the net into a basin. "Not just shrimp—two crucian carp, too."

Nan Sheng, who was stir-frying vegetables, chimed in, "Want shrimp for dinner? Clean them, and I’ll fry them once the dishes are done."

Siqi was thrilled, and Sizhe silently began cleaning the shrimp, occasionally stealing glances toward the kitchen, as if puzzled by his stepmother’s sudden change.

Nan Sheng was stir-frying eggplant and green beans, sliced into strips with green and red peppers for flavor—perfect with rice. Considering her daughter’s age, she set aside a portion before adding the spice.

Sizhe placed the cleaned shrimp on the stove—nearly half a basin’s worth. Nan Sheng was pleased. "So many? And they’re big ones! Sizhe, go wash up and change before dinner."

Though he didn’t reply, he nodded. Nan Sheng chuckled to herself. Kids will be kids.

She quickly sliced some scallions and ginger, then fetched a small bottle of liquor from her room to remove the fishy smell. Siqi, meanwhile, nestled by the stove, tending the fire—such an adorable little helper.

"Mom, are you using that much oil?"

Her auntie always cooked with just a small spoonful. Her stepmother didn’t seem very thrifty.

Nan Sheng patted her daughter’s head. "You think shrimp will taste good with less oil? Mind your own business, little one."

Siqi was an interesting child—fearless, it seemed. Even when scolded, she never held a grudge. A kind word, and she’d sweetly call her "Mom" again, utterly endearing.

That afternoon, after being bullied by the third uncle’s family, she had cried for a bit, then forgotten all about it after a nap—remarkably resilient.

Once the shrimp were fried to a crisp, Nan Sheng set them aside, leaving just a bit of oil in the wok to sauté the scallions, ginger, and seasonings before tossing the shrimp back in to coat them in sauce.

There were enough shrimp to fill a small basin, with an extra plate set aside.

"Sizhe, are you done washing up? Take this plate of shrimp to your grandparents before dinner."

Some social niceties were unavoidable—a woman raising two kids alone might need help someday.

Sizhe had already finished washing. He’d been scrubbing his dirty clothes in the yard but rinsed his hands and came inside when called.

The aroma of the fried shrimp, glazed in sauce, was irresistible even before tasting.

Siqi, unable to resist, sucked on her fingers—only to get a light smack from her stepmother. "Brother, hurry back!"

The little glutton couldn’t wait to dig in. Sizhe gave a quiet "Mm," though he almost said they didn’t need to wait for him—but that might’ve been presumptuous.

By then, every household in the village was preparing dinner. At his grandparents’ place, the meal had just been laid out.

Lin Jianguo waved his nephew over. "Come eat with us, Sizhe. Your auntie steamed mixed-grain buns today."

"Mixed-grain" meant wheat flour blended with cornmeal—common during busy farming seasons when the two families often shared meals.

Auntie Zhou Wei glanced at Sizhe but didn’t shoo him away, figuring the kids had had a rough day.

Sicheng scooted over to make space, urging Sizhe to sit beside him. The whole way, Sizhe had shielded the shrimp with the small basin to keep dust off.

"Uncle, we made shrimp for dinner. She asked me to bring some for you and Grandma. I won’t stay long."

Sicheng’s eyes lit up at the sight of the shrimp, and he popped one into his mouth before the adults could react. The rest of the table was stunned.

"Your mother really sent this?" Grandma Lin asked in disbelief.

Today was full of surprises.

Sizhe bristled at the word "mother" but nodded anyway before turning to leave. Behind him, Sicheng’s voice carried, praising how delicious the shrimp were.

Only after Sizhe returned home did the three of them start eating. They polished off the entire basin of shrimp, and once off the table, Siqi begged her brother, "Catch more shrimp tomorrow! I want to eat this every day!"

"No!"

The amount of oil used for one small basin could last other families days. This stepmother was bizarre—stingy before, now extravagantly generous. Was she trying to spend all their money?

Seeing Nan Sheng still seated, Sizhe took the initiative to wash the dishes. Just as he thought he could finally rest, his stepmother called him into the east room.

"Are your injuries okay? Let me know if you're feeling unwell anywhere. Also, starting tomorrow, you don’t have to go to work anymore—go back to school instead. If you’re worried about your little sister, she can go to school with you."

Children in rural areas start school late, often not learning to read until seven or eight. Sending Siqi now would just mean spending the money two years earlier, and besides, Nan Sheng wasn’t exactly skilled at childcare.

The suggestion stirred something in Sizhe. His grandmother often told him knowledge could change one’s destiny, and Father Lin had always hoped he’d rise above their circumstances. If his sister went to school with him, he wouldn’t have to worry about her being beaten anymore.

The word "okay" had barely formed in his throat when Siqi broke down first. "I don’t want to go to school! I don’t want to go! I don’t want to get my hands smacked!"

The noise gave Nan Sheng a headache, and she pulled the girl over, manually shutting her up.

"As long as you behave in school and finish your homework on time, the teacher won’t smack your hands."

So stop wailing already!

Transmigrated as the Evil Stepmother, I Bully the Whole Family, Yay!

Chapter 5

Siqi pushed Nan Sheng's hand away and instead clung to her stepmother's leg, wailing loudly.

"I just don’t want to go to school, Mom. I can dig wild vegetables for you every day at home. I’m really capable—please don’t send me to school."

Nan Sheng couldn’t help but laugh inwardly. Even Wang Baochuan, the legendary diligent woman, couldn’t out-dig you. She was impressed!

"Alright, alright, no school then. But if you keep crying, your mom’s ears will go deaf."

Sizhe’s dream of attending school was ruthlessly crushed by his little sister. He sighed and had no choice but to reject his stepmother’s suggestion. As always, he couldn’t bring himself to leave Siqi alone with her.

"Then I won’t go to school either. Earning work points is just fine."

Nan Sheng was so annoyed she nearly laughed. Were these two kids testing her patience now, daring to talk back? She raised her hand threateningly at Sizhe. "Say that again?"

Sizhe: "..."

The memory of her slaps instantly flooded back. He used to be such a cheerful, lively boy—now he was practically depressed from all the beatings.

"I think—"

Slap! His left cheek flushed red.

"I—"

Slap! His right cheek swelled up.

Sizhe covered his face with both hands. "Fine! I’ll go tomorrow!!!"

Satisfied, Nan Sheng lowered her hand, thinking to herself, Does this kid have some kind of disorder? He only listens after a beating.

Just as she was about to send Siqi and her brother back to the west room to sleep, the little girl copied her brother, covering her face with her hands, clearly afraid of getting slapped too.

Nan Sheng clicked her tongue and continued her threat. "After New Year’s, you’ll be six years old. You have to go to school then. If you don’t obey, I’ll spank you too, understand?"

Siqi nodded frantically. Fine, I’ll go. But New Year’s is still far away.

Before bed, Nan Sheng checked her system. As expected, the affection points hadn’t increased—probably because those last two slaps had hurt quite a bit...

The next morning, Nan Sheng finished cooking, but neither child had gotten up. Worried that Sizhe had gone back on his word, she marched into their room, hand raised for another slap.

Inside, she found both siblings still fast asleep, looking perfectly content. She yanked the blanket off and pinched their noses one by one. "Sizhe, Qiqi, time to eat."

School required students to arrive by 7 a.m. With no clock at home, Nan Sheng could only guess the time. Siqi woke up first, blinking drowsily and calling out, "Mom..." But Sizhe didn’t stir at all.

Nan Sheng sensed something wrong. She touched his forehead—it was burning. Lifting his clothes, she saw the welts on his body had swollen. The wounds were likely infected, causing the fever.

"Sizhe? Sizhe, can you hear me?"

She rushed to the kitchen for a basin of warm water, soaked a cloth, and wiped him down. Then she instructed her daughter,

"Qiqi, your brother’s sick. Stay here and keep him company, okay? Mom’s going to fetch Uncle Li to check on him."

Siqi nodded obediently and even mimicked her stepmother, gently wiping her brother’s face.

Li Min was Xiangyang Village’s barefoot doctor, stocking basic medicines and even giving injections. Villagers usually went to him for minor illnesses.

Country folk rose early. When Nan Sheng arrived at the Li household, the family was eating breakfast. Li Min’s wife greeted her, "Oh, Lin Han’s wife! Join us for a bite?"

It was just polite small talk—Nan Sheng knew better than to take it seriously. "No, thank you, sister. It’s urgent. Sizhe’s running a fever. I need Big Brother Li to take a look."

Li Min immediately set down his bowl and began packing his medical kit. "Big Brother Li, Sizhe was whipped with a bamboo stick yesterday. The wounds are swollen now. Do you have any ointment to bring along?"

"Got it!" Li Min ducked into another room to fetch the medicine. His wife muttered angrily, "That Third Brother Lin is a real piece of work. How could he hit a child so hard? He made the poor boy sick!"

Nan Sheng’s face darkened with worry. In these times, a high fever was no joke—many children ended up brain-damaged from it. She had no idea how long Sizhe had been burning up.

"You’re absolutely right, sister. I’ve got a quick temper too—I’ll smack them when they misbehave—but I’d never use a stick or bamboo on them. What kind of uncle does that?"

Once Li Min had everything ready, he hurried out with Nan Sheng, both walking briskly.

His wife watched them go and murmured to herself, Huh. Maybe Lin Han’s wife isn’t as bad as everyone says. She’s frantic over that sick kid.

Sizhe’s fever was severe. Li Min prepared an injection first, jabbing it into his backside, then left behind fever-reducing pills and an ointment for the wounds.

"Give him the pills when he wakes up. If the fever hasn’t broken by noon, I’ll come back for another injection. This boy’s constitution is too weak."

Nan Sheng felt the subtle jab at her parenting. She forced an awkward smile and went to fetch money. The visit cost her one yuan and fifty cents—proof of how illness could bankrupt the poor.

After applying the ointment, Nan Sheng fed Siqi breakfast and wiped Sizhe down twice more to cool him.

About two hours later, Sizhe finally stirred. His temperature had dropped, though he still spoke weakly.

Knowing he’d have no appetite, Nan Sheng brought him only a thin porridge. "Sizhe, you’ve got a fever. Rest well. Sleep if you’re tired—you’ll feel better when you wake up."

Sizhe closed his eyes, pretending to sleep. He’d heard his stepmother’s voice earlier but couldn’t open his eyes. He’d felt her wiping him down, calling the doctor, applying medicine... He remembered everything.

Before he knew it, his eyes grew damp. If only she’d treated me like this from the start...

Li Min’s medicine worked wonders. By noon, the swelling had subsided, and though Sizhe was still warm, the worst of the fever had passed.

Li Min stopped by to check and smiled. "No need for another injection. Just keep taking the pills."

As Nan Sheng walked him out, Lin Guozheng and his wife arrived at the door. Li Min greeted them, "Uncle, Auntie! Don’t worry—Lin Han’s wife took good care of him. The boy’s fever is down."

Lin Guozheng sighed in relief. "Thank you, Min. If not for you, the poor child might’ve been ruined by that fever."

Li Min waved it off and left to finish his meal.

An awkward silence fell between the three. The elderly couple had never liked Nan Sheng, and she didn’t push it. "Go see Sizhe. He’s feeling miserable from the illness."

Her mother-in-law, Fan Shuting, asked quietly, "We just got back and heard Sizhe was sick. Did his uncle do this yesterday?"

Nan Sheng didn’t sugarcoat it. "Hard to say. This morning, the whip marks were swollen, and he was burning up. I should’ve taken it seriously sooner."

They entered the room to find Sizhe trying to sit up for his grandparents. Fan Shuting pressed him back down. "Rest while you’re sick. No need to get up. You’ve suffered enough."

Oh, he’s suffered alright—your grandson even cried in secret, Nan Sheng thought.

Before leaving, the couple tried to give her five yuan. Nan Sheng refused. "Lin Han left me money before he went away. Keep yours. If I need funds, I’ll demand it from Third Brother—he’s the one who beat my child half to death."

The logic was sound. Lin Guozheng and his wife exchanged a glance and took the money back.

They were just afraid the third son's wife wouldn't agree, and the two families would end up fighting again!

Chapter 6

It’s unclear how the old couple managed to persuade her, but before long, Third Lin’s Wife personally came over to hand over five yuan, her face sullen with displeasure.

"We’re giving you the money, but from now on, stop telling everyone that Third Lin beat your eldest son."

Nan Sheng snorted, refusing to give her a friendly look either. "If you’re afraid of being gossiped about, then do something decent. This money is for the child’s medical expenses, not to buy my silence. I’ll say whatever I want."

Before marriage, Third Lin’s Wife had been a notorious spitfire. The only reason she was behaving so meekly now was because Nan Sheng had beaten her into submission the day before.

Her sharp tongue hadn’t dulled, though. "As if you’ve never laid a hand on the boy yourself! If you were such a good stepmother, would those kids have been starved to skin and bones? Stop pretending to be the saint now!"

What infuriated her most was how her in-laws always took Second Brother’s side. Nan Sheng had no intention of denying her past mistakes—with the original host’s behavior as a benchmark, she saw no need to grovel, and frankly, it felt liberating.

"Of course I hit them. Are they my biological children? Do I have any bond with them? Let me make this clear—if they misbehave in the future, I’ll beat them again!

But you two, their own uncle and aunt—didn’t you used to rely on Lin Han’s help? How is it that the moment their father was gone, not only did you refuse to lend a hand, but you treated them even worse than I did?"

The eldest boy’s lips twitched. His stepmother had no virtues to speak of, except for her brutal honesty. Hearing her words made his entire body ache, especially his face.

Clearly, even Sun Qian was left speechless by her shamelessness. Since she couldn’t win in a fight or an argument, she might as well go home and nap—she still had to work in the afternoon.

The couple had their own grievances too. The last time Second Brother returned, they had hoped to borrow some money to fix their leaky roof—no one could endure the constant dripping during rain.

But Lin Han refused, saying the money was for his wedding, which naturally bred resentment.

Now, not only had they become the village laughingstock, but they’d also lost five yuan. Third Lin wasn’t pleased with her either.

Sizhe was still weak, so Nan Sheng wasn’t in a hurry to send him to school. Instead, she planned to go to town to buy some nourishing food for the family.

Early the next morning, she cooked breakfast and kept it warm in the pot. Hearing movement from the west room, she peeked in and saw Sizhe had woken up.

Nan Sheng checked his temperature with her hand. "Good, no fever. I’m heading to town to buy some things. Food’s in the pot—eat whenever you’re hungry."

Sizhe’s throat was too sore to speak, so he just nodded. She didn’t mind, adding, "If you’re not feeling well, just stay in bed. I’ll try to come back early!"

After fetching money and ration coupons from her room, Nan Sheng set off. Today, she planned to buy a wristwatch and a bicycle—otherwise, she’d have no way to carry the rice and flour back.

Sizhe, after getting up, noticed the chickens hadn’t been fed. Resigned, he chopped up some wild greens, mixed them with corn bran, and poured it into the feeding trough. The two hens fluttered over eagerly.

Only then did he leisurely wash his face and eat. Nan Sheng, worried he might have no appetite, had specially prepared a cucumber salad—sweet and sour, perfect for whetting his hunger.

After the meal, he sat on a bamboo chair in the yard, staring blankly into the distance until Siqi’s voice called him back inside.

The ointment worked well—his bruises no longer hurt.

The nearest town to Xiangyang Village was Huaishan Town, over ten kilometers away. Without transportation, Nan Sheng had to walk the entire way. It was the hottest season of the year, and within minutes, her clothes were drenched in sweat.

Her luck was rotten—not a single oxcart or horse-drawn carriage passed by on the road.

Upon reaching town, Nan Sheng headed straight for the supply and marketing cooperative. Rice, flour, meat, and daily necessities—everything had to be bought here.

Since her marriage, Nan Sheng had scrimped and saved to the point of destitution, even selling off her decent clothes for cheap. Now, she looked utterly unremarkable.

With grain coupons in hand, she wasn’t in a rush to buy staples. First, she wanted to secure the bicycle and wristwatch—it’d make transporting the groceries easier.

At the bicycle section, her face darkened further. Why were they all "28-inch bar" models?

With her short legs, mounting wouldn’t be an issue, but dismounting? Forget it. She couldn’t rely on her face to brake, could she?

"Comrade, do you have any bicycles without the crossbar? I’m buying it for myself."

The salesclerk, surprisingly polite despite Nan Sheng’s shabby appearance, replied, "Comrade, our town only stocks this type. The women’s bicycles you’re looking for are only available in the county."

In rural areas, the crossbar models were preferred—they could carry more cargo and made it easier to transport people.

Defeated, Nan Sheng wondered if she’d have to push the bike all the way home. Or should she test her luck?

"Fine. How much for this one? I’ll take it!"

Seeing her determination, the clerk explained in detail, "We only have two models here. The Feige brand is stylish but expensive—200 yuan plus a bicycle coupon.

The Phoenix brand is sturdier and more affordable—150 yuan plus the coupon. Which would you like?"

Without hesitation, Nan Sheng pulled out a bicycle coupon and 150 yuan. A pretty but impractical thing? Not for her.

The clerk was startled by her decisiveness. In these times, buying a bicycle was cause for celebration—firecrackers and all. Yet this customer didn’t even blink. So wealthy!

"Please wait, Comrade. I’ll get your receipt right away!"

With the bicycle purchased, Nan Sheng moved on to the wristwatch counter. The salesperson, noticing her shiny new bike, became exceptionally enthusiastic.

"Comrade, are you looking for a men’s or women’s watch?"

"Women’s!"

The designs were similar—the women’s version was just slightly smaller. Ironically, they cost more because they were considered essential wedding gifts, making them more sought-after.

After browsing, Nan Sheng winced. The cheapest women’s watch still cost 100 yuan. Too expensive—she couldn’t bring herself to spend that much.

Then she spotted a few dull-looking watches in the men’s section. Pointing, she asked, "Are these older models? Do they require coupons?"

Assuming she was just curious, the clerk explained, "These are secondhand—very cheap, no coupons needed."

Nan Sheng’s eyes lit up. She didn’t care about appearances; telling time was enough. "Tell me about these. I’ll take one."

Under the clerk’s disdainful gaze, she picked a used watch for just 60 yuan—no coupon required. The only hitch was the oversized strap, which the clerk had to shorten by removing a few links.

Before she’d even walked away, the clerk muttered to a coworker, "Buying a secondhand watch for her wedding… tsk."

Nan Sheng bought ten pounds each of rice and flour, along with brown sugar, rock sugar, and White Rabbit milk candies. She restocked other household essentials too. The only disappointment was the meat stall—the good cuts were long gone, leaving only ribs and trotters.

Undaunted, she used her meat coupons to buy two pounds of ribs and four pig’s feet. Meat was meat—she and the kids needed it. Finally, she grabbed a jar of snowflake cream before leaving.

His face was so dark that she felt like calling the police, afraid his gleaming teeth might scare someone to death in the middle of the night!

Transmigrated as the Evil Stepmother, I Bully the Whole Family, Yay!

Chapter 7

Afraid that her purchases might attract attention, Nan Sheng deliberately covered them with a woven plastic bag to hide what was tied inside.

Thinking of the two children at home, she grew anxious and hurried back, pushing the cart. Though their time together had been short, she genuinely cared for them.

Having been an orphan herself, she knew what it was like to grow up without anyone to shield her from life’s hardships. Even if it was just to make up for her own past, she wanted to be a dependable figure for these two children.

After finishing her shopping, she stopped by the vehicle registration office to get her license stamped—now she officially owned a bicycle.

At this time of year, most villagers were busy working in the fields, so the roads were quiet. Whenever she passed hillsides or overgrown paths, Nan Sheng’s heart raced, fearing she might run into bandits.

After pushing the cart for about half an hour, she was too exhausted to go on and had to stop to rest.

She checked her watch—it was already 11:30. She wondered if the two little ones at home had anything to eat.

Nan Sheng had a simple mindset: since she couldn’t leave the Lin family due to her obligations, and since she’d be living with the children for a long time, she would take on the responsibility of being their guardian for as long as she stayed.

As for Lin Han, he was stationed at the military base year-round, so their paths rarely crossed. She considered him more like an employer—after all, he paid her wages, and in return, she raised his children. Neither of them was at a disadvantage.

Just as she was lost in thought, an ox cart approached from the direction of the town. A kind-hearted elderly woman called out from a distance, "Comrade, which village are you from? Do you need a ride?"

When they got closer, the woman noticed the bicycle and chuckled awkwardly. "Girl, why aren’t you riding your bike?"

Nan Sheng felt a little embarrassed, but the couple seemed honest, so she admitted, "This is the family’s bicycle, but I’m too short to get on it properly."

Riding the ox cart wouldn’t be so bad—slow, but at least it would save her energy.

Hearing this, the old woman immediately guided the cart closer. "Quick, girl! Step on the cart’s edge—you’ll be able to mount the bike from there."

Nan Sheng: ?

Before she could react, the woman had already helped her onto the bicycle, looking pleased with herself. Luckily, Nan Sheng’s feet could reach the pedals, so riding wasn’t too difficult.

The old man watched as Nan Sheng wobbled ahead and muttered to his wife, "Wouldn’t it have been better to let her ride the ox cart? What if she falls?"

His wife swatted his arm. "Just drive the cart. Riding a bicycle is faster and looks more impressive."

Another good deed done—she’d surely earn some merit for this!

Meanwhile, Nan Sheng was struggling. The road was bumpy, with large stones jutting out in places, making the ride uncomfortable. After a while, she managed to pick up speed and estimated she’d be home in another half-hour.

Back at the house, Sizhe and Siqi had finished breakfast long ago and were now starving. Siqi clutched her stomach and whined, "Brother, can’t you make us something to eat?"

Sizhe shot her an exasperated look. Had she already forgotten their stepmother’s temper after just two days of decent meals?

If he dared touch the food supplies, she’d throw a fit when she returned.

"Just bear with it. We used to survive on three bowls of water a day—we’ll manage. I’ll go check the riverbank and see if I can find any duck eggs."

Siqi pouted. That wasn’t the same!

Even if they didn’t always have enough at home, their grandparents and brother would sneak her food. Besides, after eating well these past few days, skipping a meal felt even worse.

She whimpered, "Then hurry back, okay?"

Just as Sizhe stepped outside, he spotted someone on a bicycle approaching from a distance, swaying so precariously it looked like they might topple any second. He sidestepped to avoid being hit.

"Is that you, big kid?" Nan Sheng called out cheerfully.

Sizhe froze. Was that his stepmother on the bicycle?

Before he could respond, Nan Sheng urged him to open the gate—otherwise, she might crash into it. "Stay back! I can’t steer very well."

But Sizhe didn’t move. Afraid she’d ride straight into the house, he followed closely behind her. "Just pull the brakes slowly, and the bike will stop."

Was the problem that Nan Sheng didn’t know how to brake?

No—the real issue was that even if the bike stopped, she couldn’t get off. So she kept circling the yard until even Sizhe couldn’t help but laugh.

"Slow down, pull the brakes, and I’ll hold the front wheel steady so you can step off."

Nan Sheng hesitated, worried he might get hurt, but before she could protest, Sizhe had already positioned himself in front of the bike. She slammed on the brakes—the bike stopped, but she ended up with an unfortunate crotch collision.

The pain was… unforgettable.

Luckily, Sizhe was strong enough to tilt the bike gently to the left, allowing her to dismount safely without either of them falling.

"Big kid, take the things from the bike to the kitchen. I’ll sort them out later."

Sizhe watched as his stepmother hobbled inside, her face twisted in discomfort. He bit back a laugh—this was probably the happiest he’d felt in months.

He parked the bicycle by the door and began unloading the groceries: rice, flour, assorted candies, seasonings, and most importantly—meat!

Though it was just the less desirable cuts like ribs and pig’s feet.

As soon as he finished, he heard Siqi’s excited chatter from the east room. "Mom, you’re back! Did you really buy meat? Can we have some tonight?"

"Sweetheart, please let me lie down for a bit. You can even cook my flesh tonight if you want!" came the exhausted reply.

"Uh… never mind."

Siqi pouted again. She definitely wasn’t eating human meat.

Meanwhile, Sizhe, like any boy his age, was fascinated by the bicycle. His eyes sparkled as he circled it, itching to try riding it himself.

Nan Sheng, drained from exhaustion, hunger, and her recent ordeal, took a long time to recover. Siqi brought her a bowl of cold water, which she gulped down gratefully.

"Come on, let me show you what I bought."

In the kitchen, the rice and flour had already been neatly stored, and the seasonings and baking soda were in their proper places. Sizhe had even placed the meat in cold water to keep it fresh—she was impressed by his diligence.

She took the three types of candy and a jar of moisturizing cream to her room, then handed Siqi two pieces of White Rabbit milk candy. "I bought sweets today. From now on, you can have one piece every day, okay?"

Siqi nodded eagerly, already popping one into her mouth.

Only after arriving home did Nan Sheng realize she’d forgotten something crucial—she’d bought the bike but not a lock. What if a thief sneaked in at night and stole it?

She called out, "Big kid, bring the bike into my room. I forgot to buy a lock."

Sizhe obeyed immediately, wheeling the bicycle inside. As he turned to leave, she grabbed his arm and pressed two pieces of White Rabbit candy into his palm.

His stepmother smiled. "These are for you. Don’t secretly save them for your sister—too much candy will rot her teeth!"

Chapter 8

The weather was scorching, and the meat she bought couldn’t be finished in one meal, so Nan Sheng decided to salt the ribs and save them for tomorrow.

At noon, since no one in the family had eaten, Nan Sheng asked Sizhe to pick two tomatoes from the garden. She stir-fried them in oil until the juices came out, then added water and eggs to make a simple flour dumpling soup.

Her little shadow didn’t mind the heat in the kitchen, sitting on a small stool by the stove to tend the fire for her stepmother. The poor child had lost her birth mother at the age of three, and despite Nan Sheng’s past neglect, she remained clingy.

"Mom, it smells so good!"

"Then eat as much as you like. Next time I go to town, I’ll buy some pork fat to render lard for cooking."

The two children hadn’t had wheat flour in a long time, so they devoured the dumpling soup ravenously. Nan Sheng, who didn’t do heavy labor, didn’t have a big appetite and set her spoon down after one bowl.

"Sizhe, we have enough food at home now. Eat as much as you want, but don’t overdo it and hurt your stomach."

Sizhe glanced up at his stepmother. At his age, he had a hearty appetite, and he wasn’t sure if her words were out of concern or annoyance at how much he was eating.

"I’m not full yet!"

Nan Sheng: "…So she hadn’t been letting her son eat his fill before? No wonder his favorability hadn’t gone up."

"Alright, next time I’ll make this much. If you’re still hungry, just tell me."

Sizhe nodded and went back to slurping his soup.

After the meal, Sizhe took the initiative to teach his little sister how to wash the dishes. The two of them cleaned up the kitchen noisily, giving Nan Sheng a chance to take a proper nap.

When she woke up, the yard was bustling with noise. She washed her face in the kitchen and stepped outside to see who had arrived.

Quite a crowd had gathered—her mother-in-law, Granny Zhang from next door, and a few other neighbors. "Come inside, everyone! Sizhe, why didn’t you wake me when your grandma arrived?"

Her mother-in-law shielded her grandson. "I told him not to. I heard you went to town today—must’ve been tiring, walking back and forth."

Granny Zhang chimed in, "Nan Sheng, did you buy a bicycle?"

The news had come from Liu Dahua, the village gossip. The moment she caught wind of anything new, the whole village would know within minutes.

When Nan Sheng rode back on the bike, Liu Dahua had spotted her and even rushed to her mother-in-law’s place to report.

Nan Sheng hadn’t planned to hide it. She asked Sizhe to bring the bike out for everyone to see.

"Before Lin Han left, he gave me money to buy a sewing machine. But since I don’t know how to use one, I thought it’d be a waste. Instead, I bought a bicycle—much more convenient for getting around!"

Hearing this, the neighbors understood why Nan Sheng’s wedding had been so modest—she just hadn’t decided what to buy yet.

Her mother-in-law was pleased. Before, Nan Sheng had clung tightly to the betrothal gifts, making her fear her daughter-in-law might run off with the money. Now, it seemed she had settled down.

Aunt Li added, "Take your time furnishing the house. No point wasting money on things you won’t use. A bicycle is a good choice—it’s not even an hour’s ride to town."

Sizhe wheeled the bike out, instantly drawing everyone’s attention. In a village of 300 households, fewer than 20 families owned bicycles—let alone a brand-new one like this, which looked downright impressive.

"Oh, this is a fine bike! Sizhe, step aside—let me take it for a spin!"

The speaker was Aunt Guihua, about the same age as Nan Sheng’s mother-in-law but far too forward, often coming off as rude.

Sizhe didn’t like her and blocked the bike. "It’s too tall for you, Aunt Guihua. You might fall. Better not try."

Nan Sheng backed him up. "Honestly, I’m taller than Aunt Guihua, and even I struggled with it. If Sizhe hadn’t steadied the bike when I got home, I’d have taken a spill."

The crowd burst into laughter, agreeing that a bike this tall was better suited for men.

Rebuffed twice, Aunt Guihua dropped the idea but kept running her hands over the bike, praising its looks. Before leaving, she couldn’t resist trying to get the last word.

"Nan Sheng, next time my family needs to borrow it, don’t be stingy!"

The others exchanged glances, thinking Aunt Guihua had some nerve. Who’d dare ask to borrow something so expensive? What if it got scratched?

But Nan Sheng matched her audacity. "Of course, Aunt Guihua! Borrow it anytime. I was just wondering how to earn back the cost."

Aunt Guihua balked. "What? You’d charge me? No one in this village does that!"

Nan Sheng raised her voice. "What, Aunt Guihua? You wouldn’t actually expect to use my brand-new bike for free, would you?"

Speechless, Aunt Guihua turned on her heel and left, grumbling to anyone who’d listen that Nan Sheng had gotten too big for her britches after buying a bicycle.

Granny Zhang and the others didn’t linger either, not wanting Nan Sheng to think they were there to freeload.

"Granny Zhang, wait!" Nan Sheng called out, then ducked into the kitchen to fetch a small bag of baking soda and a handful of candies. "I bought the soda you lent me. Here’s some for you, plus a few sweets for your grandkids."

Granny Zhang hesitated at the full bag. "You’re too generous! I only gave you a little."

Nan Sheng smiled sweetly. "Please take it. What you gave me was at least half a bag. If you refuse now, I’ll be too shy to borrow anything in the future."

After a glance at Nan Sheng’s mother-in-law, Granny Zhang accepted with an embarrassed chuckle. "Alright, I’ll take it. But what’s with the candy?"

Nan Sheng: "I bought a pound for the kids. Here’s some for your grandson to enjoy!"

Once the neighbors had left, Nan Sheng ushered her mother-in-law inside, noticing Sizhe still eyeing the bike.

"Sizhe, if you want to ride it, go ahead—just stay in the yard. Put it back inside when you’re done."

"Okay!" Sizhe replied, unable to hide his excitement.

Her mother-in-law’s opinion of Nan Sheng had improved lately. Not seeing her granddaughter, she asked, "Where’s Siqi? Out playing?"

"No, she’s napping in the other room." Nan Sheng took a cloth bag, filled it with two handfuls of milk candies and a small packet of rock sugar, then handed it over.

"Use the rock sugar to make mung bean soup—it’s too hot these days, easy to get heatstroke. The milk candies are for your eldest son’s kids."

Her mother-in-law pushed it away. "Don’t worry about us. Just focus on taking care of yourselves."

"Take it—it’s not expensive! Besides, I’ve saved some for Sizhe and Siqi." Nan Sheng insisted until her mother-in-law relented.

"Come for dinner tonight. I meant to buy fatty pork in town but only got pig’s feet. If you don’t come, I’ll have to send Sizhe to deliver it."

That settled it. "Fine, your father and I will come. No need to send anything!"

With no classes at the school today, she’d only meant to check on the kids—never expected a free meal!

Transmigrated as the Evil Stepmother, I Bully the Whole Family, Yay!

Chapter 9

Seeing her daughter-in-law making progress, the mother-in-law seized the opportunity to discuss the children's schooling with her.

"Second daughter-in-law, marrying Lin Han has put you through hardship. He's older than you and left you to raise his two children."

Nan Sheng knew what her mother-in-law was hinting at and answered honestly, "It’s not hardship—he paid a high bride price."

The mother-in-law continued, "Here’s what I think: the older boy is doing well in school. If he can get into university, he’ll surely take care of you in the future. Why not let him go back to studying?"

Nan Sheng thought to herself how different it was having an educated mother-in-law—she knew how to speak and act with grace. "Alright, I actually told him a couple of days ago to return to school. He just got delayed because he fell sick."

The mother-in-law hadn’t expected things to go so smoothly. Her face crinkled into a smile. "Good, then he’ll go tomorrow. Don’t worry—if the boy grows up ungrateful, I’ll stand up for you!"

That wasn’t necessary. Nan Sheng figured even biological children weren’t guaranteed to be filial, let alone stepchildren. Doing her duty was enough.

"Grandma, you don’t need to worry. At first, the kids weren’t close to me, and it upset me, so I might’ve acted out of line. But I won’t do that anymore.

Sizhe and Siqi are good kids. I’ll treat them as my own, but if they misbehave, I’ll still discipline them."

Back then, parents believed in the saying, "Spare the rod, spoil the child." As long as Nan Sheng fed and clothed them, no one would interfere if she gave them a few smacks.

"Of course! You’re their mother now—washing their clothes, cooking their meals—you have every right to discipline them."

With their agreement settled, the conversation flowed even more smoothly. The mother-in-law stayed for a long while before leaving. Outside the window, Sizhe was lost in thought again.

Would his stepmother really treat him and his sister as her own?

Pork trotters needed to be stewed until tender and flavorful. Nan Sheng had her son start a fire outside to singe off the hairs. Sizhe burned them off one by one while she rinsed each piece clean. They worked in perfect sync.

Siqi watched eagerly, practically drooling. Nan Sheng found her in the way and assigned her a task—picking some greens for a mixed stew.

Excited by her mission, Siqi scampered off to work. The three of them looked like a harmonious family.

"It’s too hot. I wish we could move the stove outside."

Nan Sheng muttered to herself, but to her surprise, Sizhe responded, "Should I ask Uncle to help?"

A wave of warmth washed over her. Her son seemed hard to approach, but after just a few days of proper meals, his attitude had softened.

Children were more forgiving than adults—better at letting go.

"Never mind. We only have two stoves indoors, and we’d have to move them back when it gets cold. Are you feeling better? Can you go to school tomorrow?"

"Yes!"

Nan Sheng didn’t push further. Once the pork trotters were ready, she brought them inside to stew. Just then, a cry came from the garden—"Brother, help! I can’t carry it!"

Sizhe shook his head and went to fetch the vegetable basket, dragging his sister back with him.

"Little sister, you only have two sets of clothes. Try not to ruin them, okay?"

He was tired of washing them!

Siqi covered her ears, pretending not to hear, and happily ran inside to tend the fire for her stepmother.

Nan Sheng found the little girl adorable and fetched two pieces of rock sugar, giving one to each child. Siqi ate hers happily, but Sizhe hesitated.

He still felt awkward around his stepmother, unused to such gestures. Nan Sheng noticed but pretended not to.

After an hour of stewing, Nan Sheng lifted the lid and added soaked soybeans. She shifted the fire to the side, scooped out the rice, and started on the stew.

The elderly couple arrived just as the food was ready. Nan Sheng also prepared a cucumber salad to cut through the richness.

Dinner was a mix of rice and crushed corn, cooked with a few drops of oil—fragrant and inviting.

Lin Guozheng, her father-in-law, was surprised by the feast. "Rice is so precious. You should save it for yourself and the kids. We old folks can eat anything."

Nan Sheng smiled without replying and filled everyone’s bowls. Her in-laws didn’t live with her—it would be petty to nitpick over an occasional meal.

Besides, she had no one else in the village to rely on. A few meals were a small price for their support.

Siqi pouted. "Mom, why is my bowl so small?"

Nan Sheng dropped a pork trotter into her bowl and warned sternly, "Use your hands if the chopsticks are hard. One more word, and I’ll spank you."

The grandparents chuckled and picked up their chopsticks. The stewed pork trotters with soybeans filled two large plates, accompanied by a pot of mixed vegetables and a small dish of salad.

The meal was absolutely divine!

After dinner, the mother-in-law helped Nan Sheng clean up. "You’re quite the cook. It’s been ages since we had meat at home."

Nan Sheng felt a pang of sadness—even the leftover stew broth had been mixed into rice by Sizhe and his grandfather. Times were tough.

With the summer sun still lingering, Lin Guozheng and his wife boasted to everyone about their daughter-in-law’s cooking and kindness toward the children.

Some neighbors smiled in agreement, while others scoffed in disbelief. But it was none of their business.

Back home, the eldest daughter-in-law, Zhou Wei, frowned when she saw them return empty-handed. "Dad, Mom, didn’t the second daughter-in-law send any pork trotters back? We have kids too!"

Her husband, the eldest Lin son, scolded her. "What kids? Our youngest is fifteen! And how much meat could they have bought? Must you be so greedy?"

He was content that his brother’s wife had invited their parents. His own wife was just petty and quarrelsome.

"Of course I must! We’ve helped raise those two kids. If she had any sense, she’d have invited all of us!"

Hearing the neighbors stir, the eldest Lin didn’t want to argue. Thankfully, his sons were reasonable.

Sizhong: "Mom, Second Aunt sent rock sugar and milk candies with Grandma. She did think of us. Don’t hold it against her."

Sicheng: "Yeah, Mom! I’ll get you a piece of rock sugar. Sweet things make you happy."

Pacified by her sons, Zhou Wei finally quieted down. The elderly couple exchanged a weary glance.

They still worked hard, sharing their earnings and work points with the eldest and third sons. Yet the eldest daughter-in-law begrudged a few meals for the second son’s children.

What would happen when they could no longer work?

Chapter 10

Before going to bed, Nan Sheng opened the system as usual and couldn’t help but laugh bitterly when she saw the glaring number "1" in the favorability column.

Would she even be able to complete this mission in her lifetime?

Sizhe returning to school was no small matter—it required a parent’s accompaniment. Seeing her son carrying a worn-out little bag, Nan Sheng realized she had overlooked something.

"Tomorrow, I’ll make you a new backpack. And if you’re missing any pens or notebooks, just let me know."

"Mom, I want one too!"

Nan Sheng pushed her bicycle and brought Siqi along, afraid the little girl might run around unsupervised at home. Now, she was even learning to compete for attention.

"Alright, you can go to school with your brother today. I’ll go to town to buy pens and notebooks for both of you."

Siqi wasn’t as resistant to school now, but after glancing at her brother and then at her stepmother, she decided to stay home a little longer. "I’ll go after the New Year!"

The topic of whether Sizhe needed anything was cut short, and no one brought it up again.

The elementary school was built in the center of several nearby villages, requiring at least a twenty-minute walk from Xiangyang Village. Her mother-in-law also taught there, handling fifth and sixth grades, while Sizhe was in fourth grade.

"Big Kid, it’s normal to fall behind after missing two months of classes. Don’t stress too much. If you don’t understand the textbooks, you can always ask Grandma at home."

"Got it!"

Sizhe wanted to say he had been reviewing the textbooks at home and that Grandma had been tutoring him, so he could keep up.

Nan Sheng had thought sending a child to school would be simple, but she hadn’t expected to run into a meddlesome teacher like Tang Jing.

"You’re Lin Sizhe’s guardian, right? He’s such a bright student, and his grandmother teaches here. Why did you make him drop out?"

Nan Sheng hated trouble. Back then, it was the child himself who told the teacher he wouldn’t be attending anymore. The tuition hadn’t been refunded, but that was common—many families did the same, and children could return if they wanted to resume their studies.

Why was she being interrogated like this?

"Teacher Tang, never mind the reason. Just tell me if he can come back to school or not."

Tang Jing, an educated youth sent to the countryside, had always admired Lin Sizhe for his intelligence and diligence. Hearing rumors about his stepmother’s poor character, she couldn’t help but speak up.

But Nan Sheng’s temper was worse than her reputation. She didn’t bother with polite words, which only fueled Tang Jing’s anger.

"If you don’t explain clearly, I won’t allow him back."

"Fine, then refund the tuition. My kid dropped out shortly after the term started—you know how much should be returned!"

Nan Sheng had no patience to argue with the young teacher. She planned to have her mother-in-law take Sizhe back to re-enroll tomorrow.

"What? Dropping out again! I knew you, as a stepmother, had ill intentions. Are you trying to ruin Sizhe’s future?"

Tang Jing’s voice grew louder, drawing curious glances from other teachers in the office.

Nan Sheng grew even more impatient. Covering her daughter’s ears to shield her from the commotion, she snapped, "Teacher Tang, either let my kid return to class or give us our money back. You’re just a teacher—my family matters are none of your business."

Other teachers chimed in, "Teacher Tang, don’t push it. Let the student return first."

In the village, educated folks were scarce, and in this era, factory work and farming were more valued. Dropping out of rural elementary schools was common, but at least the family had brought the child back, showing they still cared about education.

Sizhe stood silently nearby. After Tang Jing’s interference, he wasn’t sure if his stepmother had really wanted him to return to school or if she’d just come to demand a refund…

Tang Jing had no choice but to let Sizhe return to class, but she wasn’t done with Nan Sheng. "Wait! We need to settle this today. Neglecting a child and keeping him out of school is wrong!"

Nan Sheng was fed up. She really didn’t want to curse at a teacher, but she couldn’t hold back. Thankfully, the child’s grandmother also taught at the school, so she wasn’t worried about Tang Jing taking it out on Sizhe.

"Teacher Tang, are you out of your mind? I brought my kid here to learn. Your job is to teach him, not judge me.

Sizhe is your student—I’m not. You have no right to decide whether my actions are right or wrong! If you keep blocking my way, I’ll chop your hands off!"

If she couldn’t curse her to death, she’d scare her to death. Nan Sheng turned and walked away.

Tang Jing was left fuming. This stepmother was utterly unreasonable, and she feared Sizhe would suffer for it.

Another teacher consoled her, "Just go back to class. Some things are beyond our control. That parent doesn’t seem uneducated—she even argues in a structured way."

Tang Jing thought, Exactly! She’s even more talkative than I am!

On the way back, Nan Sheng continued pushing her bicycle. Even if she wasn’t afraid of falling, she couldn’t risk the kids getting hurt. As they reached the village, they ran into Uncle Liu, who was driving an oxcart to the town government to fetch farming tools.

"Uncle Liu, could I trouble you with something?"

Uncle Liu stopped the cart and chatted with Nan Sheng. "What is it? That bicycle of yours looks great—new ones are always sturdy."

Nan Sheng said politely, "My eldest is back in school, and we’re running low on pens and notebooks. Could you pick some up from the supply and marketing cooperative for me?"

Uncle Liu, happy to help a fellow villager, agreed. Nan Sheng pulled out a yuan from her pocket, wanting to stock up in case they ran out again.

At noon, mother and child ate steamed buns made from mixed grains and stir-fried vegetables. Just as they finished, Uncle Liu returned with the oxcart.

His booming voice carried from afar, "Is Lin Han’s wife home?"

Not wanting to let him leave empty-handed, Nan Sheng grabbed a bun and went out. "Thank you, Uncle Liu. Here’s a bun I steamed at noon—take it and see how it tastes."

She turned and left before he could refuse, leaving Uncle Liu clutching the bun in bewilderment.

He took a bite, and the aroma of wheat, sweet and fragrant, filled his senses. A bun this good didn’t even need side dishes—he could eat ten in one go.

The old man thought to himself, Lin Han’s wife knows how to handle things. I’d be happy to help her again.

Nan Sheng took out half of the marinated ribs to stew. She had used a lot of salt, so cooking all of them would be wasteful. She also stir-fried some greens and made an egg drop soup.

Siqi had been eagerly waiting for her brother to return. At exactly four o’clock, she carried her little stool to the doorway, her focused silhouette a picture of anticipation.

When the sound of the siblings chatting outside reached her, Nan Sheng checked her watch—it was exactly 4:30.

At the dinner table, Nan Sheng asked about her son’s day at school. "Did Teacher Tang give you any trouble?"

"No!" Not only had she not troubled him, she’d even seemed sympathetic toward him.

Nan Sheng casually picked up a rib for him and reminded Siqi to eat hers with a bun to balance the saltiness.

"Big Kid, what did you eat at noon? Did you get enough?"

"Nothing. The school doesn’t serve meals."

Nan Sheng: "…Why didn’t you say so earlier?"

Seeing his stepmother’s exasperated expression, Sizhe suddenly understood her train of thought. "It’s not just me. A lot of kids go hungry at noon."

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