Chapter 11 - 20

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

Chapter 11

The school had an hour-long lunch break, but these days, food was precious, and the porridge was thinner than water.

Even if students went home to eat, by the time they walked back and forth, it was already time to digest, so few bothered to go back.

Except for a few families who were better off and packed dry food for their kids, most students just went to the water room to drink their fill.

Nan Sheng thought about how hot the weather was now, and bringing cooked meals and dishes really wasn’t practical. She could only steam a few extra steamed buns in the morning for the kids to take to school. Without any dishes, she could pickle some salty vegetables—they were easier to preserve.

After taking a bath, Sizhe went back to his room to do his homework. The village had no electricity, so all his assignments had to be finished before dark.

Seeing the big stack of notebooks and pencils on the cabinet, he finally let go of the pencil that was only a small stub left, about the length of a fingertip. Siqi knew not to disturb her brother, so she ran off to the other room to cling to their stepmother.

Nan Sheng noticed the little girl’s neck was all dirty, so she took her to the kitchen and gave her a bath in the washbasin. After scrubbing three times, she finally got her clean, but ended up drenched in sweat herself.

By the time Sizhe finished his homework, his little sister was already asleep. He carried Siqi back to his own room.

Nan Sheng lay on the kang (heated brick bed) for a long time, unable to fall asleep. The heat was unbearable.

The system wasn’t making things easier for her either—it kept reminding Nan Sheng that her task progress was slow. To motivate her, the system said that for every ten points of increased favorability, it would gift her a random big prize.

Nan Sheng: Can you send me an air conditioner or a fan?

System: I can send you a fan, but do you have electricity?

The system’s words hit hard. Nan Sheng felt discouraged and gloomy. She didn’t know how long it took, but eventually, she finally fell asleep.

The next morning, it started to drizzle outside. Nan Sheng searched the house but couldn’t find an umbrella. When she asked the eldest child, she learned that the family’s only umbrella had been given away—she wasn’t sure to whom.

How awkward. Could it have really been given to that certain someone?

If so, she’d have to find a chance to get it back!

“I’m guessing the rain will get heavier soon. Let’s eat quickly. I’ll ride the bike to take you.”

Sizhe definitely weighed less than a hundred pounds, so carrying a child on a bike wasn’t too hard. He was picking up some food when he glanced at his stepmother and said, “Maybe not.”

He was worried that if no one was around when she got back, he’d just be stuck riding the bike around the yard. If he got unlucky and fell, he might damage the new bicycle.

Nan Sheng ignored him, finished eating, then grabbed a small bag and packed two big steamed buns inside. They were made with a mix of two kinds of flour, but with more cornmeal, giving them a golden-yellow hue.

“Finished eating? Once you’re done, we’ll go!”

She grabbed one of her jackets, pushed the bike outside, and Sizhe saw the rain was falling harder and harder. He had no choice but to agree.

Standing under the eaves, Nan Sheng handed the bag and jacket to her son. “Big kid, put the jacket over your head so the buns don’t get wet. I’ll ride slowly at first, and you can jump on behind me.”

Sizhe paused for a moment when he received the clothes and steamed buns. At that moment, Nan Sheng had already pushed the bike and rushed out to open the main gate. She kicked the pedal up to its highest position, swung her leg over the crossbar, and slowly rode forward.

Snapping back to his senses, Sizhe quickly ran outside, picked up the pace a bit, and leapt onto the back seat. The bicycle wobbled a few times before stabilizing.

Seeing that his stepmother was drenched from the rain, Sizhe leaned forward and pulled the jacket covering his own head over Nan Sheng’s back as well.

The twenty-minute journey could be covered in six or seven minutes by bike.

After jumping off the bike, Sizhe wanted to return the clothes to Nan Sheng, but she refused. “Wear the jacket into the classroom. Don’t catch a cold again. If it’s still raining after school, find a sheltered spot by the door and wait for me to come pick you up.”

Some classmates saw Sizhe being dropped off by his parent and looked on with envy. “You have a bike at home? That’s so nice! I got soaked walking all the way here.”

Sizhe pursed his lips but said nothing. Silently, he wrapped himself in the jacket and ran into the classroom. At that moment, a flash of lightning streaked across the sky, followed by a booming clap of thunder.

But this time, unlike before, Sizhe seemed to have forgotten to pray to the heavens to strike down his stepmother along with the thunder.

Nan Sheng wasn’t as helpless as Sizhe thought. Not far from home, she spotted a large rock and stepped onto it, then pushed the bike all the way back.

By the time she got home, Siqi had woken up. She still looked a little scared but obediently sat on a small stool in the living room waiting.

“Mom, you’re back?”

Nan Sheng asked her daughter to keep some distance since she was soaked through. Siqi quickly ran to the kitchen to scoop hot water into a basin.

She spilled half of it, but luckily didn’t burn herself. By the time Nan Sheng changed into dry clothes and came out, the hot water was ready for her to freshen up.

There wasn’t much to do on a rainy day, so Nan Sheng went to the west room, grabbed a notebook and a pen, and started making a list of things to do.

First, she needed to replenish the household essentials. Even things like umbrellas and raincoats, which weren’t strictly necessary, had to be bought.

Her family had given her two pieces of fabric as part of her dowry—perfect thickness for making autumn clothes. She would need to find someone to help sew them and also buy some fabric for Sizhe’s clothes.

Once the subsidy and ration coupons arrived in the mail, she planned to visit her natal home. Since marrying into this family a few months ago, she hadn’t contacted her family, nor had they come here. There had to be some problem in between.

When she went back, who knows—maybe that so-called “boyfriend” would pop up on his own. As for the male lead, well, she was curious to see what kind of impressive appearance he could muster!

Lastly, she had to think about work.

Factories or the town’s “iron rice bowl” jobs weren’t an option—they wouldn’t allow her to take care of the child. As for running a business, that was even less realistic given the current environment.

After much thought, she decided to stay in the village. When the time was right, she would ask her father-in-law if he could get her a job as a scorekeeper.

The scorekeeper job only earned five work points a day but was not physically demanding. Since she could read and write, she was confident she could handle it!

After making her plans, Nan Sheng cuddled her daughter and went back to sleep for a while. Compared to the fast pace of modern life, she preferred this leisurely way of living.

School

Lunchtime was the hardest part of the day for the students. After a whole morning of classes, they were already exhausted—and yet there was nothing to eat.

The school didn’t have a cafeteria, and the teachers had to bring their own meals. Fan Shuting only ate twice a day; at noon, she, like the students, just drank water to get by.

Sizhe found the teachers’ office and took a steamed bun from his bag, handing it to his grandmother. He didn’t want to eat alone.

Fan Shuting couldn’t bear to take the child’s food. “Did your mom pack this? Keep it for yourself—Grandma’s not hungry!”

“I have another one. Grandma, you can have this one.”

Sizhe placed the bun on the table and then ran off. When he returned to his classroom to eat his own bun, he discovered there was also a piece of candy in the bag.

Had they treated him like a little sister to coax him?

His classmates cast envious glances at him, but no one dared to come closer. That afternoon, during class, he finally didn’t have to endure an empty stomach…

Chapter 12

The heavens smiled upon them as the sun peeked out in the afternoon, with a rainbow arching high in the sky. The basket for wild vegetables to feed the chickens was empty, so the mother and daughter decided to gather some by the roadside.

"Mom, there are more wild vegetables in the fields!"

Siqi thought her stepmother not only lacked thrift but also knew less than she did.

"Silly Siqi, the fields are still soaked from the rain—it hasn’t drained yet. It’s hard enough to walk there, let alone dig for vegetables!"

As they left the house, villagers were heading out to work. Nan Sheng greeted those she knew with a word and smiled politely at those she didn’t.

Passing by Aunt Li’s house, they heard the sound of a child being scolded and beaten. "Useless glutton! All you do is whine about being hungry. No matter how much grain we have, it’s never enough for you. You might as well just die!"

Siqi tugged at Nan Sheng’s pants, urging her to hurry past and not stop to gawk. Nan Sheng sighed inwardly—who was the adult here, really? Besides, the little brat had quite the grip; her pants were nearly yanked off.

Once they were farther away, Siqi suddenly stopped, pouting as she looked up at her stepmother. "Mom, do all of you prefer raising sons?"

Nan Sheng pinched the girl’s cheek playfully. After a few days under her care, Siqi hadn’t gained much weight, but her complexion had improved, and her big eyes sparkled with liveliness.

"Who says so? Not me! Think about it—doesn’t your brother get beaten more often than you? What does that tell you?"

"What does it tell me?" Siqi echoed.

"It means I prefer my little girl!"

Siqi pondered this and realized her stepmother did indeed discipline her brother more. A pleased smile spread across her face.

"You’re so nice, Mom. Not like Dali’s mom—she always calls Dali a ‘money-loser’ and says she’ll sell her once she has a son."

Dali? What kind of name was that for a girl?

But in these times, farming families relied on labor, so favoring sons was common. In a few years, when medical care improved, pregnant women would be pressured to check the baby’s gender. Girls were often aborted, leading to severe gender imbalances decades later, with sky-high bride prices in some regions.

For now, though, with no family planning policies, children were born as they came. Yet the status of daughters and sons at home remained worlds apart.

"Which family is Dali from?"

"Granny Li’s!"

Nan Sheng understood now why her daughter had pulled her away—she must have witnessed such scenes often. "Her mother is vicious. Anyone who tries to intervene gets cursed out."

Siqi pouted again. She’d been scolded more than once when she tried to play with Dali.

Outside the village, wild greens and vegetables grew thick along the roadside, though they had to be cautious of snakes lurking in the grass.

"Stay by the road when you pick vegetables, understand? No going into the thick grass."

"Got it!"

Assured, Nan Sheng crouched to gather greens, determined to collect enough so Siqi wouldn’t need to wander out daily with her little basket.

The heavy dew from the recent rain soaked Nan Sheng’s clothes, but her efforts paid off—she’d filled nearly half the basket in half an hour.

"Mom!" Siqi whispered.

"What is it?"

"Last time, Brother took me further ahead, and we found lots of wild duck eggs." She wanted to check again—roasted duck eggs were delicious!

Nan Sheng stifled a laugh. This girl couldn’t keep a secret. If her elder brother found out, he’d probably be furious.

Suddenly intrigued, she said, "Let’s go take a look, just the two of us!"

Nan Sheng let herself be dragged forward, but when they arrived, she hesitated. The grass here was taller than her—was this really worth it?

Seeing Siqi’s hopeful eyes, she relented, plunging into the thicket. "Wait here by the road. Don’t follow me."

The weeds were so dense Nan Sheng soon lost her bearings. After a fruitless search, she was about to turn back when she heard the flapping of wings ahead.

Huh? Actual wild ducks?

Following the sound, she noticed patches of flattened grass—likely where the ducks nested. Moving carefully, she discovered nearly twenty small but perfectly good duck eggs.

Like her son, Nan Sheng believed in leaving the ducks be—they could return for more eggs later. Come winter, when meat was scarce, they could set traps for a few.

On her way back, she rearranged the trampled grass so the wind would soon erase any trace of her presence.

Siqi, still crouched by the roadside, brightened when she saw Nan Sheng emerge with something bundled in her clothes. "You found some?"

Nan Sheng motioned for silence, then carefully placed the eggs in the basket, covering them with greens. "Hush, little one! When we get back, I’ll pickle these for you."

Siqi giggled behind her hand. She loved salted duck eggs—they paired perfectly with porridge.

The two resumed their foraging until the basket was full, then headed home.

Liu Dahua, fresh from Aunt Li’s house, spotted Nan Sheng and Siqi walking hand in hand. A notorious gossip, she couldn’t resist stopping anyone for a chat.

Rumor had it she once left a frying pan unattended while chatting with a visitor—the pot burned through, and her husband beat her for it. Yet she never learned.

"Lin Han’s wife! Where’ve you been?"

Nan Sheng held out the basket. "Just gathering greens for the chickens. Where are you off to, Auntie?"

Liu Dahua seized the opening. "Oh, I was at your Aunt Li’s place. Let me tell you, that daughter-in-law of hers is awful—she pulled Dali’s hair so hard it bled! What kind of mother does that? Even a stepmother treats kids better."

Stepmother Nan Sheng: …What a way with words—straight to the heart.

Realizing her blunder, Liu Dahua laughed awkwardly. "Not that I mean you, of course!"

Nan Sheng knew the woman spoke without thinking and let it slide. Still, lingering near someone’s home to gossip felt wrong, so she tried to leave.

"Don’t worry, Auntie, I’m not offended. The chickens are waiting—we’ll chat another time!"

"Wait!" Liu Dahua grabbed her arm. "I haven’t finished!"

Trapped, Nan Sheng listened as Liu Dahua ranted on. "That daughter-in-law doesn’t just hate girls—she can’t stand Granny Li either! Did you hear her? ‘Why don’t you just die already?’ All because Granny Li’s too frail to earn work points! If she were my daughter-in-law, I’d have kicked her out long ago!"

Liu Dahua grew more animated, her spit flying.

The worst part? The very woman she was badmouthing—Aunt Li’s daughter-in-law—had stepped outside unnoticed and now stood right behind her…Transmigrated as the Evil Stepmother, I Bully the Whole Family, Yay!

Chapter 13

Seeing Aunt Li’s daughter-in-law with her swollen belly, Nan Sheng quickly interrupted Liu Dahua, “Auntie, you must have misunderstood. It’s normal to scold a child when they’re misbehaving. I’m in a hurry to get home, so I’ll be on my way now!”

The young woman didn’t seem like someone to trifle with, especially since she was heavily pregnant. Nan Sheng had no intention of stirring up trouble, but the moment she took a step forward, Liu Dahua yanked her back.

Nan Sheng was exasperated—she had never met someone so determined to court disaster.

“Lin Han’s wife, do you not enjoy chatting with me? Why are you always in such a rush to go home?” Liu Dahua frowned, then immediately resumed her gossip. “You’re new here, so you don’t know what kind of person she is. If you ask me, with a heart that black, she’s delusional if she thinks she’ll give birth to a son!”

Oh no. Aunt Li’s daughter-in-law’s face darkened.

Nan Sheng swiftly freed her arm from Liu Dahua’s grip and forced a smile at the woman behind them. “Sister-in-law, you’re out? I just took the kids to pick wild vegetables, so I won’t keep you. I’ll be going now!”

Shen Cui couldn’t be bothered with Nan Sheng—what kind of decent young woman marries a divorced man? She couldn’t fathom the appeal. Right now, she only wanted to settle the score with Liu Dahua. This wasn’t the first time the woman had badmouthed her in public.

Liu Dahua was still wondering who this “sister-in-law” was when she turned around and nearly had a heart attack. But she was no stranger to being caught red-handed and brushed it off without a care.

“Oh, it’s you, Cuicui! Why didn’t you say anything?”

Shen Cui sneered. If she had announced herself, she wouldn’t have heard such an enlightening conversation. She could tolerate being accused of hitting her child, but cursing her unborn son? That was worth fighting over.

Nan Sheng hurried home with her daughter in tow, both of them panting from the sprint. At least they had dodged the brewing storm.

After changing out of their dirty clothes, Nan Sheng washed them right away, then set about cooking. She steamed the leftover marinated pork ribs and rinsed the rice for the pot.

Siqi carefully collected the duck eggs into a small basket and brought them to the kitchen. Nan Sheng washed them, dipped each one in a bowl of liquor, then placed them into a clean lard jar.

All that was left was to pour in the saturated saltwater. With the sweltering weather, the eggs would likely be rich and oily in less than a month.

When Sizhe returned from school, he found only his little sister in the kitchen. “You’re here alone?”

Siqi swallowed hard at the aroma wafting from the pot. “Mom went to weed the vegetable garden. She said the grass was too tall and might attract pests. Brother, we’re having ribs tonight!”

Sizhe soaked his stepmother’s coat in water before joining her in the garden. Nan Sheng looked up at the sound of footsteps and smiled when she saw her eldest.

“You’re back, Da Wa? Don’t worry about helping—go finish your homework. Dinner will be ready soon.”

Sizhe ignored her and crouched down to pull weeds. “I don’t have much homework today. I can write it after we eat.”

His grandmother once said that admitting one’s mistakes was the greatest virtue.

While chewing on steamed buns at lunch, Sizhe had decided to give his stepmother a chance to change. If she could be a good mother, he would be a dutiful son in return.

When the food was nearly done, Nan Sheng called her son back inside. She served the steamed ribs first, then dished out the vegetables. Sizhe wasn’t idle either—he scooped out the rice from the other pot.

A couple of days ago, he wouldn’t have cared what was on the table as long as he got an extra bite. But now, with meals alternating between steamed buns and rice, he was starting to worry about their food supply.

He glanced at his stepmother and swallowed his words. Arguing now would only ruin their appetites. He’d bring it up after dinner.

At the table, Nan Sheng poured the meat juices from the ribs over the vegetables, infusing the potatoes with a savory richness that made them even more delicious.

A pound of ribs yielded only about a dozen pieces, but the three of them shared them happily, their faces glowing with contentment.

Watching her daughter sprawl lazily on the kang after eating, Nan Sheng couldn’t resist teasing. “Da Wa, today Qiqi took me to the spot where you found the duck eggs. We got lucky and found over twenty! In less than a month, you’ll have salted duck eggs to eat.”

Sizhe, busy with his meal, showed no visible reaction. “I know a few other places where wild ducks nest. When I’m on break, I’ll go collect more to pickle.”

Disappointed that the siblings didn’t start bickering, Nan Sheng mimicked her daughter and flopped onto the kang. She had worked hard all day, and her body ached everywhere.

Just as she was appreciating how perceptive her son was—he had gone to wash the dishes without being asked—someone knocked at the door. It was Feng Yueyue, the youngest daughter of Village Chief Feng Wuquan.

“Sister-in-law, are you home? It’s me, Yueyue!”

Hearing the voice, Nan Sheng rushed out to greet her. “Yueyue! Come in. Have you eaten?”

Feng Yueyue had no time for small talk. “Sister-in-law, come with me to the village office! Something’s happened to the Li family’s daughter-in-law!”

Nan Sheng’s heart sank. If they were coming to fetch her, it had to be Aunt Li’s pregnant daughter-in-law.

“Da Wa, stay home and watch your sister while you do your homework. I’ll be back soon.”

Once the children were settled, Nan Sheng followed Feng Yueyue at a brisk pace toward the village office.

“Yueyue, what happened? Is it really Aunt Li’s daughter-in-law? Is the baby alright?”

Feng Yueyue didn’t know the details. “She was taken to the town clinic. We don’t know if the baby will make it. She got into a fight with Aunt Liu, and my father wants to ask you what really happened.”

Apparently, Liu Dahua was pleading innocence, claiming Shen Cui had tripped while trying to hit her and that she hadn’t laid a finger on her. She insisted Nan Sheng had been there and could vouch for her.

Nan Sheng sighed. Shen Cui looked to be six or seven months along—losing the baby would be tragic. She prayed both mother and child would pull through.

When they arrived at the village office, her father-in-law Lin Guozheng was already there, along with members of the Li family and Liu Dahua’s relatives.

Liu Dahua had lost her earlier bravado. Her face was swollen, as if she’d been beaten, and she burst into tears the moment she saw Nan Sheng.

“Lin Han’s wife, you’re finally here! You have to back me up—the Li family is trying to ruin me!”

Aunt Li’s eyes were red from crying as she grasped Nan Sheng’s hand. “Child, Liu Dahua says you know what happened. Can you tell me how the fight started?”

Suddenly, Nan Sheng felt like she was being roasted over a fire. Whatever she said would inevitably anger one side.

Lin Guozheng’s expression darkened, and he signaled for the village chief to intervene. This chaos was no way to get answers.

Taking the hint, Feng Wuquan raised his voice. “Enough! Are we going to listen to you or to Lin Han’s wife? Everyone, step back.”

Nan Sheng seized the chance to stand beside her father-in-law. His stern, square-jawed face was at least a small comfort…

Chapter 14

The Village Chief said, "Lin Han's wife, just speak the truth without overthinking it. If anyone dares to trouble you afterward, come straight to me!" Worried that Nan Sheng might hesitate, the Village Chief first reassured her. Nan Sheng sensed his goodwill and smiled at him in return.

"Uncle Feng, at noon today, I took my daughter out to pick some wild vegetables. On our way back, we passed by Aunt Li's house and happened to see Aunt Liu coming out. She stopped me to chat, saying things like Sister-in-law Shen Cui had a bad temper and hit her child. We hadn’t spoken for more than a few words when Sister-in-law Shen Cui came out. I was in a hurry to get home, so I left with my daughter. As for what happened afterward, I wasn’t there, so I don’t know what exactly went down between them."

Lin Guozheng secretly sighed in relief. Fortunately, his daughter-in-law had only been passing by. Otherwise, if something had happened to the Li family’s daughter-in-law, their Lin family would also be held responsible.

"Village Chief, since my second son’s wife didn’t witness anything, and there are still two children at home, why not let her return early?"

The Village Chief agreed. "Lin Han's wife, are you certain what you’ve said is the truth?"

Nan Sheng hadn’t lied, and her gaze was utterly forthright. "If you don’t believe me, send someone to ask my daughter. She’s just a child—she wouldn’t lie, would she? When we left, the two of them were still standing at the door. Not only were they not fighting, but I didn’t even hear them arguing."

The Village Chief quickly waved his hand. He had only said it casually and hadn’t actually intended to question a child.

Liu Dahua had assumed that since she and Nan Sheng were closer, Nan Sheng would surely take her side. But the outcome left her bitterly disappointed. She glared fiercely at Nan Sheng. "After all the kindness I’ve shown you, you turn out to be just as heartless!"

Nan Sheng thought to herself: Auntie, you’re being too hasty. ‘Closeness’ isn’t determined like this. At most, we’ve only exchanged a few words today…

Lin Guozheng shot Liu Dahua a sharp look before coldly reprimanding Ma Qiang. "Can’t you control your wife? If she keeps spouting nonsense, don’t blame me for stripping you of your dignity. Dragging my second son’s wife into this baseless mess—what were you thinking?"

From the looks of it, Liu Dahua was now under suspicion of lying. There was a good chance she was the one who had pushed the other woman.

Under Lin Guozheng’s icy stare, Liu Dahua shrank back and didn’t dare speak again. She feared offending the production team leader, knowing her family might be assigned the hardest, least rewarding tasks during collective labor as retaliation.

Ma Qiang, Liu Dahua’s husband, had a notoriously short temper in his youth and had often disciplined his wife. But Liu Dahua was the type who never learned her lesson—she’d cry in pain when beaten, only to revert to her old ways days later.

Earlier, the Li family had already mocked him relentlessly. Now, being publicly scolded by the production team leader, Ma Qiang flushed crimson with shame.

"Village Chief, Team Leader, I won’t lie to you—I’ve beaten and scolded this woman countless times, but her foul mouth never changes. Once this matter is settled, if it turns out she really did push the Li family’s daughter-in-law, you can deal with her as you see fit."

He wasn’t stupid. Now wasn’t the time for pride. As long as no one could prove it, his family would at most have to buy some gifts and apologize. But if his wife was confirmed to have assaulted someone, the medical expenses would be exorbitant—he’d have to sell everything he owned and still not cover the costs.

The Li family was furious at his words. They were grateful to Nan Sheng for speaking honestly, but this also meant there was no one to confirm Liu Dahua had pushed their daughter-in-law.

Liu Dahua, rotten to the core, stubbornly denied laying a hand on anyone. If not for Aunt Li spotting her fleeing the scene when her daughter-in-law was found injured, she wouldn’t have admitted to anything…

"Ma Qiang, what exactly are you implying? Are you trying to shirk responsibility now? Fine! If you refuse to reason, and if anything happens to the child, we’ll settle this with a life for a life!"

The Li family, now enraged, traded heated words with Liu Dahua, nearly coming to blows right there in the production team office.

Seeing this, the Village Chief scratched his head in frustration. "Alright, everyone go home for now. Once Shen Cui returns, we’ll discuss how to handle this. If we can’t resolve it, we’ll have no choice but to involve the police."

At the mention of the police, Liu Dahua’s eyes flickered briefly before she resumed her brazen act. "Call them if you want! I didn’t lay a finger on her!"

Nan Sheng, always one for drama, ignored the meaningful glances from her father-in-law urging her to leave. Only when the Village Chief dismissed everyone did she reluctantly turn to go.

By now, night had fallen. With no streetlights in the village, she had to rely on memory to find her way home.

The production team office wasn’t close to Nan Sheng’s house, so Lin Guozheng accompanied her part of the way. To avoid gossip, they walked separately, keeping some distance between them.

"Second son’s wife, Ma Qiang holds grudges. From now on, keep your distance if you see him outside, and don’t trust anything his family says."

"Understood, Dad!" Nan Sheng wanted to ask for details, but Lin Guozheng fell silent, as if there were things he couldn’t bring himself to say.

Halfway there, Sizhe appeared with a flashlight. Unable to sleep, he had rummaged through the east room for a flashlight and come to fetch his stepmother.

The boy recognized them but stayed by the roadside without calling out. It was Lin Guozheng who spotted him first. "Is that you, eldest grandson?"

"Yes, Grandpa!"

Lin Guozheng felt relieved. It seemed Teacher Fan was right—his daughter-in-law had truly changed for the better. Otherwise, Sizhe wouldn’t have come out to meet her on his own.

"Good. I’ll head home now. You two hurry back too—Qiqi shouldn’t be left alone for long."

After bidding farewell, the three went their separate ways. Sizhe couldn’t help but ask, "What happened? Why are you back so late?"

Nan Sheng leaned on her son’s shoulder for support—her feet ached. "Let’s talk at home. Thank goodness you brought the flashlight. I’ve twisted my ankle so many times on this dark path I can’t even count."

Though Sizhe didn’t respond, he noticeably slowed his pace. Despite feeling awkward, he didn’t shrug off her arm.

Once inside, they locked both the courtyard gate and the house door before heading to the east room together.

Good—the little sister was safe, and so was the bicycle!

Nan Sheng briefly recounted the events. To her surprise, Sizhe reacted just like his grandfather. "From now on, stay away from the Ma family when you’re out. Their family… just listen to Grandpa."

Now thoroughly puzzled, Nan Sheng wondered—Ma Qiang seemed quiet, his two sons even more so, always keeping their heads down. On the surface, Liu Dahua was the only troublemaker in that family. Had she misjudged them?

"Alright, I’ll keep my distance. It’s late—you have school tomorrow, so get some rest."

Sizhe nodded and returned to his room, while Siqi slept soundly under the covers.

Shaking off his worries, he hugged his little sister and drifted into dreams.

[Ding! Congratulations, Host. Favorability points have exceeded five. New storyline conditions unlocked!]Transmigrated as the Evil Stepmother, I Bully the Whole Family, Yay!

Chapter 15

Nan Sheng excitedly opened the system and saw that the available chapters had been updated to Chapter Five, which meant each increase in affection points would unlock a new chapter. However, the system was quite stingy, only dispensing rewards at increments of five!

She eagerly clicked into the book, but after reading two chapters, her expression turned as if she’d eaten something vile. These chapters described how the original owner of her body had saved up 900 yuan and couldn’t wait to return to her parents' home—specifically, to give the money to the male lead, Yu Sheng.

Yu Sheng, Yu Sheng… why not just call him a beast?

The original owner didn’t know that Yu Sheng was even more of a simp than she was. He was infatuated with Su Jinyan, a female educated youth who had been sent down to the countryside alongside him. He handed over his own savings of 500 yuan, plus the 900 yuan he’d swindled from the original owner, to Su Jinyan—only to be scorned as useless.

Shamelessly, Su Jinyan demanded that Yu Sheng use his charms to seduce Nan Sheng, as she still needed 600 yuan to buy her way back to the city. Yu Sheng agreed, but his so-called "seduction" amounted to nothing more than holding Nan Sheng’s hand in a rundown shack. The original owner was so smitten she didn’t even get a kiss, yet she was over the moon.

Lying on the kang, Nan Sheng pondered how she could humiliate that despicable pair when she returned to her parents' home in a few days…

Just as she was about to close the system, a lottery wheel suddenly popped up—a reward for finally increasing her affection points. Nan Sheng casually gave it a spin, and the wheel whirled frantically before landing on the words "Portable Space."

Holy crap! Nan Sheng couldn’t contain her excitement. Was her luck really this incredible?

But after binding with it, she discovered the portable space was only three cubic meters in size and could only be used for storage. Well… at least it was somewhat useful, she consoled herself.

When Nan Sheng woke up again, Sizhe had already collected eggs from the chicken coop and heated the pot, waiting for her to decide what to cook for breakfast.

As usual, Nan Sheng steamed buns and boiled corn porridge, then sent her son out to pick ripe tomatoes—both kids loved scrambled eggs with tomatoes.

Sizhe sat by the stove, tending the fire like his younger sister. Watching his stepmother steam ten more buns, he hesitated before speaking up.

"Is there enough food at home? I don’t need to bring lunch. Everyone else manages without it."

It was already kind of his stepmother to make sure he didn’t go hungry. He was the one who ate the most in the household, and the thought filled him with guilt.

Nan Sheng, distracted while working, replied offhandedly, "If we run out, we’ll buy more. Your father’s stipend is enough to feed the three of us. In a few days, when the salted duck eggs are ready, I’ll pack one for you every day to eat with your buns."

Sizhe sighed. That would be way too flashy. Wouldn’t he get beaten up by his classmates for showing off like that?

For breakfast, Sizhe ate three large buns and two bowls of porridge. Before he left, his stepmother packed him two more buns and a piece of milk candy.

In his heart, he thought, This much food could last Stepmother and Siqi an entire day.

Nan Sheng didn’t notice her son’s unease. She planned to clear out the vegetable garden today, then sun-dry some shredded beans and chili peppers tomorrow. As for the root cellar, it would be reserved for cabbage and potatoes.

Counting on her fingers, she nearly fainted—there was no end to farm work.

When Siqi woke up and found the house empty, she went straight to the garden to find her stepmother. "Mom, I’ll come help after breakfast!"

Nan Sheng didn’t discourage her. If a child didn’t learn diligence early, how could she suddenly become hardworking as an adult?

"Alright, the porridge and buns are warming on the stove. Be careful when you lift the lid—don’t let the steam burn you."

"Got it, Mom!" Siqi skipped back inside, remembering to wash her face on her own.

After school, Sizhe didn’t go home. Instead, he headed to the riverbank where he often gathered duck eggs.

He checked several spots and collected over thirty eggs. Then he went to check the fish traps he’d set, hoping for a good haul.

Last time, the crucian carp he caught had been cooked by his stepmother in a savory bean paste sauce, and he’d found it delicious.

The fish trap had been in the water for days and was now packed full—shrimp, crayfish, two crucian carp, and even a big carp.

Afraid of being seen by villagers, he waited until dark before running home.

By then, Nan Sheng had already prepared dinner and was waiting at the door with Siqi. If her son didn’t return soon, she’d have to ask the neighbors for help searching.

"Mom! Brother’s back!"

Siqi spotted a shadowy figure and dashed outside. Nan Sheng hurried after her. "Is that you, Sizhe?"

"Yeah!"

Sizhe’s voice was quiet. While fish and shrimp weren’t rare in the village, duck eggs were precious, and he didn’t want anyone asking questions.

Back inside, Sizhe couldn’t hide his excitement as he dumped the duck eggs into a basin and emptied the fish and shrimp.

"I haven’t gathered eggs in days, so there were a lot. The river’s full of fat fish and shrimp too. If you like them, I can catch more often."

He ate a lot, so he had to find ways to contribute.

Sizhe expected his stepmother to be pleased—last time, she’d even praised the size of the catch. But instead, Nan Sheng slapped him hard across the face, leaving him stunned.

"Sizhe, have you lost your mind? Running off after school instead of coming home? What if something happened to you in the dark? Where would I even look for you, you reckless brat!"

She scolded him harshly, leaving Sizhe bewildered. Was it wrong to bring food home?

For dinner, Nan Sheng and Siqi ate without him. Sizhe was sent to reflect on his actions. Too upset to deal with the fish and shrimp, she left them in water for now. As for the duck eggs, she salted them in jars, just like before.

This was the second batch, and she marked each egg with a number to keep track.

Nan Sheng went to bed early, while Sizhe stayed up to do homework by lamplight. Siqi sneaked some food to him in the west room.

"Brother, eat first, then do your homework!"

Sizhe glanced toward the east room and shook his head slowly. His stepmother hadn’t allowed him at the table, and he feared that if he ate this, Siqi might get hit tomorrow.

"I’m not hungry. Take the food back to the kitchen."

Siqi shoved a bun into his hand. "Eat. Even if you get hit, you should be full."

Though young, Siqi was sharp. In the past, she and her brother had often gone hungry after beatings. Now that they could eat their fill, an occasional slap from their stepmother seemed fair.

"Brother, Mom was really worried when you didn’t come back. She was about to ask Uncle and the others to search for you."

Sizhe froze, then slowly chewed the bun—though it tasted like nothing at all.

Chapter 16

Sizhe didn’t sleep well that night. When he woke up in the morning, he followed his usual routine of fetching eggs and lighting the fire.

After Nan Sheng got up, he took the initiative to admit his mistake. "I was too hungry last night, so I ate the leftover steamed bun."

Nan Sheng snorted coldly and ignored him, thinking to herself that this brat still hadn’t realized where he’d gone wrong. She dumped the spoiled vegetables and porridge into the slop bucket and started cooking.

Sizhe was used to his stepmother scolding or hitting him, so her silence now felt strangely uncomfortable. At the breakfast table, she still let him eat as usual and even packed a steamed bun for him to take to school—except this time, there was no White Rabbit milk candy.

During class, he was unusually distracted and got called out by the teacher several times before finally focusing.

At lunch break, he went to the teachers’ lounge to deliver a steamed bun to his grandmother. Fan Shuting stopped him. "Dawa, Grandma heard from Teacher Tang that you weren’t paying attention in class. Is that true?"

Sizhe nodded. He just didn’t know how to face his stepmother when he got home. At this point, he’d rather take a beating—at least that would be straightforward.

Fan Shuting grew concerned. "Did your mother hit you again? Tell Grandma!"

Sizhe didn’t know how to answer. He had indeed been slapped, but his stepmother had been even angrier than him, and he still didn’t understand what he’d done wrong.

"Grandma! I came home late yesterday, and she got really mad."

After listening to her grandson’s explanation, Fan Shuting smiled warmly. "Silly child, that’s a good thing! It means your mother truly cares about you. From now on, if you’re going out or coming home late, you must let her know so she doesn’t worry."

Sizhe scratched his head. "But she’s ignoring me now. She won’t even talk to me."

Fan Shuting chuckled. "Then you should apologize properly. Tell her you know you were wrong and won’t make her worry again. She’ll start talking to you then."

Sizhe didn’t fully understand, but he trusted his grandmother’s wisdom. If she said it would work, it would.

Back in class, he curiously asked his classmates whether their mothers also gave them the silent treatment when they misbehaved.

That question stirred up a hornet’s nest—over half the class jumped into the discussion.

Little Fatty: "Oh, it’s worse than that! Even when I apologize, she’s not satisfied unless I explain exactly what I did wrong. But if I knew, wouldn’t I have avoided the mistake in the first place?" Moms are so unreasonable.

Black Monkey: "All moms are the same. If I ignore her when I’m mad, she hits me. If she ignores me when she’s mad and I try to talk to her, she still hits me!" The slaps are loud too.

Deskmate: "My mom once went half a month without speaking to anyone in the family. Impressive, right? In the end, my dad had to buy meat from town to coax her back." His mom was a glutton.

...

After hearing all their complaints, Sizhe suddenly felt he’d misjudged his stepmother. These kids all had biological mothers, yet they weren’t treated any better.

And just like that, Nan Sheng, sitting at home, inexplicably gained five more points of favorability from him.

Was it really that easy?

After setting out chili peppers and shredded beans to dry in the yard, Nan Sheng took her daughter inside for a nap and checked the new developments in the book’s plot.

Frowning after reading, she decided to visit her parents’ home the next day. As for the kids, they could either come with her or stay behind—it didn’t matter.

By dinnertime, Sizhe returned with his grandmother, right on schedule before 4:30.

He approached Nan Sheng and bowed his head in apology. "I’m sorry. I should’ve come home first to let you know before going out yesterday. I made you worry."

Nan Sheng glared at him, but the knot in her chest finally loosened. In these times, with no phones or surveillance, and with tigers and wolves roaming the mountains, how could she not panic when her child didn’t come home?

She swatted him lightly on the shoulder. "So you even went and got backup, huh? Fine, I’ll forgive you this time. But if it happens again, you’ll see what I do!"

Sizhe scratched his head, thinking that compared to other parents, his stepmother was actually pretty easy to appease. His favorability toward her quietly rose by another point.

Seeing that the matter was resolved, Fan Shuting turned to leave, but Nan Sheng stopped her. "Stay for dinner. This troublemaker brought back a carp yesterday, so I stewed it."

She’d also prepared shrimp, steamed with wine, scallions, and ginger—completely free of any fishy taste.

Fan Shuting, seeing the spread on the table, didn’t refuse. As for her husband at home? Well, he could fend for himself. She’d eat her fill first.

Who could blame her? Her daughter-in-law’s cooking was so good that one meal left her craving the next!

After dinner, Nan Sheng packed a plate of shrimp for Fan Shuting to take home. Fan Shuting also took a liking to the dipping sauce and brought some of that along too.

With daylight still left, Nan Sheng gathered the drying ingredients from the yard into the kitchen, with Sizhe and his sister helping.

"Tomorrow morning, I’ll trade for some tofu and make crucian carp soup to nourish you all." Thinking of her trip, Nan Sheng broached the subject directly.

"I’m going back to my parents’ home tomorrow. Do you two want to come along and visit relatives?"

Sizhe wasn’t keen on the idea. He’d only met Nan Sheng’s relatives once—when she married into the family—and had no idea what to say to them. Siqi, on the other hand, was the complete opposite, eager to tag along anywhere.

"Mom, take me with you! I’ll go!"

Sizhe’s mind started racing again. What if his stepmother was being nice just to sell his sister off?

If that were the case, he’d have to go too—so he could protect her and escape if needed. "Then I’ll go too! I won’t go to school tomorrow or the day after!"

Nan Sheng was pleased they were both coming. She could even stay overnight at her parents’ place without worrying about the kids back home.

With the trip planned, the family turned in early. But at breakfast the next morning, Nan Sheng noticed her son had dark circles under his eyes.

"Dawa, did you stay up late doing homework?" He’d been the last to wake up, yet he still looked exhausted.

Sizhe rubbed his eyes and mumbled an affirmative. In truth, he’d spent the whole night agonizing over whether his stepmother intended to sell him and his sister.

After feeding the chickens, with the sun still below the horizon, the family set out in fresh clothes.

Nan Sheng rode the bicycle, placing little Siqi on the crossbar. Once the bike was moving, Sizhe jumped onto the rear rack.

Villagers who saw them asked where they were headed, and Nan Sheng cheerfully replied that she was visiting her parents.

The bike made the trip fast—they reached town in under an hour. Nan Sheng wasn’t in a rush to shop, first buying each of them an ice pop.

In those days, ice pops were just frozen sugar water—nothing special, but the kids licked theirs happily.

"We’ll buy two pounds of pork and a pound of brown sugar!"

Her parents’ home wasn’t far from Xiangyang Village, but she didn’t want to arrive empty-handed, hence the detour to town.

Siqi, remembering the pig’s trotters from last time, piped up, "Mom, can we have pig’s trotters again?"

Nan Sheng sighed. "Not today. If you like them so much, I’ll make them for you when we get back."

Showing up at her parents’ place with pig’s trotters? People would laugh her out of the village—she had her pride to consider!Transmigrated as the Evil Stepmother, I Bully the Whole Family, Yay!

Chapter 17

When they arrived at the meat stall, the mother and children's eyes lit up. The marbled pork belly on the cutting board looked absolutely gorgeous—one bite would surely make it sizzle with juices. Nan Sheng thought to herself that this meat would be perfect for braised pork.

Without hesitation, she bought four pounds of it. The butcher, impressed by her decisiveness, happily struck up a conversation. "Comrade, would you like some pork intestines? No coupons needed, and they're dirt cheap—just have to clean them yourself at home."

"How much for the intestines?"

"Fifteen cents a pound!" The price was indeed a steal. A whole set wouldn’t even cost fifty cents.

"I'll take them all, big bro. Wrap them up for me."

After that, Nan Sheng bought some brown and rock sugar before cycling back to her parents' home with the two kids in tow.

The children didn’t dare comment on their stepmother’s extravagance. Sizhe figured it was already a blessing that she hadn’t sold them off—he didn’t dare ask for more.

Twenty minutes later, they arrived in Wangshan Village. Sizhe hopped off the bicycle first, followed by Nan Sheng, who then pushed the bike as they walked.

Things got awkward quickly—her inherited memories weren’t complete. The system had shown her what her relatives looked like but hadn’t provided directions to her own home.

What now?

She randomly picked a fork in the road and ended up at the educated youth outpost. A strikingly beautiful female educated youth stepped out of the house, her expression shifting from surprise to annoyance upon seeing Nan Sheng.

She quickly masked her emotions. "Isn’t this Nan Sheng? Are you here to see Yu Sheng? He’s out working in the fields."

Seeing Nan Sheng return laden with bags, Su Jinyan couldn’t hide her displeasure. This woman had no sense of frugality—how could she ever save up two thousand yuan at this rate?

Nan Sheng had no idea who this person was, and she was on the verge of blowing her cover when an angry voice cut in.

"Su Jinyan, what scheme are you plotting now? My sister’s already married, and you’re still pestering her!"

A savior! Nan Sheng turned around, moved to see her dear younger brother, Nan Mingli.

The siblings had always been close—until Yu Sheng came to the countryside. Nan Sheng had repeatedly sent money and gifts to that scoundrel, driving Nan Mingli to distance himself in frustration.

Though "distance" might be an exaggeration—it was more like helpless exasperation, too angry to scold her properly.

"Mind your manners. Don’t be so rough when talking to a girl."

Nan Sheng feigned anger to keep Su Jinyan from suspecting anything. After all, this was the female lead—and undeniably stunning.

"Jinyan, I’ll head home first. Let’s catch up another time."

With that, she handed the bicycle to her brother and took her daughter’s hand, following Nan Mingli home.

Still fuming, Nan Mingli pushed the bike while muttering under his breath.

"Sis, have you lost your mind? How many times do you need to be tricked before you learn? I told you—Su Jinyan and Yu Sheng are both rotten!"

Siqi stared wide-eyed at Nan Sheng, thinking her uncle was even fiercer than her stepmother. Meanwhile, Sizhe pondered what those two had swindled from her—should he help get it back?

Nan Sheng smacked her brother lightly on the back of the head. "No respect! Is this how you set an example for the kids? Big kid, Qiqi, this is your uncle. Say hello!"

Sizhe: "Hello, Uncle!"

Siqi: "Hello, Uncle!"

Nan Mingli only grew angrier at the sight of the children. His sister was a capable young woman, skilled in both household and farm work, with no shortage of suitors. How had she ended up married to a widower?

He grunted in acknowledgment, too upset to speak further.

The Nan family home was in the opposite direction from the educated youth outpost. It was a decent three-room house, though without a living room. The kitchen had been split into two, with a small bedroom sectioned off for Nan Mingli.

Once they arrived, Nan Sheng unceremoniously unloaded her purchases inside. Noticing the empty west room, she frowned. "You’re staying in that tiny room? Why not move into the west one?"

Nan Mingli shot her a look. "If I move there, where will you stay when you visit? My room’s fine—I’m used to it."

The reason Nan Sheng had rushed back was because of a newly unlocked plot point: her birth mother, Zhong Yanyan, would suffer broken ribs that afternoon after being trampled by a frenzied ox while working.

Before learning this, the original Nan Sheng had secretly given Yu Sheng the nine hundred yuan she’d saved up. When her brother later came to borrow money for their mother’s treatment, she couldn’t provide it.

As a result, Zhong Yanyan’s condition worsened due to delayed treatment, leaving her bedridden. The original Nan Sheng, too ashamed, never returned home.

Now, Nan Sheng was determined to avert this tragedy. Since she’d taken over this life, she would shoulder the responsibility of caring for her family.

"Isn’t it still work hours? How did you know I was back? Let’s skip the fields this afternoon—we should spend some time together as a family."

Nan Mingli hadn’t seen his sister in months. Though he wouldn’t admit it, he’d missed her dearly.

"The brigade leader sent me to fetch someone from the educated youth outpost—that’s how I ran into you. I still have to go back to work. There’s meat buried in the jar at home—cook whatever you like."

As for whether they’d skip work in the afternoon, that wasn’t his call—especially not their father’s. Nan Jingyu still hadn’t come to terms with his daughter marrying "that man" and had nearly disowned her.

Thinking of this, Nan Mingli warned his sister, "Dad’s still mad at you. When they come back for lunch, mind your tone—don’t start another fight."

Honestly, without him, this family would fall apart.

Nan Sheng brushed it off, waving for her brother to hurry back to work. As for her father’s temper—so what? She’d just thicken her skin and visit more often.

Her main goal today was simple: keep her mother, Zhong Yanyan, safely at home.

The children could sense they weren’t entirely welcome. While Nan Mingli was around, they stayed reserved. Knowing Sizhe was perceptive, Nan Sheng explained softly,

"Your father was married before and already had you two. It’s natural my family wouldn’t approve of me marrying into this. But don’t worry—they’re good people. In time, they’ll treat you like their own grandchildren."

Sizhe didn’t care how his stepmother’s family viewed him—it wasn’t like he’d visit often. "Then can you tell me why you married my dad?"

Hearing this, Siqi perked up, curious about their conversation.

"What else? He’s a soldier with a monthly stipend—richer than most men. I’m not one to suffer hardships."

She certainly couldn’t say the original owner had been duped into trying to steal his money to fund her affair with a pretty boy…

Chapter 18

The Nan Family's home was neat and tidy. When Nan Sheng got married, Nan's Father had been so angry that he didn't provide her with a dowry. With three able-bodied adults in the household and no children to care for, their living conditions were quite comfortable.

When it was time to prepare dinner, Nan Sheng first went outside to pick some chili peppers, green beans, and tomatoes.

She planned to stir-fry a pound of pork with the green beans, make a cold dish by sprinkling sugar over the tomatoes, and use the chili peppers to cook pork intestines.

"Big Kid, this challenging task is yours now," she said.

Sizhe accepted the basin with a dark expression, knowing he’d have to wash the intestines repeatedly by the river before they’d be clean.

Meanwhile, Nan Sheng divided the pork belly into two portions. The larger portion was cut into chunks for braised pork, while the smaller one was sliced thinly to stir-fry with greens.

Qiqi, her little shadow, stayed in the kitchen as usual, tending to the fire for her stepmother. By the time Sizhe returned with the cleaned intestines, the braised pork and green beans were already simmering in the pot.

Nan Sheng only started chopping the intestines after confirming they had no unpleasant odor. She actually enjoyed the chewy texture of pork intestines, but cleaning them was a nightmare—thankfully, she now had a son to handle it.

Just as she was finishing the last dish, the three members of the Nan Family returned from work in a sour mood.

Nan's Father grumbled, "Stop pulling me, you brat! I already said I’m not going home. Once you’ve eaten, send her away immediately!"

Nan Jingyu was heartbroken. Nan Sheng had been their firstborn, more thoughtful and obedient than their son, and both he and his wife had doted on her.

But over the past year, she had changed drastically—first chasing after the educated youths in the village, becoming the butt of jokes, then stubbornly insisting on marrying a widower.

That man was a soldier, rarely home. How could she possibly manage raising two children who weren’t even hers?

The thought alone made him so frustrated he wanted to shake some sense into his daughter.

If not for Nan Sheng threatening to take her own life, Nan Jingyu would never have relented. On her wedding day, the family had attended, but he had made it clear—there would be no further contact between the two households.

Nan Mingli had expected this. Unable to persuade his father, he shot a pleading look at his mother.

Zhong Yanyan didn’t spare her husband’s feelings. "You’re being ridiculous. For months, you’ve complained that our daughter never visits, calling her ungrateful. Now that she’s back, why put on this act?

Frankly, aside from having two children, our son-in-law isn’t a bad match. He’s a soldier—no one in the village would dare bully her, and with his monthly stipend, she doesn’t have to toil in the fields like we do."

Zhong Yanyan also ached for her daughter, but what was done was done. As parents, all they could do now was hope for her happiness.

Scolded into submission, Nan's Father quieted down. No matter how tough he acted, he still worried about Nan Sheng’s well-being and needed to see for himself.

Still, though he agreed to return for dinner, he had no intention of giving his daughter a warm welcome.

"Fine! You’re getting more nagging with age," he muttered.

As soon as they stepped into the courtyard, the rich aroma of stir-fried intestines greeted them. Nan's Father snorted—at least the heartless girl remembered his favorite dish.

Nan Mingli was the first to dart into the kitchen. "Sis, your cooking’s improved! I could smell it from a mile away."

Nan Sheng fed him a bite with her chopsticks before handing him the plated intestines to carry out. The braised pork was also ready to be served.

Nan's Father glanced into the kitchen before retreating to the east room. The table was already set with three dishes, each more appetizing than the last.

He lowered his head to sniff the pork intestines, then frowned. He loved the stinky flavor, but every time his daughter cleaned them thoroughly, leaving no trace of their "soul."

Nan's Mother was chatting with the two children, pulling out treats from the cupboard to share—sweet cakes for both.

"You're called Sizhe and Qiqi, right? Save these for later, dinner’s almost ready."

Then she led them to the east room. "Say hello to Grandpa!"

Sizhe: "Hello, Grandpa!"

Qiqi: "Hello, Grandpa!"

Though Nan's Father was in a sour mood, it was directed only at his daughter. He’d never take it out on the kids, especially when the little girl’s voice was so sweet it melted his stern expression.

"Good, good! Later, Grandma will give you more treats. Come sit and wait for dinner!"

Why are these two so thin? Are they not eating enough?

Seeing her husband getting along with the children, Nan's Mother went to the kitchen to help her daughter. Spotting the massive plate of braised pork, she swatted Nan Sheng’s arm. "Are you trying to bankrupt us?"

Noticing how dark and gaunt Nan Sheng looked, her tone softened with worry. "I thought that Lin boy was rich. How did you end up like this?"

Nan Sheng hugged her mother. "It’s just the summer heat—I didn’t take care. Come on, try my cooking! See if I’ve improved."

Nan's Mother sighed and swatted her again. "You’re impossible."

Once everyone was seated for dinner, Nan's Father made his displeasure clear the moment his daughter walked in, scowling at her.

The three of them looked half-starved. Is this the life she wanted?

Nan's Mother nudged her husband with a piece of braised pork. "Try it. Her braised pork beats even the state-run restaurants."

Nan Mingli nodded eagerly—it was the best meat he’d ever tasted, rich but not greasy, so flavorful it was intoxicating.

Nan's Father held back for the kids' sake, but every dish was undeniably delicious.

With Nan Sheng and her mother fussing over them, the children ate until they were stuffed, then were dragged outside by their uncle to walk off the meal.

Knowing her parents had things to discuss, Nan Sheng quickly washed the dishes and returned to the room.

Nan's Father couldn’t contain his anger any longer. "Wasn’t he supposed to be rich? Weren’t you supposed to live well? Look at you—skin and bones!"

Nan Sheng coughed awkwardly. "Well... I never liked the kids’ father. I married him to scam his money."

Nan's Father and Mother: !!!

What kind of outrageous confession is this?!

After the shock wore off, Nan's Mother smacked her hard. "Have you lost your mind? Did we ever let you go hungry or without clothes? You’d use marriage to swindle someone?"

"I—I was fooled by Yu Sheng back then. He said he loved me, that if I helped him scrape together 2,000 yuan, he’d take me to the city and marry me..."

Nan Sheng pouted pitifully.

Hearing this, Nan's Father shot to his feet. "That bastard! I’ll kill him!"

Stopped by his wife and daughter, he fumed. "And you—no brains at all! If he said the Forbidden City was his, would you believe that too?"

What could Nan Sheng do? She doubled down on playing the victim.

"It was my first relationship! How was I supposed to know city folks were so cunning? Besides... he was really good-looking."

After his outburst, Nan's Father sat back down. "Then what will you do from now on? If you regret marrying him and don’t want to stay with your husband, I’ll pay back every penny you’ve spent of his. But there’s one condition—you must never contact that educated youth again."

Nan's Mother also tried to persuade her daughter, "That’s right, Nan Sheng. We can’t do something so heartless. We mustn’t cheat people out of their money."

But Nan Sheng couldn’t just leave—she still had tasks to complete.

Besides, if she went home now, they might notice how much she’d changed, and the truth could easily come out.

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

Chapter 19

"How can we leave now, Mom? Look how thin the children have gotten from hunger—I feel so guilty!" Nan Sheng deliberately put on a remorseful expression, making Nan's Father and Mother dizzy with frustration.

"Did you starve them? You didn’t feed them?"

Nan Sheng nodded silently. Nan's Mother smacked her daughter’s arm, tears of anger welling up. "I raised you too naive, with only a single-minded heart. Not only have you suffered, but you’ve dragged these two children into it too."

Nan's Mother continued, "But you can’t live your whole life out of guilt. If you’ve made a mistake, our whole family will help make it right. I just want you to find someone who truly cares for you."

Nan Sheng had never known the warmth of family before. At this moment, feeling her parents’ unconditional love, her eyes reddened.

Seeing this, the elderly couple knew their daughter was hurting too and couldn’t bear to scold her further, waiting instead for her to make her own decision.

"Dad, Mom! I’ve made up my mind—I’m staying with the Lin Family. Before Lin Han left, he gave me all his savings, and his monthly stipend is sent back on time. He’s a reliable man, and I know he’ll give me a comfortable life in the future. Besides, the children are well-behaved. The older one is hardworking, and Qiqi knows to gather firewood and wild vegetables for me at home. I’ll live properly from now on."

Originally, the old couple had felt their daughter was wronged by marrying Lin Han. But after learning the truth, they felt some guilt toward the Lin Family and no longer objected.

Nan's Mother wiped her daughter’s tears with a handkerchief. "Don’t cry. Stay if you want. The two villages are close anyway—we can look after you if anything happens."

Nan Sheng clung to her mother’s arm. "Mom, I’ve missed you so much. Don’t go to the fields today, okay? Let’s spend time together as a family."

Nan's Mother couldn’t resist her daughter’s pleading. Besides, she had so much to say to her. She glanced at Nan's Father. "What do you think, dear?"

Nan Jingyu agreed without hesitation, wanting his wife to ask more about their daughter’s life with her in-laws so he could rest easy.

"Wife, you stay home with the kids. My son and I will go to work. It’s the busy season—it wouldn’t be right for the whole family to skip."

Before leaving, he even slaughtered a hen to nourish his daughter and the two children.

"Big Kid, Qiqi, Grandpa and Uncle are off to work. Let your mom take you around to explore!"

Faced with his grandfather’s sudden enthusiasm, the older boy was a little overwhelmed—why did his smile seem so suspicious?

Qiqi, however, grinned sweetly. "Grandpa, come back soon so we can eat meat together!"

Once outside, Nan Mingli couldn’t help but ask, "Dad, didn’t you oppose Sister marrying that widower? Why are you so nice to those two brats now?"

He’d even killed a chicken! Each household was only allowed to keep two, and that was an egg-laying hen!

Nan's Father nearly smacked his son into the ditch. "Manners! Call him brother-in-law from now on. ‘Widower’ sounds awful."

Nan Mingli: "…"

Wasn’t it you who called him that first? How did Sister’s visit change your attitude so fast?

Worried his son might say the wrong thing, Nan's Father explained the whole story. "Be good to those kids from now on. Your sister was in the wrong—we have to make it up to them. What if they hold a grudge later?"

Nan Mingli nodded silently. If not for the rule against superstition, he’d have suspected Lin Han was a fox spirit in disguise—what a disaster.

Remembering her daughter loved wild herb dumplings, Nan's Mother took the children to pick greens in the mountains, proudly introducing them as her grandchildren to everyone they met.

She’d decided: even if people mocked her daughter’s marriage, as long as the family acted unbothered, the gossips would lose interest.

Though fiery-tempered, Nan's Mother was gentle with children. By afternoon, even the older boy was calling her "Grandma" warmly.

"Oh, my dears, no more picking—Grandma can’t carry any more!"

Sizhe took the basket without hesitation. "I’ll carry it, Grandma. Pick as much as you like."

Nan's Mother patted his head. "Such a good boy. But it’s getting late—we should head back. Next time you visit, your uncle can take you fishing."

Sizhe led the way with the basket, while Nan's Mother and Siqi walked hand-in-hand behind, the little girl’s chatter drawing laughter.

Back home, chicken was already stewing in the pot. Worried it might not be enough, Nan Sheng added a chunk of preserved meat. With a few vegetable dishes, it would be a hearty meal.

"Mom! Come see! Grandma picked so many greens—she’s making us dumplings tomorrow!"

Nan Sheng stepped out, taking the basket with a sigh. "You really shouldn’t have. You finally get a break, and you go up the mountain?"

Nan's Mother knew her daughter meant well, but country folk never rested unless they were bedridden.

"You love wild herb dumplings, don’t you? I’ll make plenty tomorrow—you three can have them for lunch too." She added, "Since your husband’s away, visit more often with the kids. It’ll ease our minds."

Nan Sheng agreed to everything, savoring the care. "I will, Mom. Rest now—we’ll eat once Dad and Brother return."

She settled the children in the west room with pastries to tide them over. "Tired from the mountain? Nap for a while."

As work hours ended, Nan Sheng started cooking, though Nan's Mother now tended the fire.

Waking to find her spot taken, Siqi pouted but didn’t dare challenge her grandma.

When the food was ready and the men still hadn’t returned, Nan Sheng grew uneasy. "Mom, should we check on them?"

In the original story, only Nan's Mother was hurt by the crazed ox. Keeping her home had seemed enough to change fate, but the delay made Nan Sheng anxious.

Nan's Mother waved it off. "No need. Some slackers drag out work—the foreman might’ve held them back."

Much later, Nan Mingli rushed in, pale. "The old cowherd let the ox graze on poisonous weeds. It went mad before being killed—trampled crops and flung the herder aside!"

Many in the fields had been hurt dodging the beast—sprains, falls—so Nan's Father stayed to help.

---

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

Chapter 20

Hearing Mingli say this, Nan's Mother quickly asked, "Was your father hurt? How serious are the others' injuries?"

Mingli replied, "Dad's fine. We were far away and ran off when the bull charged. Luckily, you didn’t go to work today—the bull rushed straight from the mountain into the dry fields. Several aunties got hurt while trying to dodge it."

They had Nan Sheng to thank for this. If she hadn’t kept her mother talking, Nan's Mother, with her slow legs, might not have outrun the four-legged beast.

Nan's Mother shuddered at the thought, then said cheerfully, "That’s right! Thank you, my girl. You’re truly my lucky star. Who else would I dote on if not you?"

By the time Nan's Father returned, dusk had fallen. The dishes on the table remained untouched. Mingli immediately went to reheat the food—stewed meat always tasted better warm.

Seeing that the children hadn’t eaten either, Nan's Father frowned. "Why didn’t you let the kids eat first? Why wait for me?"

Nan Sheng smiled and smoothed things over. "Mom wanted them to eat earlier, but the children are so well-behaved—they insisted on waiting for Grandpa to come back!"

Nan's Mother chimed in, "Exactly! You and your temper need to change. Don’t scare my two grandchildren."

The main dish for dinner was stewed chicken, loaded with potatoes, noodles, and chunks of meat, served in a large bowl. To balance the richness, Nan Sheng had also stir-fried some greens and prepared a cucumber salad.

Nan's Mother placed the two big chicken drumsticks on the children’s plates—one each. It was a tradition in the Nan family not to chop the drumsticks. In the past, they had always been reserved for Nan Sheng and her younger brother.

This time, the two of them had to settle for chicken wings instead.

Qiqi gasped, "Wow, the whole drumstick is for me?"

Nan's Mother cooed, "Yes, all for our Qiqi! Eat up and grow tall so you can become a big kid soon."

Sizhe glanced at the drumstick, then at the others. He felt a little awkward accepting it, but since his stepmother didn’t object, he couldn’t refuse. Softly, he thanked Nan's Mother, "Thank you, Grandma."

Goodwill points +1+1+1—another three points!

Nan's Father picked out the meatiest pieces and placed them in his daughter’s bowl. "Do they starve you at the Lin household? You’ve gotten so thin and dark. Eat more meat to regain your strength."

Sizhe and Qiqi exchanged glances. Of course she’s starving! The rice porridge was watery, and despite the garden full of vegetables, they were never allowed to eat them. That’s how it had been for months.

But the mood was pleasant now, so they kept quiet to avoid spoiling it.

Nan Sheng felt a little awkward. She couldn’t very well say that the original owner had starved herself to death over a scumbag, could she?

"Dad, it’s just summer fatigue. Don’t worry—I’ll make sure to raise myself and the two kids plump and healthy from now on!"

That night, Nan's Mother slept in the west room with her daughter and the two children, while Nan's Father and his son took the east room. The small room was too cramped, and with the kitchen still radiating heat, Mingli refused to sleep there.

"Mom, let Mingli move to the west room. We can use the small room for storage. When I visit, we can arrange things just like today."

Nan's Mother agreed. "Alright, I’ll tell him later. Your brother always hopes you’ll visit more—he doesn’t want to take your space."

Even Nan's Father, despite his grumbling about cutting ties with his daughter, had never suggested his son move into her old room.

The children fell asleep early. Exhausted from the day’s work, Nan's Mother tried to stay awake for a little longer, chatting until she accidentally dozed off, ending their late-night talk. Nan Sheng learned a bit more about the family’s affairs.

She didn’t undress. Once she confirmed everyone was asleep, she slipped out of bed, put on her shoes, and carefully opened the door to avoid making noise. To her surprise, she wasn’t the only one still awake.

She carried a flashlight but didn’t turn it on until she was well outside the courtyard. The village was pitch black—anyone with a weak heart wouldn’t dare walk this path at night.

Nan Sheng muttered as she walked, "I’m not exactly normal either, so let’s not scare each other!"

Not far from the Nan household stood a dilapidated, abandoned house. Someone was waiting for her inside, and when they saw Nan Sheng approaching with her flashlight, they grew irritated.

"Turn that off! What if someone sees?"

What if they do?

Too bad!

Nan Sheng shone the light directly at the man. He was even more handsome than the system had described—his hair neatly parted, his clothes impeccably pressed, clearly having taken extra care with his appearance. Compared to the rough farmhands, he stood out like a polished gem.

She didn’t know how their past interactions had gone, but she guessed the original owner had fawned over him, allowing this pretty boy to act so high and mighty.

Nan Sheng had no intention of letting the scumbag off easy. She decided to toy with him.

"Yu Sheng, does being with me embarrass you? Why do we always have to meet in secret? If you don’t want this, let’s just break up."

In the darkness, his expression was unreadable, but from her tone, Yu Sheng assumed she sounded heartbroken. He cursed himself for losing his cool.

He reached out to grab her, but she dodged. Her voice remained sorrowful.

"I’m married now. Everyone tells me to focus on building a life with Lin Han. I know I’m not good enough for you—let’s just end things."

Her words only made Yu Sheng more frantic. If they ended things, where would he get all that money?

If not for his family’s troubles, he wouldn’t have batted an eye at two thousand, even five or ten thousand! Now, reduced to trading his looks for cash, he felt utterly humiliated.

Nan Sheng despised his self-pity. Oh, the male lead thinks he’s the victim? She’d make sure to disgust him—maybe he’d cut off every part of himself she touched.

She boldly ran her hands over him, then feigned shyness.

Kid, I’ve seen more of the world than you’ve eaten rice. Let’s see how you handle this!

Yu Sheng flushed crimson, inwardly cursing her shamelessness. If this was a breakup, why was she practically tearing his pants off?

The system panel flashed a warning: Behavior noted. Goodwill -5.

Nan Sheng was stunned. What just happened?

Yu Sheng grabbed her hands, his voice strained. "I truly love you. Even married, I still do. But I can’t do hard labor—how can I give you a future? If only I could return to the city, I’d take you with me to live like a wealthy lady."

He was hinting for her to raise money for him. The original owner had been foolish enough to sell herself for his sake, but Nan Sheng wasn’t her.

"But in all this time, you’ve never given me anything or admitted we were together in public. How do I know you really love me?"

Yu Sheng gritted his teeth. Since when did she become so sharp?

"Then tell me—how do you want me to prove it?"

"Lin Han gave me all his savings—a thousand yuan—saying the man provides and the woman manages the home. He even bought me a bracelet."

Her implication was clear. Would the scumbag take the bait?

In the original plot, the male lead had stumbled upon a pair of priceless emerald bracelets, which he later gave to the female lead. Right now, though, jade wasn’t worth much—he’d only done it to win her favor.

Yu Sheng treasured money more than his life, carrying it on him at all times.

After a brief pause, he pulled out several large bills from his inner pockets. When Nan Sheng shone her flashlight, she caught a glimpse of deep green—likely the jade bracelets.

"Yu Sheng, is that the bracelet you bought for me? I love it so much!"

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