The Beautiful Stepmother from the Eighties: Marrying a Factory Director to Raise Kids

Chapter 397

Si Nian was slightly stunned.Then she said, "Because everyone has their own life. Besides friends, Fang Bowen has his family, who are even more important. He will spend his future with them. We are just passers-by in his life. With a bit of luck, maybe we will meet again in the future, but Fang Bowen's father is right: this parting might be for a lifetime."

Zhou Yuehan seemed to only half-understand, but he said seriously, "Mom, I will never leave you for my whole life."

Si Nian smiled and rubbed his head. There was no need for her to say much about things so far in the future.

When he grew up, he would naturally understand.

In early August, the weather was hot and stuffy.

Lin's mother called Si Nian, saying she had discussed with her father about sending the two children to the city for school in the second half of the year.

The two younger brothers were very happy on the phone.

Only then did Si Nian realize it was already August.

In late August, around the twenties, she would have to report to Jing University.

Zhou Yueshen had also been busy from dawn to dusk these past few days, and she had forgotten to discuss going to Jing City with him.

Si Nian had already made up her mind.

There were two choices, and no matter which one Zhou Yueshen chose, she would be fine with it.

First, she could go report to the university, take a leave of absence, and come back to continue her studies when the children were a bit older.

Second, she could hire a nanny to take care of the children, go report to the university, and finish her college courses in a year or two.

Since she had already been to college once, graduating early wouldn't be difficult.

But she couldn't just not go.

Although she was reluctant to part with the children, sometimes there was no other way.

Life couldn't always go exactly as one wished.

Coming to this era and being able to live such a carefree and happy life for a period of time, she owed a lot to the older man's help.

Moreover, she had promised him before that she could take a leave of absence first and wait until the children were older to study.

She couldn't go back on her word.

Therefore, no matter what Zhou Yueshen chose, she could accept it.

It just so happened that her parents were coming into the city to do business. If they came, they could help take care of the children, which would be good.

Family members were always much more reliable.

While thinking about this, Si Nian rode her bicycle to the hospital for a physical examination.

The hospital wasn't far, so she couldn't be bothered to take a taxi.

After refusing her little tag-alongs, she rode off quickly on her bicycle.

After all, it was a hospital. Bringing a few little cubs and having to look after them would affect her efficiency.

Because the college entrance examination was over and most people had received their admission notices, there were quite a few students who came early to get their medical examination reports.

Si Nian didn't expect to run into a group of students who came together for their check-ups, and that they would recognize her.

When they greeted her, Si Nian looked around to see if there was anyone else nearby. Only after confirming they were talking to her did she ask, "Who are you?"

Several young men and women of her age looked at her excitedly. "Student Si Nian, don't you recognize us? We are your classmates."

Hearing this, Si Nian couldn't help but feel embarrassed.

Although they were classmates, she hadn't attended a single class, except for going to the classroom twice after the college entrance exams.

She didn't know a single one of them at all.

At this moment, she couldn't name any of them.

She could only say awkwardly, "Hello."

"I heard you got into Jing University. You're so amazing!"

"With her scores, she deserves to go anywhere. Look at how ignorant you are."

"Yeah, yeah. Although we also got in, it's just to second-rate schools. There's no harm without comparison."

Si Nian didn't know what to say, so she could only nod and agree politely.

Seeing that she didn't talk much, the few boys couldn't find anything to say for a moment. They pushed each other back and forth, and one of them was pushed forward.

His face was completely red.

Seeing his expression, Si Nian raised an eyebrow. "What's wrong?"

He scratched his head, looking youthful and inexperienced.

"I-I'm sorry, Student Si. Last time we wanted to invite you to go singing, but your father seemed a bit unhappy. We don't know if he blamed you for it. If he did, we want to apologize to you."

Si Nian: "? My father? Who?"

He replied, "On the day we checked the answers. You were busy checking answers with the homeroom teacher, and we didn't want to bother you, so we went to ask your father."

Hearing this, Si Nian thought about it for a long time before she realized what they meant. Her mouth twitched as she said, "Are you talking about the man who went with me?"

"Yes."

The others chimed in as well.

"Speaking of which, Comrade Si, your dad looks so young!"

"Yeah, he looks no different from a thirty-year-old, and he's very fit and sturdy. No wonder he raised you so well."

Si Nian: "..."

Stop talking.

If they continued, she wouldn't be able to look Zhou Yueshen in the eye anymore.

So that day when Zhou Yueshen suddenly wanted to buy new clothes and get his hair done, it was because of this?

And that was the reason he wore that white shirt every day even though it didn't fit perfectly?

Si Nian rubbed her forehead.

Seeing the group's serious expressions, she sighed.

"You misunderstood."

"Ah? Misunderstood?"

The group exchanged glances.

"Does that mean your dad didn't blame you?"

"That's great. I've been a bit worried about this all along."

After all, for Si Nian to get such good grades without even attending school, they guessed that her family must be very strict.

Let alone allowing her to do things like going out to sing.

Si Nian looked at the clear and innocent faces in front of her and said with a headache, "What I mean is, he is not my dad."

Before they could speak, she added, "He is my husband."

The group instantly performed a disappearing smile trick right there: "..."

Just as Si Nian finished speaking, her name was called.

She immediately went in for her physical examination.

It was over quickly.

She nodded slightly to the group, who were still standing there with their mouths open in shock, and left first.

As soon as she walked out of the hospital, she saw Fu Qianqian getting out of a car.

Si Nian was slightly stunned.

Previously, Yu Dong had told her about Fu Qianqian eating with a man, thinking that Fu Qianqian was dating someone.

Si Nian had consistently believed this was a misunderstanding.

After all, she felt that someone with Fu Qianqian's personality didn't seem like the type to understand romance and date.

Instead, she seemed like someone who wanted to grow old alone.

So she had always maintained a skeptical attitude.

She didn't expect that right now, she was actually with a man and had come to the hospital.

When she saw the man get out of the car, Si Nian was even more surprised.

It was actually Wu Ren'ai?

Her gaze shifted between the two of them, and then she looked back at the hospital. Had their relationship already progressed to this stage?

Fu Qianqian also saw her and looked surprised. "Si Nian, why are you here?"

Wu Ren'ai also looked up at her, his face full of pleasant surprise.

Si Nian's expression was peculiar. "I'm here for a physical examination. But what about you? Why did you come to the hospital, and with Teacher Wu?"

Speaking of which, Wu Ren'ai had known her since childhood, so he definitely knew Fu Qianqian as well.

Fu Qianqian held her stomach and groaned a couple of times. "I ate too much, and my stomach is painfully bloated, so I came to the hospital to get it checked."

Si Nian: "..." How could someone of her age eat so much that they had to go to the hospital?

"Then why are you two together..."

Si Nian originally didn't want to ask about this kind of topic, but since Yu Dong had asked for her help, she had to find out the truth for him anyway.

To let him give up with a clear understanding.

Fu Qianqian said with a complicated expression, "Sigh, it's a complicated story."

Before she could finish her sentence, someone walked over. "Qianqian, are you alright? Oh my, come inside quickly and let Auntie take a look."

With that, she glared at her son standing to the side. "What are you just standing there for? Hurry up and help Qianqian inside." Seeing that his attention was elsewhere, she finally noticed Si Nian. She froze for a moment, then frowned slightly. "Why is it you?"

Meeting the woman's displeased gaze, Si Nian asked in confusion, "And you are?"

The woman scoffed, "Oh, look at you, so successful now that you don't even remember the people from the compound. Truly, important people have short memories."

Fu Qianqian whispered, "That's Wu Ren'ai's mother, the one who has disliked you since we were kids."

Si Nian was slightly taken aback.

Even the original owner of this body didn't remember things from so long ago, so how could she possibly know?

Seeing her bewildered expression, Fu Qianqian whispered another reminder.

It was mostly because when they were young, Wu Ren'ai used to follow Si Nian around like a lost puppy, completely mesmerized by her. However, Si Nian looked down on him and chased after Fu Yang instead.

The Wu family held a grudge over this, feeling that Si Nian had unrealistically high standards and was a snob.

But even ten bulls couldn't drag their son away from his crush on her. Left with no choice, they sent him abroad to study. Yet, after coming back, he still pined for Si Nian. Just like Fu Yang, he was twenty-five or twenty-six and refused to get married.

Because of this, Mother Wu was extremely furious.

She had never thought highly of the old Si Nian. Even though in the eyes of outsiders, Si Nian was the smartest girl in the compound, her son had been a genius since childhood, a peer of Fu Yang, and now he even held a PhD.

Even if Si Nian had scored the highest in the college entrance exams, it was nothing special to her.

Moreover, Si Nian was now married and a stepmother to three children. The fact that her son was still longing for such a woman made Mother Wu feel even more uncomfortable.

Recently, since Fu Yang had run away, the pressure to get married had fallen onto Fu Qianqian's shoulders.

She was nineteen now, no longer young, and had reached the right age.

The Wu family was also busy looking for a match. The Fu family's background was definitely well-matched with theirs, so after some back-and-forth, they thought of setting the two up.

Besides, the two had known each other since childhood.

Mother Wu was now treating Fu Qianqian like her own daughter-in-law.

Who would have thought they would bump into Si Nian at this moment, and that her son would be staring at her with such an infatuated look? How could Mother Wu possibly feel happy about this?

Si Nian was also speechless.

Wu Ren'ai was extremely embarrassed. Forgetting to even say hello, he hurriedly tugged at his mother and said, "Mom, what nonsense are you talking about? Si Nian isn't that kind of person."

Si Nian said, "Your mother is right. I really did forget her."

Mother Wu was speechless.

Pointing at her with a trembling finger, she said, "You, just look at her!"

Wu Ren'ai's mouth twitched. "That's enough, Mom. Let's go inside and get Qianqian checked out quickly."

Si Nian pulled Fu Qianqian aside and asked about the situation between the two of them.

She honestly couldn't see a hint of romantic chemistry between them; they didn't match at all.

Fu Qianqian said, "No, we aren't dating."

Si Nian looked at her suspiciously, "Then why did you go out to eat with him?"

Fu Qianqian replied, "A free meal is a free meal. Why wouldn't I eat it?"

Si Nian was speechless. "I surrender to you."

Did she not know that Yu Dong's hair was turning white from worrying over this very matter?

Poor Yu Dong. Falling for someone so dense must be karma from a past life.

However, since there were no feelings involved, it shouldn't be a big deal.

Wu Ren'ai didn't look like he was capable of being in a relationship anyway.

Si Nian sighed and left.

Fu Qianqian was made very uncomfortable by Mother Wu's overwhelming enthusiasm. Seeing Si Nian leave, and feeling that she had digested her food enough, she quickly made her escape as well.

Mother Wu thought she was upset, which made sense. Her blind date was staring at another woman right in front of her, completely ignoring the fact that she was feeling unwell. What girl could tolerate that?

The more she thought about it, the angrier she got. She pinched Wu Ren'ai's ear hard. "You stubborn fool! She is already married. What is the use of pining after her? What is wrong with Qianqian? She is a broadcaster now, a proper job. How does she not compare to that Si Nian?"

Wu Ren'ai hissed in pain. Hearing this, he frowned and said, "I don't think there is anything bad about her, I just think she is a bit dense."

Mother Wu was speechless.

When Fu Qianqian returned home and Ms. Zheng saw she was alone, she was quite angry. "What happened? Why did you come back by yourself? Where is Little Wu?"

Fu Qianqian threw her hands up. "It didn't work out."

Ms. Zheng said angrily, "What do you mean? Didn't you two go out to eat together? He is such a good person, honest and smart, and he is a teacher. What are you dissatisfied with?"

Fu Qianqian said, "I am not really dissatisfied, I just feel like he is a bit lacking in love..."

Ms. Zheng was speechless.

Returning home, Si Nian placed all her medical checkup reports on the table.

The children gathered around to look, and it stated that all indicators were normal.

Second Child showed off the few words he knew in his head, teaching Yaoyao how to read them.

After training with Zhou Yueshen for a month, the child had lost some weight and gotten quite a bit tanner.

Because he had to do homework, his recent training sessions had decreased a bit.

Only now did he have the free time to show off.

Si Nian called Yu Dong and told him about the situation between Fu Qianqian and Wu Ren'ai.

Knowing that he hadn't lost his chance at love, Yu Dong finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Si Nian added, "But even without Wu Ren'ai, there will be others. After all, Fu Qianqian is not young anymore and has reached marriageable age. If you do not make a move, the next time she goes out to eat with someone else, I won't be able to help you ask about it."

Yu Dong immediately deflated. "Then what should I do? I... I don't know how to court her."

Si Nian said, "Isn't courting her easy?"

It was just that he was overcomplicating Fu Qianqian in his own mind.

"Next time you invite her to eat, I guarantee she will go."

Yu Dong replied, "I thought about that too, but I can't just invite her out to eat every single time."

Si Nian said, "Let me teach you. In the future, when you go look for her, do not say you are treating her to a meal. Tell her you have developed a new dish and invite her to be your taste tester. This way, every time you make a new dish, you can ask her to come over. It is relaxed and will not seem awkward."

"If she agrees, you can find an opportunity to invite her to watch a movie or go to an amusement park under the pretext of thanking her for her help. If you two still cannot get along after all that, then there is nothing more I can do to help. It would just mean you are not suitable for each other, and you should find someone else."

Just as Si Nian finished speaking, she heard a man's deep voice behind her. "What is not suitable?"

She turned around to look. Zhou Yueshen had returned at some unknown point and was standing right behind her.

He was holding her medical report in his hand.

Si Nian paused for a moment. Hearing Yu Dong's excited voice on the other end of the line, she casually dismissed him.

Glancing at the report in Zhou Yueshen's hand, she said, "You are back. Perfect timing, I have something to tell you."