Chapter 78 That Woman Is Nothing but a Seductress

The next morning, Xia Yan rose early as usual, yet her mood was markedly different from the day before; she was positively radiant.

“Brother, Mom’s smile is nearly reaching her eyes today. Did something good happen?”

Lin Hongzhuo was brushing his teeth, his eyes fixed on Xia Yan in the kitchen, her face alight with a smile as she prepared breakfast.

Lin Hongzhe, with a hint of annoyance, tapped his brother’s head. “If you want to know, ask her yourself. How would I know? Besides, shouldn’t you be happy if she’s happy?”

“If Mom’s happy, of course I’m happy too. Also, can you please stop hitting my head? I’ll become stupid.”

Lin Hongzhuo rubbed the spot where he’d been struck, cheeks puffed in protest.

Lin Hongzhe ignored his brother, glancing back toward the kitchen. Seeing Xia Yan’s unwavering smile, he thought, whatever it was, it must have been resolved.

That morning, Xia Yan prepared fried eggs for all three children, each golden and glossy, irresistibly inviting.

“Mom, why do these eggs have shapes? Mine’s a star, and my sister’s… what is hers?”

Lin Hongzhuo examined his own egg, then craned his neck to look at Lin Nuannuan’s plate, unable to discern its shape.

“It’s a heart,” Xia Yan explained, scooping white porridge into bowls for the two, then feeding Nuannuan herself.

“Mom, tomorrow I want the same shape as my sister’s, it looks nice.”

“No matter how nice it looks, you’ll swallow it whole in one bite anyway.”

Lin Hongzhe regarded his own star-shaped egg with curiosity, marveling at Xia Yan’s deft hands—how could even fried eggs be so unique?

“Brother, your star looks better than mine. What does it taste like?”

“Don’t touch it. That’s what happens when you eat your egg in a single gulp.” Lin Hongzhe swatted away his brother’s outstretched hand, swiftly moving his plate out of reach.

Foiled, Lin Hongzhuo turned his gaze to Xia Yan, who was feeding Nuannuan, blinking hopefully. “Mom, I ate too fast, didn’t taste anything. Could you fry another for me?”

“I’ll check if there are any eggs left,” Xia Yan said, rising to head to the kitchen, but Lin Hongzhuo called after her.

“Xia Yan, don’t indulge him. Spoiling him isn’t good for his future.”

Lin Hongzhe’s cold voice halted Xia Yan in her tracks; this little fellow spoke so maturely, it was almost comical.

“Zhuo, your brother’s in charge when your father’s away.”

“Brother~”

“Sit down and drink your porridge,” Lin Hongzhe said sternly.

Under his ‘authority,’ Lin Hongzhuo could only meekly sit, picking up a piece of salted vegetable and eating in silence.

Moments later, half a fried egg appeared in his bowl. Overjoyed, he looked at Lin Hongzhe. “Brother, you’re the best.”

Xia Yan realized then that Lin Hongzhe’s earlier words were simply to keep her from busying herself further; how considerate he was.

After breakfast, the two boys shouldered their schoolbags and headed to class. Xia Yan, with nothing pressing, fetched a book to study, mindful of the college entrance exam next year—her studies must not be neglected.

In the courtyard, Lin Nuannuan chased fireflies gleefully, while Erdan cheered her on nearby.

Wang Guilan dropped by from time to time, and life flowed calmly, pleasantly.

“Excuse me, is this An Yan’s home?”

Hearing a man call her former name, Xia Yan was surprised—did someone she knew live in this place?

She walked to the gate and opened it, finding a young man standing there. She had absolutely no recollection of him.

“Who are you?”

Huang Qiang looked at the face that often appeared in his dreams, his own flushed with excitement. “It’s really you. When Zhuang Lili mentioned it yesterday, I couldn’t believe it.”

So, it was Zhuang Lili who spoke of her—but who exactly was this person?

Sensing Xia Yan’s confusion, Huang Qiang introduced himself, “I’m Huang Qiang, from the class next door. Once during PE, our class played basketball against yours. I was the one handing out water, and I gave you a bottle of soda. Do you remember?”

Basketball game, water, soda?

Though his words flowed smoothly, to Xia Yan they were like tongue-twisters; she didn’t even recall the basketball match, let alone someone handing out water.

Yet, seeing Huang Qiang’s broad smile, Xia Yan couldn’t bear to embarrass him. “I think I remember a little. Did you come for something specific today?”

Her gaze swept the distance and caught several women watching her, whispering among themselves.

“I came from the ranch to see Captain Jiang. Yesterday, Zhuang Lili said you were at the family compound, so I thought I’d drop by. Here, I brought you some corn we grew at the ranch—it’s delicious.”

Huang Qiang lifted a cloth bag, brimming with corn.

Xia Yan waved him off. “No need, we grow it ourselves. You should take it back and eat it.”

Huang Qiang adjusted his glasses. “We have plenty more. Besides, it’s not worth much, and it took real effort to bring it over. If you don’t want it, I’ll have to lug it back.”

“Well…”

Taking advantage of her hesitation, Huang Qiang strode into the courtyard with his corn.

Xia Yan tried to stop him, but it was too late.

Inside, Huang Qiang saw Lin Nuannuan and Erdan. He pulled out two candies from his pocket—bought specially at the supply store that morning. “Come here, uncle’s got sweets for you.”

Erdan instinctively shielded Nuannuan behind him. “Auntie, there’s a bad man.”

Xia Yan hurried to the children’s side, apologizing to Huang Qiang, “Sorry, they don’t take things from strangers.”

“Erdan, this uncle is someone Auntie knows,” Xia Yan said, crouching to pat Erdan’s head.

“Still, we won’t take it. I don’t like this uncle. Nuannuan, let’s go play at my house.”

Erdan stuck his tongue out at Huang Qiang, took Nuannuan’s hand, and left.

“Sorry, kids speak their minds. Please don’t mind.”

In truth, Xia Yan felt some discomfort—Huang Qiang was far too familiar, and she hadn’t even invited him in.

Huang Qiang forced a smile. “It’s nothing, children are honest. So, Zhuang Lili said you’re married?”

“Yes.”

“What a pity. You’re only nineteen, already entering the grave of marriage, and raising children—especially someone else’s children.”

He feigned concern for her.

But Xia Yan’s brows furrowed.

Outside, the women saw the children leave, and one with a red headscarf said, “What do you think that man’s doing at Captain Lin’s house? He drove the kids out, too.”

“What else? It’s just men and women’s business.”

“No… but it’s broad daylight!”

“What’s wrong with daylight? They say Xia Yan went to the ranch yesterday, and this man’s clearly a young intellectual from there. He showed up the next day—seems those old rumors were true. Xia Yan is nothing but a temptress.”