Seeing the food on the table, Xu Shen frowned. Was this woman just putting on an act for their father, like the others had, or was she truly being kind?
Just like the Aunt, the woman whom Xu Yinchen had hired to cook, clean, and look after them always acted sweet and attentive in front of him and everyone else and pretended to treat them like her own children.
But the moment he stepped out of the house, her entire attitude changed.
She barely cleaned, cooked and always served them bland, unappetizing meals; watery vegetable soup made from scraps, stale cornmeal pancakes, and never a trace of eggs or meat.
Sometimes, she didn't even cook at all, and if they were hungry, she would toss them a few sweet potatoes and tell them to eat those with water or cook themselves.
The groceries and supplies that Xu Yinchen restocked, along with the money he gave her for household expenses, gradually disappeared, quietly taken by her under the pretense of being "leftovers."
Xu Shen had noticed everything. But he had never dared to complain.
That woman's harsh words still lingered in his memory: 'You're a burden on your Father. Be grateful he hasn't abandoned you.'
When Xu Yinchen's engagement was fixed, the Aunt's behavior grew even worse. She would often warn them in a low, threatening voice, 'You should consider yourself lucky that I even come to take care of you.'
'If I leave, no one in this village will take on the job of looking after troublemakers like you. You'll only bring more trouble to your father this way.'
'Just wait until your stepmother comes. Then you'll know what real hardship feels like. Do you know what stepmothers are like?'
'They're scary witches. They'll beat your little brothers, complain to your father about you, refuse to feed you, and make you do all the housework. And in the end, they'll throw you all out to sleep on the streets.'
'Once she arrives, you'll finally realize how kind I've been to you all along.'
Those words had stayed with Xu Shen, fueling his fears about their new life. He had seen other children in the school suffering under their stepmother's; being beaten, separated from their fathers, or even locked in dark rooms as punishment.
To protect his siblings, he had taken on the role of their guardian, determined to shield them as much as he could.
That's why he didn't dare lower his guard around Qin Lian.
But as he looked at the food on the table now, a doubt crept into his mind. Was this just another act? Would this woman, too, show her true colors once their father left for work tomorrow?
….
Just like his brothers, Xu Shen's stomach growled with hunger. The aunt had refused to cook lunch for them in the afternoon and left early for home, like usual.
But despite his hunger, Xu Shen looked at Qin Lian with a frown and said coldly, "There's no need. We've already eaten."
His younger brother, standing beside him, looked up at him pleadingly, tugging on his shirt like a hungry little cub.
'Why is Brother lying? We haven't had anything since morning except two sweet potatoes and water. I'm hungry...'
Qin Lian stared at Xu Shen, who was holding his sibling's hand tightly, like a small cub baring his teeth to protect his siblings. Her heart softened at the sight.
She knew this look all too well.
Having been abandoned by her relatives and growing up in an orphanage, Qin Lian remembered wearing the same expression when she first arrived there—guarded, defensive, and full of mistrust.
Over time, she had slowly warmed up to the other children and the director, who treated them like her family.
Xu Shen and these children reminded her of her past self.
At first, she was sent to her aunt's house, but after being tossed from one relative to another, she eventually ended up in an orphanage.
Because, to those relatives, her existence was nothing more than a burden.
The feeling of living in someone else's house like an unwanted guest, she knew this uncomfortable feeling all too well.
That's why she found Xu Yinchen even more admirable. Not many people would willingly take on the responsibility of raising someone else's children, but he did.
And more than that, he was trying to fulfill that role quietly and without complaint.
Knowing the children's situation from the novel, Qin Lian felt her throat tighten with emotion. She took a deep breath, composed herself, and smiled gently.
"I know you've already eaten," she said softly. "But it's just some porridge and vegetables. I called you down because I made a little extra. I didn't want it to go to waste."
She clapped her hands lightly and added, "Now go and wash your hands. Otherwise, the food will get cold." Without waiting for their response, she pulled the stool out for herself and sat down, serving herself first.
Xu Shen frowned, still on guard.
But when he saw the woman begin to eat without hesitation, he decided it was safe. She wouldn't dare add anything suspicious with Father here, he thought.
He sighed inwardly. At least we can eat one meal in peace.
Reluctantly, he took his brothers to wash their hands and then returned to join the meal at the dining table.
Xu Yinchen, silently observed the way Qin Lian interacted with the children.
His gaze lingered on her calm demeanor and the effortless way she managed to guide the kids, encouraging them to wash their hands and sit down without resistance.
He was initially worried about how the children would react to having a stepmother, but seeing her take charge so naturally left him quietly impressed.
The things he hadn't been able to do all this time, she was doing without hesitation.
Could this woman be the change their family needed?
…..
When the kids sat down to eat, Qin Lian didn't move to serve them. She let Xu Shen take the lead, allowing him to serve his younger brothers himself. If she acted too nice too soon, she knew they would see it as an act and become defensive.
She wanted to get closer to them but understood that she needed to give them space to warm up to her on their own.
This was one of the things she had learned from the orphanage's Director Madam.
The second child, widened his eyes as he tasted the porridge. It was warm, creamy, with a hint of savory flavor that balanced the dish perfectly. The vegetables were tender yet retained a slight crispness, seasoned just right.
Even though it was a simple meal, it was the most delicious porridge he had ever eaten.
Compared to this, the porridge the Aunt made for them was horrible, bland, lumpy, salty, and sometimes even burnt.
He couldn't help but shovel mouthful after mouthful into his mouth, eating enthusiastically.
When Qin Lian saw his excitement, a soft smile appeared on her lips. Watching the children enjoy the meal, she finally sighed in relief.
Xu Yinchen also ate the dishes and nodded in satisfaction. It was, without a doubt, the best meal he'd had in years.
Before this, he had only eaten to survive, never caring about the taste. But for the first time in years, he truly felt satiated while eating.
"Xu Shen, right? I know your name," Qin Lian said, breaking the silence. "But since I'm going to live here from now on, as the eldest brother, wouldn't you introduce your siblings to me?"
Xu Shen paused in the middle of eating, wiping his mouth awkwardly.
Before he could respond, the second one interjected, "My name is Xu Wei. I'm five years old. And this is my younger brother, Xu Hao. He's three years old. Since he can't introduce himself, I'll do it for him!" he added proudly.
Qin Lian's smile deepened as she observed Xu Wei's confidence and the way he seemed to enjoy playing the role of an elder brother.
At least the second one is still as cheery as ever. "Xu Wei, what a lovely name," she said warmly.
Xu Wei blushed at the unexpected praise, his face turning slightly red.
She turned to Xu Hao, who was keeping his head down, gripping his spoon awkwardly as he scooped up porridge with small, unsteady hands.
With each attempt, some of it dribbled down his chin, while a few stray drops landed on his clothes and the table.
With a gentle smile, she said softly, "And why can't Xu Hao introduce himself? Isn't he three years old already? Shouldn't he get a chance to do so?"
Xu Wei blinked and replied matter-of-factly, "Because he can't speak."
Qin Lian was taken aback.
She hadn't known this.
Her gaze shifted to Xu Yinchen, who cleared his throat and explained, "He isn't mute. The doctors said it was because of trauma. He stopped speaking after…" His eyes flicked toward the children, and stopped speaking.
A wave of understanding and pity washed over Qin Lian as she nodded. Even though Xu Yinchen didn't complete his words, she knows the reason.
She recalled that Xu Hao must have been only two years old when he lost his parents. The experience must have been devastating for a child so young.
Before she could say anything, Xu Shen interrupted coldly, shooting a sharp glare at Xu Wei. "Stop talking and eat. If you're done, go upstairs and study," he said curtly.
Hearing his brother's stern tone, Xu Wei immediately lowered his head to his bowl and began eating hurriedly, as though afraid his food might be taken away.
Qin Lian didn't say anything more, allowing the children to eat in peace. As she quietly finished her own meal, her thoughts grew heavier.
The children's condition was worse than she had imagined. She only had one thought, now that she had a second chance at life, she wouldn't let them suffer again.