Chapter 20: Mother Smells So Good

Chapter 20: Mom Smells So Good

Listening to her words, Xie Jinghao could only offer an awkward smile. As a sister-in-law, she would never dream of instigating a family split between her brothers and sisters-in-law. However, she felt it was actually quite good that Shen Meng had this intention; after all, the tension between them was already at a breaking point, just waiting for someone to puncture the thin veil of politeness. Since Shen Meng didn't push the issue further, she didn't say anything more about the topic.

Lu Mingkai pushed the enamel cup forward. He had already taken several sips and wanted his sister to have some too. The brown sugar water was sweet and delicious.

As he moved to push it toward Lu Mingfang, he felt a bit hesitant and looked up at Shen Meng and Xie Jinghao.

"Mingfang, take a few sips. After you've had some, you can give it to your third aunt," Shen Meng said, looking at Lu Mingfang warmly. The little girl glanced at her and, for some reason, took the cup. She felt that her mother's smile was truly beautiful, making her heart feel warm.

Shen Meng observed the two children. Lu Mingfang's hair was yellowish and brittle, her clothes were tattered, and the pair of shoes on her feet even showed bits of cotton padding; her big toe was exposed, clearly a pair of shoes worn from winter through summer.

In contrast, although Lu Mingkai was also quite thin, he was clean and tidy, clearly well-cared for. Shen Meng thought back to the two boys, Lu Mingyang and Lu Mingliang, and realized that the little guy was being looked after by his older siblings. She felt very relieved by this sibling affection; it proved that the control group of the protagonists' children were still good kids and hadn't gone astray.

"Jinghao, speaking of which, I have something I'd like to ask your help with. You know me—my needlework isn't very good. I obtained some fabric a while ago and wanted to make a winter coat for Mingfang. I have some cotton stored here; could you help me see if it's enough?"

As Shen Meng spoke, she stood up and took the green peony patterned fabric—the one she had shown Lu Mingfang earlier—from the sideboard. She then stepped down from the heated kang bed and took a bag of cotton from the wardrobe. Of course, she used the movement as a cover to take the cotton from her spatial dimension; it was authentic Xinjiang cotton.

"Good heavens! So much cotton! Sister-in-law, where could you have gotten this much?"

It was no wonder Xie Jinghao was shocked. If she had known Shen Meng had such high-quality goods before, her mother-in-law, Liu Sanjin, would never have let her keep them until now.

"The fabric coupons their father sent before... after I bought the fabric, I've been slowly saving up cotton. Mingfang is a girl, and most girls her age have at least one decent outfit to wear out, but my daughter doesn't have a single piece. It weighs on my heart. I've been saving for a long time, but I didn't tell the children because I was afraid if I didn't save enough, they would be disappointed."

Lu Mingfang looked at Shen Meng in astonishment. She had never thought that the promise of making her clothes was actually true. When they moved, she had returned the fabric to her wicked mother and hadn't dared to touch it again. Now, her mother was actually letting her third aunt make her clothes. The fabric was so soft, and the cotton was so white and fluffy. With so much of it, she wondered how long her mother had been saving. She had heard that some families started saving for their daughters from a young age just so they could afford two decent quilts when they married.

"Mom..."

Seeing Lu Mingfang's eyes well up with tears, Shen Meng reached out and gently rubbed her head. Although she desperately wanted to pull the girl into her arms for a kiss, the little girl was clearly still a bit afraid of her, and excessive intimacy might frighten her.

Seeing that Shen Meng had learned to cherish her children, Xie Jinghao felt happy for them and immediately expressed her willingness to help.

"Alright then, I'll leave this task to you. If there's extra fabric, please use it to make a pair of cotton shoes for Mingfang as well. Once I'm feeling better, I'll head to the supply and marketing cooperative in the commune to see if there's any more fabric. I'll make outfits for the boys too. You can keep any leftover fabric to make small shoes for the baby. The due date is in December, right?"

"Yes, late December. Sister-in-law, you are so kind. If you take good care of the baby and live a good life with Big Brother, things will go well in the future. Regarding the clothes, I think I'll come to your house to do the sewing. My belly is getting big now, so I don't have to work in the fields. Once I finish my chores at home, I'll have time."

Shen Meng naturally understood her meaning. If this fabric and cotton were taken back to the Lu family home, would they ever be returned?

"Alright, then thank you in advance. Xiaogang is still small; when the time comes, bring him to play with Mingkai."

"Okay! Well, Sister-in-law, you should rest. I'll head back now."

Shen Meng didn't let her leave immediately. She handed Lu Mingfang the brown sugar water she had sipped from and waited until she finished before letting her go.

After Xie Jinghao left, only the mother and her three children remained in the room. This moment was actually quite awkward, primarily for Shen Meng. Although she had fantasized about having children before, it was certainly not like this. After all, these two children had suffered a great deal under the original host; if she acted too affectionate, she might arouse suspicion. In the original book, Lu Mingyang was a very shrewd boy.

"Mingfang, good girl. Mom hasn't done well these past few years. You, Mingyang, and Mingliang have taken such good care of Mingkai. Thank you. Xiaokai, you must remember how good your older siblings are. When you are capable in the future, you must repay them, do you understand?"

Lu Mingfang lowered her head, her tears falling "patter, patter" onto the floor. Looking at the woman speaking so gently, Lu Mingkai couldn't help but reach out his small hand.

"Mom."

Shen Meng reached out and pulled Lu Mingkai into her arms, gently nuzzling the top of his head with her chin.

"Yes, son, Mom is here!"

Taking advantage of this warm atmosphere, Shen Meng used her free hand to gently pull Lu Mingfang closer.

Lu Mingkai had grown up following his older siblings and had rarely been held in the original host's arms. When he ran out to play, he had seen other children leaning on their mothers' shoulders while being gently patted on the bottom; he had always been incredibly envious.

Now that he was being held in his mother's arms, the little guy couldn't help but snuggle closer, taking a deep breath. Mom smelled so good, and she was so soft. Being held by Mom was wonderful; he couldn't help but let out a little "hee hee."

Lu Mingfang leaned weakly against Shen Meng, her lips pressed tightly together. She wanted to lean closer but didn't dare. In short, she felt like this afternoon was a dream.

Outside, Lu Mingyang and Lu Mingliang were carrying firewood back home. With only Mingfang and Xiaokai at home and a wicked woman who could hit them at any moment, they were very worried.

Upon entering the house, they dropped the firewood on the ground and rushed toward the western room. Seeing no one on the kang bed, panic washed over their faces, and they scrambled toward the eastern room. In those few steps, Lu Mingliang had already imagined the most tragic state of his younger siblings.

When the two of them burst into the eastern room, faces pale with fear, they saw their younger siblings being held warmly in their stepmother's arms. They stared at each other, momentarily thinking they had seen a ghost.