[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-beautiful-stepmother-from-the-eighties-marry":3,"chapter-the-beautiful-stepmother-from-the-eighties-marry-the-beautiful-stepmother-from-the-eighties-marry-chapter-117":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","The Beautiful Stepmother from the Eighties: Marrying a Factory Director to Raise Kids",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1663534,2130,"Chapter 117","the-beautiful-stepmother-from-the-eighties-marry-chapter-117",117,"\u003Cp>He made several rabbit-shaped treats—one for Mom, one for Dad, one for his older brother, and one for his little sister.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one else could eat them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had made them himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had been craving them since morning, but Mom said they’d taste better once they cooled and set.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So he waited and waited, resisting the urge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now there were guests at home, so many people around, and the younger brother didn’t dare act spoiled...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Si Nian brought out two plates of mung bean cakes, the sweet, fresh fragrance instantly filling the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Almost in unison, everyone swallowed hard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My husband mentioned you sent mung bean cakes to the factory before—said they were delicious. I thought you bought them, but you made them yourself? You’re amazing, girl!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No kidding, these things are expensive!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yeah, this is such a luxury. We’d be fine with just a bowl of water.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Si Nian smiled. \"Mung bean cakes might be pricey, but mung beans themselves are cheap. Homemade ones aren’t as refined, but I made extra to save as snacks for the kids during the wedding. Don’t be polite—you’ve all brought so many gifts, these cakes are nothing in return.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Though they’re a bit dry. Let me get you some mung bean soup to go with them.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that, Si Nian headed back to the kitchen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One of the wives from the farm quickly followed. \"You shouldn’t have to do everything alone. Let me help.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The others, not wanting to just sit around, also got up to lend a hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was how things went among close friends—everyone pitched in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Entering the kitchen, they were stunned by how spotless it was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Does Si Nian have OCD or something? Even the floor is swept this clean.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Si Nian had heard that, she’d have laughed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was actually the handiwork of the older and younger brothers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ever since they learned Si Nian liked cleanliness, sweeping had become their first task every morning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The house was large, and if left unswept for a couple of days, dust would gather, and grease from cooking would make the floor sticky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But with daily cleaning, it stayed neat and dry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Si Nian poured everyone a bowl of sweet mung bean soup.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The children’s eyes widened in excitement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mung bean cakes and mung bean soup?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The first sip was cool and sweet, and soon they were gulping it down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sugar was a rare treat—most families only made sweet rice wine occasionally, sparingly sweetened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sweet drinks were usually reserved for the most favored son or the elderly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, the adults busied themselves feeding their kids, not daring to take a sip for themselves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching this, Si Nian couldn’t help but sigh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though she adored children, she always tasted good things herself before sharing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No wonder people said:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The '80s generation—gave all the best to their kids.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The '90s generation—kept the best for themselves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even as a '90s kid, Si Nian deeply respected mothers who sacrificed everything for their children.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The kids devoured the mung bean cakes, mumbling between bites, \"Mom, it’s so good.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If it’s good, shouldn’t you thank Auntie? She’s the one who gave them to you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The children, still licking their lips as if savoring the lingering sweetness, turned to Si Nian with shy but eager faces. \"Thank you, Auntie.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Si Nian smiled. \"You’re welcome.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Has everyone eaten yet? Let me fry some flour cakes for you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh, don’t trouble yourself! We all ate before coming.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They waved her off, embarrassed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were here to help decorate the new house—they couldn’t keep eating her food.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Have you bought the wedding couplets yet? And the 'double happiness' characters? We can help set up the bridal room.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Si Nian grinned. \"Not yet. I was planning to do it these next few days.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Great, bring them out and we’ll handle it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Si Nian didn’t refuse. She fetched the red decorations and couplets Lin's mother had bought for her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Doing it alone would’ve been tough—having help was a blessing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some followed her back to the kitchen to assist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They watched as Si Nian cracked eggs into flour, added minced meat and salt, and stirred until it formed a thick batter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was something they’d only seen in state-run restaurants.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Flour was precious—no one would waste it like this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And adding eggs and meat? Unthinkable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The method was simple: heat lard in a pan, drop spoonfuls of batter, and watch as golden-brown cakes puffed up, bubbling to the surface. Quick and easy, perfect for banquets.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I brought some dried potato skins—just sun-dried. We could fry some for the kids,\" someone suggested.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Si Nian nodded in agreement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By the time she carried the fried cakes out, the others were already busy pasting red decorations around the living room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The house buzzed with lively chatter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Si Nian loved this kind of warmth, her bright face softening with a smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That smile left the other women staring.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Si Nian, you’re just... so beautiful.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Like a movie star.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And your skin is flawless...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many were her age, but seeing her porcelain complexion, envy was unavoidable—though their praise was genuine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Country life meant days spent under the sun, backs bent over fields.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Between raising kids and managing households, who had time for skincare?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sleeping in was a luxury, let alone spending money on beauty products.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only the better-off families could afford a dab of vanishing cream now and then.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But no one had skin like Si Nian’s.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And on top of that, she was stunning...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sure, Zhou Yueshen’s family was well-off, but with her looks, Si Nian could’ve married anyone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Honestly, it felt like he was the lucky one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The aroma of the fried flour cakes soon became irresistible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The mung bean cakes had been subtle, but the rich scent of lard-fried dough filled the entire house.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even though he’d already eaten, the younger brother’s mouth watered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Normally, he’d pester his mom for a bite.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But with so many people around, he felt too shy to whine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So he scooped up the drowsy Yaoyao and marched toward Si Nian.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yaoyao, you must be hungry too, right? Big brother will get you something to eat.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If you don’t say no, I’ll take that as a yes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yaoyao, half-asleep: ?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her eyelids heavy, her little head nodding, she hadn’t heard a word.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The younger brother didn’t expect a response from a sister who only knew how to say \"Mom\" and not \"brother.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He tugged at Si Nian’s pants and pleaded, wide-eyed, \"Mom, Yaoyao says she wants fried flour cakes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>---\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Phew, almost didn’t make it in time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Scared me silly~~~~~\u003C\u002Fp>",1101,"2026-06-06T12:38:58.697Z",1,"novelbin.me","0ce57a43aecea0df8ba5da75fe2808b0e1f9372b559528ae08e0d7b68747e8f1","the-beautiful-stepmother-from-the-eighties-marry-chapter-328","the-beautiful-stepmother-from-the-eighties-marry-chapter-116",482,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-beautiful-stepmother-from-the-eighties-marry-cover.jpg"]