[{"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-125":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},1663545,2130,"Chapter 125","the-beautiful-stepmother-from-the-eighties-marry-chapter-125",125,"\u003Cp>At the end of the scattered firecracker remnants stood the very same large flat-roofed house that had piqued their curiosity earlier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a moment, the car fell into a deathly silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By the time they snapped out of it, their vehicle had already arrived at the entrance of the Zhou Family's estate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Parked right at the gate was the same wedding car they had seen earlier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Zhou Family's entrance was packed with people, buzzing with excitement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Up close, the house appeared even more massive...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just their courtyard alone was larger than the entire Si Family's property.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Si's Father's pupils dilated in shock. \"This... this is the Zhou Family?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Cuimei couldn't believe her eyes. \"How is this possible?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Sisi remained silent, her lips pressed tight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In her past life, she had been unhappy living here, so she'd never paid attention to the grandeur of this house.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, after longing so desperately to return to the Si Family, she realized it wasn’t as perfect as she had imagined.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The housing in the military compound was allocated based on family size—modest and cramped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Si Family only had three rooms in total.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Compared to the Zhou Family's imposing mansion, it was nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As she took in the sea of guests at the Zhou Family's gate, an inexplicable wave of regret suddenly surged in Lin Sisi's heart...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Eh? Are you here for the banquet too?\" A bystander, noticing the unfamiliar faces and hearing Si's Father's astonished tone, asked curiously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Si's Father hesitated before confirming, \"This is the Zhou Family? The one Si Nian married into?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man nodded. \"Yeah, that's right. Are you relatives of the bride?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Si's Father opened his mouth but couldn’t find the words to respond.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before he could gather his thoughts, the sound of car wheels rolling on gravel echoed from behind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He turned and saw several sedans approaching.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment he recognized the lead car, his breath hitched. \"Isn’t that Director Li's car?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Cuimei, initially curious, stiffened at his words. \"Director Li? The police bureau’s Director Li?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She repeated the question in disbelief, emphasizing it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Si's Father was stunned. Due to his work, he had occasionally crossed paths with Director Li and had even tried to curry favor with him, deliberately memorizing his car.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But never in his wildest dreams had he expected to see it in this remote countryside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sure enough, the cars soon pulled to a stop, and the police bureau director stepped out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Si's Father was overjoyed, assuming Director Li had come to inspect rural conditions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What luck to run into him here! This was the perfect opportunity to greet him properly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He immediately pulled out a pack of premium cigarettes and hurried forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before he could even utter a greeting, another familiar face emerged from the following car—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The owner of the city’s central department store!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, to his shock, the commander of the North China Military Region stepped out from yet another vehicle...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Si's Father: \"......\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eyelids twitched violently, and his legs nearly gave out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He blinked rapidly, wondering if his eyes were playing tricks on him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could so many high-ranking figures appear in this impoverished backwater village all at once?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His outstretched cigarette hung awkwardly in the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Director Li finally noticed him and raised a brow in surprise. \"Battalion Commander Si? What are you doing here?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Si's Father snapped back to reality, realizing he was drenched in cold sweat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under the scrutinizing gazes of these men, his stomach tightened. He didn’t dare admit he was here for his daughter’s wedding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, Director Li had attended the Fu Family’s banquet before. Back then, Si's Father had proudly introduced Si Nian as his daughter, betrothed to Fu Yang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now that Si Nian had been revealed as not his biological child and had \"fallen\" into a rural marriage, the thought of admitting it made his face burn with shame.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, Si's Father assumed these officials had simply come for an inspection.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leaders touring rural areas wasn’t unusual—he himself occasionally arranged such visits.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It never crossed his mind that they might be here for another reason.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their cars stopping here must just be due to the lively commotion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He quickly fabricated an excuse. \"My biological daughter was recently found, so I brought her to visit her foster parents in the countryside today.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Sisi’s return was already public knowledge anyway.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was the perfect chance to introduce her to these influential figures.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Overcome with nervous excitement, he nudged Lin Sisi forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This is my real daughter, Lin Sisi. Sisi, this is Director Li, Chief Zhang of the North China Military Region, and Boss Wang of the department store. Greet them properly.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Sisi was dumbstruck. She had never met such distinguished people before and couldn’t fathom why they were here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only after Zhang Cuimei elbowed her did she snap to attention, bowing obediently. \"Hello, Uncle Li, Uncle Zhang, Uncle Wang.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chief Zhang and Boss Wang exchanged puzzled glances—they had no idea who this family was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But out of politeness, they nodded briefly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seizing the moment, Si's Father fawned, \"Are you here on official business in Xingfu Village? I’d be honored to guide you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To his surprise, Director Li waved him off. \"No need. We’re here on personal matters.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Si's Father was baffled. \"Personal matters?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What kind of personal affairs required multiple high-ranking officials to attend in person?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It must be something monumental!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eyes gleamed with opportunity, completely forgetting his original purpose—attending his adopted daughter’s wedding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All he cared about now was ingratiating himself with these men.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then let me treat you to a meal! You’ve come a long way and must be hungry. There’s a town nearby—I know the area well. After eating, I can drive you wherever you need to go.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Director Li’s thick brows furrowed in irritation. \"Unnecessary.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that, he sidestepped Si's Father and strode ahead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Panicking, Si's Father chased after him, desperate to prevent Director Li from discovering Si Nian’s humble marriage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Director Li, Chief Zhang, Boss Wang, let me lead the way! This banquet is too noisy—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Director Li shot him an exasperated look. \"We’re here for the banquet. Noise is expected, no?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Si's Father still didn’t connect the dots. \"For the banquet? Which one?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Director Li’s expression turned even more incredulous. \"The one right behind you? Step aside, Battalion Commander Si. You’re blocking the path. We’re in a hurry—don’t want to miss the first serving.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He then muttered under his breath, \"That Little Zhou—getting married without proper notice! We’re already late. Hope they haven’t started eating yet.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Quickening his pace, he called to his companions, \"Old Zhang, Old Wang, hurry up! The food might run out!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two dignified, imposing figures immediately sped up, not even sparing a glance at the stunned Si Family.\u003C\u002Fp>",1134,"2026-06-06T12:38:58.697Z",1,"novelbin.me","19e30f8a21929762bc40c44118c46ddf6a41d950b7baa4a0318d57ec3b822a1e","the-beautiful-stepmother-from-the-eighties-marry-chapter-331","the-beautiful-stepmother-from-the-eighties-marry-chapter-124",482,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-beautiful-stepmother-from-the-eighties-marry-cover.jpg"]