Transmigrated into a wealthy family's stepmother, I raised the villain into a sweet child.

Zhou Yanqian took the watermelon slices and sat down on the small stool again; he hadn't finished peeling his garlic yet.

Yang Hongyan said, "Why are you teasing him?"

Jin Xi denied it, saying, "I didn't, I'm not."

Yang Hongyan said, "Alright, go and pack up the things Lin Xu brought. Didn't I tell you before that it was fine to have someone else do it? It's too much trouble."

"It's just a small token of his appreciation," Jinxi said. "Besides, it wouldn't look good to come empty-handed on the first visit."

Yang Hongyan thought so too.

She said, "Then you go and pack. I'll call Lin Xu out. With his hands and feet, we won't be able to eat by midnight."

Jinxi nodded and said, "Okay, I'll come help later."

Calling Zhou Linxu in was actually a way to get him to chat with her father for a bit.

Yang Hongyan said, "I don't need you."

He then went to the kitchen.

Jinxi sat on the sofa, one arm draped over it, watching Yang Hongyan push open the glass door to the kitchen, and the sounds coming from inside.

"Dad, you're such a good cook! I'll learn from you so I can cook more meals for Xiaoxi."

"Oh, it's nothing. Practice makes perfect. The steps are all the same." Jin Dahai laughed a few times. "But you're so busy with work these days. If you want to eat something, just call Dad and I'll make it and bring it over."

"Wouldn't that be too much trouble for Dad?" Zhou Linxu said, "By the way, it'll get hot later, shall I take you and Mom out to escape the heat?"

"Oh, no need, no need. Your mom and I can just turn on the air conditioning at home, it's the same..."

Jinxi was puzzled. What did Zhou Linxu say inside? It had only been less than ten minutes, and her father had already fallen for him.

She looked away and asked softly, "Son, did you hear what your dad said when you went in?"

Zan Zan shook his head, not hearing anything, only thinking that the watermelon was very sweet.

Zhou Yanqian asked, "Do you want some? Watermelon."

"I'll eat later, don't eat too much, or you won't be able to eat anything else later," Jinxi advised. "Aren't you going to eat the fried dough sticks? I can hear your grandpa frying them."

Zhou Yanqian thought for a moment, finished eating the watermelon in his hand, and then closed the box.

The pickled mustard greens were delicious, and he saved them to eat later.

Just then, Zhou Linxu arrived.

Jinxi patted the empty seat next to her. Zhou Linxu glanced at the two people busy in the kitchen, then sat down next to her and asked, "You said you were helping out inside, but your parents told me to come out and sit down."

Jinxi said, "Don't cause them any trouble; they're moving faster than you think."

Zhou Linxu honestly replied, "Dad said I washed the vegetables quite clean."

It's not like I'm causing trouble, is it?

Jinxi couldn't help but laugh: "Dad also said that Zanzan's garlic peeled was the best."

Zhou Yanqian turned around: "Grandpa is right."

He peeled each and every clove of garlic thoroughly.

Zhou Linxu looked at him: "Were you well-behaved at Grandma's house?"

Zhou Yanqian looked at him speechlessly. His father had been with Xiao Xi for so long, how come the words he spoke were still so unpleasant to hear?

Jinxi said, "Zanzan is so obedient."

Zhou Yanqian nodded: "My maternal grandparents also gave me a red envelope."

Zhou Linxu was surprised: "Really? Did you thank your grandparents?"

"Of course, thank you." Zhou Yanqian really didn't want to chat with him anymore: "You don't need to say that!"

Jinxi said, "Baby, give the garlic you peeled to Grandpa and Grandma first, they need it."

Zhou Yanqian said "Oh," and took the small basin back to the kitchen.

After he left, Zhou Linxu said, "Why didn't you tell me that I didn't prepare any red envelopes for my parents when I came today?"

He's been so busy these past few days that he's only remembered the gifts and completely forgotten about the red envelopes.

Oh right, and the bride price.

Looks like I'll have to give it to you next time.

Jinxi said, "No need, no need. Why would you give me a red envelope? My parents are giving it to Zanzan because they like Zanzan. It has nothing to do with you."

Zhou Linxu asked, "Do Mom and Dad know that Zanzan is my child?"

"I know," Jinxi said. "I can't give birth to a big, fat boy as big as Zanzan."

Zhou Linxu pursed his lips, and Jin Xi asked again, "Have you taken care of your business?"

"That's about it," Zhou Linxu said. "The rest can be left to others."

Jinxi nodded and said, "That's good. What time did you get home yesterday?"

Zhou Linxu thought for a moment: "1:30."

Jinxi asked in surprise, "What time did you get up today?"

"Six o'clock." Zhou Linxu mainly wanted to get up and check if all the gifts were there.

After getting up, he couldn't fall back asleep. He tried on several suits in the bedroom, and after trying them on, he was ready to leave.

Jinxi gave a thumbs up: "Being young means you're healthy."

Zhou Linxu didn't understand what she meant, so Jin Xi asked, "It's still early, why don't you go to the bedroom and rest for a while?"

Zhou Linxu shook his head: "No."

How could he possibly sleep?

Jinxi let him be: "Just tell me if you're sleepy."

Zhou Linxu hummed in agreement, watched her stand up, and asked, "Where are you going?"

"I'll go help," Jinxi said. "Since Zan Zan has already taken action, we can't just sit idly by, can we?"

Zhou Linxu thought for a moment and said, "I'll help too."

"No, please," Jinxi said. "Just sit here and rest for a while. If you're too embarrassed, you can go to the second bedroom to sleep. Zanzan knows which room it is."

Jinxi then bent down and kissed Zanzan.

Zhou Yanqian, who was just passing by: ?

Why did you kiss him so suddenly?

Zhou Yanqian glanced at them, but in the end, he simply sat down again and quietly peeled garlic.

But as he was digging, he suddenly had a jolt.

How terrifying! He's actually gotten used to Xiao Xi kissing him anytime, anywhere?!

Zhou Yanqian quickly covered his face. He couldn't let this happen again! He would definitely remember that!

Seeing him pouting and touching his face, Zhou Linxu asked, "Sweetie, what are you doing?"

Zhou Yanqian reluctantly lowered his hand: "Nothing."

Zhou Linxu patted his head: "Have you missed me?"

If you think about it carefully, it's been four or five days since they last saw each other. Although Xiao Xi would video chat with the family of three for a while in the evenings, Xiao Xi would then take Zan Zan to rest.

Zhou Yanqian glanced at him, thinking to himself, "When did my father become so sentimental?"

She even asked if I missed him.

He simply replied, "No."

Zhou Linxu looked at him: "Why not? I miss you all so much."

Zhou Yanqian looked at him and thought to himself, "The most important word in this sentence is 'them,' right?"

Just say you miss Xiaoxi, why say you miss yourself!

I knew I couldn't trust my father's sweet words.

Zhou Yanqian snorted and continued peeling garlic.

If you have no romantic feelings in your heart, you'll peel garlic faster!

Zhou Linxu was confused by the humming. What was going on?

Is it not allowed to say I miss him now?