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

Jinxi could tell that Zhou Linxu was inclined to tell Zanzan the truth, especially after Zanzan asked him about Zhou Jinming. His desire to tell him the truth grew stronger with each question.

He just hadn't figured out how to say it, otherwise he wouldn't be so anxious about Zan Zan's problem right now.

Because he is usually too composed, Jinxi sometimes forgets that he is actually just a young man under thirty.

They were about the same age, and she still wanted to be pampered in her parents' arms every day, while Zhou Linxu already had to take on the responsibilities of the Zhou Group and raising Zanzan.

Jinxi comforted him, "Xiaoxu, Zanzan isn't as fragile as you think. He's a resilient and good boy."

Zhou Linxu pursed his lips, his gaze falling on Zhou Jinming's photo.

He was still smiling brightly. Zhou Linxu was about to turn twenty-eight, soon to be the same age as Zhou Jinming.

Jinxi patted him on the shoulder and said, "Then let me ask you this way."

Zhou Linxu withdrew his gaze and landed on Jin Xi.

Jinxi asked, "Tell Zanzan that you're actually just his uncle, would you not love him?"

"Of course I love him," Zhou Linxu said. "I won't dislike him just because he's not my child."

"That settles it then," Jinxi said. "Actually, the only difference between telling him and not telling him is what your status is in his eyes. Your love for him won't change."

Jinxi pinched the back of his neck, urging him to calm down: "However, this is indeed a big matter, and we can't decide on it in a short time. So let's just leave it as it is for now, and we can talk about it when you've thought it through."

Zhou Linxu responded with a muffled sound.

Jinxi patted his shoulder again: "Hey, cheer up. If you don't tell him today, don't let him find out anything. Zanzan is very smart. He'll keep asking you about it later. Let's see what you do then."

"I know," Zhou Linxu said. "I'll be fine in a few minutes."

Jinxi said, "Then I'll stay with you for a few minutes."

The two people had their backs to the door and didn't notice that the door had been quietly pushed open a crack and then quietly closed again.

It happened so quietly, as if no one had ever been there.

After they recovered, the two went upstairs.

Jinxi instinctively went to look at Zanzan, but he wasn't in the living room or the kitchen.

She thought he was in the backyard, but still didn't see him. She asked, "Mom and Dad, where's Zan Zan?"

Yang Hongyan looked around and said, "We were just playing here with Daju and Dali a moment ago."

Jinxi was puzzled. She walked into the living room and bumped into Zhou Linxu, who had just finished washing his face.

She asked, "Have you seen Zan Zan? I can't find him."

Zhou Linxu shook his head: "I didn't see them. Did they take Daju and Dali out to play?"

Jinxi pointed to the two puppies, Daju and Dali, lying next to her father. They were wagging their tails, waiting to be fed.

She said, "I'll give him a call."

Having a little genius is such a good thing. Jinxi took out her phone and called Zanzan.

Zan Zan answered very quickly.

Jinxi asked, "Baby, where did you run off to?"

"Mommy, I'm in the bathroom~" Zan Zan said in a slightly muffled voice, "I'll be done soon."

Jin Xi breathed a sigh of relief: "Then take your time. Remember to wash your hands with hand sanitizer, okay?"

"I know," Zan Zan said. "Hurry up and grill some skewers for me. I'm here to eat, and I want spicy meat."

"Okay, I'll sprinkle a little bit on you later."

Jinxi hung up the phone and glanced at Zhou Linxu: "Go and grill some skewers for your son. He specifically asked for spicy meat."

Zhou Linxu said helplessly, "They're so young, yet they have so many demands."

But I still obediently went to get some barbecue skewers.

In summer, it gets dark late. At this time, it's still light outside, but there are only clouds on the horizon, making it the perfect time to grill skewers.

Zhou Yanqian came downstairs, and the skewers in the yard had already started to be grilled.

Zhou Linxu sat in front of the grill, listening to Jin Dahai's instructions while flipping the meat skewers. Yang Hongyan and Jin Xi sat beside him, occasionally giving instructions.

The whole yard was filled with the aroma of roasted meat, which made everyone's appetite soar.

"Baby, come quick! The barbecue is almost ready!" Jinxi called out. "Daddy's grilling it smells amazing!"

Zhou Yanqian walked over to her and looked at her. Jin Xi took the opportunity to put her arm around his waist and pull him closer to her legs: "Have you washed your hands?"

Zhou Yanqian simply opened his palm and said, "Smell it."

Jinxi deliberately turned her face away: "I don't want to smell it."

Zhou Yanqian snorted: "I want you to smell it."

"You little rascal, I'm not going to smell it." Jinxi propped her neck up: "Let your dad smell it."

Zhou Yanqian acted as if he was deliberately picking a fight with her, insisting on putting his hand on her face.

Jinxi pretended to let out a long sigh, then buried her face in his hands: "Mmm, smells nice."

Zhou Yanqian was finally satisfied. Jin Xi said, "Don't favor one over the other. Let your dad smell them too. What fragrant little hands! They smell even better than kebabs."

Zhou Yanqian looked up, and Zhou Linxu was also looking at him.

After meeting his gaze, Zhou Linxu's expression softened: "Come to Daddy."

Zhou Yanqian pursed her lips and walked over again.

He squeezed between Zhou Linxu's legs, the whole child leaning against him.

Zhou Linxu said, "Didn't you want spicy meat? Put it in yourself."

There were two boxes of chili powder next to the oven.

Zhou Yanqian stretched out her small hand, but withdrew it halfway and silently moved it close to Zhou Linxu's face.

His face was expressionless, and even his mouth was pursed, but his eyes were unusually bright.

Zhou Yanqian kept looking at Zhou Linxu.

Zhou Linxu asked helplessly, "Is this the only way?"

Before Zhou Yanqian could answer, Zhou Linxu lowered his head, buried his face in his hands, and kissed his palm: "Okay, you smell nice, Daddy smells it."

Zhou Yanqian was a little happier then, and picked up the chili powder and sprinkled it all over the meat skewers.

Jin Dahai said from the side, "Sprinkle a little less, sprinkle a little less."

Even mildly spicy chili powder can be spicy if you sprinkle too much!

Zhou Yanqian said earnestly, "Grandpa, I'll only give you a little bit."

He put the chili powder back.

Zhou Linxu carefully wrapped the small metal skewer in a tissue and said, "Dad has prepared it for you. Here, take it and eat it."

Zhou Yanqian took the skewer. The meat on the skewer was sizzling and dripping with oil. It had been marinated beforehand and sprinkled with cumin while grilling. Finally, he was allowed to sprinkle chili powder on it himself.

It looks delicious.

Seeing him open his mouth, Zhou Linxu quickly said, "Baby, blow on it before you eat."

Zhou Yanqian had no choice but to puff out his cheeks and blow on it again. Only after blowing it out enough did he take a bite.

The aroma of meat, oil, and seasonings spreads in your mouth.

It was so delicious that Zhou Yanqian's eyes narrowed.

But as I was eating, tears started falling.

When Zhou Linxu turned around, he saw his son with teary eyes.

She ate while crying.

He exclaimed in surprise, "What's wrong, baby?"

While eating, Zhou Yanqian mumbled, "Dad... spicy... spicy..."

After finishing the spicy food, I kept eating. Tears mixed with the grilled skewers, it was both fragrant and sad.