Su Qinghe’s head was full of three question marks.
Stepmother?
System?
Male lead?
Cultivation?
How do all these words even connect?
Wasn’t she supposed to have transmigrated into an alternate historical era?
How did this suddenly become a novel world?
And if it was a novel… others usually date the male lead.
But she had to become his stepmother?!
Su Qinghe felt completely absurd.
But the mechanical electronic voice in her mind continued, completely emotionless.
[“Step-Mother Raising the Male Lead System binding conditions have been met. Please become the male lead’s stepmother as soon as possible.”]
After hesitating for a moment, Su Qinghe cautiously asked the system in her mind:
“What are the benefits of binding? What are the consequences of not binding?”
[—]
[“After binding the system, you can unlock the system store. The store is connected to the host’s past-life shopping websites and allows the purchase of anything.”]
“Bind it!”
Su Qinghe didn’t even want to hear what would happen if she refused.
Not having this system would be the greatest loss.
On the way here, she had already absorbed the original owner’s memories and gained a clearer understanding of this world and era.
This was an era without sanitary pads.
Women with money and means used cloth strips wrapped in cotton as menstrual pads.
Those without money or means could only use cloth strips wrapped around wood ash.
The original owner, being extremely pampered in the Su family, at least used cotton-wrapped cloth.
Even so, it was still terrible.
It leaked with even slight movement.
Either sticky, damp, or unbearably stuffy and hot.
Just thinking about it made Su Qinghe feel horrified.
This system had to be bound.
[“Please host become the male lead’s stepmother as soon as possible!”]
Although the system voice was electronic, Su Qinghe somehow sensed a hint of urgency in it.
She ignored the system and looked at the man across from her—Qin Yu.
“Factory Director Qin,” she said slowly. “Should we go in now to register the marriage?”
Qin Yu’s dark, ink-like eyes looked steadily at her.
In his thirty years of life, Su Qinghe was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen.
Her eyes were alluring, her breath soft and fragrant, her figure graceful.
Most importantly, her eyes were clear and bright, like the brightest star in a summer night sky.
Just from her eyes alone, Qin Yu knew she was not a bad person.
Not someone two-faced.
Not someone who would abuse children.
That was enough.
“Mm,” Qin Yu nodded.
“Let’s go in now. Did you bring all the required documents?”
His voice was deep and magnetic, matching his overall impression—charming and steady.
After receiving confirmation, Su Qinghe felt very happy.
“Then let’s go!”
What was there to wait for?
System, here I come!
Just as they were about to walk in, Qin Wang suddenly panicked.
“Dad!”
“Are you really going to marry this woman?”
“She looks so scheming—she definitely has bad intentions!”
“When you’re not home, she’ll definitely abuse me!”
Qin Yu frowned slightly.
“Qin Wang, either I register this marriage, or I send you to the Qin family old residence.”
Qin Wang instantly became like a cat grabbed by the scruff of its neck—still bristling, but silent.
Yet his round eyes were still fixed on Su Qinghe, full of vigilance and hostility.
Su Qinghe smiled brightly at him.
Little brat.
Soon I’ll be your stepmother.
Mad yet?
Qin Wang was furious.
But he could only watch helplessly.
They entered the marriage registry office, submitted their documents and introduction letters, and quickly obtained a marriage certificate.
A marriage certificate that looked just like an award certificate.
Su Qinghe didn’t even glance at it, because the system had already successfully bound.
[“Congratulations, host, for becoming the stepmother of the male lead Qin Wang. Step-Mother Raising the Male Lead System successfully bound!”]
[“Today’s Task 1: Force the male lead to call you ‘stepmother’.”]
[Reward: Unlock system store.]
Su Qinghe: “???”
Does this system have a brain problem?
But whatever!
This task is too easy!
She looked at Qin Wang, chin tilted up.
“I’ve already registered your dad’s marriage. From now on, I’m your stepmother. Call me ‘stepmother’.”
Everyone present froze.
Not that they hadn’t seen stepmothers before.
But they had never seen one immediately demanding to be called “stepmother” right after marriage.
Zhang Xiulan looked worried. “Qinghe, are you okay?”
“Mom, I’m fine! I really am his stepmother now! What’s wrong with asking him to call me that?”
Zhang Xiulan: “……”
Nothing wrong… but also feels very wrong.
Qin Wang’s brows furrowed deeply, his eyes filled with even stronger caution.
This woman is definitely not simple!
She’s trying to manipulate him into calling her “mom” through pressure from his dad.
He will never let her succeed!
“Stepmother!”
Qin Wang called out crisply.
He even raised his eyebrows proudly at her.
How about that?
Stunned, right?
Su Qinghe immediately broke into a smile upon hearing it.
“Good boy!”
[“Today’s task completed. System store unlocked!”]
Su Qinghe suppressed the urge to immediately check the store and said to Qin Yu:
“I need to go home and pack my things.”
“Of course. We’ll go with you and help carry your luggage.”
Su Qinghe didn’t refuse.
Since someone was willing to do the labor, she would gladly accept it.
Although the original owner’s room wasn’t big, she had a lot of belongings.
Qin Yu was riding a bicycle.
Qin Wang sat on the front bar, while the back seat could still take one person.
Zhang Xiulan wanted Su Qinghe to sit.
“Qinghe, hurry and get on!”
But Su Qinghe refused.
“Mom, I’m about to move into the Qin family. I want to spend a bit more time with you. Let’s walk back together.”
Hearing this, Zhang Xiulan’s heart softened completely.
This was her precious daughter.
She was about to go become a stepmother to a troublesome child—it was heartbreaking.
“Alright! Mom will walk with you! We’ll talk properly on the way!”
Qin Yu listened to their conversation and didn’t insist.
“I’ll ride ahead. I know where your home is—the matchmaker told me before.”
“Alright, alright!” Zhang Xiulan agreed quickly. “Xiao Qin, go ahead.”
Hearing this address, Su Qinghe couldn’t help but laugh.
Just a moment ago it was “Factory Director Qin,” and now it became “Xiao Qin.”
Her mother adapted quickly.
Qin Yu nodded slightly and rode off with Qin Wang on the bicycle.
After they disappeared, Zhang Xiulan quickly said:
“Qinghe! You’ve been wronged!”
Her eyes were already red.
She wasn’t just saying it—she genuinely felt her daughter had been wronged.
Su Qinghe quickly shook her head.
“Not at all! Mom, I can stay in the city now! Doesn’t that make you happier?”
Zhang Xiulan wiped her tears and nodded firmly.
“That’s true! Staying in the city matters more than anything!”
Su Qinghe: “……”
So this is what reality is like.
Her mother was the definition of realism.