Xiaoya cautiously and tentatively walked over. Just as Lin Yuming was about to pick her up, a stone struck Lin Yuming’s temple with a sharp thud. An intense pain shot through her, and her vision blurred with a crimson haze.
She looked toward the doorway and saw Dabao charging straight in, holding a slingshot!
"What are you trying to do to my sister? Are you going to hit her too?"
Lin Yuming quickly tended to her wound, then strode directly over to Dabao, grabbing him off the ground in one swift motion!
Dabao struggled desperately, but a cold voice cut through the air.
"If you keep squirming, I’ll throw you into the pot first!"
Hearing this, Dabao finally stopped moving, glaring fiercely at Lin Yuming. Just as he thought—this woman was showing her true colors!
Then he was promptly pinned across Lin Yuming’s knee and received two sharp smacks on his bottom!
"These two are to teach you not to hurt others recklessly with a slingshot!" Lin Yuming’s voice was devoid of emotion. "I am your mother. Using a weapon against me is unfilial!"
"I don’t have a mother like you!" Dabao retorted, his eyes red with anger. "I don’t have a mother who sells her own children!"
"If I wanted to sell them, wouldn’t I have let them be taken away just now?" Lin Yuming released Dabao. "Protecting your sister is not wrong, but you shouldn’t defy your elders. And you shouldn’t hold grudges over being disciplined!"
This child clearly already showed signs of a slight tendency toward violence. If not properly guided, he might develop an extreme temperament.
The cool, clear voice echoed in Dabao’s ears, leaving him momentarily stunned. Before, whenever Lin Yuming caught them, it always meant a harsh beating. What was different today?
"Of course, Mother did make some mistakes before," Lin Yuming coughed lightly. "This is my first time being a mother, my first time raising children, so I’ve realized some of my errors and will correct them."
She bent down slightly, meeting Dabao at eye level, a gentle curve appearing at the corner of her lips. "Can you forgive Mother?"
Dabao was truly dumbfounded now. It was Xiaoya beside him who spoke up first.
"Mother, is that true? You won’t hit me anymore? You won’t sell us?" Xiaoya opened her big eyes wide, looking at her with hopeful anticipation.
"How could I sell my own children? Those were just angry words."
As she spoke, Lin Yuming took out a piece of pork and some eggs from her basket. She skillfully steamed rice and sliced the meat. There were still some potatoes left in the house, so she cut them into chunks as well, adding star anise, bay leaves, and other seasonings.
These two children looked far too frail—they needed good meat to nourish them! Tonight, they’d have braised pork!
Soon, the aroma from the pot wafted through the air. Xiaoya’s eyes instantly lit up, and she licked her lips. "Mother, can I have a taste of the meat broth later…"
"What are you thinking?" Lin Yuming asked, and Xiaoya immediately fell silent.
Dabao beside her showed no reaction either. The meat at home had always been monopolized by Lin Yu'er. They never even got to eat meat—getting a taste of the broth depended entirely on Lin Yu'er’s mood.
They were used to it! They wouldn’t die without it!
"The broth is too greasy. Later, I’ll serve you each a bowl of tender, lean meat. Have it with some plain rice porridge first to nourish your bodies. Once you’re healthier, Mother can make you even more delicious food!"
As soon as these words were spoken, the slingshot in Dabao's hand fell to the ground!
Had he heard correctly? This woman was actually giving them meat to eat! She must be up to no good, trying to coax them into behaving so she could sell them for a good price later?
Just then, the courtyard gate was suddenly pushed open, and a tall figure strode in with heavy steps, carrying game in his hand.
From a distance, Yuchi Yan saw smoke rising from the kitchen and noticed the children were nowhere to be seen in the courtyard. His eyes darkened instantly, and he kicked the kitchen door open with one foot!
That woman had finally sold their children!
At the same time, Lin Yuming was startled. She looked up and met the man's deep, penetrating gaze.
"Daddy!" Dabao exclaimed, rushing over and wrapping his arms around the man's leg.
Lin Yuming froze, the cotton swab in her hand suspended mid-air, before suddenly remembering—this was Lin Yu'er's husband, the orphan named Tieniu!
She couldn't help but size him up. This man was incredibly tall!
With broad shoulders, an almost perfect physique, and well-defined muscles, he was far more impressive than the pretty-boy models of modern society. Just one look told her this man possessed real skill!
Although his face was covered in stubble and dirt, making it hard to discern his features, his strikingly expressive eyes left a deep impression on Lin Yuming with just one glance.
In her previous life, she had encountered countless people, but the aura this man exuded was definitely not something an ordinary farmer could possess!
Yuchi Yan reached out and patted Dabao's head, then calmly turned his gaze to Lin Yuming. "Where did these things come from?"
"What does that have to do with you?"
Lin Yuming replied with little patience.
There was no helping it—the original owner had always been this way.
Their eyes met in mid-air, and Yuchi Yan subtly furrowed his brow before tossing the game in his hand onto the ground. The sudden movement startled Lin Yuming.
In her memories, the man had always been like this. In Lin Yu'er's eyes, he was crude and uncouth, but Lin Yuming found it rather cool.
"I hunted this. You can exchange it for silver. Don't sell Dabao and Xiaoya," he said, his voice softening slightly.
Lin Yuming was taken aback for a moment before composing herself. "I was angry yesterday and spoke recklessly. That was my fault."
This woman was actually admitting she was wrong!
Yuchi Yan was momentarily stunned before his eyes darkened again.
After seven years of marriage, he knew this woman's temperament all too well.
He exchanged a glance with Dabao, and father and son reached a silent agreement—this woman was definitely up to no good!
Lin Yuming paid no mind to the inner turmoil of the two men. With the meat still simmering in the pot, she picked up Xiaoya and placed her on her lap, carefully cleaning the wounds on the child's body.
Though her expression remained unchanged, when she saw the old and new injuries on Xiaoya's thin arms, she couldn't help but curse inwardly!
The original owner was truly inhuman!
Even if she harbored resentment, she shouldn't have taken it out on the children!
After applying medicine to Xiaoya's wounds, she took a cheese stick from the basket, unwrapped it, and placed it in Xiaoya's hand. "This is candy from Mommy. Try it and see if you like it!"
Xiaoya was young and didn't think too much. Seeing the white, soft candy in her hand, she immediately tried to put it in her mouth. But just then, a large hand stopped her!
Yuchi Yan took the object. It looked like ointment and was overflowing with milky fragrance! He had never heard of such candy before!