Huo Haowen clenched his fists.
He wouldn’t let his stepmother hurt his sister—no one was going to harm her while he was around.
With that thought, he sprinted toward where his sister was.
“Hey! Don’t be fierce with your stepmom! If she whispers into Dad’s ear, you’ll get beaten, maybe even beaten to death!” his friend shouted anxiously. He didn’t dare follow—Huo Haowen’s stepmother had a notorious reputation at their school.
Who would dare provoke her?
But Huo Haowen heard nothing.
His world narrowed down to one thing: his sister.
He could not let that woman harm her.
“Little sister!” he called as he reached her, grabbing her hand and shielding her behind him. His glare at his stepmother was sharp, full of unmasked disgust.
“You’ve gone too far! Are you trying to sell my sister for meat?”
The hateful woman—lazy, gluttonous, now plotting to trade his sister for meat—did she even have a shred of humanity left?
Niannian nearly jumped from fright at the sudden appearance of her brother. Seeing him so angry, she shook her head frantically.
“Brother, Mom didn’t! Don’t scold Mom!”
“Little sister, don’t speak! Don’t believe her! She’s a liar!” Huo Haowen held his sister tightly, his gaze toward their stepmother even sharper.
Right now, he was like a little wolf cub, ready to pounce and bite at any moment.
Jiang Mengning’s eyes widened slightly as she noticed the boy—the male lead from the novel. She looked him over, unabashedly.
So this was the famous male protagonist! Even this young, he was already strikingly handsome. Just as expected—the male leads in novels were always stunning.
Thinking about how she was supposed to act as the female lead, to have scenes with the male protagonist, and now seeing him so cute and soft, she felt a rush of excitement. This was like reality and fiction colliding!
“Wow! You’re so adorable! Like a chibi version of Huo Jinyan, all soft and cute.” She couldn’t help herself and pinched Huo Haowen’s cheek.
Sure enough, children’s cheeks at this age were soft, plump, and squishy.
Huo Haowen froze. What was this woman doing?! Pinching his face? He instinctively took a step back, trying to escape the clutches of his stepmother.
“What are you pinching my face for!” He was furious, but also embarrassed—his face turning red.
Jiang Mengning chuckled. This little guy was just like his father—quietly mischievous.
“I told you, you’re cute. Come here, let me pinch you again.”
Huo Haowen took several steps back, clearly terrified.
“Don’t come near me!” he shouted, genuinely afraid.
Jiang Mengning shrugged.
“You’re not cute at all. Niannian’s much better.” She went over to pinch Niannian’s cheek instead, and Niannian cooperated happily.
Meanwhile, the burly butcher who was there to collect money was annoyed. He had come for his payment, not to be ignored.
“Hey, Jiang Mengning! What’s your meaning? Are you paying me back or not?!”
“I don’t have money right now. How do you expect me to pay?” Jiang Mengning said confidently.
“Fine! If you have no money, come with me and be my wife!” he barked, not joking, lunging to grab her hand. Brazenly trying to kidnap a woman in broad daylight!
No one could allow this. Jiang Mengning tossed what she was holding, extended her arm, and punched him squarely in the left eye.
Bang! The butcher’s head snapped back, stars spinning before his eyes. When he realized what had happened, he could hardly believe it—a delicate, dainty woman had hit him! He felt humiliated.
“You hit me? Waaaahhh…” He pouted, crying on the spot.
Such a big, burly man, crying? Jiang Mengning’s lips twitched as she shook her fist again.
“Still want me to be your wife?”
Though her fist was small, it packed a punch.
He shook his head: “I… I don’t dare.”
“Still want to take advantage of me?”
“Also don’t dare.”
“Hmph. Smart. I’ll tell you this—the money I owe you, I’ll pay it, just a matter of time. I don’t have it now, so you won’t get it today. Wait, and when I have money, I’ll come to settle the account.”
Though she wasn’t the original Jiang Mengning, she had inherited her life.
Whatever mess the original had caused, she had to clean up.
Hopefully nothing too outrageous awaited her—otherwise, living incognito, she wouldn’t care about anyone.
The butcher felt aggrieved. He was the creditor, yet somehow humiliated? Debtors really were treated like royalty. If he lent again, he’d never let it slide.
“Fine, fine. If you don’t come pay me back, I’ll… I’ll find you!” The man held his account book, retreating miserably. He had gained nothing and had been punched—no one had a worse day than him. Not even Wang Ermazi had suffered like this.
Jiang Mengning exhaled in relief.
This chubby brute was at least negotiable; otherwise, she wouldn’t have escaped so easily today.
She rubbed her wrist, relaxing her muscles.
Luckily, during her celebrity days, she had studied some basic Muay Thai for self-protection.
She put it to use now.
Though, her skills were still rudimentary—if she faced a truly dangerous thug, victory wasn’t guaranteed.
Huo Haowen was speechless at his stepmother’s actions.
..
Then the passage continues with a bit of comedic scolding:
“Dad gives you so much money every month. Can’t you save a bit? And you go running out to buy on credit—so shameless! Don’t you have parents who taught you anything?”
Even a child knew right from wrong.
“Ah!” His forehead was suddenly flicked. Ouch! He glared at his stepmother, full of indignation.
Jiang Mengning retracted her hand, smiling gently:
“Children shouldn’t speak to adults like that—it’s rude. Next time you curse at my parents, I’ll sell you first.”
“Hehe, but you’re so cute, I’d never have the heart to sell you.”
A slap and a sweet word at the same time—she wasn’t easily pacified!
Huo Haowen ignored her, holding his sister’s hand as they prepared to leave.
“Wait! Haven’t you seen all the stuff on the ground? Help me carry it. Didn’t your teacher ever teach you to respect your parents?”
Teaching children to care for and respect their parents early was essential.
Otherwise, they’d be stubborn when older.
Looking at the pile of items on the ground, Huo Haowen scowled.
He dared not refuse—if his stepmother went crazy again, he’d be in real trouble.
He picked up the things, telling his sister to stay close and never leave his sight—otherwise, she could be sold and forced to count the money for the stepmother.
Jiang Mengning followed behind, laughing carefreely.
“Listen, you two little rascals—don’t tell your dad about me owing money, or he’ll feel sorry for me.”