Chapter 7

Directing Children to Work

The nine-year-old Tutu probably felt very embarrassed. He had wanted to play with Li Zekai, but after seeing Xu Xiaoxiao mess things up, he ran home to complain to Su Wei.

[Tutu’s short legs are about to turn into wind and fire wheels.]

[What kind of fiancée is this? is Su Wei blind?]

[I suddenly feel that it makes sense that Tutu dislikes Xu Xiaoxiao.]

[A mistress is a mistress. No matter how good she is, she’s still not likable.]

Tears welled up in Xu Xiaoxiao’s eyes. She wanted to cry but she knew this was a live broadcast and would make things worse. She could only swallow her words and tears. She had only wanted to do well so that Tutu would like her. She wanted to be accepted by Grandma Su. She knew very well how the world viewed her. Su Wei was in a cooling-off period from his recent divorce but that didn’t mean she was anyone’s mistress.

“I’m going to go see if Tutu is alright,”she said, squeezing out a smile.

Soon, Xu Xiaoxiao disappeared from the Li family’s live stream.

…

At the vegetable field in the West of the village, Xiao Yi’s family had arrived early and had picked half a basket of vegetables already. Xiao Yi, 19 years old, had achieved top position as a student of humanities in Lan City College’s entrance exam. His father was a magician, Xiao Tianlin, and his mother was a dessert chef. Among the five groups of families, they were the most approachable ones. The boy wore glasses and had a gentle temperament.

Seeing Lin Wan with her youngest son, Xia Mo straightened up and took the initiative to greet her. “Morning.”

Xiao Yi and Xiao Tianlin also greeted them. Li Zekai stretched out his chubby little hand. “Uncle, Auntie, brother, Good Morning.”

His childish voice directly hit their hearts. The camera in the vegetable field captured the two families getting along politely, like good neighbors.

[A top student is a top student. He doesn’t care about entrepreneurs or celebrities at all.]

[This is the idol we should be chasing after.]

[Xiao Xiao’s family is really calm. Besides, did you realize that since cooking last night, they’ve been doing all the tasks together with their family?]

[Only such a family atmosphere can cultivate the college entrance examination’s top scorer.]

[Looking at Xiao Xiao’s house, I feel peace.]

[Sisters, I just came out of the Li family’s live broadcast room. The scene is quite tragic. Xu Xiaoxiao is probably hiding and crying now.]

The fans who had seen the Li family’s live stream in time understood the situation. The strange laughter in the bullet comments lasted for a full minute until they saw Lin Wan put down her basket, pull out a radish and wash it properly. Then she went to find shade under a tree, sat down and started nibbling on the radish.

[What’s this woman doing again? She’s here to pull out a carrot for herself?]

“Li Zekai, you can’t dig vegetables like this. You have to hold the vegetables in one hand and put the shovel closer to the root. If you dig it like this, the vegetables next to you will be chopped to death…” Lin Wan said to her stepson as she ate her radish.

“Is that so?” Li Zekai raised his round chin and kept fiddling with his hands.

[Doesn’t Li Zekai know that he’s being ordered around?]

[I can’t stand it. Are you even worthy of being a human?]

[Taking shelter in the shade of a tree and instructing children to work!]

[Does the cub think that the shovel is fun? I think he’s quite happy to do it.]

[Hurry up and go to Master Li’s live broadcast room.]

[Li Yanchen, Lin Wan is abusing your son again. Hurry and go to the vegetable field to take a look.]

[Yes, I am afraid that Jiejie’s little hand would be hurt.]

[Lin Wan is enjoying the cool air.]

[She just took advantage of the fact that Jiejie doesn’t know anything and came with him as an excuse. No one will care if she’s lazy like this.]

[Lin Wan definitely didn’t expect Xiao Yi’s family to come to the vegetable field, so the live broadcast camera had to cut over.]

Lin Wan really did not know. She thought that the live broadcast room was only at their designated residence. Even if they were to follow, they would follow the person with the most popularity for now. She and Li Zekai, who were invisible, would most likely not have anyone following them. At least, that was what she had expected.

‘Do you need so many people to pick vegetables?’ The more Lin Wan thought about it, the more she felt that she was smart. It was strange that the Xiao Xiao family had three members just to pick some vegetables.

She didn’t expect to be able to find a place to rest during a live broadcast. Under the shade of a tree, with this fresh white radish, everything felt serene.

She remembered when her grandmother was still alive, she would accompany her to work in the fields in the summer. When she offered her help, her grandmother was always reluctant. She could give her a radish and have her sit in the shade to eat it.

Therefore, the taste of the white radish reminded her of her grandmother. As she chewed on it, her heart felt heavy. Her grandmother had passed away when she graduated from her elementary school.

Lin Wan had left for the city to make a living. The city was full of high-rise buildings and there was no vegetable field anywhere. The white radish she bought in the supermarket did not have the same taste from her memory.

Lin Wan suddenly stood up.

[She’s standing up. Are you finally going to help?]

[She probably realized that we’ve complained, and Li Yanchen will be here in a few minutes.]

Lin Wan hid behind a big tree with her back facing the vegetable field.

[Wow, this woman is so cunning. Does she not want us to see her face?]

Xiao Yi’s mother wasn’t a nosy person, but seeing Lin Wan being so irresponsible, she couldn’t help but walk to Li Zekai.

“You don’t have to dig too much. Here, take mine.” Xia Mo’s voice was gentle.

The little boy looked up and seemed grateful. He wondered if this was how having a mother felt like. Only a real mother would feel sorry for him.

However, he couldn’t accept the vegetables. His father hadn’t seen him working alone.

He politely refused. “Thank you, Auntie, but I think digging vegetables is very good for my health. Auntie Lin is tired, I am just letting her rest for a while.”

[How sensible.]

[He’s only eight years old. How can he be so sensible?]

[It’s fine if you don’t complain, but you’re even speaking up for Lin Wan.]

[Is Lin Wan worthy of such a stepson?]

In sharp contrast was the little tyrant, Tutu.

After going to Li Zexuan’s house with Xu Xiaoxiao, Tutu felt like he couldn’t lift his head in front of the other children because of the shame he felt. Although he hadn’t understood Xu Xiaoxiao’s words completely, he complained to his father from what he assumed he knew.

“Dad, Xu Xiaoxiao wanted to be friends with uncle Li, but uncle Li didn’t say anything. So, Xu Xiaoxiao said that you wanted to be friends with uncle Li, but uncle Li said he didn’t even know you.”

Su Wei, who was cutting the firewood, broke out in a cold sweat. ‘What stupid thing did Xu Xiaoxiao do this time?’

[I’m dying of laughter. Tutu’s conclusion is very accurate.]

[This reading comprehension is a perfect score.]

[In the future, I’ll get angry with whoever says that Tutu is a naughty child. He’s very clear about his grievances, okay?]

[Hahahaha, where’s Xu Xiaoxiao?]

[Don’t tell me you’re really taking things too seriously. Everyone, please have mercy.]

[Don’t worry, she won’t be able to see the comments.]

[It’s here, it’s here! Look, Xu Xiaoxiao is back!]

[She’s showing up looking all embarrassed.]

[Hahahaha, do you think Su Wei will be angry at her?]

[Wait for a good show.]

Xu Xiaoxiao’s head drooped. She was not in a good mood today. She wanted to complain to Su Wei today. His son bullied her, and outsiders looked down on her. No matter how much she tried, it was never enough. ‘What is so great about Li Yanchen anyway?’ she thought. ‘Su Wei is the sponsor for this variety show! Not him.’