After transmigrating, I became a stepmother.

Lin Hao noticed that Xiao Baozi had been acting strangely since waking up from his afternoon nap; he seemed listless and lethargic. She tried to recall what might have happened, but couldn't think of anything particularly unusual. So, she decided to ask Xiao Baozi what was wrong.

"Baby, what's wrong? You seem a little unhappy," Lin Hao asked softly, pulling the little boy into her arms.

"Mother, why hasn't Father come back yet? He said he would stay with me!" The little boy's voice was full of doubt and grievance, and even a hint of crying.

So she misses her father. Children really do rely on their fathers more. "Shall we go find Daddy?"

"Is it okay?" There was a hint of doubt in the little bun's voice, but more than that, there was excitement and eagerness to try.

"Of course we can! Let's go and see if Father is busy. If he is, we'll come back," Lin Hao coaxed.

"Okay. Mother, let's go quickly." The little boy said, pulling Lin Hao to get up.

"Sweetie, wait a minute, we can't go empty-handed! How about we prepare some food for your father?" Lin Hao patiently communicated with the little boy.

"Mother is right, so what should we bring?"

"Let me think! Honey, what does your father usually like to eat?"

"Huh?... Mother, I, I don't know." Gu Yu's little face fell down, his voice full of frustration, making even his little tuft of hair look listless.

"It's okay, we'll ask others," Lin Hao quickly reassured her.

After asking Zhu Qing and others, the conclusions they came up with were not very helpful; they only knew that Gu Liunian didn't like things that were too sweet.

In the end, Lin Hao decided to make a Four-Ingredient Soup, something simple and easy. All she needed to do was boil poria cocos, Chinese yam, lotus seeds, fox nuts, pork small intestine, and spareribs together over high heat, then add salt to taste. This Four-Ingredient Soup has many benefits, including strengthening the spleen, removing dampness, nourishing the skin, and reducing irritability. She could even send a portion to her grandmother—perfect!

Once the soup was ready, someone was ordered to send one portion to the old lady, while Lin Hao herself took the small steamed buns and delivered the other portion to Gu Liunian.

Upon arrival, a servant standing guard outside greeted them, bowing and saying, "Greetings, Madam and Young Master."

Lin Hao helped him up and asked, "Is Yu-ge'er's father here? May we come in?"

The servant was initially puzzled by Lin Hao's way of addressing Gu Liunian, then replied, "Master is here. I'll go and inform him." He then quickly walked inside.

A moment later, Gu Liunian came out with Xiao Si. Upon seeing the mother and son, he asked, "Why are you here?"

Lin Hao winked at him and said, "Brother Yu was worried you were tired, so he came to bring you some soup."

Gu Liunian, being a smart man, immediately realized what was happening and said to the little bun, "Brother Yu, come here."

The little boy trotted over to greet him, staring at him expectantly, his hopeful gaze impossible to ignore.

Gu Liunian patted his head and said to him, "I was a bit busy today and forgot the time. Next time, Yu-ge'er, remember to remind your father."

Gu Yu, the little dumpling, was immediately calmed down and realized that this was a task his father had given him, making him feel that he had a heavy responsibility on his shoulders.

Lin Hao, watching from the side, was dumbfounded. Good heavens, no wonder she's a big shot! She had to say nice things and cook to coax the child, but with Gu Liunian, a simple "I'm busy" was all it took to solve everything. The difference between people! Sigh!

After the family of three finished their soup, and the little boy received his father's promise that he would have dinner with him, the three parted ways again.

Meanwhile, the two servants who had been standing guard outside whispered among themselves as they watched the mother and son walk away.

"Tu Bai, did you see that? Did the master just smile?"

"Really? I didn't notice, but the soup smells so good, Madam!"

"You idiot, all you know is eating. The master must have laughed just now, even if it was a faint laugh, he definitely laughed."

"Mo Ran, are you looking for death? Don't you dare call me an idiot again, or I'll beat you up, you hear me?"

"Ha, come on then, you think you can beat me?"

"Don't be so arrogant. Even tigers have their moments of weakness! Don't speak too confidently, or you'll bite the hand that feeds you."

……