After transmigrating, I became a stepmother.

Yin Xue couldn't help but smile. The little girl's gaze was so direct and undisguised that it was impossible to ignore, yet she felt no aversion at all!

This kind of pure and unambitious appreciation was something she hadn't experienced in a long time. Thinking of those greasy and murky gazes, a hint of coldness flashed in her eyes, but she quickly suppressed it. She had now escaped the quagmire.

"You're very pretty too, and you'll be even prettier than your sister in the future!" Yinxue gently stroked the little girl's head, sincerely hoping.

"Really? My sister must be lying to me." He Xinlan's face was full of hope at first, but then her eyes quickly dimmed.

"Why do you say that your sister lied to you?" Yin Xue asked, puzzled. She bent down slightly and met the little girl's gaze.

“I am Mother’s biological daughter. None of Mother’s daughters are as pretty as my sister. How could I possibly be prettier than my sister?” He Xinlan answered matter-of-factly, and then nodded emphatically to show that her words made perfect sense.

Not only Yin Xue, but everyone around her who had been listening to the two talking couldn't help but chuckle and covered their faces with their handkerchiefs. What the little girl said seemed to make some sense!

Madam He's face darkened immediately. She glared hatefully at her black-hearted cotton-padded coat and said indignantly, "You look even better when you're not talking!"

The crowd laughed even louder, so loudly that their handkerchiefs could barely cover their mouths!

He Xinlan nodded seriously, her eyes sparkling as she looked at her mother, oblivious to the rising anger in her mother's eyes. She said earnestly, "Mother, you've noticed too? I think so too. I just like you in that respect! So, I always said, how could I be prettier than Sister Xue when I'm so much like you!"

After thinking for a moment, she added, "Sister Xue, don't worry. Although you lied to me, I understand that you did it to comfort me and that you meant well. I won't blame you!"

The little girl's beaming smile, seeking praise, left Yin Xue momentarily speechless. She stammered, "Okay, okay, thank you for your understanding, Lan'er."

Upon seeing this, everyone burst into laughter, unable to hold it in any longer.

Looking at Madam He, who was helplessly rubbing her forehead, the crowd felt a rare pang of sympathy for her. Madam Zhang even exclaimed exaggeratedly, "Madam He, you are truly amazing! How did you raise such an interesting child?"

Seeing Madam Zhang's eyes glistening with laughter, Madam He waved her hand helplessly: "If you like her, Madam, why don't you take her away? Otherwise, I'll be driven crazy by her one day!"

"Are you serious? I'm definitely going to take it seriously," Madam Zhang said jokingly, wiping the tears from the corner of her eyes.

Before Madam He could reply, He Xinlan spoke up anxiously, as if afraid it would be too late if she spoke too late: "Madam, please don't take this seriously, Mother can't live without me!"

"Oh, what about calligraphy and paintings?" Madam Zhang asked with great interest.

“My mother is always forgetful and relies on me for help. Without me, she can’t survive! Besides, I’m her only daughter. If I leave, she will have no daughter. How could you, Madam, be so kind as to take away someone else’s beloved?”

He Xinlan recounted all of her mother's embarrassing moments, emphasizing her own importance, and at the end, she didn't forget to flatter the other person.

"He Xinlan! What nonsense are you spouting?" Madam He was furious with this heartless girl. What kind of daughter is like this? She was joking just now, but now she really has such intentions.