After transmigrating, I became a stepmother.

Gu Liunian got such a good idea from Lin Hao and immediately sent someone to summon Manager Li.

In the study, after Gu Liunian finished explaining the situation, Manager Li stood up from his chair with great joy: "Master, I think this matter can be accomplished. I don't know where you found such a talent, but I think we can recruit him to our restaurant. He will definitely be able to show his skills."

As he spoke, he kept a close eye on Gu Liunian, as always, fearing that if he didn't respond, the restaurant would miss out on a talented person.

Gu Liunian was annoyed by his distrustful look and said helplessly, "She can't go to the restaurant."

"Why? Such talent is only suited for the food business. The owner can't afford to waste such a gem." Manager Li's tone was filled with anxiety, and even a hint of dissatisfaction.

Gu Liunian knew he had misunderstood, so he could only reveal a little to him: "This prescription was made by my wife."

Upon hearing this, Manager Li was somewhat embarrassed and touched his nose, saying, "Madam is truly talented! The master is blessed."

Seeing his discomfort, Gu Liunian gestured for him to sit down. "Since you think it's feasible, then give the order that the restaurant will close from tomorrow! Have someone discuss what style of private rooms to book and prepare everything."

"Don't worry, boss, I'll definitely handle it well!" Manager Li rubbed his hands together, bowed, and hurriedly went back to make arrangements.

Having resolved this matter, Gu Liunian rubbed his temples, feeling a slight sense of relief. After being busy these past few days, he could finally breathe a sigh of relief.

After a short rest, realizing it was getting late, he got up and walked towards Qi Garden with light steps. Mo Ran and Tu Bai followed behind him, exchanging glances. Previously, in his spare time, the master would often stay in his study, and it was common for him to even sleep there. But lately, however, he frequently visited Qi Garden, and his smile had increased considerably. This had made the two of them quite familiar with the maids at Qi Garden, especially after the other day when they had shared a hot pot meal together, which had further strengthened their bond.

I wonder if the master himself has noticed the difference in himself; I suppose he hasn't.

Gu Liunian was unaware that the two servants behind him were thinking about him. As he approached Qiyuan Garden, he quickened his pace unconsciously. Seeing the dim light in the main hall, he felt even more at ease.

He waved the servants away and went inside. The scene he had imagined—Lin Hao waiting for him alone—was not there. His son was smiling at him with a beaming smile.

"Why aren't you asleep yet?" he asked subconsciously, but then felt that something was off. Before he could think about it, Gu Yu spoke up.

"My father isn't here, so I need to stay with my mother. Otherwise, she'll be lonely." Gu Yu puffed out his chest, looking very responsible.

Gu Liunian looked at Lin Hao with a strange expression, as if she had taught the child something odd behind his back. Lin Hao met his gaze, somewhat angrily. "Why are you looking at me? I didn't do anything! I only found out myself, okay? This is your son. If anyone should be looking at someone, it should be you!"

Gu Liunian strangely understood her gaze and felt a little guilty without even realizing it. But he quickly put this feeling out of his mind; it had nothing to do with him, and he would never teach his son such a thing.

Watching their interaction, Gu Yu, the little dumpling, felt like he'd been left behind. He quickly called out, "Here! Look at me! I'm here!"

The way he gesticulated and danced around was just like a little monkey jumping around in a zoo trying to get attention—it was both funny and cute!

"Sweetie, how can you be so cute?"

Lin Hao couldn't help but hug him, gently stroking his little face and rubbing her nose against his.

"Can I sleep with you guys tonight?" Gu Yu, the little dumpling, rubbed against her happily and asked with expectant eyes.

"Okay..." Lin Hao hadn't finished speaking when Gu Liunian interrupted her, "No."

The mother and son turned their heads at the same time and asked in unison, "Why?" Their expressions were exactly the same.

Stared at by two pairs of bright, watery eyes, Gu Liunian suppressed his rising guilt and calmly said, "Yu-ge'er, you've grown up. A real man should sleep by himself."

"But, but Father, you're all grown up now, you're a man too, why can you sleep with Mother?" the little boy asked, puzzled.

"Pfft!" Lin Hao couldn't hold back any longer. She'd just heard Gu Liunian's words and was thinking, "Little Baozi is only a little over two years old, how can he be old?" Before she could even retort, Little Baozi said something like that. This must be the legendary "using magic to defeat magic"!

Gu Liunian was speechless after hearing the little bun's words, and when he heard Lin Hao's laughter, his face darkened.

He said seriously, "A real man shouldn't sleep with his mother. Look at me, I don't sleep with your grandmother. But it's okay to sleep with your wife, so I can sleep with your mother."

The little boy seemed to be thinking about it, and finally reluctantly agreed, "Then, Mother, don't miss me. Let Father sleep with you tonight, and I'll come to find you tomorrow." As he spoke, he patted Lin Hao's hand reassuringly.

Lin Hao assumed that Gu Liunian had something to discuss with her about the restaurant, so she nodded in agreement and told the little bun, "Okay, I'll wait for you to come find me tomorrow."

"Okay, I'll come first thing tomorrow morning."

Watching the little dumpling reluctantly walk away, Lin Hao turned her head, wanting to ask Gu Liunian what was wrong, but instead, she was met with a magnified face. That face had distinct features and smooth lines, and a pair of phoenix eyes that were so captivating that they drew one in.

Lin Hao was instantly captivated. By the time she realized what was happening, the two were already tightly entwined, their breaths mingling and their bodies exchanging warmth.

Fu Cui and Liu Dan, who had originally planned to come inside to help the two wash up, blushed with embarrassment and wished they could cover their ears. They could only stand quietly at a distance, letting those ambiguous sounds be released into the void!

This must be the trouble of being a close maid! The two looked at each other and smiled bitterly, but they were happy for their master and for their own future.

After an unknown amount of time, the clouds dispersed and the rain stopped. Gu Liunian's voice calling for water came from inside the house. The two quickly called for someone to go in and clean up, keeping their eyes straight ahead the whole time, and then quickly retreated.

Lin Hao was no longer fully conscious and instinctively buried herself in Gu Liunian's chest, refusing to look up, which made Gu Liunian chuckle to himself and hug her tightly.

After everyone left, he gently coaxed her, "You can come out now, everyone's gone." Seeing that she didn't respond, he looked closely and found that she had fallen asleep, her face flushed and her expression weary; she seemed truly exhausted.

Looking at her tired yet radiant face, he was moved and kissed her forehead before falling into a deep sleep in that position.