After transmigrating, I became a stepmother.

The sun shone brightly outside the window, and a gentle breeze caressed my face. As the second couple hurried away, it was as if something was being taken away from the house with them, making me feel inexplicably relaxed!

"Nian-ge'er, I know you are reliable and trustworthy, which is why your mother is most at ease, but I still have to say a few words." The old lady looked at her son with loving eyes, her eyes filled with undisguised praise and satisfaction. She never thought that in her lifetime, she would be able to get rid of the shadow that had troubled her for half her life—her son!

“Mother, please speak freely. I still have many shortcomings and need your guidance.” Gu Liunian said respectfully, his aura completely subdued, even his usually sharp eyes softened.

This was the first time Lin Hao had seriously observed the interaction between the mother and son. She realized that Gu Liunian would soften his stance in front of his mother, transforming from a domineering Tibetan Mastiff into a gentle German Shepherd. Thinking of the tender expression he showed when facing his son, she suddenly realized that Gu Liunian wasn't as tough as she had imagined; in fact, he had a very soft heart!

Clearly, her son's attitude pleased the old lady greatly, and her expression became even more cheerful. "Although I don't like Gu Jingnian, he is, after all, your father's bloodline. We shouldn't shortchange him, lest we give him what he deserves, which would give others something to gossip about and damage our reputation. It's also for our own good." The old lady spoke with considerable earnestness, presumably worried that her son might do something that would give others cause for criticism because of his concern for her.

"Mother, rest assured, I know my limits. What I said to my second brother just now was not a spur-of-the-moment excuse, but a well-thought-out statement. Logically speaking, as the eldest son, I should inherit most of the family business. Now, I'm giving him half, and I think he knows I'm being merciful. Otherwise, he wouldn't have agreed so readily," Gu Liunian said expressionlessly.

It's clear that the two brothers' relationship is quite strained. One is respectful to the other, but harbors resentment beneath the surface, while the other speaks of the other in a detached and indifferent tone.

"Good, it's good that you know what's going on. Once they leave the mansion, our family can live our lives in peace." The old lady's tone was tinged with a hint of reproach, but her expression was full of hope. She had been waiting for so long that she thought she had long since given up on her expectations.

"When the time comes, you two can have a few more children, and the house will be lively!" The old lady looked at the two children earnestly, her eyes full of hints.

Lin Hao blushed immediately. Although she knew she couldn't get pregnant, it was still a little embarrassing to have it brought up to her face. As for why she couldn't get pregnant, it was because she had taken precautions—she secretly bought contraceptive pills while shopping for storybooks.

Many might think that a time traveler needs a child of blood to feel a sense of belonging. But she doesn't think that way. She doesn't need a sense of belonging, and even if she did, she wouldn't do it by creating a child, as that wouldn't be a good thing for that child.

If one day she were to conceive a child, it would only be if she and the child's father truly loved each other; only then would she be willing to endure the pain and risks of pregnancy and childbirth. She was such a selfish person, always putting herself first. Clearly, Gu Liunian, a husband she had picked up off the street, did not meet her standards.

Lin Hao's thoughts were naturally unknown to the two people inside the room. After all, with Gu Yu, the little dumpling, Lin Hao wasn't under much pressure to have a child. Gu Liunian, on the other hand, glanced at Lin Hao subconsciously after hearing the old lady's words. Seeing that her cheeks were flushed and her expression was slightly uneasy, she picked up her teacup to cover up her unease. The tea was slightly cool to the taste, and she realized what she had done.

Seeing her daughter-in-law's cheeks flushed and her son's unusual loss of composure, the old lady's smile widened uncontrollably, but fearing she might startle them, she could only savor it alone.

"Grandma, Mother, I'm back!" A clear, childish voice drifted from afar. A moment later, the group saw a tiny child struggling to carry a bunch of flowers as he toddled in. The flowers were far too much for him, completely obstructing his view, which startled the group and those following behind! But the child himself seemed oblivious!

Lin Hao quickly stepped forward, took the flowers from his hand, and handed them to the elderly woman who had also hurriedly stood up. With his hands freed, the little boy's world became clear again, and he finally noticed Gu Liunian's presence.

"Huh? Father, Father wasn't here just now!" The little boy scratched his head, doubting his own memory.

Seeing his bewildered expression, everyone in the room was amused. Even Gu Liunian, who was usually serious, had a clear smile in his eyes. The old lady couldn't help but wave to him, and when he came closer, she hugged him and cuddled him for a while.

"Grandma, what are you all laughing at?" Although he didn't know what everyone was laughing at, the little dumpling nestled in his grandmother's arms still laughed along with everyone, mainly for the sake of companionship.

Hearing his words, everyone burst into laughter, which was a real hardship for the little maid holding the flowers below, who wanted to laugh but dared not, suffering greatly from holding it in.

After laughing for a while, the little dumpling finally couldn't resist showing off his achievements. He struggled to get out of the old lady's arms and said to everyone, "Grandma, Mother, the flowers are so beautiful. I picked a lot and I'm giving them to you."

As he spoke, he looked around and pointed to the flowers the old lady had handed to the maid, "These are the prettiest; give them to Grandmother."

Upon hearing this, the old lady beamed from ear to ear, "Good, good, good, my dear grandson! I haven't spoiled you for nothing."

Hearing her grandmother's words, the little dumpling puffed out her chest even more and raised her chin, like a proud little peacock. Then, as if remembering something, she ran to Yun Fei's side, "Mother, this is for you, and I picked it myself! But my hands are too small to hold it."

Lin Hao was already completely charmed by him and didn't mind this little thing at all. "Okay, Mother knows your feelings. The flowers are beautiful, I like them very much. Yu-ge'er is so great!"

The little boy, who had been a bit nervous, visibly relaxed after hearing her words, his smile widening. He exclaimed loudly, "I'm awesome!"

Seeing that both the old lady and she had received flowers, but the little maid clearly still had many more flowers in her hands, Lin Hao couldn't help but wonder, "Sweetie, where are those flowers? Did you pick them too?"

"Yes, that's for my father." He paused, his voice noticeably lower than before. "And also for my cousin, my second uncle, and my second aunt."

The little boy thought he had hidden his emotions well, but they were clearly exposed to the adults. The group was once again glad that they had insisted on splitting up the family. It was obvious that the little boy had been affected, and if they let it continue, the consequences would be unimaginable!

Lin Hao couldn't help but step forward and hug the little boy's small body. "How about our Yu-ge'er picks out the flowers for his father and gives them to him, and the maid takes the rest to his second uncle?"

Upon hearing that he didn't have to go to the second house, Xiao Baozi's mood brightened considerably, and he enthusiastically began selecting flowers to give to his father.

Everyone watched his actions and listened to him muttering to himself from time to time, "This one is big, for Father; red is pretty, for Father; this one has many flowers, for Father..."