After transmigrating, I became a stepmother.

Lin Hao had initially thought she would make a good friend when a girl of similar age came to her house, but it seems she was overthinking it.

"Where will Mother arrange for my cousin to stay?" Lin Hao thought. Such a young woman couldn't possibly live with the old lady.

"Well, I haven't thought of anything yet." The old lady was so happy to have picked up the guests today that she hadn't really thought about arranging accommodations for them.

"Aunt, I felt very close to my cousin-in-law the moment I met her. I wonder if it would be possible to arrange for me to stay closer to her?" Qian Youran quickly spoke up when she realized that she could no longer maintain her elegance after this topic was brought up.

Lin Kan glanced at her, but she didn't find this person's gaze friendly at all. It seemed this cousin had come with ill intentions! Cousin, cousin, sure enough, too many peaceful days had passed; were they about to embark on a melodramatic plot?

Thinking of this, she said, "I would like my cousin to live closer, but unfortunately your cousin also lives in my courtyard. As an unmarried girl, my cousin should avoid him to prevent gossip! Mother, don't you think so?"

The old lady found Lin Hao's words very reasonable. Nian Ge'er was at a crucial stage; nothing could go wrong and he might be distracted.

He then said, "In that case, let's find one near my courtyard. How about Jinfang Garden? Your cousin-in-law comes here every day, so it's convenient for you two to talk." As he spoke, he looked at the two of them.

Lin Hao naturally had no objections and echoed, "Mother's arrangements are the best! The farther away from her Qiyuan, the better."

Although Qian Youran was dissatisfied with their arrangements, she had no choice but to force a smile and say, "Thank you for the arrangements, Aunt."

"Alright, from now on, you can stay here in peace. You can see your cousin and your little nephew again at dinner." The old lady looked at her with loving eyes.

"Yes." Upon hearing the word "cousin," Qian Youran's eyes flickered slightly, a hint of anticipation in her heart. Since the topic had been brought up, she casually asked, "I heard you're preparing for next year's autumn imperial examinations?"

"Yes! That's why I didn't ask him to come see you," the old lady said with a smile.

"Of course I wouldn't dare disturb my cousin's studies. Besides, how could I ask my cousin to come and see his younger sister? It should be me who goes to pay my respects to my cousin." Qian Youran said with a face full of shame, repeatedly declining the offer.

"It's really tough for my cousin to juggle studying and managing the business at the same time!" he said, observing the old lady's expression.

"Oh, who can argue with that! Luckily, your cousin-in-law is helping him with the business, which is why he's been able to get away from this." The old lady looked at Lin Hao with even more affection as she spoke of this.

Qian Youran was taken aback. She hadn't expected that her cousin-in-law had not only won over her aunt but also interfered in her business affairs. It seemed that some things would have to be handled more carefully!

"My cousin-in-law is really capable. She can do such a public job so well, unlike me. I only know how to do domestic work. I'm so useless!" Qian Youran looked at Lin Hao with admiration on her face.

Lin Hao thought to herself, "Is this an insult to me, that I'm not content to stay at home, while you're perfectly suited to be a homemaker?"

"Isn't this what the family needs? I can't let my mother have to worry about us younger generation, can I? I had no choice but to take on this responsibility!" Lin Hao said with a self-deprecating tone.

"Don't listen to your cousin's modesty. She's managing the restaurant perfectly, and business is better than ever!" the old lady said to Qian Youran with a smile.

"Wow, my cousin-in-law is so amazing! I really need to learn from her in the future. Please don't look down on me!" That's what Qian Youran said, but that's not what she really thought. Maybe her cousin was the one giving her advice behind the scenes!

She had already inquired and found out that this cousin-in-law was an unloved illegitimate daughter in her family who had never been involved in household management. How could she possibly manage such a large restaurant?

"Don't listen to my mother's praise. She only thinks her own children are the best. I just know how to cook some food, but I didn't expect that selling it in restaurants would be so popular! Unlike my cousin, who looks like a well-bred lady from a prominent family and is well-read."

Lin Hao's words made the other two very happy, and their smiles deepened.

Qian Youran, in particular, thought to herself: This cousin-in-law does have some self-awareness and hasn't lost her mind. But such a person is probably even more difficult to deal with; she's not even as good as a good-for-nothing!

"I didn't know my cousin was coming today, otherwise I would have gone out another day. I'm so sorry to have come all this way!" Lin Hao said to the two of them, she didn't want to exchange any more pleasantries with her cousin.

"It's alright, your cousin isn't an outsider. It's just that I didn't tell you about this. Go back and change your clothes!" The old lady wouldn't blame her for this; she was increasingly pleased with her daughter-in-law.

"Then I'll take my leave now, cousin. Please have a seat."

"Take care, sister-in-law!" Qian Youran had intended to follow along, but seeing that Lin Hao had already made her point, she didn't dare to say anything and could only smile and see her off.

"No need for formalities, cousin." Lin Hao only said this much before quickly leaving; she couldn't stay a moment longer.

Back at Qiyuan Garden, Lin Hao finally relaxed. Talking to this cousin was really taxing on her brain. She decided to wait until Gu Liunian returned before going to Rongshou Hall together.

No, she needs to wash her eyes and clear her head.

"Liu Dan, go ask if Yu-ge'er has finished class!"

"Yes."

A short while later, Liu Dan returned with Xiao Baozi.

"Mother, you're back!" The little boy's eyes lit up as soon as he saw Lin Hao. He bowed respectfully to Lin Hao and sat down next to her.

"Yes, how was your day, baby?" Lin Hao carefully observed his little face.

"Very good, the teacher taught me many new articles today."

"Really? Has the baby memorized it yet?"

"Yes, I've mastered it all! The teacher even praised me!" The proud little boy puffed out his chest.

"Wow, our baby is so amazing! It's only the first day and the master has already praised him!" Lin Hao gave a thumbs up in full support.

"Hehe, it's actually not hard to learn. Mother, I'll recite it for you." The little dumpling couldn't wait to show off his achievements today.

"Okay, you recite it, Mother is listening." Lin Hao sat up straight, looking like she was listening attentively.

This gesture clearly pleased the little boy, who smiled, then put on a serious face and began to recite earnestly.

"Blue, red, yellow, white, and black—these are the five colors that the eye can perceive..."

The sweet, childlike voice was so pleasant to hear that Lin Hao felt she could forget everything that had just happened at Rongshou Hall. This was the kind of voice and smile she should be enjoying!