Stepfather Stepmother

Chapter 6

Snowflakes fluttered down from the sky, each one like a meticulously carved work of art.

Under the dim yellow streetlights, Ye Zhenzhen carried her heavy backpack. Her white canvas shoes stepped lightly on the soft layer of snow, making a crunching sound that felt like a symphony she was enjoying all to herself.

Her long, straight legs moved with a consistent, steady stride.

A dilapidated neighborhood, a dimly lit staircase.

Ye Zhenzhen walked into the gloomy entrance of the apartment building without a trace of melancholy.

She gently patted the snowflakes resting on top of her head. They instantly melted into droplets of water, blending into her smooth black hair.

Casually tearing off the overdue utility bill stuck to the door, she pushed it open and entered, immediately greeted by a rush of warm air.

"Mom, did you forget to pay the water bill again?"

Ye Zhenzhen's voice echoed in the cramped, narrow apartment.

In the kitchen, a middle-aged woman with similar facial features, a plump figure, yet a slightly weary demeanor, poked her head out upon hearing the voice.

That was her mother, Ye Shulian.

Although time had left its mark on her face, it still couldn't hide her elegance. One could easily imagine that she must have been stunningly beautiful in her youth.

Seeing her daughter return home, a bright, happy smile immediately bloomed on her face.

"Zhenzhen, you're back. Go wash your hands, it's time to eat," Ye Shulian greeted her gently.

With slender fingers, Ye Zhenzhen lightly placed the overdue bill on the coffee table and then took off her school uniform jacket.

Glancing briefly toward the kitchen, she couldn't help but feel a bit puzzled.

Mother seemed exceptionally happy today?

Her radiant, joyful expression made Zhenzhen uncontrollably curious.

"No need, Mom, I already ate at school." Ye Zhenzhen had a somewhat aloof personality, lacking excessive curiosity or a penchant for gossip.

After saying that, she turned to head back to her room to continue doing practice tests. As an outstanding top student, her self-discipline was taken to the absolute extreme.

Moreover, she had known the family's situation inside and out since she was a child.

She knew deeply that only by studying hard could she change their current circumstances.

Ye Shulian, a woman who was deceived and left pregnant by a scumbag in her youth, had raised her all alone.

In this society, it was incredibly difficult for a woman with low educational qualifications and few life skills to survive while raising a child.

Therefore, their family had always lived in extreme poverty, but Ye Zhenzhen never complained. Instead, she was full of gratitude toward her mother.

If it weren't for her mother's persistence and sacrifices, she might not even be alive today.

"Hey, just eat a little bit. Mom spent a long time making this."

Ye Shulian walked out of the kitchen holding a plate of food that looked and smelled delicious. Seeing her daughter about to return to her room, she hurriedly set the plate down and grabbed her.

Her soft little hand was held tightly. Unable to win against her mother, Ye Zhenzhen had no choice but to sit down at the dining table.

The originally harmonious atmosphere became slightly silent after they sat down. Neither mother nor daughter spoke; they just ate their food in silence.

"Actually... the lease on our apartment is expiring this year."

Finally, Ye Shulian couldn't hold it in any longer and spoke up, looking a bit embarrassed.

"Mhm, I know, Mom. I'll go work a part-time job this weekend."

Seeing her daughter being so sensible, a wave of warmth surged in Ye Shulian's heart, and the corners of her eyes suddenly grew moist.

Seeing this, Ye Zhenzhen quickly took her mother's hand and gently comforted her, "It's okay, Mom. I'll work during the summer vacation, and I'll do part-time jobs to earn living expenses in college. Our family's situation will definitely get better and better."

Hearing this, Ye Shulian sighed softly. She squeezed her daughter's hand back and said in a melancholic tone, "Other people's daughters are pampered and raised like princesses. Only you, a young girl, have to be so exhausted. It's because your mom is useless. You must study hard, broaden your horizons, and never follow the same old path I did..."

Ye Zhenzhen didn't know how to respond to this topic, so she could only squeeze her mother's hand tightly in return.

After rambling on for who knows how long, Ye Shulian finally remembered the main topic she wanted to discuss today. She glanced at her daughter and said shyly, "On Saturday... Mom wants to take you to meet an uncle?"

As soon as the words fell, Ye Zhenzhen was visibly stunned, but she quickly adjusted. A smile subconsciously floated onto her face, and she held her mother's hand tightly, saying, "Okay! Mom, I support any decision you make. You deserve to have your own happiness too."

Having her inner thoughts directly pointed out by her daughter made Ye Shulian feel a bit embarrassed for a moment. She hurriedly explained, "I'm just taking you to meet him first... What happiness or not, silly child, don't talk nonsense."

However, under Ye Zhenzhen's gaze, Ye Shulian's face grew redder and redder.

Finally, unable to bear it any longer, she urged, "Alright, alright, hurry back and study. You don't need to clean this up."

After being pushed back into her room, the smile on Ye Zhenzhen's face gradually disappeared.

Her brows furrowed slightly, and her eyes filled with worry.

Although she hoped her mother could find her own happiness, she felt even more worried about their future life.

If her mother remarried, they most likely wouldn't be able to keep living in this apartment. In all likelihood, they would have to live with her future stepfather.

And would this future stepfather consider her a burden?

Would he dislike her, and in turn, project that dislike onto her mother?

She shook her head, feeling heavily burdened by the prospect of living under someone else's roof in the future.

Therefore, she silently made a decision in her heart...

At the same time, in another household.

Gu Xiangcheng was also trying to communicate with his son.

"This weekend, you're coming with me to meet someone..."

He started tentatively, but after waiting a long time, he received no response from his son.

Thinking he hadn't made himself clear enough, Gu Xiangcheng put a fist to his mouth, let out a dry cough, and continued awkwardly.

"Um... there's an auntie, uh... I want you to meet her..."

Lao Gu spoke with the gentlest attitude possible, yet Gu Ran, who was eating silently across from him, still gave no response.

He pondered for a moment, preparing to state it directly, but Gu Ran raised his head first and waved his hand at him. "Sigh, relax, relax. It's just going to meet my future stepmom, right? I'll go."

Hearing this, Lao Gu fell into a rare silence.

Gu Ran's sudden frankness left him confused for a moment. He had thought it would take a lot of convincing, but now all his prepared speeches were useless.

The huge contrast made it hard for him to grasp Gu Ran's thoughts. He couldn't help but feel that this kid, changing his usual tune, was harboring some bad idea in his heart.

"Are you... sure?"

Lao Gu asked in disbelief. According to their usual routine, the father and son would have been arguing fiercely by now. When was he ever this agreeable?

"I'm sure!"

Gu Ran's crisp and decisive attitude made Gu Xiangcheng's face fill with even more suspicion.

"Well... if you don't want to meet her, don't force yourself. But since you've chosen to meet her, put away any inappropriate thoughts."

Lao Gu repeatedly warned him. Although it might be useless, it at least gave him some peace of mind.

Listening to his father's commanding tone, Gu Ran couldn't help but roll his eyes inwardly. With this rotten temper, he really pitied that future stepmom he hadn't even met yet.

Who knows if she'll even be able to stand him...

"I know, I know. Am I really that immature in your eyes? Would I actually go out of my way to embarrass her on purpose?"

Gu Ran waved his hand, dropped a quick "I'm full," and turned to head back to his room, leaving Lao Gu all alone, sitting stunned at the dining table, completely at a loss for words...