Stepmother

Baobei

The next morning Sun Baohai made some mantou, along with scallion fried eggs for the kids. The baby had some congee, and after they all ate Sun Baohai gave them all a big glass of soy milk.

"Mommy..." Xiao Yan said as he held the hem of Sun Baohai's clothes. As Sun Baohai looked down and saw the sad expression on his face, he knew exactly what he meant. Qiqi and Xiao Xi were used to being independent so they were too attached to him, but Xiao Yan and Xiao Yu were younger so they easily depended on him, and because of that, they became very clingy. So in the morning, Xiao Yan would act like this for him to stay, since he couldn't talk much. Sun Baohai slowly smiled before picking Xiao Yan up.

"Baobei*, Mommy needs to go to work so he can make more money and buy more candy for you and your siblings," Sun Baohai said to Xiao Yan as he patted his head softly.

"But Mommy..." Xiao Yan whine in an aggrieved voice.

"Mommy really can't take you Yanyan. When mommy comes back in the afternoon, we'll draw together okay?" Sun Baohai coaxed, as he kissed Xiao Yan's face gently.

The gentle serenade of kisses caused a deep blush to appear on his face, and he nodded as he pushed his head deeper into the crook of Sun Baohai's neck. He felt a warmth in his heart that he had never felt before. Nobody had ever hugged him or kissed him to coax him. He was acting spoiled but his mommy didn't get mad at him and even coaxed him. He even promised to draw with him when he came back. He really liked this mommy.

{Xiao Yan's favorability has risen by ten percent. You have managed to achieve the first benchmark of favorability for Xiao Yan. You are rewarded three points, three jin of pork belly, and a gallon of soymilk. Continue the hard work host!}

After hearing what the system said, Sun Baohai couldn't help but be surprised, but after a moment of shock, he only felt warmth in his heart. Such a simple promise was worthy of affection from Xiao Yan, he couldn't help but be fonder of him.

"Ok then let's do you and your sister's hair before I go to town today," Sun Baohai said. He worked with kids in his past life and was very fond of them, some of the ones that he worked with were kids whose moms were busy politicians or doctors, which meant they didn't really have time to take care of their children's hair, and would get them stylists but most of the time the kid's hair were done too tight, so he learned how to do hair and did it for them. The moms were extremely satisfied, so he was basically in charge of doing the kids' hair. So he had been doing the kid's hair when crossed over. He had done two big Dutch braids on them, and it lasted them three days so it was time to do them again. He had bought ribbons in town, so he would braid their hair with them.

When the kids heard that their mom was going to do their hair again they were quite happy. The hairstyles their mommy does on them are not very common in the village causing their popularity among the kids to soar. Plus their mom was very gentle when doing their hair so they always felt very warm.

Today's hairstyle was a little more complicated, and pretty, so it took a little while. When the kids were done they went to look in the copper mirror and saw their blurry reflection, and they were shocked. Such pretty hairstyles were probably even rare in town but their mommy did it effortlessly.

After dressing up the kids, he took them and made his way to Aunt Lin's house. Today the kids attracted many looks of astonishment. The kids were so clean and pretty, and spoiled. They were walking to Aunt Lin's house yet their stepmother carried the two youngest. And seeing how comfortable and normal the kids looked in the arms of their stepmother, anybody who was not blind could tell just how well these kids were treated. Plus not once have they heard the cries of the children, or yells of the stepmother, rather they mostly heard laughter coming out of that small yard. And who could not see the visible changes in the kid's features? Once again they could only lament and sigh about not stealing such a bride for their sons.

After dropping the kids off at Aunt Lin's house, Lin Ning and Sun Baohai headed to town. When Sun Baohai and Lin Ning reached their shop Lin Ning was shocked by the long line of customers. This shop had been open for about three to four weeks so for it to still have so many customers in line was quite a shock to her.

Sun Baohai was quite used to the long line and made his way through to the shop to set up for the morning. He gave Lin Ning a brief description and showed her, her checking out desk. He had three made and total before he would hire another worker. His plan from the start was a mini grocery store and if it goes big, then a proper grocery store. So he would need all the help he could get.

Lin Ning wasn't dumb and could account so she grasped the key points. All she needed to do was account for the things that the customers bought, and she had to make some price tags for new items that Sun Baohai planned on bringing into the shop. She was a little overwhelmed at first with the amount of people buying stuff but she still managed. With two people working, they finished pretty quickly for the day.

"Here, bring these home," Sun Baohai said, as he handed Lin Ning two jars of jam.

"No, I could not possibly take this!" Lin Ning hurriedly denied it, as she furiously shook her head.

"Every worker in my store will be getting one of every product I sell here as a monthly bonus. Plus both your second and third sisters-in-law are pregnant, so you might as well bring these back for them to have something sweet," Sun Baohai persuaded, as she once again handed the jars of jam to Lin Ning.

"Thank you," Lin Ning thanked.

"No problem. Also, one thing I forgot to mention is that you will have to come here a little earlier to open the shop and get everything ready. Your sisters-in-law are pregnant and are currently the priority of the family so your mother won't really be available to take care of the kids and I'll have to bring them to the store, so I will come later in the mornings, is that okay?" Sun Baohai asked.

"No problem!" Lin Ning responded.

"Okay then you close the store, I have something to take care of," Sun Baohai said before taking his stuff and heading out. 

                                   {GLOSSARY }
Baobei: Treasure, precious things, usually used for lover or young child