Zhou Yueshen lowered his eyes and nodded, saying, "Come up, hold onto your little brother."

Zhou Yuandong nodded heavily and, with some effort, climbed onto the back seat, then tightly hugged his younger brother.

Once he saw that the children were securely seated, Zhou Yue started the motorcycle.

Considering it was the children's first time riding a motorcycle, Zhou Yue drove slowly.

Si Nian watched as the figures of the three of them receded into the distance before turning back to go inside and prepare dinner for the evening.

Just as she turned, she noticed Big Yellow wagging its tail at her. It dawned on Si Nian that she hadn't fed Big Yellow lunch yet, and now Aunt Liu and the others had come to stir up trouble.

She had been so busy that she had forgotten until now.

She patted Big Yellow's head and thought about the remaining dishes at home, laughing, "Big Yellow, we're having meat tonight!"

With men in the house, the consumption was high, and meat was always a must for every meal.

Zhou Yue took the children for two laps around the village. Initially, the children were a bit reserved, but by now, they had adapted and were enjoying the feeling of the wind blowing against their faces without restraint.

As it was about to rain and getting dark, everyone was heading home with their hoes.

Some dirty-faced children were immediately drawn to the sound of the motorcycle. When they saw that it was Zhou Yuandong and Zhou Yuehan riding the cool motorcycle, their faces lit up with envy, making it hard for them to move their feet.

"Mom, I want to ride too!"

Before the words could fully leave his mouth, his mother gave him a not-so-gentle smack on the back of his head, "Ride, my foot! Get over here!"

After riding around for a bit, raindrops began to fall. Zhou Yue brought the children, who were still wanting more, back home.

By this time, the warm aroma of cooked food wafted from the house.

Even though the weather was gloomy and rain was imminent, everyone in the family was in high spirits.

The younger of the two boys had long hair that was now tousled from the wind, looking quite comical.

After parking the motorcycle and carrying the child inside, rain started pouring heavily outside.

However, inside the house was warm and cozy. Even though Si Nian was the only one there, the radio was on, constantly broadcasting news. From the kitchen came an enticing aroma that made all the children simultaneously swallow their saliva.

The stepmother's cooking was simply irresistible, tempting the appetites of all the children.

Zhou Yuehan was about to sneak over to see what delicious meal his stepmother had prepared when he was pulled back by the collar.

Turning around, he looked at his older brother in confusion, "Brother? Why are you pulling me?"

Zhou Yuandong looked at his brother expressionlessly, "Have you finished your homework?"

Zhou Yuehan quickly retracted his exposed teeth, lowered his head guiltily, and nervously tapped his fingers, "Not yet..."

"Then go finish it," Zhou Yuandong's voice carried a hint of sternness.

His younger brother was never fond of studying, and his academic performance was not ideal. Zhou Yuehan needed someone to keep an eye on him while he did his homework to ensure completion.

Now that he was having fun, he had completely forgotten about his homework.

Since childhood, their parents had always reminded them that knowledge could change one's fate.

That's why despite facing numerous hardships, Zhou Yuandong never complained or blamed his father. He knew well that in this world, one couldn't rely on others but must rely on oneself.

Seeing his older brother's unwavering expression, Zhou Yuehan reluctantly shrugged his shoulders and went to do his homework.

When the big brother had a stern face, he looked as intimidating as their father.

Si Nian had cooked a table full of dishes, but Zhou Yuehan had to rush to the fish farm because of the rain and hadn't had a chance to eat.

Seeing him preparing to leave without an umbrella, and with no umbrella in the house, she quickly fetched her own umbrella and handed it to him.

"Take an umbrella, you might catch a cold if you get soaked," she said, looking at Zhou Yuandong with concern.

This man was truly hardworking, working from dawn till dusk every day. Today, he was even busy dealing with Aunt Liu's matters, fearing he might be taken advantage of. After coming back, he had spent some time playing with the children, which delayed him further.

While it did indeed help strengthen the bond with the children, Zhou Yuandong's fish farm was in its booming phase. The time he lost needed to be made up during his rest hours.

Many parents, overwhelmed with work, often overlook their children's issues, a situation common in every era.

Si Nian understood this.

Zhou Yuandong initially wanted to decline the umbrella, but seeing her worried face, his throat moved slightly, and he took the umbrella from her, his voice deep, "I might come back late. You all go to bed early."

Si Nian nodded.

However, when the man opened the small umbrella with its pink lace border,

Zhou Yuandong: "..."

Si Nian: "..."

"Um... maybe we should wait for the rain to stop before leaving?" Si Nian suggested.

A burly man holding a small, lacy umbrella was quite a sight.

Zhou Yuandong glanced at Si Nian, then at the umbrella. For once, they were on the same page. He nodded slightly, "Alright."

After waiting for a few minutes, the rain grew heavier...

Si Nian occasionally stole glances at the man sitting upright beside her. The children looked at the two with confusion.

Hmm... why did it feel like there was something strange between their stepmother and father?

After about two more minutes, Zhou Yuandong stood up, "You guys eat, don't wait for me."

With that, he took Si Nian's little umbrella and walked into the pouring rain.

His sharp brows were furrowed. In fact, he wanted to tell Si Nian that getting wet wasn't a big deal, that he didn't catch cold easily. But he couldn't ignore the occasional concerned glances she gave him.

Would she be disappointed if he didn't take her umbrella?

So, this towering man, against all odds, went out holding that starkly contrasting little umbrella.

Occasionally, someone who hadn't made it home was heading towards their house.

Suddenly spotting someone coming from the opposite direction, he subconsciously looked up, casting a curious glance.

The next moment, he slipped and stumbled to the ground.

By the time he looked up, the man with the umbrella was already far away.

The villagers were stunned.

If they weren't mistaken, the person with the pink floral umbrella wasn't the toughest guy in their village, Zhou Yuandong, was it?

Was he... this delicate?

Actually holding a pink umbrella with lace trim?

This would be explosive gossip!

Beneath Zhou Yuandong's stern exterior, he had such a girlish heart...

The heavy rain continued until the early hours of the morning.

Yu Dong, who had finished his work, yawned as he entered Zhou Yuandong's office, complaining, "This damn weather, it never stops. It's exhausting, big brother, do you have an umbrella in your room? Can I borrow one?"

Zhou Yuandong took off his soaked vest, revealing his muscular back.

Yu Dong looked at him with envy, jealousy, and resentment.

At thirty, with a physique like that, it was unfair to others.

Zhou Yuandong turned his head, cigarette dangling from his mouth at a slant.