Chapter 37: The Evil Stepmother of the 1970s 4 New Story VIP “Mom I…

Chapter 37: The Evil Stepmother of the 1970s (4) New VIP Chapter Release "Mom, I..."

The elderly couple busied themselves with killing the chicken, while the two children, rarely free from chores, squatted in the yard playing with their candy. Xu Ziyan wandered around with nothing to do, then went back inside to fetch a fan and sat under the eaves, fanning herself leisurely.

Honestly, going from being a wealthy heiress to such a poor peasant woman was quite unaccustomed to her, but perhaps because it was all so new, it still felt novel and refreshing. Gazing at the blue sky and white clouds, she even felt a sense of leisurely comfort.

Just as she was about to find a poem to suit the scene, she noticed the original host’s parents peeking in through the gate. When they met her gaze, they looked a little awkward. "Yan Yan, we didn’t get a chance to talk earlier with so many people around. On the way back, your grandma had your brother call us home, so we’re only just coming now. Um, the kids weren’t scared, were they?"

Xu Ziyan could tell from their demeanor that they were used to being belittled and scolded by their daughter, always treading carefully around her. Yet, their love for their daughter was genuine. Having seen all kinds of people in her past life, she could recognize this much.

Xu Ziyan silently complained to 001: "They can’t stand up for themselves—to put it bluntly, they’re spineless. Their daughter grew increasingly domineering and even resorted to underhanded means, yet they never guided or disciplined her. In the end, their daughter schemed against her in-laws and ran away, indirectly causing their family’s ruin. They were consumed by guilt and helplessness, not knowing what to do, and eventually died of depression.

They were pitiful and tragic. Should one sympathize with them? They had made a mess of their lives and failed to raise their daughter properly. Should one say they deserved it? Well, that was just how they were—they couldn’t help it."

Fang’s parents overheard her inner monologue again and hurried to the front yard. They were a little nervous—the transmigrator didn’t seem to realize they could hear her thoughts, and they couldn’t bring themselves to tell her. This must be something the heavens intended to keep secret. But what if the in-laws found out their daughter was gone? Would they panic and fight the transmigrator?

Yet when they reached the front yard, Xu’s parents showed no change in expression. Could they not hear it?

Xu Ziyan stood up. "Come sit in the shade for a bit. You’ve been helping search for the kids all morning—don’t let yourselves get sunstroke. The kids are fine."

Xu’s parents brightened. Although Xu Ziyan’s tone wasn’t overly polite, her words showed concern for them. They greeted Fang’s parents awkwardly and, seeing the children playing happily, relaxed a little.

Xu Ziyan thought for a moment. In this world, she was the villainess, her in-laws were tragic supporting characters, and her birth family was little more than mere background characters. The only plot involving her birth family was in two days, during her grandmother’s birthday. The original host and her cousin both returned home. The original host brought expensive gifts like malted milk (a malted milk powder), pastries, and canned food, while her cousin brought a handmade blouse.

The grandmother immediately put on the blouse and praised it endlessly, holding her cousin’s hand and calling her filial, while treating the original host coldly. The original host, emboldened by her marriage to an officer, couldn’t stand the slight and lashed out, accusing the grandmother of favoritism. The grandmother, insulted at her own birthday, trembled with rage and told the original host never to return. After that, the original host cut ties completely, even with her own parents.

So the grandmother had some role to play, but her parents were truly just mere background characters.

This made Xu Ziyan feel a little sorry for them. It seemed their lives were doomed to tragedy—from childhood to death, they never knew happiness. Now she had replaced their daughter. Even though their daughter had always treated them poorly, they wouldn’t have wanted her to disappear. For once, Xu Ziyan felt a rare sense of awkwardness.

The silence was stifling, so Xu Ziyan broke it. "What did the old lady call you back for? I’m guessing it wasn’t to ask about my kids, right? Did she hear I made Xu Xiuyun lose face and get upset? Did she send you to demand an explanation?"

The two looked flustered again, at a loss for words. Xu’s father rubbed his hands. "Your grandma… she thinks family matters should be handled within the family. Making a scene in front of the whole village is too embarrassing—people will say our Old Xu family doesn’t know how to raise its daughters…"

His voice trailed off. Xu’s mother quickly added, "But we’re not here to demand an explanation. We really were worried about the kids… and that you might be upset."

Xu Ziyan saw this as a chance to reshape her image and smiled. "As long as you’re not here to take her side, that’s fine. If you were still siding with her, I’d have to kick you out. You understood what happened today, right? Don’t go around saying Xu Xiuyun is kind and good anymore. With your naivety, she could sell you out and you’d still count the money for her."

Xu’s parents had indeed grasped the situation. Though Xu Xiuyun’s saintly image had been ingrained since childhood, her behavior today was too outrageous—almost ruining their daughter’s reputation. Naturally, they sided with their daughter. Still, they were family, and the sisters were neighbors. If they could support each other, life would surely be better. That was their deeply rooted belief, so they looked at Xu Ziyan, wanting to say more but holding back.

"Look at them—they want to preach ‘family harmony and prosperity’ to me. That’s how things were in this era: petty squabbles and endless drama. I can’t stand it. Back then, I even cut ties with my own parents and brother, and made sure they never dared to bother me again. And these are just temporary relatives—I won’t tolerate a second of it. But the old lady’s birthday is in two days. Might as well play out the plot before breaking ties."

Fang’s parents were baffled. Did the transmigrator have parents and a brother? Did they live as a family? They’d never heard of such a thing. But thankfully, she’d cut ties—if her whole family showed up, wouldn’t they be terrified?

Fang’s mother, worried the in-laws might say something tactless, quickly smoothed things over. "Why don’t you stay for dinner? Yan Yan said we’re having braised chicken with mushrooms and white rice tonight. Eat before you go."

Xu’s parents startled, waving their hands. "No, no, we’ll just say a few words and leave. We have things to do at home." Then, to Xu Ziyan, they whispered, "Yan Yan, Lihai’s serving in the military—it’s not easy. You should be more frugal."

Xu Ziyan fanned herself. "I’m already figuring out how to make money. My in-laws haven’t said anything, so don’t you worry about it. When you go back, think about whose side you’re on—mine or the Xu family’s. When you’re old, will I support you, or will the Xu family be able to provide for you? If you’re with me, listen to me: establish your own household first, and we can still stay in touch. If you don’t, I’m not willing to associate with that unreasonable old lady. We’ll just drift apart."

Xu’s father stammered, "But that’s your grandmother—"

Xu Ziyan cut in, "She’s my cousins’ grandmother. She’s never treated me like a real granddaughter. I bet she cursed me out in front of you today, didn’t she? When Xu Xiuyun was the one scheming against me, why didn’t she scold Xu Xiuyun instead of me? You two go home and think about it."

Xu’s father fell silent. The old lady had indeed berated them after calling them back—not just Xu Ziyan, but them too, leaving them ashamed and unable to lift their heads.

With slumped shoulders, they left. Fang’s father hesitated. "Why didn’t you keep them for dinner?"

Xu Ziyan smiled. "Even if they ate meat here, they wouldn’t feel at ease. Better they go home and reflect. Oh, the old lady’s birthday is in two days. I’ll go into town to buy some gifts. Do you need me to bring anything back?"

They both shook their heads. Xu Ziyan put on a straw hat to block the sun and called the two children, "Come on, I’ll take you to the city park and buy you some treats."

Fang Nan and Fang Bei froze for a second, immediately dropping their little wooden sticks and standing up, though they hesitated slightly—was Second Aunt really taking them out, or was she going to ditch them?

Just then, they heard Xu Ziyan's inner thoughts again: *These kids are surprisingly well-behaved. No one usually takes them out to play, so since they cooperated perfectly today, I’ll treat them to a fun trip. Oh, and I should bring plenty of money and coupons. Ugh, buying stuff with coupons is such a pain. Good thing they’ll be phased out in a couple of years.*

Now sure she really meant it, the kids lit up with excitement and obediently ran to the bicycle. Xu Ziyan had the younger one sit on the front crossbar and the older one on the rear seat before pedaling off. At first, she wobbled a bit, but she quickly got the hang of it. Seeing a slope up ahead, she grinned and said, "Hold on tight—we're going full speed!"

The kids gripped the bicycle tightly as it flew down the slope, squealing with excitement. "This is so fun! Hahaha!"

Villagers who saw them muttered, puzzled, "Who said Xu Ziyan was a bad stepmother? Look how well the kids get along with her—they’re laughing together!"

Someone nearby chimed in, "Seems what Xu Ziyan said today was true. Xu Xiuyun’s been ruining her reputation to make herself look better."

"Who’d have thought that girl had so many tricks up her sleeve? That’s creepy."

"I wonder what Song Dongbo will think when he comes back and finds out. Oh, and Xu Xiuyun’s also a stepmother—she always seemed so good to Song Dongbo’s daughter. Could that be an act too?"

"You never really know people. Let’s dig around and see if we can uncover the truth."

As Xu Ziyan rode through the village with the kids, laughing and playing, her reputation as a wicked stepmother was practically cleared. After all, if she were mistreating them, why would the children be so happy with her? Still, she thought these kids were easy to please—just some candy and a fun outing, and they’d forgotten all about their earlier chores.

In the city, Xu Ziyan bought three ice pops, and the trio strolled through the park while eating them. The park was pretty basic—stone carvings of the twelve zodiac animals, a small lotus-filled pond, and some pretty flowers—no actual animals. But even with such modest attractions, the kids were enthralled, their eyes sparkling with excitement.

Spotting a small photo booth by the lake, Xu Ziyan posed smiling in front of the lotus flowers for a picture, then had the kids take photos with their zodiac statues.

Fang Bei suddenly piped up, "Second Aunt, let’s take one together! So Second Uncle can see!"

Xu Ziyan was surprised—this kid was sharp, thinking of showing their stepdad a family photo. Fang Bei’s reasoning was simpler, though: to him, Xu Ziyan was now an immortal fairy, and since Second Uncle wasn’t home to see her, a photo would show him.

Holding each child’s hand, Xu Ziyan grinned and said, "Look at the camera and say with me—cheese!"

The kids parroted it back, only to realize that saying "cheese" made them smile. Amazed, they held hands and kept chanting "cheese," then experimented with other words like "persimmon," "table," and "chair," laughing their heads off.

After paying and arranging to pick up the photos later, Xu Ziyan headed to the supply and marketing cooperative to buy gifts. *The old lady’s plotline is easy—just cut ties dramatically. I’ve done this before, and I’m definitely sticking to the script!*