The Stepmother's Counterattack: Raising a Child in a Bygone Era-Chapter 784 - 783 Public

The young man gently shook his head, his slightly red eyes brimming with shimmering tears, his lips stubbornly pursed in a display of defiance amidst his vulnerability.

Yan Su had never felt this way before, her heart felt as if someone had roughly crinkled it, then tenderly smoothed it out again, the swelling pain almost unbearable.

She took a deep breath and, from her vantage point above, addressed the man on the ground, "Say what you said that night again."

Han Zibin snapped out of his daze after two seconds.

He slowly stood up, using the wall for support, the corridor light casting his features into a more delicate relief, exuding a determined piety.

"Second Miss, could you please not go on any more blind dates?"

"I like you, I have for a long time."

Unlike the previous chaos and shock, this time, Yan Su clearly heard the sound of her own heartbeat.

Thump, thump.

"I’m ten years older than you, I’m already thirty-eight."

"I know, but what does that matter? There’s no rule that says you have to consider someone’s age to like them."

He paused, then added, "Besides, I don’t think you’re old at all. In my heart, you’ll always be a woman in need of care and protection."

Yan Su didn’t say anything, but took a step forward and kissed him on the lips.

It was a kiss free of desire; like a dragonfly skimming water, brief and fleeting.

The man’s eyes were watery, watching her like a puppy, his voice tinged with a plaintive note yet filled with a mysterious anticipation.

"What does this mean?"

"If you don’t let me go on blind dates, shouldn’t you owe me a boyfriend?"

:

He looked jubilant as if he had hit the jackpot, his eyes brimming with disbelief and joy.

He boldly wrapped his arms around her waist, yet his tone was careful, "Can I offer myself as compensation for you, will you accept me?"

"Mmm, I’ll consider it."

Unable to wait to get inside, they embraced and kissed fervently.

After an unknown amount of time, the remnants of reason made Yan Su pause. "Let’s go inside."

"Okay."

After the passion, they lay snuggled up on the bed.

Han Zibin held Yan Su in his arms, as delighted as if holding a treasure, "Can I call you Su Su from now on?"

After two days and nights of travel, combined with the recent physical exertion, Yan Su was so tired she could barely keep her eyes open, yet she still mustered the energy to respond:

"If I don’t agree, will you stop calling me that?"

Like getting his favorite candy, Han Zibin held her tighter, "No, I like calling you Su Su."

"Suit yourself."

Hearing the fatigue in her voice, Han Zibin looked down at her tenderly, his face full of concern.

"Tired? You sleep, I’ll stay with you."

Yan Su’s eyelids fluttered but didn’t open, "Xiao Bin, I want to discuss something with you."

"Why call me Xiao Bin? I’m not young; I’m already twenty-eight."

Just as Han Zibin was sensitive about being ten years younger than Yan Su, he minded being perceived as younger than her.

He didn’t want to be her little brother but her man.

"Then what should I call you, Ah Bin?"

Han Zibin rocked her in his arms to express his joyful mood, "I like that, yes."

Really, he was like a child, his emotions clearly displayed on his face without any pretense.

"Su Su, what do you want to discuss with me?"

"Mmm, can we keep our relationship secret for now?"

"No way!"

Han Zibin’s refusal clearly took Yan Su by surprise; in her mind, Han Zibin was like a docile and obedient little puppy.

She opened her eyes, and on his youthful, handsome face, she saw an unusual trace of annoyance. freeweɓnøvel.com

"Su Su, what do you think of me? A lover to be kept in the dark, or a ’young man’ hidden away in your chambers?"

"That’s not what I meant; I’m just not ready to make your identity public yet."

"I don’t care, I want everyone to know that you’re mine!"

"You wouldn’t dare."

The two stood in silent confrontation for a while, until Han Zibin finally admitted defeat.

He hung his head, deflated like a dog that had lost a fight: "I understand your concerns. I was never worthy of you to begin with. I don’t come from a distinguished family, and my birth is nothing to be proud of. It was foolish of me to daydream."

"That’s not what I mean."

"Yes, it is."

With that, he turned his back on her in a huff, refusing to acknowledge her.

Yan Su had a bit of a headache—how could this younger brother be so hard to console?

"Are you mad?"

"Don’t bother with me. I’m nothing, anyway."

Yan Su could only sigh in resignation, "You have to give me some time."

Hearing this, Han Zibin finally turned back around and embraced her again, "I’m willing to wait."

...

Before long, it was the Lab Festival.

After work, Yan Su had her driver take her back to the family home.

Although her family didn’t interfere with her personal life, they had one rule: she had to come home for meals during the holidays.

On the way, she took the time to call Han Zibin, telling him she wouldn’t be returning to the apartment that evening, so he wouldn’t make the trip for nothing.

The Lab Festival naturally involved drinking Lab porridge, symbolizing a bountiful harvest and the prosperity of people and livestock.

This year’s Lab porridge was excellent—sweet, soft, and thick.

After finishing a bowl, Yan Su went to the kitchen and asked the nanny to fill a thermos with some porridge to take to a friend later.

After coming out of the kitchen, Mother Yan called her over for a chat.

"Do you remember the eldest son of your aunt by marriage, Min Xuesheng? You met him when you were little, and he’s about your age. Now he’s the second-in-command at the Yuncheng Municipal Committee. His situation is quite similar to yours; he had a marriage that ended a few years ago..."

"Mom, I’ve recently started seeing someone."

Confronted with the curious gazes of her entire family, Yan Su mustered her courage and spoke of her relationship with Han Zibin.

She had expected opposition or interrogation, but to her surprise, her family reacted calmly.

Mother Yan smiled, "Xiao Jing said you were in a relationship recently, but I didn’t believe her, thought she was fooling me. No wonder you’ve been looking particularly radiant."

Yan Su shyly glanced towards the collected Yan Jing sipping tea, "Sis, how did you know?"

Yan Jing teased, "I’m only older, not deaf and blind."

Yan Yi spoke up, "If Second Sister truly likes him, she should find the time to bring him home for us to meet."

Father Yan sipped his tea in silence, evidently giving his tacit approval.

Yan Su felt a weight lift from her shoulders and a joy that she couldn’t fully express filled her heart.

...

At nine o’clock in the evening.

Han Zibin locked up the shop and started walking towards the bus station with two colleagues.

"Hey, isn’t that Second Miss’s car?"

Yan Su often dined at Shenji and was close with the owner Shen Mingzhu, so the Shenji staff affectionately referred to her as ’Second Miss.’

Spotting the champagne-colored Bentley parked across the street, Han Zibin couldn’t contain his surprise.

Considering that Yan Su didn’t like their relationship to be public, he suppressed the elation in his heart, making the excuse that he had left his house keys in the shop, and asked his colleagues to go on ahead without him.

Before he could finish his sentence, the window of the Bentley rolled down.

"Ah Bin."

A soft, gentle call drew astonished stares from his colleagues towards Han Zibin.

Han Zibin was equally at a loss.

Although he wanted everyone to know about his relationship with Yan Su, he was also afraid she wouldn’t be pleased.

"Ah Bin, get in the car."

"I’m off now. You two get home safely," he said.

As they watched Han Zibin step into the Bentley and drive away, the two Shenji employees were as excited as if they had uncovered a new world.