Transmigration: Becoming the Wicked Stepmother of Four Children

Chapter 5 A Good Beginning

Qin Xiulian saw that Liu Cuihua knew she had made a mistake.

He immediately put on a fawning smile and said to the village chief, "Village chief,

You see, Cuihua knows she was wrong, so let's let it go this time.

We're from the same village, we see each other all the time.

Please be lenient and don't hold it against her.

Besides, she was just confused for a moment.

They took the wrong path because they wanted to get medical treatment for their third son.

I will definitely discipline her properly from now on and promise that this will never happen again.

The village chief frowned and said seriously, "Qin Xiulian, this is no small matter!"

Selling children is illegal and goes against morality and conscience.

If it weren't for the fact that she admitted her mistake, I definitely wouldn't have let her off so easily.

"I'll let it go this time, but if your family causes anything like this again, I will not tolerate it!"

Qin Xiulian nodded repeatedly and said, "Yes, yes, village chief, you are right."

We really owe you a lot this time, otherwise our house would have been in complete chaos.

We will definitely be more careful in the future and won't cause any more trouble for the village.

The village chief glanced at her, then at Liu Cuihua and Lu Qingqing.

He said, "Alright, since that's the case, let's call it a day."

But you all need to remember this: have a conscience.

"We mustn't do those wicked and immoral things!" Having said that,

The village chief turned and left.

Qin Xiulian breathed a sigh of relief, glared at Liu Cuihua, and said, "Hurry up and go back inside!"

"Don't cause me any more trouble!" Liu Cuihua slunk into the house.

The onlookers were buzzing with discussion, some saying that Lu Qingqing had changed for the better this time.

Some say that it was Liu Cuihua who deliberately ruined Lu Qingqing's reputation.

"I think Lu Qingqing seems to have really changed her personality."

"They've become much more attentive to their children." An older woman said, shaking her head.

"Who can argue with that? Maybe Liu Cuihua really did smear their reputation before."

Liu Cuihua was usually sharp-tongued and mean-spirited.

"You never know, they might actually do something like that." Another old man chimed in.

"But it's hard to say, Lu Qingqing wasn't exactly great before."

"Who knows how long this will last?" A young wife pouted.

"Well, no matter what, this is their family matter."

We're just here to watch the show.

Hopefully, their family will behave themselves in the future.

"Stop making such a ruckus all the time," an old man sighed.

The crowd chatted amongst themselves as they slowly dispersed.

Lu Qingqing overheard these discussions from inside the house.

I felt relatively calm, after all, my predecessor really wasn't much of a figure.

It might take some time to clear his name.

However, today is already a very good start.

Meanwhile, Liu Cuihua, in another room, overheard the accusations that she had deliberately ruined Lu Qingqing's reputation.

He was so angry he was gritting his teeth, but he couldn't vent his anger.

There's still a long way to go; let's see how she deals with Lu Qingqing.

The onlookers gradually left, and the courtyard finally quieted down.

Qin Xiulian, her face dark, shouted at Lu Qingqing, "What are you all standing there for? Go cook!"

The whole family has been busy all day, and they're all hungry!

Lu Qingqing responded and hurried to the kitchen.

But when they got to the kitchen, they realized the cupboards were locked, and without ingredients, they couldn't cook at all.

She had no choice but to walk up to Liu Cuihua and say, "Sister-in-law,"

Could you please give me the key to the kitchen cabinet?

Liu Cuihua rolled her eyes at her and said sarcastically, "Oh,

I can't just give this key to anyone; what if you ruin the food again?

Lu Qingqing said anxiously, "Sister-in-law, I really have to cook. Everyone is waiting to eat."

Liu Cuihua snorted and ignored her.

Helpless, Lu Qingqing could only go back to find Qin Xiulian.

Upon hearing this, Qin Xiulian immediately cursed, "You useless thing!"

I can't even get a key back! All I do all day is cause me trouble!

After she finished cursing, she turned and walked towards Liu Cuihua, saying, "Cuihua, give me the key!"

Liu Cuihua reluctantly took out the key and handed it to Qin Xiulian.

He muttered to himself, "Mom, I'm just worried about the food going to waste."

Qin Xiulian glared at her and opened the cabinet in an annoyed manner.

He only took out a small amount of food and threw it to Lu Qingqing.

He said, "That's all. Do what you think is best!"

Lu Qingqing looked at the pitifully small amount of food.

I rolled my eyes inwardly, but I just silently started preparing the meal.

The adorable Shuang'er peeked through the doorframe, and Lu Qingqing asked gently, "Shuang'er,

Why are you in the kitchen? Mother needs to cook. Shuang'er, go play with your brother!

Shuang'er skipped and hopped into the kitchen, saying in her childish voice, "I'll help Mom!"

Lu Qingqing looked at the obedient Shuang'er, a gentle smile appearing on her face.

She said, "Shuang'er is so good, but it's dirty here, so don't get your clothes dirty."

Shuang'er blinked her big eyes and said stubbornly, "Mother, I can help. I'll add firewood for you."

Lu Qingqing patted Shuang'er's head and said, "Alright then, we'll just have to trouble Shuang'er."

Shuang'er smiled happily and asked, "Mother, will we be able to eat our fill today?"

Lu Qingqing felt a pang of sadness and said, "Shuang'er, don't worry."

Mother will find a way to make sure everyone has enough to eat.

Shuang'er nodded and said, "I like my mother now."

They didn't hit or scold Shuang'er, and even fed her.

"Mom, please don't change back to your old self, okay?"

Lu Qingqing looked at Shuang'er's adorable little face,

She replied with heartache, "Shuang'er, it was Mother's fault before."

"From now on, your mother will always treat you well and will never let you suffer again."

Shuang'er leaned against Lu Qingqing and said, "Mother, I believe in you."

The mother and daughter chatted as they busied themselves in the simple kitchen.

Although it was difficult, this moment was filled with warmth.

Er Mao was playing at the kitchen door when he overheard Lu Qingqing and Shuang'er's conversation.

A look of surprise appeared on his face, then he turned and ran back to his room.

Inside the room, Stone sat solemnly on the edge of the bed.

Sanmao was fiddling with a small wooden stick nearby.

Er Mao came running in, panting, and said excitedly, "Big brother, San Mao!"

I just overheard my stepmother and Shuang'er talking in the kitchen.

Stone frowned and asked, "What did they say?"

Er Mao swallowed hard and said, "My stepmother said she would always be good to us."

They said they wouldn't let us suffer, and they'd find a way to make sure everyone had enough to eat.

Sanmao opened her eyes wide and said in disbelief:

"Really? This stepmother has really changed for the better?"

Er Mao nodded vigorously and said, "I heard it clearly, there's no mistake."

I think my stepmother has really changed for the better this time.

Stone still didn't believe it and said, "Have you forgotten how she hit us before?"

Who knows if she's faking it?

Er Mao hurriedly said, "Brother, I don't think so. The stepmother's tone was very sincere."

Sanmao also came over and said, "Big brother, why don't we trust Mom one more time?"

Stone hesitated for a moment and said, "Let's see first."

If we find out she's faking it, we'll all ignore her from now on.

Er Mao and San Mao nodded in agreement; they would listen to Brother Shi Tou.

Lu Qingqing frowned as she looked at the meager amount of ingredients in front of her.

But she quickly composed herself and started cooking.

She carefully scooped out some of the flour.

Add water and stir slowly to form a batter.

Then I chopped up the few wild vegetables I had left and put them into the batter, adding some salt for seasoning.

Lu Qingqing skillfully started a fire.

Pour the batter into the pan little by little and spread it gently into a thin pancake.

Soon, a faint aroma wafted from the kitchen.

Lu Qingqing pinched off a small piece and put it into Shuang'er's mouth, placing her index finger near her lips.

He gestured for Shuang'er to be quiet. Shuang'er was very happy to have eaten the pancake.

She then cooked the remaining ingredients into a pot of thin porridge.

Before long, Lu Qingqing had prepared a simple meal with the limited ingredients.

A few thin pancakes and a pot of thin porridge—it wasn't a lavish meal.

But it was also the result of her best efforts.

Lu Qingqing wiped the sweat from her forehead.

Looking at the food I had made, I sighed inwardly.

Indeed, life in ancient times was far more backward.