Born in the 1980s, she was remarried and became a stepmother; a cold, rough man doted on her, pinchi

After the New Year, the start of the junior high school term was fast approaching.

The winter sun, like a soft veil, shines through the thin clouds, scattering its light across every corner, draping this usually peaceful and serene place in a dreamlike golden glow.

Jiang Man and Qin Yishen walked side by side, with Shi An and Shi Ning chirping like two cheerful little birds beside them as they headed toward the town's largest shopping mall.

This trip was to buy new clothes for the brother and sister who are about to enter junior high school. At this special time, each new piece of clothing seems to carry beautiful expectations for the future.

Shi An has grown taller recently, his posture becoming increasingly upright, like a thriving young poplar.
His eyes revealed curiosity and longing for the unknown junior high school life; it was a yearning for growth and exploration.

Shi Ning, with her hair tied in a high ponytail and her bright eyes sparkling like stars in the night sky, said expectantly, "Brother, I heard there are a lot of interesting clubs in junior high school. I really want to join the dance club and dance gracefully on the stage."

Shi An smiled and nodded, a slight upturn at the corners of his mouth. "I'm more interested in the basketball club. Maybe I can even make it onto the school team, sweat it out on the court, and be as cool as those basketball stars."

Jiang Man and Qin Yishen followed quietly behind, their eyes always following the children's figures, their eyes filled with joy and emotion.

"Time flies! It seems like just yesterday they were starting junior high."

Jiang Man sighed softly, a hint of reluctance in her eyes. After all, every step of a child's growth meant drifting further and further away from her.

Qin Yishen nodded slightly, a gentle yet firm smile on his face: "Yes, this means they have grown up a step further, and we must help them embark on their new journey looking beautiful and full of confidence."

Before long, the group arrived at the mall.

Inside the mall, a dazzling array of shops were arranged in a well-organized manner, like a treasure palace full of surprises. They entered a youth clothing store, and the scene inside instantly caught Shi An and Shi Ning's attention.

All kinds of clothes hung on the hangers, with fashionable styles and bright colors intertwined, creating a visual feast.

Shi Ning, like a joyful butterfly, flew straight to the women's clothing section. Her gaze was quickly drawn to a pink dress, adorned with delicate lace trim, like a flower blooming in spring. The skirt was light and flowing, as if it could dance gracefully with the slightest breeze.

Excitedly, she picked up the dress and rushed into the fitting room. A moment later, Shi Ning emerged wearing her new dress, looking like a little princess straight out of a fairy tale.

She twirled gently, her skirt billowing out gracefully like a flower, a pure smile on her face: "Mom, Dad, what do you think?"

Jiang Man's eyes were full of admiration, and she couldn't help but say, "Baby, it looks so good. This dress is simply tailor-made for you, it suits you perfectly."

Qin Yishen smiled and nodded in praise: "Our Ning'er looks as beautiful and charming as a little princess in a fairy tale when she wears this dress."

Upon hearing this, Shi Ning's cheeks flushed slightly, like the sunset on the horizon, and she laughed happily, her laughter echoing in the shop like silver bells.

Meanwhile, Shi An was carefully selecting items in the men's clothing section. His gaze was drawn to a dark blue tracksuit; the slim fit perfectly showcased his tall and upright figure, and the simple white lines on the clothes not only added a touch of fashion but also revealed a low-key vitality.

After putting it on, Shi An moved around in front of the mirror and felt very comfortable. She said with satisfaction, "These clothes are very comfortable to wear. I'll definitely be able to play basketball without any problems. Running and jumping will be very comfortable."

Jiang Man and Qin Yishen walked over. Jiang Man carefully straightened Shi An's collar and said with love in her eyes, "Hmm, handsome and energetic. Let's buy this outfit. Your classmates will definitely envy you if you wear it to school." However, Shi An didn't seem satisfied. His gaze was inadvertently drawn to a black leather jacket in the corner.

The leather jacket had a novel and unique design, a soft and glossy texture, and exuded a cool and unrestrained vibe, as if it had an invisible magic that captivated Shi An's heart.

Shi An walked over slowly, reaching out to gently stroke the leather jacket, her eyes filled with undisguised delight. "Dad, Mom, can I try this on?"

He looked up, his eyes filled with anticipation. Jiang Man and Qin Yishen exchanged a glance, seeing understanding and acceptance in each other's eyes, and nodded with smiles.

Shi An quickly put on his leather jacket, and instantly, his demeanor seemed to undergo a subtle change. He exuded a powerful aura, as if he had become a mature young adult.

"Wow, bro, you look so cool in that! You look like a superstar."

Shi Ning couldn't help but exclaim in amazement.

Although Jiang Man felt that the clothes were a bit too mature for Shi An, seeing the love in her son's eyes, she patiently said, "They are indeed quite nice, but you are still young. When you grow up, you will look more stylish in them and be able to show off the charm of the clothes."

Upon hearing this, Shi An felt a little disappointed, but she still nodded sensibly and gently put the leather jacket back in its place, her eyes still filled with a trace of longing.

Next, they went to the shoe section. The shoe racks were filled with all kinds of shoes, in various styles, which was dazzling.

Shi Ning's gaze was drawn to a pair of white sneakers decorated with pink bows on the uppers, which were both cute and energetic, as if they were a carefully prepared gift for her.

After trying them on, she walked back and forth in front of the mirror and felt that they fit perfectly. She happily said, "These are the ones! They're very comfortable and beautiful."

Shi An chose a pair of cool basketball shoes. The high-top design effectively protects the ankles, and the bright colors and unique patterns make him love them.

After putting them on, he jumped around a few times to feel the elasticity and comfort of the shoes, and said with satisfaction, "These shoes will definitely be great for playing basketball, and the grip is also very good."

During the process of choosing clothes, Jiang Man and Qin Yishen not only paid attention to the style, but also carefully checked the quality of the clothes.

Jiang Man picked up a piece of clothing and examined it carefully, turning it over and over to check if the seams were neat and fine, if the fabric was soft and comfortable, and if there was any irritating odor.

"When buying clothes, you can't just look at the appearance. Good quality clothes are comfortable to wear and good for your health."

As she inspected the clothes, she earnestly spoke to the children. Qin Yishen also offered her advice, providing reasonable suggestions based on her own experience, and reminding the children to pay attention to the practicality and durability of the clothing.

As noon approached, the warm sunshine grew stronger, feeling pleasantly cozy on the skin. Several people, carrying large and small bags, walked out of the mall, their hands full of purchases.

Shi An and Shi Ning excitedly discussed their plans for the new semester all the way, their words filled with longing and enthusiasm for junior high school life.

"Brother, I want to study hard and strive for good grades in every exam. I also want to participate in various activities to become a better version of myself." (End of Chapter)