The next morning, Kelly woke before dawn.
The encounter with the reborn female lead lingered in her mind.
But she pushed those thoughts aside.
The New Year was approaching.
And when she looked at the three children, her heart ached.
Lu Cheng's coat had patches sewn over older patches.
Lu Tuan's sleeves barely reached his wrists.
Little Lu Chuan's jacket was so worn that cold wind slipped through the holes.
The children never complained.
They had long ago learned not to ask for anything.
But Kelly couldn't pretend not to see it.
Not anymore.
After breakfast, she made up her mind.
Today, she would go to the village captain.
She needed an introduction letter to travel to town.
The children deserved proper clothes for the New Year.
When Kelly arrived at the captain's house, several villagers were gathered outside.
The moment they saw her, the conversations stopped.
Everyone stared.
Kelly ignored them and knocked on the door.
Soon, the village captain stepped out.
His brows rose in surprise.
"Kelly?"
In the past, she rarely visited unless there was trouble.
"What brings you here?"
Kelly spoke politely.
"Captain, I'd like to apply for an introduction letter."
The old man blinked.
"An introduction letter?"
"Yes."
"What for?"
Kelly answered honestly.
"I want to go to town and buy New Year clothes for the children."
Silence.
The entire courtyard became quiet.
Several villagers looked at one another in disbelief.
Buy clothes?
For the children?
Kelly?
The notorious stepmother?
The captain studied her carefully.
Trying to find some hidden motive.
But he found none.
Only sincerity.
"You want to spend money on those boys?"
Kelly frowned.
"They're my children."
The words were simple.
Yet everyone present froze.
Even the captain's expression softened.
After a long moment, he nodded.
"Wait here."
A few minutes later, he returned carrying the necessary paperwork.
As he handed over the letter, he said quietly:
"Your husband would have been happy to see this."
Kelly froze.
A strange ache spread through her chest.
Then she accepted the letter.
"Thank you, Captain."
The old man nodded.
For the first time, he looked at her not with suspicion—
but with approval.
Kelly left shortly afterward.
The winter wind felt a little less cold.
When she returned home, the three children were waiting in the courtyard.
Lu Chuan immediately ran toward her.
"Stepmother!"
Kelly smiled.
"What is it?"
The little boy looked up eagerly.
"Did you bring food?"
Kelly laughed softly.
"No."
Lu Chuan's face immediately fell.
The sight was so adorable that even Lu Tuan couldn't hide a smile.
Kelly gently patted his head.
"But I brought something better."
The children blinked.
Kelly held up the introduction letter.
"We're going to town tomorrow."
All three boys froze.
"Town?" Lu Tuan asked.
Kelly nodded.
"We're buying New Year clothes."
Silence.
The children stared at her.
As though they couldn't understand the words.
Then Lu Chuan whispered:
"New... clothes?"
His voice trembled.
Kelly's heart tightened.
The boy looked as though she had promised him the moon.
"We can really have new clothes?" he asked.
Kelly smiled.
"Of course."
Lu Chuan's eyes immediately turned red.
He quickly lowered his head.
Trying not to cry.
Beside him, Lu Tuan looked equally stunned.
Only Lu Cheng remained silent.
After a long moment, he quietly said:
"Stepmother..."
Kelly looked at him.
The eldest boy clenched his fists.
"We can wear the old ones."
The courtyard became silent.
Kelly's chest ached.
Because she understood.
He wasn't refusing.
He was trying to save money.
Trying to lessen her burden.
Trying to be the adult when he was still just a child.
Kelly walked over and gently straightened his worn collar.
"No."
Lu Cheng froze.
"You deserve new clothes too."
For a moment, the boy couldn't speak.
Then he quickly looked away.
But Kelly noticed the redness in his eyes.
The first crack had appeared.
Not in fear.
But in the walls around his heart.
At that moment—
a familiar voice suddenly came from outside the gate.
"Comrade Kelly."
The warmth vanished instantly.
Kelly's smile faded.
The children stiffened.
Slowly, she turned.
Standing outside the gate was the reborn female lead.
Smiling.
Watching.
Waiting.
Her gaze swept across the children before returning to Kelly.
Then she said calmly:
"I heard you're going to town tomorrow."
The system exploded inside Kelly's mind.
[WARNING]
[FATE OVERLAP DETECTED]
[THE THIEF'S CHOSEN PIECE HAS LOCKED ONTO THE HOST]
The woman's smile deepened.
"What a coincidence."
A chill ran down Kelly's spine.
Because she knew—
this trip to town would be anything but ordinary.