Jiang Qiuyue watched the Lin family like they were her personal entertainment. In this era, there weren’t even radios—once it got dark, people just slept. But since she’d slept all day, if she didn’t move around a bit, she’d be up all night.  

“That cured meat was for Xiaoxiao!” Wang Chunhua gasped for breath, suddenly standing up and lunging at Jiang Qiuyue. But Jiang Qiuyue shrieked and dashed into the yard.  

“Mom, don’t hit me! I was just following the village chief’s orders—eating whatever’s available at home!” Jiang Qiuyue, still full from her meal, had plenty of energy to shout. “If you hit me again, I’ll go straight to the village chief!”  

Wang Chunhua’s vision went black, and she fainted from sheer rage.  

“Mom!” Lin Erzhu and his brothers shouted in unison, pinching Wang Chunhua’s philtrum to revive her. After a moment, she woke up, her face pale.  

Jiang Qiuyue pretended to be concerned and went over to check. “Mom, what’s wrong? In the six years I’ve been married into this family, this is the first time I’ve had meat. Are you really that unwilling to let me eat any?”  

“I’m so upset.” She turned to Lin Fugui. “Dad, see? Mom doesn’t treat me like family at all. Let’s just split the household. That way, I won’t be in Mom’s way anymore.”  

Lin Fugui’s head was spinning. In the past, he’d turned a blind eye to his wife bossing Jiang Qiuyue around. To him, the eldest son’s family wasn’t even his blood—no matter how much work Jiang Qiuyue did, he didn’t care.  

After all, he’d given his eldest son food and shelter—the son owed him.  

But now, hearing Jiang Qiuyue mention splitting the household, Lin Fugui immediately snapped, “Nonsense! Your mother and I are still alive—what do you mean, split the household?”  

The entire family’s current lifestyle depended on Jiang Qiuyue’s monthly contribution of twenty yuan. If they really split, would she still give him that much?  

“If we don’t split, Mom will keep treating me like an outsider. So, Dad, what do you suggest?” Jiang Qiuyue’s voice quivered slightly—she had to sound pitiful to stay in character.  

Lin Erzhu and his brothers had already helped Wang Chunhua up. Lin Fugui glanced at his wife, then at Jiang Qiuyue. For the sake of twenty yuan, he swallowed his anger. “From now on, the second daughter-in-law will share the housework with you. How’s that?”  

“No. I’ve done it alone for six years. To be fair, the next six years should be *her* turn. After that, we’ll split the work.”  

Jiang Qiuyue had no intention of doing any more work for the Lin family. In six years, she’d have saved enough money—who’d still be living here? “If you disagree, let’s ask the village chief to judge. Let’s see which family is *this* unfair.”  

Qian Li immediately protested. “There are so many people in this house—how can I manage all the work alone?”  

“If *I* could do it, why can’t *you*?” Jiang Qiuyue retorted. “Or are you saying you’re not as capable as me?”  

“I—!” Qian Li gritted her teeth, unable to argue back. She turned to her husband. “Erzhu, I really can’t handle that much work. I still have to take care of Dabao!”

Lin Erzhu, protective of his wife, scowled at Jiang Qiuyue. “Eldest sister-in-law, are you just planning to laze around at home while doing nothing?”  

“What do you mean, ‘laze around’? I take care of Beibei and Nannan—two kids—while your wife only has Dabao. Fine, let’s compromise. From now on, I’ll handle everything in my own room. No need for your wife’s help.”  

It wasn’t that she *wanted* to spare Qian Li the work—she just didn’t trust her. If Qian Li started spitting in her food every day, there’d be no way to guard against it. Besides, Qian Li was a terrible cook. Better to set up her own kitchen.  

“Second sister-in-law, isn’t that considerate enough? Don’t tell me you’re unwilling to even wash Mom and Dad’s clothes—such a small task?”  

Of course, Qian Li didn’t want to do it. After a day of backbreaking labor in the fields, she’d have to wash clothes for her in-laws and brother-in-law, leaving her no time to rest.  

But just as she was about to protest, Jiang Qiuyue brought up the village chief again. Furious, Qian Li snapped, “You keep running to the village chief for everything. What, is he your relative or something?”  

“Because the village chief *told* me to come to him if I have any issues. And don’t forget, Second sister-in-law—I’m a military wife. Mistreating a military wife is a crime punishable by jail time.” Jiang Qiuyue flashed her a smile before turning to Lin Fugui. “Dad, what do you think?”  

Lin Fugui wanted to refuse, but if this mess reached the village chief again, the Lin family would lose all face.  

*Truly, the quiet ones are the most dangerous.* He’d always thought Jiang Qiuyue was obedient—who knew she’d turn out like this?  

“Fine. From now on, we’ll do it this way.” Lin Fugui couldn’t bear to lose that twenty yuan. There was no way he’d agree to split the household.  

“Thank you, Dad!” Jiang Qiuyue beamed. “You’re so reasonable. Second sister-in-law, the housework will be your responsibility from now on. Enjoy your meal—I’ll take the kids for a walk.”  

She’d eaten too much—needed to walk it off.  

Qian Li glared daggers at Jiang Qiuyue, wishing she could bore holes into her with her eyes. But since the old man had spoken, the matter was settled.  

Throughout dinner, she refused to even glance at her husband. *Useless man. Just watches me get bullied.*  

Lin Fugui observed the family’s reactions coldly. “I know you’re all unhappy with Jiang Qiuyue, but the eldest son sends his money to *her*. Only she can sign for the remittance. From now on, don’t provoke her. Without that twenty yuan, we’ll all be starving!”  

With the patriarch’s decree, none of the younger generation dared argue. Wang Chunhua, however, couldn’t swallow her anger. “So we just let her walk all over us?”  

“You’ve lived decades longer than her—if you can’t figure out how to handle her, then you deserve the suffering!” Lin Fugui snapped. “If you hadn’t run your mouth so much, would she have turned against us?”  

“Eat! One more word, and you’re skipping dinner!”  

Tears welled up in Wang Chunhua’s eyes. After decades of marriage, her husband wouldn’t even spare her dignity. She pushed her bowl away and stormed off.  

The Lin family finished their meal in gloomy silence.  

Meanwhile, Jiang Qiuyue took the kids for a stroll around the neighborhood, returning home before dark.  

After washing their feet, they all climbed into bed.  

Early the next morning, Jiang Qiuyue took her carefully written letter and identification documents to the town post office—to collect her money.