Chapter 12

Their shouting was clearly useless against Gu Zhenqi! Her movements didn’t pause for a second. With a loud splash, Chen Yue, who had lost her balance, fell headfirst into the slop bucket.

Gu Zhenqi swiftly dodged to the side. Not a single drop of the slop touched her, but Chen Chun and Chen Hua—who had rushed forward—ended up splattered, their faces and clothes soaked.

Gu Zhenqi had already calculated everything in advance, including when Chen Chun and Chen Hua would struggle. She had secretly signaled Ge Yun and Fan Chun, who then let go of Chen Chun and Chen Hua accordingly.

Over time, the three sisters-in-law had become increasingly harmonious. That tacit understanding in the form of a glance had clearly developed!

Ruiduo and Fei’an quickly ran to their mother’s side. Seeing the sorry state of Chen Yue, Chen Chun, and Chen Hua, Ruiduo couldn’t help clapping her little hands and cheering nonstop:
“Mommy, you’re amazing! Mommy, you’re the best!”

She kept repeating those words in her happiest, cutest voice, praising Gu Zhenqi.

Fei’an came closer and tugged gently at Gu Zhenqi’s sleeve. With a serious expression but a childish voice, he gave her a thumbs-up:
“Mommy is the best!”

Compared to his sister’s loud praise, Fei’an was much more reserved.

Ge Yun and Fan Chun, watching the two little ones constantly praise their mother, laughed and echoed together:
“Yes, yes, your mom is the best!”

Gu Zhenqi looked at them and earnestly replied,
“Thank you.”

Her sincerity made Ge Yun feel awkward.
“Oh, what’s there to thank me for? We’re family—no need for formalities. Besides, I’ve long been fed up with them. I just never dared to say anything because of the family ties. I’ve held back too long!”

Fan Chun added, with a bitter and slightly ashamed expression:
“If not for you, we’d never have had the courage. Those three sisters aren’t easy to deal with—they act like tyrants at home!”

“Yes, but we’re family. As long as we work together, we can teach them a painful lesson so they won’t dare come leeching off us every few days again.”

The words “we’re family” struck a deep chord in Gu Zhenqi. In this life, she would treasure and protect those words more than ever.

Just as Chen Yue was pulled from the slop bucket by Chen Chun and Chen Hua, she furiously ran to the wall, grabbed a stick as thick as a child’s arm, and swung it at Gu Zhenqi.

Covered in the stench of spoiled slop, Chen Chun and Chen Hua were already fuming. Seeing Gu Zhenqi’s fearless posture, their anger exploded. Following Chen Yue’s example, they each grabbed a stick and charged at her.

Seeing this, Ge Yun and Fan Chun were terrified. They wanted to help Gu Zhenqi dodge but found themselves frozen, unable to move.

Gu Zhenqi gently patted her children’s heads and softly instructed:
“Ruiduo, Fei’an, go back inside and lock the door. Once mommy finishes with them, I’ll come find you.”

The children looked at their mom, then at the enraged aunts rushing over. Without hesitation, they clenched their fists and showed determined expressions, as if ready to die for their mother.

Gu Zhenqi broke into a cold sweat at the sight of her children’s bravery. Seeing the sticks about to strike, she reacted swiftly, pushing the children toward Ge Yun and Fan Chun.
“Big sis, second sis, take the kids inside! Leave them to me. Don’t worry—they’re no match for me.”

To ease their concern, she emphasized that last sentence.

With the children safe, Gu Zhenqi could now act without worry. As Chen Yue rushed in front, she kicked her hard in the stomach. Just as Chen Yue was flying back, Gu Zhenqi swiftly snatched the stick from her hand.

With a loud bang, Chen Yue crashed into the slop bucket. The impact was so strong that the entire thing toppled over, spilling its disgusting, foul contents all over her.

Caught off guard, she opened her mouth to cry out and ended up swallowing several mouthfuls of the sour, rancid mess, coughing violently.

Gu Zhenqi showed no sympathy for her misery, glancing at her coldly.

She was the kind of person who, if shown respect, would return it generously. But if someone dared to cross the line, she would show no mercy—no sentiment, no compromise.

Chen Chun and Chen Hua watched in shock as their sister was beaten yet again. Furious, they swung their sticks at Gu Zhenqi—but they didn’t even touch a hair on her head. Instead, sharp pain shot through their stomachs.

In the next moment, their bodies were lifted off the ground and flung toward the spilled slop.

Thud, thud! Two loud crashes, and Chen Chun and Chen Hua landed on either side of Chen Yue, like two defeated bodyguards.

Gu Zhenqi was very satisfied with the outcome—grouping them together made cleanup much easier!

She slowly walked toward the trio, step by step.

Chen Yue, now thoroughly beaten and humiliated, began to tremble in fear. She scooted back and cried,
“No, no—don’t come any closer, you devil! Stay away from me!”

But Gu Zhenqi didn’t stop. She continued walking forward, staring at them with a half-smile.

Something about her expression gave the sisters chills. A deep unease crept into their hearts.

This wasn’t the same Gu Zhenqi they remembered—the loud, arrogant one who never fought back and never stopped them from taking things from their parents’ home. No, this woman was completely different.

A wild and absurd thought began to take root in their slow-witted minds:
Gu Zhenqi… had been possessed by a ghost!

They exchanged glances and, from each other’s eyes, confirmed they were thinking the exact same thing.

The fear in their hearts grew even stronger. Their faces filled with terror.

“Y-you… don’t come any closer!”
They stuttered in unison.

Gu Zhenqi chuckled coldly.
“Afraid of me? That scared? What—am I…”

She stopped just a step away from them, towering over them, clearly amused by their frightened faces.

“Well, isn’t this a rare sight? You used to act like mountain bandits every time you came, loading up carts like the world owed you everything.”

“What’s wrong? Suddenly scared? Scared of what? I’m really curious—tell me. Maybe if I’m feeling generous, I’ll let you go.”

She suddenly paused, then narrowed her eyes coldly and asked:
“So? What do you think of my offer?”