Looking at her two children sitting before her, and thinking of Qingsong lying in the room, Qian Chunhua’s gaze turned icy.

Her eyes swept to the main table where Zhao Yongqiang’s family were gorging on food, and her expression was full of hatred.

When Li Cuihong sensed that hostility and instinctively looked over, Qian Chunhua quickly turned away.

It wasn’t time to alarm the snake in the grass—yet.

“Father, Mother—”

The door to the hall was suddenly pushed open.

Zhao Yongwen’s voice rang from outside.

He and his wife Sun Meiping had returned, bringing two boxes of pastries.

Zhao Yongqiang and Zhao Yongwen exchanged a glance, and—very much in sync—nodded silently, then looked away from each other as if nothing had passed between them.

Li Cuihong eagerly stood to receive them, taking the pastries with both hands and enthusiastically ushering the third couple to sit at the main table, bustling around to pour them water and settle them in.

Qian Chunhua watched coldly.

Looks like the eldest had gone to the county today to coordinate everything with the third.

Tonight, they’re planning to make their move.

Perfect.

She had worried the crowd might be too small—now things could get loud and ugly.

After Qian Chunhua’s children finished eating, she asked Xiaoling to take her younger brother back to their room.

A storm was coming, and she didn’t want the kids to be scared.

After dinner, Li Cuihong unusually volunteered to help Zhao Mother clear the dishes—something Qian Chunhua used to do.

But she now sat still, unmoved.

She wasn’t going to play the thankless fool like the original host had.

Zhao Yongqiang turned toward Zhao Daqing, waiting for his father to step in for him.

Qian Chunhua sneered.

Zhao Yongqiang was always like this—hiding behind others: behind his parents, behind his wife.

Yet somehow, the whole village thought he was an honest, mild-mannered man who never fought for anything.

But she could now see the truth: he was a venomous snake, hiding in the shadows, pushing his family members to commit evil on his behalf.

Zhao Daqing spoke up: “Since the third is back, it’s a good time.”

He glanced at Qian Chunhua.

She appeared calm, as she returned to the main table from her small table.

Zhao Qingyun, Qingshui, and Xiaojian stood to leave.

“Zhao Qingyun, you stay. What we’re discussing tonight concerns you,” Zhao Yongqiang said.

Qian Chunhua looked at Qingyun, who appeared sheepish and avoided her eyes.

She didn’t engage him, only shifted her gaze aside indifferently.

Zhao Mother and Li Cuihong, having cleared the table, returned to sit.

Zhao Daqing announced, “Tonight, we’ll discuss two matters. First, having Qingyun adopted into Yongqiang’s household. Second, the division of the family estate.”

He spoke decisively.

Since he had decided to rely on the eldest from now on, there was no room for doubt—his support had to be unwavering.

Only Zhao Mother’s eyes dimmed, and she lowered her head, lost in thought.

Zhao Yongwen said, “The adoption hinges on Second Sister-in-law’s decision. As for dividing the family, I agree.”

Zhao Yongqiang nodded with a smile and added, “I agree with both matters.”

Then the two brothers looked toward Qian Chunhua.

Given her opposition the night before, they expected a fight—maybe even a bigger one this time.

They were already prepared with their countermeasures.

To their surprise, Qian Chunhua said calmly, “I agree too.”

Her words stunned everyone at the table.

What they thought would take great effort had just been handed over freely.

Zhao Yongqiang and Li Cuihong exchanged a look of disbelief.

Zhao Yongqiang hurriedly said, “Wen, please write the adoption document.”

Zhao Yongwen replied, “Glad to serve, Brother.”

Zhao Qingyun stared at Qian Chunhua in disbelief.

He couldn’t detect any change in her expression, but a strange sorrow welled up in his chest.

Wasn’t I her precious child?

How could she give me away so easily?

He pressed his lips together and lowered his head.

He had already made peace with it.

Let them adopt me, then.

Qian Chunhua saw through it.

From his expression, Qingyun may already know the truth.

The eldest family’s scheming was even more despicable than she imagined.

As Zhao Yongwen began to write, Qian Chunhua suddenly spoke: “Shouldn’t an adoption be witnessed by the clan elder and the village chief?”

Zhao Daqing said, “It’s late now. We’ll get them tomorrow—just for formality.”

But Zhao Yongqiang’s eyes lit up. “No need. It’s still early. I’ll go invite them now.”

Before Zhao Daqing could object, he rushed out of the courtyard.

He was afraid that Qian Chunhua would come to her senses overnight and regret agreeing.

So much could happen in one night—best to seal the deal now, while the ‘foolish woman’ was still confused.

To be fair, Zhao Yongqiang was efficient.

While Zhao Yongwen was still writing, the village chief Wang Hengjiu and clan elder Zhao Chongzhong arrived.

They weren’t alone—a crowd of villagers from Huanghualing came along to see the commotion.

They followed the village chief into the courtyard and stood outside the hall.

Zhao Chongzhong was 58, a generation older than Zhao Daqing, who called him second uncle.

The younger Zhao brothers called him second grandfather.

Village Chief Wang was 53 and had served for over ten years.

“Chief Wang, Second Grandpa, please come in!”

Zhao Daqing rose to welcome them.

The younger family members called out their greetings in unison.

Though Qian Chunhua despised the Zhao family, she still respected these two elders.

Tonight, she needed their presence to ensure justice.

Since she couldn’t go through official courts, she would rely on clan rules and village gossip to achieve her aim.

Seeing the two elders, she stood and greeted, “Chief Wang, Second Grandpa.”

Zhao Daqing offered his seat to the elders.

Chief Wang and Clan Elder Zhao took the head seats.

Zhao Daqing and his wife sat where Zhao Yongqiang had been. Yongqiang and Yongwen sat across from Chief Wang.

No one took Qian Chunhua’s spot, so she sat back down.

Tonight, she was the representative of the second household.

Li Cuihong glanced around, saw no room at the main table, and refused to sit beside Qian Chunhua.

She settled at the side table, near Zhao Qingyun and Qingshui.

Zhao Yongwen’s wife, Sun Meiping, took the seat next to Qian Chunhua.

Once everyone was seated, Chief Wang turned to Qian Chunhua. “Chunhua, Yongqiang says you want to have Qingyun adopted into their household?”

Chief Wang thought Chunhua must have lost her mind.

Right now, all of Second Brother’s family’s hope lay in Qingyun. How could she give away such a promising child?

He had watched Zhao Yongcai grow up.

Now seeing his family fall apart after his death, he couldn’t bear it.

The reason he’d come so quickly tonight was to try and persuade her—maybe she’d come to her senses.

Qingyun was almost grown.

Just a few more years and everything would turn around.

Otherwise, what future would the second household have?

Would generation after generation be doomed to toil in the fields?

Clan Elder Zhao echoed the sentiment. “Yongcai’s wife, are you sure about this? Why not think it over again?”

Their words warmed Qian Chunhua’s heart.

So there are still good people in this village.

Zhao Yongcai and the original host hadn’t lived in vain.