“Don’t be angry, Grandma. Let her cause a scene; just ignore her. Everyone knows her true intentions. By the way, Grandpa, is there no one in the village selling houses? Maybe you should consider moving to a different place,” Wang Zhenhe suggested.

Zhang Wanyou shook his head, “Who would sell their house at a time like this? Let’s make do for now and wait for your younger uncle to return.”

However, the news brought by Wang Zhenhe had a humorous twist. When Ma Fenqing took his son to visit his maternal family, Zhu Qiyu ended up having a big confrontation with her son and daughter-in-law.

The Wang siblings found this situation amusing. They hadn’t realized Zhu Qiyu could be so endearing. With her grandson being the apple of her eye, sending him away must have felt like tearing her heart out.

“Dad, things can’t be that simple, right? Does it all end after such a fuss? I don’t think Grandma is easily appeased,” Wang Zhenhe’s daughter remarked.

Wang Zhenhe smiled and replied, “You’re right on point, dear. Your grandma allowed the child to leave but demanded that Wang Zhenguo be promoted immediately. If not, she wouldn’t let go. Ma Fenqing’s father agreed. However, since Wang Zhenguo hasn’t been promoted in years, they likely have their own intentions. Additionally, Ma family requested that Ma Fenqing and his family establish their own household separately, or else they’ll have their daughter take the child back home, and everyone goes their separate ways.”

Wang Qian found this request unsurprising. If Wang Zhenguo continued under Zhu Qiyu’s control, he would become useless, lazy, and entirely dependent. It was no wonder Ma family decided to take action; only by separating could they begin to guide him. However, she wondered if Zhu Qiyu would agree to these terms.

Looking at her father, she asked, “Dad, if Grandma agrees, she must have some conditions in mind, right? Otherwise, she won’t let go. She’s counting on her son to support her in old age. What new conditions did she propose this time?”

Wang Zhenhe nodded in approval. “That’s right. Initially, your grandma disagreed, but your second uncle and aunt persuaded her. The condition was to find a job for your cousin Mingjun. The Ma family has agreed to this request, and they are reportedly going to separate in the next few days.”

Wang Qian sighed inwardly, acknowledging that Ma Fenqing had the support of a powerful maternal family. Otherwise, Zhu Qiyu would have likely pressured him relentlessly. Despite the separation, she still had reservations about Wang Zhenguo.

“Regardless of whether they split or not, it’s none of our concern. Dad, if they call you over, you must not go. There’s nothing good waiting for us. Be cautious,” Wang Qian advised.

Zhang Wanyou and his wife also agreed with their granddaughter’s perspective, emphasizing the importance of avoiding entanglement in certain matters to prevent complications.

Wang Zhenhe gave his daughter a sideways glance. “Your dad isn’t that foolish. I’ve been avoiding them these days. Even if they call me, I won’t go. They can handle their own mess. Dad, why not stay in the city? You can help Mom with selling things. It might be more profitable than staying at home. If you have spare time, you can bring seafood to sell and avoid dealing with their attitudes.”

Shaking his head, Zhang Wanyou replied, “Zhenhe, I’m a farmer at heart. I feel restless when I’m away from the land. I’m more comfortable at home. You’re here to help, so I’m not worried. Farming is our foundation. I prefer being at home, tending to the land. As for those people, I’ll just ignore them. They can’t force me out or try to take the house by force. I’m not that fragile. After all, he’s still my son. He shouldn’t go too far.”

As for whether things would escalate further, Wang Qian couldn’t predict. However, it was clear that Zhang Wanyou had no intention of moving in with the family. Despite their efforts to persuade him, Wang Qian and the others accepted his decision, prioritizing his happiness above all else.

In the evening, Cong Wei and Yang Mingxuan brought some snacks to share. Upon seeing Wang Zhenhe, Cong Wei couldn’t help but bow. His father, who had been plagued by chronic illness for years, had shown gradual improvement recently. Just yesterday, he had even seen his father walking outside with a cane to soak up the sun. The joy in their family was palpable.

“Wang Zhenhe, you are truly our family’s savior. My father has been ill for many years, trying various medicines without improvement. But after consuming the honey you provided, he’s much better now. We don’t expect miracles, just the ability to walk around is a blessing. My mother is so overjoyed, tears of happiness flowing. After so many years, our prayers have been answered,” Cong Wei expressed his gratitude.

Wang Qian was aware of the honey’s effectiveness but was surprised by its remarkable impact this time. Could it be related to the jade pendants her grandmother and mother wore? Both pendants, once radiant, now appeared ordinary. Could this upgrade in the honey’s effects be linked to the pendants?

Geng Lianhua, aware of the honey’s benefits from her own use, smiled and said to Cong Wei, “Nephew, your father’s recovery is a cause for celebration. We are happy for you. The unexpected efficacy of the honey is truly a blessing.”

Wang Qian couldn’t help but stifle a laugh at her grandmother’s words. Indeed, her grandmother seemed to grow more astute with age, capable of saying anything.

“By the way, Zhenhe, the kids will soon be taking the college entrance exams. We need to focus on this. Speaking of which, where is your daughter planning to apply? It would be beneficial if both our families’ children aimed for the same place, providing mutual support. With Yang Nuo around, no one would dare bully our daughter,” Wang Mingxuan suggested.

Reflecting on the situation, Wang Zhenhe agreed. Having children away from home, especially at a young age, made them vulnerable to bullying. “Xuan intends to apply to a university in the capital. It’s closer to her brother, and Uncle Wu and Uncle Zuo also support this idea. Being in the capital, they can keep an eye on her as well,” he explained.

Upon hearing Wang Xuan’s choice, Yang Mingxuan smiled knowingly. “Great, let’s encourage our children to aim for the same place. Old Cong, ensure your son puts in the effort. Our children have had a gap in their education compared to others, so they need to catch up.”

Yang Mingxuan witnessed his son studying late into the night every day. Although it pained him, he knew his son’s resilience. It was Wang Zhenhe’s financial support that had enabled his son to return to school. Even if not for himself, Yang Mingxuan felt indebted to the Wang family for their kindness.

“As for our son, Cong Tao, he’s always slacking off and playing tricks. My wife keeps a close eye on him, ready to use a knitting needle to poke him whenever he’s lazy. We watch him study until late into the night every day. I think he should do well in the college entrance exams. This kid isn’t dumb; he’s just mischievous,” Cong Wei shared.

As the time for the college entrance exams approached, Wang Qian personally accompanied her sister during the exams. Zhang Lan also came to support her eldest daughter during this crucial time.

After each exam, Wang Xuan appeared relaxed, and the Wang family had a routine established—they didn’t inquire about the exam results but instead focused on their tasks, feeling reassured.

During this period, parental involvement was straightforward. The parents waited outside the exam center. After Zhang Lan and the others dropped off Wang Xuan, they would head back home to prepare food. Once Wang Xuan finished the exam, they could enjoy a hot meal together.

After Yang Nuo and Cong Wei dropped off Wang Xuan, they would return home for a meal before picking her up again for the next exam, eliminating the need for Zhang Lan and the others to shuttle back and forth.

Three days passed quickly, and the sense of relief was palpable once the exams were over. Yang Mingxuan decided to gather the three families for a meal. Despite returning home for a while, the hostesses hadn’t yet met Zhang Lan and the others.

On that day, Yang Mingxuan’s home was bustling with activity. The three families gathered, creating a lively atmosphere with many children playing in the yard. The solemn atmosphere that once lingered had dissipated, replaced by a vibrant energy among the families.

Yang Mingxuan’s wife, Ge Yun, and Cong Wei’s wife, Zhao Ru, were incredibly warm and welcoming towards Zhang Lan. Upon their first meeting, they immediately held her hand and started addressing her as a sister.

The three women bonded in the kitchen, deepening their friendship. Initially, they had only heard about the Wang family from their children and elders. However, after spending time with Zhang Lan, they discovered that Wang Zhenhe’s kindness was inseparable from this gentle and kind woman. Zhang Lan’s modest and gentle demeanor made her easy to get along with, and Ge Yun particularly appreciated her personality.

Being with Zhang Lan required no effort; it felt natural and comfortable. They could converse effortlessly on any topic, and Zhang Lan had a way of engaging in conversations that left the three women feeling like they had known her for ages.

Ge Yun not only impressed Zhang Lan with her beauty but also exuded a straightforward and bold demeanor reminiscent of a military background. It turned out she had transitioned from a military cultural troupe, explaining her natural military air.

On the other hand, Zhao Ru had a more gentle and refined demeanor. During this visit, she had been assigned to work at the library, which was generally an easygoing task.