Seeing the content expression on her uncle’s face, Wang Qian couldn’t help but feel happy for their family. They were all growing up, and even Mingshan was considering marriage.

“Uncle, you must choose carefully this time. My eldest brother is quite handsome. Let’s find a wife who is virtuous, not someone who stirs up trouble,” Wang Qian advised her uncle.

Nodding in agreement, Wang Juan added, “Absolutely. I’ll keep a close eye out. I’d prefer not to marry if it means bringing home a troublemaker. We should pick someone with a kind personality like your mother’s, someone pleasant and harmonious for our family.”

Unaware that the gradual improvement in the Wang family over the years was largely due to Wang Qian’s influence, they attributed it to Zhang Lan’s ability to manage the household.

Mother and daughter shared a knowing smile. “Indeed, my mom is one of the best women in the world. Dad, didn’t you feel lucky to marry her?” Wang Qian teased her father, who had a slightly flushed face but wore a content smile.

“Absolutely. We’ve raised good children. I’m content in this lifetime, even if I die,” Wang Zhenhe remarked happily, his eyes reflecting a sense of fulfillment.

Rolling her eyes at her husband, Zhang Lan interjected, “Silly man. Drinking a bit and getting all sentimental. We should live well. We want to see all our children go to university and watch our grandchildren grow up.”

The rest of the family responded to Zhang Lan’s words with varying emotions—some feeling bashful, others bursting into laughter. The meal ended in a warm and cozy atmosphere.

The next day, Zhang Lan packed some items for her father, including shoes, undershirts, and fruits bought for him. She also gave money to the children for refreshments along the way, considering the hot weather.

Mingcheng, dressed in his military uniform, set out with the group. However, halfway through the journey, Cong Tao’s younger sister, Cong Yu, began to feel discomfort. Her little feet started hurting, and she timidly expressed, “Big brother, my feet hurt.”

Cong Tao couldn’t bear to see his sister in discomfort, so he crouched down and let her ride on his back. He carried her for a while before allowing her to walk when she felt better.

“Mingcheng, I never realized your grandma’s house was so far. How did your little uncle manage to walk here step by step? It’s truly remarkable,” remarked Cong Tao, feeling the strain of carrying his little sister and admiring Zhang Weiguo’s frequent visits.

“I’m used to the long walk now. But indeed, my little uncle is quite remarkable. I admire his perseverance and determination. Without his deliveries, our family would have struggled,” Mingcheng added, reflecting on the past with a mix of emotions.

Yang Nuo sighed, “Mingcheng, I envy you for having a kind uncle and a caring grandma. It’s the opposite in my family. Before my parents faced difficulties, our relatives from the village would come to our house crying poverty. My parents were generous and helped them, but once trouble struck us, those relatives disappeared. My grandma struggled to make ends meet and often led us to the village to seek help from our maternal relatives. Instead of assistance, they refused to help and shut us out. These are the so-called good relatives—there for you in good times and gone in bad times.”

Wang Qian found it hard to comprehend. Even with difficult relatives in the village, wouldn’t the mother feel compassion for her daughter?

“Yang Nuo, what about your grandma? Doesn’t she care for you and your siblings?” Wang Qian inquired, trying to understand the situation better.

Yang Nuo and Yang Xiaomei shared a bitter smile. “Grandma? My grandma passed away long ago. The current one was brought in by my grandpa later, and those relatives were born after my step-grandma. They’re practically as close to my mom as sharing the same belly. I’ve seen through those people. Back then, even when my grandma was about to kneel down for them, they remained indifferent. I refused to let her kneel, as it was demeaning. I took her back home. From then on, I juggled school and finding food, often accompanied by Cong Tao. Ah, the past is best left behind.”

Cong Tao, listening intently, shared similar sentiments. Their family circumstances were similar to Yang Nuo’s; however, they didn’t have a grandma and grandpa. Instead, they relied on an uncle and aunt for support. Yet, when they needed help the most, their usually diligent aunt turned her back on them, and their uncle, being submissive to his wife, led to a situation akin to Yang Nuo’s family.

Wang Qian jokingly remarked, “Both of you, it might be a blessing in disguise to be rid of these relatives. They won’t be buzzing around your house like flies anymore. This experience will help your parents see their true colors. You’ll have a better life ahead, and they’ll regret their actions.”

In modern terms, these two were on the path to being successful without the burden of troublesome relatives. Their future seemed promising without these toxic influences, potentially leading to less trouble for both families.

Leaving the mountains, Mingcheng treated everyone to soda at the cooperative store, buying some snacks for his grandpa. Although he brought some specialties, he felt that cakes and pastries would have been more practical.

After finishing the soda and returning the bottles, they hurried on their way and reached his grandma’s house around noon. The yard was quiet, with only the pigs in the pen making noise—seemingly hungry. The gate was locked, indicating that his grandpa hadn’t returned yet.

Wang Qian easily found the key to enter the house, as Geng Lianhua had informed her where the keys were kept. However, upon opening the gate and stepping into the yard, the siblings were appalled. Near Zhou Ping’s house, the side of the yard wall was covered in sewage, emitting a foul odor. Swarms of flies buzzed around, and they could even see wriggling maggots on the ground, nearly causing Wang Qian to gag.

Mingcheng, Yang Nuo, and the others were furious. “This is outrageous, and it can’t be left like this. If grandma is already ill from this, we can’t allow the other one to suffer as well.”

Thinking quickly, Wang Qian instructed, “Big brother, go to the neighbor’s house next door and ask her to accompany you to find the village leader and brigade leader. Tell them Grandma’s house is hosting today. Eldest sister, prepare the food in the kitchen. Xiaomei, help out there. Little brother, take Yang Jian and handle things… ” She delegated tasks to Mingyuan and the others, then turned to Yang Nuo and Cong Tao, saying, “You two need to help me with the plan.”

After a brief discussion with them, everyone began to carry out their assigned tasks. Just as Wang Qian was about to leave, Wang Xuan stopped her. “Sister, should we inform Grandpa? After all, he is their father…”

“Don’t worry, sister. Given Grandma’s condition, even if we reconcile with Zhou Ping’s family, we can’t rely on them for support anymore. If one day Grandpa is bedridden and helpless, imagine the consequences. Such a son and daughter-in-law are simply intolerable. I’ll take charge this time. If Little Uncle were here, he would agree with our approach,” Wang Qian assured her sister.

Shortly after going next door, Mingcheng returned with a grim expression, indicating a storm about to erupt. “Qianqian, Grandpa is ill. The neighbors took him to the commune’s clinic. Go check inside the house.”

Mingcheng led Wang Qian and the others into the house. As they entered, a pungent smell overwhelmed Xiaomei, causing her to step back. They cautiously approached the kang and noticed the floor covered in white granules—ammonium sulfate, a fertilizer recently introduced in the production team to boost crop growth.

Ammonium sulfate is corrosive, especially to the respiratory system and eyes. The acrid odor left Wang Qian wondering how her grandpa endured it.

“Brother, I want to kill that scoundrel Zhou Ping,” Wang Qian exclaimed tearfully, witnessing the distressing scene.

“Does Auntie know about this?” Mingcheng confirmed. “The neighbors informed her this morning. She’s probably at the hospital now.”

Mingcheng was astounded by Zhou Ping’s audacity, risking the elderly couple’s lives just to acquire their house. It seemed she intended to force them out.

Enraged, Mingyuan wanted to clear the ammonium sulfate with a shovel, but Wang Qian stopped him. “Brother, remember Uncle He Zhengkui’s son? He works at the commune’s Public Security Bureau. Take Yang Nuo with you to report this. Let him know Zhou Ping is plotting harm. We’ll discuss the rest with Grandpa and Auntie after visiting the clinic.”

Meanwhile, Wang Xuan distributed the cakes she bought among the children, considering it was nearly noon and everyone must be hungry. Mingcheng then led his siblings towards the commune’s clinic to attend to their ailing grandpa.

Upon arriving at the clinic, Wang Qian saw Zhang Hua standing by her Father’s bedside, watching him receive intravenous drip.

Zhang Wanyou looked pale and considerably thinner. “Auntie, how is Grandpa?” Wang Qian whispered softly.

Seeing her niece approaching with others, Zhang Hua’s eyes were red with emotion.

“Qianqian, I feel like killing Zhou Ping. Look at how Grandma is, and now it’s Grandpa. What should I, as a daughter, do?” Zhang Hua expressed her anguish, unable to contain her anger. She couldn’t fathom her father’s actions—ignoring the severity of the situation and simply returning home to sleep, inviting further illness. It wasn’t about saving face; it was about seeking help when needed.

Wang Qian felt torn witnessing Zhang Hua’s turmoil. Some things must be done, even if they are difficult, or else they would all suffer in the end.