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Upon seeing her daughter being slapped, Zhu Qiyu felt a sharp pain in her heart, akin to being pricked by needles. Especially since it was her least favorite daughter-in-law who had struck her daughter, she immediately leaped off the heated brick bed. “You wretched woman, I’ll kill you! How dare you lay a hand on my daughter? You have some nerve. My daughter is not someone you can touch.”
Quickly, Wang Zhenhe restrained Zhu Qiyu from the side. As her son held her back, Grandma began to kick and hit Wang Zhenhe. Meanwhile, Wang Mei, who had harbored ill intentions all along, was eyeing revenge for her previous defeat by Zhang Lan. However, upon seeing Wang Qian gesturing a knife behind Zhang Lan, she retreated in fear. After all, this was their territory, and even when her niece was younger, she couldn’t defeat her. Now that she was grown, the odds were even slimmer.
Wang Zhenhai and Wang Juan rushed to support Zhu Qiyu, noticing that she was no longer feigning illness but was displaying genuine aggression.
“Grandma, even when you’re supposedly ill, you have such strength. It’s a shame. While it’s true that my father is a son, you might be able to hit him, but we’re also his children, and we can’t bear to see him being hit. Brother, come in quickly. If anyone dares to touch our parents, I’ll beat them to death.”
Approaching Mingyuan, Wang Qian briefly explained the situation. Hearing this, Mingyuan became angry and looked at Zhu Qiyu with a sinister smile.
“Grandma, are you really planning to have me adopted by my aunt? Heh heh, I’m game. If you think your daughter’s life is too long, then send me over to try. I’ll show my aunt what she shouldn’t covet and what she shouldn’t take.”
Mingyuan’s tone resembled a sinister presence in the dark night, causing even Zhu Qiyu to shudder. When did this child change like this? Was this the same obedient Mingyuan from before?
Wang Qian, holding onto Zhang Lan, surveyed everyone in the house, only to realize that the old man wasn’t present. He probably disagreed with Grandma’s actions and had hidden away.
Approaching Zhu Qiyu, Wang Qian stared into her eyes and coldly said, “Grandma, I advise you to enjoy your later years peacefully. Some things are beyond your control, no matter how much you try to intervene.”
“Mom, let’s go.” Wang Qian led Zhang Lan out of the house. Wang Zhenhe glanced at his mother and couldn’t help but sense a hint of regret in her eyes. How did he suddenly perceive a hint of remorse in her? Quite perplexing.
“Mother, take care of yourself in the future. Don’t push things too far. After all, I am still your son. Don’t let your heart become too hardened.”
Without looking back, Wang Zhenhai’s family left through the front door. Wang Zhenhai gazed at his mother, who sat on the heated brick bed in a daze. “Mom, what were you thinking today? Was that a discussion? Were you trying to force Third Brother and his wife to the edge? Siblings treat their children like treasures, and you came up with such a terrible idea. Are you still my mother?”
Facing her eldest son’s questioning, Zhu Qiyu expressed her sadness and frustration, “Zhenhai, do you also blame Mom for what I did wrong? But with your sister in this situation, what can I do? Your father, that stubborn ghost, doesn’t care about anything. I just wanted to give Zhi a reason to live. Look around, who would agree to give a child to your sister? Zhi doesn’t even want to take care of a child herself. I hoped to find a slightly older, sensible child to look after her. I can only choose from among you brothers. After all, in the future, there won’t be anyone to share with your aunt. Why is something so simple so difficult?”
Wang Juan couldn’t help but smile wryly at her mother-in-law’s evident distress. It was truly a case of the cat crying for the mouse.
On the side, Han Cui looked displeased. “Mom, if you hadn’t skipped over our family, I would have considered letting my son be raised by his aunt. But now, that’s not an option. It seems you’ve overlooked our part in this. We won’t rush to sell our son. Our Mingjun won’t have that fate.”
Han Cui, with a light tone, threw out those words, causing Zhu Qiyu to glance at her. “Second daughter-in-law, I know what’s on your mind. With only a son and a daughter in your family, I don’t want your second child because you’ll lack someone to care for you in your old age. That’s why I didn’t ask your family. Don’t misunderstand my intentions. Eldest, do you have any ideas to contribute to your sister’s situation?”
Wang Juan nudged her husband. Some decisions couldn’t be made lightly, as they could lead to separating families. Their family couldn’t engage in such unethical behavior.
“Mom, while you’re here worrying about this matter with sister, have you considered if Li Changhai agrees to it? The Li family also has a say in this. Even if you plan to adopt, it should be chosen from their family. Why fret unnecessarily? If the man disagrees, all this worry is in vain. You should let Zhi go back and think it over properly. After all, she will have to live with this man in the future. If he disagrees, you’re only causing unnecessary trouble.”
Finally realizing her oversight, Zhu Qiyu understood that they were rushing into adoption without Li Changhai’s consent or input.
Feeling regretful for her hastiness, she recognized her own foolishness. How could she have overlooked such a critical detail? Feeling somewhat frustrated, she turned to Wang Zhi, “Zhi, go back and ask Changhai to come over. We need to discuss this matter properly. Eldest, wait until I sort things out before calling you over.”
Exhausted, Zhu Qiyu leaned back on the pillow, feeling more tired than ever before.
Wang Juan quickly pulled her husband away from the tumultuous scene. “Zhenhai, stay out of this. If Li Changhai hasn’t said anything yet, why is Mom getting so agitated? I don’t know what’s gotten into her. She’s still thinking about Mingyuan from Third Brother’s family. I don’t mean to look down on Wang Zhi, but even a good child would be ruined in her care.”
Wang Zhenhai didn’t defend his sister. His wife was right. Wanting to raise a child without investing in them was unrealistic. Only someone with a muddled mind like their youngest sister would think otherwise.
“Wife, let’s go visit Third Brother’s family. I wonder how they are handling this situation. My mom is acting irrationally, even considering Mingyuan, who is such a good child. It’s unacceptable how they’re undermining Qianqian, who is so capable,” Wang Zhenhai commented.
As the couple approached, Zhang Lan and Wang Zhenhe were picking fruit with their children at the back of the house. Upon seeing Wang Juan and her husband, they joined them under the shade of a tree.
“Sister-in-law, I’ll save some of the fruit at the back for you. When you come to feed the pigs and chickens, you can pick some to take home. There’s an abundance on the tree, so I’ll gather some to sell in the city. If your family runs short on food, come over and take some. Let’s not stand on ceremony between our families.Next Time, I’ll come over in the morning to bring you some fabric. Who knew this situation would arise? I bought some blouse fabric for you, Big Brother, and Yu’er each. I’ll bring it to you,” Wang Zhenhe generously offered.
After Wang Juan and her sister-in-law went inside, they sat down and chatted casually.
“Sister, don’t dwell on today’s events. Those people from our in-laws’ side have simply lost their minds. Don’t let them get to you,” Wang Juan reassured her.
Placing the gifts for Wang Juan on the heated brick bed, Zhang Lan sighed, “Sister-in-law, pretending not to be angry is just a front. Look at what they are up to. I’ve put in so much effort to raise our children, and now they come to snatch away without asking if we agree. It’s frustrating dealing with such relatives. Our Mingyuan was so upset he hardly spoke when he returned. I’ve been considering moving to the city with the kids to avoid unnecessary trouble. You and Big Brother will have to help with things at home. I’ll make sure to properly thank you by the end of the year.”
With a smile, Zhang Lan added, “We know our relationship. There’s no need for thanks. You’ve taken care of the children in the city better than we could at home. I should be thanking you; even my daughter admires her elder brother.”
Wang Qian walked in from the back of the house and, upon hearing Wang Juan’s words, smiled and said, “Auntie, don’t worry. Once our family is established, we’ll definitely support your family. We’ve just started, and we’ve been discreetly selling items. Wait for a couple more years, and I guarantee your family will also be able to build a big tiled house.”
Wang Juan felt like she was tasting honey after hearing her niece’s words. She didn’t expect to become wealthy but was content with a little support from the family. She knew from her son that life in the city wasn’t easy for Third Brother. Doing business there required discretion, selling items quietly without drawing attention, mostly to familiar faces.
“Hehe, Qianqian, your words make Auntie content. Your uncle and I are ready to follow your lead,” Wang Juan responded with a smile.
Zhang Lan playfully pulled her daughter closer. “Look at our lovely Qianqian. They twist her words as soon as they reach their ears. They want our son but they shoudn’t even consider our children unless they step over my dead body.”
Wang Juan nodded in agreement. Their children were their treasures, and they wouldn’t consider adopting them out. They couldn’t bear the thought of it.
Understanding her mother’s sentiments, Wang Qian held her hand and reassured her, “Mom, just ignore those people’s words. Our family isn’t in a position where we need to sell our children to survive. They have no right to meddle in our affairs. Let’s just treat them like a bunch of lunatics.”
Wang Juan clapped in agreement, “My niece speaks the truth. They’re all crazy, ready to bite at anyone. If you stand strong, they won’t dare to challenge you. Don’t worry, sister, your children are grown up and will support you.”
Neighbors Liu Hui and Zhao Xia finished their work in the front yard and came over to visit, as they hadn’t seen Zhang Lan in a long time. The reunion was filled with warmth and joy as they caught up.
“Liu Hui, Zhao Xia, when you leave, make sure to take some fruit with you. You’ve both helped take care of this household, and I must properly thank you both,” Zhang Lan expressed gratefully.
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