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The third daughter of the Wan family lived at the southernmost edge of Fengping Village, not far from the old Tan family’s house.
However, they rarely interacted, so it might as well have been far away.
Wan’s stepmother had taken a bath at her daughter’s house, changed into a fresh set of clothes, and now stood before Wan’s third daughter, complaining, “That rotten girl Wan Chunmei, she’s getting more and more disrespectful towards us. Such a big matter like building a house, and she didn’t even mention it to us! If we hadn’t come to Fengping Village today to look for you, we’d still be in the dark about it.”
Her words carried a hint of bitterness, clearly tinged with jealousy.
Wan’s third daughter snorted coldly, saying, “Mother, you might not know, but the old Tan family is different now. They’re living quite well. Their yard is full of chickens and eggs, and the vegetables in their garden are growing strong and healthy. I heard they even started selling some pickled vegetables in the county.”
Wan’s stepmother listened, incredulous. “Really? But isn’t their land barren? How can anything grow there?”
Wan’s third daughter furrowed her brow and replied, “I don’t know about that, maybe luck is on their side. Good fortune can’t be stopped, after all.”
Since she had suffered a miscarriage and could no longer conceive, Wan’s third daughter had become increasingly resentful toward Old Tan’s wife. Though she hadn’t ventured out much recently, she had been secretly gathering information about the Tan family.
Each time she learned something, it only made her feel worse.
She both envied and hated them. After hearing the news about Old Tan’s family, she tortured herself with thoughts that kept her up for nights.
Wan’s stepmother and her daughter were cut from the same cloth—unable to tolerate any success for the Tan family. When she heard that the Tan family was doing well, it felt like a knife was stabbing into her chest.
The more she thought about it, the angrier she became. She suddenly stood up and turned to Wan Daya, saying, “This ungrateful girl is getting worse. Not only does she disrespect me, her stepmother—well, I’m not her real mother, so I get it. But you’re her biological father! She’s over there enjoying big meals, but she doesn’t even leave a bone for you!”
Wan Daya, sitting nearby, frowned deeply as he puffed on his dry tobacco.
Wan’s third daughter added fuel to the fire. “That’s right, father. You have no idea. The smell of their meat is wafting all through the village, yet they didn’t even share a single piece with us.”
This had happened months ago, but Wan’s third daughter had held onto the resentment like a thorn in her side.
Wan Daya exhaled a large puff of smoke, then stood up, saying, “Wife, let’s go. We’re paying a visit to the old Tan family.”
Wan’s stepmother’s eyes lit up with joy, and she quickly followed him, smiling, “Good, let’s go right now.”
The two of them were just about to head out.
Wan’s third daughter quickly caught up, noticing her in-laws hadn’t returned yet. She lowered her voice and said, “Mother, when you go to Wan Chunmei’s house this time, could you please mention the matter from last time?”
“What matter?” Wan’s stepmother asked, momentarily forgetting.
Wan’s third daughter lowered her voice even more, “The matter with the child.”
Wan’s stepmother immediately remembered, nodding repeatedly, “Ah, I see. I’ll definitely bring it up with her. No matter how stubborn that girl is, she won’t dare ignore your father’s words.”
Wan’s third daughter finally relaxed, smiling, “Yes, mother.”
“Alright, go on inside now.”
After comforting Wan’s third daughter, Wan’s stepmother turned and followed Wan Daya out the door.
As the sun set, the sky gradually darkened.
The Tan family had finished their dinner and were washing up, preparing for bed.
Only Wan Chunmei and Old Tan were still busy. Just as they were about to lie down, a knock sounded at the door.
“Who is it?” Wan Chunmei asked, her exhaustion apparent, sounding a little impatient.
Outside, Wan Daya called loudly, “It’s me, your father!”
Hearing this, Wan Chunmei immediately sat up, pushing Old Tan awake. “Wake up, wake up, my father’s here,” she said, annoyed.
Old Tan’s face immediately darkened. He hurried out of bed, put on his clothes, and opened the door.
Wan Daya and Wan’s stepmother strode in, heads held high, clearly upset.
On the bed, little Qiyue turned over and, with cold, sharp eyes, silently watched them.
Wan Daya swaggered over and sat down, glaring at Wan Chunmei. “So, now you’re ignoring me, your father?”
Wan Chunmei retorted directly, “Sorry, my father passed away a long time ago.”
“You—” Wan Daya fumed, pointing at her in anger. “You unfilial daughter, how dare you curse your father’s death!”
Old Tan stepped forward, grabbing his hand and coldly saying, “Speak properly. What do you mean by pointing? Didn’t you hear my wife say? Her father’s been dead for years!”
“You!” Wan Daya was so angry that his small mustache seemed ready to stand up.
Old Tan continued, “Old Man, it’s getting late. If you have something to say, just say it.”
Wan’s stepmother tugged at Wan Daya’s sleeve, signaling him to calm down.
Wan Daya lit his dry tobacco, took a few puffs, and said, “I heard you’re building a house.”