In the late afternoon, Zhou Song took some time to head to the west village. He hadn’t informed Granny Zhou about the engagement yet, thinking it might cause unnecessary gossip. Zhou Song wasn’t afraid of rumors, but he didn’t want people dragging Shen Qingzhu into it.

The door was opened by Wang Cuixiang, who looked rather downcast, her eyes red and puffy—she’d clearly been through something rough. She’d never had much standing in this family, and with Zhou Xiaofu recently injured, the family had suffered losses without gaining any benefits, so there was likely resentment boiling. It seemed Wang Cuixiang had endured no shortage of grievances lately.

Even if things had been normal, her life wouldn’t have been easy, but now that he’d beaten Zhou Xiaofu and was recently engaged to someone he truly cared for, Zhou Song was in a good mood. He even found himself more talkative than usual, which was rare for him.

He casually mentioned, “Sister-in-law, I’m getting married in two months. You’re welcome to come and have a drink to celebrate.”

Wang Cuixiang looked visibly surprised that he’d spoken to her first. She froze for a moment before nodding quickly. “Oh, alright… congratulations.”

Zhou Song thanked her without adding much else.

“What took you so long to open the door?! Get back here and pour me some water!” Zhou Xiaofu’s loud voice rang out from inside. The relaxed look on Wang Cuixiang’s face tightened again as she hurried back into the room without even bidding farewell.

Granny Zhou, apparently having heard the commotion, came out from the main room to greet him. “Ah, Song, you’re back! Come inside and have a seat.”

Zhou Song nodded and walked over to help the old lady into the house.

Upon entering, he saw Zhou Dashan and Hu Lan both there. They shot him sideways glances without saying a word, clearly still holding a grudge. Zhou Song paid them no mind. He helped Granny Zhou to a seat and then sat down on a stool beside her.

“Dashan’s wife, pour Song a bowl of water. He’s come all the way here from the east village,” Granny Zhou said, smiling warmly at him, then motioned at Hu Lan, who had been sitting stiffly.

Reluctantly, Hu Lan stood up, clearly unwilling, and walked to the kitchen to fetch the water.

Zhou Dashan glanced at Granny Zhou, who was busy chatting warmly with Zhou Song and had forgotten all about their main purpose for being here. He cleared his throat and finally spoke up. “Nephew, even though you’ve set up your own household and don’t need to ask us about every little thing, deciding on an engagement without informing us seems a bit too much, doesn’t it?”

“Yes, Song,” Granny Zhou added, finally remembering and showing her disapproval. “I know you’re used to doing things on your own, but marriage is an important matter. How could you decide without consulting the elders?”

Zhou Song waited until they’d finished speaking, then replied, “Weren’t you always urging me to get engaged each time I came back? Now that I’ve done it, why aren’t you happy?”

His retort left them momentarily speechless.

There was a brief silence in the main room before Zhou Dashan spoke again, “Getting engaged is all well and good, but for us to learn of it through the village gossip? How are we supposed to save face?”

“I’m not asking Uncle to provide the betrothal gift, so why would I need to inform you?” Zhou Song shot back coldly.

“You…” Zhou Dashan choked up, took a deep breath, and then asked, “What about your grandmother?”

“Grandma is old, and I didn’t want her to worry about it,” Zhou Song replied, looking away.

Granny Zhou gently patted his hand. “Why would I find it burdensome to help you with such an important matter? And besides, you’re still young. We, as elders, have a responsibility to make sure the person you’ve chosen is suitable.”

Zhou Song looked up at her, his gaze serious. “He’s wonderful, the best person in the world.”

“Wonderful?” Hu Lan, who had just come in with a bowl of water, slammed it down in front of him. “I think, nephew, you’re just blinded by his pretty face.”

Feeling bold on her own turf, she didn’t shy away from Zhou Song’s gaze and continued, “He’s a pampered young master, barely fit to lift a finger. Acting all high and mighty in this village, who’s he trying to impress? And his weak constitution! He faints at the slightest scare. Do you know how much silver it’ll cost to keep him healthy? Nephew, you’re just being foolish!”

“Aunt, maybe check on your own son before you speak of others,” Zhou Song replied coolly. “How much has Aunt spent keeping that good-for-nothing of a son well-fed?”

“Zhou Song! Is that how you speak to your elders?!” Zhou Dashan slammed his hand on the table, pointing at him in anger.

Everyone knew he’d prided himself all his life, yet his only son had shamed him. Now Zhou Song was rubbing salt into the wound.

Hu Lan stood up, bristling like a cat with its tail stepped on. “Why drag my Xiaofu into this? How could you even compare him to my son?”

“No, you’re right,” Zhou Song said, his expression unreadable. “Zhou Xiaofu isn’t worthy of comparison. He’s not even fit to touch the mud on Shen Qingzhu’s shoes.”

“You… you…” Hu Lan stammered, too furious to form a coherent sentence.

“Enough! Enough!” Zhou Dashan was equally infuriated. “You brat, to think you’d insult your own cousin like this for an outsider! Mother, if you don’t do something about him, we won’t stand for it!”

Granny Zhou, tired from the ongoing chaos, sighed. “Why are you all arguing over someone from outside the family? This is just…”

“He’s not an outsider.” Zhou Song stood up, his gaze sweeping around the room. “He’s my fiancé. He’ll be joining me in marriage and spending the rest of his life with me. He’s the one person in the world I’ll be closest to.”

He looked down at the silent Granny Zhou. “You always mentioned how the Li family’s daughter is a Kun Ze and a great match for me. You encouraged me to accept that engagement. Shen Qingzhu is also a Kun Ze. Now that I’m engaged, why aren’t you happy? Is it just because I didn’t inform you beforehand?”

Granny Zhou opened her mouth, her attitude softening as she said, “Song, it’s just that your grandma wants what’s best for you. If you marry the Li family’s daughter, you won’t have to worry about money and will lead a comfortable life. It’s not that I oppose you and the Shen family boy; it’s just…”

“Was it also for my father’s benefit?” Zhou Song interrupted.

Granny Zhou fell silent. She hadn’t expected him to bring up those old matters, knowing it would only make them more estranged.

But even though she wanted to avoid it, Zhou Dashan, fuming, couldn’t hold back. “Your grandmother gave everything to your father, yet he left the family just to be with a woman, disregarding his own mother. Who ended up by her side? Me, the one she despised!”

Granny Zhou looked up sharply and pointed a shaking finger at him. “Zhou Dashan, what nonsense are you spouting?”

“What am I saying that’s wrong?” Zhou Dashan said stubbornly, looking away. “Because Zhou Dazhu was a Qian Yuan, you always favored him. Isn’t that the truth?”

Not knowing what had gotten into him today, Granny Zhou’s eyes reddened with anger. “You resent me, don’t you? Are you here today to vent?”

“Who am I to resent my mother?” Zhou Dashan scoffed, glancing at Zhou Song. “But some people shouldn’t keep claiming they’re being wronged for their father’s sake. Just because of a little disagreement over a marriage, he thought he could storm off and split the family. Spoiled, that’s what he is!”

Zhou Song watched him calmly. “If you despised my father so much, why didn’t you refuse the money he sent your way?”

“What money?” Granny Zhou and Hu Lan both looked at him in shock.

Zhou Dashan stayed silent.

“After my father left, we struggled for a while. But as our life improved, he’d secretly send money your way to help support Grandmother. Seems you never mentioned it to them.”

Hu Lan glared at her husband, furious he hadn’t even told his own wife.

Granny Zhou shook her head in disbelief.

Unfazed, Zhou Song went on, “And to be clear, I was the one who beat up Zhou Xiaofu.”

Hu Lan, still brooding over her husband’s hidden money, shot up. “You brat! You’re cold-hearted! How could you beat your cousin so badly he couldn’t get out of bed for days? You’re heartless!”

She threw herself down dramatically, fully intent on making a scene.

“Mother, did you hear what he said?” Zhou Dashan eagerly seized the chance to redirect the conversation.

Granny Zhou may not have been particularly fond of her eldest grandson, but she still felt it was wrong for Zhou Song to have beaten him so severely.

Zhou Song cut in coldly, ignoring the couple’s bickering. “I’m telling you now so you’ll remember. In the future, keep Zhou Xiaofu in check. This time was a warning, but if he dares to mess with me or Shen Qingzhu again, I’ll break his legs and make sure he stays bedridden.”

Hu Lan was left speechless by his words, sensing he was capable of following through on his threat.

Seeing Zhou Dashan puff up his chest in indignation, Zhou Song interrupted, “My father was your brother. How did you treat him?”

“What do you mean by that?” Zhou Dashan glared, puzzled.

Seeing he didn’t recall, Zhou Song chuckled coldly. “When my father took you and other hunters up the mountain to gain experience, you begged him to let you come. That time, you all ran into a big cat, but everyone managed to retreat quickly—except for you.”

Zhou Dashan’s face turned pale, sensing where this was going.

“My father went back to save you and was attacked, yet you ran without looking back.”

With every word, Zhou Song drove his point home, staring down at Zhou Dashan, who was now sweating despite the cool autumn air.

Granny Zhou sat stunned, not having known the real story behind her youngest son’s fate.

Even Hu Lan looked shocked; Zhou Dashan had never told her this.

Zhou Song looked down at his defeated uncle. “You did what you had to to survive, but you should remember my father’s sacrifice. Live your life, keep your family in line, and leave me alone.”

He turned to Granny Zhou. “I’ll visit you on holidays, but otherwise, let’s not keep in touch.”

He added, “If anyone disregards my words, I’ll go to the village chief and let everyone hear the truth.”

With that, he turned and left.

In the courtyard, he passed Wang Cuixiang helping Zhou Xiaofu, who sneered, “Zhou Song, you dare come…”

But Zhou Song’s gaze shut him up.

Leaving the Zhou household, Zhou Song’s sharp demeanor faded, and he even greeted an aunt passing by.

He knew Hu Lan had called him back to make a fuss about the marriage. He hadn’t told them earlier because he didn’t want Shen Qingzhu subjected to their mean words. This trip was to put an end to any trouble before it started.

Unlike his father, Zhou Song had no attachment to these people. He’d make sure his life with Shen Qingzhu was undisturbed, as no one compared to the one he cherished most.