Not just Sanya—with Guagua by his side, Jiang Le immediately got a heads-up: [Host, Zhang Xiuhua is hiding under the eaves!]  

Jiang Le sneered. No wonder Sizhu is so bold—he’s got backup.

Yu Hezhong’s gaze was practically shooting icy arrows. He wouldn’t tolerate anyone speaking to Jiang Le like that.  

Jiang Le patted Yu Hezhong’s hand reassuringly and whispered, “Beating him up isn’t fun. Just watch.”  

Then, suddenly, he raised his voice: “Help! Thief! There’s a thief! The audacity—broad daylight, and someone’s sneaking into my house to steal! Catch the thief!”

Zhang Xiuhua, hiding under the eaves, twitched at Jiang Le’s sudden shouting. If he kept this up, he’d definitely draw a crowd.  

Outwardly, the Wang household seemed peaceful, but ever since the incident with Wang Mutou came to light, Wang Shitou, though he hadn’t divorced her, hadn’t given her a single kind look either!  

She’d been forced to sweet-talk him day after day. Back then, she could throw tantrums whenever she pleased—now, wasn’t it suffocating?  

And though Wang Shitou had seemingly accepted the children—his “nephews” who were actually his own brother’s sons—deep down, he was resentful. Once a hardworking man, he now half-assed everything at home. Why bother? The kids aren’t even mine. If I still break my back for them, I’d be a real fool!

Not only did Wang Shitou slack off, but he also stopped giving her money, spending it all on alcohol instead. Drunk and sloppy, the villagers pitied him.  

Zhang Xiuhua fumed. What about me? Am I not pitiful? If Wang Shitou’s useless down there hadn’t failed me, would I have had to find someone else?!

She’d even specifically chosen Wang Shitou’s brother, Wang Mutou, so the kids would at least look like Wang Shitou’s and avoid suspicion.  

She’d been so careful—how could she have known that Wang Shitou, who usually slept like a log, would wake up that night? She could only blame her rotten luck.  

Now, since Wang Shitou refused to work hard, she wouldn’t either. Every few days, she’d claim she was “unwell” and needed to rest at home.  

Not like she wanted to face the villagers’ stares during work anyway!  

The village cadres knew but couldn’t be bothered to deal with her. Zhang Xiuhua had always been lazy—even when she showed up, she barely worked. If she didn’t want to come, fine. No work points for her. No food at home? Figure it out yourself!

With no money left, Zhang Xiuhua, who used to buy meat regularly, now couldn’t even catch a whiff of it. Meanwhile, the “short-lived devils” next door feasted every few days.  

Zhang Xiuhua couldn’t understand—how did the Jiang family suddenly start living so well? She was grinding her teeth in envy!  

Sizhu and Sanya, smelling the meat from next door, were just kids—they couldn’t help but clamor for a taste. Zhang Xiuhua was at a loss. What can I do? I’m craving it too!

Furious, she was about to scold them when an idea struck her. Her eyes gleamed as she said, “You want meat? Go next door and get it. Eat as much as you want—if you can get it, that’s your skill. I don’t have any here.”

When Sizhu and Sanya heard this, emboldened by their mother’s implicit approval, their courage grew. Sizhu was the first to squeeze through the fence, while Sanya hesitated when she saw Jiang Le and Yu Hezhong emerge, too scared to follow.  

Zhang Xiuhua watched from a distance, cursing Sanya inwardly for being spineless. They’re just kids—what’s the big deal if they sneak into the Jiangs’ place to eat some meat?

Even if they got caught, what could anyone do to two little kids? At worst, they’d get scolded—but getting scolded in exchange for meat? Totally worth it!  

Who would’ve thought that damned Jiang Le would actually make a fuss over a child, shouting about thieves? If this drew the villagers’ attention, things could get ugly!  

Realizing this, Zhang Xiuhua could no longer hide. She rushed out, feigning ignorance. “What thief? Who’s stealing?”  

Jiang Le smiled. “Auntie Zhang, your Sizhu just crawled into my house. Isn’t that stealing? If you disagree, fine—let’s call the village secretary and see what he thinks.”  

Zhang Xiuhua paled at the threat. “Such a tiny thing, and you want to bother the secretary?”  

Jiang Le didn’t reply, still smiling, but the look in his eyes sent a chill down Zhang Xiuhua’s spine. She quickly turned to Sizhu and barked, “You little brat, get back here!”  

Sizhu, drooling with greed, was already close to the Jiangs’ kitchen. The thought of turning back now was unbearable. “No! I want meat! Waaah, I want meat!”  

Zhang Xiuhua burned with humiliation. Crying won’t get you anything from that heartless Jiang Le!

Sizhu wailed, “You told me to come eat it! Waaah, you said I could!…”  

The boy was genuinely upset. You were the one who told me to go! Why are you making me leave now? I haven’t even gotten any meat yet! It smelled so good—he needed it.  

Jiang Le had anticipated this. He nudged Yu Hezhong and said loudly, “Did you hear that, Hezhong? Auntie Zhang actually told her kid to come steal meat from us. What kind of mother teaches her child to be a thief?”  

Yu Hezhong played along, raising his voice. “I heard it. Should we call the secretary?”  

Jiang Le shot him an approving glance and made as if to move. “Then I’ll go—”  

Before he could finish, Zhang Xiuhua completely lost it. She stormed in through the gate, grabbed Sizhu, and started whacking him. “What nonsense are you spouting?! When did I ever tell you to steal meat?! Shut your mouth!”  

Sizhu howled in pain—this time, for real. His cries were loud enough to carry far.  

So loud, in fact, that Grandma Jiang, who had been chatting with her friends outside, heard the commotion from a distance. Worried something had happened at home, she hurried back—only to find Zhang Xiuhua beating Sizhu in her yard.  

For a second, Grandma Jiang thought she’d walked into the wrong house! After Jiang Le explained the situation, even the usually gentle old lady lost her temper. She grabbed a broom and chased Zhang Xiuhua and Sizhu straight out of the gate.  

“That Zhang Xiuhua—she’s getting more shameless by the day!” Grandma Jiang planted her hands on her hips and shouted after them. “When Wang Shitou gets back, I’m giving him a piece of my mind! If that doesn’t work, I’ll take it to the village chief! Who would want neighbors like them?!”  

Guagua’s eyes sparkled. [Wow. Grandma’s fierce! Host, take notes.]

Jiang Le’s approach might have only kept Zhang Xiuhua in check for a while, but after hearing Grandma Jiang’s words, she probably wouldn’t dare cause trouble again.  

If this were brought to the village chief or secretary, and the Jiang family refused to live next to them anymore—what if they got kicked out of the village?  

Of course, realistically, things wouldn’t escalate that far. But as long as it made Zhang Xiuhua afraid, that was enough.  

“When your dad and the others come back, have them chop some bamboo and reinforce this fence,” Grandma Jiang said, putting down the broom.  

A brick or earthen wall would have been a more permanent solution, but bricks were beyond their means, and with the busy farming season, there was no time to build a mud wall.  

So for now, they’d just patch up the bamboo fence.  

Grandma Jiang went back to the kitchen, poked the meat with chopsticks to check if it was done, then fished it all out. “Xiao Yu, come taste it—see how it is.”  

Yu Hezhong walked over, cut a piece of meat, and handed it to Jiang Le first. “You try it.”  

Jiang Le had been drooling over it for ages—his grandma’s cooking was just too good! He took a bite eagerly. The gamey taste of the wild boar was completely gone, replaced by rich, savory flavors.  

He wanted to devour another huge bite, but Yu Hezhong hadn’t kept much meat for himself, and Grandma Jiang had braised half of their share too. He’d have to restrain himself.  

But then Yu Hezhong cut another piece for him and Grandma Jiang. “Try some more.”  

Jiang Le glanced at Grandma Jiang—and couldn’t resist taking it.  

Grandma Jiang chuckled. Seeing there wasn’t much left, she didn’t refuse either.  

…

That afternoon, when Wang Shitou returned, Grandma Jiang stood in the yard with her hands on her hips and yelled, “Wang Shitou! Control your wife!”  

After Grandma Jiang’s tirade, Wang Shitou, humiliated and furious, stormed into his house. Not long after, chaos erupted in the Wang household—wailing, shouting, complete pandemonium.  

It wasn’t until Zhao Meilian and the others came back from the fields that the Wang family finally quieted down.  

“Why does it smell so good again today?” Zhao Meilian muttered as she put down her tools.  

Only after entering the house did she learn that Yu Hezhong had brought meat. At dinner, Grandma Jiang said, “That boy is a good one. We owe him for this—meat’s so hard to come by these days…”  

The whole family agreed readily. Of course they’d remember this kindness. That kid Yu, living all alone with such hardship, yet still thinking of them—they’d have to look out for him more in the future.

Grandma Jiang found the Wang family’s antics too nauseating to mention during dinner. It wasn’t until after the meal that she told everyone what had happened.  

Zhao Meilian was so furious she wanted to go confront the Wangs immediately, but Grandma Jiang stopped her: “Don’t bother. That household has been making a scene all afternoon—they only quieted down right before you got back.”  

Zhao Meilian: “Then we’ll go cut some bamboo tomorrow.”  

The village bamboo grove was dense and plentiful—no permission was needed to harvest some.  

Jiang De frowned. “No need to wait till tomorrow. It’s not that late yet.”  

Jiang Junqing nodded in agreement and got up to fetch the machete.  

Jiang Le poked his head in: “Dad, Second Brother, I’ll help too!”  

Jiang De glanced at his son’s slender arms and legs and fell silent for a moment. “…You’ve been studying all day, son. Rest at home.”  

Jiang Le scratched his head, muttering, I’m not even tired, completely missing Jiang De’s real meaning.  

…

The two didn’t return until well after dark. Jiang Le, who’d been worrying the whole time, rushed out at the sound of movement—only for his second brother to hand him a glass jar.  

It was too dark to see clearly, but the jar felt heavy. Jiang Le asked, “What’s this?”  

Before Jiang Junqing could answer, Jiang Le’s curiosity got the better of him. He carried the jar to the light—and instantly turned pale with horror.  

The jar was filled with plump white grubs, each one squirming vigorously.  

Jiang Le broke out in goosebumps, nearly dropping the jar in fright.  

From a distance, Jiang De casually answered his earlier question: “Bamboo worms. Have Grandma fry them up—they’re delicious.”  

Jiang Le: “!!!”  

Guagua screamed: [AAAAH! You humans are terrifying! How can you EAT WORMS?!]