Zhao Daqing continued posturing like the family patriarch, becoming more agitated as he spoke, until he choked on his own breath and fell into another violent coughing fit.

After spitting out another mouthful of blood, he finally calmed down.

Li Cuihong quickly ran to the kitchen to fetch a bowl of hot water and handed it to Zhao Daqing with a sycophantic smile. “Dad, have some water and take a rest.”

Zhao Daqing looked at his daughter-in-law with satisfaction. Sometimes, Li Cuihong really wasn’t bad—at least she was reliable when it counted.

Playing her part, Li Cuihong offered a “suggestion”:
“Dad, I think you still need to manage the second branch’s household. Otherwise, Chunhua will never live properly.

Yesterday, I saw her bring back four sacks of grain—all hauled over to her mother’s house.

They’re even building a kitchen in the east wing. I heard that alone cost eight taels of silver—not including furniture!

And today, she sent all three children to the village school.

Since the split, every time we pass by the Qian house, we smell meat cooking. It’s not a holiday or festival—what kind of family eats meat every day?

And look at those kids! In just a few days, they’ve visibly put on weight! Dad, you do the math—Chunhua must’ve spent at least fifty taels of silver these few days.”

Li Cuihong couldn’t do arithmetic to save her life, but that didn’t stop her from wildly exaggerating.

And Zhao Daqing wasn’t any better at math—he believed whatever she said.

When he heard the number “fifty taels,” he stood up, alarmed:
“What?! She’s spent fifty taels?! Unbelievable! That woman’s completely lost her mind. No, I must go talk to her tonight.”

Li Cuihong added just in time, “Dad, it’d be best if you took control of Chunhua’s money again, like before.”

Zhao Daqing nodded. He thought that was a fine idea too.

Madam Zhao glanced at the two of them and silently shook her head.

After living with Zhao Daqing for a lifetime, she knew him well.

He was fully aware of Li Cuihong’s motives, but he craved control. Maybe not over anything major, but he still wanted to keep a tight grip on the Zhao household.

Li Cuihong’s suggestion suited him perfectly—even if it was improper, he’d knowingly go along with it.

Madam Zhao, done with the nonsense, returned to the main house without another word.

Meanwhile, after sending the children to school, Qian Chunhua returned to the east wing with Qingfeng. She was personally overseeing construction today.

“Uncle Ding, almost done?” Chunhua asked with a smile.

Uncle Ding turned around and replied,
“Yes, we’ll work until nightfall and get it finished today.”

Chunhua was surprised.
“Didn’t you say it would take five days? How come it’s done in four?”

Uncle Ding sighed.
“Well, after the village chief’s warning about stockpiling grain yesterday, all of us who work outside wanted to finish quickly and head to the county ourselves tomorrow.”

So that was the reason. Chunhua understood.

The sooner it was done, the sooner her family could enjoy a warm kang bed and no longer crowd together on one small bed.

She glanced around and was very satisfied with Uncle Ding’s work.

Not only had they built a kitchen next to the east wing, they had also added a firewood shed beside it. Even better, there was a covered walkway between the two—perfect for retrieving firewood in the rain.

She closely inspected the roof—very pleased.

Though made of thatch, it was reinforced with a mix of mud, making it quite sturdy.

Best of all, the roof was only about two meters high. With a stool, she could easily reach it.

The covered area was about two square meters—just right. Chunhua had already planned to install her smallest solar panel there. It would fit perfectly and could be used to charge her lithium batteries stored in the firewood shed—hidden from view.

Of all the things she could adapt to in this new world, going without a washing machine was the one thing Chunhua couldn’t tolerate.

Everyone in the village washed clothes in the cold creek at the foot of Lion Mountain. Aside from the distance, it was freezing cold.

And this wasn’t even the coldest time yet. Once winter fully arrived, even the river would freeze over. Washing with well water wouldn’t be much better—it would still freeze her hands.

With electricity, Chunhua could use her lithium batteries and a power inverter to run her washing machine.

Thinking about it made her beam with joy. Finally—this problem would be solved.

While Uncle Ding and his workers continued, Carpenter Wang delivered the wooden doors Chunhua had ordered.

The doors were the most urgent part. The rest—bathtub, kang table—would be ready tomorrow.

As Chunhua and Uncle Ding checked the delivery, Zhao Daqing and Li Cuihong came out of the main house, drawn by the noise.

“Dad, Chunhua’s there,” Li Cuihong said, delighted. “Go, go now!”

Zhao Daqing stepped into the courtyard and peered toward the east wing.

Chunhua heard the noise and turned to see them—but acted as if she hadn’t, making no effort to greet them or invite them in.

Daqing had planned to wait for Chunhua to call him, giving him an excuse to enter. But she didn’t follow the script.

Face wasn’t as important as control—so he forced himself to walk into the courtyard now under Chunhua’s domain.

The yard was still messy, not yet organized.

Zhao Daqing frowned at the sight but held back his complaints.

“Chunhua, you’re here today?” he asked, trying to start conversation.

Chunhua turned around, visibly annoyed. That was the downside of living so close—he showed up again.

Before she could respond, she saw Li Cuihong trailing behind Zhao Daqing.

“Get out!” Chunhua shouted, unleashing all her pent-up fury on Li Cuihong.

As she shouted, she pulled a retractable stun baton from her coat pocket, ready to strike.

Li Cuihong hadn’t even found her footing yet. Startled by Chunhua’s yell, she screamed and bolted at the sight of the electric baton.

That was Li Cuihong—vicious but a total coward.

She left Zhao Daqing standing alone in the cold wind, utterly disheveled.

Chunhua put away the baton—but didn’t hide it. She held it in her right hand and tapped it lightly against her left palm as she walked toward Zhao Daqing.

He instinctively stepped back.

Chunhua suppressed a laugh, keeping her face cold.
“Dad, what do you want?”

Though she was reluctant, Chunhua still forced out the word “dad.”

Zhao Daqing waved his hands quickly.
“N-nothing much. I just came to see if you needed any help.”

Chunhua’s voice remained icy.
“No need. We’re no longer family,” she reminded him firmly.

Zhao Daqing hadn’t yet gotten to the point of his visit, but Chunhua wasn’t giving him the chance.

Her tone made it clear: we’re no longer related—don’t meddle.

She was basically telling him to scram.

Saving what little dignity he had left, Zhao Daqing turned and left the east courtyard, throwing one last glance over his shoulder every few steps—defeated and unwilling.