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Xiao Qian was sleeping soundly until Jia Xiufang banged on the door and roused her with a yawn.

She didn’t see Yu Minglang; there was no trace of him in the air. Even the food containers from the night before were gone, and the table and chairs were back in their original places. It was as if he had disappeared like a gust of wind without a sound.

When Jia Xiufang came in, she saw her daughter standing in front of the mirror, emotionlessly adjusting her clothes.

“Qian’er, what are you looking at-Huh? What happened to your mouth?” Jia Xiufang sharply noticed that her daughter’s mouth seemed a bit tom and red, as if swollen.

“Nipped by a dog.”

“What?”

“It’s nothing. I bit it in my sleep last night.”

“Hurry up and change your clothes. Your Eldest Uncle will be here in a bit. Don’t let them catch you still in bed.”

Chen Zilong’s voice came from outside.

“My goodness! Is our house haunted? This lamp’s been broken for so long, why did it suddenly start working?”

Xiao Qian lowered her head, and Jia Xiufang went out, “Don’t talk nonsense. Perhaps the wiring’s loose; it lit up when it made contact somewhere—it is a bit strange, though. Our water tank was full when I woke up this morning, but I don’t remember when it was filled.”

It turns out there were traces. Yu Minglang had done everything he was supposed to do.

As Xiao Qian listened to her mother and younger brother talking about the suddenly working hallway light, the corner of her mouth curled up. Suddenly, she felt something was amiss.

She lowered her head, tugging her pajama collar down slightly, revealing a red mark just below her collarbone.

It seemed that the bad guy also did something he shouldn’t have.

Born in the year of the dog, he had to take a few bites when the opportunity arose…”

Eldest Uncle’s family arrived before lunchtime. As soon as they received Jia Xiufang’s letter, they bought tickets to come over.

As soon as they entered the house, they hugged Jia Xiufang and cried together. “Big Brother, Second Brother is too inhuman. He actually did this to our mother!” Jia Xiufang’s indignation was palpable.

Eldest Uncle patted her on the shoulder, and Eldest Aunt beside him said angrily.

“We’re here to set things right!”

Heh heh…

Watching this scene, Xiao Qian took in everyone’s reactions. In her heart, there were only two big “heh heh” sneers.

The old lady stayed here for so many years, and the Eldest Uncle’s family only showed up once every two years. They didn’t contribute to her pension or help take care of her; it was all left to Jia Xiufang.

It was clear why they were here now: it was about their interests.

In the eyes of Eldest Uncle and his peers, they didn’t insist on the old lady’s money or support her. Letting their Second Brother take care of her was accepted as the natural order of things. After all, in their eyes, parents’ money should be left to their sons.

Sometimes, Grandma would be confused but clear-minded at other times. It took her a few dozen seconds to recognize Eldest Uncle after seeing him. She held onto his hand and wouldn’t let go, constantly murmuring his childhood nickname.

Jia Xiufang wiped her tears on the side, while Xiao Qian shook her head and whispered to her mother.

“You entertain Eldest Uncle for a while; I’m going out.”

“Qian’er, you’re not staying at home?”

“You guys can discuss these matters on your own. I don’t need to get involved. Just cook a few dishes for lunch at home. I won’t be back for it.”

“You, this child. Your uncle doesn’t come often, and with this big matter at home, no matter how busy you are, you should stay and accompany them a little.”

To Jia Xiufang, this was a happy reunion of relatives. In Xiao Qian’s eyes, it was the epitome of hypocrisy.

Eldest Uncle’s family surely didn’t come for nothing. The matter of the house didn’t require Jia Xiufang’s involvement, as splitting it evenly was already a done deal. Xiao Qian couldn’t be bothered to watch these people hypocritically calculate under the banner of filial piety, so she made up an excuse and left.

Qian er has grown up into a fine lady in the few years we haven’t seen her.” Eldest Uncle commented on Xiao Qian’s retreating figure.

Jia Xiufang’s pride and joy was her daughter. “She’s grown up, becoming sensible. She’s attending a prestigious provincial university and even has a boyfriend. He’s a businessman and treats her very well. Our Xiao Qian is luckier than me.”

“Xiufang, let’s talk about our Old Lady’s matter. Second Brother is in jail now. We need to settle everything quickly.” Eldest Sister-in-law interrupted Jia Xiufang’s introduction.

These trivial matters were not as exciting as the demolitions and how the old people divided their property.

Xiao Qian stepped out of the house and wandered aimlessly for a while. Human nature tends to show its ugly side when faced with money, leaving her uninterested in looking at it for even a second.

The Urban Village was still as noisy and chaotic as usual, with many people living generation after generation, socializing harmoniously because of poverty.

However, this seemingly peaceful atmosphere would soon be broken as the demolition notice was issued. Countless families fought over property while caring for the elderly, making it impossible for them to get along. The old generation always said it’s better to have more children. In case of problems, everyone can sit together and discuss, and siblings would have each other to rely on. More directly, they hoped to raise more sons to have a place to grow old.

When they were poor, they lived in harmony. Suddenly, money appeared before them, and many families were no longer at peace. Who got more or less, who took care of the elderly for a few more days-mild disputes led to undermining each other behind their backs, while more severe cases, like that of Xiao Qian’s Second Uncle’s family, turned a blind eye to money, considering it more important than family affection.

Xiao Qian couldn’t help but think of Yu Minglang’s two brothers.

If the Yu Family were not in their current status, if they were ordinary people instead, they would have to struggle for their livelihood, constantly calculating for their daily necessities and children’s future. Would Yu Minglang and his two brothers still be as harmonious as they are now?

The answer was definitely yes; those three brothers would not fight to the death over money even if they were in a different family.

Because the parents of the Yu Family gave their children more than material wealth. The most precious treasure, which Xiao Qian’s grandmother did not give to her children, was the correct values.

Perhaps because she thought of Yu’s parents, Xiao Qian bought some fruits and took a taxi to their house.

She didn’t give them a heads up, just thinking she’d pay them a visit.

Fortunately, Father Yu and Mother Yu were both at home, and Mother Yu was delighted to see Xiao Qian.

“You came without saying anything, but why did you buy all these things?

Come on in.”

The slippers prepared for Xiao Qian were still there. She changed into them and entered the house.

“Did you see Minglang this morning before he left for his business trip?”

“I saw him… Auntie, the seafood porridge you made was really delicious.”

Father Yu was sitting on the sofa, and his eyes widened when he heard this, “So that’s where all those large shrimps went!”

This was a lingering resentment that had been brewing since the night before.

Mother Yu laughed, “I didn’t make seafood porridge. I made winter melon and shrimp porridge.”

“Uh, I didn’t see the winter melon.”

Father Yu slapped the sofa armrest, “The winter melon was all eaten by me!”

Xiao Qian couldn’t help but smile, thinking that this stubborn old man could be quite cute at times.

“Look at your stingy face! What’s the big deal about eating a few shrimps? Xiao Qian, don’t be like him. This old man lost several games of chess to his younger brother last night and has been sulking ever since. You stay for lunch, and I’ll go to the kitchen to cook some dishes.”

“Auntie, let me help you.” Although Xiao Qian couldn’t cook, she could help wash vegetables and the like.

“No need, just chat with your uncle.” Mother Yu pushed Xiao Qian away and whispered..