Fenglan Wang saw Lin Xiaoxiao and Zhou Huai'an coming back together, and her heart skipped a beat. As soon as the tractor stopped, she almost dared not look at the two of them. She hurriedly jogged over to the side of the vehicle, peering at Zhou Xiaoli and lowering her voice to ask, "How's it? Has the baby been lost?"

Seeing Fenglan Wang, and recalling the hardships she'd endured these past days, tears streamed down Xiaoli's face as she sobbed, "Mom..."

Afraid she might cry and accidentally reveal something, Fenglan Wang quickly called Zhou Chang'an, "Hurry, bring your sister inside! Oh, and stop her from eating so much—she's almost poisoned herself!"

She deliberately raised her voice loud enough for the neighbors to hear, worried that gossip might spread behind her back and ruin Xiaoli's chances of finding a husband.

Once everyone was inside, Zhou Huai'an put away his luggage and went straight to Zhou Mancang's house with Lin Xiaoxiao. Seeing Zhou Huai'an looking serious, Xiaoxiao guessed he was about to discuss the division of the family, and she couldn't help but feel excited—she was eager to see the show.

Fenglan Wang took care of Xiaoli first, then called Chen Qiaolan to bring over some red sugar water. Meanwhile, she hurried into the house to complain to Zhou Huai'an. She was sure Xiaoxiao would badmouth her in front of him, so as soon as she entered, she burst into tears, crying, "Huai'an, it's mom—mom's just not capable. I don't know what I said to upset Xiaoxiao.

I'll apologize right away."

She wiped her tears and said, "We're all family. Isn't it embarrassing for everyone to see us like this? You're the most successful person in the village, and our whole family benefits from you. I was so happy when you married."

"I'm just a rural girl with no wit. Xiaoxiao, if I've done anything to offend you, please don't take it to heart," she added.

Xiaoxiao was utterly amazed at Fenglan Wang's ability to turn black into white—if she were a weaker person, she'd probably be bullied to death by her.

She turned her gaze to Zhou Huai'an, watching how he would handle the situation. If he tried to smooth things over, she'd find another chance to give Fenglan Wang a good beating.

Zhou Huai'an had been silent until Fenglan Wang finished her complaints. Then he looked at Zhou Mancang and said calmly, "This time, I'm here to discuss dividing the family."

"What?!" Fenglan Wang suddenly stopped crying and sat up straight.

Zhou Mancang, no longer looking weak and sickly, also sat up abruptly. "Huai'an, what did you say?"

Zhou Huai'an's tone remained even. "Dividing the family when we get married—this was agreed upon before I left. Over the years, I've sent back my allowances and salary, so I've fulfilled that promise."

Zhou Chang'an and Zhou Changyuan also came over, listening attentively.

Fenglan Wang's eyes widened with panic. "How can you just decide to split everything? Look at how many families in the village have split—aren't you worried about being the laughingstock?"

Zhou Mancang furrowed his brow. "Why all of a sudden? Is this your wife's idea?"

Xiaoxiao was caught off guard, glaring at Zhou Mancang—this "honest man" was not so simple after all.

But with Zhou Huai'an present, she didn't need to speak up; she was determined not to let herself get bullied and end up punching that old man too.

Zhou Huai'an's face darkened. "It has nothing to do with her. This is my decision. I don't want anything from the family anymore. From now on, I'll send you five yuan a month for your retirement."

Fenglan Wang was stunned—only five yuan? That was way less than before. Previously, Zhou Huai'an had sent a full paycheck, and they could even get an extra hundred or two by asking via telegram.

In those tough years, when harvests were poor, other families struggled, but their family had never gone hungry. They still enjoyed white flour and meat dumplings during festivals, and life was the envy of the village.

How could she agree to this? "I won't agree to dividing the family! Look at your eldest brother and Chang'an—when they got married and had children, they didn't leave home. Now that you're grown and have your own family, you just abandon us? Don't forget, it was Changyun who gave up his military quota for you—you wouldn't be where you are today without him!"

Zhou Chang'an shrank back slightly. It was he who had been unable to endure army life, so he let Zhou Huai'an take his place. If he had known he could do well in the military and get a city job, he would have gone without hesitation.

Moreover, that quota was exchanged for two bottles of wine and five jin of pork.

Zhou Huai'an shot him a meaningful look and pulled out a small, slightly old notebook from his pocket. "This records every amount I've sent home, along with proof that Zhou Chang'an went to the armed forces department under my name to ask for benefits."

Seeing the ledger, Zhou Mancang sat up straighter. "What do you mean? What's this about?"

Fenglan Wang, furious that Zhou Huai'an was so determined to split the family, also lost her temper. "You, Huai'an—keeping track of accounts? I've never seen such scheming! We raised you, fed you, and you're actually calculating against us? Do you have no conscience? No wonder the villagers call you faithless man!"

She wailed loudly.

Even Xiaoxiao, upon seeing Zhou Huai'an pull out that little ledger, was stunned—she hadn't expected him to have this kind of trick up his sleeve.

Thinking about how she'd been using him lately, she wondered if he'd also kept a record of her.

Would he pull it out on the day of their divorce and settle accounts? The thought made her look at him with strange eyes.

But Zhou Huai'an remained unmoved, his stance on dividing the family firm.

Fenglan Wang cried herself hoarse, but it was no use. She could only sit by the kang, tears silently falling, secretly planning how to make Zhou Huai'an change his mind.

Seeing Zhou Huai'an's unwavering attitude, Zhou Mancang softened his tone. "Huai'an, if you have any ideas, just say it. If you really want to divide the family, we can do that. After a couple of days, when the team is free, we can invite the village secretary and others to witness it. How about that?"

Xiaoxiao thought Zhou Huai'an wouldn't agree, but surprisingly, he nodded.

—This was clearly a delaying tactic!

With a mixture of curiosity and anticipation, Xiaoxiao silently observed each family member's thoughts.

Zhou Mancang, seeing Zhou Huai'an agree, quickly instructed Fenglan Wang, "Go and cook the chicken we slaughtered yesterday. Let the kids have a good meal at noon."

Fenglan Wang almost wanted to feed the chicken to the dogs and not let Zhou Huai'an have any, but she dared not disobey Zhou Mancang. She grimaced and headed to the kitchen to prepare the meal.

Zhou Huai'an stood up. "No need. We won't be eating at home today."

Zhou Mancang still wanted to say more, but Zhou Huai'an had already taken Lin Xiaoxiao out the door. Frustrated, Zhou Mancang pounded the kang table and cursed silently, clutching his chest and coughing violently.

As Xiaoxiao followed Zhou Huai'an out, she saw someone peeking from a distance—probably curious about the commotion, but too shy to come closer.

Someone recognized Zhou Huai'an and greeted him warmly, "Chang Suo's back?"

Xiaoxiao couldn't hold back a laugh and burst out laughing.