Upon hearing the voice, the five little ones couldn't hide their joy and shouted excitedly, "Daddy!"

Fan's mother and Sun Jinhua gradually calmed down from their initial panic. Fan's mother, in particular, seemed to have suffered a great injustice upon seeing her son return, and tears streamed down her face as if they were free.

She walked quickly into the yard and pulled her second son aside to tell him about her hardships.

Shui Qing clicked his tongue in admiration.

Fan's mother is truly a born actress, and a very skilled one at that; she can shed tears so easily!

She was born in the wrong era. If she were in China, she could easily live a life of luxury with her acting skills.

She then looked up at the father the five little ones were talking about, who was also her nominal 'husband'.

He wore a coarse, crescent-white long robe, faded from washing, with severe wear and tear on the collar, cuffs, and edges. However, the man had gentle features, a tall and elegant figure, broad shoulders, and long legs. His demeanor was composed and dignified, without a trace of poverty.

Shui Qing wondered to herself, "Is this what they mean by 'a person with a wealth of knowledge naturally exudes elegance'?"

Meanwhile, Fan's mother had finished her complaint, crying and slurring her words.

"Your good wife is about to kill your old mother. Your sister-in-law was just joking about selling Da Ya, but she won't let it go and won't forgive anyone even if she's right."

"Sanzhu accidentally bumped into her, and she can lie there all morning without doing any work."

“I gave Daya and Erya a light lesson, but they rushed out and caused a commotion that drew all the neighbors to come and watch. It ruined my and your sister-in-law's reputations, and we were too ashamed to even go out.”

"Because of the problem that Da Ya and Er Ya can't eat at the table, she even chopped up the table. Poor old mother, she's still hungry."

......

Shuiqing didn't know if it was just her imagination, but she felt that her nominal 'husband' looked at her with a deeper meaning after hearing these words.

However, her mother-in-law is quite something; she's really good at twisting the truth.

No wonder the original owner was suppressed by her for more than ten years, feeling frustrated at every turn, and even lost her life because of it.

Fortunately, God smiled upon her and it was her turn.

Regardless of the reason, she will make Fan's mother and Sun Jinhua pay the price they deserve.

Sensing her mother's emotional distress, Er Ya quickly comforted her, saying, "Mother, don't be angry."

Shui Qing was quite curious and asked, "Aren't you five in a hurry?"

When Fan's mother and Sun Jinhua were talking nonsense, the five children clearly looked anxious.

The five little ones shook their heads in unison and whispered, "Father won't believe it."

Shui Qing smiled knowingly, and judging from the five children's completely trusting reaction, he was a qualified father—at least not blindly obedient.

But why are the five little ones still living a life of hunger and cold...?

"Selling Daya as a joke? Mother, do you think it's funny?" The gentle voice became even deeper and more steady, without the slightest hint of amusement.

Mother Fan remained silent and did not answer.