Tian Sangui was puzzled as to when this old man, Tian Laosan, had acquired so much silver. He could just take fifty taels without a second thought; it was completely out of character for him...

Having heard no further sounds, Tian Sangui lost interest in investigating and got up to walk down the courtyard wall.

"Hey, it's not over yet, where are you going?" Wang Erwazi watched her walk down to the ground. The play wasn't over yet, where was she going?

"Go home and cook."

Tian Sangui replied to him irritably, then turned and walked home without looking back.

She was curious about the old house, but it was none of her business. She just wanted to live a good life with her own little family and strive towards her goals.

"Okay, you can sit here for now. I'll come over and let you know when I'm done here!"

Tian Sangui didn't say anything. Wang Erwazi watched her with a smile until she was out of sight, then moved to the nearest courtyard wall to Old Tian's house to listen carefully.

Back in her room, Tian Sangui felt a dull ache in her heart. She attributed it to overwork and believed that she would feel better with more rest.

The whole family worked very hard turning the soil, so we cooked two extra dishes that both families would enjoy in the evening.

I went into the kitchen, picked up a wooden bowl, scooped two large bowls full of raw rice from the rice bag, carefully picked out the small stones, rinsed it twice with clean water, and then put it into a large pot to cook.

With the new stove, cooking rice has become much more convenient; one pot is used for cooking rice, and the other is used for stir-frying vegetables.

Before stir-frying, make a cucumber salad first; it's refreshing, appetizing, and a must-have on the dinner table.

Prepare chopped scallions, ginger, garlic, and chili peppers. Take out fresh fatty pork belly, add ginger, blanch it in boiling water, and set aside.

Prepare four eggs and beat them well in a bowl. Cut the washed chives into sections and place them on a plate.

After slicing the bamboo shoots, wipe the water off the pan to prevent the hot oil from splashing out when the pork belly is put into the pan and burning you.

Place the pork belly slices into the pot, then quickly add a handful of firewood to the other side of the stove.

Pick up a spatula and stir-fry quickly in the pan until the oil comes out. Add scallions, ginger, garlic and Sichuan peppercorns and sauté until fragrant. Add a little salt to make the meat slices more flavorful.

Next, add the baby bamboo shoots, stir-fry over high heat, then add seasonings and a little soy sauce for color, stir-fry evenly, and it's ready to serve.

Zhang, carrying a hoe, returned first with her four and five children. As soon as they entered the courtyard, they were greeted by the aroma of cooking oil, and their stomachs began to rumble.

"What are you doing, little girl? It smells so good."

"It smells so good, so good, Third Sister smells so good!"

When Zhang entered the kitchen, she saw a dish on the counter that looked like jade and asked Tian Sangui with undisguised joy in her eyes.

Xiao Si and Xiao Wu followed behind Zhang Shi, jumping to Tian San Gui's side and clapping and cheering.

"Stir-fried bamboo shoots with pork belly, braised grass carp with white jade, chive and egg pancakes, stir-fried lotus root with vinegar, and I'll also cook a pot of sour meat soup, so it'll be easier on the stomach."

"Oh my, look at my daughter's cooking! Just looking at it makes my mouth water."

Zhang praised it.

"It's just a simple meal, nothing as exaggerated as Mom makes it out to be. Is Dad back yet? Time to eat!"

"You're back! Mom will set the table. Little Four and Little Five, come wash your hands and eat!"

"Oh, time to eat!"

Upon hearing that they could eat, the two brothers were overjoyed and followed Zhang out to wash their hands.

Just as the family sat down to eat, there was a knock on the gate to the courtyard.

Tian Da got up to open the door, and standing outside was Wang Erwazi.

What are you doing here?

Tian Da assumed he was there to cause trouble for his younger siblings again, so he wasn't polite to him.

Wang Erwa pushed Tian Da aside: "Get out of my way! My search for San Gui is none of your business!"

He then went straight into the courtyard. Outside the side room, the family was sitting there eating. He immediately saw Tian Sangui sitting next to Zhang Shi, and seemed to realize that it was inappropriate for him to go over there.

So, for once, he showed rare courtesy and bowed to Tian Sangui's parents.

"Wang Er is paying his respects to Uncle Tian and Aunt Tian!"

The family was stunned by Wang Erwazi's behavior. When did this rascal learn to be so polite?

"Erwazi, have you eaten yet? We haven't even started eating. Why don't you eat something here before you go back?" Zhang Shi politely invited him to stay.

Wang Erwazi chuckled and refused, "Thank you, Auntie, but my mother is waiting for me to come home for dinner. Sangui, your third uncle's family was kicked out by your grandmother. From what they said, it seems your third uncle bought a house in town."

"Oh, your grandma also said they should give her fifty taels of silver a month for her retirement!"

"What? Third Brother split up the family business?" Tian Lao Si was the first to stand up, his expression excited.

If his third brother hadn't suggested dividing the family property, his mother wouldn't have taken the initiative to kick them out.

“Wang Erwazi, when did you hear that? Did they say it themselves?” Zhang asked definitively.

Wang Erwa scratched his head, his eyes unconsciously glancing at Tian Sangui.

"Yeah, it started making a fuss in the afternoon. I was watching from the top of the Tian family's courtyard wall. It was really real."

Wang Erwazi made no mention of Tian Sangui's presence.

Tian Sangui gave him a look and continued eating.

Wang Erwa felt it was worth it; he was even happier than when he received the candy.

After seeing him off, Tian Laosi couldn't sit still. His family was not favored by the Yun family, so it was understandable that they were separated. But why did Tian Laosan bring up the separation of the family?

His parents must be heartbroken to see him gone. If something bad happens to them, they will be cursed to death in the village.

Old Tian is such a worry: "I'm going to check on the old house. You guys eat first."

With that, Tian Laosi got up, put on his coat, and walked away.

"Father, come back!"

Tian Sangui couldn't stand it anymore, so he put down his chopsticks and raised his voice to stop the impulsive Tian Laosi.

“When we lived in the old house, none of them listened to what you said. Now that we’ve separated, do you think anyone will listen if you try to interfere in the old house’s affairs?”

Tian Laosi paused, his hands resting on the door bolt. Tian Sangui's words, like a loud, resounding drum, echoed in his heart.

Tian Sangui is right. When they lived together before, he never had a say in the house. Now that they've separated from the old house, who would care about his words?

Seeing his hesitation, Tian Sangui continued, “In the past, you only annoyed Grandpa and Grandma. If they didn’t scold you or deduct a few copper coins from you, it would be considered that Grandpa and Grandma were being merciful to you!”

"Besides, Uncle San's matter has nothing to do with us. Do you think you can win back Uncle San and Grandma's hearts by getting involved in this mess?"

Zhang felt that Tian Sangui's words made sense, so she quickly went up and pulled over Tian Laosi, who was standing behind the door.

"What my daughter said makes sense. It's best if we don't get involved in the old house's affairs."

"I am... I'm afraid that the old couple can't handle the fifth brother's courage. With the third brother gone, the burden will fall entirely on the eldest and second brothers. If the old couple gets sick again, won't we brothers be drowned by the smears of Tianjia Village?"

We can't just leave our hometown for this, can we?

“Dad, you’re overthinking it. Didn’t you hear Wang Erwa say that Uncle San gives Grandma fifty taels of silver every month? That’s enough for the whole family in the old house to live on for several years.”

Why should they bother? Yun is probably having a good time in her room. Only Tian Laosi thinks Yun will be sad.