Zhao Di told Xu Lanzhi about the results of the three sisters' discussion, saying that they wanted to build a "charity home". Because Er Zhuzi was there, she did not tell her about Qi Qi swindling money from bad people.

Xu Lanzhi was very gratified. She hadn't expected her children to support her so much, which meant that she would have to give away a portion of the money she earned.

She didn't want the children to suffer any more because of this; they had already suffered enough during her time with her injury.

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Xu Lanzhi immediately decided to return to Tangjiagou to finalize the matter of the orphanage, as she wanted to find a place for those children as soon as possible.

Zhao Di pressed her down onto the bed and said, "Mother, no matter how anxious you are, this house can't be built all at once. Your wound hasn't healed properly yet, so let it recover first."

Xu Lanzhi said, "But the county magistrate told Qiqi to take the children away as soon as possible. Building a house can't wait. Our house is bigger, so let them stay here first."

"No!" Tang Qiqi said seriously, "Mother, haven't you learned your lesson about Hongying? Don't bring just anyone home!"

Wang brought Hongying's family home without a word, which caused a lot of trouble later. It's important to distinguish the boundaries and treat the orphanage as a job. We can't let the grandmother and mother act on their emotions again and cause more trouble.

Xu Lanzhi was surprised by Tang Qiqi's words and asked curiously, "Qiqi, haven't you always supported your mother in helping those children? Why are you saying such a thing?"

Tang Qiqi explained in a serious tone: "I agree to help them, but a small favor can breed gratitude, while a large favor can breed resentment. If we bring them to my house now and then send them to the orphanage later, some of them will inevitably feel that we have abandoned them. It is best not to let them have any illusions from the beginning."

Now, not only Xu Lanzhi doesn't understand, but Zhaodi, Yindi, Jiedi, and Erzhuzi also don't understand.

Tang Qiqi didn't know how to explain it. She planned to run the orphanage like a school, with human touch and rules.

Yindi said, "It's better not to let them live at home. Let them rent a place in the city for now, and I'll cover the rent!"

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“Then leave the food to me!” Zhao Di said.

Xu Lanzhi smiled and said, "Then even if you spend all the money you earn here, it might not be enough. It would be more convenient to go to Tangjiagou. I suddenly remembered that old, abandoned courtyard in our village. Maybe we can tidy it up and still use it!"

Erzhuzi hadn't been able to get a word in edgewise for a while, but when the topic turned to Tangjiagou, he finally had a chance to speak. He asked, "Are you talking about the courtyard where the officials used to hoard troops?"

Xu Lanzhi nodded and said, "That's right, it's that place. They say it was left over from the war in the previous dynasty, and it's been empty ever since. I just don't know if it can still be used!"

Erzhuzi said confidently, "It'll definitely work! Don't let its worn-out exterior fool you; the wood inside is top-quality. It'll last for decades. Just a little repair and it'll be ready to use!" (Qianqian Xiaoshuang)

Zhao Di asked, "If we want to use that place, we need my grandfather Yongnian's permission, right?"

Erzhuzi shook his head and said, "Your grandfather Yongnian can't make this decision. That's a government office. The county magistrate has to give his approval first!"

Upon hearing this, Tang Qiqi exclaimed, "That's easy! The county magistrate is spending so much money on the children's food and drink every day that it's painful for him. He'd love to send them away as soon as possible, so he'd definitely be happy to!"

Erzhuzi reminded her, "When you talk to the county magistrate, be sure to make him sign a written agreement. That way, even if he no longer holds a position here, we'll have proof!"

Tang Qiqi readily agreed and went to ask the county magistrate for a house.

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Zhao Di and Yin Di were also busy. Zhao Di went to sell pots and pans that the orphanage needed, while Yin Di went to prepare bedding, clothes, shoes, and socks.

Jiedi sighed, "Compared to my eldest sister, second sister, and Qiqi, I'm truly nothing!"

Xu Lanzhi said with a loving expression, "Who said that? You seven sisters each have your own strengths, so don't underestimate yourselves. Look, they're all busy now, and it's my third daughter who has to take care of us!"

Erzhuzi also said, "Your mother is right. Jiedi, you are the most honest and kind-hearted. When we first started raising chickens, you were the most patient. You and Baogen helped me every day!"

Recalling her childhood, Jiedi laughed: "Those were so many fun times!"

Xu Lanzhi continued, "Jiedi, you see your eldest and second eldest sisters are both busy. Why don't you drive me and your Uncle Zhu back? The three of us can find someone to clean up that old house. That would be our contribution."

Erzhuzi chimed in, "That's right, that's right, we've done our part, Jiedi, let's go now!"

Jiedi looked at the two con artists in front of her with a smile, and Xu Lanzhi and Erzhuzi also kept smiling.

Ke Jiedi just smiled and didn't answer. Xu Lanzhi said anxiously, "Silly child, what are you laughing at? Hurry up and prepare the carriage!"

Jiedi laughed and said, "Mother, I may be straightforward, but I'm not stupid. With your current health, how can you two possibly take a car back to Tangjiagou? You're trying to fool me while those shrewd ones aren't around, but I won't fall for it! The weather's nice today, so I can carry you out to the yard to get some sun. But don't even think about anything else!"

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Xu Lanzhi and Erzhuzi's smiles froze on their faces. The two of them were old, weak, sick, and disabled, and now they could only let these children do as they pleased.

Xu Lanzhi lay on the recliner, somewhat disappointed, and said, "How come even Lian Di, such an honest child, has become so shrewd!"

Erzhuzi was staring at Xu Lanzhi in a daze when he heard her say this, and chimed in, "With a mother as shrewd as you, the children will naturally take after you!"

Xu Lanzhi suddenly looked up at Erzhuzi and said sadly, "How am I clever? I even mistook my savior. You were the one who saved me, weren't you!"

When Xu Lanzhi was in a coma, Erzhuzi would become a chatterbox whenever he was alone with her, tirelessly recounting past events. But now, he stammered, saying, "What are you saying? I don't understand!"

Xu Lanzhi was not surprised by his reaction at all. If he dared to admit it, he wouldn't have kept this secret for so many years. But this time, Xu Lanzhi was not going to let him get away with it so easily.

She raised her eyebrows and said meaningfully, "Don't know what I'm talking about? Then how do you know that the silver hairpin has orchids on it!"

"You'll see when you see it!" Erzhuzi still stubbornly insisted!

"Don't you really want to give me an explanation?" Xu Lanzhi was a little angry.

"Sister-in-law, what explanation can I give you? I'm just a hired hand under you!" Erzhuzi said guiltily.

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Xu Lanzhi was truly enraged. She sneered and said, "Very well, you're one of my underlings, aren't you? The person who cried and begged me to wake up a few days ago and told me everything was definitely not you. The person who said they would always be with me and help me find my brother was also not you!"

"Lanzhi..." Erzhuzi looked at Xu Lanzhi sadly and said, "I'm sorry. I willingly let Dongsheng protect you in my place. Now that things have come to this, what else can I say!"

"So, if I hadn't almost met my maker, you never planned to tell anyone about this?" Xu Lanzhi asked unhappily.

Erzhuzi's eyes dimmed, and he said dejectedly, "What's the use of saying anything? I'm not good enough for you. I wasn't good enough before, and I'm not good enough now. No matter how hard I try, I can't keep up with you!"

"Thank you!" Xu Lanzhi looked at Erzhuzi with a gentle expression and said, "If it weren't for you, I don't know what would have happened that night. Because of you, I came to Tangjiagou and had seven lovely children."

"And Dongsheng, who loves you dearly!" For some reason, Erzhuzi added this sentence.

Xu Lanzhi understood that he didn't want to let Dongsheng down.

She sighed softly and said, "Zhu Zi, I didn't know you were so good to me before, always helping me in every way. Now I understand, but I feel even more sorry for you. You saved my life and have always protected me and my child. You still haven't started a family. I owe you so much!"

Erzhuzi shook his head and said, "There's nothing to owe. I'm content as long as you don't blame me for giving the hairpin to Dongsheng. Don't worry, Dongsheng is my brother. Let's leave it at that. Let's not bring this up again!"

“Zhu Zi, you’re still young, you should find a wife!” Xu Lanzhi said with tears in her eyes.

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Erzhuzi said casually, "If I really got married, I wouldn't be here with you, basking in the sun and watching the kids run around. It's fine as it is now!"

The two didn't speak again, just quietly basking in the sun. But these words reached Tang Qiqi's ears, and she had a new goal.