"good."

Although Wu Qingyun was not happy to be ordered around by his mother, he thought that whether his mother's change was a blessing or a curse, he needed to continue to observe.

His eldest and second eldest brothers and his youngest sister all readily cooperated, so he had no reason to go against his mother!

Assessing the situation and acting accordingly—this is a principle the book teaches.

Seeing the third brother working obediently, Jiang Yue thought to herself, "You little brat, I can handle you."

Then, looking at his well-behaved daughter, Xiaocao, he took out a candy from his pocket and, when no one was around, put it into her mouth.

"Shh, don't make a sound. Your brothers don't have any. This is something your mother bought especially for you."

The little grass opened its eyes wide, and a sweet and wonderful sensation came to its tongue. So sweet!

Mother, did you buy candy especially for her?

"Little grass, you just need to do a good job of tending the fire later."

Jiang Yue blinked and patted her daughter's head in a very professional manner.

I thought to myself, my daughter is so cute, it's just a pity her hair is so dry and yellow~

Next, she will raise her daughter to be chubby and healthy, with thick, black hair!

"Yes, Grass will listen to Mother~"

Although this might be the last time I light a fire for my family...

Jiang Yue didn't notice her daughter's downcast mood. At that moment, she was pondering how adding water to the rendered pork fat would produce more oil.

Since I have so many adopted sons, I might as well make use of them.

Jiang Yue called over the boss and asked him to cut the pork fat into small pieces, preferably the size of a thumb.

Wu Daniu grasped the concept quickly, wielding the cleaver and soon cutting the pork fat into small pieces.

Wu Lao Er didn't want to waste the leftover rice water. He first washed a thumb-sized piece of pork fat, then rinsed it with clean water. After draining the pork fat, he waited for his mother's next instructions.

"Little grass, light the fire and start the pot."

"Second brother, once the bottom of the pot is smoking, add the pork fat, then ladle in two ladles of water to render the oil."

"Third brother, bring in the firewood, and wash the pig lungs clean and set them aside for your mother to chop."

"Eldest brother, cut out two pounds of pork belly, take a large pork bone and a pig's heart, and deliver them to the old house. Hand them to your grandmother personally."

At Jiang Yue's command, her children all froze on the spot.

Wu Xiaocao: I'll do whatever my mother tells me to do. This might be her last meal at home...

Wu Daniu: What? Mother actually wants me to deliver meat to the old house? Are you kidding me?

Wu Ergou: Put water in pork fat? Won't it splash my hands with blisters?

Wu Qingyun: Mother has gone mad! She actually made me, a future scholar, wash such a dirty thing as pig lungs!

Seeing this, and under the watchful eyes of several people, Jiang Yue solemnly patted the leader's shoulder and said earnestly:

"Eldest son, now that your father is gone, you are the pillar of the family!"

Upon hearing this, Wu Daniu shuddered, overwhelmed with emotion and a surge of pride in being trusted by his mother.

Yes, he is the pillar of the family!

Jiang Yue was quite satisfied with the effect of this inspirational quote, and then, seizing the opportunity, continued to persuade—or rather, earnestly said:

“Mother knows that I’ve been confused all these years and have fallen out with the old house, but I’m clear-headed now. In the old house, there are not only your loving grandparents, but also your uncles and other elders. You all have the surname Wu, and you can’t write two Wu characters together.”

Over the years, I've seen how they've taken care of you four siblings. I believe you're good children and have thought about repaying their kindness, right?

"Yes, Mom is right. Grandpa and Grandma saved money and secretly gave me food."

Wu Xiaocao was the first to echo her mother. For some reason, when her mother said those words, she felt like crying, she really wanted to cry…

“What my sister said is exactly what I wanted to say. Grandpa, Grandma, and my uncles have taken such good care of our family. My son is all grown up and wants to repay them.”

Wu Daniu's eyes were firm. After listening to his mother's words, he suddenly realized what was going on.

He used to be shameless, just loafing around and waiting to die. Shamefully, he even considered stealing his mother's money...

Now, my mother says he is the pillar of the family!

Yes, he is the pillar of the family. He has to protect his mother and his younger siblings!

He still needs to improve his skills to repay his grandparents!

“Mom, my aunt secretly gave me candy. In my heart, my aunt is just as good as you.”

As Wu Erniu talked, he unconsciously poured all the pork fat into the pot, added water, and wasn't worried at all about getting splattered with oil later.

As if thinking of something wonderful, her eyes were filled with happiness.

Wu Qingyun remained silent, his eyes lowered in thought.

In my memory, my grandparents would secretly give him copper coins on his way to school. It wasn't much, but...

My uncle secretly gave him cloth shoes, which my aunt made while she stayed up all night...

My second uncle is honest and simple, not good with words. My second aunt, though sharp-tongued, has a kind heart. The clothes he's wearing were embroidered by my second aunt; she saved up money for a long time to buy the fabric and make them for him…

My mother said that we should be grateful and filial.

He seemed to understand something, yet he was also somewhat confused...

Having achieved her goal, Jiang Yue stopped urging them and gave them a reminder. The rest was up to the children to figure out on their own!

Wu Family Old House —

It was almost noon, and Wu Dalang's wife, Da Zhou, was already cooking, with wisps of smoke rising from the chimney.

Although there were no meat dishes, the Zhou family's cooking skills were excellent, and the food smelled wonderful...

Grandpa Wu returned from his farm work, put down his hoe, and lay down in his rocking chair, panting heavily.

Old Mrs. Zhou came out of the house and, as if familiar with the place, poured a bowl of cooled boiled water over, gesturing for the old man to have a sip.

"Serves you right for being so stubborn! You're an old man, yet you're trying to work in the fields like a young person!"

His tone was full of complaints, but also deep concern.

"Sigh, I'm just worried about my children and grandchildren. I'll do a little, they can do less, and the whole family can work together to make a good life!"

After drinking the cold water in one gulp, Grandpa Wu felt much better, his burning throat eased, and his fatigue subsided. He then had the leisure to bicker with his wife.

"You just don't take care of your health. If something happens to your old bones, you'll have to spend money to see a doctor."

Old Zhou retorted a few times, took the cup away, and was about to put it back.

"Knock knock knock~"

"Grandpa, Grandma, it's me, Da Niu."

Suddenly, Wu Daniu's voice came from outside.

In an instant, the elderly couple turned pale and lost all interest in arguing.

In the kitchen, after hearing the commotion, Madam Zhou sighed, ultimately unable to bear seeing her third brother's children go hungry.

So, quick as a flash, he picked up ten cornbread buns and five large sweet potatoes, put them in the basket, wiped the water off his hands, and prepared to deliver them.

"Old woman, go open the door."

Grandpa Wu sighed. Fortunately, his eldest son's wife was kind-hearted and didn't grumble like his second son's wife.

"well."

Old Mrs. Zhou sighed and slowly went to open the door.

"Squeak~"

Unexpectedly, Da Niu stood at the door, carrying—

Meat? !