Zhou's mother was displeased, "Are you, as the father, afraid of your son? Don't you see how old he is now? He'll be a father soon. Do you really expect the second, third, and fourth sons to subsidize the eldest?"

"You, have you forgotten the money the boss gave you? Do you want me to spell it out for you?" Zhou's father knew his son's personality. He seemed lazy and easygoing, but if you crossed his bottom line, his temper was something even he, as his father, couldn't control.

Putting everything else aside, just take Mingjiao's matter for example. Ever since that incident, the eldest brother has never treated her like a younger sister.

“How can that be the same? You can’t do that kind of thing for a lifetime. If we get caught, our whole family will suffer,” Zhou’s mother said, full of resentment and fear.

"Okay, I understand. I'll think about this carefully and discuss it with the eldest son later." Zhou's father also felt that this was not a solution. If it weren't for the eldest son's stubborn nature, he would never have let him do speculative and profiteering things.

“What’s there to discuss? You know his personality. Is he the type to endure hardship? I think we should take this opportunity to teach him a lesson. In the end, it’s because my mother-in-law and the others spoiled him too much,” Zhou’s mother said angrily.

His eldest son was spoiled rotten by his in-laws.

"You, if you have nothing else to do, go home and properly discipline that girl Mingjiao. She's been doing increasingly outrageous things lately," Zhou's father said, not wanting to hear his wife speak ill of his deceased parents.

Zhou's mother knew that the old man didn't like to hear it, so she didn't continue.

When they got home, Zhou Mingjiao greeted them, "Mom, how did it go? Did Dad agree?"

"Your father said he needs to discuss it with your older brother."

Zhou Mingjiao stomped her foot, "First of all, I know my brother's personality. How could he possibly agree? Why didn't he just submit his name directly?"

"Alright, Jiaojiao, don't be angry. When your father comes back, I'll have a good talk with him," Zhou's mother comforted her daughter.

Zhou Mingjiao turned her head away, not even wanting to talk to her mother anymore. She couldn't even handle such a small matter, so she shouldn't expect to benefit from her mother's good fortune in the future.

It seems I have to take matters into my own hands.

Isn't Shen Banxia the one that the eldest brother cares about most?

Perhaps she had come up with a good idea, Zhou Mingjiao turned around and hugged her mother. "Mother, I'm doing this all for my brother's sake. You know that because of what happened when we were little, my brother has never liked me. But we are siblings after all, and I still want what's best for him. But I was really scared back then. I didn't mean to," she said, crying as she spoke.

She knew that her tears were her greatest weapon against her family.

As expected.

“Oh dear, my darling, don’t cry. How could I not know? You are the kindest of all. Your older brother, on the other hand, has always been petty.”

Zhou Mingjiao's purpose was not to let her mother complain about her older brother. "Mother, over the years, I know that I was wrong back then. I also want to sincerely apologize to my older brother. Can you give me some flour and lard? I'll make a pancake for him."

“Oh dear, how can your older brother deserve to eat such precious things? He’s a grown man, and all that white flour is what Mom saved for you. You’ve been sickly since you were little, so you need to eat refined grains.”

A smug glint flashed in Zhou Mingjiao's eyes, but then she thought of her plan and said, "Mother, I sincerely want to apologize to my older brother, so please agree, okay?"

How could Zhou's mother resist Zhou Mingjiao's persistent pestering? "Alright, alright, Mother agrees. Sigh, your older brother is really lucky. Look at him, he's held a grudge over such a small thing for so many years."

Zhou's mother had clearly forgotten that such a small matter almost cost Zhou Mingqian his life.

It can only be said that some people are born with a biased mindset.

When Shen Banxia and her husband returned, Zhou Mingjiao, her face covered in soot, walked over with a smile, carrying two pancakes. "Big brother, sister-in-law, you're back! I specially asked my mother to teach me how to make these for you. Would you like to try my cooking?"

Shen Banxia subconsciously looked at the sky outside. It wasn't raining blood.

Zhou Mingqian didn't hold back, "Zhou Mingjiao, what kind of trouble are you causing now?"

Zhou's mother was furious. "Zhou Mingqian, you little rascal, what kind of nonsense are you spouting? Your sister kindly cooked for you, and you still doubt her? Don't you even know how to be a human being? You have no conscience at all. I think your conscience has been eaten by dogs."

It was a burst of output, a constant barrage of noise.

Zhou Mingqian was completely dumbfounded. "What on earth is going on? It's not a holiday, and you're suddenly making me pancakes? Zhou Mingjiao, are you trying to poison me?"

Zhou Mingjiao's face turned red, then dark, then pale.

She knew that her older brother was a man of few words and could never say anything nice.

She wouldn't have done this if it weren't for her own plans.

"Big brother, I am your own sister. I was thinking that what happened when I was little was indeed immature. I was really scared at the time and forgot to call for help. But no matter what, I was wrong and I sincerely want to apologize to you."

"How strange, you've even brought out flour. Tell me, what do you want me to do?" Zhou Mingqian knew Zhou Mingjiao's personality to a fault, if not 100%.

Zhou Mingjiao's face darkened. Sure enough, she was right to dislike this older brother.

He's a nasty, bad guy.

Zhou's mother couldn't stand it anymore. "Alright, Jiaojiao, you didn't do anything wrong. You don't need to apologize to him. He even wants to eat white flour. He doesn't even get black flour. Okay, we'll leave him alone. Jiaojiao, you can eat by yourself."

Zhou Mingjiao's face stiffened.

Shen Banxia could see clearly that Zhou Mingjiao's pancake probably contained something else.

Sure enough, those who offer unsolicited favors are either up to no good or are thieves.

But is Zhou Mingjiao really that bold as to do something bad in front of so many people?

"Mother, this is something I made especially to apologize to my elder brother. How can I eat it myself?"

"Hmph, he doesn't deserve it. You eat it yourself. You've only just recovered a little bit now," she said, giving Zhou Mingqian a fierce glare.

Zhou Mingqian was indifferent, because he had lost count of the number of times Zhou Mingjiao had been scolded.

Seeing Zhou Mingjiao eat the two pancakes herself, Chen Banxia was confused.

Could it be that Zhou Mingjiao really did this to apologize? And only now, after nearly ten years, has she finally realized her mistake?

Shen Banxia did not believe it.

As Zhou Mingjiao ate, she cursed Zhou Mingqian. Damn it, she had already humbled herself so much, and he was still not satisfied.

After Zhou's father returned, the whole family finally started eating. Looking at the porridge with clearly visible rice grains, Shen Banxia felt that they needed to speed up the process of stockpiling food.

If it weren't for the extra meal we could have after returning to our room, the baby would be malnourished after being born.

"Boss, what are your thoughts on building the reservoir?"