Lin Damei didn't reply: "Let's start eating! It's not easy for the whole family to get together. After we finish eating, I have something to announce. Yunshan and I have had too many misunderstandings. Let's clear things up today."

Ming Zhengyang didn't know what to say. It would be good to clear up the misunderstanding, but he felt uneasy.

As everyone began to sit down, naturally, Ming Zhengyang and his family occupied half of the table, while Lin Damei and her family occupied the other side. There was even an empty seat on each side, making it look more like a negotiation if they weren't at the dining table.

Lin Damei explained, "The fish was brought by Lao Zhu and is for Fanfan's meals. The eggs that Fanfan eats were also brought by Lao Zhu. I was just helping to keep an eye on her. She didn't eat a single grain of rice from the Ming family."

Ming Zhengyang was displeased: "Why are you saying all this? We have such a good relationship with Lao Zhu and his wife. All we did was look after the child and cook a meal. And you still accept grain from us? How am I supposed to face him in the future? Don't accept grain from him anymore. I can still give Fanfan a bite to eat."

Lin Damei glanced at Ye Shuhua and said, "I'm afraid people will say that I eat fish and meat every day at home, while I only feed her pig swill. Lao Zhu thinks that having someone else take care of the child requires effort, and it's not something that can be done just by asking. He insists on giving it to me, and I can't refuse. If you can refuse, then you should do it yourself."

When she wanted to accept it? It's not that she had any grounds to refuse. Old Ming doesn't mind spending the Ming family's money on the Ming family members, but no one is happy when it's spent on Yunshu's children. She's spending the Ming family's money, and she doesn't have the confidence to subsidize her son. Old Zhu has figured out this point, making it impossible for her to refuse.

She already owes Yumin enough to repay, and she doesn't mind owing even more to the same person. She will definitely work like a slave to repay Yumin in the future. Yumin is most worried about Fanfan, so she will take good care of Fanfan and not let Yumin worry about her at all.

Ye Shuhua couldn't eat anymore: "Auntie, are you talking about me? Didn't you do these things? I eat simple meals at home, but when I'm not around, you have big meals. I saw it with my own eyes. Do you want to deny it?"

Ming Yunshan immediately stopped her: "Ye Shuhua, shut up. Don't you know what the situation is? Can your family afford to eat fish and meat every day? Don't keep complaining after just one visit. If you're not satisfied, go back to your parents' house. Anyway, you can give your mother fifteen yuan every month, and she will definitely satisfy you."

He's only slightly better off than the bottom class, earning just fifty yuan a month. Ye Shuhua earns even less, only half of his income. Their household expenses are also considerable. This isn't the countryside; they have to buy their own oil, salt, soy sauce, vinegar, grains, and vegetables, and there's a rationing system. Even if you have money, you might not be able to buy them. She also needs to buy new clothes every month. They live a very frugal life.

The mother-in-law would only help take care of the child if she paid 15 yuan a month. She would only take care of the child and provide one meal. They would cook breakfast themselves, then send the child over after breakfast. The child would eat lunch at the Ye family's house, and they would cook dinner themselves and take the child back home. The child was even ridiculed at the Ye family's house for being a beggar, and they never mentioned paying for the meals.

When the aunt was looking after them, she didn't charge them anything and even took care of the family's meals. If it weren't for her constant fuss, which made the aunt angry and unwilling to help, they wouldn't be struggling so much and would have saved money long ago.

Ye Shuhua naturally didn't dare to speak. She was so comfortable in the Ming family, but she was so stifled in her own family. If Lin Damei hadn't quit, she wouldn't have been treated badly in her family. Yunshan not only didn't understand, but also said she deserved it. Wasn't Lin Damei the one who deserved it the most?

Lin Damei naturally stopped them: "I'm saying this to tell you that the Zhu family didn't take advantage of the Ming family, and even paid a high price. Don't be sarcastic and say that I look after other people's children but not the Ming family's. If you offered me a high price, I would look after her too. Let's eat now and talk about it after we finish eating."

The group started eating. Although Ye Shuhua was unhappy, it didn't stop her from eating. Lin Damei was not easy to talk to, but her cooking was really delicious, and she was determined to eat her fill.

Ming Yunshu took on the task of feeding Zhu Fanfan. While feeding her, he would take the opportunity to eat a few bites of food himself. He seemed to have found the joy of raising a child.

They finished eating, almost all of it was clean. The children patted their round bellies with satisfied expressions, while the adults were more reserved. Regardless of their mood before eating, they all enjoyed the meal.

After the meal, Lin Damei and her daughter-in-law cleaned up. Ming Zhengyang took the opportunity to ask Ming Yunshu, "How's work going, Yunshu? Any problems?"

Ming Yunshu said nonchalantly, "Don't worry, I won't use the Ming family's resources. I joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs because I knew you couldn't interfere, and no one else can claim credit for my work."

Ming Zhengyang said angrily, "Can't you stop talking so sarcastically? Do you think you're so great just because you work in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs?"

This child has become sarcastic and difficult to communicate with. We're all family, what can't we talk about?

Ming Yunshu nodded seriously: "Any place you can't get involved in is remarkable."

The Minister of Foreign Affairs is concurrently held by the Prime Minister. As long as you have the ability, you will be promoted. He is a good judge of character and he is full of energy. As long as he works hard enough, he will definitely make a name for himself.

Ming Yunshan then explained, "Little brother, we didn't handle things well enough back then, and we apologize to you. But after so much time has passed, can't you let it go? Your older brother is willing to do anything for you. Can't you forgive your older brother?"

Ming Yunshu sneered: "What right do the beneficiaries have to forgive the oppressed? It's fine if we just leave each other alone. Stop thinking about peaceful coexistence; it's disgusting."

Lin Damei came out and interrupted directly: "Everyone has finished eating, let's sit at the table and talk! Today we'll clarify what happened when Sister Yan died."

Yan Jiaoran, Ming Zhengyang's first wife and Ming Yunshan's birth mother, was a beautiful, gentle, yet strong woman. She died in childbirth, and Lin Damei entered the Ming family. Some people believed that Lin Damei wanted to take her place, so they poisoned her, since she was there to take care of her during childbirth.

Ming Zhengyang immediately stopped her: "Da Mei, so much time has passed, let it go! We won't mention it again. We'll talk about it together in the afterlife when the three of us go down together."

Ming Yunshan spoke up at this moment: "Auntie, the kindness of raising is greater than the kindness of giving birth. I am grateful to you for treating me like your own son. I will never forget your kindness. What's past is past, let's look forward."

Lin Damei got angry: "What nonsense about the debt of raising someone being greater than the debt of giving birth? It's a life for a life. How can you erase the debt of giving birth to the person who gave you life? How heartbroken she would be if she knew you said those words!"

She had been angry ever since Hou Zhen said he would treat her like his own son, and now she was even angrier after hearing what Ming Yunshan said.