Feng Lan ground her teeth in anger. She sneered, "What good is a sharp tongue? In a couple more years, you’ll be married off—a daughter married is like water splashed out the door. Oh, I forgot. If you really did that disgraceful thing, whether you can even get married is another question entirely!"

Su Yun immediately flung a scalding flatbread at her. It struck Feng Lan on the hand, making her yelp and grimace in pain.

Say what you will about her, but not about her daughter. Never.

Su Yun said coldly, "Feng Lan, if you dare spout any more nonsense, I’ll drop everything I’m doing today just to rip your mouth to shreds!"

Seeing the murderous glint in Su Yun’s eyes, Feng Lan’s expression turned foul. Though she was seething, she ultimately said nothing. After picking out the largest flatbreads, she snorted coldly and turned to leave.

Just then, Mr. Qin and Old Mrs. Qin came over for the meal. It was unclear how much they had seen, but in any case, they both wore long faces, clearly displeased.

Qin Jiao remembered how, as a child, she would always grow anxious whenever she saw her grandfather’s fierce, long-faced expression. She would always feel as though she must have done something wrong.

But not anymore.

’Because sometimes, once a person has a preconceived notion about you, no matter what you do or how you do it, you’ll always be in the wrong.’

’In Mr. Qin’s mind, he disliked his second son, and on top of that, his second daughter-in-law hadn’t given him a grandson. Their two girls would eventually be married off and gone for good. Therefore, no matter what their family of four did, it was always wrong.’

’Even when Qin Zhonghui and his wife came back each year and gave him most of the money they’d earned from their hard work, it was still wrong.’

’Now, Qin Jiao finally understood. Since he was a stone that could never be warmed, she might as well stop trying.’

’She glanced at the prim and proper Mr. Qin, but her mind was on how he hadn’t met a peaceful end in her previous life. Even though the family never officially split, the old couple’s money was eventually siphoned off by their youngest uncle’s family. And that couple had no idea how to earn money; they were nothing but lazy gluttons.’

’So, a moment ago, Qin Jiao hadn’t been lying to Feng Lan. In her previous life, that couple really had raised Xiao Tao to be crooked. Later, after Xiao Tao committed a crime and was thrown in jail, Feng Lan had come to Qin Jiao, a blubbering mess, begging her to help figure something out.’

’They were rotten to the core. There were many things you couldn’t explain, and they would always lord their seniority over you. It was an insurmountable barrier, leaving you completely helpless.’

’That’s why Qin Jiao resolved that in this life, her family, just like her eldest uncle’s, would get away from all of this early on.’ 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

’They would give the elders some money to show filial piety, and that would be enough. But as for taking on the burden of genuinely caring for them? That wasn’t necessary.’

Because of the talk about splitting the family, the atmosphere in the Qin family’s home was heavy all morning. After lunch, the eldest son, Qin Bogang, returned by himself.

His wife, Sun Li, hadn’t come at all.

Their branch of the family had more or less already split off before. Besides, Sun Li couldn’t care less about the little money the Qin family had.

Even though Sun Li had also only borne a daughter, she had never felt the least bit inferior in front of Mr. Qin and Old Mrs. Qin.

Having money gave you a backbone.

Even that motormouth Feng Lan never dared to say anything to this eldest sister-in-law’s face. On the contrary, every time Sun Li visited, she would shamelessly suck up to her with all sorts of flattery.

Things like, "Oh, Sister-in-law, your clothes are so beautiful!" "Your skin is so lovely!" "Have you gotten younger again? You look several years younger than me!"

Sun Li looked down on the lazy and gluttonous Feng Lan, but she also enjoyed the flattery. After all, who doesn’t like to hear nice things?

Qin Bogang looked a bit travel-worn. He got off his bicycle, explained that his wife was busy at work and couldn’t come, then frowned and said, "Dad, what’s all this about splitting up the family?"