As Wang Qingchen ran for a while, he felt something was amiss. If Wang Youtian's forehead injury were truly severe, Wang Youfu wouldn't have carried him back; the bumps along the road would only aggravate the wound. It was more likely that the Zhang family and Wang Youfu simply wanted to stop tangling with the main household. Neither Wang Youfu nor Zhang shi were fools, and Wang Youtian’s injury presented a perfect opportunity to leave. However, if Wang Youtian was hurt, the main household would surely send someone to check. Thinking of this, Wang Qingchen decided that while calling for Physician Li, he first needed to have a good discussion with the physician.

At Wang Youtian's house, Wang Youfu had only just set Wang Youtian down when he saw the Old Master and Wang Youliang arrive. Zhang shi quickly helped Wang Youtian lie on the kang and close his eyes. Wang Youtian didn't understand what Zhang shi was up to but numbly obeyed. Zhang shi immediately sat by the edge of the kang, dabbing her eyes with a handkerchief, while Wang Youfu adopted a grave expression—after all, if you’re going to put on a show, you must see it through. Yang shi, truly believing Wang Youtian was seriously injured, was riddled with worry. The Old Master and Wang Youliang's hearts sank upon seeing the scene—could something truly terrible have happened?

Zhang shi dabbed her tears and wailed, “Husband, you mustn't have an accident, or what will become of me and the children!”

Wang Youfu interjected, “Third sister-in-law, don't panic. Third brother will be fine. Besides, Father, Mother, and Eldest Brother are here. They promised to support their brothers and wouldn't abandon you.”

“That’s right, third sister-in-law, calm down first. Setting aside whether third brother will be alright, even if the worst were to happen… Father, Mother, and your two elder brothers’ families are still here!” The Old Master’s face was etched with worry as he spoke.

Wang Youliang grew anxious hearing the Old Master’s words. If the third brother truly met with misfortune, would his own family be expected to support their entire household? That was absolutely out of the question.

“Third sister-in-law, your brother…” Just as Wang Youliang was about to say something, Wang Qingchen arrived with Physician Li.

Zhang shi and Wang Youfu secretly lamented the timing. Given the Eldest Brother’s stingy nature, he certainly wouldn't want to support the third branch for free. If the Eldest Brother’s words implied reluctance to help, then in the future, when the main household needed support from the second and third branches, they would have the perfect retort against the Old Master and Eldest Brother. Qingchen’s return was terribly ill-timed; the Eldest Brother had almost spoken his mind.

Physician Li approached the kang, placed a hand on Wang Youtian’s forehead to examine it, and then took his pulse. His brow remained deeply furrowed. “How did this wound happen? It’s so severe, and on the head at that. Even if it heals, he won't be able to do heavy labor anymore.”

Upon hearing the injury was this serious, Zhang shi immediately dropped the pretense; this time, her sorrow was genuine. “Husband, how could this wound be so terrible? What am I and the children supposed to do now…”

Wang Youfu hadn't expected Wang Youtian’s head wound to be this grave. He looked at Physician Li and asked, “Physician Li, is there truly no remedy?”

Wang Qingchen had briefed Physician Li to exaggerate the severity of the injury and had given him ten copper coins as a ‘thank you’ gift from the family. Seeing the family’s reaction now, Physician Li thought, These people really know how to act; they look as if it’s real. So, he continued playing along: “With the injury like this, I can do nothing.”

Zhang shi wept even harder, and Wang Youtian, lying on the kang, was terrified. In a farming household, being unable to do heavy work was tantamount to being useless! How would they feed the family? At this thought, Wang Youtian shed manly tears.

Seeing this, the Old Master was deeply saddened and could only console them, “Third son, third daughter-in-law, you still have Father, Mother, and your Eldest and Second brothers. We won't abandon you.”

Wang Youliang became truly frantic now; his worst fear had materialized. “Father, Third Sister-in-law’s family is so wealthy; supporting the third branch would be so easy for them! You know my own situation, Father! How could I possibly support a few more people?”

The Old Master hadn't expected Wang Youliang to think this way. He always considered Wang Youliang to be a respectable man. Hearing his words, the Old Master became furious, pointing at him: “Their family is their family, and you are you! If your own brother is like this, are you just going to push the responsibility onto others and wash your hands of it?”

“Father, it’s not that I don’t want to manage, but I can’t manage!” Wang Youfu replied with an air of ‘helplessness.’

“You…” The Old Master was so angry he pointed at Wang Youliang but couldn't utter a curse.

“Father, you shouldn't blame Eldest Brother. Even if I recover from this injury, I’ll be crippled. I don't want to burden anyone. I will divorce his mother then, and I will…” Wang Youtian choked, unable to finish his sentence.

“Father, you see, Third Brother himself said he doesn’t want to be a burden…” Wang Youliang was cut short by a slap from the Old Master.

The Old Master took a calming breath and cursed, “How did I give birth to such a heartless thing! Think about how much support the Eldest Branch received from the Second and Third Branches before. Have you forgotten all that?”

Wang Qingchen saw that things were proceeding well enough and leaned in to whisper to Zhang shi about the plan to have Physician Li exaggerate the injury. Zhang shi was so stunned by this abrupt turn of events that she couldn't speak. “Qingchen, is what you said true?”

“Yes, Third Aunt, I just secretly asked Physician Li; Third Uncle’s forehead is fine, just needs a dressing!” Wang Qingchen replied.

Zhang shi joyfully wiped away a tear, but her happiness was quickly replaced by thoughts of their current situation. She suppressed her excitement and, while the Old Master and Eldest Brother were arguing, quietly asked Physician Li a few things. After confirming Wang Youtian’s injury was not serious, she slipped him over ten copper coins, asking him to dress the wound first.

After Physician Li finished bandaging the wound and departed, Zhang shi turned to the Old Master: “Father, no matter what my husband says, since I married into the Wang family, I live as a member of the Wang family and will be a ghost of the Wang family in death. I will not divorce my husband. However, today, my husband was injured precisely because of the matter concerning Eldest Brother’s need for wheat. Now that he is injured to this extent and can never do heavy labor again, Eldest Brother’s family must give me an explanation. How my children and I live from now on will depend on Eldest Brother’s support!”

“Third sister-in-law, it wasn't I who struck Third Brother, it was our Mother. And I wasn't the one who demanded the wheat, it was Mother who said she wanted it; it has nothing to do with me,” Wang Youliang quickly deflected.

Zhang shi, hearing this, angrily retorted, “Father, only today do I realize this is how your Eldest Brother intends to support us when you speak of it.”

“This… Third daughter-in-law, I will certainly have a good word with your Eldest Brother. Rest assured, he won't abandon you,” the Old Master said awkwardly.

“No need. Eldest Brother is right; I still have my own family brothers to rely on. But I must make things clear today: you saw how Eldest Brother acted today, and I no longer care for the support of Eldest Brother’s household! But if you speak of supporting Eldest Brother’s family in the future, I absolutely will not agree. Don’t you dare deny what was said today, Father.” Zhang shi stated firmly.

“Third daughter-in-law, your Eldest Brother was just momentarily unclear. I will persuade him again; he won't ignore this matter.” The Old Master urged. The Eldest Branch had received so much support from the Second and Third Branches before; today, no matter what, he had to make the Eldest Brother support the Third Branch, otherwise, wouldn't the Second and Third Branches feel betrayed? How would he ever have the face to speak of brothers helping each other in the future?

“Father, haven't you understood yet? Eldest Brother has shifted the blame onto Mother and claimed he has no money. Does that look like someone intending to offer support?” Zhang shi questioned.

The Old Master paused, then sighed in resignation, “Enough. I guarantee you today, if your Eldest Brother does not support you today, I will never ask you to support your Eldest Brother’s family again in the future.”

Wang Youliang finally breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this.

“That’s good,” Zhang shi thought, also feeling relieved. From now on, when they wanted support from the main household, they could shut them up.

“Father, let me help you back first. We can’t be of much help here anymore,” Wang Youliang offered ingratiatingly. He was afraid that if he didn’t leave now, what if Zhang shi changed her mind and insisted on holding him accountable?

“You… you this…” The Old Master couldn't muster anger towards Wang Youliang’s fawning face and could only storm off first. Wang Youliang quickly followed.

Watching the Old Master and Wang Youliang leave, Zhang shi stroked Wang Qingchen’s head. “You little clever rogue!”

“Third Aunt, you just pushed the Old Master away. What will you do in the future?” Yang shi worried.

“Is Third Brother truly alright? Did you conspire with Physician Li?” Wang Youfu had been slightly suspicious when Zhang shi spoke privately with the physician.

Zhang shi laughed, “Yes, I conspired with Physician Li, but the mastermind wasn’t me—it was your Qingchen. He’s this clever at such a young age.” Zhang shi recounted the entire sequence of events.

Wang Youfu looked at Wang Qingchen afterward, still somewhat disbelieving, especially since he had just thought the child was simple-minded moments ago. But seeing the certainty in Zhang shi’s eyes, he believed her. “You child, you shouldn't scare people like that again. At least tell the adults beforehand!”

Wang Qingchen scratched his head bashfully. “Well, there wasn’t time to tell you folks!”

And Wang Youtian, upon hearing that he was actually fine, didn't register it at first. When he finally did, he happily grasped Zhang shi’s hand. “Wife, is this true? Am I really alright? That’s wonderful, wonderful, haha…”

Wang Qingchen could only be thankful that Wang Youtian hadn't considered him the "culprit," as the blow of hearing he couldn't do heavy labor had been significant enough.

But the matter wasn't entirely over, as Wang Youtian couldn't remain permanently in the state of 'inability to do heavy labor.' Zhang shi decided the whole family would visit her maternal home, and upon their return, they would announce that Wang Youtian was 'cured,' claiming her brother had found an eminent physician to heal him.

It was estimated that once this matter settled, the Old Master’s thinking would shift somewhat. The Second and Third Branches wouldn't have to worry about being constantly called upon to support the Eldest Branch, especially since the Old Master had witnessed Wang Youliang’s reaction that day; they wouldn't be able to demand support with such self-righteousness in the future.

“Ugh…” Wang Qingchen finished writing and stretched widely at Li Yuntai’s desk. These leisurely days were truly wonderful.

Li Yuntai watched Wang Qingchen stretch languidly, his expression relaxed, and couldn't help but smile. “If the tutor saw you like this, he’d surely give your palms a good beating.”

“Haha, well, it’s a good thing I’m not studying, or these hands would be beaten into flatbreads.”

Li Yuntai suddenly turned earnest. “Qingchen, you really should go back and discuss studying with your father. It's a waste of talent like yours not to study.”

Wang Qingchen also dropped his jesting expression. “Yuntai, I know you mean well, but the time isn't right yet. Moreover, my family can’t afford the tuition fees now. But don't worry, I’ll be able to go study before too long.”

Hearing Wang Qingchen say this, Li Yuntai knew he had a plan and stopped persuading him.

Leaving Li Yuntai’s house, Wang Qingchen walked back, thinking. The rice and wheat in his space had grown considerably, and there was a large patch of straw mushrooms too. That orchid plant had also sprouted a new shoot. Wang Qingchen divided it into two plants: one remained in the flowerpot, meant to be returned to Boss Xue, and the other was planted in the space, requiring a new pot to be bought. It would be best if he could sell it to Boss Xue later. Now was the time to seek out Boss Xue.