Wang Qinghua’s face was still flushed red all the way home, making Madam Yang wonder if her son was sick—he had been perfectly fine before he left!

After delivering the Laba porridge, the family finally sat down to eat. Looking at the various Laba porridges sent by different households—some rich with ingredients, others sparser—the experience was quite novel for Wang Qingchen. Although he knew of the Laba Festival from his previous life, his family had never celebrated it, so Wang Qingchen was quite keen to experience it now that he had the chance.

After Laba, Madam Yang plunged back into preparing for the New Year’s shopping. This year, the preparations were significantly more demanding for her than in the past. This wasn't just evident in the food—the variety and quantity of dishes they needed to prepare had increased—but also in clothing and household goods. In previous years, money was always tight, and Madam Yang had to stretch every copper coin until it screamed, meaning they scrimped and saved on almost everything. For instance, new clothes for the family were nonexistent; they would wear old garments for the New Year, and the three children would wear outfits crudely altered from the adults’ old clothes, passed off as new. Now that their circumstances were much better, Madam Yang had long planned for everyone to have brand-new outfits for the celebration. Thus, Madam Yang was busy not only preparing things during the day but also sewing new clothes for the family in the evenings or during any lull in the daytime activities.

Though busy, Madam Yang felt a deep sense of joy. Meanwhile, over at the old ancestral home, Madam Tian was in utter disarray. It must be known that Madam Tian had never managed the entire New Year preparation phase before. Recently, she was working from dawn till dusk and felt incredibly suffocated by the burden.

Previously, when the entire extended family lived together, Madam Yang and Madam Zhang handled the bulk of these preparations; she merely needed to keep the Old Madam placated. Even after the family split, the eldest daughter-in-law was already married into the household then and could shoulder many tasks for her. But now, the eldest son’s family had branched out on their own, and the second daughter-in-law was pregnant. The Old Madam was beside herself with anxiety. If she let Madam Luo handle things, and anything went wrong with the pregnancy, the Old Madam would never forgive her. Thus, Madam Tian had no choice but to manage everything herself. She had actually intended to ask Wang Youliang for some help, but since he had been hiding at home for a while, once the outside chatter died down, he became impossible to find during the day.

At that very moment, Wang Youliang was enjoying life to the fullest. He had food, drink, and sleep aplenty at home, could sneak into town to check on the pretty widow, and occasionally plot how to calculate the assets of the second branch of the family.

As for Wang Youliang’s sudden reappearance lately, Madam Huang didn't press him for details; those things were not her concern. As long as Wang Youliang came to see her, enabling her to save up the money needed to support herself and her son, that was all that mattered. It was precisely Madam Huang’s calm and serene disposition, contrasting sharply with Madam Tian’s current tendency towards sudden fits of anger, that made Wang Youliang feel this woman was infinitely better than the one back home. Consequently, Wang Youliang started visiting with increasing frequency during this period.

One day, Wang Youliang arrived at Madam Huang’s place again. After their intimate moments, he noticed Madam Huang quietly working on some embroidery and asked with a touch of confusion, “It’s almost New Year’s. Why aren't you preparing anything? What will you and your son eat for the holiday?”

Madam Huang looked up at Wang Youliang, a hint of embarrassment in her eyes. “The money we’ve saved up isn't even enough for Cheng’er to attend school next year. I’m focused on saving every bit right now; where would I find money to purchase other things?”

Upon hearing this, Wang Youliang’s impression of Madam Huang only improved. Although she was desperate for funds, she hadn't asked him directly; she only mentioned it when he inquired. Then, thinking that if he didn't constantly visit and find her son a nuisance, forcing him to pay for the boy’s schooling, she wouldn't have to save so painstakingly for tuition fees.

So, Wang Youliang generously pulled out ten taels of silver. “Take this. It should cover Cheng’er’s tuition for next year, and it will allow you and your son to have a decent New Year.”

Madam Huang paused, stunned. She had expected Wang Youliang to give her money, but she hadn't anticipated him offering such a substantial sum. She stared at him, momentarily forgetting to reach out and take the silver.

Seeing her frozen in place, Wang Youliang felt even more convinced that Madam Huang was a truly good woman—not greedy. “Here, take it. It will save you from working on embroidery day and night. Every time I visit, I see you hunched over your needlework.”

Madam Huang snapped back to reality. “This… this is too much. I cannot accept it.”

“What’s there to refuse? If I give it to you, you take it.” Wang Youliang insisted, pressing the ten taels of silver into her hand.

Madam Huang finally accepted the money, but a wave of guilt washed over her. Although Wang Youliang genuinely believed the idea of sending Cheng’er to school was his own initiative and that he was generously covering the tuition, in truth, it was the result of her subtle maneuvering. Now, by deliberately leading him to think she was struggling to save up, he had indeed offered her ten taels generously. This was no small amount. If his family knew he had given ten taels to an unrelated woman, they would be furious.

Madam Huang had never considered destroying someone else’s home before, but now she found herself walking further and further down this path. Thinking of this, for the first time, Madam Huang resented her own husband for dying so young; if he hadn't passed away so early, she wouldn't be in this situation, having become the very sort of person she once despised.

Not long after, Wang Youliang had to leave, as he had been there for quite a long time, and Zhao Cheng would likely be returning soon.

After he departed, Madam Huang sat in a daze, lost in her thoughts.

When it came to preparing for the New Year, even the poorest households would usually possess a sliver of festive cheer. However, Liu Laotou’s home was clearly an exception. That dreadful Li Wu, ever since Liu Song injured his eye, had refused to leave their house. They had already paid the medical expenses! Now, he expected them to support him? What kind of logic was that? It might have been understandable for him to stay immediately after the injury, but now that the wound was almost completely healed, why was he still lingering?

Old Madam Liu wished she could strangle Li Wu. Since he had taken up residence, not only did he demand the best food and drink daily, but he constantly needed someone to serve him and run errands. He hadn't given her a single peaceful day. Liu Laotou certainly wouldn't wait on him, and their son, Liu Song, kept a wide berth. It was only she who had to listen to his ceaseless nagging and, unable to bear it any longer, comply with his demands. Now that his injury was nearly mended, yet he shamelessly refused to leave, she was at her wit's end trying to drive him out.

“Old man,” Madam Liu whispered to Liu Laotou, “him staying here every day isn't sustainable, is it? How can we get him to leave? I’ve had enough. I work myself to death all day only to have to wait on him, and his constant chatter gives me a headache.”

Liu Laotou was equally helpless. Li Wu had initially threatened to have their son thrown in jail, but then he realized this man was simply a relentless nuisance who wouldn't be easily dismissed.

“Alas,” Liu Laotou sighed. “I’ll go talk to him later, see what I can do.”

Madam Liu felt her spirits lift instantly upon hearing Liu Laotou intended to speak with him. The sooner they got rid of Li Wu, the better; otherwise, they couldn't even focus on preparing their New Year goods. Just the day before, they had prepared a few ducks to salt down for the New Year feast, but Li Wu spotted them and immediately started clamoring to eat duck. Her headache had become so severe from his demands that she reluctantly killed and stewed one. Now that Liu Laotou was finally planning to kick him out, how could she not be pleased?

Liu Laotou walked into the room where Li Wu was temporarily staying and immediately felt a pang of irritation upon seeing Li Wu sprawled comfortably on the heated brick bed, leisurely cracking melon seeds.

Though displeased, Liu Laotou kept his expression neutral, adopting a gentle facade. “Wuzi, your eyes feeling much better?”

Li Wu continued cracking melon seeds, offering no response.

The benevolent expression on Liu Laotou’s face stiffened slightly. “Wuzi, Uncle knows this was Song’er’s fault…”

Li Wu waved a dismissive hand. “Uncle, you are a reasonable man, and it’s good that you acknowledge Liu Song was wrong. Since you are so fair-minded, I trust you agree with my decision to recuperate here?”

“This… this…” Liu Laotou found his words choked off, a surge of frustration rising within him.

As if sensing he hadn't dealt enough damage, Li Wu continued, “Uncle, are you perhaps here to ask if my living arrangements are comfortable? Rest assured, everything here is quite satisfactory, though it would be even better if the food could improve a bit.”

“Uh… well, our family isn’t…” Liu Laotou tried to speak again but was immediately cut off.

“Uncle, I know you aren’t a wealthy family, and I’m not an unreasonable person. What I have is fine as it is. However, I am recuperating here alone without company. When you, Auntie, and Liu Song aren't busy during the day, please come visit and talk with me!” Li Wu looked at Liu Laotou with earnest expectation.

Liu Laotou felt that if he prolonged the conversation, he might genuinely cough up blood from anger. He quickly abandoned the effort. “You rest well here. Uncle just remembered there are things left undone!” With that, Liu Laotou fled the room as if pursued.

Lying on the bed, Li Wu watched the retreating figure of Liu Laotou and sneered, “And this is how he thinks he can kick me out? If I don’t teach you all a proper lesson, I’ll be letting down the years of worry and pain I’ve endured.”

Inside the main room, Madam Liu rushed forward as soon as Liu Laotou returned. “Well? Did that brat say when he plans to leave?”

“Alas!” Liu Laotou sighed heavily. “It’s not that easy to send him away. He countered every word I said. I suspect he’ll be staying for quite some time yet.”

“What? He’s still clinging on here? Absolutely not! I truly can’t stand it anymore. If you can’t move him, I will go talk to him. I can’t tolerate another day of this!” Madam Liu declared, marching toward Li Wu’s room.