Mrs. Wang started making a scene, yelling and sobbing.
Zhao Baishan felt a headache coming on and finally had to awkwardly laugh and say to the unyielding Zhao Guifen, "In-law, why are you getting so upset? The idea of dividing the family didn't come from us alone; it was the clan's decision."
"Did you hear that? It was the clan's decision!" Mrs. Wang coldly snorted and then began shouting without a hint of guilt, pointing at Zhao Zhitong and yelling.
"It's all because of this damned girl! When she was born, the sky was covered in dark clouds, and there was thunder and lightning. The master said that this was a sign of an Evil Star, someone with a tough fate who would cause harm to her family! Now she's caused her uncle to go missing and her father to have a broken leg. Do you really want her to stay and curse our whole family? You heartless old woman!"
Zhao Zhitong, who was still in a dazed state leaning on Sun Mei's shoulder, suddenly found herself the target. Zhao Dong immediately became anxious, "Mother, what nonsense are you talking about? My daughter is not an Evil Star!"
"How is she not? My son's business has been doing better and better, and my grandson has even been admitted as an Elementary Scholar! Let me tell you, if this cursed girl harms us, I'll make your lives miserable!"
Zhao Baishan, who had previously felt somewhat reluctant, suddenly thought of his precious grandson and hardened his heart. "In-law, my second son's leg isn't good, and I really don't want to divide the family. But we have no choice. How about this: if we can find someone to take in the fourth girl..."
Upon hearing this, Mrs. Wang immediately became flustered. She had used the excuse that Zhao Zhitong was an Evil Star to persuade the clan to drive out the first and second branches of the family. However, before she could even speak, Sun Mei, Zhao Dong, and Zhao Guifen refuted her in unison:
"No way!"
"We can't let her go!"
"She's my daughter! We won't give her away!"
Mrs. Wang immediately seized the opportunity, "If you won't give her away, then you must move out immediately!"
Zhao Baishan also said awkwardly, "We've already signed the papers to divide the property. We have no choice but to do this now."
Zhao Guifen had known all along that her daughter was not faring well in her husband's family, so she agreed with the division. Today, she came to quarrel primarily to secure more property for her daughter. She immediately made her demands, "It's not that I don't agree to the division, but what about the property? I heard you only gave my son-in-law's family a bag of flour and a dilapidated courtyard to live in!"
Mrs. Wang immediately became unhappy, coldly snorting, "What do you mean, just a bag of flour and a dilapidated courtyard? I gave them twenty mu of land!"
Hearing about the twenty mu of land, Zhao Guifen was somewhat reassured. However, she was still unhappy about the distribution of money. "What about the money? Over the years, my son-in-law has earned a lot, hasn't he? You're not giving him a single cent? Have you no shame?"
Mentioning the money made Mrs. Wang explode again. She claimed it was Zhao Dong who had earned the money and that it had all been spent on treating his leg injury. She flatly refused to give any.
In the end, under Zhao Guifen's persistent demands and threats of not dividing the family, Mrs. Wang finally relented and agreed to give five taels of silver.
At this time, Sun Mei looked at her Elder Sister-in-law, who had been standing quietly to the side with a wooden expression on her face, looking utterly alone, and said, "Elder Sister-in-law, you're a widow with three children. Why don't you come live with us?"
They had thought she would remain silent with a cold face as usual, but unexpectedly, upon hearing this, she suddenly glared, her voice harsh, "What? Is it not enough that the Evil Star from your family killed my husband? Now you want to ruin the lives of us widows and orphans too?"
Having said that, she pulled her three children into their room.
Sun Mei was speechless.
Her original sympathy for the woman vanished with those words. How dare she call her precious daughter an Evil Star!
At this time, Mrs. Wang came out of the room with the five taels of silver and resentfully threw it at Zhao Guifen. She looked at them scornfully. "Take the silver and get lost! After the division, we'll each go our separate ways. When my son becomes an official and our family becomes rich, don't even think about coming back shamelessly to kiss up to us!"
"PTUI!" Zhao Guifen's face turned blue with anger, and she retorted immediately, "Don't flatter yourself! It's not certain who will have it good and who will have it bad in the future! I hope you remember your words today! When my son-in-law becomes rich, don't you dare come shamelessly begging!"
"PTUI!" Mrs. Wang sneered in disdain. "You, rich? What a joke! You can't even produce a proper heir, let alone get rich! Dream on! If you ever get rich, I'll take your surname!"
Zhao Guifen's face turned livid. She was truly infuriated. Her daughter had injured her body when giving birth to Zhao Zhitong and could no longer have children.
While she genuinely loved Zhao Zhitong, the traditional belief that only sons could carry on the family line was deeply ingrained in her. This caused her to worry about her daughter every day.
However, Sun Mei and Zhao Dong had a 21st-century mindset. They immediately replied, "So what if we don't have a son? Our daughter can bring honor to our family just as well!"
Although Zhao Guifen didn't quite believe it in her heart, she couldn't lose face, so she chimed in, "Right! My granddaughter might be much better than your grandson! We'll see who's laughing at whom then!"
Mrs. Wang sneered. Zhao Guifen must have been driven mad by anger! How could a mere slip of a girl, a good-for-nothing, dare to compare to my grandson? "I can't be bothered to argue with you," she said. "I've given you the silver. Hurry up, pack your things, and get lost!"
With that, Mrs. Wang didn't spare them another glance, called her husband, and went into the main house, shutting the door behind them.
Once Mrs. Wang and Zhao Baishan left, Zhao Guifen tearfully looked at Sun Mei and softly said, "My poor child, you should have called me when the family was divided yesterday. I could have fought for more things for you. Don't be afraid to trouble me – I am your mother."
She had only learned about it the previous night when her husband returned from his medical rounds and told her. She had wanted to come immediately, but it was too late, and her sons had stopped her. That's why she rushed over early this morning, without even eating breakfast, afraid her daughter would be taken advantage of.
It had been a long time since Sun Mei felt the warmth of a mother's protection. Moreover, Zhao Guifen looked just like her mother from her previous life. Sun Mei's eyes reddened as she called out, "Mother."
Zhao Dong knew instantly that his wife was reminded of her own mother and quickly said comfortingly, "Mom, don't worry. I will protect Mei for the rest of my life."
"I know you're a good child," Zhao Guifen sighed. She knew her daughter often suffered at Mrs. Wang's hands. Thankfully, Zhao Dong was a good husband. Even when Sun Mei later became unable to conceive, he never held it against her. If not for that, Zhao Guifen would have raised a storm at the Zhao Family's home and taken her daughter back long ago.
"Grandmother, don't sigh," Zhao Zhitong, in her sweet, childlike voice, advised. "Mommy says sighing drives away good luck."
After transmigrating, Zhao Zhitong had first been frightened by the unfamiliar environment and then busy absorbing the original owner's memories; her little mind had been in a state of chaos. By now, she had gradually recovered.
Her adorable, childlike lilt was incredibly soothing. Zhao Guifen, who already doted on this granddaughter, immediately smiled. "Yes, yes! Such a good girl. You must bring honor to your mother in the future."
She said these words casually, not really expecting her granddaughter to accomplish much.
But Zhao Zhitong nodded very seriously.
"Alright, let's quickly pack up and move while it's still early," Zhao Guifen advised. "Your brothers will be here soon to help, and it'll be done faster."
As soon as Zhao Guifen finished speaking, an anxious and rough male voice came from the entrance, "Mom, Little Sister, has the girl been bullied?"
Immediately after, two middle-aged men walked in, one after the other.
The man in front, burly and slightly plump with an honest face, was Sun Youli, Sun Mei's Brother.
The one a step behind, taller, well-built, and with a somewhat heroic air, was Sun Mei's eldest brother, Sun Youwei.
Seeing the two, Sun Mei and Zhao Dong immediately greeted them with smiles, "Big Brother! Brother! You're here!"
"Eldest Uncle! Uncle!" Zhao Zhitong, having regained her spirits, chirped. She clamored to be let down from Sun Mei's arms. As soon as her feet touched the ground, she scampered towards the two large men.
"Oh! Tongtong has grown taller!" Sun Youli's eyes lit up at the sight of Zhao Zhitong. He reached out to catch the little girl barreling towards him like a small cannonball and, with a strong lift, hoisted her high. "HEE HEE, the little one has gotten heavier too!"
Being held up high by her Uncle, Zhao Zhitong began to giggle.
Just then, a young boy suddenly dashed in through the entrance, heading straight for Zhao Zhitong in Sun Youli's arms, and shouting, "Tongtong! Younger Uncle is here! Did you miss your Younger Uncle?"