Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
âAiyo, look, look at this house. Itâs really imposing.â
When she heard this sarcastic voice, the smile on Zhang Lanâs face froze.
Everyone looked over and saw a woman in her forties walking over arrogantly with a seven or eight-year-old child in tow.
Zhou Xiaoli also stood up.
Zhou Xiaoli had an impression of this woman. She was Zhang Lanâs uncleâs wife, Ji Guizhi.
Zhang Lanâs parents passed on many years ago when she was very young. In order to get Zhang Lanâs familyâs land, Ji Guizhi took in Zhang Lan and her brother.
However, they did not treat Zhang Lan and her brother well. During the first few years in her Second Uncleâs house, the siblings were free labor for the family.
Later on, when Zhang Lan reached the age of marriage, she was almost sold to a cripple at the village entrance. Fortunately, Zhou Yu had already fallen in love with Zhang Lan at that time and paid money to save Zhang Lan.
After that, Zhou Yu became a fool. Ji Guizhi no longer allowed Zhang Lan to return to their home for visitation. It could be said that she had cut off all ties with their family.
Therefore, Zhang Lan had only informed her brotherâs family and did not invite them to the housewarming banquet today.
However, they did not know why she had come here and brought her grandson as well.
Worried that they had ill intentions, Zhou Xiaoli stood up and walked over to stand beside Zhang Lan.
Zhang Lan put a smile on her face again. She held Zhou Xiaoliâs hand to reassure her. Then, she said, âAunt, youâre here. Come in and sit.â
Ji Guizhi raised her head and snorted. âAiya, youâve made a fortune. Youâve even built a brick house! Have you forgotten about your uncleâs family? If it werenât for the Cui familyâs daughter who returned to her family home yesterday, I wouldnât have known.â
âZhang Lan, donât forget. If we hadnât taken you and your brother in back then, you would have died.â
Zhang Lan had a fake smile on her face. âHow can that be? Itâs because you didnât want us to go back for visitations. I thought that since you were so unwilling to see us, I wouldnât disturb you. Thatâs why I didnât invite you.â
Ji Guizhi was embarrassed for a moment, but she quickly recovered. âI-I was just worried that you would have to bring gifts whenever you come back to my house for visitations. My heart aches for you.â
Zhang Lan continued to fake a smile. âAunt, there are still guests behind. Why donât you go and sit first? Iâll talk to you later.â
Ji Guizhi snorted and dragged her grandson into the courtyard.
Zhang Lan patted Zhou Xiaoli and said in a low voice, âYour Second Aunt-in-law is not easy to deal with. Weâre having a housewarming banquet today. It wonât be auspicious if we make a fuss. Letâs see what she plans to do first. Itâs just the addition of a stool to the banquet for now.â
Zhou Xiaoli nodded. Today was a joyous occasion for her family. It would be bad luck if they were unhappy, so she did not say anything else.
However, if she did not know what was good for her and wanted to cause trouble at the housewarming banquet, she could not blame her for being rude then.
Not long after Ji Guizhi entered, Zhou Xiaoliâs uncle and aunt arrived. Zhang
Lanâs eyes immediately curved into crescents as she went forward to hold Li Yanruâs hand. âSister-in-law, youâre finally here. Are you tired from the journey?â
Li Yanru was also full of smiles. âIâm not tired, Iâm not tired. Sister, we just heard that you were chased out of the house by your mother-in-law.â
âWhy didnât you look for us? The moment my husband found out about it, he didnât sleep the entire night. He kept saying that he was an incompetent younger brother.â
Zhang Lanâs eyes turned red as she sighed. âItâs not easy for you guys either. How can I bother you with my familyâs matters? Itâs fine now. Look, we have our own home now.â
Li Yanruâs eyes turned red as she nodded repeatedly. âYes, yes, thatâs great.â
Then, she saw Zhou Xiaoli at the side and immediately said with a smile, âLittle
Li, youâre getting more and more beautiful.â
Zhou Xiaoli smiled and said obediently, âHello, Uncle and Aunt.â n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om
âHey, alright, alright.â
Li Yanru and Zhang Ze both laughed.
Then, he looked at Zhou Junjun on the other side. âBrother Jun has grown taller. You are of the age to come out to receive guests now. I heard that youâre studying in a private school. Thatâs great.â
Zhou Junjun immediately greeted him politely. Zhang Lan smiled. âQuick, quick, sit inside first.â
âLiâer, bring your uncle and aunt to the house.â
Zhou Xiaoli immediately nodded and led the two into the courtyard..