When someone climbs to a certain position, whether they do good or evil deeds becomes somewhat inconsequential.

Even if they commit bad deeds, there will be people applauding, backing it up as if it’s a great act of kindness.

Zhang Quansheng doesn’t want to become such a person. He cherishes his reputation greatly and, at the very least, doesn’t want to become in his wife’s eyes a ruthless villain who commits evil without batting an eye.

Thus, his revenge against the Zhang Family isn’t like a fierce storm.

Instead, it’s silent and subtle.

Like boiling a frog in warm water, he traps the Zhang Family in a warm environment, gradually heating it up.

By the time the Zhang Family realizes, it will be too late.

Sometimes, flattery is more effective than any other trick.

Zhang Quansheng smiled, "Auntie, we won’t hold this against you."

Xia Yulu hastily responded, "Then, what do we do with this family?"

For some reason, upon seeing Zhang Quansheng’s smile, she didn’t feel happy.

Instead, she felt a chill of fear.

Why smile like this?

"This family?"

Zhang Quansheng sighed, "This family, naturally, is a good friend to both my wife and me. Whether you like them or not is unimportant; what matters is that Yulu and I are quite fond of them.

As for your worries about the adoption issue, you don’t need to be concerned at all."

"Wh-why?"

Xia Yulu suddenly felt great joy, "Are you implying that you don’t intend to..."

"We’ve never planned to take the child away from their mother.

It’s you all who misunderstood. Now, go and apologize to the Xiao Family, let this matter rest. If you don’t listen..."

Even though he didn’t finish the sentence, the threat was clearly understood.

Thinking of the Zhang Family’s immense wealth, Xia Yulu quickly went to apologize.

As for the pain she felt, when compared to a lifetime of wealth and grandeur.

It was truly insignificant.

However, that doesn’t mean Xia Yulu doesn’t bear a grudge.

With a smiling face, inwardly she was already seething.

Zhang Quansheng, that brat, truly came from humble beginnings to great heights.

Just wait, one day, his son will rise to prominence.

By then, Xia Yulu will be the rightful mother of the Zhang Family’s leader.

The two brats will eventually have to live under her control.

She imagined all sorts of ways to torment the elderly Zhang Quansheng and Li Jing’an without giving them food, whipping them, and such.

Only then did Xia Yulu smoothly apologize to the Xiao Family, bringing along the mighty Zhang Family with her when she left.

Wen Ran looked at the couple and, sympathetically, said, "Honestly, seeing the both of you makes me truly understand what it means when they say every family has its issues.

I thought your days as a couple would be relatively carefree.

But instead..." 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

Reality slapped hard.

Li Jing’an noticed Wen Ran wasn’t blaming her and quietly sighed in relief, apologetically saying, "I’m truly sorry. I knew the Zhang Family was difficult, but I didn’t expect them to come to your home."

"No worries," Wen Ran stretched leisurely, calmly, "Speaking of which, I haven’t exercised for ages.

Their visit was perfectly timed, I took it as practice."

Li Jing’an found Wen Ran’s words amusing and somewhat helpless.

"Alright then, don’t just stand at the door, since you’re here, come in and sit for a while."

"Alright!"

With the matter resolved, Li Jing’an wanted to come in and see the children, so she unceremoniously stepped inside.

The captain at the door grabbed Wen Ran for a chat.

"The weather is getting cold and the ducks aren’t laying eggs much. I was thinking, didn’t I promise you before?

To give you ten ducks, now’s the time to fulfill that promise. I’ll first kill two and bring them over.

The rest can stay with me, whenever you want to eat them, you can catch and kill them then."

Wen Ran’s eyes lit up, "Uncle, don’t be stingy, what’s the use of just two?

We have a big family, why don’t you give me five instead?

And tonight, you and Aunt shouldn’t cook at home, you two come to our house for a lively dinner."

Captain: "..."

Firstly, he’s not very greedy.

Secondly, he’s really not greedy.

Lastly, coming over for dinner isn’t a bad idea.

After all!

He’s the one helping to kill the ducks.

There’s no merit in it, but there’s labor, so what’s wrong with eating a bit of meat?

"Alright!"

The captain clapped his hands, "Wait here, we’ll go prepare."

"Okay!"

The living room struggles to accommodate so many people.

The best method was to build a simple stove in the yard and bring the pot outside to eat.

With walls surrounded all around, even if windy, it wouldn’t be much.

Moreover, they could light a bonfire in the yard.

Then, even if the wind blows, it’ll be warm.

Not cold at all.

With more people, it needs to be lively to be fun.

Wen Ran was quite fond of Li Jing’an and immediately invited her over.

"Stay?" Wen Ran smiled, "We have an empty room next door, you and your husband can stay, then you’ll see how troublesome these two kids are at night."

"Alright."

Initially, Li Jing’an hesitated.

Primarily worried her presence might disrupt the Xiao Family’s usual atmosphere.

But Wen Ran’s remark about experiencing the twins’ nighttime antics.

Li Jing’an was instantly intrigued.

She doesn’t fear chaos, only silence.

The twins, Li Jing’an truly loved them deeply, never getting enough.

"Then I’ll shamelessly stay."

"Stay! The more, the merrier."

The family’s children were energetic and immediately started boiling water, mixing mud, and finding bricks.

Building a mini stove in the corner.

Worried they wouldn’t get it right initially, they drew multiple sketches, moving the big pot around to measure.

"Your household is really lively."

Li Jing’an looked on with envy.

Wen Ran, accustomed, took a bite of her biscuit, mumbling, "You only admire when it’s calm like now.

Once they fight like dogs, you won’t envy anymore."

Recalling the time Wen Ran, still in her postpartum period, came forward to mediate, separating the tangled-up kids at home.

Chiding one with a sentence, scolding another with two, she wanted to laugh.

"As long as you can handle them, it’s fine."

Li Jing’an stroked the child’s small hand, "Only heaven knows how much I envy you."

Wen Ran nodded, "I understand your envy, my life is indeed quite carefree now."

Upon hearing such a truthful response, Li Jing’an couldn’t hold back her laughter.