"So, I think it’s better for our third branch of the family to split from the Yang Family. With my capable parents, we’ll surely be able to support ourselves."
"Split from the family?" Ms. Wang widened her eyes, as if she didn’t recognize her own daughter, Yang Chuxia—since when did this girl become so bold and daring to think about such things, even considering family separation?
Yang Dachuan was also like Ms. Wang, wondering how their daughter had suddenly changed so much. She used to be quiet and rarely spoke, but now her ideas were getting bigger and bigger.
"Yes, Mom, don’t you want us to split from the family too?"
Of course she wanted it. Ms. Wang had wanted to split from the Yang Family since she married into it, less than two years ago. But she didn’t dare to push her husband to do so.
Although Ms. Wang didn’t say a word, Yang Chuxia knew she was tempted.
"Daughter, your father knows that you and your siblings have been wronged, but separating from the family may not be appropriate. The villagers would gossip about your father."
"What if our step-grandmother is the one to actively suggest our separation?"
Yang Dachuan looked at the rest of his family, big and small, their eyes all full of expectation. Suddenly, he felt uneasy.
But then he thought about what his daughter had just said. Yes, the children were getting older, and they couldn’t rely on their step-grandmother. So he nodded firmly, "If your step-grandmother takes the initiative to separate us, then I’ll agree."
"Bingo!" Yang Chuxia, delighted, snapped her fingers. "Dad, just leave the rest to me. I have a way to get our step-grandmother to separate us. You and Mom just wait and see."
"Sister, do you have a plan?" Yang Qingrui asked curiously.
"Hehe, it’s a secret. I won’t tell you yet."
Yang Dachuan looked at Yang Chuxia with a mixture of emotions and muttered, "My girl, why do I feel that you’ve changed so much and become much smarter than before?"
Upon hearing this, Yang Chuxia secretly rolled her eyes. It wasn’t that she had become smarter; it was as if her core had been switched out completely.
"Dad, it’s not that I’ve changed, but our step-grandmother wants to sell me off. I don’t want to be sold, so I have to change and fight back. Where there is oppression, there will be resistance, right?"
"But..." The change was still too much, wasn’t it?
"Enough. It’s a good thing that our girl is becoming stronger. She can protect herself and her siblings now. We, as parents, shouldn’t ask too many questions. Let’s just eat and go to rest. It’s been so long since we’ve had a chance to rest early."
"That’s true, that’s true." Yang Dachuan smiled with a simple and honest expression.
The next day, as soon as the sky began to lighten, the whole Yangshu Village became lively and noisy. Why? Because the Sea God Festival had arrived! Every family was eager to join in the festivities, and the Yang Family was no exception.
Since yesterday evening, when Yang Chuxia had gotten angry, Old Lady Hua had made arrangements for the household chores. The previous day, it was the third branch’s turn to cook and do the chores, so on the day of the Sea God Festival, it was the fourth branch’s turn. Early in the morning, Old Lady Hua instructed Ms. Luo of the fourth branch to cook, so they could finish eating and enjoy the festivities as soon as possible.
But Ms. Luo was a cunning bitch. She was unhappy with the arrangement but dared not confront Old Lady Hua, so she took her dissatisfaction out on Yang Chuxia and the third branch of the family.
And so, when it came to breakfast, Ms. Luo deliberately cooked too little. Except for Yang Dachuan and Ms. Wang, who got up early and each had half a bowl of porridge, by the time Yang Chuxia and her siblings woke up, the pot was already empty. Seeing this, Yang Dachuan and Ms. Wang gave their own porridge to their children.
Originally, Yang Chuxia didn’t plan to make a scene and wanted to go to the town as soon as possible. But when Yang Dachuan handed the porridge to Yang Qingtong, she caught a glimpse of Ms. Luo at the corner of her eye, grinning fiercely with satisfaction.