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  When Xia Zhi walked into the house, she saw that the dinner table had already been placed on the kang, and the bowls and chopsticks were all set. Da Ya and Er Ya were busy going in and out, and Tian Shi was directing them to work without any discord.

  Xia Xiuzai had already sat on the kang, seeing several children enter the house, seemingly restored to their usual appearance, and smiled to greet them. Xia Xiuzai also instructed several children: "Don't let Da Ya and Er Ya do all the work, you all help out too."

  At this time, Tian's wife walked in with a bowl of rice. She deliberately avoided looking at the children and picked up where Xia Xiuzai had left off: "It's getting late, if we wait for her to help with the chores, dinner will be ruined."

  Xia Xiuzai's words included three children, but Tian Shi only mentioned one of them. In Tian Shi's opinion, the person who should work with Da Ya and Er Ya was naturally Xia Zhimo.

  Xia Zhi smiled and didn't mind.

  Da Ya and Er Ya, aside from other things, are quite efficient at doing chores, clearly they're used to doing it in their own home. They barely had Tian Shi do anything manually, and in a short while, all the dishes were served.

  Of course, there's no food either.

  Xia Zhi glanced at the table and saw that Tian Shi had prepared a simple dinner: a bowl of millet rice, a bowl of bean sprouts cooked in lard, a bowl of sauce, and a bunch of scallions that had been washed and chopped.

  Tian Shi didn't prepare any extra dishes for his two nieces, this was just how they normally ate at home. Xia Zhi's gaze swept across Tian Shi and Xia Xiucai's faces, Tian Shi's expression was very natural, but Xia Xiucai seemed to be in a slightly awkward state of mind.

  As expected, Xia Xiuzai took a look at the dishes on the table and spoke up. "The two kids came for the first time today, why didn't you make a few more dishes?" This was said to Tian Shi.

  Tian looked up at Xia Xiuzai with a raised eyebrow: "I was thinking of making a few more dishes, do we have the money?" Then she also quickly glanced at Xia Zhi, "Who knows who said they would support the family's expenses? The words were spoken, but where is the money?"

  Da Ya and Er Ya both hastily waved their hands, saying it was fine like this, no need to specially make them any dishes. "We're not guests either, if Aunt and Uncle want to do that, they'd be treating us as outsiders. We can't stay here anymore. Just listen, treat the two of us as your own people."

  The two sisters accompanied Xia Zhi with a smile, speaking cautiously and stealing glances at the expressions of Xia Zhi's family members while they talked.

  Xia Xiuzai was scolded by Tian Shi, but he didn't get angry at all. He just smiled and told Da Ya and Er Ya that they had been slow in serving them.

  Normally, as long as Tian didn't say anything else, this matter would be considered over. Anyway, Xia Xiuzhi wouldn't care what Tian said, whether he gave him face or not, he wouldn't mind. The children also didn't dare to have any objections to Tian's words. In this family, no matter what Tian said, it was always reasonable.

  But today's situation is somewhat different.

  Xiaqiao and Xiaoshu didn't say anything, but Xia Zhi smiled slightly and spoke up.

  "Girl, are you saying that my father can't make money? This isn't just about our own family, but also about my two cousins. Let them say it, is my father unable to make money? The money my father earned wasn't just given to you to send to my two cousins' house, was it? Thirty taels of silver, if we had it in our own hands, you wouldn't be able to cook that many dishes even if you wanted to. Even if you gave my two cousins a big fish and meat every day, it would still last for several years."

  What Xia Zhi said was, of course, somewhat exaggerated. However, thirty taels of silver was a huge sum for an ordinary farming household. Some farming households might not even be able to save up thirty taels of silver in their entire lifetime.

  What Xia Zhi said was spoken with a smile, but the content of his words was enough to change Tian's expression. She was used to it and would always say a few words to Xia Xiuzai on certain things. For her, there was no malice, but rather a sincere intention to urge Xia Xiuzai to make progress.

  But this time being directly rejected by Xia Zhi, Tian Shi couldn't take it.

  However, Xia Zhi's words were all true and realistic. Tian Shi's face turned iron-green, and he sat there stiffly.

  Xia Xiuzai saw that Tian Shi's face was not right, and she was about to step in to mediate. However, Xia Zhi did not wait for her to speak, and had already said another round of words.

  "I had an agreement with my mother that I would provide for the family's food, clothing and expenses. But before I left for Fucheng, I had already given my mother over 200 yuan. What did she use that money for? Was it to buy food or clothes for my brother and me? Or was it not used to buy things for our cousins' family when we went to Lai Shan Tun this time?"

  "By the way, they also took away all the preserved eggs in that gourd. Not a single one was left behind. Now we have rice and beans to eat, which were still produced from the land divided by my grandfather."

  When Xia Zhi's words fell to the ground, Tian Shi could no longer bear to listen. She slammed her chopsticks: "This meal can't be eaten!" Then she got up and walked out of the room with a limp leg.

  She walked away, and Da Ya and Er Ya also hurried down from the kang.

  Tian's movements were quick as he descended the kang, but his pace slowed down when he walked out. Xia Xiuzai hastily followed him down and blocked Tian's way.

  "What's going on? Can't a family just have a peaceful meal?" Xia Xiuzai almost pleaded with the Tian family.

  Tian's wife stopped Xia Xiuzai and scolded her, "Am I not thinking of eating well? Listen to what your daughter is saying! Can I still eat this meal?"

  It's not just her who can't eat, Da Ya and Er Ya are also hanging their heads. They are surnamed Tian, Xia Zhi mentioned them as sisters one after another, they also can't eat this meal.

  If it were in the past, Tian would have been shouting to go back to her mother's house, and she would probably say something like sending Da Ya and Er Ya back too.

  But now Tían's family is quarreling with Xià Jiāo, yet they don't mention returning to their mother's home, nor do they mention Dà Yā and èr Yā.

  The old goddess sat on the kang, as if the awkwardness and disputes under her feet had nothing to do with her. Yes, she was intentionally saying what she just said.

  Even if Tian herself didn't cause trouble, she would think of ways to bring it up. In the past, she had been tolerant of Tian, but from now on, especially with Da Ya and Er Ya at the dinner table, she could no longer bear Tian's sharp words.

  Using strong words to seize the logic, reversing black and white, it really looks like Xia Xiuzai's temper has improved. But here, those with the surname Xia are not just Xia Xiuzai alone. If they continue to let Tian Shi speak smoothly, one sentence today and another tomorrow, later on everyone will probably think that what Tian Shi says is correct.

  Especially Da Ya and Er Ya, who knows what they will think.

  If Da Ya and Er Ya take her words as a warning to both of them, Xia Zhi has nothing to say. She didn't want Da Ya and Er Ya to live in her house in the first place.

  If it's just visiting relatives, even if you stay for a few more days, as long as you treat them well and give them good food and drink, Xia Zhi won't forget the kindness in her heart. But Tian Lao's instructions were to have Tian Shi find husbands for Da Ya and Er Ya, and he also proposed those conditions.

  Although it was Old Tian's intention and all the members of the Tian family, including Da Ya and Er Ya's mother Jiang Shi, should also be willing, this cannot change a fact.

  In the future, Tian will get things done. As for whether Old Man Tian is satisfied or not, let's not mention it for now, but in front of public opinion, Tian will have to bear the reputation of selling his niece.

  At that time, people would not say that Tian Shi was the daughter of Lao Tiantou, but they would say she was Xia Xiuren's wife, Xia's daughter-in-law, and of course, also the mother of their three siblings.

  It would be better if Tian had taken him away in a fit of anger.

  Xia Zhi thought to herself, however she also understood that Tian Shi would never do such a thing. Looking at Tian Shi's usual behavior and the concessions he made today, Tian Shi was actually a very astute person.

  Tian was furious, as if she could do anything. But Tian had never done anything that would harm herself because of her anger.

  Now, Tian's family no longer dares to mention the threat of returning to their mother's home, let alone say anything about taking away Da Ya and Er Ya.

  That's good, just take this opportunity to let Tian Shi change some of her bad habits and temper. The timing is just right, if missed, it would be a pity.

  Xia Zhi had made up her mind that she wouldn't make a move herself and naturally wouldn't let Xia Qiao and Xiao Shu go persuade Tian Shi either.

  Tian was coaxed by Xia Xiuren for two sentences, and her face slowly eased. Then she glanced at the children. At this time, if one of the children, even if only Xia Qiao came down from the kang to say a few soft words to her, her face would be saved.

  However, several children seemed to be preoccupied with their own thoughts and didn't even give her a glance.

  Tian's heart suddenly felt a chill, and she couldn't help but feel sorrow. However, she didn't shed any tears, not even her eyes reddened. She quickly regained her composure and deliberately shook off Xia Xiuzai's hand that was holding hers.

  "It's all you. My niece is here, I won't argue with you." After saying this, Tian was helped back by Xia Xiuzai.

  Da Ya and Er Ya naturally followed back, and then sat on the kang with Tian Shi.

  "Let's eat, it's getting late." Xia Xiuzai sat down beside the table and immediately said with a smile. In order to liven up the atmosphere, his smile was somewhat exaggerated.

  Xia Zhi thought Xia Xiuzai was really too difficult. And her words just now had the desired effect, and she also felt relieved in her heart, so she smiled and echoed Xia Xiuzai's words.

  "Yes, let's eat quickly. Father, mother, elder sister, second elder sister, you haven't eaten lunch yet, and now you must be hungry. Eat quickly." Smoothly giving face to Xia Xiuzai, a harmonious sentence from everyone, but Xia Zhi still couldn't help adding another sentence.

  Xia Xiuzai didn't seem to mind, but Tian Shi was a timid person and when he heard Xia Zhi say they hadn't eaten since noon, his face turned slightly pale. However, this time, Tian Shi endured it and didn't have an outburst.

  They ate in comparative silence. Tian had something on his mind and was absent-minded while eating. Xia Xiuzai tried to make the atmosphere better, so he ate more. Da Ya and Er Ya were both cautious and didn't take many dishes with their chopsticks. Xia Qiao also had something on his mind, otherwise he would have let Da Ya and Er Ya have some.

  This meal was eaten with the most comfort and least worry by Xia Zhi and Xiao Shu.

  After dinner, Da Ya and Er Ya didn't wait for Tian Shi's instructions, they all rushed to clean up. Whatever Xia Zhi reached out to do, it was either snatched away by Da Ya or snatched away by Er Ya. In the end, Xia Zhi simply threw up his hands and did nothing.

  Seeing the two sisters' undisguised flattery and caution, Xia Zhi felt uncomfortable. She didn't like this atmosphere, but she also couldn't bring herself to like these two sisters or welcome them into her home.

  The children all went out, and Tian grabbed the opportunity to complain to Xia Xiuzai.

  "What did I say? You listen to Xia Zhi, sentence by sentence, and she refutes me. Da Ya and Er Ya are both here, I'm her own mother, and she's deliberately slapping my face...” Tian Shi said, with a hint of tears in her eyes.

  Xia Xiuzai hastily comforted Tian Shi: "You know that child's temper..."

  "She used to be so obedient and listen to us, but now she's been influenced by those people in the backyard, her grandfather and uncle, and they've stirred her up." Tian cut off Xia Xiuzai's words.

  Xia Xiuzai hesitated for a moment and did not refute Tian Shi's words. He only said to Tian Shi, "This temper of hers is getting more and more like her uncle's. You know this temper of hers, later on... be careful. However, this child has one good point, at the time her eyes didn't hide any deceit, once it's over she lets go and doesn't hold grudges. She's still a child, don't take offense with her."

  Tian's family was just a hindrance, she glared at Xia Xiuzai with dissatisfaction.

  Xia Xiuzai hurriedly accompanied a smile: "I'll talk to Sixteen later and let her pay attention next time. Ah, mainly because I heard Xiaoshu say that his grandfather also told you to find a fierce mother-in-law for Sixteen as soon as possible to temper Sixteen. Ah, Sixteen already knows..."

  Tian originally wanted to make a fuss, but when Xia Xiuzai brought up this topic, she suddenly became like a deflated balloon. "That little scoundrel Xiao Shu!"

  She could only scold Xiao Shu'er now. At this time, Tian Shi had already fully realized the betrayal of her youngest son. She didn't think it was Xia Zhi who overheard her conversation with Lao Tian, but rather Xiao Shu'er who overheard it and not only told Xia Zhi, but also told Xia Xiucai, and probably even Da Qiao knew about it too.

  The little tree is really good at making trouble, this is simply adding insult to injury.

  In her heart, Tian's family still defended herself. "Xiao Shu'er must have misheard, his grandfather would never say that, and I wouldn't do that either. What Xia Zhi said is also our own flesh and blood. Besides, Xia Zhi has a strong backing now. In the future, Xia Zhi's marriage will probably be decided by others, her grandparents and uncle are all under her control."

  At first I started making excuses, but later on I couldn't help saying a few complaining words.

  Xia Xiuzai naturally persuaded him again, mainly saying that Xia Zhi's temper was not good now, but his heart was still good, and let Tian Shi be more careful in speaking and doing things in the future.

  Tian's family glanced at Xia Xiuzai, and in her heart, apart from dissatisfaction, there was also some fear. Xia Xiuzai had always listened to her and followed her plans. If she said east, Xia Xiuzai wouldn't say west. Even if she said something bad about Old Man Xia, Xia Xiuzai would at most just laugh it off and sometimes even be persuaded by her.

  Today, Xia Zhi had a quarrel with Xia Xiucai, and she lost face. She also said many bad things about Xia Zhi, but Xia Xiucai always said that Xia Zhi was kind-hearted.

  This little girl is Xia Zhi. Has everyone eaten the soul-mesmerizing medicine? However, her two sons, including her husband Xia Xiucan, are also helping her.