Since that’s the case, then it’s not just Gu Ruinian who gets fed.

"Why is Yao Family crying? Did someone steal your food or something? Here, have some meat." Taohua said as she gave Yao Family two large pieces of meat from Mrs. Jia’s bowl.

Yao Family wiped his eyes and glanced at Mrs. Wei.

Although Taohua didn’t like the second family.

But the kids are still young.

Mrs. Wei looked at Taohua gratefully.

"Oh, sister-in-law, you should eat too, and Xiaoxue."

Taohua gave Mrs. Wei a piece of meat, and then gave Xiao Xue a piece as well.

Gu Xiaoxue, who was hardly noticed, sat sideways in the corner, burying her head, unable to reach the good dishes on the table, eating only a bowl of thin porridge with pickles.

The commotion at the table just now didn’t allow her to say a word.

Xiaoxue silently picked up the chicken in her bowl and put it into Mrs. Jia’s bowl, saying, "Second brother is studying hard, let him eat."

Taohua was unhappy.

The chicken she brought, she decides who to give it to. Why should Gu Xiaoxue let Gu Ruinian eat her meat?

The second uncle’s family wasn’t lacking money before, Gu Xiaoxue grew up like a bean sprout, now without money, it’s easier to guess how difficult her days have become.

Taohua took the chicken from Mrs. Jia’s bowl and put it back into Gu Xiaoxue’s bowl, saying, "Xiaoxue, your second brother studies hard, he needs to eat meat. You work hard, not only mentally but also physically, shouldn’t you eat more?"

Gu Xiaoxue opened her mouth.

But second brother wants to become a scholar, she doesn’t.

Taohua said, "Look at me, my third brother also studies, but when we were poor, I wouldn’t let him eat more. My mom said everyone’s equal, why should I give up my food."

Gu Xiaoxue was stunned and had no reaction to these rebellious words.

This cousin was the one her mother and grandmother called the "scheming girl." When she was young, in Qinghe Bay, her deepest impression was her daring to overturn tables in front of grandpa and grandma.

So many years not seeing her, the cousin still has such a fierce temper.

But Mrs. Wei’s eyes brightened.

Though Mrs. Jia looked rough, her words weren’t.

Indeed, in one family, everyone’s the same, why only Gu Honglian and Gu Ruinian get to eat well.

And this cousin’s right, Gu Ruinian only exercises his brain while studying. She works both mentally and physically. Gu Ruinian might earn fame for the family, but she extends the Gu family’s bloodline.

So why shouldn’t she eat the good food?

With that thought, Mrs. Wei boldly reached out with her chopsticks to grab a small bowl of meat, placing it in front of herself and her son before eating.

Truth be told, Mrs. Jia’s family’s chicken stew is truly aromatic and generously cooked with oil.

Mrs. Gu, the old matriarch, slammed the table angrily, "Born in a ghost of hunger, and you think you’re fit to eat this meat?"

Mrs. Wei retorted, "Why aren’t I fit to eat it? I followed you from the south to suffer here, I’ve birthed sons and daughters for your Gu family, why can’t I eat a piece of chicken."

The old lady was furious; she hadn’t eaten the meat herself, saving it for Gu Honglian and Gu Ruinian, yet this grand-daughter-in-law dared to eat it.

Mrs. Jia was equally dissatisfied with Mrs. Wei.

This chicken was obviously meant for Gu Honglian and Gu Ruinian; Mrs. Wei eating more means her Ruinian eats less.

"Fengnian’s wife, what are you saying? Coming here with complaints about suffering? I’ve ignored your complaints about money, but now you’re taking things too far. No one begged you to marry into our Gu family, if you don’t want to be our daughter-in-law, you’re free to leave." Mrs. Jia said.

Mrs. Wei pointed at Gu Fengnian, saying, "Fengnian, listen, your mom wants to divorce me. Why? What did I do wrong to deserve divorce? Did I not give birth to a son, or have I been unfaithful? Say it, why must I suffer this?"

As she spoke, she hugged Yao Family, crying.

Gu Fengnian, annoyed by the crying, stood up and walked out.

Mr. Gu, Mrs. Gu, and Mrs. Jia’s faces turned rigid with anger.

Gu Xiaoxue sat dumbly like a quail; Gu Honglian, unaffected, continued to munch on chicken.

The household erupted into two wars in one evening, all over food. Gu Youtian couldn’t stand it anymore, shouting, "Enough is enough! If this keeps going, no one gets any chicken."

The old house plunged again into chaos.

Taohua, feeling satisfied and uninvolved, watched briefly before hurriedly leaving the old house.

Tong Huaqiong finished dinner and was accounting when Taohua returned home, recounting everything from the old house.

"...Mom, grandpa, grandma, and the second uncle’s family aren’t as unified as a barrel. Grandma dotes on the younger aunt, the second aunt favors Gu Ruinian, and Fengnian’s wife’s got her own plans. Internally they’re at odds, fighting like black chickens." Taohua said.

She used to think Mr. Gu and Mrs. Gu favored the second uncle’s family; now, not envious at all.

A large family cramped together, each with their own intentions, unlike their own, mom leading them as a united force.

Tong Huaqiong, while calculating, said, "This is just the beginning, they’ll have their fair share of chaos ahead."

In a family, favoritism is the greatest fear; it leads to conflicts and worsening living situations.

Mr. Gu and Mrs. Gu are prime examples.

They used to favor the second son’s family, investing all their capital and leaving the first son’s family estranged.

If they treated the original family better, Tong Huaqiong wouldn’t have ignored them; now she just ensures they have enough to eat for appearances sake.

Nothing more.

"By the way, if Gu Ruinian asks about the dessert shop, just talk nonsense." Tong Huaqiong ordered Taohua.

She’s already instructed Liu Yueer the same.

Gu Ruinian is probing their family’s wealth and investigating who’s his fellow townsman. After querying about pig raising, surely he’ll check the sweets shop in town.

Taohua nodded and said, "Gu Ruinian’s full of cunning, I wouldn’t even spare him a glance."

Meanwhile, at the old house, Mrs. Jia took advantage of the commotion to bring some chicken to Gu Ruinian’s room.

"Mom, why are you here again." Gu Ruinian, frustrated, spoke impatiently.

Suddenly, he smelt the meat aroma, making his mouth water.

Lately, Mrs. Gu realized fewer eggs, suspected daughter-in-law Mrs. Wei of sneaking them, so hid the egg jar in her room. Mrs. Jia can’t sneak eggs for Gu Ruinian, leaving his mouth bland, cursing Mrs. Gu mentally.

"Where did the chicken come from?"

Gu Ruinian, hearing the house quarrel, didn’t know Taohua had brought chicken.

Mrs. Jia closed the door and whispered, "Sent by the first family for your grandparents, hurry and eat."

Gu Ruinian picked the chicken by hand and stuffed it in his mouth.

Delicious!

So flavorful!

Mrs. Jia watched her son gobble the chicken, unable to resist swallowing. She hadn’t tasted meat for ages, and the craving was hard to suppress.

Gu Ruinian knew Mrs. Jia needed some nutrition too, aware she couldn’t even grab eggs to eat.

For a moment, he felt pity for his loving mother, considering sharing some chicken with her.

But thought better of it.

Not out of selfishness, but the family’s poverty.

In poor households, all resources must be focused on those who deserve it.

Like him, the real hope of the family.

Gu Ruinian sighed inwardly, vowing that when he achieves high rank and power, he won’t let his humble mother go wanting.