After the Dragon Boat Festival.

A shocking piece of news spread throughout Qinghe Bay.

Gu Ruinian is going to be adopted as the heir by Tong Huaqiong.

"Come on, Old Mr. Gu isn’t lacking sons and grandsons. The incense is burning strong in the principal line. How is it Ruinian’s turn to be adopted?"

"This is clearly a ploy by the second house. Seeing the main house’s prosperity, they wanted to cozy up. With no other options, they could only sacrifice a son."

"Will Tong Dajiao agree to this? Ruinian isn’t a three-year-old child. Such a grown person won’t be easy to manage."

The villagers expressed their opinions on this matter.

Most people felt the second house was not acting honorably.

"Well, you can’t entirely blame the second house of the Gu Family. They only have this one son who is literate. How could they willingly give Ruinian to the main house? I’ve heard that Old Residence wanted Tong Dajiao to sponsor Ruinian’s education. Tong Dajiao was reluctant to spend money and said, unless Gu Ruinian was adopted into the main house. The second house actually agreed to this, let’s see now how Tong Dajiao deals with this situation."

Of course, some voiced that Tong Huaqiong was bringing trouble upon herself, and they waited to see how this drama would unfold.

Liu Yueer’s mother, Mrs. Zhao, was extremely anxious, worried that her in-laws were being deceived.

Logically, who gets adopted should have nothing to do with her. For instance, Gu Dahuan’s illegitimate son Xiao Long, she felt he ought to come back, and she often advised Liu Yueer to treat Xiao Long better.

Even when Tong Pandi, who separated, lived at her in-laws’ home, she had no objections.

But she felt Gu Ruinian was definitely not acceptable.

He’s a mere ingrate, not only would he harm the in-laws, but also her son-in-law’s entire family.

The in-laws were foolish to allow such a character to be adopted.

Mrs. Zhao, tottering on her bound feet, hurried towards Tong Huaqiong’s house.

"In-law, is what they’re saying outside true?" Mrs. Zhao asked breathlessly.

Tong Huaqiong was talking with her stepdaughter Gu Baishuang. Seeing Mrs. Zhao rushing in, she leisurely offered a cup of tea and said unhurriedly, "You’re referring to the adoption of Gu Ruinian?"

Mrs. Zhao said, "It seems what’s being said outside is true. In-law, for such a shrewd person, how could you do something so muddle-headed? You have sons and daughters, adopting Ruinian who is already grown would be digging a hole for yourself."

Tong Huaqiong was not anxious at all.

She was discussing the plan to open supermarkets in Yan Guan Town and Pingchuan County with Gu Baishuang.

The Lu Family’s merchant ships returned with two vessels, bringing back the exotic goods Tong Huaqiong desired.

There were western mirrors, cheap pearls, rouge, and powder...

In addition, Tong Huaqiong sent Dashi to Jiangnan to procure a batch of much-needed goods.

The supermarket was set up, a new manager and clerks were in place, promotional materials were being urgently produced, and Tong Huaqiong fixed the opening date seven days later.

Upon hearing Mrs. Zhao mention Gu Ruinian’s adoption, she remained exceptionally composed. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

Tong Huaqiong smiled and said, "In-law, do I seem like someone so muddled? The outside is what they say, whether Gu Ruinian can be adopted by me depends on whether I am willing."

Mrs. Zhao murmured a prayer, then smiled broadly, "I was making a mountain out of a molehill."

Tong Huaqiong smiled lightly.

Gu Ruinian was indeed eager to become her son, hastily creating public opinion pressure in the village.

Tong Huaqiong already learned from Auntie that Gu Ruinian had reported to the clan leader to hold a temple ceremony to adopt himself into the main house.

Moreover, the three elders, Old Mr. Gu, Mrs. Gu, and Mrs. Jia, had agreed.

Then, Gu Ruinian began spreading this news to the front village, aiming to put her on the spot, forcing her to adopt.

Gu Ruinian’s wishful thinking was that beautiful; Gu Youtian hasn’t returned from running errands outside, and he dared to decide on adoption without consulting his father. When Gu Youtian returns, if he doesn’t break his leg, he’ll surely give him a stir-fried bamboo shoot with pork.

Gu Ruinian stood under the locust tree at his family’s door, gazing towards Tong Huaqiong’s place.

Once Gu Youtian returns these days, he will become Tong Dajiao’s son.

Old Mr. Gu already informed Tong Dajiao about the adoption matter, and Tong Dajiao didn’t act defiantly.

Although Tong Dajiao wasn’t his ideal mother, and the Gu Family’s main house wasn’t his ideal heritage, in Qinghe Bay there was no better choice than the main house.

What does it matter to call her mother or to kneel?

A real man must be able to adapt and accommodate.

In recent days, Tong Huaqiong kept creating buzz about the upcoming supermarket opening. The entire Yan Guan Town knew Manager Tong had a new business venture.

Everyone in Qinghe Bay was eagerly anticipating what kind of shopping venue the supermarket would be.

Only Gu Ruinian wasn’t puzzled. This idea came from Gu Taohua, right?

Indeed, his nominal cousin Gu Taohua had quite the knack for making money.

His weakness was that in his past he was too focused on study, lacking social practice.

However, he was familiar with the supermarket business. Once he was adopted into the main house, he could be involved in the supermarket venture.

Another thing that delighted Gu Ruinian was that the second lady of the Lian Family sent through Matchmaker Wang expressing willingness to meet him.

If this concubine was truly as beautiful as Lu Zhaozhao, he wouldn’t mind taking her as a concubine.

Once the adoption ceremony was completed, he would meet the second lady from the Lian Family.

He was waiting for Gu Youtian to return home.

A few days ago, the Clan Leader’s grandson Gu Dahu visited his father-in-law’s place at Black Dragon Pond, and Grandpa entrusted him to convey a message to Gu Youtian asking him to return, without specifying the reason, only saying Old Mr. Gu wasn’t in good health.

Gu Ruinian hoped Gu Youtian would be more attentive to Old Mr. Gu’s health, allowing him to return earlier.

As Tong Huaqiong predicted, Gu Ruinian’s dream of becoming her son would soon be shattered.

Gu Youtian and the village chief at Black Dragon Pond, also Tong Pandi’s former father-in-law Wu Ren, were former classmates. This time visiting Black Dragon Pond, he aimed to find some business opportunities using Wu Ren.

Wu Ren happened to have a shop in Pingchuan County, previously rented to someone for a furniture business. After the New Year, the owner felt old and wanted to return home with his family, thus closing the store and ending the lease.

Wu Ren had never run a business and intended to lease out his shop.

Initially, Tong Huaqiong was interested in this shop but reconsidered upon discovering Wu Ren was the landlord.

Wu Ren demanded high rent and refused to lower it, deterring many from making a move. This shop had been vacant for half a year.

Despite high rents, Gu Youtian proved to be Qinghe Bay’s first businessman to venture out. With a few persuasive words, he convinced Wu Ren to invest to start a grocery store, they would be partners, with Gu Youtian’s experience serving as his share.

Gu Youtian was enthusiastically discussing where to procure goods, how to set up the shop, and recruit clerks with Wu Ren... During the fervor, Gu Dahu brought news that Old Mr. Gu was ill and had fainted.

Though tempted by wealth, Gu Youtian wouldn’t risk being labeled unfilial.

So he hurried back to Qinghe Bay.

At the big tree near the village entrance, he heard the explosive news that Gu Ruinian was going to be adopted into the main house of the Gu Family.

Instantly, Gu Youtian felt deceived by his son and, incensed by the villagers’ insinuations that Gu Ruinian preferred a dead father over his living one, he wished he could grab Gu Ruinian and kick him twice.