Refusing to marry a widower, I went on a crazy spree of sending my children to the army.

"Mom earns a dozen or so yuan a month, which is only enough for our family to eat eggs. Your grandma was from a wealthy family, and her dowry was quite substantial."

Even a little bit of milk leaking from between their fingers is enough for my daughter and me to live a life of luxury every day!

Over the years since marrying into the Qiao family, Jiang Xiaomei has said many things like this to sow discord. Qiao Lihui heard it all and naturally became dissatisfied with Tao Yingzhen.

He went to the old lady in a huff and puff, and immediately said, "Grandma, I want to eat meat!"

Tao Yingzhen replied, "I just ate it a couple of days ago! Look at you, you're so strong now, how can you keep being greedy!"

Qiao Lihui didn't respond, and immediately lay down on the ground, throwing a tantrum: "No! I want to eat meat! I want to eat meat! Grandma, give me money! I want to eat meat!"

Tao Yingzhen was annoyed by the noise, but she still patiently explained, "Grandma has no money. She spent all her savings to buy this house."

If you want chicken, go ask your parents for some.

“My eldest uncle is rich; he sends money to Grandma every month. My second uncle is also rich; he gives Grandma thirty yuan every month. I saw it!”

No sooner had he finished speaking than Qiao Lingyue walked in. He kicked him in the backside: "If you keep making a scene, you and your mother are going back to the textile factory's residential compound!"

Qiao Lihui rolled on the ground, seeing stars. He felt wronged, but dared not cry.

She glared at Qiao Lingyue with a pout, then slunk away.

"Can't you control your temper? He's still our grandson, after all!"

Qiao Lingyue huffed, "I don't even know what sins I've committed. It's one thing for my third son to be useless, but to have a son who's just as good-for-nothing!"

"Have we mistreated him or what? All the other children and grandchildren are incredibly promising, but the third son and his family are not only short-sighted, they also bring trouble to the family!"

Tao Yingzhen glanced outside, and seeing no one was around, lowered her voice and asked, "Is that thing true?"

Qiao Lingyue nodded seriously: "Most likely!"

Qiao Manman, who was listening outside, was completely confused: "What's going on? Tell me in detail, why are you keeping me in suspense!"

Unfortunately, the two of them stopped talking. Qiao Manman could only scratch her head in the shadows.

Turning around, Qiao Lihui ran back to Qiao Zhicheng to complain: "Dad, Grandma won't give me money to buy meat! Dad, Grandpa kicked me!"

Qiao Zhicheng's eyes darkened, and he felt very uneasy.

He comforted Qiao Lihui, saying, "It's alright. This afternoon, Dad will take you to the state-run restaurant. We'll have braised pork and braised fish!"

Jiang Xiaomei was busy in the kitchen for a while, then came out to slack off.

Seeing her son's face covered in tears, she hurried over to stir things up: "Zhicheng, your mother keeps saying she has no money left, do you believe her?"

The Tao family was so wealthy back then. Even if your grandfather had lost his mind and donated money to the Eighth Route Army, would he have donated it all?

Which businessperson doesn't have a backup plan?

Your older brother is doing so well in the military; there's no way he didn't use money to pave the way!

Qiao Zhicheng agreed, but after they got married, he tested Tao Yingzhen several times, and Tao Yingzhen always said that the money had been donated.

His family was a little better off than the average family, but that was because his father and his two older brothers all had jobs!

As the youngest child, he never experienced hardship. Later in life, he was protected by his parents and found a good job.

Jiang Xiaomei would whisper in his ear from time to time, and he would advise her to be content with what she has.

It wasn't until Ding Cuiying appeared and exposed his true identity that Qiao Zhicheng began to have different thoughts.

The Qiao family in Suzhou is wealthy. Even without the old lady's elaborate dowry and the vast wealth, their white walls, gray tiles, and upturned eaves are far superior to any mud-brick house in the countryside.

Qiao Lingyue is a university professor, while Tao Yingzhen is the descendant of a "red capitalist." Their two elder brothers rose to the positions of brigade commander and department head, respectively.

Which of these things, if mentioned, wouldn't earn you respect?

Although he's incompetent, he's still a team leader in the textile factory. If his true identity is exposed and everyone goes back to their original positions, can he bear the loss of his status?

Therefore, Qiao Zhicheng did something that even Ding Cuiying didn't know about.

At first, I was trembling with fear and tossing and turning in bed, but after confirming that Qiao Runming was in trouble, ha, I finally felt relieved.

At the same time, they want more.

Qiao Manman's eyes darted around, thinking that this place might actually have something special.

In that case, let's investigate tonight. But before that, we need to ascertain the Qiao family's attitude.

Inside the house, Dong Shilan prepared the meal and called everyone to eat together.

Outside, Qiao Manman found a secluded corner, took out the fried ribbonfish she had packed from the state-run restaurant, and ate it to her heart's content.

When it was time for work in the afternoon, Qiao Manman followed Qiao Mingqian furtively. She bumped into him as he turned a corner.

"Sorry, sorry, I'm so sorry!"

"It's alright, young comrade, you..."

Qiao Manman helped Qiao Mingqian pick up his things and then ran off in a flash, leaving him with the back of her head, tied in braids.

Qiao Mingqian smiled and said, "Young people are really energetic!"

As he spoke, he walked quickly toward the Agriculture Bureau. But half an hour later, he came out looking flustered.

All because he had a note in his hand that read: "Qiao Zhicheng is Ding Cuiying's son!"

Everyone in the Qiao family knows who Ding Cuiying is.

Although they hadn't seen each other for many years, they had heard Tao Yingzhen reminisce about the old days quite often.

"Back then, if Cuiying hadn't taken Zhicheng into hiding, Mother might not have made it through!"

Qiao Mingqian was grateful to Aunt Ding for saving his younger brother, but then again, it was something she, as a maid, should do.

Moreover, Ding Cuiying could have easily settled her mother before leaving.

But she just left the person in the house and ignored them.

It was only through Tao Yingzhen's frail body hiding in the cellar that she managed to hold on until the Red Army entered the city and rescued her from the Japanese soldiers when she was on the verge of death.

Therefore, he never liked Aunt Ding. Whenever he saw her when he was a child, he felt annoyed.

Of course, Ding Cuiying also preferred the mistress. They both believed that it was because of their shared hardships back then that they treated Zhicheng like a son.

Now it seems they had wolfish ambitions!

Qiao Mingqian instinctively wanted to go home and tell his parents this shocking news, but the moment he stepped out of the office building, the intense sunlight stung his eyes.

Qiao Mingqian calmed down, took a deep breath, and returned to his office to continue working.

Qiao Manman, who was standing in the corner, raised an eyebrow and got up to head to the food factory.

Suzhou Food Factory is not far from Paiyun Street; it only takes half an hour by bus.

Qiao Manman noticed a large crowd gathered at the factory gate. Upon asking, she discovered that they were all there to order mooncakes.

"No, no, mooncakes only have a ten-day shelf life. If you insist on ordering them before the Mid-Autumn Festival, how can we possibly produce them all!"

Want it? Sure, order today and pick it up tomorrow, I'll arrange it for you!

"Boss, it's only August, there are still more than 30 days until the Mid-Autumn Festival. What kind of business is it to take it back so early!"

"Yes, boss, please add one more order for us! It's not much, just five hundred mooncakes will be enough!"

"Five hundred isn't enough? You're dreaming!"

"Boss, please help us out! We came more than half a month in advance to discuss benefits this year!"

Upon hearing this, Qiao Manman raised her hand: "Sir, I need mooncakes now, can I place an order?"