Xiao Dai and Zhang Shuai's wedding date has been set for the end of the year. Shen Meng prepared a 120-square-meter three-bedroom apartment for them, beautifully decorated by one of Lu Zhenping's comrades.

Shen Meng personally drew the blueprints, and the choice of wood and paint were all to her satisfaction, carrying the characteristics of this era. Overall, the young couple is very pleased.

Besides the apartment, Shen Meng also gifted them a set of large red embroidered bedding, absolutely gorgeous, and Xiao Dai couldn't put it down after seeing it.

"Sister, where did you buy this from, it's so beautiful!"

"Where else, definitely from Shangjing, bought it at the Friendship Store in Shangjing, it's very popular, almost couldn't get it. Do you like it?"

Xiao Dai fondled the embroidery on the top, nodding like a pecking chick.

"Like it, love it so much, such good material, such beautiful embroidery, it mustn't have been cheap."

"As long as you like it, live well in the future. Xiao Zhang has liked you for so many years, he finally gets to marry you, he will surely treat you well. But inevitably, there will be small quarrels between couples. If he ever wrongs you, come find me."

"Oh, thanks, Sister."

After chatting for a while and tidying things up, they saw it was almost noon, locked the door and were about to leave, when they saw Xiao Zhang running over in a panic.

"Sister Shen, there's trouble at the textile factory. I heard your in-laws went to make trouble, found Zhou Jiaojiao, beat her up, didn't find a single coin at her home, and took her two kids away. Now she has run to the police station to report it."

Shen Meng: "...."

It's quite the commotion!!!

"Xiao Dai, I'll go have a look, you should go deliver lunch to Mingyang's kids."

"Okay, take care, Sister."

After Shen Meng left, Xiao Dai immediately walked over to Xiao Zhang and gave him a couple of hard punches.

"Ouch, what are you doing, it hurts."

"Serves you right, why did you have to tell Sister Shen about this at noon? She's been helping me with the new house all morning and didn't even have time for lunch. That Lu family's Lao Si couple, you know what kind of people they are, why bother with them."

"It's not that I wanted to say it, it's Sister Shen's order to report any news immediately."

"Hmph!"

When Shen Meng arrived at the Lu Family, it was already in chaos. Zhou Jiaojiao was sitting on the ground, hitting the floor hard, her face full of tears and snot.

"Look, look everyone, this is our family's savings book. Whether or not I took money, it's written clearly. When did I not give money? Who knows when Lu Jiaxuan will come back. I still have two kids; will I not live? If you two miss your son so much, why don't you go get him yourselves, coffin boards in hand."

"You, you shameless woman. It clearly says here that you withdrew one thousand yuan, and you still lie to me. Do you want Jiaxuan to die? You're so heartless. For so many years, Jiaxuan treated you well, and you don't even think of finding a way to see him. Now you're running away with the kids? Hmph, if anyone's leaving, it's you. These kids are Jiaxuan's blood; they're Lu family kids. Don't think you can take them."

Zhou Jiaojiao wasn't willing at all. She cherished the kids dearly. Earlier, when she was working, she neglected the kids, but after her relationship with Lu Jiaxuan soured, all of her heart was focused on the two children. There's no way she'd abandon them.

"I'm their mother; why can't I take them? If Lu Jiaxuan never comes back, how long can you two oldies support them? Can you take care of them?"

Lu Changzhu and Liu Sanjin's faces turned red, their hands tightly holding onto Lu Yaya and Lu Qiancheng, the two children frowning at Zhou Jiaojiao, unable to hide the disdain in their eyes.

"None of your concern. Jiaxuan has brothers. If we can't raise them, his brothers will. We don't need you. Xiang Lan, Jinghao, from the main family, today you're all here, tell her if it's right. Would you be willing to raise Yaya and Qiancheng?"

Shen Meng: "...."

Wu Xianglan: "......"

Xie Jinghao: "......"

Oh no, they're after us!!!

"Dad and Mom, what are you saying? Their mother is right here, and we don't know why their dad hasn't returned, but it might be fine. How does asking us to raise the kids make sense? I'm already worried sick about Yong Qiang and Yong Li; I don't have the leisure or money to raise other people's kids."

Wu Xianglan rolled her eyes, arms crossed. Although she has a house and a job, her salary isn't high, just enough to get by. Lu Jiahe is a shameless dog, throwing away all the money he earns without contributing to the household, causing multiple fights with no resolution. She's decided to just get by for now, planning to divorce when the kids are older and live her life alone.

"Dad and Mom, my family can't do it either. Jiasheng is very busy; the furniture business is doing great, and now we're thinking about getting Xiao Long to open a shop too. As for me, I'm away from home most days of the month. We hire someone to look after our children, let alone adding two more."

Xie Jinghao finished speaking and nodded apologetically towards them.

"I..."

"You don't need to say anything; surely you can. The eldest is now a high-ranking official in the Provincial City. Mingyang and the others are studying in the county, you don't have to work, and there's a maid at home. You're the perfect one to take care of the kids—one kid or two, it's all the same. Just a couple more pairs of chopsticks. Yaya and Qiancheng will be left in your care."

Lu Qiancheng and Lu Yaya looked at Shen Meng with shining eyes. They'd heard many times that the elder uncle and aunt's house was great, with a big yard in the County Government compound, and surely from there no one dared to bully them.

Staying with the elder aunt was the best choice.

Young Lu Yaya knew that the elder aunt's family had money and surely had the best food; she wanted to go.

"No way, I have so many things to do myself, no time to help raise other people's kids. What Zhenping and I have done is enough. I came today just to check in, worried that something might happen to you two. If this is your aim, I advise you to drop it. No caregiver can do better than their real mother, and besides, my son Ming Kai never liked Lu Qiancheng and Lu Yaya; if they end up fighting, don't accuse me of being biased."

Lu Qiancheng jolted hearing this.

He touched his tooth. In previous fights with his brother, he lost a tooth. It hurt a lot.

Obviously, Lu Changzhu and Liu Sanjin also remembered this. Ming Kai's blows were indeed harsh, once knocking the younger brother so bad that he lost a baby tooth—how vicious!