CHAPTER 165: CHAPTER 165: XIAO WANG ARRIVES

165 Xiao Wang Arrives

Of course, after leaving the dining table, Mrs. Zheng didn’t go home directly but went straight to the Zhao Family’s old house.

She had barely reached the entrance when she started shouting loudly, "Aunt! Aunt! It’s terrible, Aunt!"

After Mrs. Wang opened her door and came out, Mrs. Zheng shakily took her hand, unable to wait to tell her everything that had happened at the banquet, embellishing extravagantly.

She even exaggeratedly exclaimed afterward, "Oh my heavens! Aunt, you have no idea how big that coral was; you couldn’t even get your arms around it! It was so vividly red and beautiful, it must be worth a small fortune! And that blue-and-white porcelain! It was exquisite!"

After the praise, she also feigned indignation on Mrs. Wang’s behalf. "I must say, Zhao Dong is truly outrageous! He’s simply unfilial! Not even inviting folks from back home to his Housewarming Banquet is one thing, but considering all the influential people he knows, how could he forget his own brothers?

Besides, anyone with eyes can see that your Zhao Chun is much cleverer than Zhao Dong. He’d definitely be more favored by influential people! I think Zhao Dong is just selfish. He’s afraid your Zhao Chun will steal his spotlight, so he deliberately didn’t invite us to the Housewarming Banquet!"

She rattled on and on, never considering why they weren’t invited in the first place. Wasn’t it because they were always stirring up trouble?

At this time, Mrs. Wang could no longer hear any of Mrs. Zheng’s complaints. Her mind was entirely consumed by thoughts of influential people, enormous coral, and all sorts of treasures.

The wounds on her buttocks had barely healed, yet she’d already forgotten the pain. All she could think was that all these advantages had gone to the second son’s family. She felt an itch in her heart, as if scratched by a cat’s claws. In the end, she rolled up her sleeves, ready to go to the Zhao Family’s house to make trouble.

However, just as she was about to go out, she was stopped by Zhao Chun.

Zhao Chun’s expression was quite grim. "Mother, have you forgotten what I told you again?"

Hearing this, the flames of her jealousy were instantly doused by more than half. The last time she hadn’t listened to her son, she’d earned herself a beating.

The urge to go and cause trouble instantly subsided.

She couldn’t afford to be rash now. She had to wait until her son got his hands on the second son’s family’s vegetable garden, and until those influential people were all on her son’s side. Then she would immediately go and demand everything back! That filthy bunch didn’t deserve to possess such fine things!

Although she compromised, she still felt a knot of resentment in her chest. Therefore, after sending Mrs. Zheng away, she stood in the courtyard and began to rail curses.

Finally, she even took off her shoes. Facing the direction of Zhao Dong’s house, she would shout a curse and then smack a shoe against the wall.

Zhao Chun, on the other hand, paced around the courtyard, wondering if his wife, Xiao Wang, had managed to trick them out of the land deed yet. Naturally, she hadn’t succeeded yet.

Meanwhile, Xiao Wang, after seething with envy over all the gifts, was still scheming how to get Zhao Zhitong alone so she could trick her into handing over the land deed. Then all of Second Brother’s family’s wealth and fortune would belong to them!

However, the banquet was still ongoing, and Zhao Zhitong was eating in the courtyard. Xiao Wang had no opportunity to make a move.

Zhao Zhitong, having had a wonderful time playing with her best friends and older siblings, had completely forgotten about this matter. It wasn’t until Grandpa Bai reminded her that she recalled her mission to set a trap for her Third Uncle.

So, after the third hot dish was served and the little ones had eaten their fill, Zhao Zhitong rubbed her little round belly and called out to Sun Mei over her shoulder, "Mom, I’m full! I want to go play now."

Hearing this, Sun Mei rose and went over to her. Seeing that Zhao Zhitong had finished all the porridge in her bowl, she smiled and said, "If you’re full, go play then."

Zhao Zhitong immediately jumped off the stool.

Seeing Zhao Zhitong going out to play, several of the older children also ran out one by one, following her.

Qiao Muchen, seeing this, quickly slurped down the last of the porridge in his bowl, wiped his mouth, hopped off the stool as well, and jogged after them, calling, "Zhao Zhuangzhuang, wait for me!"

Wei Shulan also followed closely. In the end, only Zhao Yue was left at the dining table. He was the biggest eater among the children, but this suited his physique well, as he was the most pleasantly plump of the lot.

Seeing that everyone had run away, Zhao Yue became anxious and shouted at them, "Don’t go! I’m not done eating yet!"

But the little ones had already run out of the courtyard.

Then, Zhao Zhitong, who had originally decided to be on her own, found that she couldn’t be.

And Xiao Wang, who had been keeping an eye on the courtyard, saw Zhao Zhitong run out alone. She was just about to make her move when she noticed a string of little tag-alongs trailing after Zhao Zhitong.

Just as she was considering whether to go over—after all, they were only children—she heard Zhao Zhitong shouting for everyone to come and play hide-and-seek together.

After a flurry of chirping discussion, Sun Daxiang was chosen to be the first "cat," the one to catch the others.

The children led him to a large tree, all talking at once, telling him to lean against it, cover his eyes, and start counting.

Zhao Zhitong thoughtfully said, "Third Cousin, you must count loudly. When you get to one hundred, you can come and find us."

Sun Daxiang nodded excitedly. "Alright, alright, I’ll count to one hundred."

Then, he obediently covered his eyes with both hands, leaned against the large tree, and began counting carefully, "One, two, three..."

At this, the other children shrieked with excitement and scattered, each searching for a hiding spot.

Some dashed back into the courtyard to hide in the rooms, while others ran towards the nearby fields, eventually ducking behind large stones.

Zhao Zhitong looked around, then turned and darted into the alley beside Zhang Qiang’s house.

Xiao Wang’s eyes lit up, and she quickly got up and followed.

So, just as Zhao Zhitong ducked behind a large stone in the alley, Xiao Wang appeared.

Seeing Xiao Wang suddenly appear, Zhao Zhitong pretended to be surprised, then whispered her refusal, "Third Aunt, don’t be here! I’m playing hide-and-seek; Third Cousin will find me!"

Xiao Wang smiled. "Tongtong, are you playing hide-and-seek? Let Third Aunt play with you. I’ll help cover for you, and when your cousin comes looking, I’ll say there’s no one here. I guarantee you’ll be the last one found."

Zhao Zhitong was overjoyed. "Really? Third Aunt, you’re so nice!"

Xiao Wang immediately nodded. "Of course, I’m your Third Aunt. I’m on your side."

After saying that, she changed the subject. "But, can you tell Third Aunt where you’ve hidden the land deed to your family’s old house? If you tell me, I can help you win all the games for the rest of the day."

Zhao Zhitong immediately snorted, affecting the demeanor of a spoiled brat. "No way! If I tell you, you’ll definitely tell my mom!"

Xiao Wang’s eyes lit up. "No, Third Aunt swears, I won’t tell your mother, and I’ll keep it a secret for you."