Seizing Control of the Family

Seeing that everything was settled, Qiu Qi didn't beat around the bush. He took out the silver and land deeds found at the Zhong family's house, his voice low:
"In total, it's over a hundred taels. I plan to sell the land, and with this silver, we should be able to pay back more than half. For the remaining amount, I'll negotiate with the gambling den to pay it off gradually. They surely won't push us to our deaths..."

Hearing this, everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

Although this calculation meant almost bankrupting the family, it would at least patch this hole. As long as the entire family, old and young, was safe, they could grit their teeth and get through this hurdle.

Old Madam Zhong was heartbroken to death upon hearing this; that was her silver, her land:
"No selling, no selling! Fu Shu, my boy, this brat is tricking people! He wants to snatch all our family's money and run away!"

Zhong Fu Shu ignored her and nodded at Qiu Qi, his expression very comforting.

Yu Ge Er was a child capable of shouldering family responsibilities. If it were a son from another family encountering this, he would have long since panicked and cried. Seeing Yu Ge Er so calm and mature, it seemed the Zhong Family's Second Branch had finally produced a promising shoot.

"Regarding selling the land, I, your uncle, will help you with it. As for your sister-in-law, tomorrow I'll have your aunt go pick her up. Although Xiu E hasn't borne Guang Ming a son, she is still a good daughter-in-law to our Zhong family."

Wang Xiu E was timid and dared not cause trouble, not to mention diligent and hardworking. She didn't even disparage Zhong Guang Ming as a useless scoundrel. Wasn't she the kind of good daughter-in-law every farming family would love?

Qiu Qi nodded in agreement, but this person couldn't be picked up by others.

"Then, I'll trouble you, Uncle, with selling the land. As for my sister-in-law, I'll pick her up myself another day. The family has been unsettled these past few days; I'll wait until this matter is resolved. Also... Uncle, could you hold onto this silver for me? Once the land is sold and enough money is gathered, I'll take it all to the gambling den to pay them back."

Qiu Qi showed a pleading expression, stuffing all the silver he had "swept up" from the Zhong family's house into Zhong Fu Shu's hand, feigning, "I'm worried that if the money stays at home, it might be stolen by thieves."

Zhong Fu Shu was soft-hearted and always protective of his family. Seeing this, he felt immensely uncomfortable, and looking at Old Madam Zhong, who was aggressively about to speak up, he grew even more furious. Today he finally understood that if he truly wanted to repay the kindness of his deceased second uncle, he couldn't let Second Aunt continue to cause trouble, otherwise, the Zhong Family's Second Branch would be utterly ruined!

Zhong Fu Shu's head heated up. He pushed the silver back, gritting his teeth and loudly declared:
"Yu Ge Er, you keep the money. Our Dongbai Village has the best reputation in the region. Anyone who dares to do anything shady, I, your uncle, will definitely drive them out of the village without discussion!"

It was clear who this statement was aimed at.

The villagers collectively looked towards Old Madam Zhong, with eyes full of disdain and warning; everyone had witnessed this matter.

Qiu Qi contentedly put the silver into his pouch and firmly said he had taken note, feigning the appearance of an obedient, grateful child:
"Uncle, I understand. Rest assured, Uncle, I will definitely not disappoint your expectations. I will manage this family well from now on! I will certainly make my elder brother, father, and grandmother strive to turn over a new leaf and work hard!"

Zhong Fu Shu: "..." Wait a minute, that's not what I meant.

Qiu Qi looked at Old Madam Zhong with a serious expression:
"Grandmother, for the sake of this family, I've decided not to marry from now on."
(And just live off you for the rest of my life.)

Old Madam Zhong was speechless, her eyes rolled back, and she fainted again.

Village folk might quarrel all day over trivial matters, behaving rudely and petty, but most people were inherently simple, honest, and kind.

Most importantly, a village possessed a unique solidarity, valuing the spirit of "One person's glory benefits the whole clan, one person's shame is borne by the whole clan." No matter how noisy the village was on ordinary days, once it concerned the interests of the entire village, everyone would unite to protect and resist.

Therefore, it wasn't that no one recognized Qiu Qi's intentions; it was just that the Zhong family had lost too much favor with the people, and everyone had long wanted to deal with this malignant tumor. Now that "Yu Ge Er" had the courage and means to step forward, everyone naturally turned a blind eye, going with the flow.

Finally, Zhong Fu Shu also reacted to Qiu Qi's intentions. Although he felt something was slightly amiss, seeing the resolute expression on Qiu Qi's face, he could only sigh, say nothing more, take the land deeds, and leave.

"Well then, it's better to let Yu Ge Er manage the family than to let that muddled old woman continue to cause trouble. After all, the situation couldn't possibly get any worse."

Thus, having gained the people's favor, Qiu Qi smoothly seized control of the Zhong family's management.

After the villagers left, Qiu Qi closed the courtyard gate. When he turned around, his face had reverted to an emotionless expression, ignoring the terrified looks on the faces of the Zhong family members. He tied them up again, stuffed rags into their mouths, threw them into the storeroom, and locked the door.

For the Zhong family members, reasoning was useless. Locking them up for a few days, starving them for a few days, giving them a few more beatings, and scaring them would be enough.

Don't say this method is too brutal and will cause resentment; remember this: Before absolute power, all words are meaningless. When you are strong enough, your enemies will only be left with fear.

For the next few days, Qiu Qi stayed at home and didn't go out.

Besides eating and sleeping, every day he would go to the storeroom to "educate" Old Zhong and Eldest Brother Zhong. As for Old Madam Zhong and Eldest Sister-in-law Zhong, being women, they couldn't be beaten. He was worried he wouldn't be able to control his strength and accidentally beat them to death, which would be troublesome, so he could only use fierce glares to intimidate the two of them.