The Courtyard House: The story begins with He Yuzhu beating up the White Widow.

Xu Wenya said, "They're eating with Zhu Zi now. They're used to the good food, why would they stay and eat my cooking?!" Then she asked, "Old Song, when are we leaving?!"

Song Shinian said, "I was supposed to leave next month. But things have changed. It'll probably be postponed by two months. There's even a possibility I won't be leaving at all." He then asked, "How did my second son's wife go into premature labor?!"

Xu Wenya said, "The second brother didn't say that on the phone."

"No! I have to go ask! You should send out the milk powder quickly. Also, send over the supplements that Zhuzi brought last time, so that the second son's wife can have some good nourishment!" After saying that, Song Shinian left the living room and went straight to the study.

In the Lou family villa in Gangcheng, today is Lou Zhenhua's birthday. Although Lou Zhenhua has been sidelined by his first and second wives, for the sake of appearances, the first wife still organizes the birthday celebration, albeit limited to the children of the Lou family's main wives and sons. However, today's birthday banquet is different from previous ones. It's a trap set by the first and second wives for Lou Xiao'e. Gangcheng is a small city, and the upper-class circles are limited; news spreads quickly. Recently, the news of Lou Xiao'e opening a company and acquiring large amounts of real estate and land has been widely discussed in the circle. The first and second wives believe that the money for Lou Xiao'e's company was secretly given to her by Lou Zhenhua, and they both confronted him about it. However, they later discovered that the money wasn't from Lou Zhenhua, so they stopped arguing. Nevertheless, they both coveted the money in Lou Xiao'e's possession, feeling that it was "unsafe" for a young woman to have so much money.

A little after five o'clock in the afternoon, a Mercedes-Benz W14 pulled into the Lou family villa. Once the car stopped, Lou Xiao'e and Tan Lingya got out. Entering the villa, Lou Xiao'e didn't even glance at the children of the first and second wives, but walked up to Lou Zhenhua with the gift in her hand, saying, "Dad! This is a birthday present I prepared for you. I hope you like it!" With that, Lou Xiao'e handed the gift box to Lou Zhenhua.

Lou Zhenhua took the gift box, opened it, and said with a smile, "Xiao'e, it's enough that you and your mother could come. Why did you have to spend so much money?!" As he spoke, Lou Zhenhua took out the scroll inside, opened it, and his eyes immediately lit up. He asked, "Xiao'e, where did you get this painting?!"

Lou Xiao'e replied, "I got it from a friend of mine."

"You're so thoughtful!" Lou Zhenhua said, quickly rolling up the painting and putting it back in the brocade box. Then he gestured for Lou Xiao'e and Tan Lingya to sit down and asked, "Xiao'e, how's the company doing lately?"

Lou Xiao'e replied, "It's just the beginning, and we're still figuring things out. But judging from the current situation, it won't be long before we're on the right track."

Lou Guofeng, the eldest son of the eldest son's wife, walked to Lou Xiao'e's side and said, "Little sister, now that you have considerable strength, it's time for you to contribute to the family business."

Lou Xiao'e glanced sideways at Lou Guofeng and asked, "Brother, what do you mean by that?! When we divided the family property back then, we wrote it all down clearly in black and white. What?! It hasn't been that long, and you've already forgotten?! If you have a bad memory, you should go to the hospital to get it checked out. If it's really bad, you should step down and pass the reins to someone more capable."

Lou Guofeng's younger brother, Lou Guohou, then walked over and said, "Little sister, let's make money together and get rich together. We're all family. Since we're family, why be so formal?! It's not safe for a girl like you to have so much money in your hands. I think you should take out the money and we'll manage it for you."

Lou Xiao'e laughed and said, "I've seen shameless people before. But I've never seen anyone as shameless as you."

Lou Guomin, the youngest son of the second wife, chimed in, "Xiao'e, you'll get married sooner or later. Rather than letting the money benefit your in-laws, it's better for us brothers to benefit as well. If you suffer mistreatment at your in-laws' house, we'll stand up for you out of respect for your selfless dedication."

Lou Xiao'e saw the children from the first and second wives surrounding her, while the children from the third wife watched the commotion from the sidelines. Lou Xiao'e knew that if she didn't resolve things today, she would face endless trouble later. Lou Xiao'e smiled and asked, "Are you all so sure you can get rid of me today?!"

Lou Zhenhua coldly questioned, "Do you all think I'm dead?!"

Lou Guofeng asked, "Dad, are you still favoring the fourth branch of the family today?!"

Lou Zhenhua sneered, "In the past, I felt I was too old and in poor health. Since you wanted the company and power, I gave them to you. For the sake of family harmony, I tolerated everything. I never expected you to become even more demanding now?! In that case, let's settle all the scores properly!"

Lou Guofeng laughed unrestrainedly and said, "Dad! Do you still think this is the old Beijing, where you can do whatever you want?! This is Hong Kong! Your old tricks won't work here!"

"Oh?! Is that so?!" Just then, Lou Guoliang walked in with his men.

Lou Xiao'e called out with a smile, "Second Brother!"

Lou Guofeng's expression changed instantly when he saw Lou Guoliang arrive with his men. Lou Guofeng coldly questioned, "Lou Guoliang, what is the meaning of this today?!"

Lou Guoliang said, "You can bully my sister, but I, as her older brother, am not allowed to stand up for her?!"

That day, Lou Xiao'e called Lou Guoliang from the tea restaurant, and Lou Guoliang arrived in Gangcheng that very evening. Lou Xiao'e omitted the matter of He Yuzhu and directly told Lou Guoliang that a friend had funded her to start a company. Lou Xiao'e also stated her plan: she would provide the money, and Lou Guoliang would handle the affairs of the first and second wives. The siblings immediately agreed. Thus, the current situation arose.

"Tan Lingya, don't you have any explanation for me?!" At this moment, Yuan Keling from the first wife, along with Gu Lianxi from the second wife and Cao Yunyu from the third wife, came downstairs and stood in front of Tan Lingya to question her.

Tan Lingya said, "The children are just playing around; there's no need for us adults to interfere!"

Yuan Keling narrowed her eyes, a murderous glint flashing within them. However, Tan Lingya clearly saw the change in Yuan Keling's expression.

Before Tan Lingya could speak, Lou Xiao'e said first, "You don't need to talk about my mother in such a sarcastic way! Because you don't have the right to!"

"Lou Xiao'e! You're becoming more and more lawless!" Yuan Keling roared at Lou Xiao'e, shouting, "Guards!"

After waiting for a while without any response, Yuan Keling's expression instantly changed. Lou Xiao'e turned to Lou Zhenhua and said, "Dad! Today is your birthday. You're in charge! My second brother and I will listen to you!"