Three of the family's five members had already agreed.
Almost everyone in the room had unconsciously overlooked asking Zhuang Xiaoting for her opinion.
The little girl looked at her helpless mother, feeling just as helpless herself, unsure whether to speak.
Everyone in the family except Huang Ling had agreed to hold a "democratic vote."
A measure of confidence involuntarily appeared on Zhuang Chaoying's face and those of the two Zhuang elders.
Zhuang Chaoying said, "The whole family agrees to a vote. In that case, let's vote to decide whether Pengfei stays!"
He raised his hand first. "I agree to let Pengfei stay."
Father Zhuang and Granny Zhuang turned their eyes toward Zhuang Tunan, and Huang Ling looked over too.
Zhuang Tunan did not dare meet his mother's eyes. He merely turned his head aside and said quietly, "I agree to let my cousin stay."
Then, with his head lowered, he hurriedly added to Huang Ling, "Mom, I really can keep myself in line. Pengfei won't affect me. Really."
Huang Ling's lips moved slightly. With things having come to this, there seemed to be nothing left for her to say.
After all, merely passing the "vote" meant that the entire family had already completely overruled her.
But as a mother, how could she stand by and watch her son jump into a pit?
Her heart twisted in pain, but she forced herself to hold on and said earnestly in a hoarse voice, "Tu Nan, if Pengfei moves in now, Zhuang Zhen Dong and Zhuang Zhen Bei will move in later too. Your grandparents will keep making demands. There's no way you won't be affected. Your grandparents and your aunt all want you to eat one mouthful less so they can eat one mouthful more. Your father..."
Zhuang Chaoying roared, cutting her