Chapter 17: He’s Really Changed.
Li Shi found Cai Shi and muttered in a low voice, “The big one doesn’t come anymore, but the little one’s been running over often. Who knows what she’s up to.” As she spoke, she craned her neck to peek inside the room.
“No, I have to listen in. Better not let the old lady get sweet-talked again.” Li Shi patted off her clothes and crept over, hiding by the door to eavesdrop.
Granny Luo sat cross-legged on the kang again.
“Go on then, what now?”
Wen Yao grabbed a small stool and plopped right down by Granny Luo’s feet, tilting her head up with a cheerful smile. “Grandma, it’s something good.”
Granny Luo snorted disdainfully and sneered, “Spare me. Anything you lot call a good thing, I probably shouldn’t hear.”
Wen Yao scooted even closer, tugging at the old lady’s sleeve. “Really, Grandma. My dad went to the dock to run a stall today. Business was actually good—he sold everything we brought. We’ll need eggs for tomorrow, so I’m here to buy some from you.”
Granny Luo looked like she’d heard some earth-shattering news, and Old Wen sat straight up, stunned. “What did you say? Your dad went to set up a stall? And business was good?”
Had he gone deaf in his old age?
Wen Yao pulled out the money and placed it on the kang. “I brought the money, Grandpa. It’s true—my dad has really changed this time.”
The old couple looked at each other, then at the money on the kang. They still couldn’t quite believe it.
“What kind of stall? What’s he selling?” Granny Luo poked the coins with her finger. They were real, alright.
Wen Yao briefly explained the situation, but Granny Luo was still skeptical.
“Fried rice with vegetables tastes that good? And it all sold out by midday?”
Wen Yao nodded. “A bunch of people didn’t even get any and said they’ll come back tomorrow.”
Granny Luo looked at Old Wen, who also had an expression of disbelief. This really didn’t sound like their no-good eldest son.
“Your dad… he’s really set his mind on earning money honestly now?” Granny Luo picked up the coins and counted them. Seventy-five wen—not too much, not too little—but she still felt uncertain.
Wen Yao seized the moment and climbed onto the kang, clutching the old lady’s arm, acting all sweet. “It’s true, Grandma. My dad’s really changed. If you don’t believe me, ask Datou.”
Granny Luo ignored her arm and looked at Datou.
Datou stood there, dazed for a moment, then nodded vigorously. He even pulled out his now shriveled little clay doll from his pocket and held it up for Granny Luo to see.
“Dad bought that for Datou,” Wen Yao played the role of his spokesperson.
Granny Luo was genuinely surprised this time. Ever since Datou was born, Wen Xiuyi had basically ignored him—barely even spared him a proper glance. And now he’d bought him a toy?
Her mind spun for a while before she finally put the money away. “Alright, I got it. I’ll have your second aunt count out the eggs for you. We don’t have that many in the house—she’ll have to go to the neighbors to make up the rest.”
Then she called out for Li Shi several times.
Li Shi had been listening at the door and had heard everything. As soon as she heard her mother-in-law call, she hurried inside, greeted the old couple, and turned to Wen Yao with a forced smile. “Yao Yao, how much does your dad’s stall make in a day?”
Granny Luo’s face sank. “What are you asking that for? Go count the eggs in the house, then ask the neighbors to make it up to fifty for Yao Yao. Don’t run your mouth so much.”
Li Shi shrank her neck in and muttered under her breath, “I just want to know when Big Brother’s going to pay us back.”
Wen Yao could clearly feel Granny Luo’s posture weaken slightly when she heard that—it was obvious she felt guilty.
And rightly so. The second and third households really had been treated unfairly over the years. The old couple had already given enough to the eldest branch.
After Li Shi grumbled her way out, Granny Luo pried Wen Yao’s hands off her arm and scooted aside. “Go back and tell your dad: if he slips up again, I’ll beat him to death with these old bones—better than letting him keep ruining other people’s lives.”
Wen Yao was overjoyed inside and immediately scooted over again, clinging to the old lady’s arm and showering her with flattery. “Grandma, you’re the best! You’re the best grandma in the whole world!”
Datou mimicked her, pulling at Granny Luo’s sleeve and shaking it, looking ridiculously cute. Granny Luo’s face even flushed a bit.
“Shoo, shoo, what’s with all the clinging and tugging? Can you even carry fifty eggs?” she grumbled, though her tone was noticeably softer than before.
“Wen Nong! Where’s Wen Nong? Off wandering again?” Granny Luo shouted out the door. Before long, Wen Nong jogged in.
“Grandma, what’s up?” he asked, confused.
Granny Luo irritably pulled her arm out of Wen Yao’s grip and shot her a glare before saying, “Help your cousin carry the eggs back in a bit.”
Wen Nong was a little surprised—wasn’t Grandma done with Big Uncle’s family? Why was she giving them eggs now? But he still replied, “Oh, okay.”
Soon, Li Shi came back with a basket full of eggs.
“Mom, fifty eggs. We had twenty at home, and I got thirty from the neighbors. All here.” Li Shi reported.
She then counted out forty-five wen. “Go give them the money. Three wen for two, just like in the city. Saves them the trouble of taking them to market.”
Li Shi knew the money was from Wen Yao and wanted to ask if they’d really earned so much, but under her mother-in-law’s stern gaze, she dared not say anything more. She simply took the money and left.
Granny Luo, full of disdain, told Wen Yao to take the eggs and get lost. Wen Yao grinned and placed the paper-wrapped treats she’d brought on the kang table.
“Grandma, we bought you and Grandpa some pastries. Try them. Datou, let’s go.” Without waiting for a response, she grabbed Datou and headed out.
Wen Nong quickly said goodbye to the old couple and carried the eggs out after them.
Granny Luo craned her neck to watch them leave, then opened the paper parcel on the table. Inside were three palm-sized pastries.
Her expression visibly softened.
Old Wen tapped his pipe on the kang. “Still knows to show a little respect. Guess he’s not rotten to the core.”
Granny Luo broke off a small piece and took a bite. Her brow furrowed immediately—hard as a rock and sickeningly sweet.
Without looking up, she replied, “He came from my belly. You think I don’t know what kind of person he is?”
Old Wen clicked his tongue twice. Who was the one who’d been threatening to cut ties a few days ago?
Not that he dared say it now. He broke off a piece for himself and popped it in his mouth.
Not bad—sweet.
Seeing him enjoying it, Granny Luo quickly reached out and wrapped the rest of the pastries back up. “Too sweet. Look at you. Don’t eat anymore. Save it for the little ones.”
Old Wen had just tasted the sweetness and wasn’t satisfied yet. He liked sweet things.
“Aiya, why are you like this? I only had a nibble! It’s not like I was going to eat it all. There’s still two whole ones—plenty to share with the kids.”
He was staring at the parcel the whole time.
Granny Luo ignored him and just put the pastries away.
If she didn’t, knowing that old glutton, all three pieces would end up in his stomach before the day was out.
