âBig sister, how did you make this distillerâs grains? Itâs so delicious!â
In the Songhe Courtyard, Yan Wenkai dramatically exclaimed.
Daohua sipped the distillerâs grains, glanced at her playful fourth brother and her honest third brother guzzling it down, and silently shook her head.
Old Madam Yan saw her looking all serious and gave her a tap on the head, âHow come itâs only you two? Where are your elder brothers?â
Daohua replied indifferently, âElder brother and second brother are preoccupied with composing poetry.â n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om
Old Madam Yan said, âSince youâve opened the distillerâs grains, send some to them too.â
Daohua put down her bowl, âGrandmother, elder brother and the others are currently enjoying sugar cakes bought from Fuxiang Restaurant. They wouldnât even glance at the distillerâs grains. Besides, there isnât much made today, and it might not even be enough for the New Year.â
Old Madam Yan gave her a sidelong glance, âThen why did you open it so early?â
Daohua smiled, âTo thank my third brother and fourth brother, of course.
Third brother helped me cultivate potted plants, and fourth brother helped me build a snowman. I have to show my gratitude.â
Old Madam Yan immediately tapped Daohua on the head again, âSo, those who didnât help you donât get to taste your treats?â
Daohua, covering her forehead, quickly moved away from Old Madam Yan, âIf you hit me again, I might turn silly.â
Old Madam Yan huffed, âYou, silly? I see you know very well how to differentiate between insiders and outsiders. Back at the old home, I never saw you so petty. How come youâve become so calculating with your own family since coming here?â
Daohua, unfazed, replied, âBecause when I give to outsiders, they will be grateful to me; but if I give to so-called family, they take it for granted. Forget gratitudeâif I donât do well once, they might even complain.â
âWith that being the case, itâs better to stick to my own principles from the start in dealing with everyone. Those who are good to me, I will not treat unfairly; those who are not, shouldnât expect me to play the saint.â
Hearing this, Old Madam Yan was visibly surprised.
She hadnât expected her nine-year-old granddaughter to say something so insightful.
However, despite its insightfulness, it hid an indifference that could not be ignored.
For a large and thriving family like theirs, friction among family members was inevitable.
As an elder of the family, naturally, she hoped for harmony and affection among them.
Old Madam Yan looked up and saw her granddaughter, who had already started playing with her two grandsons, and sighed internally.
She understood this granddaughter whom she had raised since childhood.
Despite her usually cheerful demeanor towards everyone, very few could truly reach her heart.
Having been in Linyi County for so long, the people of the Yan Family whom she truly cared about were her eldest daughter-in-law and her fourth grandson.
The others, including her eldest son, their father, she guessed were not of much concern to her.
Alas⦠It was hard to say whether her granddaughterâs strong personality and thoughts were good or not.
Seeing Yan Wenkai about to add more distillerâs grains, Old Madam Yan immediately sealed it, âAlright, youâve had enough for today, no more drinking.â
After saying that, she ushered the three of them out without further discussion.
Old Madam Yan cared for her eldest grandson and sought to improve the relationship between him and her eldest granddaughter; after all, the granddaughter would have to rely on her elder brother in the future.
So, that evening, when the eldest grandson came to pay his respects, Old Madam Yan scooped out a bowl of the distillerâs grains for him, âTry this, your sister made it, she specifically saved some for you.â
As the eldest grandson, Yan Wenxiu always remembered his responsibilities and held himself to strict standards from a young age, which led him to become reserved and silent, rarely showing his emotions.
At this moment, hearing Old Madam Yanâs words, the corners of Yan Wenxiuâs mouth tipped up slightly, âThank you, Grandmother,â He quite loved the things his little sister made..