Translator: 549690339
Xiao Qian separated the gold and jade and put them on two hands, âThank you for the golden opportunity, Auntie.â
Mother Yu was satisfied. Everything Xiao Qian said was pleasant. When she got back, she would instruct Ming Lang to marry her. Even without doing anything at home, just looking at her made one happy.
Seeing the substantial weight of the gold bracelet, Xiao Qian could guess what kind of person Mother Yu was. As Ming Langâs character resembled his fatherâs and his values mirrored his motherâs, Xiao Qian compared the two bracelets on her own hands. They were different materials, but they both had one thing in commonâthey were heavy and solid.
The three of them chatted for a while. Xiao Qian quickly figured out the personalities of Mother Yu and her sister-in-law, Yu Zhaozhao. Those who have been doctors for a long time tend to be meticulous, cheerful, and humorousâtheir humor seems a bit cold and different from that of ordinary people. Some may not be able to appreciate their humor, but Xiao Qian could.
As a doctor herself, Xiao Qian could keep up with their trains of thought. Aside from being a bit gossipy, these mother-in-law and daughter-in-law had good traits. They talked straightforwardly without any roundabouts.
Mother Yu and her elder daughter-in-law couldnât get any over-the-line remarks out of Xiao Qianâs mouth. They increasingly felt that although Xiao Qian was young, she spoke and acted meticulously and delicately. She wasnât naive and frivolous like other girls her age. The only time she revealed some emotions was when she spoke about Ming Langâs past, which pleased Mother Yu.
Their family needed a smart daughter-in-law, especially as Ming Lang had a promising future. If the wife was as embarrassing as the one from their second sonâs family, disaster could easily happen through words spoken. Seeing how much Xiao Qian loved listening to Ming Langâs past, Mother Yu decided to bring out the photo albums.
âEach of our children has their own album, and there are two more with group photos. This is the youngest oneâs, look at it, he has been a rascal since childhoodâ¦â
The Yu family was financially stable enough to afford photographs for their children at that time. The first page featured a chubby little boy showing some crucial parts on a mat. Xiao Qianâs gaze fell between his legs, was he peeing?
âA three-year-old foreshadows the grown-up. You can see from his mischievousness as a kid. Before taking the photo, I asked him if he needed a pee. He hummed and hawed and looked so innocent, so I believed him. And when the photo was taken, the pee rushed out. We only had that good woolen blanket at home and would only take it out for photos. It was soiled by him.â
As Mother Yu talked about some of Ming Langâs past deeds, Xiao Qian observed him growing up, and little by little, she could see the resemblance. The more she looked, the more she believed their daughter looked like him. Especially from his older photosâapart from different facial shapes, the facial features were identical.
Ming Lang was a naughty child. In many photos, he stood straight next to the wallâbeing punished after doing something wrong. Year by year, he grew taller, and the cabinet by his side looked shorter.
âThis is when he was in middle school. A fire broke out in the school warehouse and he put it out. He was awarded the Four Outstanding Youth certificate. To quote your uncleâs words, âHe made minor mistakes but behaved well in major issues.â We were quite worried if he would grow up to be a hoodlum oppressing women and bullying men.â
Mother Yu couldnât stop tattling about his past events.
âThe most worry-free one in our family is the second son. He has never troubled us from childhood to adulthood. The most troublesome one is the youngest. But as he grew up, the youngest caused fewer worries, insteadâ¦â Mother Yu looked at Xiao Qian and shook her head without saying further.
Her elder daughter-in-law immediately understood Mother Yuâs concern. The second sonâs family had been making troubles repeatedly, which troubled the elders. She promptly shifted the topic. Xiao Qian seemed to feel that there were some problems but couldnât pinpoint them.
While they were talking, voices came from outside, as if a woman was visiting their house. Mother Yu felt a headache hearing the voice, as her fear was coming true.
âIâll go check. Xiao Qian, feel free to look around.â
Mother Yu left. Eldest Sister-in-law also followed her out. Xiao Qian stood up, intending to join them, but was attracted by the spread-out albumâ¦
She sneakily took out the picture of Ming Lang peeing as a baby, slid the second picture into the vacant spot, tucked the photo into her own pocket undetectedly, and then went out.
In the living room, Wang Xiaohong held Panpan in her arms, sitting on the sofa. Seeing Mother Yu out, she greeted her with a grin.
âMom, have you had dinner yet?â
âItâs so late. How could we not have eaten?â Mother Yu answered indifferently.
Today was National Day. She made calls in the afternoon to invite everyone over for dinner. Although she didnât like the second sonâs wife, she didnât exclude her.
However, Wang Xiaohong didnât even make a call, and now she only came. Mother Yu couldnât like her more when seeing her.
âI happened to be busy, so I couldnât get away. Panpan was a little sick these days. He insisted on me holding him, and I couldnât buy anything while holding him. Mom, Iâll give you some money. You buy whatever you want,â said Wang Xiaohong as she pulled out 200 yuan from her pocket. The eldest sister-in-law opened her eyes wide. Has the sun risen from the west? She actually gave money!
âThereâs no need. We have everything at home. You two just live a good life. Our family doesnât need your money,â Mother Yu replied indifferently. Seeing her reaction, Wang Xiaohong hurriedly stuffed the money into her hand.
âPlease take it, or Ming Yi will give me a hard time.â
Actually, Ming Yi had called to say he was on duty and couldnât come back. He told Wang Xiaohong to send 500 yuan to his parents, as the family attached great importance to such festivals.
However, Wang Xiaohong secretly pocketed some of it and only gave 200 yuan.
Mother Yu didnât care about the money, but she accepted it considering it was her second sonâs goodwill. Immediately after, she heard Wang Xiaohong say, âMom, do we still have Cordyceps at home? Panpan has been a bit weak recently. I want to nourish him.â
Mother Yu and the eldest sister-in-law both showed an expression of realization. Their doubts were resolved. They were sure before.
No wonder Wang Xiaohong suddenly changed. She wanted to take something away after giving a little money.
Mother Yu wished she could throw the money on the floor and step on it a few times. Wang Xiaohong really knew how not to take a loss, wanting to exchange 200 yuan for Cordyceps. Their family had enough of these things. Every year, people would post cordyceps, ginseng, etc., from the place of origin. Even if Wang Xiaohong didnât mention it, Mother Yu would divide them into several portions to send to the children.
But giving voluntarily and being asked were two different feelings.
âXiaohong, Panpan is still too young to eat Cordyceps. Children under 16 are the most vital and with the most potential. Nutritional supplements are not suitable.â The elder sister-in-law understood that Wang Xiaohong wanted to bring them home to eat by herself. She knew Mother Yu would definitely give them, but she just deliberately said it to make Wang Xiaohong uncomfortable.
Xiao Qian came out after snatching the photo, just in time to hear all this.
âEldest sister-in-law is quite right, no wonder she studied medicine. But Panpan has always been weak, which makes me anxious. Although heâs not my birth child, Iâve been painstakingly raising him. Youâre satiated and donât know the hunger of others. Your family has good conditions and a nanny to take care of your children. My family has nothing. Itâs not easy to raise a child.â
Wang Xiaohong was wiping the corners of her eyes as she spoke. Mother Yu glared at her daughter-in-law. The eldest sister-in-law regretted not keeping her mouth shut.. What on earth was she stirring up?