21. Granny Liu's Fury

Zhao Suzhen grew anxious and waved her hands repeatedly. "No, no, these things must have cost a fortune. You are still young and don't understand the value of money. Your third aunt cannot take advantage of you like this. It is our duty as adults to take care of you, not the other way around. You must take this money."

Although it pained her heart to think of the cost, when she looked at the new Liberation shoes and thought of her daughter’s chapped, cracked little hands and face during the winter, she felt that the money was well spent. One had to be frugal to make ends meet, but every parent cared for their own flesh and blood.

Jiang Ruo smiled, her expression changing as quickly as a summer sky. "Who said you don't take care of me? My food, clothing, housing, and travel have all been your concern, Third Aunt. You’ve never shirked when I needed something. Just yesterday, when I returned a little late, didn't you all scour the mountains looking for me? I know everything. I treat those well who treat me well. I said these things are a gift, so they are a gift. No money. If you bring up money again, I will truly be angry. But from now on, if I bring back anything else, you’ll have to pay for it—I won't take no for an answer..."

As she spoke, Jiang Ruo pulled her Third Aunt back down to her seat. Zhao Suzhen struggled a few times but couldn't break free, suddenly realizing that Ruo’s strength seemed to have increased. Seeing the girl’s determination and knowing her stubborn temperament—once she set her mind on something, no one could change it—she sighed helplessly. "You silly child, are you out of your mind?"

Since she couldn't break free, she stopped trying. Besides, her mother-in-law would be back soon, and she could let her decide then. Seeing Ruo smiling at her, Zhao Suzhen felt a warmth spread through her heart.

As they continued sorting through the items, Zhao Suzhen grew increasingly startled. There were over a dozen bolts of fabric alone. While country folk were usually frugal and rarely bought cloth, she knew the prices; even with some obvious flaws in a few of the bolts, this was a significant sum of money. Could this girl have really spent all her savings? Her brow furrowed with deep concern. Even if the grandmother doted on Ruo, she wouldn't be able to stomach such an expenditure. She resolved to intervene when the old woman returned.

As if summoned by her thoughts, the grandmother’s voice boomed from outside.

"What a useless girl! How could she get herself injured after working for such a short time? What, is she trying to make outsiders think I, her grandmother, abuse my own granddaughter? What a heartless thing. I’ve fed and clothed her all these years, it’s like throwing food to the dogs..."

Hearing this, Jiang Ruo’s eyes brightened. It wasn't that she lacked compassion, but she simply couldn't find any sympathy for the target of this tirade. She jumped off her chair and ran toward the courtyard.

"And you! You can't even look after a child properly. You’ve wasted all these years... I don't know what kind of curse the Jiang family brought upon themselves to end up with a daughter-in-law like you..."

Still fuming, she turned her gaze to the second son. "And you! You’re just as worthless... wasting all the grain I’ve provided over the years..."

"Grandma, you're back?"

Seeing her grandmother’s rage shifting toward others, Jiang Ruo decisively interrupted. Hearing her precious child's voice, Old Lady Liu immediately clamped her mouth shut. When she turned around, her face was already wreathed in smiles, as if the previous bitterness had been a mere illusion.

"My precious, when did you get back? Did you have fun in town?"

"I was worried you'd be anxious, so I hurried home as soon as it was time. Grandma, was I a good girl?" Jiang Ruo hugged her grandmother’s arm, leaning in for praise.

"Yes, you are, our precious is the best," Old Lady Liu chuckled, her mood instantly brightening at the sight of that sweet face.

With the grandmother in a good mood, the rest of the household exhaled in relief and began to smile. Old Man Jiang, in particular, was so happy his mustache twitched. He tossed his hoe to his eldest son and went to wash up in the large basin under the eaves.

Once everyone had washed their hands, Old Lady Liu’s temper flared again when she saw her second daughter-in-law still standing blankly in the courtyard. "Why are you still standing there like a fool? Can't you see your daughter can barely stand? Take her to the room, wash her up, and bandage her wounds! Do you expect me, an old woman, to do it myself?"

Unable to even feel pity for her own daughter, the grandmother could only intervene. Too annoyed to look at the wretched daughter-in-law anymore, she turned back to feast her eyes on her precious granddaughter.

Under the roar of the old lady, the couple finally snapped to their senses and hurried to support their daughter into the room. Da Ni was sweating from the pain, but she felt no resentment toward her parents—her grandmother knew she was in agony, yet her own mother and father hadn't even thought of her. Perhaps it was fear, or perhaps they truly hadn't cared. Having been disappointed so many times, she had become numb to it. Watching from the corner of her eye as Jiang Ruo laughed while hugging her grandmother, a pang of envy rose in her heart, leaving her feeling dazed.

"Grandpa, Grandma, come quickly! Look what I bought!" Eager to share, she saw these items as nothing compared to the joy of her grandparents. Oblivious to her Third Aunt’s worried gaze, she happily tugged the two elders toward the main hall. Old Lady Liu and Old Man Jiang were never ones to dampen their favorite’s spirits, and they followed with happy nods.

Even the eldest daughter-in-law felt a surge of energy, rushing ahead of the elders into the main hall, followed by a piercing shriek.

"Ah!"

Old Lady Liu and Old Man Jiang were so startled they nearly lost their footing. The eldest son, Jiang, rushed in first, worried. He, too, was shocked by the room filled with goods, though he managed to keep his composure better than his wife.

Seeing the bolts of fabric, shoes, and fruit candies, Wang Xiaocao was so excited she couldn't speak coherently. Before the elders could even enter, she darted out like an arrow. "Father... Mother, you... you must go see! Ruo has... she’s moved the entire shop back home!"

The initial surprise turned into alarm. Wang Xiaocao had never known her niece to be so extravagant.

The smile on Old Lady Liu’s face, who was being held by her granddaughter, froze at her daughter-in-law's words. She looked at her granddaughter, and upon seeing the excitement in those clear, bright eyes, her heart began to race with a sense of foreboding. She glanced at her third daughter-in-law, and seeing the girl's shrinking expression, she understood everything. Ignoring the eldest daughter-in-law, she pulled her hand away from her granddaughter and rushed into the main hall.

Then...

"Jiang Ruo!"

Old Lady Liu’s repressed roar echoed from the main hall, the strained voice revealing the depth of her fury.

Jiang Laosan and Jiang Dajun, who had been about to enter with eager anticipation, retreated in unison. Only Old Man Jiang stood firm, though his expression had grown grave. Seeing his granddaughter’s innocent eyes, he felt a sudden headache, but he took her hand and walked into the main hall.

The third daughter-in-law clenched her fists, but worry won out; gritting her teeth, she followed. The eldest daughter-in-law, always one for drama, couldn't resist and trailed behind the third.

The others stood looking at one another. Knowing their mother (grandmother) as they did, they feared being caught in the crossfire. Just as they were growing anxious, the front gate was knocked upon, and the voices of Wujun and Jiang Sanni drifted in.

The children were home from school.