Chapter 17: He Has Truly Changed.

Mrs. Li found Mrs. Cai and whispered, “The older one doesn’t come now, but the younger one runs here all the time. Who knows what she’s up to?” As she spoke, she craned her neck to peer into the house.

“No, I have to go listen in, just in case the old woman gets sweet-talked by them again.” Mrs. Li patted the dust off her clothes, stood up, and sidled over, quietly eavesdropping at the doorway.

Mrs. Luo sat cross-legged again on the kang.

“Go on, what now?”

Wen Yao pulled over a small stool, sat right at Mrs. Luo’s feet, and looked up at her with a beaming smile. “Grandma, it’s good news.”

Mrs. Luo snorted disdainfully, but then smiled, “Oh no, I dare not hear any more of your ‘good news’.”

Wen Yao edged closer, tugged at the old woman’s sleeve. “Really, Grandma, didn’t my father go to the wharf to set up a stall today? Business was good—he sold everything he brought. And since we need eggs for tomorrow, he sent me to buy some from you.”

Mrs. Luo looked as if she’d heard a thunderclap. Old Man Wen even sat up straight, astonishment written all over his face. “What did you say? Your father set up a stall? And business was good?”

Could it be that his hearing was failing with age?

Wen Yao placed the money on the kang. “I brought the money, Grandpa. It’s true. This time my father really has changed.”

The old couple exchanged glances, then looked at the coins Wen Yao had left, still finding it a bit hard to believe.

“What kind of stall did he set up? What did he sell?” Mrs. Luo poked at the coins with her finger; they were real.

Wen Yao briefly explained, but Mrs. Luo remained skeptical.

“Just by adding some stir-fried vegetables to rice, it tastes that good? Sold out by noon?”

Wen Yao nodded. “Many people didn’t even get a taste—they said they’d come back tomorrow.”

Mrs. Luo looked at Old Man Wen, who was equally incredulous. This really didn’t seem like something their wayward eldest son would do.

“Your father, is he really determined to work hard and earn money?” Mrs. Luo picked up the money and counted it—seventy-five coins, not much, but she still felt uneasy.

Wen Yao seized the moment, climbed up on the kang, wrapped her arms around the old woman’s arm, and pleaded, “It’s true, Grandma. My father really has changed this time. If you don’t believe me, ask Big Head.”

Mrs. Luo ignored the clinging, turning to Big Head.

Big Head stared blankly for a moment, then nodded vigorously. He even pulled out his dried clay figurine to show Mrs. Luo.

“It’s what Dad bought for Big Head,” Wen Yao spoke for her brother.

This time, Mrs. Luo was truly amazed. Ever since Big Head was born, Wen Xiuyi had hardly given him any attention, barely even looked him in the eye, and now he’d actually bought him a clay figurine.

Mrs. Luo’s mind spun, but she finally put the money away. “Alright, I understand. I’ll have your second aunt count out some eggs for you. We don’t have that many at home, so she’ll collect a few more from the neighbors to make up the number.”

With that, she called out for Mrs. Li.

Since Mrs. Li had been eavesdropping at the door, she’d heard everything. Hearing her mother-in-law call, she hurried in, greeted her parents-in-law, and turned to Wen Yao with a smile. “Yao Yao, how much does your father make at his stall in a day?”

Mrs. Luo’s face darkened. “Why are you asking so much? Go count the eggs at home, get a few more from the neighbors to make up fifty for Yao Yao. Do you ever stop talking?”

Mrs. Li shrank her neck and muttered, “I just want to know when Big Brother will pay us back.”

Wen Yao, still holding her grandmother’s arm, could clearly feel the old woman’s aura deflate at those words, obviously at a loss.

Indeed, for the sake of their eldest son’s family, it had been unfair to the second and third branches. Over the years, the old couple had already given enough to Wen Xiuyi.

Muttering to herself, Mrs. Li left. Only then did Mrs. Luo pry Wen Yao’s hands off, shifting slightly to the side. “Go back and tell your father, if he ever loses his head again, I’ll beat him to death with my old bones, just so he won’t go on ruining others.”

Wen Yao’s heart leapt with joy. She immediately snuggled up, exclaiming, “Grandma, you’re the best! You’re the kindest grandmother in the world!”

Big Head, following her lead, came over and tugged at Mrs. Luo’s sleeve, swaying back and forth—such an adorable sight, it made Mrs. Luo blush.

“Off with you, what are you doing, all this clinging and tugging? Can you even carry fifty eggs?” Though Mrs. Luo grumbled, Wen Yao could tell her tone had softened considerably.

“Wen Nong! Where’s Wen Nong? Where has he run off to again?” Mrs. Luo called out, and before long, Wen Nong dashed in.

“Grandma, what is it?” Wen Nong asked, confused.

Mrs. Luo jerked her arm from Wen Yao’s grasp, shooting her a glare before saying, “Help your sister carry the eggs home in a bit.”

Wen Nong was surprised. Wasn’t Grandma done helping Uncle’s family? Why was she giving them eggs again? But he only replied, “Alright.”

Soon, Mrs. Li had gathered fifty eggs, carrying them back in a basket.

“Mother, here are fifty eggs—twenty from our house, thirty from the neighbors. They’re all here,” Mrs. Li reported.

Then she counted out forty-five coins for Wen Yao. “Go pay for them. Three coins for two eggs, at city prices. They don’t even have to take them to town to sell—truly, we’re saving them trouble.”

Mrs. Li knew full well the money came from Wen Yao and wanted to ask if they’d really earned it, but her mother-in-law’s authority kept her silent. She simply took the money and left.

Mrs. Luo, full of disdain, shooed Wen Yao away with the eggs. Wen Yao, grinning, placed a paper-wrapped package on the kang table beside the old lady.

“Grandma, we bought you and Grandpa some pastries—do try them. Big Head, let’s go.” Without waiting for the old lady’s response, she took her brother and left.

Wen Nong quickly bade farewell to Mrs. Luo and Old Man Wen, grabbed the eggs, and hurried after them.

Mrs. Luo watched them go, then opened the package on the table. Inside were three pastries, each the size of a palm.

Her expression softened considerably.

Old Man Wen tapped his pipe on the kang and said, “At least they still know to show us respect. They’re not rotten to the core.”

Mrs. Luo broke off a small piece to taste; her brows knit at once—it was hard as a rock and cloyingly sweet.

Without looking up, she replied to Old Man Wen, “He came out of my own belly; how could I not know what he’s like?”

Old Man Wen tutted. Who was it that threatened to cut ties in a fit of rage before?

But he didn’t dare say that now. He broke off a piece and popped it into his mouth.

Not bad—sweet.

Seeing his enjoyment, Mrs. Luo reached out and wrapped the pastries up again. “Sweet as they are, look at you. Stop eating. Leave these for the little ones at home.”

Old Man Wen had just gotten a taste and wasn’t satisfied yet—he did love his sweets.

“Oh come on, I’ve only had a bit, there are still two whole pieces—plenty to share with the kids.”

But Mrs. Luo paid him no mind, packing the pastries away. No one else might know, but she did—when that old thing got going with sweets, there was no stopping him. If she didn’t take them away now, all three would be gone in no time.