CHAPTER 1018: CHAPTER 1016: CONSIDER YOU HAVE A CONSCIENCE

After discussing serious matters, Wang Yongzhu wasn’t in the mood to stay at the restaurant any longer. Just as she was about to go upstairs, she saw Old Granny Zhang coming down.

Old Granny Zhang, being perceptive, could tell with a glance that Wang Yongzhu wasn’t completely carefree despite her calm exterior.

Realizing that something might have happened, she pondered silently but kept her face composed: "Dear, we’ve been out for quite a while now. It’s probably time to head back, or else it will be dark by the time we get home."

Wang Yongzhu was ready to settle the bill. Though the confidant didn’t want to take the silver, he couldn’t resist Old Granny Zhang’s insistence and ended up accepting the cost price and even packed a few snacks.

Upon leaving the establishment, Wang Yongzhu suddenly remembered that Jinpan had taken the children shopping and hadn’t returned yet. She had earlier instructed them to come back to the restaurant later.

She was hesitating whether to wait a little longer or leave them a message at the restaurant to go back to the courtyard where the carriage was.

Then she saw Jinpan and the others coming back, each looking delighted.

They were carrying things and ran over to Old Granny Zhang and Wang Yongzhu, excitedly babbling: "Grandma, Auntie, taste the candy I bought—"

"Grandma, Auntie, try this, my pastry is soft—"

...

Wang Yongzhu looked at Jinpan. Earlier, Jinpan had hurried off with the children, and she was focused on discussing the matters concerning Yingzi Gully. She had forgotten to give them any money. Who paid? Jinpan?

"Did you pay? I forgot to give you money when you left. How much of your savings did they spend? Auntie will reimburse you! You shouldn’t have to spend money when you’re out with Auntie!" She said as she started to take out her purse.

Jinpan scratched his head but before he could speak, Jinhua chimed in: "Auntie, it wasn’t Brother’s money, it was our own."

Wang Yongzhu was surprised: "Your own money?"

Jinguan licked some candy, feeling particularly proud: "Auntie forgot? You gave us monthly allowances at the start. We helped with the family business and still received our monthly money. Now, Father doesn’t take it back, letting us keep it ourselves. Coming to town today, we brought it all. We bought things with our own money! We wouldn’t spend Brother’s money, as he’s stingy and reluctant. He holds onto money, not buying us anything, and runs to the embroidery store where he giggled like a fool coming out!"

Wang Yongzhu and Old Granny Zhang looked over. Exactly! Jinpan was trying to keep a serious face, but his grin was nearly reaching his ears, displaying all his teeth and looking foolish.

Hearing Jinguan’s words, Jinpan’s face turned red. He kicked Jinguan hard; this younger brother was trouble.

Yet he couldn’t help but reach for the cloth at his chest.

Ultimately, he couldn’t resist returning to the embroidery store to buy a handkerchief embroidered by Miss Quan, placed it in his chest, and the image of Miss Quan surfaced in his mind, causing his heart to flutter.

Old Granny Zhang and Wang Yongzhu now fully understood; indeed, children grow up and can’t be kept!

This turned of events dissipated a bit of the gloom in Wang Yongzhu’s heart. The people of Yingzi Gully had their own plans, and she had no need to stop them.

If it rains, let it rain; if the mother wants to marry, let her marry!

With this thought, Wang Yongzhu smiled, accepted a piece of cake Jinhua handed over, and took a bite: "Hmm, delicious!"

Jinhua smiled happily with her lips pressed together; Auntie was so good to them, she finally got to use the money she earned to care for Auntie today.

Next to her, Jinguan and Jinpan noticed and quickly stuffed their tasty snacks into the hands of Old Granny Zhang and Wang Yongzhu: "Grandma, Auntie, try what I bought too—"

Old Granny Zhang’s expression softened, looking at the grandchildren eagerly showing their filial piety.

These little ones truly had a conscience, well worth her daughter’s kindness to them, even better than their parents!

Thinking this, Old Granny Zhang reluctantly accepted and took a couple of bites, then complimented them.

The little ones smiled with squinted eyes, happier than anything to receive Grandma’s praise.

After praising the little ones, Old Granny Zhang turned to Jinpan. The younger siblings had expressed their gratitude, but what about the older brother?

Jinpan, blushing, pulled out a small box from his chest, opened it, revealing two slender silver hairpins inside.

Stammering, he said: "Grandma, Auntie, I, I... thank you, Grandma and Auntie. I didn’t have enough money, only to buy these, please, please don’t mind—"

Jinpan genuinely appreciated Old Granny Zhang and Wang Yongzhu. He wasn’t oblivious. Following the business dealings taught him a lot about people.

Reflecting on the past, he realized he had done things that hurt Grandma and Auntie’s feelings.

Especially this marriage talk, starting from the dismissal of his biological mother, Lady Lin, from the house, he anticipated complications.

Knowing he was without a mother, his father, being a man, wouldn’t handle this well, delaying his marriage indefinitely.

Grandma, even annoyed by his mother’s actions, reminded his father and asked Aunt Fourth to keep an eye out for him.

Aunt Fourth, after months of searching several families, returned without mentioning it, meaning it was likely difficult.

Unexpectedly, Grandma and Auntie found three families within days upon their return, fear of his overthinking prompted them to analyze everything for him.

Afraid of anything inappropriate, they took him along to meet and inquire about the girl’s situation.

This was as good as having his mother.

Especially because Miss Quan, he was extremely satisfied with.

Seeing his younger siblings buying food and wanting Grandma and Auntie to taste, he realized they had always been recipients of Grandma and Auntie’s kindness, never considering how to repay it.

Immediately ashamed, feeling inferior even to his younger siblings.

The silver coins he carried were limited, having already bought Miss Quan’s handkerchief. The remaining ones were only enough for the two slender silver hairpins, humble yet all he could afford.

Jinpan knew, nowadays Auntie and Grandma probably wouldn’t care for these silver hairpins, but they were his heartfelt token.

Wang Yongzhu watched Jinpan’s nervousness with a smile; after all, he was still a child.

She accepted the box, took out the hairpins and examined them. They were town-made, silver clad over copper, with clouds carved at the tips, modest and unremarkable.

Yet Wang Yongzhu held no disdain, smiling as she first placed one in Old Granny Zhang’s hair: "Mother, you’re now enjoying your grandson’s blessing, this silver hairpin suits you perfectly."

Then she inserted the other into her own hair, asking Jinhua, "Jinhua, does Auntie look good wearing this?"

Jinhua nodded repeatedly: "Auntie looks good! Wears anything well!"

Wang Yongzhu pinched Jinhua’s cheek, liking such flattering words.

Old Granny Zhang touched the silver hairpin in her hair, "You’ll have some conscience, not in vain of mother running around for you—" with her mouth slightly curved.