Qian separated the gold and jade, wearing them on different hands, "Thank you, Auntie, for the golden and jade matrimonial bliss."
Mrs. Yu was satisfied. Whatever this girl says is pleasing; she’ll need to tell Minglang to marry her. If soone grows up like this and is so articulate, even if she doesn’t do any housework, her presence would brighten the ho.
Looking at the heavy gold bracelet, one could guess what kind of person Mrs. Yu was. Yu Minglang’s personality is like his father’s, but his values resemble his mother’s. Qian compared the bracelets on her hands; although the materials differed, their commonality was weight—they were solid.
The three of them chatted for a while, and Qian figured out the personality traits of Mrs. Yu and big sister-in-law Yv Zhaozhao. Those who have worked as doctors for a long ti tend to be ticulous, cheerful, and humorous—though their sense of humor might be different from what most people understand, more like dry humor. So might not get their humor, but Qian could.
Qian was also considered a doctor, so the three of them could connect on the sa wavelength. Besides a bit of gossip between the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, everything else was quite good, straightforward conversation without many twists and turns.
Mrs. Yu and the big sister-in-law tried their best, yet they couldn’t get any inappropriate words out of Qian. They increasingly felt that although she was young, she spoke with precision and attention, unlike the usual immaturity and restlessness of her age. She seed a bit inscrutable, except when it ca to talking about Yu Minglang’s childhood, which prompted so emotional leakage, making Mrs. Yu quite happy.
This family needed a clever daughter-in-law, especially since Minglang had a bright future ahead. If a wife were like that one from the second son’s house who was quite embarrassing, it’d be easy to get oneself into trouble when out. Seeing how Qian liked listening to stories of Minglang’s past, Mrs. Yu simply brought out the photo album.
"Every child in the family has their own album, and there are two more with everyone’s group photos. This one is the youngest’s, take a look. He’s been a troublemaker since he was little..."
The Yu Family was doing reasonably well; they could afford to take pictures of their children back in the day. The first page showed a black-and-white chubby little boy, bare-bottod, revealing a crucial part while placed on a mat. Qian’s gaze fell between the legs; was he peeing?
"You can see one’s future at three; he’s been mischievous since he was little. Before taking the photo, I asked him if he needed to pee. He humd and seed innocent, and I believed him. But as soon as the picture was taken, there he went. Back then, we only had one good wool carpet which we used just for photos, and he peed on it."
Mrs. Yu recounted Yu Minglang’s stories as if counting treasures. As Qian watched him grow up through the photos, she could gradually see his resemblance, and the more she looked, the more she thought her daughter looked like him. Especially when he was a few years older, except for the difference in face shape, the features were identical.
Yu Minglang was mischievous from a young age; many photos showed him standing straight against the wall, a punishnt for his mischief. He grew taller year by year, and the cabinet beside him seed to shrink.
"This picture was taken when he was in middle school. The school warehouse caught fire, and he got the ’Four Virtues Youth’ award for helping fight the fire. To quote your uncle’s assessnt, he frequently made small mistakes but handled big matters flawlessly. When he was young, we were particularly afraid he might grow into a local thug, bullying people."
Mrs. Yu detailed the youngest’s past without stopping.
"The one who’s the least worriso in our family is the second child. From childhood to adulthood, he hasn’t troubled us. But the youngest has been troubleso, yet now as he’s grown up, he’s beco easygoing..." Mrs. Yu looked at Qian but didn’t continue.
The big sister quickly understood her mother-in-law’s concerns. Problems arose every other day in the second son’s family, causing the elders to fret along with them. She promptly changed the subject, and Qian felt there was sothing problematic but couldn’t articulate it.
As they chatted, sounds ca from outside, indicating a woman had arrived. Mrs. Yu was frustrated, for the very thing she was afraid of happened.
"I’ll go check it out, Qian, feel free to look around."
Mrs. Yu went out, followed by the big sister. Qian stood up, intending to go out with them but noticed the spread-out album...
Casually, she pulled out the photo of Yu Minglang as a baby opening the floodgates and then moved the second photo into the empty slot, slyly tucking the photo into her pocket before she went outside.
In the living room, Wang Xiaohong sat on the sofa holding Panpan, full of smiles upon seeing Mrs. Yu co out.
"Mom, have you eaten?"
"It’s already so late, of course, I’ve eaten." Mrs. Yu said indifferently.
Today was National Day. She had called everyone back for dinner in the afternoon, though she didn’t like the second daughter-in-law, she hadn’t excluded her.
No call was made, and she only ca now. It was hard for Mrs. Yu to like her.
"I just had sothing urgent and couldn’t make ti, and Panpan was a bit sick these days, insisting on being held by . While holding him, I couldn’t go shopping. Mom, let give you so money; you buy whatever you like."
Wang Xiaohong pulled out 200 yuan from her pocket; the sister-in-law widened her eyes. Wow, did the sun rise from the west today? She actually knows to give money?
"No need, we have everything at ho. Just live well; our ho doesn’t need any money from you." Mrs. Yu said coolly. Wang Xiaohong hurried forward and shoved the money into her hand.
"Please take it, or Mingyi will scold ."
Actually, Yu Mingyi had called to say he had to work overti and couldn’t return, instructing Wang Xiaohong to deliver 500 yuan to his parents. Family gatherings were quite emphasized during these holidays.
Yet she secretly kept a portion, only giving 200.
Mrs. Yu didn’t care about the money but accepted it, knowing it was her second son’s intention. As soon as she did, Wang Xiaohong spoke up.
"Mom, are there any more caterpillars at ho? Panpan’s feeling a bit weak lately; I want to give him a little nourishnt."
Mrs. Yu and the sister-in-law both wore expressions of realization; the doubts in their hearts settled, and they felt at ease.
So that’s why Wang Xiaohong suddenly changed; she intended to take sothing along with giving a bit of money.
Mrs. Yu wanted to stomp on the money she received several tis. Using 200 yuan to get caterpillars, she really didn’t make a loss. Such items weren’t lacking at ho; caterpillars and ginseng were yearly mailed from their native places over to them, even if Wang Xiaohong didn’t ntion it, Mrs. Yu would divide them among the kids.
But there’s an inherent difference between giving proactively and requesting.
"Xiaohong, Panpan’s still so young; caterpillars aren’t suitable for him. Kids under sixteen have the strongest vitality and potential; eating supplents isn’t good." The sister-in-law understood well; she wanted it for herself, and she knew her mother-in-law would give it, but she deliberately ntioned it to irk Wang Xiaohong a bit.
Qian ca out after sneaking the photo, just in ti to hear this.
"Big Sis is really articulate, worthy of dical study. Still, Panpan hasn’t been well, and I’m worried too. Even though he’s not my biological child, I’ve been giving my all raising him, yet you, Big Sis, don’t understand the hunger of those less fortunate. With a good family situation, you have a nanny for the kids. I have nothing at ho; raising them isn’t easy."
Wang Xiaohong spoke while wiping the corners of her eyes. Mrs. Yu cast a glare at her daughter-in-law; the sister-in-law was full of regret. Ah, it’s her fault for not controlling her mouth; why did she ntion this!
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