Chapter 124: Backup Plan

Chapter 124: Chapter 124: Backup Plan

Seeing that her eldest daughter-in-law was still a bit stunned, Wen Xiu smiled. "I won’t hide it from you. Besides this pair, which is the most valuable, the family still has a few smaller pieces. I’m thinking of giving your younger sister-in-law one or two of them. As for what’s left, we’ll see if those other two show any remorse after all this. Then we can decide whether to bring the rest out openly for everyone to share. As for this money... we know you have your own, but having more on hand will make building the house easier. A house isn’t just any old thing; you might as well build it bigger and better. You deserve all of this. We’re your elders; we can’t just let you lose out because you don’t complain. You’re a good woman. It was Qiangzi’s good fortune to marry you, and even more so, the fortune of the Zhang family."

"Thank you, Mom and Dad."

Lin Qin watched her mother-in-law leave quickly after she finished speaking. Her husband, meanwhile, hadn’t shown a hint of surprise from start to finish. Lin Qin couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow. "No wonder Mom told me yesterday that we wouldn’t be short-changed in the family division. Tell me, did you know about this beforehand? Is that why you were acting so high and mighty just now when it clearly looked like we were getting the short end of the stick?"

"I honestly didn’t know Mom and Dad would give them to you right now," Zhang Wei Qiang laughed. "But they did secretly tell me they had these things. I’ve seen them, and I know exactly where they’re hidden. There’s even a list inside that clearly states who gets what. This pair of bracelets wasn’t on the list. It was decided long ago that they were for us."

"Ah—"

"Heh, what’s so strange about it? It’s only human nature to hold something back. Didn’t you notice that Mom and Dad didn’t bring out any of the things they got from the Gu Family this time, either? By acting this way, it was clear they never intended to hide it from you. After all, we’re the most filial, and I’ve always been their favorite." Seeing that Lin Qin still hadn’t recovered from her surprise, Zhang Wei Qiang playfully reached out to tap her nose, then leaned in for a surprise peck on her cheek.

"Since when did you get so full of yourself? And stop fooling around! How old are you, still acting like this?" Lin Qin’s face flushed red as she gave him a playful glare. She then cradled the bracelets, unable to take her eyes off them. Beaming, she said, "This is perfect. In the future, we can leave one for each of our two kids... No, wait. Hmph. If one of them isn’t filial to me, I’ll do what Mom did and secretly give them to just one."

"As the saying goes, ’the child is father to the man.’ Both of our kids are good kids. Otherwise, Eldest Uncle wouldn’t have offered to raise one of them. He actually has some good things of his own; he’s not as destitute as he claims. He said he’ll take care of our second son’s wedding and starting a family. That means we can give everything of ours to the eldest. Our second son won’t be at a disadvantage. But all that is still a long way off. In a couple of years, when more people start wearing jewelry again, you should take this out and wear it. Here, honey, let me put it on you and see how it looks."

Without giving her a chance to refuse, Zhang Wei Qiang took the bracelets and slipped them onto Lin Qin’s wrist. He then held her hand, full of praise. "See? So beautiful. The moment you put this on, you became even more gorgeous. Just like a goddess."

"You smooth talker."

Lin Qin couldn’t take her eyes off them either. The bracelets shimmered brilliantly on her wrist. Few women can resist the allure of beautiful jewelry. Still, she reluctantly took them off. "I’d better not wear them. I’m getting old; what’s the point of wearing something like this? Besides, if they get worn out, how can we pass them down to our future daughters-in-law?"

"Oh, you. Don’t overthink it. When you have nice things, you should be the first to enjoy them. Gold isn’t like other materials. If it gets worn, you can just have it melted down and reforged. It’ll be good as new."

"Where can you even get gold reforged these days?"

"They’re already starting to sell jewelry. How could there not be places like that in the future?" Zhang Wei Qiang said, unconcerned.

In Zhang Minzhen and Gu Nuan Nuan’s room, Gu Nuan Nuan lay on the bed, laughing nonstop.

"What are you laughing about? You’ve been giggling to yourself for ages. Did you overhear something again?" Zhang Minzhen was incredibly curious.

Gu Nuan Nuan nodded. She leaned close to her mother’s ear and recounted what had happened in the other rooms and how everyone had reacted. Finally, she giggled, "I can’t believe Grandpa and Grandma had that held in reserve. Second Uncle and Third Uncle really threw away a watermelon to pick up a sesame seed."

"Just tell me, but don’t you dare go spreading this around," Zhang Minzhen said, unable to keep from laughing herself. Her heart finally felt a little more settled knowing her eldest brother and sister-in-law had received a benefit. When she then heard that her parents had also set aside jewelry for her, her eyes grew misty. She grabbed Gu Nuan Nuan’s hand. "When you’re older, you must remember to be good to your grandpa and grandma, understand? You don’t have to do a lot. Just buying them some clothes and bringing them snacks when you visit each year will be enough."

"Of course. I’m sure I can do even better." ’But that’s only if I can successfully extend Grandpa and Grandma’s lives,’ she thought. ’Putting everything else aside for now, the first step is to make absolutely sure that Eldest Uncle doesn’t get into another accident. The thought of the promise he made put her in a good mood. A man as stalwart as him would surely keep his word. Still, it wasn’t foolproof. You always have to prepare for the worst. When that day comes, I’ll drop everything and watch him like a hawk.’

"You don’t have to do better. After all, when you’re older and married with your own little family, your in-laws will surely have something to say if you give too much to your own family..." Zhang Minzhen smiled and shook her head. ’Maybe in the future, I should just buy the gifts for my parents myself and have her deliver them for me? She’d had an unhappy marriage herself and certainly didn’t want her daughter to experience the same. From the perspective of in-laws, a wife who subsidizes her maiden family too much isn’t a good thing. She didn’t want a good intention to cause some new unpleasantness.’

"Mom, I’m so sleepy... I’m already asleep." Gu Nuan Nuan’s mood instantly soured at the mention of "getting married" and "in-laws." She sullenly rolled over and began to snore softly on purpose, ignoring Zhang Minzhen even when she called her name twice.

"Silly child. What girl doesn’t get married when she grows up? She’s so young and already acting shy." Zhang Minzhen chuckled. Seeing how late it was, she didn’t call for Gu Nuan Nuan again. Filled with a happy feeling, she soon drifted off to sleep.

In the darkness, Gu Nuan Nuan opened her eyes and lay there silently, perfectly still, her mind a complete blank. After a long while, she still didn’t feel sleepy, so she simply willed herself into her space.

The space was still brightly lit, even late at night. ’I really don’t get how this little blade of grass manages to survive without photosynthesis.’

She looked at the little plant, which was still flaunting its leaves. On them were the crystal-clear dewdrops that had accumulated over the past few days. Each bead sat right next to another, yet, quite unscientifically, they hadn’t merged. Gu Nuan Nuan glared at them for a moment before looking away in annoyance. But the space was only so large. Her gaze eventually drifted back to the dewdrops, and she rolled her eyes.