Chapter 258: Motivation for 258 Pocket Money Chapter 258: Motivation for 258 Pocket Money Ye Laohan didn’t think much about it and agreed, “That works, tomorrow I’ll have Wenqing lead our donkey cart with the Clan Leader.”
The original ox cart at home had been driven away by Ye Gaosheng and hadn’t returned yet, so this donkey was bought by Ye Jiu when he returned from Border Town as a replacement for walking.
Early in the morning, Ye Jiu found Ye Wenqing and took him outside the door, then asked, “Wenqing, did your grandfather tell you about the plan to go to the county with the Clan Leader to handle the land deed today?”
“He mentioned it, but he said to go after breakfast. Is there something wrong, Auntie?” Ye Wenqing replied.
Ye Jiu laughed, a smile that was not well-intentioned, then whispered a few words to Ye Wenqing.
Ye Wenqing immediately looked troubled and looked at Ye Jiu uneasily, “Auntie, this doesn’t feel right. When we get back, Grandpa might beat me.”
“What’s wrong with that? Just do as I told you, and if your grandpa dares to beat you when we return, I’ll stand up for you. Don’t worry, your grandma won’t let you be beaten,” said Ye Jiu cheerfully.
“I… but… I…” Ye Wenqing hesitated, clearly struggling to make a decision.
Ye Jiu, feeling helpless, spoke up, “Wenqing, you need to realize, your grandpa still has a daughter like Ye Da-ya. Given his indecisive nature, it’s unlikely that our family will be able to sever ties with the Wang Family soon. And with our current situation with the Li family, do you really want to see your grandpa with money, then using it to support Ye Da-ya, and when Ye Da-ya grows up, she might turn against us?”
“I… Auntie, I don’t want that. I’ll listen to you,” Wenqing finally decided.
Ye Jiu immediately smiled in relief.
Then, Ye Jiu took out the weight of two taels of silver from her bosom and handed them to Wenqing, saying, “It’s rare to go to the county, don’t come back empty-handed. You’re a young man now, take a good look around and see if there’s anything you like.”
“I can’t take this, Auntie. You should keep it,” Ye Wenqing refused without hesitation.
Having shared in the soap business, he already felt quite guilty towards his aunt and uncle, so how could he feel right about taking his aunt’s money now?
Ye Jiu stuffed the silver into Wenqing’s hand, “You’re grown up now, having some money on hand makes things convenient. Otherwise, if you want to buy something, you still have to ask the elders for money and explain everything clearly, which is such a hassle.”
Perhaps others were accustomed to asking for money on a whim, but Ye Jiu believed that money should be in one’s own hands to truly call it one’s own, otherwise everything would be inconvenient.
Ye Wenqing, somewhat shyly, said, “I don’t need that much, Auntie. If you’re not short on money, just a few coins to buy a string of candied haws for my siblings would be enough.”
Ye Jiu couldn’t help but laugh, “Keep it, you. If you really feel bad, just share it with Wenyu.”
“Then… I on behalf of Wenyu thank Auntie,” said Wenqing.
Ye Jiu wasn’t a stingy person, even when it came to her nephew helping out. Motivation was needed.
Moreover, even though she was young, she was acting as an aunt. It was proper to give her nephew some spending money.
When Wenqing left, Ye Jiu stood there a while longer. The morning in early March was still a bit chilly, but the newly risen sun bathed her in a gentle warmth that felt just right.
Ye Qingzhi came back outside carrying a basin filled with freshly washed clothes, and Ye Jiu, opening her eyes, saw this scene just in time.
The seven-year-old girl struggled to walk forward with the wooden basin of wet clothes. Her small, sweaty face really looked pitiful.