Chapter 43: 43 could skin me alive
“Right, right, right, let’s not wander around anymore. Let’s hurry and find your uncle,” Ye Jiu said, walking quickly ahead with urgency, unable to resist complaining, “We were only focused on shopping just now and I completely forgot about your uncle. I don’t know if he has sold all his eggs yet.”
Ye Wenqing, following behind Ye Jiu, couldn’t help but smile.
Just moments ago, he thought his aunt seemed quite mature, but now she seemed like a child again.
Ye Jiu walked briskly, still remembering to instruct, “Wenqing, you know your second aunt. Money tempts people. Just to avoid trouble, don’t mention the hundred taels of silver when we get back. I’ll disclose it to your grandmother tonight and then use it to improve our family’s meals.”
“I understand,” Ye Wenqing replied without overthinking. After all, he was well aware of Mrs. Zhao’s character. Over the years, if not for the strong backing of Mrs. He, perhaps the Ye Family might have been drained by her.
Furthermore, in Ye Wenqing’s mind, the silver was earned by Ye Jiu. Even if she decided not to spend it on the family’s meals, Ye Wenqing wouldn’t see any issue with that.
Indeed, Mrs. He’s admonitions from childhood were effective, especially her phrase, “What belongs to your aunt is your aunt’s, and anyone who covets it will get skinned by me,” which had left a deep impression in Ye Wenqing’s heart.
When Ye Jiu and Ye Wenqing arrived back at the marketplace, they found the spot where Ye Gaosheng had set up his stall was now empty.
Ye Jiu thought to himself that this was not good, not knowing how long Ye Gaosheng had been gone, and how anxious they were not finding him now.
Just as they were wondering, suddenly, Ye Gaosheng’s voice came from behind them, mixed with anxious complaints, “Little sister, Wenqing, where on earth did you two run off to? I told you not to wander too far, and I’ve been looking for you for ages, nearly scared me to death!”
Ye Jiu turned around, and before she could speak, she heard Ye Wenqing explain, “Uncle, it’s my fault. I was leading aunt around and we ended up walking too far.”
“It’s okay, it’s okay. I’m just relieved you’re back, that’s what matters,” Ye Gaosheng sighed in relief, then turned to Ye Jiu with a flattering smile, “Little sister, your fourth brother sold all the eggs and chickens. Come on, fourth brother will take you to buy some meat, then buy a few candies for you to keep your mouth sweet.”
Ye Gaosheng remembered, from a while ago, the bitter expression Ye Jiu made each time she took her medicine. At that time, Ye Gaosheng thought that as soon as he had money, he would definitely buy her candies.
Ye Jiu felt a wave of emotion upon hearing this, and she walked over and grabbed Ye Gaosheng’s hand, “Fourth brother, I don’t even like candy. It sticks all the teeth together afterwards.”
The quality of this inevitable candy was truly not that good. It was made from large chunks of sugar broken down, and it was very sticky. After eating, half of it would stick to your teeth, which Ye Jiu really disliked.
Ye Gaosheng was straightforward by nature, and if Ye Jiu said she didn’t like it, he was prepared not to buy the candy. Yet, he couldn’t help but mention, “Then let’s not buy candy, I’ll buy you some Opium Cake instead.”
This was a type of cake Ye Jiu ate most frequently, not because it was tasty, but because it was the cheapest. And even at that price, only Ye Jiu could afford it within the Ye Family.
Today, Ye Gaosheng couldn’t bear the thought of not spending money on her, so Ye Jiu simply stopped resisting, “Alright, fourth brother really treasures me.”
“Of course, if I didn’t care for you, when we get back, our mom would flay me alive!” Ye Gaosheng blurted out without a second thought.