Granny Zhang knew Xinyan was coming back, so she prepared all the food that she loved early on.
The neighbors had heard before that Xinyan was taking Granny Zhang to live in the Capital, and to say they weren’t envious would be a lie.
Of course, there were some who would talk sarcastically. Just as Granny Zhang thought Xinyan might not be back early, she decided to go to the nearby village to buy some grapes.
But as soon as she turned the corner, she heard someone saying: "She’s not even a biological granddaughter, she only took care of her for a few days. How deep can the affection be? Now Granny Zhang can still move on her own, taking her there is naturally no problem."
"But in the future, if there’s a day when she needs someone to take care of her, do you think that girl will still bother?
Moreover, where in the world would you find a free meal? That girl is most likely after Granny Zhang’s house, don’t you think?"
The people gossiping there hadn’t thought along these lines before, but after hearing this person, someone chimed in: "There is indeed some truth to that."
Of course, there were people who had a good relationship with Granny Zhang, who stood up and pointed at the person speaking sarcastically, saying: "A perfectly good situation gets twisted by you, you can’t go a day without stirring things up, can you?"
That person muttered: "I’m just speaking the truth, once Granny Zhang suffers, it’ll be too late. Who doesn’t have an ulterior motive?"
This person had actually approached Granny Zhang before, his house was too small and there were many kids at home, so he wanted to discuss with Granny Zhang to have his family take care of her in retirement, and after her passing, for the courtyard to be given to his family.
He even said that when his third son gets married, he would do so in Granny Zhang’s courtyard, making it convenient to take care of her in the future.
But Granny Zhang outright refused, and not only did she refuse, she practically stopped interacting with his family afterward. Seeing Granny Zhang about to be taken away, he got anxious.
Granny Zhang hadn’t intended to stay long in the Capital; she couldn’t resist Xinyan and wanted to go see the Capital, so she agreed to go live there for a while, but she didn’t expect this family to start jumping around.
If things aren’t exposed now, by the time she comes back from the Capital, rumors might have spread that she was chased back.
She immediately came over: "You really have a dark heart, isn��t this just because I wouldn’t agree to you providing for me in retirement and won’t let you live in the house for free?
What, now you’re worried for me? Anyone who doesn’t know might think you’re really good-hearted."
With these words spoken, everyone’s look towards that woman changed, after all, no one is a fool?
The woman felt a little awkward, not expecting her words to be heard by the person concerned. Her previous comments were indeed with ulterior motives.
She was thinking, before Xinyan came back, if rumors spread, then Xinyan, for the sake of reputation, would definitely make a statement and wouldn’t claim the house.
Once she makes that statement, their opportunity arises.
By then, she would find a way to rent a room first to occupy this courtyard, and even if the old lady eventually leaves the courtyard to Xinyan, it wouldn’t be possible for her to come back and live here, making the courtyard just like their own.
But in the next second, she heard Granny Zhang saying: "Besides, I’m just going to the Capital for a short stay, I’ll be back after a while, how did that turn into this in your words?
You’re really ruthless, for the sake of a house, you dare to say anything. I tell you, even if one day I am gone, this house won’t fall into your hands."
The woman, being exposed by Granny Zhang face-to-face, stopped pretending: "Don’t think someone unrelated can treat you like family. If Xinyan wasn’t scheming for your house and the money in your hands, would she be kind enough to take you to live there?"
These words were heard by the just-arrived Xinyan: "No need for you to worry about this, auntie."
Everyone looked towards the voice and saw a beautiful girl standing not far away, smiling calmly at them.
Someone recognized Xinyan: "Xinyan, you’re back."
Xinyan greeted warmly: "Granny Zhang, I’ve come to bring you home."
Granny Zhang’s face was full of joy: "Ah, home, home, don’t listen to her nonsense."
Xinyan glanced at the woman who had stirred things up: "Listen to Granny."
Whatever the woman was thinking, Xinyan could guess without thinking; daring to target Granny Zhang, she must be taught a lesson.