The elderly woman panicked, "Big... Big sister... Do you really not recognize me? I’m Qiu Ju! The Qiu Ju you held when we were little!"
Old Granny Zhang waved dismissively, "I dare not randomly claim relatives! I was driven out of the family back then, severing ties with the Zhang Family. Where do we have sisters?"
Wang Yongzhu was startled, listening to these words. This must be someone from Old Granny Zhang’s past family?
The woman called Qiu Ju became anxious and stood up abruptly, "Big sister, big sister! We haven’t seen each other for so many years. Even if the family wronged you back then, can’t you at least say a few words to me?"
Old Granny Zhang decisively shook her head, "I have nothing to say to the Zhang Family!"
Saying this, she started dragging Wang Yongzhu to leave.
Wang Yongzhu, naturally, wouldn’t go against Old Granny Zhang’s wishes, immediately turned around and helped her out.
The elderly woman, unwilling to give up, caught up in a few steps and grabbed Old Granny Zhang’s sleeve, not letting go, "Big sister! Are you still so heartless? You said you wanted to break ties with the family back then. Even when our parents passed away, you didn’t return. Now, decades have passed, and you still can’t let go?"
"After you married into the Wang Family, our parents regretted it! Before they died, they always thought of you but were too ashamed to find you! We siblings knew we wronged you back then and were too ashamed to seek you out! Now that fate has brought us together, aren’t we still sisters? Can’t we at least have a cup of tea together?"
Old Granny Zhang remained silent, but Wang Yongzhu was angered.
With a stern face, she pulled Old Granny Zhang’s sleeve and said coldly, "Since you know you wronged my mother and she doesn’t want to see you, why bother coming over? And saying she’s heartless. If you weren’t heartless, why didn’t any of you visit her after she married out? You keep saying you’re sisters, but I’ve never seen you growing up. Who are you trying to fool? Do you take us for kids?"
When that woman spoke, the nearby tables started whispering, saying Old Granny Zhang was a heartless woman.
How could Wang Yongzhu allow Old Granny Zhang to be judged by others? She retaliated unreservedly.
Nearby customers, mostly women, smart enough, sensed a story here, ignoring the Storytelling Master’s romantic tales, focusing on the real gossip.
The woman named Qiu Ju, embarrassed and angry by Wang Yongzhu’s words, protested, "How dare you speak like that! Are you the daughter of my sister? I am, after all, an elder."
"Zhang Qiuju, don’t act high and mighty! I kept quiet to give you some face. What kind of elder are you? Do you deserve to put on airs in front of my daughter? Must you force me to tell all the shameful things from the Zhang Family?" Old Granny Zhang, originally uninterested, became irate when Zhang Qiuju involved her daughter.
Zhang Qiuju’s face turned red instantly, her eyes flickered, avoiding Old Granny Zhang’s gaze, mumbling, "Big sister, you are still the same..."
Seeing Zhang Qiuju’s guilty expression, it was obvious to everyone that she was at fault.
Nearby customers started pointing fingers.
Old Granny Zhang, seeing Zhang Qiuju dare not speak further, turned and walked away.
Coincidentally, a shop assistant carrying a tea kettle returned, saw them leaving, and was stunned, "What brings you here, sirs?"
Wang Yongzhu, worried about Old Granny Zhang’s health, suggested, "Is there a private room upstairs? It’s too noisy down here!"
Pointing to the trailing Zhang Qiuju.
The shop assistant, with a lot of experience, immediately smiled, "Of course, please follow me, sirs!" Treating customers asking for private rooms with extra care.
Stepping forward discreetly to block Zhang Qiuju.
Zhang Qiuju tried to advance but hesitated with the shop assistant in between, stomped her feet in frustration.
Seeing the commotion, a young lady at the same table as Zhang Qiuju awoke, aware of the surrounding situation.
Aware of the attention drawn, the young lady pulled Zhang Qiuju aside, whispered something in her ear.
Zhang Qiuju replied, the young lady hesitated, nodded.
She reluctantly sat down, eyes fixed on Old Granny Zhang.
The young lady comforted Zhang Qiuju, then stepped forward, apologetically, but quickly assessed Old Granny Zhang and Wang Yongzhu.
Noting their well-dressed but fine material attire, her smile deepened, "Sorry for the trouble. My mother speaks of Aunt constantly, feeling guilty. Meeting today, it’s fate. May we invite Aunt for tea to apologize?"
The speech smooth, giving Zhang Qiuju face while expressing apology.
Usually, people would accept and move on.
But not Wang Yongzhu and Old Granny Zhang. Ignored entirely, urging the waiting shop assistant, "Lead the way!"
Not even glancing at the young woman.
The shop assistant, all smiles, led them upstairs, leaving the young woman embarrassed.
The young woman, Zhang Qiuju’s daughter-in-law, skilled at persuasion.
Usually resolving conflicts, never faced such straightforward rejection.
The guests’ snickers made her freeze, young, thin-skinned, embarrassed, and angry.
Remembering the public setting and her mother-in-law causing trouble, helplessly smiled, approached Zhang Qiuju, eyes red, apologizing lowly, "Mother, I failed, messed up—"
Voice breaking into tears.
Witnessing the whole scene, guests eyed Zhang Qiuju distrustfully.
Zhang Qiuju, feeling humiliated, hoped time would soften grudges. To her dismay, Old Granny Zhang remained stubborn, showing no leniency.