"There's no need to spend so much money on this stuff that doesn't even keep you full."

Wang Meili stroked Er Ya's hair: "As long as Er Ya looks good in it, it's fine. Money doesn't matter, since it's not being spent on anyone else. Nothing is more practical than buying silver. When Er Ya grows up, we can melt it down and make it into earrings."

"Yes, this is a token of our appreciation from your sister-in-law. I'll get angry if you keep delaying."

Er Ya touched the bracelet and smiled sweetly at Chen Xiuhua and Wang Meili: "Thank you, Grandma and Aunt, I like your gift."

"If you like it, that's good. When your aunt has more money in the future, she'll buy you a pair of gold bracelets. For now, just make do with these."

Goodness, this bracelet looks like it weighs twenty or thirty grams, it must have cost a lot of money. This is just passable. Compared to this, my gift is a bit embarrassing. Li Taohua thought about the clothes she made for Er Ya overnight, and felt too embarrassed to take them out.

Gou Dan nudged Li Taohua. He knew that his mother had worked through several nights to make a set of clothes, so why was there no movement?

Seeing that she still didn't react after being poked, he turned around and slapped himself. Children don't understand the intricacies between adults, and he said bluntly, "Er Ya, my mother also made a gift for you. It's at my house. I'll go get it for you."

Before Li Taohua could stop him, he ran home to get his things.

She quickly ran back, holding a package in her hand, and handed it to Li Taohua: "Mother, I brought it back for you. Please give it to Er Ya quickly."

He had already given her his gifts while they were on the mountain. He had woven a large wreath of wildflowers, which Er Ya loved. But for some reason, it broke after a short while.

Li Taohua said with embarrassment, "My things aren't as good as her maternal grandparents' and aunts'. I just tore off a piece of cloth and made a dress for Er Ya. Er Ya, take a look and see if you like it."

Children are always happy to receive gifts on their birthdays. Er Ya took the package, opened it, and found a very fashionable outfit. Li Taohua had even carefully embroidered various small flowers on it.

She held it up to herself and it fit perfectly, showing that Li Taohua had put thought into it. Er Ya said sweetly, "Auntie, I like it so much, thank you, Auntie."

Actually, she liked this outfit even more than the one Liu Jingyu bought for her. After all, in their rural area, there were no occasions to wear a princess dress every day, especially since she often went up the mountain. The clothes Liu Jingyu gave her seemed a bit cumbersome.

Seeing that Er Ya liked it, Li Taohua was very happy, feeling that her efforts had been appreciated. She said happily, "My needlework skills are only passable. If you like it, I'll make you another one later."

Jiang's mother patted Li Taohua: "Taohua, you've had it tough too. Don't make clothes for her anymore. She has so many clothes, she can wear a different outfit every day for a week without repeating herself."

"Oh, it's just a little bit of fabric, it won't take much effort. I'll get it done in no time. What matters most is that Er Ya likes it."

Seeing that she couldn't dissuade Li Taohua, Jiang's mother didn't want to dampen her enthusiasm. She just remembered to remind Erya later not to take Taohua's things easily, since she was a woman with a young child to take care of and her life wasn't easy.

Lin Xiao also took out a bag and handed it to Er Ya: "I wandered around the market for half a day and didn't know what to buy for you. When I came to the supply and marketing cooperative, I saw this that they had just brought back. I know you always like sweets, so they brought in two packs and I bought them all for you at once."

Er Ya took the gift and saw that it was White Rabbit milk candy. This gift was exactly what she wanted. Jiang's mother always told her not to eat so much candy because her teeth were already a little black, so she only bought a few each time. Er Ya always complained that it wasn't enough.

"Wow! Thank you, brother, I like your stuff."

Jiang's mother said irritably, "Xiao Xiao, you spoil her. Look at her teeth, look at them! If she eats candy again, what will happen when she opens her mouth with a mouthful of black teeth?"

Lin Xiao had already changed his address, following Er Ya's pronunciation: "Mother, I will supervise her and won't let her eat too much."

Er Ya raised three fingers as if swearing: "Mom, I promise I'll only eat two a day, and I definitely won't eat any more."

Jiang's mother tapped Er Ya's head irritably: "You'd better remember what you said, or come crying to me later about how your teeth aren't pretty."

Although Lin Xiao made a promise, Jiang's mother knew that with that child's temperament, he would do whatever Er Ya wanted as long as she frowned, so the promise was useless.

Lin Jianguo put down his chopsticks, nudged Jiang's mother, and whispered, "It's your daughter's birthday today, so don't worry about her."

Jiang's mother had no choice but to suppress her desire to keep the items for her. She thought to herself that she would have to find an opportunity to secretly put some away for her. Anyway, that girl was carefree and wouldn't notice if a little was missing.

Er Ya raised her glass and said seriously to Jiang's mother, "Mother, although today is my birthday, it is also a day of suffering for you. I'm toasting you with this juice instead of wine to thank you for giving birth to me, raising me to adulthood, and making me so beautiful."

These words brought tears to Jiang's mother's eyes. She couldn't help but recall when she gave birth to Er Ya. When Old Mrs. Shen saw that it was a girl, her face immediately turned cold. She left them and went out of the house, cursing her belly for a long time for being uncooperative. When she got tired of cursing, she left and never cared about the mother and daughter again.

Being a new mother, she knew nothing. She could only wipe away her tears and, on instinct, pick up one of her tattered clothes and wrap the naked, still crying Er Ya in it. She then imitated how other women in the village breastfed their babies and fed her milk.

No one cared about her daughter. Only three days after giving birth to Er Ya, she had to go to work in the fields because of Old Mrs. Shen's daily veiled insults. She was worried about leaving the baby in the house, so she carried Er Ya on her back while working every day. When she was hungry, she would put her down to feed her. Fortunately, the girl was very well-behaved. She would not cry as long as she was not hungry or needed to urinate. She would play with her fingers when she had nothing to do.

Because she didn't take good care of herself during her postpartum period, the heavy work every day ruined her health. She never got pregnant again and didn't give birth to a grandson for the Lin family. This was considered her fault, and Old Mrs. Shen would find all sorts of ways to make her work. She couldn't stand her having any free time. Er Ya also had to work every day. The two of them did the most work and ate the least.

She endured those days one by one, and thankfully, they separated. Now, she is living a vibrant and fulfilling life, and she has slowly begun to forget the hardships of the past.

To be continued!