Ganli asked coldly, "What did you say?"
Yingzi's mother suddenly woke up, realizing that Ganli was still beside her. She panicked and hurriedly explained:
"I... I mean... I really didn't know that brat would dare to do such a thing! Sister, I have a reputation too, how could I possibly instigate her to do such a thing?"
"It's all that brat's fault. Ever since her father died, she's been blaming me and never listens to me. I'm suffering so much..."
She thought that as long as she denied knowing, Gan Li would be helpless. Little did she know that Gan Yingzi, who was hiding in the corner outside the door, had heard everything clearly.
Gan Yingzi never expected her mother to belittle her like that. If her mother hadn't forced her to steal and rob in order to support her uncle's family, how could she have ended up on this path?
Now, in front of outsiders, her mother did not defend her at all. Although the shopkeeper was deceiving her mother, her mother's reaction was genuine, which made Gan Yingzi's heart ache.
Fortunately, she had already understood right from wrong and did not do as her mother said. Instead, she told the shopkeeper about it... She secretly rejoiced.
Gan Tao glanced at the doorway without making a sound, then looked at Yingzi's mother, deciding to add fuel to the fire.
She feigned doubt: "Oh? You really didn't force her to steal it? When I came here, I was thinking that if she was forced, I could forgive her this time."
Now it seems she not only stole things, but also slandered her own mother and uncle… I dare not employ someone like that again!
When Yingzi's mother heard that her daughter was to be fired, she immediately panicked—the job at the restaurant was highly sought after, with good food and high wages. Many people in the village envied her daughter for winning such a good job at such a young age, which also brought her a lot of pride.
Moreover, Yingzi used her wages from last month to help her younger brother's family, which improved her sister-in-law's mood. Her nephew was even more attentive to her, saying he was counting on her to find him a wife and that his family would take care of her in her old age.
If Yingzi gets fired and loses her wages... how will she pay her nephew to get married?
Yingzi's mother was about to speak anxiously, but when she looked up and saw Ganli's serious expression, her heart sank, and she remembered what Gantao's mother had gone through.
This Ganli is no pushover! Even if I admit what she said now, I'm afraid I won't be able to keep my job at the restaurant. What if Ganli really goes to my brother for money?
Thinking of this, Yingzi's mother's eyes sharpened, and she changed the subject, putting on a pained expression:
"This child needs to be taught a lot, young lady. Don't worry, I will definitely teach her well..."
"Ha, you want to teach? Didn't you say you couldn't teach?"
Gan Li interrupted her, deliberately saying, "Besides, she stole money from the restaurant. How can I let her off so easily? If she can't pay it back, I'll have to hand her over to the authorities!"
Yingzi's mother's expression changed: "How can it be that serious? We're all from the same village, sister, please be lenient..."
"How could I not show leniency? If it weren't for the fact that we live in the same village, I would have sent her to the authorities long ago. The reason I came here is to give you a chance. If you return the money she stole, then this matter will be over."
"Return the silver... How much did she steal?"
"Not much, exactly one ounce."
"One ounce?!"
Yingzi's mother cursed inwardly, "This wretched girl is really spineless. She's decided to steal, but she only dares to steal this little bit!"
She complained that her daughter hadn't stolen enough, but now that it was time to take it out, she looked distressed: "Where would I get so much money..."
Gan Li raised an eyebrow: "The daily wage at the restaurant is sixty copper coins. She received one tael and eight mace of silver last month. As far as I know, she gave it all to you. Now it's just right to use it to make amends."
Yingzi's mother looked troubled—she had already given that money to her sister-in-law to save for her nephew's wedding. Could she possibly take it back?
As if she could read her mind, Gan Li suggested, "Isn't it true that you and your brother have a very good relationship? If you don't have any money, why don't you borrow some from him first?"
“How can that be? My brother is saving money to help my nephew get married!” Yingzi’s mother immediately rejected the idea, as if her nephew’s marriage was more important than anything else.
Gan Li chuckled. This Yingzi's mother was really something else. Was her nephew's marriage more important than her own daughter?
"You seem to care a lot about your nephew, but have you thought about your daughter? Yingzi will get married someday. If her future husband's family finds out she was sent to the authorities for theft, her life will be over! Is your nephew's marriage more important, or your daughter's?"
Upon hearing this, Yingzi's mother stiffened, her expression changing several times.
She knew, of course, that if a girl had this reputation, probably no husband would dare to marry her in the future.
But my nephew is already so old. If he doesn't get married, how will he carry on the family line in the future?
Besides, her daughter would eventually get married and become someone else's family... She hesitated for a long time, torn between her own conscience and her own desires.
Finally, as if she had made up her mind, she raised her head, her tone resolute:
"I...I don't have any money! Yingzi is already so old, she should take responsibility for her own actions. You...you should go and report it to the authorities!"
Outside the door, Gan Yingzi heard her mother's words and her heart sank completely.
She had always known that her mother favored her cousin, but she never imagined that her mother could be so biased! Even at this critical juncture, her mother was still thinking about her nephew's marriage, completely disregarding her life or death!
Gan Yingzi could no longer hold back. She pushed open the door and rushed in. Seeing her mother's astonished expression, tears welled up in her eyes.
"Mother! How could you... how could you do this? Do you only care about your nephew and not your own daughter?! You're even abandoning your daughter for your nephew?!"
Yingzi's mother was startled by her daughter's sudden appearance. She didn't have time to think about why her daughter had run out so suddenly, and guiltily avoided her daughter's gaze.
“Yingzi, listen to your mother, your cousin is the root of our family. When you get married, with your cousin backing you up, no one will dare to look down on you…”
"Getting a wife? Getting a wife? All you care about is your nephew getting married!"
Gan Yingzi interrupted her mother, saying resolutely:
"Since you only care about your nephew, then don't come looking for me again! I'm severing all ties with you as mother and daughter! Whether I live or die is none of your business! As for what happens to you, I won't care anymore! Anyway, I'm just an outsider!"
After saying that, Gan Yingzi turned around and ran out of the house, leaving Yingzi's mother standing there blankly, unable to come to her senses for a long time.
Ganli watched this scene, gave Yingzi's mother a half-smile, and said sarcastically:
"Congratulations, Yingzi's mother. From now on, your nephew will finally be the only one to take care of you in your old age."
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