Gan Taoniang held the fifty taels of silver and walked around the room, finally fixing her gaze on the area under the bed.
...
After hiding the silver, she went out of the house and instructed her sons, "I'm going out for a while. You all keep watch at the door. Don't let anyone in except me. Do you understand?"
Seeing that her sons nodded in agreement, she felt relieved and got into her wheelchair to go out.
After all this commotion, it's already quite late.
Gan Tao had told her before that, in addition to Gan Tao herself who came back every day, Gan Zhu's wife also worked at the restaurant every day.
Judging by the time, it should be time to finish work and go home.
Sure enough, as soon as she pushed her wheelchair near Gan Zhu's house, she saw a young woman walking towards her from a distance. Gan Tao Niang quickly put on a smile and greeted her loudly.
Gan Zhu's wife was startled, but smiled when she saw it was her.
"Auntie, why are you here at this hour? Your Gan Tao came back at noon today, leaving me to walk alone, it was really creepy... By the way, I heard Gan Tao was sick, is she feeling better?"
Gan Tao's mother came for this very reason. Concealing her true emotions and adopting a worried expression, she followed Gan Zhu's wife's words and said:
"Sigh, that's why I came here! Tao'er, that child, has really worked herself to the bone for this family, and now she's collapsed from exhaustion, it's really..."
Upon hearing this, Gan Zhu's wife was startled. While comforting her, she suggested going to take a look.
After all, they're from the same village and work in the same place, so it's only natural for them to visit each other.
Gan Tao Niang was very unwilling upon hearing this.
The state of the house was fine for Gan Zhu's wife, but if Gan Li, that meddlesome woman, found out, who knows what kind of trouble might arise.
She was anxious inside, but didn't show it on her face. Holding Gan Zhu's wife's hand, she said gratefully:
"Thank you for your concern. Actually, it's nothing serious. The doctor has already come to see her and said that she's just overworked and has a deficiency of both qi and blood. With some rest and recuperation, there shouldn't be any major problems."
You've had a long day, with lots of things to do at home, so I don't want to trouble you to make the trip..."
When Gan Zhu's wife heard that the illness was not serious and thought about the trivial matters at home, she stopped in her tracks.
Gan Tao Niang then revealed the true purpose of her trip:
"Actually, I came here to ask you to pass on a message to your manager, asking him to ask for a month's leave for Gan Tao."
"A month? That's a long time." Gan Zhu's wife was a little surprised. Didn't they say it wasn't serious? Why does it need to rest for so long?
Gan Zhu's wife was very surprised. Didn't you say it wasn't serious?
Everyone in the village knows about Gan Tao's family situation. She is the pillar of her family, and they can't even afford to eat if she takes a day or two off, let alone a month.
Gan Taoniang knew the answer, and upon hearing this, she seemed to sigh helplessly:
"There's nothing we can do about it. As you know, since her father passed away, Tao'er has been the one holding the family together. If she were to fall ill as well, our family would be in even worse shape, with sick members and young children."
Therefore, I'd rather tighten my belt for a month and let Tao'er rest properly than have her work while sick.
These words made perfect sense, and Gan Zhu's wife nodded understandingly: "Okay, Auntie, don't worry, I'll talk to the shopkeeper tomorrow!"
Gan Taoniang thanked her profusely and took her leave after bidding farewell to Gan Zhu's wife. As soon as she turned around, a cold smile appeared on her lips.
She didn't know what was wrong with Gan Li, but he always liked to meddle in her family's affairs, or more accurately, he liked to meddle in Gan Tao's business. He even wanted to persuade Gan Tao to go to the capital.
If she directly helped her daughter quit her job, Gan Li might come to inquire about it. If she found out that she had betrothed Tao'er to the Wu family, she might meddle in her affairs.
So she didn't say she was quitting her job, but only asked for leave, and her reason was quite reasonable. By the time Ganli realized what was going on, the marriage was already arranged.
No matter how powerful Gan Li is, can she force someone to divorce?
This doesn't make sense anywhere in the world!
Thinking of the promise made by Matchmaker Li that the young master of the Wu family would give her fifty taels of silver as a filial gift after the marriage, Gan Tao Niang couldn't wait to send the man over tomorrow!
One hundred taels! That's enough for Tao'er to work in the restaurant for six years without eating or drinking to save up that much money!
If she were frugal, this money would be enough for her to raise her four sons. Then, she wouldn't have to worry about Gan Tao abandoning her halfway through life.
Thinking of this, Gan Tao Niang suddenly felt much safer.
...
When she got home, Gan Tao's mother went to check on Gan Tao and saw that she was still lying on the bed without moving. She frowned.
She was also hoping that Gan Tao could support the family after she got married, so she patiently whispered her advice through the door:
"Tao'er, since ancient times, girls have been destined to get married. Agreeing to the Wu family's marriage proposal is for your own good. You're not young anymore, and if you don't get married soon, it will really be a waste of your life."
"I heard it from Matchmaker Li; the rumors about that young master Wu are all false, deliberately spread by someone. The Wu family is a good family; how could I possibly harm you?"
Gan Tao sneered. Who in the surrounding villages doesn't know that you can't trust what that matchmaker Li says?
Besides, the Wu family has been slandered so badly and they haven't come out to clarify. Are they really such great philanthropists?
They are clearly in the wrong!
She raised her hands and covered her ears tightly, not wanting to hear her mother's voice anymore; the voice made her want to vomit!
Outside the door, Gan Tao Niang saw her actions through the door frame and immediately felt angry:
"Let me tell you, I've already arranged leave for you. Now everyone thinks you need to recuperate, and no one will come to help you!"
He went to the kitchen, grumbling and cursing.
She usually avoids cooking in order to feign illness.
Now that she's been exposed, she's too lazy to pretend anymore. She simply closes the door and walks around openly in her own yard.
She had already planned it all out. Once Gan Tao got married, she would find a doctor and announce to the public that her illness was cured and she could live a normal life again.
She's been pretending for so many years, she's tired of it now.
Dinner was simple: a pot of congee, a few steamed buns, and a stir-fried dish.
Gan Tao Niang set aside a portion and placed it at the door of Gan Tao's room, then quickly locked the door, not daring to approach for fear that she would run away.
After settling Gan Tao's meal, she called her sons to eat.
After she finished eating, she went to check on Gan Tao, only to find the food untouched! Gan Tao's mother was furious: "You brat, you think you're all grown up now? Trying to starve yourself? Fine, don't eat, you won't starve! Let's see how long you can hold out!"
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