When Gan Tao's mother angrily called out to Gan Tao, both Gan Li and Maria held their breath in tension.
When they saw Gan Tao's resolute attitude, the two of them were so excited that they almost jumped up.
[Great, she's not mentally impaired!]
Maria was overjoyed; her business was finally saved! It seems there are still more normal people in the world!
[Ding—Congratulations, host, on completing the mission! You are rewarded with fifty merit points and a culinary gift pack!]
As Gan Li listened to the system's announcement, she was overjoyed that the long-delayed task was finally completed. However, her joy stemmed not only from the generous rewards but also from Gan Tao's 'rebirth'.
Ever since she met Gan Tao, this young girl had a look of melancholy and numbness in her eyes, a numbness to a hopeless future.
Now, she walks with a firm stride, her face radiates relief, her eyes sparkle, and she exudes a vitality that Ganli has never seen before.
Ganli's biggest worry was that Gantao would become despondent and miserable after seeing her mother's true colors. Now it seems that things are developing in a positive direction, and she can finally put her mind at ease.
The only thing I'm a little worried about is...
"Are you really not taking your fourth brother with you?" Gan Li asked as Gan Tao approached. "Aren't you worried that he'll be mistreated if he stays at your house?"
Even she, an outsider, was a little worried.
Gan Li had a slightly different opinion of her fourth brother, Gan Tao, since he was the only one in that "glorious" family who hadn't gone astray.
Gan Tao said calmly, "If he doesn't want to, even I can't force him. After all, it's his own path, and once he's chosen it, he has to keep going."
Ganli remained silent upon hearing this.
But she quickly realized that Gan Tao was just like herself back then, and she didn't want to get involved in Gan Tao's affairs because she knew it wasn't the right time yet.
Gan Tao's fourth brother is the same now.
She put the matter aside and pulled Gan Tao into the carriage.
At this moment, Gan Taoniang was lying helplessly on the ground, in excruciating pain all over her body, unable to move at all.
As night falls, the mother and child still have not found a place to stay.
In contrast, Gan Tao followed Gan Li into the carriage without looking back, completely ignoring the fact that her mother was still injured and lying on the ground!
Gan Tao's mother gritted her teeth in anger. She had been somewhat tired of cursing, but now she seemed to have regained her strength and roared at Gan Tao with vulgar language, wishing she could instantly reduce Gan Tao to a lowly status.
Inside the carriage, Gan Li listened to the harsh and vulgar language coming from outside and looked at Gan Tao's restrained face, feeling somewhat sorry for her.
She decided to say something to distract Gan Tao, so she took the little girl's hand and said mysteriously, "There's something I need to tell you."
Gan Tao's attention was indeed drawn, and she asked curiously, "Shopkeeper, what is it?"
Ganli, however, kept her in suspense, not only not answering but also asking her in return:
"Tell me honestly about the last time the Princess was looking for the embroiderer. If it weren't for your mother's interference, would you have gone?"
When Gan Tao heard her ask about this, she bit her lip and nodded without hesitation.
She paused, then said in a hoarse voice, "It was my own fault for being foolish and not seizing the opportunity... But it doesn't matter. Even if I don't go to the capital, I will not give up my embroidery."
“I’ve already made up my mind. I’ll work hard at Gan Kee for a few years. Now I’m all alone, and I have food and lodging in the restaurant, so I don’t need to spend much money at all.”
That way, I can save all my wages each month. In the future, once I've saved enough capital, I'll open my own embroidery shop!
Looking at this spirited girl, Gan Li's eyes were full of admiration. She stopped being coy and said directly:
"Who said you missed your chance? I've saved this great opportunity for you!"
"What?" Gan Tao almost thought she had misheard. She stared blankly at Gan Li and saw that the latter's expression was serious and did not seem like she was joking at all.
The shopkeeper wouldn't joke about something like this!
Could it be… Gan Tao, turning from surprise to delight, grabbed her hand and asked excitedly:
"Shopkeeper, what... what exactly is going on?"
Ganli gave her a reproachful look and then recounted what had happened.
The last time Gan Tao found her, crying and saying she wouldn't go to the capital and asking her to resign from the Princess, Gan Li didn't say anything because she already knew that Gan Tao's mother was so controlling that it was impossible for her to let Gan Tao go.
The reason she knew this and told Gan Tao the news, asking Gan Tao to go home and tell her, was simply to escalate their conflict and use this opportunity to let Gan Tao see clearly how her mother truly felt about her.
As for the eldest princess, she did need to find an embroiderer, but the Empress Dowager's birthday was next year, so there was still a year to go. Therefore, while the search for an embroiderer was urgent, it wasn't something that was pressing, and a few days' delay wouldn't matter.
Therefore, she had not yet replied to the princess about this matter.
Gan Li concealed her little scheme and didn't reveal it, only saying that she hadn't replied to the princess yet.
"So, if you want to go, we still have a chance!"
After Gan Li finished speaking, she looked at Gan Tao expectantly, only to see the latter stunned for a moment before two lines of hot tears rolled down her cheeks.
She was startled, but then understood Gan Tao's feelings and chuckled, saying:
"Silly girl, are you that happy? But this is indeed a good opportunity, once you go to the capital..."
"Shopkeeper, no!" Gan Tao shook her head vigorously.
Indeed, she was happy to learn that she hadn't lost the opportunity, but she was also deeply moved.
"Shopkeeper, what have I done to deserve such kindness from you?"
While I was in prison, I often couldn't understand why I had such a mother and such family.
But whenever I think of you, I feel that God is fair, because He also let me meet you.
Gan Tao clearly rarely said such things, and by the end, her cheeks were flushed, making her appear somewhat shy.
Even so, her eyes remained fixed on Ganli, as if only in this way could Ganli know how much gratitude she held in her heart.
Gan Tao's sincere gaze made Gan Li feel a little guilty, as she remembered that she hadn't actually wanted to help her at first.
However, she soon remembered a saying: "A gentleman judges by actions, not intentions." Regardless of the process, she had indeed offered help to Gan Tao in this matter.
She quickly came to terms with it.
However, although she was no longer guilty, she was still very uncomfortable in this situation. She did not want to be treated like a savior, so she quickly changed the subject.
"Let's not talk about that." She asked Gan Tao, "So, this time no one can stop you. Do you still want to go to the capital?"
Gan Tao had already thought about this problem. During the days and nights she was locked in the room by her mother, she regretted giving up that opportunity...
How fortunate she was to have another chance. No matter the outcome, she absolutely did not want to have any regrets!
Gan Tao nodded decisively: "I'll go!"
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