The oxcart swayed and bumped its way to the Gan family's old house. Gan Li couldn't wait to jump off the cart, called to the two Gan brothers to unload the things, and happily went into the yard.
Gan Mingli had been confined to the dye shop for two days. Now that he was back, seeing his familiar home, his eyes welled up with tears. He followed his sister inside, calling out to his family as he went:
"Father, Mother, wife, I'm back!"
Upon hearing the sound, the people inside rushed out.
When Zhao saw her husband return safe and sound, she was overwhelmed with emotion and rushed to hug him tightly, crying and laughing at the same time.
"You scared me to death! Thank goodness you're back. How are you? Did they beat you up? Those heartless bastards!"
Gan Qiao and her mother rushed over and hugged her father, crying pitifully. Gan Quan also went over, his eyes also red.
Gan Mingli was at a loss, but the corners of his mouth had unconsciously turned up as he kept reassuring his wife and children, "I'm fine, look at me, I'm perfectly alright."
"Where are you feeling alright? You've clearly lost weight!" Zhao said with concern.
Everyone else was deeply moved by the scene, but Sun, who strolled out slowly, focused her gaze on the things they had brought in.
"Oh dear, look at all these things you're carrying, they must be heavy! Let me carry them, let me carry them," Sun said, taking the things from Gan Li's hands.
Gan Li, seeing that her eyes seemed to strain to see through the outer cloth covering what was inside, was utterly speechless. She snatched the bundle from Sun's hands and said with a forced smile:
"No need to trouble your sister-in-law, I can carry it myself."
He then ignored Sun's unpleasant expression and directly addressed everyone:
"It's such a joyous occasion that my brother is back! Sister-in-law, please stop crying and come inside. See what wonderful things I bought for you!"
As soon as Gan Li shouted, the rest of the Gan family noticed the two large bundles they were carrying.
Grandma Gan exclaimed in surprise, "What did you buy? So much!"
Gan Mingyi hurriedly said, "They're new clothes! My little sister bought new clothes for our whole family, three sets for each of us. They look so good! Come and try them on quickly. She said if they don't fit, we can exchange them later!"
"One person with three bodies? So many?"
Grandma Gan was stunned, and instinctively felt sorry for her daughter for the money.
"So many clothes, how much money must have been spent? You really are something... One set for each person would be enough, how can you possibly wear so many?"
Ganli smiled and comforted her, "One set of clothes isn't enough for one person to change into, Mom. We've already bought them, so don't worry about the cost. Come over and try them on, and see if they fit."
When Sun heard that she would also receive a share of the clothing, she was initially very happy, but when she looked at the fabric, she found that it was just ordinary cotton cloth!
Ganli must have made a lot of money selling the ice-making recipe to Master Zhao, yet she only bought them these clothes instead of fine silks and satins? That's so stingy!
Upon hearing what Granny Gan said again, I couldn't help but say:
"Mother, you're really worrying about her for nothing. She earns so much money, what's wrong with buying a couple of new clothes? Don't forget, our whole family used to scrimp and save, and all the money we saved went to her!"
As she spoke, she turned to look at Gan Li, pouting, and said:
"Also, it's not that I'm criticizing you, but you've earned so much money, and all you give us are these tattered clothes? Forget about gold and silver, you should at least buy us a couple of sets of fine silk and satin, right? It's too stingy to give us this kind of material."
The previously warm atmosphere in the room instantly turned cold. Everyone turned to look at Madam Sun, who seemed indifferent and didn't realize she had said anything wrong.
Gan Mingyi was furious when he saw this!
Today, when his younger sister bought clothes, she didn't forget to buy some from Sun's shop. He felt relieved and happy at the same time. He thought that even if there were some misunderstandings between his wife and younger sister, she would definitely be touched to see that his younger sister bought him clothes.
Unexpectedly, he was overthinking things. Not only was the person not moved, but they also started to look down on him.
How could he marry such an ungrateful wretch?
Gan Mingyi was both angry and embarrassed, and he yelled at her:
"We country folk don't need fine silks and satins. They'll get torn in the middle of working in the fields. They're nothing compared to this, which is sturdy and comfortable."
Upon hearing this, Madam Sun curled her lip and said sarcastically:
"Look at what you're saying! What time is it? Still working in the fields? My sister is so rich now, we don't need to farm at all! She has so much money, she could probably spend it in several lifetimes!"
Gan Mingyi was so angry at her insatiable face that he was about to speak when Gan Li stopped him.
Gan Li looked at Sun Shi with a half-smile, a look that made Sun Shi feel uneasy, but she still stubbornly held on.
"Second sister-in-law, what you said is really interesting. I earned money to buy new clothes for everyone, and you are not grateful, but why are you being so picky?"
Besides, it's my freedom to spend the money I earn. If I can't spend it all, even if I throw it in the water and make a sound, it's none of your business, right? What, you're eyeing it now?"
Sun was rendered speechless by Gan Li's retort, her face turning red and white in turns, unable to utter a single word for a long time.
Seeing that she couldn't gain any advantage, she quickly changed the subject and started wailing and crying:
"My son! Lin'er! It's all my fault for being useless, making you suffer! Look at how happy other people are, eating and drinking well, and wearing new clothes. What about you?"
You can't even go to school! Don't blame your mother; I tried to help you back then, but you're just unlucky. You're not as popular or loved as others!
"Enough!" Old Man Gan, who had been silent, slammed his hand on the table in anger when she threatened to bring up old grievances again, and shouted:
"Wasn't this matter made clear last time? Gan Lin can't get into the academy at all. Even if he had money, he still wouldn't be able to get in. What does this have to do with Ali?"
Madam Sun replied, "I misremembered. I didn't originally intend for Lin'er to attend the academy; I wanted him to go to the school first..."
Besides, whether it's an academy or a school, they all lack funds, don't they? My poor Lin'er, all these years she's longed to go to school, her eyes practically popping out of her head, but she hasn't dared to utter a sound!
Her unreasonable arguments left Old Man Gan speechless, unable to do anything about it. He glanced at his grandson Gan Lin, who stood to the side with a sullen face. Although he didn't say anything, the hatred on his face clearly showed that he agreed with his mother and was also resentful that he hadn't gone to school.
Seeing this, Old Man Gan felt dejected and didn't know what to do.
Seeing his wife making a scene, Gan Mingyi felt both ashamed and angry, and even wanted to hit her, but Gan Li stopped him.
Gan Li shook her head at him, then said to Madam Sun:
"It seems we have to get this straight today, otherwise we'll be burdened with the blame for preventing our family from producing a top scholar for the rest of our lives. Second sister-in-law, you just want Ganlin to go to school, right? Okay, I'll take him."
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