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Chapter 389: Chapter 392: Shallow Eyelids_1
But Bao’s was dissatisfied and said in an odd tone, "Mom, I thought you specifically called us home for dinner today, but it turns out it’s just in passing."
"Don’t talk nonsense," Huang Zhong cautioned her.
From his laxed tone, it was clear he was afraid of his wife.
Aunt Huang forced a chuckle, "I thought since it’s my birthday today, it would be nicer to invite more people over to liven things up."
Usually, Huang Zhong and his family seldom visited except for on holidays, but to their surprise, the sun rose from the west today.
Had she known they would come, she wouldn’t have called others over to her home and avoided airing dirty laundry in public.
"Mom, don’t mind her, she’s just kidding with you," he said.
Huang Zhong forced a laugh, hoping to smooth things over with some muddling through.
But he knew, even having said that, his mother’s mood for her birthday had been completely ruined.
Bao’s, not taking the hint, said sharply, "Who has time for jokes? Who even knows how much food we have at home!"
As she spoke, she glanced sideways at the people in the courtyard, not one of whom met her approval.
Huang Zhong felt as if a clot of frustration was stuck in his chest, with guests present in the yard, what kind of heartless person would say such a thing? 𝚗𝚘v𝚙𝚞b.𝚌𝚘m
He just didn’t understand how his once gentle and tender wife had changed into the person she was today.
Now she was unreasonable, causing chaos over the slightest dissatisfaction at home.
Everyone at home tiptoed around her, afraid of setting her off.
But their tolerance only emboldened Bao’s behavior, and he had thought of divorcing her more than once!
Chen Yiling slipped a gold bracelet off her arm and said, "Aunt Huang, I came in a hurry today and didn’t prepare any gifts. Please accept this and happy birthday to you."
The gold bracelet was part of her dowry and was surely precious.
But no matter how precious, it wasn’t as important as standing up for Aunt Huang.
Aunt Huang’s kindness to her wasn’t just because she was the Lady of the County, there was sincere sentiment too.
Bao’s eyes went wide at the sight of the bracelet, filled with disbelief.
How could a woman in plain clothes pull out such a beautiful gold bracelet?
What she didn’t know was that Chen Yiling did not want to be too conspicuous, so she deliberately wore Ruo Ruo’s clothes.
Aunt Huang quickly declined, "Madam, you’re flattering me too much. I am already happy with your visit, the gift is really too much."
"Aunt Huang, since it’s a birthday gift, how can it be refused? Or do you dislike it?" Chen Yiling asked, feigning annoyance.
Aunt Huang, growing anxious, quickly gave Qiao Duo’er a look to help persuade her.
The gold bracelet was of great value, how could she possibly accept such a gift given the circumstances?
On the side, Bao’s was burning with impatience; was this old woman an idiot? The gift was being handed to her on a silver platter, and she was still refusing it!
Such a heavy gold bracelet could be kept as a family heirloom!
All of Bao’s reactions were observed by Chen Yiling, who found her face utterly annoying.
She finally saw what her husband meant by people with shallow foresight.
Duo’er held Chen Yiling’s hand, "Yi Ling, Aunt Huang doesn’t need this bracelet. Just put it away, and let’s visit Aunt Huang more often. That would make her happier than accepting a gold bracelet."
"Alright then, I’ll owe the birthday gift for now. Next time, I’ll bring something Aunt Huang can actually use," Chen Yiling said, as she put the bracelet back on her arm.
Seeing Chen Yiling heeding the advice, Aunt Huang finally breathed a sigh of relief.
As for the next time she brought a gift, Aunt Huang would deal with it then. Otherwise, she might offend Yi Ling.
