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Granny Wei's heart melted!

After thinking it over, she decided: "Since the Burning Heart Herb sold for such a good price today thanks to our Xingxing, how about Grandma gets you a pretty little hair comb?"

Xingxing's big round eyes instantly lit up, but after some hesitation, she timidly asked Wei Pozi, "Grandma, is the little hair comb expensive?"

The girl next door once wore an exquisitely beautiful hair comb when she went out for a visit, and it looked so lovely.

Xingxing had seen it that day and adored it ever since. She would occasionally sneak peeks at it while the neighbor girl worked in the yard, peeking over the fence.

She never expected Grandma had noticed too!

Wei Pozi gave a big kiss on Xingxing's little cheek: "Not expensive at all! It's what our Xingxing deserves!"

Xingxing was overjoyed, her big round eyes sparkling like the whole Milky Way.

Taking Xingxing's hand, Wei Pozi spent twenty coppers to buy a small hair comb adorned with red velvet flowers.

The comb was made of wood wrapped in copper—nothing too precious, but crafted with such delicate beauty and charm, small but had nice weight to it.

Wei Pozi carefully pinned the little comb onto Xingxing's tiny bun.

However, Xingxing's little bun was too thin, and the comb couldn't stay put; it wobbled and fell off.

Afraid Xingxing might be upset, Wei Pozi was surprised when the little girl cradled the comb and just giggled happily: "When Xingxing grows up and has more hair, she can wear it!"

Wei Pozi smiled in relief: "That's right! Once our Xingxing's hair grows thicker, she can wear it!"

Grandmother and granddaughter looked at each other and laughed.

All of this was silently observed by Ju Geer, standing frozen in a corner of the alley.

Earlier on the street, he'd spotted Granny Wei in the crowd and thought she had come to fetch him.

Ju Geer went running to her without thinking—kids might hold grudges, but they forget fast. After just two or three days at his grandmother's house, he'd already forgotten about Granny Wei scolding him. Now, seeing her, all he wanted was to be hugged.

But before he could get close, he realized how much Grandma seemed to adore Xingxing.

Ju Geer just stood there, stunned.

It was Xingxing who, despite being completely taken with her new comb, sensed someone watching them.

Puzzled, she looked around and immediately spotted Ju Geer standing behind a street vendor, staring blankly in their direction.

Without thinking, Xingxing cried out in delight, "Grandma, it's Ju Geer!"

Wei Pozi was equally thrilled to see her little grandson: "Ju Geer!"

She looked around but saw no adult accompanying him, and her brow furrowed with concern: "Why are you alone?"

The marketplace was crowded and chaotic, and Ju Geer was just a four-year-old child. How could the Su family be so irresponsible as to let him wander alone?

Weren't they afraid he might get kidnapped?!

Chapter 20: Keep It All for Yourself

The more Wei Pozi thought about it, the angrier she became, and she marched over to Ju Geer.

Seeing her approach, Ju Geer felt wronged and turned to run away.

Old Mrs. Wei froze: "Ju Geer!"

Not wanting to take any chances, she grabbed Xingxing and took off after him. It took a while before she finally caught up and seized Ju Geer's arm.

Old Mrs. Wei, being older, was panting heavily from the chase. She held onto Ju Geer, too exhausted to speak.

Xingxing was also out of breath, ploppped down on the ground, gasping for air.

Ju Geer felt a little guilty and was about to say something when Mother Su and Su Rouer, who had noticed his absence, came looking for him.

The moment Su Rouer saw Old Mrs. Wei gripping Ju Geer's arm, she immediately misunderstood—thinking her mother-in-law was trying to forcibly take him away.

She blew her top: "What do you think you're doing?! Trying to steal my son?!"

With that, she yanked Ju Geer from Old Mrs. Wei's grasp and pulled him behind her.

Since she was back on her home ground, Su Rouer felt emboldened. Combined with her long-held resentment toward Old Mrs. Wei, her attitude was downright rude.

Mother Su, though sensing her daughter's rudeness, quickly justified it in her mind—after all, her daughter was a town girl who had married down by wedding Yu Sanbao. And yet, the Yu family had the nerve to treat her poorly!

Served them right!

So Mother Su kept quiet and just watched.

Old Mrs. Wei's face went stony. Straightening up and catching her breath, she snapped: "I should be the one asking you—what were you thinking letting a four-year-old child like Ju Geer run off alone in such a crowded market?! Aren’t you afraid he might get kidnapped?!"

Her harsh tone stunned Su Rouer at first, then made her speechless.

Shouldn’t her mother-in-law be here begging her to come back?!

How dare she speak to her like this?!

Mother Su scowled: "That’s not a very nice way to put it, in-law. We can’t exactly keep the child on a leash, can we? It’s perfectly normal for kids to wander off while playing. Besides, we came looking for him the moment we realized he was missing!"

Old Mrs. Wei retorted coldly: "I’d rather be blunt now than cry later if the child goes missing!"

Mother Su was so angry her eyes nearly popped out.

Xingxing hid behind Old Mrs. Wei, frightened.

But Su Rouer’s eagle eyes spotted the exact same fabric on Xingxing’s clothes—the piece she had taken from Old Mrs. Wei to make new clothes for Ju Geer.

And in Xingxing’s hand was a shiny new hair comb, clearly just purchased!

Su Rouer saw red.

"Mother!" she yelled shrilly, calling to her own mother, "Look! That girl is wearing the unfinished new clothes meant for Ju Geer!"