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She couldn't bring herself to say "no."

After a long pause, Ju Geer said with an air of condescension, "...We'll see if it's any good first!"

Having said that, he seemed to feel a bit ashamed and slightly turned his face away, no longer looking at Xingxing.

Hearing Ju Geer's words, Xingxing was a little pleased.

She didn’t take it to heart that Ju Geer treated her poorly. She only remembered the pitiful sight of his small body lying at the bottom of the slope, looking half-dead.

It was just so pitiful!

It reminded her of herself—if Grandma hadn’t saved her back then, would she have been left lying on that rocky shore, at the mercy of wind, rain, and bugs, with no one to care for her?

Su Rouer listened to the exchange between her son and Xingxing, bit her lip and stayed quiet.

Apart from Ju Geer, who was recuperating, the only people in the room at the moment were Yu Laotou, Wei Pozi, Xingxing, and the third branch’s Yu Sanbao and Su Rouer.

Yu Sanbao suddenly turned to Su Rouer and said quietly, "...We had saved up a few taels of silver in our room. Where did you put it? Mom spent quite a bit on Ju Geer’s treatment this time. Take out one tael and contribute it to the family coffers."

Su Rouer froze, then she looked uncomfortable as she stammered, unable to respond.

Wei Pozi frowned and refused, "That's not necessary..."

But Yu Sanbao, unusually, interrupted her, "Mom, stay out of this."

Wei Pozi’s frown deepened, but she said nothing more.

Su Rouer stiffened all over, could hardly raise her head. She pleaded weakly, calling out, "Sanbao..." but Yu Sanbao remained firm, staring at her.

Su Rouer had no choice left. She didn’t even dare to raise her eyes to meet Yu Sanbao’s gaze.

Yu Sanbao’s expression grew even colder. "...Is there not even one tael left?"

Su Rouer could hardly lift her head, stammering, at a loss for words.

Wei Pozi and Yu Laotou picked up on what was happening, and Wei Pozi’s frown tightened.

Yu Sanbao took a deep breath. "...What happened to our money?"

He was determined to make Su Rouer say it out loud today.

Backed into a corner, Su Rouer finally forced herself to speak, "A few days ago, I visited my family... Of course I had to bring gifts..."

At these words, even Yu Laotou’s expression changed slightly.

Old Mrs. Wei sucked in a breath, her temper rising.

But with Ju Geer still ill, she didn’t want to humiliate his mother in front of him.

Wei Pozi said coldly, "Third son, and third daughter-in-law, step outside with me first."

Su Rouer didn’t want to leave. She excused herself, "...I need to stay with Ju Geer..."

Wei Pozi snapped, "Now you remember your son?! Why didn’t you think of him when you took the money?!"

Su Rouer was left speechless and could only throw Yu Sanbao a pleading look.

Chapter 37: Has Anyone Even Come to See Ju Geer?

But Yu Sanbao looked even colder than Wei Pozi.

He was the first one out the door.

Yu Laotou, who had always been the most easygoing, also sighed and didn't speak up for Su Rouer, leaving with his hands behind his back.

Wei Pozi stared coldly at Su Rouer.

Su Rouer could only grit her teeth, place Ju Geer on the kang (heated brick bed), and reluctantly follow them out of the house.

That left just Wei Pozi, Xingxing, and Ju Geer in the room.

Looking at her grandson who'd just woken up after nearly dying, Wei Pozi's expression softened a lot as she comforted him, "Ju Geer, don't be afraid. I just need to ask your mother a few questions."

But Ju Geer shook his head: "Grandma, I'm not afraid!..." He pouted indignantly, "When Mom went back to her parents' home, she took money with her! I saw her give money to Grandmother with my own eyes, but Su Xiaobao always calls me a freeloading country bumpkin behind my back! I hate him!"

Ju Geer grumbled, sounding hurt, "They didn't even give me a piece of meat to eat..."

Ju Geer seemed fine, but his words made Wei Pozi's mood quite complicated.

Wei Pozi shut her eyes for a second and told Xingxing: "Xingxing, stay with Ju Geer in the room for a while. If he feels uncomfortable anywhere, come out and call us. I need to go talk with your Third Uncle and Third Aunt."

Xingxing looked as if she had been given a super important job. She nodded solemnly, as serious as a promise: "Grandma, don't worry! Go talk with Third Uncle and Third Aunt! Xingxing will definitely take good care of Ju Geer!"

Wei Pozi couldn't help smiling for a second at Xingxing's serious little expression.

She reached out and patted Xingxing's head before leaving the room.

Ju Geer felt a bit jealous and whispered, "Why did Grandma only pat your head and not mine?"

Xingxing tilted her little head and figured, "Maybe it's because the lady who treated you last time said you hurt your head! Your head is still injured, so Grandma can't touch it."

That made total sense, and Xingxing nodded to herself in confirmation: "Yes, that must be it. Grandma is being careful with you."

This reasoning comforted the four-year-old Ju Geer well.

Ju Geer lay on the kang and went "Hmm," pleased, his lips curling into a big grin.

Suddenly, he remembered something and snapped at Xingxing, "Hey, where're your manners?! I'm older than you, so you should call me 'brother'! How can you call me 'Ju Geer' like the others?!"

Xingxing looked confused, her little mouth falling open: "Ah? But didn't you say you didn't like Xingxing before? You even said Xingxing isn't your sister!"

Ju Geer had nothing to say to that. He glared at her, while Xingxing stared back innocently and asked, "Are you feeling unwell somewhere? Do you want some water?"

"No!" Ju Geer snapped, closing his eyes.

Yep, he still couldn't stand this little girl!

...

In a secluded corner of the courtyard.