Aunt Charlotte Visits

The Evans family had been eagerly awaiting the arrival of a wealthy benefactor, but instead, they were met by a regular merchant. One by one, their hearts sank with disappointment. Forcing themselves to put on a brave face, they brought Arthur Evans and his family back to the Evans household. The grand welcoming feast of chicken, duck, and fish was promptly canceled, and Grandma Evans simply ordered a few basic dishes to mark the occasion.

The Evans family was full of disappointment, but Arthur Evans, having found his relatives, was overcome with excitement and joy.

Grandma Evans chatted with Arthur Evans, and before long, she had coaxed out all the details of his family’s background.

Although Arthur Evans’s family appeared simple, after years of doing business and inheriting his adoptive parents’ assets, they still had several hundred taels of silver saved up.

Several hundred taels of silver was no small sum. With that in mind, Grandma Evans’s attitude toward Arthur Evans’s family improved considerably, and she arranged for them to temporarily stay in the house that used to belong to the second son.

Arthur Evans said, "Mother, if we stay at Second Brother’s place, what about him? By the way, why haven’t I seen Second Brother around?"

Grandma Evans replied vaguely, "Don’t mention it. The second son had a hard life—he died of illness years ago, leaving behind a wife who didn’t behave properly and a daughter with sticky fingers. We drove them out. Sigh, such misfortune for our family! Arthur, let me tell you, don’t have anything to do with the second son’s wife and her family. Those two women are no good."

Arthur Evans’s return caused a small stir in Clearwater Village, but things soon settled down. Only a few young wives teased Grandma Evans when they saw her, saying, "Oh, isn’t this the mother of the rich merchant? When are you getting a maid? Why are you still living in a mud-brick house? Shouldn’t your wealthy son build you a nice house with green tiles and blue bricks?"

At that moment, Grandma Evans’s face flushed red with embarrassment. She snapped, "What do you know! My Arthur has plenty of money, but we don’t flaunt our wealth. You ignorant women wouldn’t understand!"

The only ones in the village who weren’t affected were Lily Evans’s family, who lived on the very edge of the village.

"Cluck, cluck, cluck!" Lily Evans stood in the yard feeding the chickens, while Lucky bent over the coop, happily pulling out three eggs. He turned and said, "Honey, our chickens laid three more eggs today!"

"Good job! Keep laying those eggs!" Lily Evans praised the hens, and they ran about the yard, clucking with delight. "Lucky, we’ll each get one egg today. I’ll make tea eggs for us."

"Is this the Evans house?"

Lily Evans looked up and saw Mrs. Wang carrying a basket, followed by Mrs. Charlotte Evans.

Mrs. Wang greeted them with a smile, "Lily, you’re busy as always! I brought some fresh eggs. Mrs. Charlotte Evans stopped by to see you too."

Mrs. Charlotte Evans smiled shyly, "I baked some pastries at home and thought I’d bring a few for you to try."

Lily Evans welcomed them warmly, "You’re too kind, Mrs. Charlotte. Come in, both of you!"

Mrs. Wang and Mrs. Charlotte Evans entered the house, chatting and laughing, while Lily Evans quickly tidied up the table and poured tea for her guests.

The three women sat together, their conversation light and cheerful, filling the small house with warmth.