Uncle Charles Returns

That day, Lily Evans had just returned from Savory House, beaming with delight as she clutched her monthly dividend—five hundred and sixty taels of silver, no less.

"Lucky, Manager Zhang said my private recipes are about to launch in over a dozen other branches! When that happens, our dividends will be several times what they are now! Oh, our family is going to be future real estate tycoons, future millionaires!" Lily Evans hugged her silver, already plotting out her dream house.

Lucky suddenly said, "Lily, I heard from the villagers that your Uncle Charles Evans is coming back."

"What? Mom, I have a fourth uncle?" Lily Evans stared wide-eyed at Margaret Evans, utterly incredulous. "Isn't it just Dad and his two brothers in the Evans family? How come I never heard of a fourth uncle?"

Margaret Evans sighed, glancing in the direction of the village, her expression full of hesitation and words left unsaid.

For days now, the whole village had been in a frenzy—word was that the Evans family's youngest son, stolen away by kidnappers as a child, had finally been found and was coming home to reclaim his place. Rumor had it he'd struck it rich in business and become a true tycoon. The villagers all said the Evans family was about to welcome a wealthy son and soar to new heights! He hadn't even set foot in the village yet, but carts loaded with gifts had already filled the Evans courtyard to the brim. Supposedly, Uncle Charles Evans and his wife would be bringing their children home any day now for a grand reunion.

Margaret Evans had just opened her mouth to say something to Lily Evans when she saw Helen Parker, arm-in-arm with May Parker, striding toward their yard.

"What are you here for?" Lily Evans shot Helen Parker and May Parker a glare, her tone prickly. These two never came for anything good.

"Lily Evans, did you hear? Your Uncle Charles Evans is coming home for a reunion!" Helen Parker boasted, her face practically glowing with pride. "His business is huge—he's rolling in money! He hasn't even arrived yet, and the gifts he sent are already piling up so high there's barely room in the yard. Just wait until he gets here—who knows how much silver he'll give us to spend!"

"And what does that have to do with me?" Lily Evans couldn't care less about this so-called uncle's fortune. Please, she was the real hidden tycoon here—the money-making expert!

Helen Parker curled her lip, her voice sharp and mocking. "Look at other people—when they get money, they know to share it with their family. But you? You hit the jackpot and clutch your silver like a miser, not giving the Evans family a single coin. And what happened? All your silver went down the drain! Serves you right! If you'd just handed it over to us to spend, none of this would’ve happened. Now your family’s broke, Lily Evans—penniless! If you want to turn things around, maybe you should beg me a little. I could go back and put in a good word with your Uncle Charles Evans, let you soak up some of his good fortune. Your fourth uncle’s a real big shot now! I hear his mansion in the city is so huge, you could walk around all day and still not see the end of it!"

May Parker puffed up with pride, backing her mother up. "Lily Evans, let me give you a piece of advice—be smart while you still can. There’s still time to curry favor with us. Otherwise, when Uncle Charles Evans comes back and finds out how unfilial you are, don’t blame us when you don’t get a single copper from him!"

Lily Evans let out a scornful laugh, grabbed her chicken-herding stick, and started shooing Helen Parker and May Parker toward the gate. "Out, out, out! I don’t need to cozy up to anyone, and I sure don’t need you two coming here to disgust me. Move it!"

Helen Parker spat back, "You don’t know a good thing when it’s handed to you! We’re giving you a chance out of kindness, and you still refuse. Just wait till we strike it rich—you’ll be so jealous your eyes turn red! When you come crying and begging, don’t expect us to lift a finger for you!"

Just as Helen Parker and May Parker were basking in their own triumph, Grandma Evans came striding over, her face stormy. She barked, "Helen! May! What are you two doing here? Get yourselves home, now! Didn’t I just tell you today—not to come pestering Lily Evans for no reason? Does everything I say go in one ear and out the other?"

Lily Evans blinked, utterly taken aback. Grandma Evans was actually defending her? Was the sun rising in the west today? Something was definitely off—Grandma Evans had never taken her side before. Lily’s mind raced, suspicion bubbling up.

Lily sniffed, her eyes narrowing. Strange things never happen without a reason—there's got to be something fishy going on! This business is definitely not as simple as it looks!