Uncle Arthur Breaks Ties with the Evans Family

"How could we possibly stay there any longer?" Mrs. Charlotte Evans gave a self-deprecating smile. "Ever since Arthur found out the truth about his childhood, we've been planning to move out of the Evans family home. Anyway, Arthur isn't registered as an Evans by household, so there's no talk of dividing the family property. The house was built for us, and the money was given, so we've repaid the kindness of the Evans elders."

"That's true. It's good that Uncle Arthur and Aunt Charlotte have come to terms with it." Lily Evans nodded. Arthur Evans was adopted by another family and registered under their household, so his connection to the Evans elders was only by blood. Technically, Arthur Evans wasn't considered an Evans.

The two fell silent for a moment. Lily Evans looked at Mrs. Charlotte Evans's profile and said, "Aunt Charlotte, now that the Evans family has cleaned out everything you had, if you need anything, just let me know. My family is small, so when Uncle Arthur returns, you could stay with us for now. When you want to build your own house, you can move out. My mother loves her little golden beans so much, I doubt she'd want to part with your twins."

Mrs. Charlotte Evans blinked, staring at Lily Evans seriously. "Lily, are you sure? You're really willing to take us in?"

Lily Evans laughed heartily and took Mrs. Charlotte Evans's hand. "Of course I am! I've finally got an aunt as gentle as a fairy, and siblings as adorable as golden children and jade girls—how could I not be thrilled?"

With Lily Evans joking around like this, Mrs. Charlotte Evans felt much better. She brushed her hair aside and said, "We've been eating, living, and using your things these past few days. I feel bad for troubling you so much."

Lily Evans knew Mrs. Charlotte Evans wasn't someone who took advantage of others. She couldn't accept kindness without giving something back, so Lily said, "Aunt Charlotte, didn't you say Uncle Arthur used to do business? To be honest, I've bought a few shops in town. The location isn't great right now, but in three or four months, it'll be prime real estate. If you don't mind, you can use my shops to start your business. We won't talk about rent for now, just write me an IOU. You've run a business before, so I trust you won't lose money—you'll be able to pay back the rent eventually."

A few days later, Arthur Evans returned from town. He went to the Evans family home but couldn't find his wife and children. After asking around the village, he discovered that his own mother had nearly driven his son and daughter to their deaths.

Arthur Evans went straight to Lily Evans's house. The man’s eyes were red, and he nearly knelt down to Lily to thank her for saving his wife and children.

"No need to be so formal—we're family!" Lily Evans brushed it off and quickly pulled Arthur Evans up. "Uncle Arthur, are you trying to shorten my lifespan with all this bowing?"

Arthur Evans gradually calmed down, realizing he had been too impulsive just now.

Mrs. Charlotte Evans and Arthur Evans spent the afternoon in their room. Lily Evans knew the couple had things to discuss, so she asked Mrs. Gold to prepare a good meal, and the whole family enjoyed dinner together.

When evening fell and the lamps were lit, Mrs. Charlotte Evans knocked on the door of Lily Evans and Margaret Evans, calling the mother and daughter over. It seemed there was something important to discuss.

"Lily, I've told your uncle everything." Mrs. Charlotte Evans took Lily's hand, referring to Lily's plan to take them in and lend them a shop to start a business.

Lily Evans smiled at Uncle Arthur and Aunt Charlotte. "If you don't have enough capital, I'll put some in as an investment."

After all, Lily Evans thought Arthur Evans's family was quite capable in business. Otherwise, they wouldn't have been able to put together several hundred taels of silver to help the Evans family build their house. Whether they earned much or little didn't matter to Lily—her main goal was to help Uncle Arthur's family get back on their feet. After all, there were still Jack and Jill, and she couldn't let the little ones go hungry.

Uncle Arthur's expression shifted, complicated emotions flickering across his face. At last, he sighed and looked at his niece. "Ah, Second Brother is lucky—he married a good wife and has a wonderful daughter."

"Uncle Arthur, you're not so bad yourself!" Lily Evans grinned and linked arms with Mrs. Charlotte Evans. The two had grown closer these days; with only a few years between them, they were almost like sisters.

Mrs. Charlotte Evans blushed and pinched Uncle Arthur lightly. "I'm asking you to talk business with Margaret and Lily, not to spout nonsense!"

Uncle Arthur listened to his wife, chuckled, and lowered his voice mysteriously. "Margaret, Lily, we're here tonight to lay everything on the table."

Lay everything on the table? Lily Evans and Margaret Evans exchanged glances. Arthur Evans's family had already been cleaned out—what secrets could they possibly have left?