The Evil Mother-in-law: Torment Children, Work Hard, Be Rich!-Chapter 49: Strengthening the Master-Disciple Bond
Mr. Su listened to Tong Huaqiong’s candid words.
His opinion of Tong Huaqiong began to change.
This cake-selling woman didn’t speak or act as the rumors claimed.
It turned out Jingzhe wasn’t spoiled by his family; rather, he became arrogant as a child student at a young age.
The private school also bore some responsibility for not guiding him to focus on his studies.
However, cutting off Jingzhe’s educational path so abruptly seemed too harsh.
"Mr. Su, could I have a word with you?"
Tong Huaqiong noticed that the peak customer traffic had passed, and only a few pastries were left. Gu Taohua could handle it, so she invited Mr. Su aside for a conversation. 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮
"Mr. Su, you must have heard about Jingzhe’s situation with the Zheng Family of Pingchuan County." Tong Huaqiong said.
Mr. Su adjusted his hat and pondered before saying, "I’ve heard, but I think those are just rumors. Though Jingzhe is a bit boastful, he would never do something like selling his niece for a future."
Tong Huaqiong sneered, "Mr. Su, please don’t try to excuse him. These aren’t just rumors; he almost did resort to such despicable conduct."
Mr. Su was rendered speechless by Tong Huaqiong’s honesty.
"This matter, as his mother, I bear significant responsibility. Ever since his father died, I’ve been directionless, and our family, which was already not well-off, became poorer with one less breadwinner. Jingzhe’s school fees became a problem. For the sake of his studies, he was led astray easily."
"Plus, after becoming a child student and receiving praise from the scholarly administrator, he thought he was Champion Scholar material and started behaving recklessly, caring only for his future. Luckily, I found out before it was too late. Now my granddaughter is safely at home, and the money from the Zheng Family has been returned. I’ve temporarily stopped his studies."
"Going through this incident made me realize that only if I stand firm as his mother can he change. Since it’s the silver needed for studies that caused this, I’ll solve the silver problem first. I don’t know much else but can bake pastries, so I’ll start by selling them."
"I’m not telling Mr. Su this to justify anything, but to explain why Jingzhe isn’t studying, so that Mr. Su doesn’t misunderstand me as his mother, thinking I held him back. As his mother, I also hope he has a good future, but if it comes at the cost of conscience, it’s better not to have it."
Tong Huaqiong explained this to Mr. Su because she didn’t plan for Jingzhe to stop studying.
Jingzhe would eventually return to the town school, and Mr. Su’s support would be needed then.
She had to establish a good relationship with the teacher in advance.
Mr. Su, after listening to Tong Huaqiong, realized she was an insightful widow, and all the rumors were false.
"Your understanding is truly admirable, and Jingzhe is fortunate to have a mother like you. However, I must say, though Jingzhe is young and was momentarily led astray, with a mother like you to correct him, he will surely find the right path." Mr. Su said.
He sincerely believed this.
"I’m not sure about being his fortunate mother, but I’ve kept him at home farming these days so he could reflect on his mistakes, and he’s started to realize his faults. However, I think it’s not enough; I need to keep sharpening him." Tong Huaqiong said.
"He has indeed been a bit too conceited in the past two years, but youth is reckless. It’s just about how to guide him. He has talent for studies, and cutting off his educational path was a bit drastic. Take my advice: once Jingzhe sincerely reforms, let him continue his studies." Mr. Su suggested.
Tong Huaqiong nodded, "When the time comes, we’ll have to trouble you, Mr. Su."
Mr. Su nodded in agreement and took his leave.
In Tong Huaqiong’s memory, Mr. Su was a prominent figure hidden in the countryside.
In a past life, when Gu Jingzhe met Mr. Su again, Mr. Su had already become a teacher to the Crown Prince.
In that past life, Gu Jingzhe couldn’t reverse the situation of selling Man Er for prosperity, which led Mr. Su to despise him, severing their teacher-student relationship.
They later became adversaries in the court.
This time, she was determined to ensure that Gu Jingzhe would continue his studies. She didn’t want Gu Jingzhe to break ties with his mentor; on the contrary, she wanted him to solidify his relationship with Mr. Su.
With Mr. Su watching over him, Jingzhe was bound to walk straight down the path of Shunzhi.
She wouldn’t repeat Tong Dajiao’s fate.
With these thoughts, Tong Huaqiong bade farewell to Mr. Su and turned back to the stall.
While she was talking to Mr. Su, Gu Taohua had already sold most of the remaining pastries.
At this moment, Gu Taohua was enthusiastically offering samples to a group of young people with a radiant smile, trying hard to get them to taste.
Tong Huaqiong sneered.
Ah, Fan Tong had come again to pester Gu Taohua.
"Brother Fan, try some more. There’s not much left today, only Sachima and Sweet Crispy Bars. How many pieces do you want? If you think they’re good, come earlier next time."
Gu Taohua was eager to shove the tray into Fan Tong’s mouth.
"Taohua Dessert, such a lovely name. Sister Taohua smiles sweetly, and her pastries are sweet as well." Fan Tong praised Gu Taohua with sweet words.
Gu Taohua giggled at his words.
Tong Huaqiong stood coldly by, not showing any emotion.
"Sachima and Sweet Crispy Bars, how many do you want, Brother Fan?"
"Give me four of each." Fan Tong said.
"Here you go, Brother Fan."
Gu Taohua handed the wrapped Sachima and Sweet Crispy Bars to Fan Tong, and Tong Huaqiong saw that she had given two extra pieces of each.
"How much is it?" Fan Tong started to reach for his money pouch.
"Brother Fan, no need to be so formal. There’s no need for money; consider these a gift. Just help promote our pastries when you get to the school." Gu Taohua’s eyes were almost dripping with water.
"Sister Taohua, you’re too kind." Fan Tong said politely, but his hand moved away from his money pouch as he was about to take the pastries.
Tong Huaqiong quickly snatched them away.
Gu Taohua might be generous, but she wouldn’t indulge her like that.
"Sixty wen, in total." Tong Huaqiong extended her hand towards Fan Tong.
Fan Tong’s expression stiffened.
"Mother."
Gu Taohua called out softly.
Her mother was really embarrassing her.
Tong Huaqiong ignored Gu Taohua, gazing at Fan Tong with a half-smile.
Fan Tong, unable to withstand Tong Huaqiong’s gaze, reached for his money pouch again and handed sixty wen to Tong Huaqiong.
"Have a safe journey, Mr. Fan. Come again if you find it tasty." Tong Huaqiong cheerfully accepted the money and passed the pastries to Fan Tong, her smile warm and welcoming.
Fan Tong fled in embarrassment.
"Mother, do you have an issue with Brother Fan or something? Why do you always embarrass him?"
"I work so hard at this stall, can’t I give Brother Fan a few pastries?"
Gu Taohua felt both wronged and angry.
How would she ever talk to Brother Fan again?
"And you think you’re right? We’re running a business, not a charity. You give away a few pieces today, a few tomorrow; will we still be in business?"
"You know how hard it is running this stall; yet you won’t charge? Who are you trying to impress with your generosity?"
"Don’t think just because the stall is named after you, you can call the shots. I’m telling you, this stall is mine. If you ever dare give away pastries without my permission again, don’t blame me for being hard on you."
To feel wronged for a man like Fan Tong, was he even worth it?
Tong Huaqiong unleashed a torrent of reprimands, and Gu Taohua’s eyes turned red with grievance.
"Someone like Fan Tong, what kind of good man can he be? When you said you weren’t charging him, he didn’t even hesitate—he just accepted happily. I don’t think much of a man who loves to take advantage."
Tong Huaqiong firmly expressed her disapproval of Fan Tong to Gu Taohua.
Gu Taohua lowered her head in silence. After Tong Huaqiong’s remark, she herself also started to realize that Fan Tong had indeed taken things too much for granted.
But even so, she still had feelings for Fan Tong.
