Tan You: "That’s true. From now on, I’ll bake whenever I want. No need to hide from anyone. Besides, with Grandma running interference for me, they wouldn’t actually dare to come to our house and demand anything, would they?"

Tan Deming: "I doubt they’d have the nerve to show up. We ran into quite a few people at the supermarket today. I’d guess the whole village knows about it by now. After all, ours is the only bread oven in the village."

"Then let’s not worry about them. If they know, they know. What’s it got to do with them anyway?" Tan You didn’t dwell on it. It was hard to keep a secret in the village; everyone knew everything, no matter how private.

Everyone knew that Tan You used her bread oven to whip up tasty treats at home every few days. Those kids came to the Tan family to ask for food every single time, and the villagers probably knew that too. But the fact that their parents could play dumb and pretend not to know was quite telling.

A normal family would at least say "thank you" if someone gave their child a gift. But these families were something else—they actually had the gall to blame the giver. It just goes to show, it really takes all sorts to make a world. How true.

Pushing these frustrations aside, Tan You paid them no more mind. With her grandma running interference, those people wouldn’t dare show up at their door. The only difference was that when those kids came over later, Tan You no longer gave them any little bread rolls or small cakes. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

Wang Hunv was the most pleased. "You shouldn’t have given them anything in the first place. Our stuff doesn’t grow on trees."

Tan You smiled. "I won’t be giving them any more. There’s a pastry shop in town. If they really want some, they can go buy it there."

Wang Hunv: "Exactly. Who doesn’t have an electric scooter these days? It’s just us. Your grandpa has that electric tricycle, but it’s a shame you don’t know how to ride it."

’Of course I know how,’ Tan You thought. ’I just haven’t let on. Back in Ji Li’s world, she’d unlocked just about every driving skill there was, aside from piloting trains and planes. Heck, she could even drive a tractor and a combine harvester.’

She could even drive a tractor and a combine harvester, how about that?

Moving on, Tan You checked the time. "Aren’t you going to the big market today? I thought I heard you say you wanted to buy a large, flat-bottomed basket."

Wang Hunv: "Of course we’re going. Your grandpa’s coming with me. The basket’s too big to fit on a bicycle."

Tan You got it. "So you’ll ride with Grandpa on the way there, and I’ll give you a ride back on the bicycle?"

"Yep, I’ve got it all figured out," Wang Hunv said, perfectly composed. "You’ve been cooped up at home all this time. You should get out more."

Tan You couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow. ’Did Grandma have a change of heart?’ she thought. ’The old tigress actually knows how to show concern for someone?’

And that wasn’t all. Just as they were about to leave, Wang Hunv stuffed five yuan into Tan You’s hand. "Buy yourself something if you see anything you like."

Tan You was a little surprised and shot a look at Tan Deming. "What’s gotten into her? I can’t remember Grandma ever giving me money before."

Tan Deming smiled. "I told her you’d be the one to take care of me in my old age. I’m guessing she’s thinking the same thing."

Tan You understood. ’So Grandma’s trying to get on my good side ahead of time?’ But if her grandma was always this sensible, Tan You really wouldn’t mind taking care of the old couple.

After all, while her grandma hadn’t been particularly good to her, she was truly good to her grandpa. In the future, her grandma could look after her grandpa, which would free her up to do her own thing.

Tan You: "Doesn’t she dote on my dad the most?"

"She doesn’t get along with your mom," Tan Deming said, his eyes narrowing. "Your mom has it pretty tough, and your grandma isn’t nice to her. I guess your grandma knows that if she lives with your dad in the future, she probably won’t have much peace and quiet."

"But being with you is different," Tan Deming said with a broad smile. "Everyone feels at ease around you."

Tan You laughed too. "As long as she doesn’t try to walk all over me."

"You’re not the type to be a pushover, either," Tan Deming said, well aware of Tan You’s temperament. "I’ve noticed your grandma is pretty well-behaved around you. She actually listens when you talk."

"Maybe," Tan You said, dropping the subject. "Let’s go. I remember the last time we went to the big market, Grandma wanted to buy some of that braised meat but couldn’t bring herself to spend the money, so we ended up making it ourselves at home."

Just then, Wang Hunv came out, all ready to go. "Let’s buy some more meat to make when we get back. It’s been a while since I’ve had braised pig’s head."

Tan You and Tan Deming exchanged a glance, and both of them broke into laughter.

Tan Deming: "I knew it. I already spoke to the butcher yesterday afternoon. Today, we’re buying a whole pig’s head..."

A smile immediately spread across Wang Hunv’s face. To be honest, her grandma was really easy to please, even if she was a bit of a handful. Okay, not just a bit—a real piece of work.

Seeing Tan You pushing Wang Hunv’s bicycle, Tan Deming suddenly said, "How about we buy you a bicycle of your own? When you go back to school, you can’t be expected to walk, can you?"

Tan You was tempted but still refused. "No need. Grandpa, don’t you know a lot of people? Let’s just buy a used one."

She added with a small smile, "School isn’t exactly a peaceful place. Some of the other students..."

She only had to start the sentence for Tan Deming to understand immediately. "Alright, I’ll ask around for you. A used bicycle should be easy enough to find."

Tan You said no more. She could get by using Wang Hunv’s bicycle during the summer break, but once she started high school, she would need her own transportation.

It was impossible to expect her own parents to think of this. In their eyes, the family already had a bicycle, so why buy another? To them, it was just a waste of money.

Wang Hunv didn’t argue, since used was always cheaper than new. She pursed her lips. "Your grandpa is so good to you. You’d better remember how good he is."

And remember me, too, of course. She didn’t say the words out loud, but both Tan Deming and Tan You understood.

Tan Deming shook his head, and Tan You chuckled. "Of course I’ll remember how good Grandpa is. Let’s get going. We should go early before it gets too crowded."

The three of them—grandparent and grandchild—set off together, running into quite a few villagers along the way. After all, the big market was the main place for many people to do their shopping, especially for agricultural supplies.

Watching Tan You pedal alongside them, Wang Hunv suddenly asked, "Have you lost weight? You’ve got a waist now."

Tan You was nonchalant. "I guess so. My clothes feel a little bigger."

Wang Hunv: "I remember there’s a pig market next to the main market. They have a platform scale there. Why don’t you go weigh yourself later?"

Tan You’s face twisted. "You want me to weigh myself on a scale for weighing pigs? Am I a piglet? I’m pretty sure they sell the little pigs at the market by the pound, right?"

Tan Deming, who was driving the tricycle, suddenly burst out laughing, clearly amused by their conversation.

Wang Hunv said indignantly, "I’m just telling you to go weigh yourself, I’m not saying you’re a pig. A scale is for weighing things, that’s all. You can see how much weight you’ve lost."

Tan You: "I don’t know how much weight I’ve lost, because I don’t even know how much I weighed before. I’m not weighing myself. What if I’m still too heavy and people start talking? I have my pride, you know."

Tan Deming managed to stop laughing. "That’s true. The big market is always bustling with people. If you really want to know later, you could go to the butcher’s stall. They have a scale, too. Just pick a time when there aren’t many people around."