Yang Qiu heard about Yang Xiaocui’s upcoming birthday but didn’t really react.

Even though she’s older than Yang Xiaocui, since Yang Xiaocui is to marry her fourth brother, that makes her a junior in this situation. Considering it’s her birthday, a junior has no obligation to express anything.

She just said, "Well, you should ask Aunt Lan Hua to make you a bowl of longevity noodles."

Upon hearing Yang Qiu’s comment, Yang Xiaocui felt a bit awkward. Her mother doesn’t care about her birthday, and even if she does remember, there won’t be any longevity noodles, since white noodles cost money, they’re expensive, and her mother wouldn’t splurge.

She barely managed to pull out a smile and said, "My mom wouldn’t remember."

Seeing her expression and hearing her tone, Yang Qiu felt a deep sense of pity for Yang Xiaocui.

Her tone was clearly filled with helplessness. Yang Qiu thought about it, Aunt Lan Hua has starved Yang Xiaocui enough to cause problems, so it’s likely she doesn’t treat her well either.

In fact, she used to be just like Yang Xiaocui, often going hungry, working more than anyone else, eating less than everyone else, and frequently enduring beatings.

At least Yang Xiaocui is Aunt Lan Hua’s biological child and wouldn’t suffer beatings like she did, living a much better life than hers.

Thinking about this, Yang Qiu saw her past self in Yang Xiaocui, and her heart mysteriously softened.

At this point, Yang Xiaocui seemed to be adjusting the atmosphere, deliberately changing the subject. She looked up at the silver hairpin Yang Qiu was wearing and said, "Yang Qiu, your hairpin is really beautiful. It must be expensive."

"I don’t know what it’s worth; it was bought by my third sister-in-law for us. Both Sister-in-law and Second Sister-in-law have one," Yang Qiu replied.

Yang Xiaocui’s eyes showed a look of envy as she said, "That’s really great."

After that, she said nothing more.

But Yang Qiu clearly saw the disappointment in Yang Xiaocui’s eyes and, noticing the wooden hairpin on her head, she seemed to understand something.

She took off the silver hairpin from her head and handed it to Yang Xiaocui, "Here, take it as a birthday gift."

Yang Xiaocui was overjoyed inside, even though she didn’t know the exact value of the hairpin, she thought it must be worth at least three taels, but she restrained herself. She knew she shouldn’t accept it at this moment, or Yang Qiu might think she and her mother are people obsessed with money.

She quickly declined, "How can I take it? I don’t deserve such an expensive item, and besides, it was bought by your third sister-in-law. You should wear it. After all, you will be my little sister-in-law soon. There’s no reason to take from my sister-in-law. If your fourth brother finds out, he will surely criticize me."

As she spoke, she quickly placed the hairpin back on Yang Qiu’s head, firmly indicating that she couldn’t accept it.

Seeing this, Yang Qiu didn’t insist further; she didn’t really want to give the hairpin to Yang Xiaocui.

Taking off the hairpin was just a test. Although she saw her own reflection in Yang Xiaocui and felt she was quite pitiful, when Yang Xiaocui brought up the silver hairpin on her head, she realized they were not the same.

For people like them who are poor, meeting someone with a stark contrast in wealth, it’s uncommon to specifically mention the expensive items they have, as it can create the illusion of desire, regardless of the intent. This can be very annoying to the other party.