[Gold Powder GL] True Elegance Comes with Knowledge - Chapter 21

When a child has a fever, it can be a minor issue—or a serious one. Fortunately, the child was brought in just in time. After receiving an IV, the condition stabilized.

The woman finally relaxed a little and expressed endless gratitude to Yan Hui, even almost kneeling on the spot, which startled Yan Hui enough to quickly lead the others away. The hospital ward was still relatively empty, so they didn’t have to worry about being kicked out late at night.

On the way home, Yan Hui kept thinking about what she could do to help these people.

She had never considered such matters before, since she was still facing countless problems herself. But now, it seemed she could start thinking about it. Individual strength might be limited, but someone has to do something—helping even one person counts.

The other two people in the car remained silent. Situations like this were common in these times, yet encountering it firsthand still made them feel wistful and heavy-hearted.

The car drove quietly until it reached the Leng residence.

Qingqiu helped Mrs. Leng out of the car, then turned back to speak to Yan Hui.

“Be careful on your way back,” she said with a gentle smile, standing by the driver’s window. “If you go to the hospital tomorrow, remember to bring me along.”

Yan Hui was momentarily surprised, then smiled, “I won’t forget.”

Only then did Qingqiu seem satisfied. She stepped back a few paces and watched her leave. She wasn’t able to keep pace with Yan Hui just yet, but it didn’t matter. Whatever Yan Hui did, Qingqiu would follow. One day, she would catch up and walk beside her.

The next day was the weekend, so no school. Yan Hui came early to pick up Qingqiu by car, and together they went to the hospital.

The woman seemed surprised and delighted to see them again. She hurried over, looking a bit awkward and hesitant, wanting to say something but unsure how. She opened and closed her mouth several times before finally just inviting them inside.

Yan Hui was patient, first confirming that the child was fine, then asking about their living situation.

The woman became tense immediately, nervously rubbing the hem of her clothes with her fingers but forced herself to speak.

There wasn’t much special about their situation—just poverty. The head of the household worked as a rickshaw puller; the woman washed clothes for others. They managed to get by barely, but every penny earned had to be split in two, so saving money was impossible.

The child had actually started feeling unwell a few days earlier, but with their circumstances, they had no extra money for medical care and had to endure it. Most times, the fever would pass with time; if not, well, that was fate.

But as the child’s fever worsened and confusion set in, the mother couldn’t bear it. She bit her lip and took the only two silver dollars they had, carrying the child out the door. In her haste, she stumbled and fell right outside.

At that moment, she nearly broke down. She knew two silver dollars wouldn’t cover anything—not a doctor’s visit. Under the car’s headlights, she even thought about giving up entirely.
Yet unexpectedly, the tides turned and kind strangers came to help.

At this point, the woman wiped away tears again.

Yan Hui comforted her for a while before asking about their daily life. This was a world Yan Hui had never experienced or understood before—not only her, but Qingqiu as well. Though Qingqiu’s family often struggled financially, they still rented an independent courtyard, could afford servants, and sent her to school.

They were still considered a respectable family. Neither of them had ever seen the harsh reality of the poorest people.

True poverty meant all efforts and struggles were just to “survive.” Their situation was like autumn’s withered grass—no matter how deeply rooted, a bone-chilling wind could carry many away.

Compared to the heaviness weighing on Yan Hui and Qingqiu, the woman quickly pulled herself out of her low mood and began sharing amusing stories from the neighborhood.

Though Yan Hui had formed some ideas, she didn’t want to reveal them before any plans came to fruition. If something went wrong later, it would only be a false hope.

After leaving the hospital, Yan Hui was distracted until Qingqiu suddenly exclaimed in surprise, “Isn’t that Jin’s eldest brother’s wife?”

Yan Hui looked in the direction Qingqiu pointed and saw Peifang stepping out of a small car. More awkwardly, Peifang looked up and caught Yan Hui’s gaze—there was no pretending she hadn’t seen her now.
The two women had no choice but to approach and greet her.

Peifang’s expression was a little uneasy but quickly masked by a smile. “What brings you here…?”

Yan Hui briefly explained what had happened the night before. Peifang listened closely, unconsciously resting her right hand on her lower abdomen. “She was lucky to meet you. Is the child alright now?”
“Yes, fine now,” Yan Hui replied. “We just came to check and will be leaving soon.”

She had guessed why Peifang was here and assumed she wouldn’t want them to know everything, so she didn’t press for details. As they were about to say goodbye, Peifang said, “It’s been a while since we last met. Why don’t you come visit sometime? We even talked about you at a gathering the other day.”

Yan Hui smiled politely. “We’ve been busy with schoolwork, haven’t had the time.”

Then Peifang remembered both of them were preparing for the Peking University entrance exams and smiled, “Makes sense, important things come first. But since we’re meeting by chance, let me treat you to a meal.”

Qingqiu glanced nervously at the hospital, then at Peifang.

Peifang said, “It’s alright, the hospital won’t run away, and I’m not in a rush.” Then she added, “I know a nearby garden with beautiful scenery and a good restaurant inside. Let’s go there,” and promptly pulled both of them into the car.

Qingqiu got in, uneasy as she looked at Yan Hui. It was obvious she was uncomfortable with Peifang’s overly enthusiastic attitude.

Yan Hui gently patted her hand in reassurance.

Compared to a bewildered Qingqiu, Yan Hui had a faint inkling of what was going on.

Life had been too stable lately, and she hadn’t thought much about the original plot of The Story of the Jin Family. After all, Qingqiu had completely severed ties with the Jin family and would no longer be involved in those affairs. But judging by the timeline, Qingqiu’s marriage to Yanxi was already being arranged, while the lives of Yanxi’s three elder brothers were beginning to show cracks.

It’s worth noting that although readers generally view Yanxi and Qingqiu as the main couple, the real focus of The Story of the Jin Family is the Jin family itself. The entire book revolves around this grand “Jin Powder Family” — parents, children, masters, servants, wives, and concubines—all included.

Yanxi’s eldest brother, Jin Fengju, Peifang’s husband, was a major figure in the story.

By this time, he had grown tired of going home and had taken a new lover, spending heavily on a separate residence. Peifang had just discovered she was pregnant and learned why her husband rarely returned home, planning a major confrontation.

Her sudden invitation to Yan Hui and Qingqiu was probably because she had no one else to confide in or vent to.

Everyone in the Jin family had their own interests and positions and would never side with her. Living in such an environment was inevitably suffocating. Yan Hui and Qingqiu, as outsiders unrelated to the Jin family, at least provided some relief—even if they couldn’t hear the full truth.

Sure enough, shortly after sitting down, Peifang’s conversation turned to the Jin brothers. She sighed, “We all thought Miss Leng would become part of our family, given how close she and Yanxi were.”

Qingqiu instinctively glanced at Yan Hui. Because it was true, she could never face this topic calmly—especially now that she was becoming more aware of her own feelings and wanted to avoid mentioning it around Yan Hui.

“Peifang, you’re joking,” Yan Hui said, gently glancing at Qingqiu with a neutral tone. “Such things are fine to say in front of us, but if others overhear, it might cause misunderstandings.”

Peifang was startled and gave a self-mocking smile. “Yeah, the Jin family isn’t exactly a good one. Not everyone wants to marry in. Besides, men are all the same. Before marriage, they’re sincere, but what happens after? You two seem better off…”

By the end, she genuinely envied Yan Hui and Qingqiu.

Only unmarried girls at this age could be so frank and resolute—once married, you’re no longer yourself.

When Yan Hui read the original book, she sympathized deeply with Peifang and wanted to shake her and urge her to divorce. But having actually stepped into this world, such words were harder to say aloud.

Instead, she advised, “This is a new society now. If you feel men can’t be relied on, then leave them behind and rely on yourself.”

Peifang smiled bitterly. “Things aren’t that simple.”

Yan Hui said, “I think you’re overcomplicating it. When someone finds one foot stuck in the mud, the right move is to pull that foot out and go around. Not stay and fight with the mud. Even if you stir the mud up, making everything messy, how does that help you? You’ll only end up covered in dirt.”

Peifang’s hand clenched into a fist under the table, nails digging into her palm.

If she weren’t sure Yan Hui knew nothing, she’d think she was being scolded directly.

She was smart enough to sober up and clearly see her situation, but another emotion tangled inside her, preventing her from letting go so easily.

She murmured, “But people with one foot stuck in the mud often… can’t bear to give up.”

“So, what if you can’t bear it?” Yan Hui said. “That’s just a gambler’s mindset. Because they’ve invested so much, they think they still have a chance to recover, but the result is losing everything. Only by cutting losses early and ending the game can you keep what’s left.”

Peifang stared blankly at Yan Hui. She actually understood this logic but always held onto hope that she could still win.

But in her current situation, even if she “won,” what would it mean?

To her, “winning” meant reclaiming her husband and beating the other woman. But a broken mirror can never be fully restored. Even if forced back together, the cracks remain. Besides, if this time she “won,” would she keep fighting next time?

She was confused about why she even wanted to fight in the first place.