Chapter 2: Grandma's Approval
1050 Words
A chill ran through Moon's heart.
In the past, Joan had caught her off guard by asking whether she had brought a gift. Flustered and unable to respond, Moon had only made a poor impression on the old lady, causing her to dislike her even more.
But this time, she had come prepared.
With a smile, Moon stepped away from the old lady and turned toward Joan.
"I did bring a gift," she said.
As she spoke, she opened her bag and took out a transparent box containing a jade stone.
Olivia immediately covered her mouth and laughed.
"Sister, you brought a fake jade for Grandma?"
The guests instantly looked down on Moon.
How dare she present a fake jade as a gift?
Olivia quickly added fuel to the fire.
"Sister, if you couldn't afford a proper gift, you shouldn't have brought one at all. How can you use a fake jade to please Grandma?"
Several guests joined in.
"That's right, Moon. Even if you've spent years in the hospital, giving a fake jade as a gift is far too careless."
"Using something like that as a present is simply ridiculous!"
Hearing the criticism, the old lady frowned slightly but still said,
"Even if it's fake, it's still a gift from the heart. Besides, I've always liked jade."
Moon shook her head.
"Grandma, this isn't fake jade. It's Imperial Jade, one of the rarest types in existence."
"Imperial Jade?"
The old lady accepted the box in surprise and examined it carefully.
At that moment, one of the guests who had mocked Moon scoffed.
"Imperial Jade? Are you serious? Trying to pass off fake jade as a priceless treasure? Do you think we're all fools?"
The old lady's expression darkened.
"Moon, even if you had brought me fake jade, I would still appreciate the thought. But you shouldn't lie. The thing I hate most in life is dishonesty."
Moon frowned.
"Grandma, I'm not lying. This really is Imperial Jade. I spent all of my savings to buy it."
"Enough!"
Joan slammed her hand on the table.
"Moon, stop lying. We have a gemologist in the family. Your lies will be exposed sooner or later."
She narrowed her eyes.
"Tell the truth. Is it real or not?"
Moon's face darkened.
"I'm not lying."
The old lady carefully observed her expression and couldn't help wavering.
Finally, she said,
"Call the gemologist."
"Mom..." Joan whispered nervously. "You don't actually believe her, do you?"
The old lady closed her eyes.
"I don't like repeating myself."
If Moon was truly lying, then she would admit that her judgment had been wrong.
But if Moon was telling the truth, she would protect this child in the future.
Soon, the family's gemologist arrived.
Before anyone could explain the situation, his eyes widened.
He stared at the jade and began trembling.
"Imperial Jade...!"
He pointed at the stone in shock.
"My heavens! I can't believe I'm seeing genuine Imperial Jade in my lifetime! What incredible luck!"
The room instantly fell silent.
Especially Joan, Olivia, and the guest who had mocked Moon.
Their faces turned bright red with embarrassment.
Who would have thought that a gift from a supposedly country-bred girl would turn out to be genuine Imperial Jade?
Olivia still refused to believe it.
"Sir, are you certain? Could it be a convincing imitation?"
The gemologist frowned.
"Third Miss, I might mistake my own mother before I mistake Imperial Jade."
His voice trembled with excitement.
"It's every gemologist's dream to see a piece like this. How could I possibly be wrong?"
Joan reacted quickly.
Stepping forward, she grabbed Moon's hand and apologized with apparent sincerity.
"I'm sorry, Moon. We misunderstood you."
Moon remained silent.
Her eyes were fixed on the old lady.
A trace of guilt appeared on the old lady's face.
Even she had doubted Moon moments earlier.
Finally, she sighed.
"I'm sorry, Moon. Grandma shouldn't have doubted you. It won't happen again."
Moon smiled gently.
"It's alright, Grandma. Imperial Jade is extremely rare. It's normal that you didn't recognize it. I won't take it personally."
The old lady's eyes softened.
Then she removed the necklace around her neck and placed it around Moon's.
"You gave Grandma such a precious gift, yet I have nothing worthy enough to repay you. This necklace was part of my dowry many years ago. Take it."
Moon immediately recognized it.
The necklace was made of rare Blood Jade and was worth a fortune.
The fact that the old lady was willing to give it to her meant she had finally earned her approval.
In a way, she even had Joan to thank for it.
If Joan hadn't insisted on exposing her gift, the Imperial Jade would never have been revealed.
"Thank you, Grandma."
Moon smiled sweetly, her eyes as innocent as a child's.
This was only the beginning.
Olivia stared at the necklace around Moon's neck with envy.
She had wanted that necklace for years.
Yet the old lady had given it to Moon without hesitation.
Unable to reveal her jealousy, Joan quickly changed the subject.
"It's getting chilly outside. Why are you wearing so little?"
She signaled for a servant to bring over a thick knitted scarf and wrapped it around Moon's neck.
The scarf immediately made Moon's simple outfit appear even more shabby.
Although autumn had arrived, the weather wasn't nearly cold enough for such a heavy scarf.
Joan's true intention was obvious.
She wanted Moon to feel embarrassed and inferior.
Moon glanced at the scarf before suddenly smiling.
"Thank you, Mom."
She wore an expression of sincere gratitude.
The surrounding guests exchanged mocking looks.
To them, Moon appeared naïve and unsophisticated.
Yet Moon didn't seem to care.
She carefully adjusted the scarf as though it were a priceless treasure.
The sight made her look almost ridiculous.
Joan nearly laughed out loud.
She had almost been fooled by the Imperial Jade incident.
A country bumpkin would always be a country bumpkin.
After today, every wealthy lady in Haneul City would know just how classless Moon Gray truly was.
These people loved gossip more than anything.
Thinking this, Joan calmly lifted her teacup and took a sip, concealing her victorious smile.
Just then—
Moon suddenly screamed.
She hurriedly tore the scarf from her neck and threw it onto the floor.
- Writer
