Old Man Zhang and his family had recently been living in their uncle’s house. The situation in their uncle’s home was also far from reassuring. Their son had died while the daughter-in-law ran away with their grandson. His two daughters had been married off and his land had also been won over by a squire. The old uncle, now a half-dead man, would lie on the clay-stove all day, only occasionally going over to his brothers’ homes to have meals together. His life was spent rather meaninglessly.
The old Zhang family moved in without any problems given the circumstances. However, not only did they have to serve their old uncle this month, but they also had to take care of daily expenses. How could the life-saving amount of two taels of silver be enough to cover their spendings? They also had to spend some ten copper-cash for their uncle’s trip to the doctor’s and buy his medicine. Their days were getting more and more distressing.
Zhang Tieyuan was sitting by the window as he gazed out at the snowy sky, his expression not revealing his thoughts. Zhang Tiezhu noticed his father’s state and shouted, “Dad!
“I haven’t touched a drop of alcohol at all these few days.”
Seeing that Zhang Tieyuan had returned to his senses, Zhang Tiezhu hurriedly added, “You didn’t gamble either.” Zhang Tiezhu somehow felt that his father who had lost everything had also aged 10 years in just a month.
“I, I’ve thought about it. I won’t gamble anymore, so that we can spend our days peacefully.” Zhang Tieyuan was feeling a lot of guilt in his heart which was why he now said this very unconfidently.
Zhang Caixia, who had just walked through the door, glanced at her father-in-law’s frightened appearance and was so angry she spat, “It’s easy to say that we’re just living peacefully. Do you really plan on living under someone else’s roof forever? Dad! We don’t even have a house, we’ve lost everything. How can we even start over? Our home has been ruined by you.”
The usually aggressive Zhang Tieyuan did not dare to retort as he was scolded by his daughter-in-law at this moment. He lowered his head silently.
He abruptly changed the subject after a moment of pause, “You, when do the both of you plan on having grandchildren?”
“Forget it!!” Zhang Tiezhu had not even said anything but it was the furious Madam Zhang who replied first. Zhang Caixia wiped her tears, saying, “Why would we be having children when we can’t even feed or clothe ourselves now, Dad! Have you gone mad? Do you think we are not miserable enough? If we have a child, what is the baby going to eat or drink? Where will they live? Don’t tell me you want them to live like us, under the charity of others?”
Once again, Zhang Tieyuan fell silent.
Typically, Zhang Tiezhu would give his wife a stern word when she vented her frustration on her father-in-law. However, Zhang Tiezhu was also silent now. He let his wife curse his father out.
Zhang Cuiyun walked in and noticed his father and sister-in-law’s miserable appearance. She walked up to them and suggested through gritted teeth, “Dad, why don’t we go home and beg Eleventh Daughter. We can cut off our hands and then get our house back.”
Zhang Tieyuan’s eyes shone for a moment.
Madam Zhang was unexpectedly silent.
Zhang Tiezhu had also fallen into deep contemplation.
They began to seriously consider this possibility.
…
Qi Qingyao heard from Si Jin that it was only a few more days before the house was complete. Si Jin and Jiang Yeqian had been bringing the children into the village these few days. Xiaobao was left alone at home as he learned his words. As for Qi Qingyao, she had been sprawled on the bed sleeping! According to her, she needed to seriously contemplate her next step in life.
Seeing his mother sleeping through the entire day, Xiaobao was very worried. “Could Mommy have gotten sick?’
She was always sleeping till noon! Then she would grab all kinds of tools and also wood and iron to work on god knows what in the corner of the room at night.
Xiaobao, who had been learning and practicing his words, turned around and saw Qi Qingyao just getting up and changing her clothes. His eyes were watery and he rather pedantically frowned and said, “Mommy, you don’t sleep at night and can never wake up in the day. It’s not good for your body.”
Qi Qingyao did not know whether to laugh or cry about the fact that she had gotten this little baby worried about her…