Chapter 77: How Much Longer for the Buns?
Having silver naturally makes everything easier!
The doctor’s prescription came quickly, he administered the acupuncture, and the old ginseng was also used.
When Liu Sisi came to the room with the medicine around the time of the dragon-hour, she took a glance and saw that her father-in-law’s complexion had improved significantly and he no longer looked frail.
On the contrary, everyone looked tired and sleepy, and the doctor and the medicine pageboy had already gone to rest in the guest room prepared for them.
“Doctor He said that you need to receive acupuncture treatment for three consecutive days to invigorate the channels and collaterals, and you can recover slowly. So dad, just relax and recuperate well.”
Di Yelei carefully took the medicine bowl and served his father with the medicine attentively, explaining the situation softly to Elderly Mr. Di.
Elderly Mr. Di was extremely weak, and he remained silent as he sipped the medicine while leaning on his pillow.
It wasn’t until he had finished the medicine and Elderly Mr. Di fell asleep that Di Yelei and Liu Sisi left the wing room together.
The sky outside was gradually brightening, and no one was in sight.
Di Yelei stayed silent for a while before whispering, “Yesterday, I borrowed 5 taels and a half of silver from Li Wu and Zhang Peng. My mom gave out 20 taels; my second sister-in-law only gave 10 taels, saying she needed to buy the four treasures of the study for Brother Gao to attend private school. My second brother and I had a quarrel, and he only gave out 2 more taels in the end.”
Liu Sisi raised her eyebrows; was Ms. Wang planning to renege on her obligations?
“Even if they don’t want to give, forcing them won’t help. The silver to buy the old ginseng is enough, but when can all these borrowed money be repaid?”
Liu Sisi’s voice was soft and hoarse from not sleeping all night.
“We can only take it step by step, Sisi, it’s been tough on you.”
Di Yelei held Liu Sisi’s hand and sighed: “It’s because I’m useless, I couldn’t bring myself to break his leg! After all, he is my brother! I… always said I wanted to make your life better, but in the end… ”
“Don’t be silly, who can just raise their hands against someone like that!”
Liu Sisi forcefully pulled her hand back and coldly laughed: “The two children are tired too. We have pheasants and rabbits at home, and Ah-Huang and Ah-Hua were also locked up. Someone needs to take care of the pets. Why don’t you stay here, while I go back home to check on them?”
As she spoke, she turned to leave.
A resentment was gathering in her heart. How long would Di Yelei continue to be a pushover?
Just last night, she had given Ms. Wang 20 taels of silver, and now, it was gone before dawn! Who would believe that?
Giving silver for her own son’s education is more important than her father-in-law’s life?
Or is it that Di Yelei is too easy-going, hiding his own silver and borrowing money from others?
Just now at the Land Officer’s home, she was so embarrassed that she wished she could burrow into a hole!
That was 8 taels of silver!
It was agreed that the three brothers would each contribute 20 taels, but now the deal has changed!
Liu Sisi’s heart was filled with resentment, but there was nowhere to vent it.
She hated to see his honest and foolish looks!
Di Yelei also knew Liu Sisi was angry, and he quickly caught up and grabbed her arm.
On his honest and sturdy bronze-colored face, there was a look of anxiety: “Sisi, don’t be angry! I know it’s all my fault. One day, I will go hunting and earn some more silver…”
The deep and mellow voice which once made Liu Sisi feel at ease was now filled with anxiety.
“Why should you earn more silver just to fill the holes for others? Right! When your father is sick, I will give the money without hesitation, that’s the silver that should be used! But why does her family have to give so little? How does she treat you and the two children every day!”
The more Liu Sisi spoke, the angrier she became!
Doormat men are the most annoying!
“Sisi, Sisi, don’t be angry. Yesterday’s incident was just an accident…”
Di Yelei tried to explain.
“Enough! Really, enough! Haven’t you hunted enough over the years? How helpful is even more hunting? In the end? Didn’t you still end up with a buttload of debt?”
Liu Sisi forcefully shook off his arm, struggling twice without being able to break free from his grip.
“Sisi…”
Di Yelei firmly held her arm without letting go.
“Let go! I want to go home to rest!”
She stared angrily at him, her eyes filled with deep disappointment: “Mr. Land Officer said, if there’s another time, he’ll let you borrow from him yourself!”
His body shuddered slightly, and he immediately withdrew his hand, his gaze dimmed.
Standing in the distance, motionless!
Liu Sisi wanted to say something else, she moved her mouth but ultimately gave up.
If he didn’t come to his senses and understand the truth, what use was her saying more?
Forget it!
Returning to the kitchen, she picked up YingEr from the hay, woke Xuan’er, and led the two children out of the old house’s main entrance.
Even if she didn’t look back, she could feel that gaze behind her, closely following her.
As she walked far away, faint arguments and scolding from the old house continued to be heard intermittently; but all of it was not something Liu Sisi cared about at the moment!
Entering the house, Ah-Huang and Ah-Hua heard the footsteps from afar and kept barking, “Woof, woof, woof,” as they eagerly scratched at the door.
Liu Sisi pushed open the door and led the two children into the room.
“Xuan’er, you go back to sleep for a while, and when mom has cooked the dishes later, I’ll come wake you up to eat.”
Liu Sisi carried YingEr into her hut.
“Alright, mom.”
Xuan’er was truly tired, and by the time Liu Sisi settled YingEr, he had already fallen into a deep sleep.
Standing by the bed and watching Xuan’er sleep obediently, Liu Sisi let out a quiet sigh and headed for the kitchen.
Life had to go on.
She picked up the rice to make porridge but reconsidered and put the rice bag back, picking up the coarse grains from the side and making a pot of coarse grain porridge instead.
With so much silver owed, it’s better to save where you can!
Liu Sisi’s heart felt stifled, unable to vent her frustration.
Thoughts churned in her mind, that no matter what, she had to get Ms. Wang to cough up that silver.
It wasn’t about the money itself, but such momentum shouldn’t be started. Once that habit is formed, she feared that the next time, the other party would become even more increasingly ruthless.
After filling the stove with firewood, Liu Sisi went out and wandered around the front and back of the house for a moment, picking some wild vegetables.
She chose the juicy wild lettuce to dry for feeding the rabbits, washed the rest for cooking, and chopped some to feed the two wild chickens.
She scooped out a spoonful of natto to go with the cooked dishes, and once she had prepared them, she woke up the two children to eat.
The soaked natto was already savory and delicious. With wild vegetables and coarse grain porridge, Liu Sisi drank half a bowl.
Additionally, she filled a large bowl with porridge and some wild vegetables and natto, carefully placed it in a basket, and instructed Di Xuan to eat fast: “Xuan’er, take care of YingEr. Mom will bring the food to your dad. You be good at home and don’t open the door easily, alright?”
“Mom, Xuan’er knows.”
Di Xuan obediently replied.