Chapter 27

Han Qiao lifted the curtain for one last look at the grocery store.

She swore in her heart that one day, she would let the Sun family have a taste of what it was like to live in misery.

She would let the world know that she, Han Qiao, was not a person who could be pushed around.

If she was showing weakness now, it was only because she as of yet had no real leverage.

They left Ninghe town and headed toward Xishan Village.

Overhead, the sun was blindingly bright. Everyone was very happy, especially Sun Xiu, Sun Yi and Sun Ke. They were all smiling. Along the way, they found a nook tucked away in the mountains and rivers to rest for a while. There they took out the steamed buns, steamed buns, sliced pork liver and pig intestines.

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They called over the three drivers and invited them to join the meal.

“You are all way too polite to us.”

Steamed buns and mantou were wonderful. And, not to mention, just smelling the stewed pig was enough to make one salivate.

“Thank you for your hard work. Let’s continue on our journey after we finish eating,” Han Qiao said gently.

She walked to the stream and washed her hands.

The cool water in the stream washed away the heat in her heart.

The children ate the soft, fragrant mantou, the savory steamed buns and a piece of pork liver. They were so delicious that they wanted to swallow their tongues.

After lunch, they continued on their journey.

It was still early when they reached Xishan village.

“You’re here…”

When Han Yuan saw Han Qiao and the others, as well as the three carts of things, she pursed her lips and said, “Hurry up and unload all the stuff.”

She called the three men into the house to drink some water.

“We won’t be needing any water. Once the things are unloaded, we’ll go back to town. We have work tomorrow.”

No one could afford to delay for even a day.

Han Qiao paid them. Once the things had all been unloaded, the three drivers went back without stopping for a moment. “Mother, the four of us need to stay at home for a few days. We’ll leave the flour and food here, as well as the pickled vegetables, oil, salt, soy sauce, and spices.”

Han Yuan looked at Han Qiao and opened her mouth. “Put them away and take them to your new home.”

“Mother, we’ll get there when we get there. Once the food we brought is used up, I’ll buy some more. We can’t eat and drink for free at our parents’ home. We can forget about it for a day or two, but we might have to stay for half a month. There are not only parents in this house, but also brothers.”

Not only the brothers, but the sisters-in-law living there also had their own worries.

It was already a great fortune to have a place to shelter from the wind and rain for the time being.

Their parents and brothers were willing to protect the four of them, so they had to be even more grateful.

“Then take them into the kitchen. What did you bring back? It smells so good,” Han Yuan asked.

“I cooked the pig myself. I’ll try it later. It tastes pretty good.” Han Qiao smiled and helped to carry the things.

After entering the kitchen, Han Yuan saw that there were still a lot of things, so she picked up the kitchen knife and began cutting them up.

“Send some to your uncle’s house later. Today, your uncle and the others have been helping you move in, along with your cousins. Your cousins have been digging up the land. All these things you bought would be a good way to say thank you. You have to be considerate.”

Han Qiao nodded when she heard that. She thought about it in her heart and suggested, “Mother, boil some pumpkin soup and put some sugar in it. Let’s give everyone a break from the heat. What do you think?”

She couldn’t make them work for free. At least she could repay them with a mouthful of soup to relieve the heat.

Han Yuan didn’t have any objections.

They had some pumpkins at home, and Han Qiao had brought some sugar back.

“Hurry up and send the food over. I’ll cook the pumpkin soup. You should go and take a look at the house later. The location is not bad. Yesterday, a mountain spring was dug out in the backyard. Your father wants to dig a well, and there’s a piece of barren land at the outermost part that hasn’t been carved out yet. We can first get an entire pond and raise dozens of geese and ducks. You can sell the duck goose eggs. At the end of the year, you can also sell the geese and ducks for a considerable income. Plant some vegetables in the field, and after a year or so, you’ll be able to live a good life.”

People in the countryside had always lived like this. No one cared if you grew vegetables or raised chickens in the wasteland around your house, because every family did the same thing.

“It will be a little tough starting out, but this is the path you chose. No matter how hard or tiring it is, you have to keep at it.”

Han Qiao nodded.

Her parents were very thoughtful.

“Mom, don’t worry. I will persevere and lead a better life.”

Han Yuan waved her hand.

When Han Qiao left the kitchen with her things, Han Yuan could not help but cry.

She knew that her daughter was beaten in the Sun family.

She also knew that, despite all that, her daughter never approached them for help. She had no idea what her daughter was thinking, and was a little bit scared of making a mistake and provoking her anger.

Now that her daughter had come to her senses, she wanted to divorce Sun Yiming.

Naturally, they had to support her.

Although the Han family was poor, they had always been united. They were not afraid of the Sun family.

The Han family had an extra empty room which was specially reserved for guests. Han Qiao and the other three were to live there temporarily.

Sun Xiu and her two younger sisters moved the things in. Living in the second room was the ten-year-old Han Yuanyuan. She nimbly helped to move things and put the clothes in the closet. In the third room was six-year-old Zhao Di. Along with her brothers, the five-year-old Pandi and four-year-old Laidi, she assisted them. Their three-year-old sister, Shidi, had snot in her nose as she followed Sun Ke.

This was because Sun Ke had given her a piece of caramel.

Shidi would remember that.

When Sun Xiu saw that Shidi’s nose was running again, she called her to the eaves and pinched her nose. “Yeah!” She pushed the snot out of her nose.

She took out a wet handkerchief to wipe her nose.

“Big Cousin.” Han Shidi smiled sweetly.

Sun Xiu pinched her nose. “Be good, now. I’ll give you some candy later.”

Han Shidi’s eyes instantly lit up.

She turned his head and ran off with Sun Xiu.

Sun Xiu didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

She didn’t see many cousins when she came to her grandfather’s house yesterday. Apparently, they had all gone out to worship the Buddha with their Aunt Yao.

Aunt Yao was now several months pregnant and was about to have a son. She was afraid that she wouldn’t be able to do it by herself, so she brought her four daughters along.

Sun Xiu looked at her four cousins. Each looked dirtier than the last. And, each of them was thinner and weaker than the last. She couldn’t help but feel lucky that although her mother was gentle and weak, she was really sincere and good to the three sisters.

Han Qiao had endured all the suffering for their sake.

And if now she could no longer bear it, it was also for their sake.

That is why Sun Xiu’s heart ached for her younger cousin, Han Shidi.

While Han Shidi was following Sun Xiu, Sun Ke came over to hold her hand. She looked at her younger cousin, then at her older cousin. For a moment, she hesitated about whom she wanted to follow.

Han Qiao sent the braised pork liver and fatty intestines off to every house. A few aunties learned that she had completely fallen out with the Sun family and moved back with the children. The next time she met Sun Yiming, she would divorce him. They all felt very sorry for her.

“Life will be tough in the future, but you still have uncles and aunties like us. As long as you are willing to endure hardships and stay strong, you will survive.”

Han Qiao nodded.

She went to see her grandmother again.

She didn’t know how to use the silver she had given her, so she didn’t count it as part of her savings.

It was not easy for an old lady to save up money like that.

After settling down, she had to return the money.

“Grandma.”

“Ah, Han Qiao, what a surprise.”

Han Qiao handed the hawthorn candy she bought to her.

The old lady smiled as she took a piece and tasted it. Then, she said happily, “It’s sour, sweet, and tastes really good.”

“I’m glad you like it, Grandma.”

“I like it, I do like it. People without teeth like something sweet to eat.”

It was mainly because she went through a lot of hardship when she was young. Now that she was getting older, she could enjoy candies given to her by grandchildren.

Also, old ladies like her were thought to have amazing luck.

“You have a lot of things to do now. Go back to work.”

Han Qiao nodded.

She got up to bid farewell to the old lady and returned to the Han family home. Han Yuan’s household had already prepared the pumpkin soup. It had been scooped into a large ceramic jar.

“You can take it over later.”

She then instructed Han Qiao, “Remember to take the bowls, chopsticks and wooden spoons with you.”

“Understood, Mother.” Han Qiao nodded.

At the moment, her uncles, brothers and nephews were too busy to have a proper meal. Once the new house was built and everything was put in order, she would have to invite them over for a proper meal.

She would also have to send a few things to her uncles’ families as a token of her gratitude.

She would thank them for their help and support. She would remember this kindness for the rest of her life.

And, she would be sure to repay them.