Chapter 59: The First New Year

Before Doctor Wu left, he was so good to his family. Su Sanlang was indescribably touched. What right did he have to bear Doctor Wu’s great kindness?

He did not know if he would ever have the chance to repay such kindness in this lifetime.

Su Sanlang was a little melancholic. He held the paper tightly and said firmly, “Darling, we can’t take Doctor Wu’s things for free. Let’s keep them for the time being and keep track of how much meat and food we have. We can often replace them with fresh ones. When Doctor Wu comes back one day, we’ll return these things to him.”

Perhaps Doctor Wu would be back in a few months.

They had to have a conscience. They could not forget the kindness that Doctor Wu had shown them. Now that Doctor Wu had gone on a long trip, they would keep these things for the time being. When he returned, they would return them to him.

“Okay, that’s what I thought too.”

Madam Zhao nodded. She would feel bad if she took these things for free. Even if Doctor Wu had left the note for them, they still could not accept it just like that. They would keep it for the time being and return it to him when he returned. Only then would they feel comfortable.

Su Sanlang and Madam Zhao estimated the weight of the rice and counted the cured meat.

Fifty catties of rice, seven pieces of cured meat, six chickens, and three ducks.

After noting it down, they put away the rice and grains and hung the bacon above the stove. This way, he could smoke it often and ensure that the bacon would not spoil.

After cleaning up, Madam Zhao and Su Sanlang started cooking dinner.

Su Sanmei carried Su Xiaolu on her back and brought her two brothers to catch insects to feed the chickens.

After a while, Su Hua grabbed a fat earthworm and said, “Sister, I caught one.”

……

Su Sanmei smiled and said, “Second Brother is so cool.”

Su Hua was delighted, his rosy face full of energy.

Su Chong also tried his best to find insects. After a while, he said happily, “Sister, I caught one too.”

Su Sanmei also smiled and said, “Big Brother is so awesome too.”

Su Sanmei smiled in praise as she silently placed an earthworm into a paper bag. This area was where she often washed up and poured water. Ever since her sister stopped using diapers, there hadn’t been as many worms in the ground as before.

The vegetable field that was fertilized with feces, on the other hand, was extremely green and healthy.

Su Sanmei secretly thought that it must be because Simei smelled good that even worms like to live in her bathwater.

Her fourth sister must be a fairy. When her parents entered the mountains, she often prayed that if her fourth sister was a fairy, she would bless her parents’ safe return. Although her parents were both injured, Su Sanmei believed that her fourth sister must have done her best.

Therefore, she kept her promise and treated Su Xiaolu even better.

After catching insects and feeding all the chickens and ducks, Madam Zhao was also calling them in for dinner.

There was meat for dinner.

After dinner, Madam Zhao gently washed the children’s faces and handed the new clothes to Su Chong and Su Hua. “Chong, Hua, you can wear the new clothes tomorrow.”

Su Chong and Su Hua were very happy. Their eyes were sparkling.

Madam Zhao could not help but kiss her two sons on the forehead before letting them sleep.

When her two sons returned to their room, Madam Zhao returned and took out Su Sanmei and Su Sanlang’s new clothes. Even Su Xiaolu had new clothes.

Su Sanlang gestured at the clothes and said with a smile, “Tomorrow is the new year. Our whole family will wear new clothes.”

Madam Zhao also had a new set of clothes, which was what Su Sanlang insisted on.

Madam Zhao smiled and nodded.

Su Sanmei leaned against Su Xiaolu and kissed her cheek. She whispered to Su Xiaolu, “Simei, I’ll wear it tomorrow and leave the new clothes for you to wear, okay?”

Su Xiaolu smiled at Su Sanmei and let out a soft cry.

Her third sister was really nice to her.

Her sister had always thought that she had protected her parents and brother when they returned, so she was also expressing her gratitude with her actions.

Su Xiaolu’s heart ached. Madam Zhao’s hand and Su Sanlang’s eyes could not recover. She did not understand if her prayers had come true. Somehow, she felt that she should return the favor.

Saving a hundred evil people, was it? She would do it, but she wouldn’t go against her principles as a person, either.

There should be a righteous path in this world. Therefore, she could save evil people, but she had to send them to the authorities.

On Su Xiaolu’s right was Su Sanmei, and on her left was Madam Zhao. Madam Zhao patted her gently, and Su Xiaolu quickly fell asleep.

The next morning.

The family got up and put on their new clothes. Madam Zhao and Su Sanlang quickly made themselves busy. They stewed bones, fried meat, steamed buns, and cooked rice.

Meanwhile, Su Sanmei brought her two brothers and carried Su Xiaolu to catch insects to feed the chickens and ducks.

When the meal was ready, the family sat together and ate warmly.

The New Year passed peacefully.

After the New Year, the cold days passed by quickly as well.

After a peaceful month and entering February, all kinds of wildflowers gradually bloomed and the trees grew tender green branches.

The weather gradually warmed. By the end of February, Su Sanlang’s family was busy sowing rice. Naturally, the few acres of fields had to be planted with crops.

Su Sanlang and Madam Zhao brought Su Chong and Su Hua to the fields. Su Sanmei also began to catch insects in the fields and went to the river to catch crabs.

The villagers also gradually became familiar with Su Sanlang’s family.

Many people passed by with their children and greeted Su Sanlang. Their conversations surrounded enrollment in the school. Su Chong and Su Hua were really curious. After holding back for a while, they asked, “Dad, what’s enrollment?”

Su Sanlang lowered his eyes and replied in a dry voice, “Just learning new knowledge.”

“Then what is knowledge?”

Su Chong and Su Hua were still puzzled.

Madam Zhao’s eyes were already red. She said in a choked voice, “Chong, Hua, are you hungry? Let’s go eat some steamed buns.”

Her two sons would never learn what knowledge was in their lives.

Madam Zhao’s heart ached. She diverted the attention of the two children. The family could now eat their fill. Su Chong and Su Hua also ate more and grew taller, but their minds remained still.

Hearing Madam Zhao’s words, they went to get steamed buns to eat and even pulled Su Sanmei to share with her.

There was a hurt look in Su Sanmei’s eyes. She ate her steamed bun and occasionally tore off a little for Su Xiaolu. Su Sanmei sighed and whispered to Su Xiaolu, “Simei, if only I were a boy. Then I could study and make a name for myself on behalf of my brothers. I would definitely work hard. Unfortunately, I’m a girl and can’t go to school.”

The Great Zhou Dynasty was feudal. Only boys went to school, and girls cooked, washed, and worked at home.

In the past hundred years, the Great Zhou had been prosperous and peaceful. The people were also willing to send their descendants to school. Usually, children went to school when they were about eight years old. This year, more than ten children from the Southern Mountain Village enrolled in a school in the neighboring Octagon Village.

Su Sanmei was very envious, but she knew that it was not something she should fantasize about. Hence, the thought only appeared for a moment before it disappeared.