Chapter 39 – Sweet Soup

Chapter 39 - Sweet Soup

No secret could be kept in the village, not even the trifling matter of which household had only a few grains of rice in their morning gruel. Thus, Li Dalang's terrified cry earlier that morning had quickly become common knowledge throughout the village.

Though he had fainted, the wound from the venomous snake remained, and the Li family, in a panic, managed to rouse him. They coerced Zhou Miaohua into sucking out the poison from her husband's wound, causing a great commotion that left Li Dalang's lips pale. Seeing that his condition was worsening, his mother wailed and cried, insisting on taking her son to the town's clinic to seek medical help. Before they left, she also wept at the village chief's house, requesting to borrow an ox cart.

The Li family had indeed made quite a spectacle early that morning.

Today, everyone in the village is talking about how mysterious this incident is. They must believe that Li Dalang provoked some mountain spirit, otherwise, why would that venomous snake calmly slumber in his embrace for a whole night?

At the mere thought of that soft, boneless, icy-cold serpent, Tao Hua's skin would prickle with goosebumps. Despite standing under the blazing sun, she involuntarily wrapped her arms around herself, shivering repeatedly.

Ordinarily, when she ventured into the mountains to gather firewood and encountered a snake lurking in the grass, she would be frozen with fear, unable to move a muscle. The notion of cuddling with a snake all night was utterly unimaginable to her...

She might not even dare to close her eyes anymore in the future.

Seeing Tao Hua's intense fright, Erniu's wife decided not to dwell on the topic and instead switched to discussing other village gossip. Living in such close proximity, there were endless tales of neighbors' petty affairs. As she narrated these stories, mimicking their mannerisms and tones with remarkable accuracy, Tao Hua was amazed by the range of expressions and personas one person could portray. She laughed so hard that she almost lost her breath.

The two women felt as if they had found each other too late, and had already started making plans to forage for firewood and mushrooms together in the future. Chen Erniu's wife even said, "Please do visit our village more often, and don't hesitate to knock on my door. You'll always be welcome!"

Tao Hua laughed and replied, "I definitely will! Don't get tired of my visits."

Chen Erniu's wife laughed heartily. "Then I'll be the one disturbing you at your place!"

With time running short, they made promises to keep in touch and went their separate ways. Chen Erniu's wife carried a basin of dirty clothes to the riverbank, while Tao Hua headed to Uncle Chen's house.

In the courtyard, Fang Qiuyan was scrubbing duck and goose eggs. The two boys stood naked in the yard, laughing joyously as water from a dipper poured over their heads from top to bottom.

Two pairs of plump little feet splashed through the wet ground, sending droplets flying that landed on Fang Qiuyan, who sat on a wooden bench. The more upset the mother became, the more gleefully the two little ones stomped around.

In these times of general austerity, apart from the wealthy families in the town, which peasant household could afford to raise plump children? In Dahe Village, it was commonplace to see lanky children with large heads and tiny bodies. The fact that the Chen family's child wasn't scrawny was enough for others to consider them "fat."

Spotting Tao Hua, Fang Qiuyan playfully smacked her two sons on their buttocks and chided with a smile, "Hurry back inside after you're done washing. Qiuyan, help your brother get dressed."

"Mama, I won't dress him up for sure," Duck Egg said, covering her own bottom as she splashed through the puddles on the ground, spraying Fang Qiuyan with water. Chuckling heartily, she dashed into the house.

"Mother, he's wicked, Brother is a devil! I'll hit Brother!" Following closely behind, Egglet clutched her bottom and wailed as she chased after her brother back into the house.

Fang Qiuyan watched the two brothers dash back into the house before turning to Tao Hua. "Come in quickly and find a stool to sit on. I'll clean up this puddle on the ground – those two rascals have made it impossible to step in the courtyard."

"Tao Hua's here to help you, Sister-in-law," Tao Hua offered, unable to bear seeing work left undone due to their close relationship. She fetched a broom from beside the stack of firewood under the eaves and joined Fang Qiuyan in the cleaning.

Fang Qiuyan couldn't persuade her not to help, so she allowed Tao Hua to assist with a smile. "You should come to the village more often. It's livelier with more people around. Did Big Hu bring you? Where is he?"

Before going to bed the previous night, Chen Dashi had discovered a bottle of medicine in his clothes. His supposedly unlucky cousin had been duped by a doctor at the town clinic into purchasing this miraculous elixir for two taels of silver, which was said to be exceptionally effective at stopping bleeding and reducing inflammation. The elderly physician had remained composed while fleecing his patient, convinced that his medicine was the best.

Chen Dashi didn't know if the medicine was as miraculous as advertised, but he certainly felt the pinch from spending one tael of silver on it.

His cousin had bought two bottles, proving himself an easy target for such exploitation. However, now, as Chen Dashi held the precious item that had somehow found its way into his clothing, he knew full well that it had been secretly placed there by his cousin. He would likely have refused had it been given to him directly.

Big Hu had always been a straightforward person, known for his assertiveness since childhood. Others might consider him domineering, but only those close to him understood the feeling of being valued.

Such an expensive item worth one tael of silver – he had given it without hesitation.

After listening to the story behind the medicine, Fang Qiuyan fell silent for a moment before advising Chen Dashi to keep it. They should remember Big Hu's kindness and not refuse it, as that would go against his character. He disliked the formalities and exchanges of politeness between siblings.

He gives you these items genuinely; refusing them would hurt his feelings and damage the relationship.

Chen Dashi's arm was already injured. Since this medicine was so expensive, its effects must be far superior to whatever random herbs he might chew and apply on his arm. Concerned about her husband's well-being, Fang Qiuyan didn't feel the need to be formal with her cousin anymore.

A single bottle of the costly medicine would suffice for both brothers to recover their arms.

Grateful for Wei Dahu's kindness, she expressed her appreciation through Tao Hua, becoming even more affectionate towards her, never ceasing to smile while chatting.

"Tao Hua went to the county," Tao Hua explained. "Father tilled a piece of land next to our yard for vegetables. He came to the village to borrow seeds from Second Uncle. Since there wasn't much work at home, I tagged along, hoping to chat with my two sisters-in-law."

"Well, you've come to the right person. Second Aunt is unparalleled in her vegetable cultivation skills. Her produce is always the largest and most vibrant. Many families seek her out for seeds," said Qiuyan. In the village, only Second Aunt could boast of such gardening prowess. According to Second Uncle, it was as if God had blessed her with this talent. People would snatch up her vegetables halfway to the town market!

Second Uncle took great pride in this, and when villagers sought to borrow seeds, they'd heap praise upon him. His wife made him shine!

Due to this, Second Aunt often argued with him. She was reluctant to give away their belongings for free.

Calling it a loan didn't mean people would actually return it. Besides, what they returned wouldn't match the quality of her own! In Second Aunt's eyes, it was practically giving away her possessions.

However, Second Aunt was stingy only with outsiders. She was generous with family. Every year, she instructed her husband to fetch seeds from their house.

Of course, nothing was given for free; relatives would reciprocate each other's kindness. If her family received vegetable seeds today, they would share a bowl of their finest delicacy with Second Aunt's family the next day.

That was how kinship worked. They didn't keep score over trivial matters; instead, these exchanges were what sustained their relationships.

After sweeping the courtyard, Fang Qiuyan went to the kitchen to prepare a bowl of sugared water and promptly gave it to Tao Hua without any explanation.

Tao Hua assumed it was plain water, as it was customary for villagers to offer water when visiting. She took a sip without thinking much, only to realize it was actually sweetened water.

Feeling somewhat awkward, her cheeks flushed red with embarrassment. Fang Qiuyan's family, though better off than the poorest in the village, wasn't affluent either. Sugar was not something that could be used freely at home. A child who begged for a sweet drink might even get a few whacks on their bottom.

Why would Big Brother's wife give her sugared water?

Seeing Tao Hua's blushing face, still bashful like an unmarried young girl, Fang Qiuyan couldn't help but chuckle. "Go ahead and drink. Quickly, before those two mischievous monkeys in the house notice. Otherwise, they'll come running once they catch the scent."

Who wouldn't prioritize their own children when they had something good? Not Fang Qiuyan, though. Instead, she secretly prepared sugared water for her cousin's wife, even if it meant going against her own son.

Tao Hua had never experienced such preferential treatment before. Her heart swelled with emotion, overwhelmed by this indescribable warmth. Ignoring her age, she held the bowl and sipped the sweet water slowly, finishing the entire bowl.

A sweet sensation filled her mouth, and she closed her eyes, savoring the taste repeatedly.

Tao Hua realized that her craving wasn't for food; rather, it was a longing and greedy reminiscence of this unique... favoritism. Having never experienced such affection before, this bowl of sweet soup would stay in her memory forever.

After borrowing the vegetable seeds, Elder Wei stood at the entrance of Big Uncle's house without entering. He addressed Tao Hua, who was sitting under the eaves with Fang Qiuyan, sewing shoe soles. "We still have some fruits at home. I've told Sanshi, when you head back, bring him and San Hua along. Let them take more fruits for the family to enjoy."

Tao Hua, who had already stood up, hurriedly nodded in agreement and didn't rush to leave with her father.

Once Elder Wei left, Fang Qiuyan smiled at Tao Hua and said, "Uncle Wei is worried that you might be scared walking home alone. That stretch by the graveyard, even the bravest men in the village wouldn't dare to traverse it by themselves."

On the surface, it seemed as though Sanshi was taking San Hua to the Wei's to collect fruits for their meal. In reality, he was escorting Tao Hua back home. Such a considerate father-in-law was a rare find, and if those women in the village who often whispered behind closed doors about the Wei family's poverty and Tao Hua's inevitable hardships knew, they would probably be envious!

What did a maiden seek in marriage? A loving husband, kind in-laws, and harmonious relationships. If there were also a few fertile acres of land, it would be an ideal family.

Fang Qiuyan wasn't blind to the Wei family's situation. Though the villagers mocked their two meager fields, Wei Dahu's willingness to spend money on expensive medicine without hesitation indicated that, despite limited farmland, they had savings, ensuring the family would never go hungry.

How wonderful it was to live at the foot of the mountain, where one could live openly without fear of being judged for eating meat every day. In the village, one had to shut the windows tightly while cooking meat, lest the neighboring children cried from hunger or the adults vented their frustration indirectly, caring only about the present and not the future. They wished everyone else would share their meager meals of bran and sorrel.

Fang Qiuyan spared no criticism when discussing the neighboring family's disliked woman. Tao Hua had witnessed such characters often in Apricot Blossom Village – people who couldn't bear to see others living well.

For peasant families, enjoying a meat meal was a rare treat reserved for festive occasions. In households with many mouths to feed, the women in charge of cooking could even count the slices of meat as they prepared them. Who would have extra portions to share with others?

There were indeed thoughtless families in the village. When they caught a whiff of someone else's cooking meat, they'd send their hungry children to weep and wail at the doorstep, just like an obnoxious, clingy plaster, causing endless irritation.

Tao Hua inferred that her sister-in-law was referring to the previous evening's dinner.

Last night, Fang Qiuyan's eldest brother's family hosted a feast. His wife didn't hide her generosity, as the scent of the meat wafted far before it was even served. Scared earlier by the commotion, the duck and goose eggs eventually regained their composure upon catching the aroma and loudly announced in the yard that they would be feasting on meat that night.

Their excitement, however, triggered a commotion from the neighboring children.

During the evening meal, cries and screams of children echoed outside the tightly shut Chen family door. The elder sister-in-law held a grudge against the neighbors who stood idly by when the Zhou family had attacked. They didn't lend a helping hand or even try to intervene, which might have prevented Chen Dashi and his brother from getting injured.

After decades of being neighbors, witnessing her family suffer a brutal assault from outsiders, the elder sister-in-law's heart turned cold. She allowed the child to cry and instructed her daughters-in-law not to open the door.

In the past, whenever her family enjoyed some delicacy, the cries of the neighboring children would prompt Fang Qiuyan to consider their innocence and insatiable cravings. If they cried all the way to the doorstep, she would soften and ask her daughter-in-law to give them a taste.

But last night, she was determined. No matter how loudly they wailed or how desperately they threw tantrums, she refused to respond.

Tao Hua understood that her sister-in-law was upset, especially considering the severity of the injuries on Chen family's two cousins. Rural men relied on their strength for work; it was fortunate that nothing serious had happened. If it did, Aunt would be weeping bitterly.

"Treatable injuries aren't severe, so Sister-in-law, you can rest assured," Tao Hua comforted.

Fang Qiuyan nodded repeatedly with a smile. "That's true. Thankfully, it's now off-season for farming. With their arms injured, Father won't send them to find work in town. They can recover at home instead."

Speaking of which, Fang Qiulian put down her sewing and held Tao Hua's hands, gratitude shining in her eyes. "I still have to thank Big Hu. The medicine he provided is really effective. This morning, my husband said his wound wasn't as painful anymore. Second Brother also praised the medicine, saying it works much better than the random herbs we picked by the roadside. No wonder it's so expensive!'

Tao Hua blinked, unaware of this matter. Presumably, Big Hu had bought some effective medicine for her two cousins, and this was Qiuyan expressing her gratitude.

Tao Hua hurriedly responded, "Brothers should help each other. Sister-in-law, there's no need to thank me. I don't like hearing such words."

Fang Qiuyan chuckled and patted her hand. "You're right. We're all family, so there's no need for such formalities. I'll remember that."

"Author's Note"

-3- Thank you, darlings, for the nutrient solutions. Good night!