Chapter 105

Chapter 105

◎ It was still those petty trifles. ◎

Every household had its own troubles. Gossip was just for outsiders' ears and not to be commented upon.

Peony held the bowl filled with chicken soup, gazing at the fire in the hearth while listening to Zhuo Die's grievances over the years. She didn't have anyone to talk to either. Her sisters were distant, her husband was an idiot who would just laugh foolishly when others mistreated him, and her son, Tie Niu, was still half a child who only knew how to play, knowing nothing about the world. Due to her bad temper, she didn't have any women in the village she could confide in. She had been holding it all in for many years, so when she finally found someone to pour her heart out to, she didn't hold back. She divulged every bit of her family's dirty laundry.

What face did those two old folks deserve? They'd even steal firewood; they were hopeless.

Snowflakes began to fall outside at some point. Tie Niu rushed in with Little Hu, and hearing her son ask eagerly if the chicken soup was ready, if he could drink it, and if he could share it with Little Hu, all the pent-up frustration in Wu Zhuo Die's heart vanished. She ladled half a bowl for him, chiding with a smile, "You've been thinking about this soup since morning and didn't even eat your lunch properly. I'll give you a bowl, but if you want to feed Little Hu, then drink less yourself. It's up to you."

She didn't say anything about dogs getting to eat before people, because there were those who didn't even deserve chicken soup as much as dogs did. At least dogs would wag their tails after drinking it, while some people were like throwing silver into a river—it wouldn't make a sound.

Tie Niu took the bowl carefully, his hands scalded by the heat, but he didn't dare let go. He called to the little dog circling around him, his voice brimming with joy, "Little Hu, I saved some chicken soup for you, and also some meat from the bones!"

"Woof!" Little Hu wagged his tail at him excitedly.

Wu Zhuo Die shook her head and laughed at this sight. With her son's interruption, she couldn't pick up where she left off in her emotions. What was there to be aggrieved about? There was nothing to be aggrieved about. She couldn't choose whose womb she came from. She hadn't wronged her parents in any way over the years, and that was enough. She had a clear conscience.

After washing the dishes, Wu Zhaodi also ladled herself a bowl of chicken soup. There were two spots by the stove, so Peach moved over slightly and sat down with a smile, sharing the warmth of the fire and the soup. It was comfortable; not only did she feel the burden on her shoulders lift, but her heart also felt lighter. If this were any other year, she would probably still be in the mountains collecting firewood at this time.

Snow was falling outside, but they felt no coldness huddled in the kitchen. The stove emitted a warm glow, and the heat welcomed them. With not much work to do in winter, their days were leisurely and carefree, making them feel exceptionally content.

The chicken soup was flavorful. Peach took a small sip, realizing why it had a unique aroma besides its richness. Only after tasting it did she discover that there seemed to be some medicinal herbs added. She turned to look at Wu Zhaodi's bowl, which contained pure chicken soup, but there were some froth floating on top of her own. She couldn't help asking, "Did you add herbs to the chicken soup?"

"Could you taste it?" Wu Zhaodi chuckled. "I added a few goji berries and slices of codonopsis. I found them in the mountains." Because of those two ghosts, who always caused trouble and put everything in their mouths regardless of whether it was edible, she became familiar with the local barefoot doctor and learned about some herbal remedies. Whenever she found herbs in the mountains, she would give them to him. Over the years, the medical expenses for those two ghosts hadn't cost much copper coins, as she compensated with the herbs.

The addition of the herbs made the chicken soup less greasy, and Peach enjoyed the taste. To rural folk, both the hen and the herbs were valuable treasures. A nourishing bowl of chicken soup like this was a luxury only the wealthy families in town could afford. Today, Peach felt she had indulged in a rare treat.

Wu Zhaodi found the bundles of firewood an eyesore, and she felt ashamed to send them back to the Wei family. It would be too distressing, so she decided to use them for her own household. Once the firewood was burned to ashes in the stove, even if the Wei family couldn't recognize it, Wu Zhaodi felt the need to clarify. Thus, when Peach visited today, she didn't hide anything and explained the entire situation truthfully. She didn't care if Peach might look down on her or have any thoughts about it. All she cared about was being an honest person, not resorting to her father's sneaky ways.

If Peach knew what Wu Zhaodi was thinking, she would laugh and scold her for overthinking. How could anyone have negative thoughts about her? Your father is your father, and you are you – it's impossible to equate the two.

After finishing the soup, it was getting late, and the snowfall outside seemed to intensify. Peach stood up to bid farewell.

"Wait a moment," Wu Zhaodi hurriedly got up. It seemed that Peach knew what she was going to do, as she reached out to stop her, but Wu Zhaodi smiled and gently blocked her. "I've harvested quite a bit of goji berries and codonopsis. Take some home with you and add them to your cooking for nourishment. Also, catch one of the hens to take back – whether to feed it or eat it, it's up to you."

"What are you doing? If you keep doing this, I won't come back next time!" Peach knew she had guessed correctly, so she quickly tried to stop her. However, her strength was no match for Wu Zhaodi, who had already entered the house to fetch the herbs and then went to the yard to catch a hen.

The snowfall outside intensified, and the clucking of the hen reverberated loudly. In no time, Wu Zhaodi returned to the main room with snowflakes on her head. The hen's wings were tied, and without hesitation, she handed it to Taohua, smiling. "Regardless of whether you come back next time, you have to take this chicken today."

Seeing that she was about to refuse, Wu Zhaodi straightened her expression and said earnestly, "If you don't accept it, I won't dare to interact with you in the future. No matter how thick-skinned I am, after what happened with my father, how can I still show my face? You and Dahutu kindly invited us for a feast, but I didn't bring anything good. Just some firewood, and even that, my father stole it back when you weren't home. Taohua, I really have no face!"

As she recounted her father's past actions, she didn't shed a tear, but if Taohua refused the chicken, Wu Zhaodi seemed genuinely ready to cry. This wasn't just a chicken; it was her desire to maintain their relationship! That was why she was so upset this time. In the past, she had endured her parents' mistreatment, thinking they were her own flesh and blood, so what could she do? But this time was different. She cared about Taohua as much as Erniu cared about Dahutu, which was why she was so enraged.

If Taohua didn't accept the chicken, she truly wouldn't have the face to approach her again.

Those bundles of firewood weren't just wood; they were her dignity, and her father had trampled on it ruthlessly, which was the root cause of her estrangement from her family!

"What kind of relationship do our two families have? Why would you care about such things? It's simple, just don't keep it in your heart." Seeing her urgency, Taohua quickly took the chicken, realizing she had no choice now, "I'll take it then, don't be angry with me."

Wu Zhaodi was finally satisfied. She didn't inquire about the county affairs. If the Wei family hadn't been absent, how could that old ghost have snuck into her house to steal firewood? Impossible!

"I'll carry more firewood over another day. I won't have the face to visit your house these next few days. When you return, tell Uncle Wei about this. Tell him that Wu Zhaodi apologizes." She personally walked her to the door and called out to Tieniu, "Ask your Aunt Taohua to come and play at our place next time."

Tieniu, being obedient, looked up and said, "Auntie will come and play again next time."

"Alright, Auntie will come again. Next time, I'll come down the mountain with your mother to play. I see Little Tiger likes you a lot." With both hands full, Taohua couldn't pat his head, but she planned on finding something good in the mountains to send to their house next time. Relationships were built through interactions, and after going through this, observing how others reacted and handled situations would reveal if they were the type of people one could have a long-lasting relationship with.

Chen Erniu and Wei Datiger had always been on good terms. Though Old Man Wu had trespassed to steal firewood, unscrupulously stealing bit by bit, Wu Zhaodi was an understanding person, not hiding anything and being sharp-minded enough to cut ties when necessary. She knew she couldn't match her in this aspect. This straightforward personality was something she admired greatly; how could she not get along with her? The two families should maintain a long-lasting relationship!

Peach blossom called Little Tiger and the dog followed her as they stepped on the snow back home.

After spending two months in the mountains, Peach Blossom's courage had grown significantly. Passing by the graveyard didn't scare her much anymore. The road was slippery, but she walked slowly and calmly.

Upon arriving home, the courtyard gate was unlocked. Her father was seated at the entrance of the main room, tanning rabbit skins. Big Tiger had hunted many rabbits earlier, and after eating the meat, they saved the pelts for her father to tan into rabbit fur collars, which were very warm. These days, they had been busy with food supplies or building the house; there was no time for tanning furs. Now that the mountain house was built, and food wasn't a concern, they finally had the chance to deal with the rabbit skins.

Seeing her return with a chicken, Old Man Wei was surprised. "Where did you get it?"

Peach Blossom untied the hay around the chicken's wings. The freed bird flapped its wings, trying to escape. She ignored it, allowing it to wander around the yard, getting used to its new home. She pulled up a stool and sat beside her father, watching him tan the skin while recounting the entire story. "She insisted on giving it to me, and got upset when I refused. She also gave me quite a bit of goji berries and codonopsis, all the best ones. She really put effort into it." By saying this, she hoped to prevent her father from having any negative thoughts about the couple, since who would have thought Old Man Wu would do such a thing?

With a father like that, even an innocent child would be stained.

Thus, one's birth was truly beyond their control. They had to bear the consequences, whether good or bad.

Old Man Wei was silent for a while after hearing this. As a fellow parent, he couldn't understand what Old Man Wu was thinking, making such a fuss over a few bundles of firewood. Perhaps his mind was blocked by a toilet stone.

He naturally had no ill intentions towards Chen Erniu's family. As an elder, he felt sympathetic. Having a father like that was like having lice in one's head—disgusting and troublesome.

In his worldview, whether as parents or children, kindness begets filial piety, and vice versa. Could one-sided affection endure? If it did, it wouldn't last long. After all, human hearts are made of flesh - could someone endure being neglected or mistreated without feeling pain?

Wu the Elder's outburst had effectively sabotaged his own twilight years.

As for his five daughters, even if they had once relied on the eldest, now that she had been roused by his antics, who could he count on in the future?

He had always been astute in judging people. How headstrong was Wu Zhaodi? Like an ox, once she set her mind to something, there was no turning back. Otherwise, how could she have fallen for the simple-minded Chen Erniu? They were two peas in a pod. When she was a dutiful daughter, she took care of everything at home. But if she were to wash her hands off it all, no amount of Wu the Elder's tantrums or desperate antics would sway her.

Strangely enough, the thought brought a certain pleasure to his heart.

You stole firewood, didn't you? Not anymore, I suppose.