Chapter 109: Kindness is the Shackles of the Sentimental

Chapter 109: Kindness is the Shackles of the Sentimental

Busy days fly by quickly. After the twentieth day of the twelfth lunar month, the festive atmosphere grew thick in the countryside. Street vendors lined the roads, and people who had been hiding from the cold at home ventured out. Some gathered around bonfires, while others went to the market together. The bustling chatter drowned out the chill of winter.

The air was filled with the aroma of boiled meat and stewed mutton. Smoke from chimneys carried the scent of fish. Sui Yu's shop, known for its braised flavors, struggled to compete with the rich smells of meat and fish. Her business became quiet, with fewer customers, leaving only nearby merchants occasionally stopping by.

"Tomorrow we'll close the shop. We've been busy for half a year; it's time for a break," Sui Yu said as she took off her rough apron and placed it on the table. She looked at Zhao Xiping and continued, "You go buy a leg of lamb, and I'll slaughter two chickens when I get back. We'll have a few good meals these days. After the Minor New Year, you three siblings should prepare to return to your hometown for the Spring Festival."

Zhao Xiping remained silent. As the holiday approached, he was less inclined to return to his hometown, preferring to celebrate with Sui Yu.

"Sister-in-law, why don't we ask our neighbors to help feed the pigs and chickens? The four of us can ride camels back together," Zhao Xiaomi suggested.

Sui Yu immediately refused, "Everyone wants to enjoy themselves during the holidays; let's not trouble them. Besides, the two young camels can't carry heavy loads for long. Don't tire them out. Sui Liang and I will wait for you at home. You can come back after the holiday."

Zhao Xiping could tell that she didn't want to return to her hometown at all. He gestured for Zhao Xiaomi to stop trying to persuade her. If they weren't going, it was understandable.

With the decision to close the shop, the remaining half-day felt long and tedious. Everyone except Tong Huaer, who was still peeling eggs, seemed distracted.

After delivering the last order, it wasn't yet dark, but the oil lamps were already lit inside. Sui Yu looked at the gloomy sky outside and said, "Let's close early to save some lamp oil."

Zhao Xiaomi ran out and quickly shut the wooden door, turning away any more customers.

Although the shop was closed, no one left. The room with the stove was warm, and no one wanted to go out into the cold. Seeing the leftover dough in the basin, Sui Yu had an idea. "Let's make noodles and cook dumplings. It's easier than cooking at home. Xiping, go fetch your brother and Uncle Old Niu. Ask him to bring A'shui over for dinner. Let's have a meal together."

Zhao Xiping immediately stood up and headed out. Opening the door, he saw someone approaching and waved them away, saying, "We're closed. Come back after the holiday."

"Closed?" The people who came were nearby merchants. Looking at the sky, they were too lazy to cook themselves and didn't want to brave the cold on the streets. They stood there for a moment, insisting on knocking and asking Sui Yu to prepare something simple for them.

Sui Yu let them in. There were still braised dishes and eggs left, so she cut some dough and made a few bowls of noodle soup.

Five steaming bowls of noodle soup were served. Sui Yu wiped her hands and started preparing the fillings. Seeing the radishes, she paused, having grown tired of radish buns. She wanted a change.

"Xiaomi, start rolling the dough. I need to go back for a moment," Sui Yu said, taking down the wolf skin hanging on the wall and rushing out.

Halfway, she met Zhao Xiping. He shook the plate of pickled cabbage and asked, "Did you forget this?"

"Yes, yes." But Sui Yu didn't stop, hurrying to say, "Go ahead. I'll check if Aunt Du's leeks are still growing. I haven't had leeks in a while."

It was already dark. Zhao Xiping handed the plate of pickled cabbage to his brother and followed Sui Yu back.

They harvested some tender leeks from Aunt Du's garden and returned to the shop. The five merchants were still there, insisting on staying to taste the dumplings.

With many hands, the two types of fillings were prepared quickly. In less than an incense stick's time, they had made half a basin of dumplings. The water in the pot boiled, and the dumplings were ready after two rounds of boiling.

The five merchants paid another hundred coins for five large bowls of dumplings with double fillings. Sui Yu gave them a plate of leftover braised dishes. The group of fifteen sat at two tables, each eating their own food.

"Boss, your food is delicious. When you reopen next year, consider selling dumplings. They're easier to deliver than noodle soup and can be sold raw. For those of us who can't cook, buying raw dumplings to take home would be convenient," a merchant said.

Sui Yu thought for a moment and replied, "When we reopen next year, I'll add dumplings to the menu."

"That's a good idea."

After the meal, the five merchants left contentedly. Sui Yu and the others cleaned up the kitchen and closed the shop before heading home.

The night was dark, and the road was difficult to navigate. Uncle Old Niu asked Zhao Xiping to carry A'shui. A'shui, well-fed and chubby, didn't mind being held by anyone. She clung to Zhao Xiping's neck, babbling incoherently.

Zhao Xiping rarely held such a small child. He had held Xiaomi as a child and later his nieces and nephews, but that was a long time ago. Now, holding a child again, his movements were stiff. Feeling the soft breath against his ear, he was uncomfortable and handed A'shui back to Uncle Old Niu impatiently.

"How does it feel to hold a child?" Uncle Old Niu laughed, looking at Sui Yu and Zhao Xiping. "You've been together for over two years now. Still no sign of a baby? It's time to have one."

"The right time hasn't come yet," Sui Yu patted her belly. "When the right time comes, the baby will arrive. You can't force it."

"Go see a doctor," Uncle Old Niu suggested.

"Enough, don't meddle where it doesn't concern you," Tong Huaer pushed him aside. Turning back, she said, "Ignore him. Don't invite him to eat anymore. He's just causing trouble. Go back, we're going in."

Sui Yu smiled and took Zhao Xiping's hand, walking back together.

After leaving Seventeen Villages, she turned to ask, "How did it feel to hold the child?"

Zhao Xiping shook his head, "Not much."

He might only like his own offspring.

"You've been back for months, and we've been busy every night. Why isn't my belly showing any signs yet?" Sui Yu wondered aloud.

Zhao Xiping tightened his grip on her hand, suppressing a laugh. "It's too cold in winter; seeds won't sprout. Wait until spring, and you'll see."

"You're quite confident."

"I know my own seed."

Sui Yu found him crude and hit him lightly.

Later that night, even cruder words awaited her. Covering her ears, she could still hear the faint whispers, blushing deeply.

For the next three days, they feasted on meat and fish, stewed lamb legs, chicken soup, and fish broth. Eating well during the day and having nothing else to do, Zhao Xiping channeled all his energy into Sui Yu at night.

Each morning, Sui Yu thought she wouldn't survive until dawn, but she always woke up looking fresh.

On the twenty-fourth day of the twelfth lunar month, Sui Yu was radiant. She excitedly sent Zhao Xiping and his siblings off to the eastern city gate, watching them until they were far away. She then walked with Sui Liang in the cold wind outside the city walls for a long time.

This was the first time, apart from New Year's Eve, that they had stepped outside the imposing city gates. Standing in the wilderness, they gazed at the earth-colored walls stretching like a sleeping dragon.

Sui Yu thought of the Great Wall and remembered Aunt Chun. She bought ten buns and tucked them into her chest before heading to the brothel.

The brothel looked as dreary as she remembered, situated in a desolate and chilly wilderness. The newly laid thatch on the roof swayed in the northwest wind.

Arriving near noon, Sui Yu and Sui Liang squatted under a crooked tree to avoid the wind. They watched men with unsteady steps emerge from the dilapidated wooden door, their vulgar words making the air feel icy.

When the chimney began to emit smoke, Aunt Chun came out carrying a pole with buckets. She seemed to be looking for someone, and after stepping outside, she scanned her surroundings but saw no one. Then, with heavy steps, she headed toward the river.

Sui Yu pulled Sui Liang out from behind the tree, and the siblings walked toward the river.

Aunt Chun, hearing footsteps, turned around alertly. Seeing it was Sui Yu, she spilled the water in her bucket in excitement. The cold river water soaked her straw shoes, but she seemed not to notice.

"Yu, I finally found you again," Aunt Chun said happily.

Sui Yu lowered her eyes to look at the withered weeds. She had feared this would happen, worried that they would see her as their savior, and that more interactions might drag her into this quagmire.

"I was too busy last year and couldn't come to see you." Sui Yu handed over the steamed buns she had been holding, saying, "They're still warm. Have a couple to fill your stomach."

Aunt Chun sighed and said, "We don't lack food. You have your own difficulties. Next time you come, don't bring food; save your money for yourself."

Sui Yu looked at her hands, then at her chapped, frostbitten ones. She remained silent.

"Have you visited your cousin?" Aunt Chun asked anxiously, wanting news of her children and grandchildren.

She did not know that Sui Wen'an had already been freed from slavery. After a moment of silence, Sui Yu chose to keep the news from her, knowing it would only cause more pain.

"Not yet. I came to see you first. Do you have any messages or items for me to deliver?" Sui Yu asked gently.

"Yes, yes, wait a moment. I'll go get them." Aunt Chun was excited and eager to leave, but she still had chores to do. She stepped on the stones by the river to fill two half-buckets of water, then left the river, hunched over under the weight of the pole.

Sui Yu wanted to help her, but Aunt Chun shook her head and said, "Stay away from that door. It's dirty inside, and don't let anyone there see you."

Watching Aunt Chun stagger into the oppressive place, Sui Yu squatted down, feeling heavy-hearted. She murmured to herself, "What should I do? Not coming here feels like something is weighing on my mind, but when I do come, there's always something waiting for me."

The more entangled she became, the more distressed she felt.

Sui Liang didn't understand. He saw Aunt Chun coming out and nudged Sui Yu.

Sui Yu stood up, still holding the wrapped buns, and handed all ten over.

Aunt Chun took them and passed over a string of straw shoes tied with grass rope, saying, "These are the straw shoes we made during our free time. We have nothing else to give, so please take these for us. These five pairs are from me, for your uncle and your two brothers, and my two grandsons. I'm not sure if they fit. The rest are from your Aunt Wu, Sister Tian, and your cousin for their families. Please take them all."

Sui Yu took them and said, "I'll go there tomorrow."

Aunt Chun rubbed her hands, hesitating to say something. Watching Sui Yu and Sui Liang walk away, she hurried after them and said, "It's almost the New Year. Don't come here anymore."

She was afraid of hearing bad news.