Chapter Thirty: Stern Father, Stubborn Son

Early the next morning, after the villagers had a simple breakfast, Village Chief Yang urged everyone to continue their journey.

They had abandoned their luggage at the foot of the mountain for fear of being tracked by enemy soldiers. Now that a full day had passed, there was no telling if those enemies had already reached Qingyuan Village. To avoid being caught, the Chief dared not let the villagers linger for even a moment longer.

Su Jinyu had eaten the shepherd's purse buns made by Chen Shulan for breakfast. Though two fist-sized buns filled her stomach, the taste was rather bland. For the past few days, their only vegetable had been shepherd's purse; unless they managed to forage something else, they were stuck eating the same thing every day. Even for someone who loved the greens, constant repetition was bound to become tiresome. It seemed she would have to find a way to improve the family's diet herself.

As they marched, Zheng Dali approached the center of the group to find Su Jinyu and her family. "Brother Tianhe, give me those two sacks you're carrying. Let me handle them for you. If you're worried, I'll stay by your side and never leave your sight."

Behind him followed his seven-year-old son, Zheng Hu. The little boy had not yet fully recovered from his illness, and his lips remained pale. "Sister Jinyu, let me carry your bundles! I'm very strong!"

Li Tianhe waved him off nonchalantly and patted Zheng Dali on the shoulder. "Brother Dali, you have plenty of your own things to attend to, so look after your own household first. My sons and I can still manage the load."

Su Jinyu looked at Zheng Hu. The boy’s eyes were filled with pure, innocent gratitude. "Hu-zi, the bundles aren't heavy, so you don't need to help. Just remember to take your medicine on time every day, and don't forget it."

"I’ll remember, Sister Jinyu! Thank you for caring about me. When I grow up, I’ll learn a trade, protect you, and earn lots of money to show my filial respect!" The little boy’s vow was earnest and sincere.

Su Jinyu chuckled, a warmth blooming in her heart. "You silly child, I’m not an elder, so there’s no need for 'filial respect.' We’re peers!" The boy was only a year older than her own younger brother, and given that his father was soft-spoken and he lived under the thumb of a cruel stepmother, his life must have been miserable.

Zheng Hu realized he had misspoken and broke into an embarrassed, goofy grin. Suddenly, his stomach let out a series of loud growls. He clutched his belly, his face scrunching up in pain.

Su Jinyu took two leftover shepherd's purse buns from the iron pot in Li Zhe's basket. They had been kept for her, but she was already full and had no appetite for more. "Here, Hu-zi, take these and go back to your father."

Zheng Hu hesitated to take them, but Su Jinyu shoved them into his hands. "Look at your hands, they’re covered in dust. I certainly won’t eat a bun you’ve dirtied, so just take them and go!" she said, feigning disgust.

Zheng Dali understood her kindness all too well, and his heart ached. His wife had scolded him all night; this morning, she had only prepared breakfast for herself and her own son, leaving him and Hu-zi to go hungry. Tears blurred his vision, and before he could find the words to thank her, Su Jinyu cut him off.

"Uncle Dali, as long as you have a clear conscience, there is no need to be servile. You need to hold up the sky for Hu-zi’s future; you cannot stay on your knees forever."

These words made Zheng Dali freeze. He understood now: Su Jinyu was reminding him not to be so weak.

On the way back, Zheng Hu handed one of the buns to his father. "Dad, you didn't have breakfast either. I'll eat half, and you take the rest."

"You eat it, son. I'm not hungry."

"Dad, please eat. Your stomach is growling louder than mine."

Caught in the lie, Zheng Dali sighed. "We’ll each have one, then we’ll head back." He had always felt guilty for being poor and for the hardship his son endured under his stepmother, Liu Qionghua, so he had never stood up to her. But he was often away for work, and Hu-zi’s life at home had been truly wretched.

Liu Qionghua, holding her biological son Zheng Dalong, saw them return and immediately snapped, "Where have you two been? Why did it take so long?"

When she saw the bits of greens on Zheng Hu's mouth, her fury ignited. "Oh, so you two are in cahoots now? Learning to sneak food behind my back and Dalong’s? Zheng Dali, you heartless dog, do you even want to be married to me anymore? When you promised my family you’d treat me well, is this how you do it?"

Zheng Dali’s expression remained stern. He spoke plainly, "Ever since we married, you’ve run the household, and every cent I’ve earned has gone to you. I don't ask you to treat Hu-zi as well as Dalong, but at least let him have a meal. Instead, you feed him half a bowl of pig swill. Look at him—he’s nothing but skin and bones. Liu Qionghua, you tell me, who is the heartless one?"

The surrounding villagers were stunned, and even Liu Qionghua was momentarily silenced by her husband’s sudden authority. After a long pause, she pulled out a handkerchief, covered her eyes, and began to wail. "Heaven help me! I can't live like this! Everyone, judge for yourselves—Zheng Dali is abusing me and Dalong! He’s a monster! Woe is me!"

The villagers knew Liu Qionghua’s character well, and as she put on her performative display, they cast looks of disdain in her direction.

"Enough, Liu Qionghua, stop the act. We all know Brother Dali’s character. If there’s one man in this village worth relying on for a lifetime, it’s him. You’re just blind to your own good fortune! Instead of building a life with him, you’re constantly stirring up trouble. You’ll only regret it when you’ve truly torn this family apart!"

"Have you and Dalong not eaten well enough? You want to hoard all the good things for yourselves, and the moment Dali gives his own son a bite, you throw a tantrum? You’re being far too overbearing!"

Flustered by the women’s rebukes, Liu Qionghua dropped her act and threw her handkerchief to the ground in a rage. "This is my family’s business! It has nothing to do with you gossiping hags! Get lost!"

"Look, she’s throwing a fit because she’s in the wrong! Hahaha!"

Liu Qionghua was purple with rage. Her mind raced as she recalled that the father and son had just come from Su Jinyu’s side. She hated Su Jinyu with a passion; if it hadn't been for that girl, the little brat Zheng Hu would have died yesterday.

In truth, Zheng Hu’s illness and his days of high fever were all part of her plan. She had forced him to wash clothes in the freezing river before dawn and carry water from the back mountain, all to make him catch a cold. She had even taken his thick clothes, leaving him to work in just a thin shirt. It was only natural that the frail boy fell ill within three days.

It was all that meddlesome Su Jinyu’s fault for saving the little brat! And her husband, who was usually as mute as a stone, had actually dared to talk back today, leaving her speechless—it was surely that girl Su Jinyu who had put him up to it!