Chapter 55 Getting the Medicine

Upon hearing the price, Luo Qiaoying felt even more distressed.

Two dollars and fifty cents?

That's two days' wages for an ordinary person!

My daughter works hard away from home, and all the money she earns goes back to support the family, but she can't bear to spend a single penny on herself.

She frowned and raised her voice slightly.

"You silly child, why are you wasting money again! Those shoes cost two yuan and fifty cents a pair, wouldn't it be better to save them to buy some meat or some cloth to make a new dress?"

“Your father and I are almost in our graves, why would we need such nice clothes! Take them back and let the kids wear them, or wear them yourselves! It’s a waste for us to wear them!”

She became more and more excited as she spoke, and even tapped Shen Cuifen's forehead with her finger.

"Do you remember when you were little, you wore your sister's hand-me-downs, patched upon patched, and never complained? Now that life is better, you've become extravagant. Is this how someone who's frugal lives behaves?"

Seeing that her mother was about to start nagging again, Shen Cuifen simply hugged her arm tightly.

"Mom, my throat is parched, do you have any cold water at home?"

She nuzzled her head against Luo Qiaoying's shoulder, her voice soft and slightly aggrieved.

"I sat in the car for half a day and didn't drink any water the whole way, so my lips are all chapped."

Luo Qiaoying's anger subsided after being coaxed like that, and she smiled and tapped her forehead.

"A mother acting like a spoiled child here, isn't she ashamed? Her daughter is watching!"

Although he said that, he was already completely charmed by his daughter's coquettishness.

As she continued to berate them, she turned and walked briskly toward the kitchen, muttering to herself.

"You're so good at sweet-talking people. Wait, I'll pour you some cooled boiled water from the well with some mint leaves to cool you down."

He said it, but immediately went to the kitchen to pour water.

She lifted the coarse cloth lid from the earthenware pot, scooped a ladle of cool water into a rough porcelain bowl, picked two fresh mint leaves from the windowsill, put them in, and gently stirred them.

Water droplets clung to the rim of the bowl, giving it a cool feel.

Lu Xiuye ​​and Lu Xiuwei felt a warm glow in their hearts as they watched their mother act like a little girl in front of their grandmother.

They squatted by the doorway, shelling beans, their movements slowing down.

So this is how Mom can act cute, snuggle against Grandma's arm, and speak in that soft voice.

The scene made them feel both heartbroken and incredibly warm.

Taking advantage of this moment, Shen Cuifen quickly stuffed the shoes into Luo Qiaoying's quilt to hide them before turning back.

She lifted the coarse cotton quilt on the kang (a heated brick bed), quietly stuffed the two pairs of brand-new cloth shoes inside, and wrapped them tightly in the quilt, afraid that her mother would find out and return them.

After doing all this, she clapped her hands and walked back to the main room as if nothing had happened.

"Dad, where are my eldest and second eldest brothers? And my eldest and second eldest sisters-in-law aren't here either?"

She asked the question while looking around.

The room was clean and tidy, with a blue and white floral bed sheet on the kang (a heated brick bed), and an enamel mug and an old-fashioned palm-leaf fan on the table.

But they were nowhere to be seen, not even the eldest brother who usually loved to sit on the doorstep smoking his pipe.

Shen Cuifen has many siblings; she is the third oldest.

The two older brothers farm at home, the younger sister got married early, and the youngest brother joined the army a few years ago.

Shen Dashan sat down and took a sip of tea.

"Your second brother and sister-in-law went back to their mother-in-law's house, and your eldest brother and sister-in-law went to see the cows giving birth in Yangjiagou. They haven't come back yet."

He took another slow sip of tea, his voice low.

"I heard that the cow had a difficult birth and struggled all night. She finally gave birth today, but the calf's legs are a bit weak. They'll go see if they can help."

Shen Dashan looked up at Shen Cuifen and finally asked what was on his mind.

"Cuifen, is there something you need that brought you back this time?"

He stared at his daughter, feeling that she was different from before.

She is no longer the somewhat dull and rigid Cuifen who only knew how to bury herself in her work.

It's like he's become a different person, but it doesn't seem like something bad has happened.

After all, there was no panic on her face; instead, she exuded composure.

Shen Dashan was filled with anxiety, fearing that she might encounter difficulties and that she might act on her own without telling her family.

Shen Cuifen's heart tightened, and she felt a little uneasy, wondering which matter her father was asking about.

Are you asking about her secretly taking the medicine?

Or did she contact the supply and marketing cooperative in the city privately?

Or perhaps...

Did he find out that she was planning to leave the village to do business in the city?

"Dad, I just came back to get some herbs, nothing else."

Shen Cuifen calmed down and forced a smile.

"I twisted my back while working at the factory a while ago. I heard that the 'tendon-stretching grass' on the hill behind our house is effective, so I thought I'd come back and pick some, boil it in water, and rub it on my back."

No matter which one her father guessed, she didn't intend to tell him.

Some things are not ready to be revealed yet.

I don't want my two elderly parents to worry and suffer because of her.

"What kind of herbs?"

Shen Dashan frowned slightly, his tone filled with doubt and worry.

In fact, Shen Dashan knew in his heart that Shen Cuifen was changing the subject.

But knowing his daughter's stubborn nature, he didn't press the matter further.

"It's the kind of food you used to give the dog, the kind that makes it fall asleep."

Shen Cuifen answered softly, her gaze somewhat evasive.

Shen Cuifen gently bit her lip—it was her habit.

I always do this unconsciously when I'm nervous, insecure, or unsure of what to do.

"That medicine is used to catch dogs. They gave it to the dog because they were afraid it would recognize the way and run back."

Shen Dashan frowned.

"This medicine can be taken by people, but the dosage needs to be increased."

Shen Cuifen explained in a low voice.

"What do you need it for? Are you having trouble sleeping? Or are you feeling unwell?"

"I haven't been sleeping well lately."

Shen Cuifen answered, her tone revealing a hint of weariness.

"I toss and turn at night, always having nightmares, and I wake up in a cold sweat."

Upon hearing this, a hint of heartache flashed across Shen Dashan's face.

He didn't ask any more questions, but silently stood up and turned to walk towards the old wooden cabinet in the corner of the room.

The cabinet was locked, so he took a small, rusty key out of his pocket and opened the drawer.

After rummaging around for a while, he took out a small bag wrapped in old newspaper from the corner.

Upon opening it, I found some grayish-white powder inside.

"This medicine isn't poison."

Shen Dashan said in a low voice as he walked back.

"But it can make you sleep for a long time, and you won't wake up for half a day. If you are weak, it may take even longer."

"So don't use too much at once, or something bad will happen, you know?"

At this moment, Song Qiaoying walked in carrying an iron teapot and a porcelain bowl.

Lu Xiuye ​​quickly got up and took the teapot.

"You should rest; the water is very hot."

Lu Xiuwei then arranged the bowls one by one, waiting to pour water.

Song Qiaoying sat down, blinked, and looked at Shen Dashan with a smile.

"You're asking her if she knows? Old man, don't you remember? When she was little, she was greedy and would sneak food, then sleep for over twenty hours straight, almost scaring the two of us out of our wits!"

Her eyes were full of smiles as she said this.

Shen Dashan finally couldn't hold back and burst out laughing.

His laughter was hearty, tinged with a sense of relief and indulgence.

Yes, Shen Cuifen was indeed very greedy when she was a child!