Chapter Forty-Seven: A Thousand Arrows Piercing the Heart

After the fifteenth of the twelfth lunar month, the children all returned, and the Su family was overjoyed every day. The two elders were ecstatic to see the twins, especially He Yi, who looked so much like her maternal grandmother; she was the one among the next generation who most resembled the old lady.

When the elderly couple had nothing to do, they loved taking their three children shopping. They had a large amount of foreign exchange certificates, enough to buy anything that most people couldn't.

She came back again carrying big bags and small packages, leaving Shu Yao speechless after work. "Mom, you've spoiled the three kids rotten. What did you buy? How long will we ever use all this?"

He Yi came over and took her mother's arm: "Mom, I stopped her. Really."

He Xu and Tang Tang nodded in agreement. The children had finally witnessed what a shopaholic was like. Their grandparents bought everything they saw, as if they were emptying the entire export mall.

Mrs. Shu smiled and playfully scolded her daughter, "This is nothing, not much at all. We've never bought anything for the three of you since you were little. Besides, there's so little in China. Hurry up and get your passports and visas, you can all come with me next year."

Shu Yao was both amused and exasperated, her face beaming with happiness. The neighbors around them were quite envious; Tangtang was carrying a silk cotton coat, the price of which was prohibitive, and it was only available in foreign trade stores, requiring foreign exchange certificates to purchase.

When she got home and started unpacking, she realized that many of the items were hers. Cashmere coats, silk cotton coats, cashmere scarves, gloves... she had everything her two daughters had, and many of them were the same style as her daughters'.

"No, who picked this out?" She picked up the embroidered dress, both amused and exasperated. "Yiyi, don't you know how old your mother is? Buying me the same thing as you guys, does she think I'm some unmarried young girl?"

"Mom, you're already so young. This suits you perfectly, you look so good in it."

He Yi not only looks like her maternal grandmother, but she also has a remarkably similar temperament. She speaks in a gentle and soft voice, and her maternal grandfather says that seeing her is like seeing his wife when she was young.

“Yiyi is right. You’re not old, and you’re still young. If you go out dressed like your daughter, everyone will definitely think you’re the older sister.”

Shu Yao was both amused and exasperated; why were her parents joining in the child's antics? That evening, after washing up and sitting at her dressing table, she turned to her husband and asked him.

Do I look young?

The man nodded without hesitation: "Of course, my wife is very beautiful."

The woman in the mirror looked relaxed and confident, without a single wrinkle on her face. The old version of herself in her memory seemed so far away, even though it wasn't that long ago according to the timeline, yet her current state was worlds apart from it.

In her past life, at this time, she was running a small business and had given up the opportunity to return to her factory job. Sun Yaozu had a big fight with her about this, and they had a long period of cold war. She was busy making money and also had to find time to coax him. He ignored her when she talked to him, and even after she cooked him something delicious, he still wouldn't pay attention to her.

Looking back now, I realize how foolish I was. Just because she was three years older than him, and her in-laws had always demanded that she give in to him and take care of him, she tolerated him her whole life. Now, he's nothing like her man; he's not even as good as the son she raised.

There were three children at home, so the parents had someone to keep them company and take care of them. In the evening, Su Juan came to pick up her mother, and Shu Yao gave her third aunt an envelope.

"One hundred yuan, please keep it..."

"What, you're not going to need me anymore?"

Before she could finish speaking, her aunt became anxious. "She's over seventy now, but she's still in good health. Cooking and cleaning are no problem for her. We promised to take care of her in her old age, has she changed her mind now?"

Although she had saved most of the money Shu Yao had given her over the years, and had accumulated quite a bit, she wondered if she could discuss it with her daughter and give the money to her so that her daughter could support her in her old age. However, she was unsure about her daughter's family situation.

"No," Shu Yao smiled and hugged her third aunt. She had known the old lady for over twenty years, and for more than ten of those years, thanks to her, she was able to travel back and forth between the two places without worry. In her heart, her third aunt was like her mother-in-law. She was like a mother, someone she would take care of in her old age and see to her death.

“It’s too tiring to travel back and forth in this cold weather, you should take a rest. My parents will be leaving after the New Year, and then you can come back to stay, so you won’t have to travel back and forth.”

Auntie San breathed a sigh of relief. She took the opportunity to say, "Our new house will be finished by the end of the year, and we'll have a separate room for you. It will have heating and hot water, and it will be very comfortable to live in."

"Sigh, sigh."

As people get older, what they fear most is being left destitute in their old age. So, she hasn't touched her money much over the years. Her husband and daughter have everything they need for clothing and food; she won't need the money later anyway, and it's going to be left to them. She was just thinking of discussing it with her daughter if things got really bad, but it turns out she was overthinking it.

"Yaoyao," she began, but her voice choked with emotion. She was too overwhelmed to speak. She knew this couple was reliable, definitely better than her son.

"Third Aunt, don't worry about it. Don't worry, we'll take care of everything."

The three children came in and, upon hearing the news, hugged their grandmother goodbye. "Grandma, did you miss me? Don't worry, we'll come to see you in a few days."

Auntie wiped away her tears: "I'll take care of your grandparents at home. They came back from abroad and aren't used to this life, so please take good care of them."

"knew."

Auntie was taken to stay with her daughter for a while, and the three children had clearly defined roles. If Su Xiangdong was home, he was the main cook, as he was the best at cooking. If neither Mom nor Dad were home, He Yi would cook, and she was quite good at it too.

"Brother, you're in charge of boiling water. Make sure none of the thermos flasks are empty."

"Know."

Tangtang was in charge of keeping them company. The little girl had a very sweet tongue, and within a few days, she had won over her grandparents to the point of showering them with praise.

"Yaoyao, you've raised such good children. Heyi can actually cook, and her skills are so good. Hexu, a boy, can also cook, and he's very meticulous. Tangtang, that girl, has such a sweet tongue."

Shu Yao smiled but didn't say anything. Children from poor families mature early, after all. However, she thought it was quite good this way; the children were all very independent. Tangtang could actually cook simple meals, but since her older siblings were around, she rarely had to.

I sat with my mother for tea and a chat this evening. She cooked six dishes and a soup, a mix of meat and vegetables, with me helping her prepare. My mother seemed preoccupied during dinner, and now she asked her what was wrong.

"Mom, what are you thinking about? You seem unhappy. Is it inconvenient or uncomfortable living here?"

"No, your mother isn't that delicate." Shu's mother sighed and reached out to touch her hair. "When you left us, you had never even stepped into the kitchen, but now you're such a good cook."

“I haven’t really cooked much. My husband usually does most of the cooking at home, and my third aunt also prepares everything. Xiangdong is away on a business trip, so I’m cooking now. I just wanted to show you some filial piety and let you taste my cooking. Look, I’ve even brought tears to your eyes.”

The father, who had also been feeling emotional and unable to express it, finally asked the question he had been holding back after hearing his daughter speak so easily.

"Did you learn this skill from the Sun family?"

She nodded, knowing her parents still minded that period of her life and felt she had suffered. How could the Shu family's precious daughter be allowed to become someone else's child bride?

"I was liberated soon, and I didn't actually suffer much. I just did some housework, nothing much."

“That Sun Yaozu looks like a monkey with a pointed face and no sense of responsibility. How dare he force my daughter to marry him?”

The mother was also dissatisfied. "Exactly. It's only eighty-eight silver dollars, just the cost of a meal, yet they want my daughter's entire life. It's simply outrageous."

Mr. Shu felt both heartache and guilt. It was all his fault for losing his daughter, which caused her to live as a dependent in someone else's home, being bullied and not daring to utter a word.

"Dad, Mom," Shu Yao called out, grabbing one of her hands just like when she was a child. "It's all in the past, no need to dwell on it anymore. Look at me now, I'm doing great, I have a husband and children, and a happy family."

Grandpa Shu felt a mix of emotions, wanting to both cry and laugh. He sensed a growing distance between himself and his daughter, so despite the fact that staying here wasn't as convenient as the guesthouse, he still chose to stay at her house. Now it seemed like the right decision; his daughter was even being affectionate with them.

"Okay, it's all in the past."

Before the Lunar New Year, Shu Yao officially resigned from her job and stopped working, spending a lot of time researching delicious food. Su Xiangdong brought her all sorts of ingredients that were rare in the North, such as lotus root starch, dried osmanthus flowers, poria cocos powder, red beans, lotus seeds, and so on, and she made Southern-style pastries at home every day.

"Mom, try these: lotus root starch and osmanthus sugar cake, as well as poria cocos cake and lotus seed and red bean paste."

"Oh dear," said Shu's mother, who had previously looked pale and sickly. Now that she had found her daughter and was living with her, her complexion was improving day by day. Her daughter also went out of her way to cook delicious meals for her. After being separated for decades, she finally felt the warmth of her sweet little girl again.

"Delicious!" One bite and it's slightly sweet but not cloying. It has a faint aroma of lotus root starch and osmanthus. "Making these is so troublesome, don't make them again."

"No trouble at all. I'm not working anymore, so I'm just idling around anyway." She handed her father a piece of poria cocos cake, and he nodded at her after taking a bite.

"You actually remember that Dad likes to eat this."

"Of course. I was twelve then, not two. I knew what Mom and Dad liked, and I would cook for you in the future."

"good."

The elderly couple smiled contentedly, knowing their later years wouldn't be too lonely. Both their sons were married, and their grandchildren would likely prefer living abroad, meaning they wouldn't be around much in the future. They had decided to return to their roots, where their daughter and her family would be by their side.

The elderly couple, having nothing better to do, talked to her about their two sisters-in-law's personalities, hoping they could get along well in the future. The elder sister-in-law came from a prominent local family; her family ran a shipping business. The younger sister-in-law's family was also very powerful; her father was a government councilor, and she was their only daughter.

"Although they are all proud, they are all well-educated and reasonable people. They know your place in their family's hearts, so they shouldn't clash with you."

Shu Yao nodded without saying anything. In her previous life, she had already gotten along with her two sisters-in-law. Indeed, as her parents said, it was natural to be proud of such a good background.

On New Year's Eve, the family was busy preparing the reunion dinner. Su Xiangdong was the main cook, the three children were helping out, and Shu Yao was chatting and drinking tea with her parents inside. Just as things were getting lively, someone entered the house.

"Hello Auntie, Happy New Year."

"Hello." One can't hit a smiling face, and faced with Sun Shuyin's kind demeanor, she couldn't bring herself to speak harshly. After all, it was the Lunar New Year.

"Is there something you need?"

"Oh, my dad made some meatballs, they're delicious! I'll bring you some to try."

Shu Yao frowned. "Girl, do you think this is appropriate? You should know the nature of our family relationship; we haven't been in touch since then. Why are you suddenly sending me meatballs? Do you think I'd dare eat them? This is clearly a case of a weasel offering New Year's greetings to a chicken—you're up to no good."

"No need. We've already fried a lot, more than we can eat ourselves. If you like, grab a handful and eat."

Shu Yao's tone was very gentle, but her words were a firm refusal. Sun Shuyin's face paled, and she stood there awkwardly. But even so, she didn't leave. Under the pressure of Shu Yao and the other two's gazes, she had already come up with an excuse.

“Auntie, I sincerely want to let bygones be bygones. My parents have made many mistakes in the past, please forgive them. I did not approve of those things, and I apologize to you on their behalf.”

"No need," Shu Yao refused again. "Adult matters are none of a child's business, you don't need to apologize."

She was rejected again, and Sun Shuyin bit her lip, her eyes showing anxiety. Being young and lacking in maturity, she was at a loss for what to do next after being rejected repeatedly.

"Aunt,"

"It's getting late, so I won't keep you any longer. Take care."

Shu Yao immediately saw the guest out, leaving Sun Shuyin's words stuck in her throat. Her face was already flushed with embarrassment from being rejected repeatedly. She couldn't continue; Tangtang, whom she had been hoping for, hadn't come in, let alone come to her rescue.

She came in carrying a bowl of fried meatballs, and she left the same way. She quietly slipped along the wall back home, and as soon as she entered, she was met with Sun Yaozu's questioning face.

"How about it?"

"Dad, I'm sorry. Tangtang's mother looks gentle, but she's actually ruthless. She kicked me out while I was talking."

"Have you seen Tangtang, or Heyi, those two sisters?"

"No." Sun Shuyin was a little scared because her father looked sullen and unhappy. "Tangtang heard I went, but she didn't show up."

“…” Sun Yaozu remained silent, took a deep breath, and forced a smile. He reached out and gently stroked her hair, his tone softening.

"It's okay. If you want to make friends, you have to be unafraid of rejection. It's normal to fail the first time; just try again next time."

Go again? Sun Shuyin bit her lip, actually quite reluctant. The Su family clearly didn't welcome them; they were refusing to associate with the Sun family. It was unpleasant to be met with such indifference. But she didn't dare refuse her father. Although he had been quite kind to her these days, for some reason, deep down she was afraid of him.

"Don't be afraid, be brave." After saying that, seeing that she didn't seem too shaken, he immediately increased the stakes.

"If you do well, Dad will buy you a bicycle. Not one of those old-fashioned ones from China, but one of those pretty foreign girls that you see in magazines riding."

"Really?" Her eyes lit up again at the thought of the beautiful car she had seen. How prestigious it would be to own such a nice car! Compared to the car, being given the cold shoulder didn't seem so unbearable.

"Really, when has Dad ever lied to you?"

"Okay," she agreed again, but she was still very curious and couldn't help but ask, "Daddy, what do you want He Yi's hair for?"

"Children don't need to ask so many questions about adult matters."

"oh."

It was New Year's Eve, and the sporadic sound of firecrackers outside continued. He irritably lit a cigarette, put on his clothes, and went out. After using the restroom, the quiet air finally cleared his head.

He stood at the front door, the spark in his hand flickering. The door to the neighboring Shu Yao's house opened; Shu Yao and her husband were coming out to use the restroom. The Su family was unusually lively tonight; it seemed they weren't asleep yet.

Many houses had lanterns lit at their gates, and he saw Shu Yao and her husband holding hands. He whispered something in her ear, and she playfully slapped him, her eyes full of coquettish reproach.

She must be over forty, yet she still possesses such a graceful and agile spirit. Her face remains beautiful under the lamplight, and she smiles so happily when she's with him.

He felt as if needles were pricking his heart, a dense, throbbing pain spreading through him. He closed his eyes, placed his hand on his chest, and took several slow, deep breaths.

Back then, during his near-death experience of smuggling himself out of the country, he deliberately chose the area where her parents lived. He thought he could take advantage of the Shu family through her. Who would have thought the Shu family would be so cunning and so protective of their own? He never imagined that just because he ran off alone without her, the Shu family would develop a dislike for him.

He was already feeling terrible enough, and then the three children came out to use the restroom. He Yi was holding her younger sister's hand, and He Xu was holding a flashlight. The three siblings chattered amongst themselves, and the clear, familiar faces under the light made him feel as if a thousand arrows were piercing his heart once again.

His daughter and son were somewhat different from their previous lives when they were young. But as they grew up, they looked exactly the same as in their previous lives. He Xu, a tall man of 1.8 meters, looked remarkably like his uncle. His flesh and blood, his only two children, now bore the surname Su and had no relation to him, Sun Yaozu. They didn't even greet him when they saw him, and there was a hint of disgust in their eyes.

Shu Yao, how could you be so cruel? Your loved ones are right in front of you, yet you can't acknowledge them. You make me hear them call another man "Dad," torturing my heart again and again.

"Shuhua, Shuqing," he murmured to himself, letting the two names roll on his tongue. He watched them come out smiling, and return smiling. He longed to step forward and call out to them, but he knew he couldn't. They knew nothing now; if he went forward, he would only humiliate himself.

On the first day of the Lunar New Year, Sun Shuyin went to the Shu family next door again early in the morning. It was still dark, but everyone was already up to welcome the New Year. The sound of firecrackers was incessant, interspersed with the sounds of children playing.

The three Shu sisters paid their respects to their maternal grandparents early in the morning. Shu Yao, following old customs, placed a prayer cushion under their feet. What was criticized as feudal in previous years was no longer a concern. She and Su Xiangdong knelt down before their parents, paying their respects to them again after being separated for thirty years.

"Happy New Year, Mom and Dad! May you live a long and healthy life."

Su Xiangdong also kowtowed, saying, "May Mom and Dad be healthy and have everything go well for them."

"well."

The elderly couple wiped away tears from their eyes and took out the red envelopes they had prepared beforehand. Shu Yao smiled and accepted them; with her parents around, she would always be their daughter. Next, the three children offered their New Year's greetings, each one uttering auspicious words, which brought smiles to their grandparents' faces.

The three sisters didn't even need to guess; just from the thickness of the red envelopes, they knew there must be a lot of money inside. But when they opened them, they were still shocked. A whole row of brand-new foreign exchange certificates.

The three of them had just put away the red envelopes when they stepped out of the courtyard and saw Sun Shuyin coming in. The girl was all smiles, but when she saw them, her expression froze for a moment. Where did these three buy their clothes? Each one of them looked better than the last.

He Xu wore charcoal gray trousers and a brown V-neck sweater, which made him look sunny and handsome. Tangtang and He Yi wore matching cardigan sweaters, which were really beautiful, playful and gentle yet with a scholarly air. Tangtang felt a pang of envy for a moment, but quickly composed herself and greeted them with a smile.

Happy Chinese New Year!

Tangtang was stunned, and He Yi and He Xu were even more stunned. "You've never visited us since birth, why are you coming to our house to wish us a Happy New Year?"