Chapter 38 When the weather gets warmer, business goes smoothly...
With warmer weather, business is booming. After more than half a year of accumulating customers, Qiu Yuruo's food stall has become famous throughout Qingshi Town.
Even people living in the south of Qingshi Town would come here specifically to buy pastries and meat sauce.
The booming business gradually added some weight to her empty purse. With the money, the first thing she did was to exchange the bracelet that was left at the clinic when Su Yunting went to the county to get medicine.
She put the bracelet back where it was, and Qiu Yuruo finally felt at ease.
Just as she was preparing to make a big splash and earn back the money she had spent, Ping An came to ask for leave early in the morning.
The unpredictable weather finally passed, but Ping An's grandmother fell ill.
The old lady fell ill suddenly. She talked a lot with Ping An last night, but she couldn't get up this morning.
Upon hearing this, Qiu Yuruo quickly gave him the silver.
Ping An came to ask for leave, not to borrow money.
He earns one hundred coins a month, more than the new waiters at the town's restaurant. No matter how difficult things are for Qiu Yu, she never delays paying Ping An's wages.
He declined to accept it, so Qiu Yuruo said, "It's always good to have a little extra money when it comes to Grandma's medical treatment. If you really don't need it, you can take it back."
Only after Qiu Yu said that did Ping An stop refusing, accept the money, and hurriedly go home.
Ping An took the day off today, so Qiu Yu Ruo asked Aunt Shun Cai for help.
Just as I finished packing up my stall, a woman rushed over from the village and started calling out to Qiu Yuruo from a distance.
The person who came was Ping An's aunt. Ping An's father had no brothers, and the closest person to his family was the son of his grandfather's brother.
Ping An came over in the morning and said that he and his cousin had taken his grandmother to see a doctor in town. Now his cousin's wife came to find him in a hurry, and Qiu Yuru's heart skipped a beat.
She quickly untied her apron and asked Aunt Ping'an, "What's wrong, Auntie?"
Aunt Ping An gasped for breath, "Grandma Ping An is dying. She keeps calling your name, wanting to see you one last time."
The old man is dying, and his desire to see Qiu Yuruo at this time clearly indicates that he wants to entrust his children to her.
Without saying a word, Qiu Yuru put down her apron and ran to Ping An's house.
Aunt Shuncai watched her running figure, sighed, and muttered to herself, "How can this child be so kind-hearted!"
She thought of Su Yunting's mother again and couldn't help but shake her head, saying, "Like attracts like!"
When Qiu Yuruo arrived at Ping An's house, a large number of people had already gathered at his door, all of whom lived near his house.
Everyone knew why the old lady insisted on seeing Qiu Yuruo. Logically speaking, if the old lady wanted to entrust her child to someone, it would be to these close relatives.
But there's always a "but," isn't there?
Everyone's life is not easy. If Ping An is a girl, we can raise her for a few years and let her get married when she grows up.
But Ping An isn't a girl. When he grows up, we need to find him a wife, and before that, we need to fix up the house.
His family originally didn't have much wealth, and after his grandfather had been ill for many years, the family lost its breadwinner.
Those close to him felt that they had done their best to help him send off the old lady; as for other matters, each family had its own difficulties, and no one wanted to take on the responsibility of helping a young man get married.
So when everyone saw Qiu Yuruo running over, they all breathed a sigh of relief.
Even if Qiu Yuruo hadn't come today, no one could say anything bad about her.
It's true that both families share the surname Su, but they're not from the same branch. Besides, it's perfectly understandable that the young woman didn't want to take on such a hot potato.
Anyone could think of a million reasons why she wouldn't come, but she still came, running over breathlessly.
People spontaneously made way for her.
Qiu Yu slowed down and gradually adjusted her breathing.
In the suddenly quiet courtyard, only Ping An's suppressed sobs could be heard.
As Qiu Yuruo entered the house, someone called out, "Yuruo's here!"
The old woman, lying on the bed panting heavily, finally let out a soft "hmm..." sound.
Ping An quickly called out to her, "Grandma, Grandma, wake up!"
Qiu Yuruo came to the bedside and said to the old lady whose face was already ashen, "Grandma, it's me, Qiu Yuruo, I've come."
Grandma slowly opened her eyes. She was on her deathbed and could barely see anything. She raised her hand to touch Qiu Yuruo, but she couldn't see her and could only grope in mid-air.
Qiu Yuruo squatted down, took her hand that couldn't find its way, and said again, "Grandma, it's me, Qiu Yuruo."
With her last bit of strength, the old woman gripped her hand, repeatedly saying, "Peace, peace."
Ping An grabbed her arm, crying, "Grandma, I'm here, I'm here!"
Hearing Ping An's response, the old lady seemed to perk up all at once. She said to Qiu Yu Ruo, "Yu Ruo, please take better care of Ping An in the future. Just give him some food to eat while he's still young."
Qiu Yuruo took Ping An's hand and placed it in the old lady's hand as well: "Don't worry, I've taken Ping An as my apprentice. As long as I have food to eat, I won't let him go hungry. I'll teach him everything I know in the future. Once he has a skill, he'll never go hungry, no matter what."
After hearing this, the old lady became even more energetic and shouted loudly, "Ping An, quickly kowtow to your master!"
Upon hearing this, Ping An kowtowed three times to Qiu Yu Ruo.
Qiu Yuruo took his hand and placed it back in the old lady's hand, saying, "From now on, Ping An will be my apprentice. With me watching over him, you can rest assured."
After hearing this, Grandma smiled and said, "Okay, okay, okay."
The first sound was at a normal volume, but the second sound weakened, and by the third sound it was barely audible...
In rural households, when an elder passes away, they don't have to stay home and observe mourning like officials. After all, they still have to make a living. As long as they don't put up red decorations during festivals and don't get married during the mourning period, they are considered to be observing mourning.
However, since an elderly person in the family has just passed away, it is not advisable to go out and do anything during the first seven days after death.
Qiu Yuruo, please ask Aunt Shuncai to help you for a few more days.
After Grandma Ping'an passed away seven days ago, he came to help out at the food stall again. After closing up shop in the evening, Qiu Yuruo didn't let him go home first, but instead told him to eat before going back.
Life flows gently like a stream, and even the greatest pain can be carried away by the water, allowing peace to slowly return to its former cheerfulness.
Every morning, they would go to Qiu Yuruo's house, first fetch water, then load things onto the cart. After Qiu Yuruo finished getting ready, the two of them would pull the cart to set up their stall.
In the afternoon, Qiu Yuru went home to let Su Yunting use the restroom, and Ping An took over the task.
Qiu Yuruo felt embarrassed to ask him to do it, but Ping An said, "My uncle said that one should treat one's master as one's parents. Since my master has accepted me, I should treat you all like my parents. I can take care of my father when he is sick, and I will take care of my master when he is sick."
Qiu Yuruo: The problem is, even if I added the age I lived in my previous life, I still couldn't have a son as big as you!
However, she could no longer refuse. Qiu Yu Ruo understood why Ping An's uncle had said those things to him. It was true that he taught Ping An to treat his teacher as a father, and it was also true that he completely entrusted Ping An to her.
Regardless of whether Ping An's uncle takes care of him or not, Qiu Yu Ruo herself had made the decision to take care of her apprentice's future career and family after she had the idea of taking Ping An as her apprentice.
Even just to put their minds at ease, Qiu Yuruo couldn't bring herself to refuse.
Ping An took over the afternoon's task of taking care of Su Yunting, and he didn't let the evening go either. After having dinner at home, he wasn't in a hurry to leave. He shamelessly went to Qiu Yuruo's room with Yun Che, and the two of them washed and tidied up Su Yunting, and then gave him a full-body massage.
The two boys, who were skinny and small last year, have grown much taller and stronger than Qiu Yuruo in the past six months.
The two of them served Su Yunting together, and it seemed like it took them no effort at all.
Qiu Yuruo: No wonder some people like to take on many apprentices. As long as you teach them a skill, they can live a life where they don't have to do anything. Such a good thing is, of course, the more the better.
Of course, the prerequisite is that the master must ensure that the apprentice has food to eat.
Qiu Yuruo was a bit more particular than other masters. She not only made sure her apprentice had food to eat, but also wanted him to be well-fed and well-clothed.
Qiu Yuruo lay on the bed feeling completely relaxed and said to Su Yunting, "Raising a disciple is just like raising a child. You not only have to worry about his food and clothing, but also about his future."
She sighed as she said this, "I'm still a baby myself, how did I end up having to raise four children!"
Su Yunting couldn't help but laugh in her mind. She always liked to say that she was a baby, but she never really treated herself like a baby.
Always thinking about how to make their lives better is just like raising children.
Thinking of the four children Qiu Yuruo is raising now, in her previous life, three of them had already passed away by this time.
In my past life, when my younger sister was seriously ill, there was nothing left in the family to sell. It was at that time that my second aunt came to our house and arranged a marriage for my younger sister.
She praised the other party to the skies, and for the sake of the betrothal gifts, the second sister agreed. Yun Che didn't believe his second aunt and stopped her from seeing the person first. He found that the other party was indeed similar to what his second aunt had said.
The other party gave a dowry of twenty taels, but the second uncle's family kept ten taels. Yun Che took the ten taels of silver to town to treat his younger sister. In the end, the money was spent, but his younger sister still did not wake up.
Three days after my younger sister died, my second sister was forced into a bridal sedan chair by my grandfather. She was beaten to death by her husband two days after the wedding.
Because that person had been mentally ill since childhood, and when he had an episode, he liked to hit people. When he hit others, they didn't like it, but when he hit his second sister, no one stopped him...
Whenever Su Yunting thought about his two younger sisters, he felt an urge to take revenge on those people again.
In this life, thanks to Yu Ruo's protection, Yun Che doesn't have to go out to work too early. He didn't injure his leg and has now returned to school. His temperament has also become more open-minded and generous.
Both of her younger sisters are doing well now. When her younger sister was sick, Yu Ruo did everything she could to treat her. Her second sister was beautiful, so she hid her at home, afraid that bad people would see her and have bad intentions.
Even her apprentice, in this time of her past life, went out to find work, was misunderstood as a thief, was beaten half to death, was dragged home, and died a few days later.
These children who suffered so much in their past lives have all been spared the same misery in this life because they met Yu Ruo. In fact, she cherishes them and protects them like precious treasures.
The person next to him was already asleep, and Su Yunting continued to break through the cage that trapped him.
He wanted to wake up as soon as possible, because only when he woke up could he cherish and protect her, and prevent her from suffering like she was now.
...
With Ping An joining in the care of Su Yunting, Qiu Yuruo's life became much easier. She spent her days setting up her stall, going home, and occasionally going to town to buy things. Her days were fulfilling and structured.
In a month with normal temperatures, after more than a month of effort, a five-tael silver ingot reappeared in the oil paper package under the table.
Just as Qiu Yuru was basking in the satisfaction of having a guaranteed income again, Wang Bin, whom she had once thought was unsuitable for an official position, came back with his classmates.
The person who came with him this time was Liu Jiancheng, who was with him for the first time.
This time, Qiu Yu said a few polite words to them, but instead of taking them home herself, she asked Ping An to take them back. She also told Ping An to ask Aunt Shuncai to help with lunch and cook for the guests.
Wang Bin was surprised that she wasn't going back, and asked her anxiously, "Aren't you going back?"
Qiu Yuruo: "Ping An is now my apprentice. It's much more convenient for him to take care of the two young masters than for me to go back."
The main reason is that it's market day today, and Qiu Yuruo saw that Uncle Shuncai and Brother Su Huai had both gone to the market.
Actually, if Qiu Yu didn't have two younger sisters at home, and if she wanted Ping An to entertain them all by herself, she would have asked Aunt Shun Cai to help out at the food stall.
Ping An's home-cooked meals are now better than those of most housewives, and he can easily prepare dishes for guests at home.
However, since Su Yunting was in a coma and Ping An was entertaining the two young men herself, it would be more reassuring to have Aunt Shuncai also come to the house.
Liu Jiancheng glanced at Wang Bin with suspicion. It was extremely impolite to be picky about the guests when visiting someone's home.
Wang Bin realized he had spoken carelessly and quickly tried to make amends, saying, "I didn't mean anything by it. I just thought your cooking was delicious, so I couldn't help asking."
Liu Jiancheng glanced at him again.
Liu Jiancheng didn't understand why Wang Bin kept making mistakes today. He was picky about who to serve earlier, and now he was using "you" directly when speaking to her. He was younger than Su Yunting, so he should address Yunting's wife as "sister-in-law"!
There are many people on the main road today. Anyone with eyes can see that it is market day in this town. Choosing to come today was a mistake. He is still there picking and choosing who to entertain or who to cook.
To prevent Wang Bin from saying anything inappropriate, Liu Jiancheng quickly pulled him back and said to Qiu Yuruo, "Sister-in-law, just focus on your work at the stall. We'll go visit Yunting at home and then head back."
Just as Qiu Yuruo was about to say something, Liu Jiancheng continued, "It's not that I'm afraid of troubling my sister-in-law, it's just that the teacher has assigned too much homework, so I really can't stay here any longer today."
Since they still had homework to do, Qiu Yuruo couldn't keep them any longer. "Next time you two come, I'll treat you properly. I was really rude today."
Liu Jiancheng replied directly, "No, sister-in-law, you're too kind."
While he was talking to Qiu Yuruo, he also had to be careful to prevent Wang Bin from interrupting and saying anything impolite.
Fortunately, Wang Bin realized that he had made frequent mistakes. Fearing that Liu Jiancheng would suspect him, he dared not speak again.
He stopped talking, but his eyes kept fixed on Qiu Yuruo.
Qiu Yuruo and Liu Jiancheng were being polite and didn't pay attention to Wang Bin. They were waiting for them to go back together to check on Su Yunting's safety, but they were keeping an eye on him.
Ping An was originally clever, and after coming to help at the food stall, he saw and heard a lot, and began to have some doubts about the way Wang Bin looked at his master.
He harbored suspicions, but dared not show them on his face. He was afraid that his suspicions were true, and even more afraid that Liu Jiancheng had also discovered them. If word got out, it would not be a good thing for his master.
After exchanging pleasantries with Qiu Yuruo, Liu Jiancheng quietly warned Wang Bin on the way to Su Family Village.
Wang Bin was filled with remorse for his carelessness. He silently bowed and apologized, indicating that he understood. Liu Jiancheng glanced at Ping An, who was walking ahead, and said nothing more.
When they arrived at Su Yunting's house, his two younger sisters came out to greet them.
After exchanging greetings, the second sister went to the kitchen to prepare the meal, while the younger sister continued to entertain them, inviting them to sit in the main room where guests were received.
Today was market day, and the food stalls were quite busy. Qiu Yuruo didn't let Su Yunting sunbathe in the courtyard, fearing that he might not be able to come back in time if the weather changed. So she let him get some fresh air in the reception room.
The living room has almost become a reading room. After dinner, Qiu Yuruo will let Ping An write some words here for a while.
Yun Che and Ping An were close friends. He saw Ping An writing here, and he also did his evening homework in this room.
As people moved over, the books in the house were gradually moved over as well.
Qiu Yu simply moved Su Yunting's bookshelf into this room, so that when he needed to get some fresh air in the room, she would place his recliner next to the bookshelf.
The two classmates entered the room and saw a young scholar reclining on a chair that had been adjusted for easy sitting up. He had a book on his stomach, as if he had fallen asleep from reading.
The two were stunned, especially Wang Bin, who felt guilty towards his classmate. Suddenly seeing Su Yunting, who seemed to be asleep, his heart couldn't help but beat faster.
Ping An noticed the book on Su Yunting's body and said to her younger sister, "He's being naughty again."
The younger sister likes to sit beside her older brother while he reads. If she has to leave halfway through reading, she will simply place the book upside down on him and continue reading when she returns.
It's fine if family members see it, but now that my older brother's classmate saw me putting the book on him, I feel a little embarrassed.
She ran over and collected the books, then Ping An invited Wang Bin and the others to sit down.
The younger sister put the book on the bookshelf and suddenly remembered that her sister-in-law had mentioned that Wang Bin was going to buy books for her third brother. To ease her embarrassment, she asked Wang Bin, "Brother Wang, has the book of Li Daru's commentary that your academy ordered arrived yet?"
Wang Bin's heart, which had just calmed down a little, started racing again.
Liu Jiancheng asked his younger sister curiously, "How did you know that our academy has accepted Li Daru's interpretation?"
Younger sister: "Last time, Brother Wang told my sister-in-law that Li Daru's interpretations are popular now because they are hard to buy in bookstores. He said that your academy has ordered them, and he will buy a copy for my third brother."
After the younger sister finished speaking, Wang Bin was sweating profusely.
Because he saw that Liu Jiancheng's expression had changed.
Liu Jiancheng wanted to punch Wang Bin twice. What was he trying to do? Li Daru's interpretation was not something Yun Che needed, and even Wang Bin himself didn't need to read it right now.
That kind of interpretation is used to broaden one's knowledge; it's completely unnecessary before passing the imperial examination. He told Yun Ting's wife that he wanted to help Yun Che buy Li Daru's interpretation. What was his purpose?
Liu Jiancheng dared not think too deeply about it, but the answer was already in his heart.
Ping An didn't know what was wrong with Li Daru's book, but he knew that the expressions on his master's two classmates' faces had changed.
Ping An then said to his younger sister, "Little sister, go tell Second Sister that Young Master Wang and the others are not keeping us for dinner. You can make some tea in the kitchen and bring it over when it's no longer too hot."
The younger sister glanced at the expressions on their faces, gave a nod, and went out.
The room fell silent instantly, with only Wang Bin's heavy breathing audible.
Su Yunting could no longer suppress his anger.
If it were just his wife being coveted by another man, Su Yunting could still control his anger. But when it came to the man who was coveting his wife, he was so incompetent that he couldn't even come up with a suitable reason.
Liu Jiancheng's question revealed his true nature, leaving him with no excuse and no ability to hide his feelings!
Su Yunting could imagine that if this matter got out, those conservative people wouldn't criticize the immoral person who coveted another man's wife; they would only criticize the innocent victim!
Since Qiu Yuruo married into the family, Su Yunting's once peaceful heart has hardened again. He now has a hundred ways to silence Wang Bin.
The quiet courtyard was suddenly broken by the arrival of Aunt Shuncai.
Aunt Shuncai heard Ping An calling Wang Bin and the others from home, so she quickly packed up her things and came over.
Aunt Shuncai asked her second sister how she planned to entertain the guests at noon.
Liu Jiancheng then said to Ping An, "Young man, go tell your aunt that there's no need to trouble her with our hospitality. We'll just sit for a while and then leave."
Ping An glanced at the two of them, responded, and then went out.
After they left safely, Liu Jiancheng lowered his voice and said to Wang Bin, "I don't care what your purpose is, you'd better give up your original idea now and never come to Yunting's house again."
Wang Bin was like a prisoner awaiting the final verdict. After the verdict was handed down, the anxiety and unease in his heart faded, and his resolve strengthened.
He stood up and said to Liu Jiancheng, "Since you've figured out what I'm thinking, I might as well tell you: I've fallen for her. Visiting my aunt and buying books were all just excuses to see her..."
Liu Jiancheng covered his mouth with his hand and said in a low voice, "Shut up!"
Wang Bin slapped Liu Jiancheng's hand away, pulled him over to Su Yunting, and pointed at Su Yunting, saying, "He's been in a coma for a year, he won't wake up, he'll never wake up, he's ruined, he's ruined!"
As he spoke, neither of them noticed that Su Yunting's hand, which had never moved spontaneously before, was slowly closing.
When a man who coveted his wife stood beside him and provoked him, his anger almost consumed his reason.
The cage that he could never break free from before slowly crumbled under the impact of his storm-like rage.
Wang Bin continued, "He's already ruined, why is he still dragging this perfectly good girl down with him? He..."
Liu Jiancheng finally lost his temper and punched him in the stomach, causing Wang Bin to bend over like a boiled shrimp.
When Liu Jiancheng punched Wang Bin in the stomach, Su Yunting finally broke free of his cage and opened his eyes, which had been closed for a year...
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