Chapter Fourteen: Wife, you like me too, right? ...
My aunt sat there wiping away tears. She had been suffering from stomach pain for over six months, and no one had taken care of her. This year, she was helping her youngest son take care of his child, so she had to look after the child during the day and couldn't lie down to sleep at night. She couldn't take it anymore and talked to her son several times before he finally took her to the hospital.
Upon hearing that the surgery would cost two hundred yuan, the family immediately began to make excuses. The old man said they were still in debt, the eldest son's words were evasive, implying that if the old man was going to take care of the second son's child, the second son would have to pay. The youngest son said they didn't have any money, that the two of them earned very little, just enough to make ends meet.
She stood by the river for a long time, still unwilling to accept it. Why? She had worked so hard her whole life, only to end up like this. If it were a terminal illness, she wouldn't hesitate; if fate wanted her dead, there was nothing anyone could do. But there was clearly hope! Was she really not worth two hundred yuan? She refused to believe it.
She had already spoken with Su Xiangdong; the old man and son were both gone. She wiped away her tears and tried to cheer herself up. She was determined to live; she refused to believe she couldn't survive.
"Head east, I'll wash."
Auntie San got up to go to the kitchen, but Su Xiangdong stopped her with his arm. "Auntie San, why don't you go inside and rest first? I'll wash the dishes and then we'll go to the hospital."
"Go today?"
"Since it can be treated, it's better to do it sooner rather than later."
"Xiang Dong," the woman choked up, unable to speak, truly at a loss for words. She had worked hard her entire life, and in her later years, when she fell ill, it was her husband's nephew who paid for her medical treatment.
"Third Aunt, please don't do this."
Auntie wiped away her tears and saw Shuyao coming over, so she reached out and took her hand. "Niece-in-law, I really had no other choice but to... Don't worry, as long as I can still move, I'll stay here and take care of your children. You go to work, and I'll do the housework for you."
"Third Aunt, don't be sad. There's no mountain you can't climb."
I guess I got caught in the rain myself and wanted to help others by holding an umbrella for them. Within my means, I received the reward I needed most, so the money was well spent.
He was admitted to the provincial hospital that day, and Su Xiangdong paid the fees. Surgery was scheduled within three days after the examination, and he left five yuan for his aunt.
"No, why would I want your money again?"
"Here, this is your money for food before the surgery. I have to go to work and can't stay here with you all the time."
I thought that even if my third uncle's family didn't come with money, they would at least come to visit. But in three days, not a single person came, not even my third uncle, his old companion.
My third uncle finally arrived late, just as the patient was about to be taken into the operating room after the feeding tube was inserted. As a family member, he had to sign the surgical consent form. After signing it and watching the patient go into the operating room, he muttered to himself outside.
“How did I get this disease when I was perfectly healthy? There’s no one to take care of my grandson, so my daughter-in-law asked me to look after him. But I don’t know how to take care of a child, and I can’t even cook.”
Shu Yao, who was listening from the side, felt a lump in her throat and couldn't help but speak up: "Third Uncle, if the livestock we keep at home get sick, we have to take them to the vet, right? We can't just use them like that, can we?"
The third uncle was speechless for a moment after his niece-in-law's retort before he finally spoke. "It's not that I don't want to see it, it's just that I don't have the money."
“Then just talk about not having money, stop complaining. People get sick from eating grains, and this illness is curable. She has already found a way to survive, so do you think she should just stay at home and wait to die before you feel at ease?”
"Niece-in-law, that's not how it works..."
Su Xiangdong interrupted with a cold snort: "What else would you say? She was in there having surgery, and none of the three children were seen. What, did those three grow up eating air and drinking air? Auntie's breast milk was all fed to the dogs."
Uncle San lowered his head and muttered softly, "Everyone's busy, everyone's busy."
Su Xiangdong didn't want to say anything more to him. He was so indulgent towards his own children, yet so cold and heartless towards his wife who had been with him all his life. He didn't care when she was sick; instead, he complained that she was a burden.
He pulled his wife to sit down some distance away; being with that kind of person was just too infuriating. He turned on the kettle for his wife to drink, and after she finished, he turned it off again and put it away.
"Don't worry, my third aunt isn't like that. When I was little, I was sick and my mom had work commitments, so my third aunt took care of me. She's actually quite strong-willed, but unfortunately, she didn't have a job and no money."
"I'm not worried." It's just two hundred yuan; saving a life is a great act of merit. She has nearly ten thousand yuan in her pocket; she can't just stand by and do nothing. As for whether her aunt will help take care of the child, she'll see.
Having no expectations of others means having nothing to fear. As long as she has a clear conscience about what she does, that's enough, just like she was in her past life. Perhaps that's why fate gave her a second chance, preventing her from dying from resentment.
As the surgery was nearing its end, my aunt's children finally arrived, albeit late. Two sons and a daughter—the eldest daughter, whose marriage wasn't considered good—stood there, constantly wiping away tears.
"Xiang Dong, thank you."
Su Xiangdong nodded to his cousin: "It's alright, we're all family."
"I can stay here to take care of my mom for half a month, but this money..." She really had no money; she couldn't even borrow any. Her husband had lost his job, and she, as a temporary worker, earned only twenty-odd yuan a month, which wasn't even enough to eat. Supporting three children had left the family heavily in debt.
"Sis, you took the day off?"
"Hmm." My mother is having surgery, and since she doesn't have money, she has to do something. As for what to do about the family losing half a month's salary, we'll deal with that later.
The surgery ended quickly, and the doctor said everything went smoothly, which put everyone at ease. The two brothers glanced at each other, turned around, and left, while Su Juan stayed behind to take care of her mother.
Su Xiangdong brought his wife home as well. They could rest in the afternoon and evening, but she refused his offer to ask for leave for her.
"Didn't you say there was something going on at the station today? You should go now. My cousin is at the hospital. I have more than ten hours to sleep until I go to work. It won't delay anything."
"Okay." I'll check when she gets back tonight. If she's feeling well, she can go; if not, she can ask for leave.
Shu Yao went inside to sleep. Since no one was around to disturb her, she now slept soundly during the day. When she woke up, it was already dark, and she checked the time—it was almost nine o'clock. She sat up and stretched; this continuous deep sleep was truly wonderful.
Su Xiangdong cooked dinner and delivered it to the hospital. His third aunt had woken up and was in good condition. He bought a chicken to make soup, which his third aunt could eat, and mainly to nourish his wife, who was pregnant and going through a lot.
"I'll cook the soup tonight and bring it over tomorrow. Remember to eat it when you get back."
Dinner was water chestnut and egg pancakes, and peanut and millet porridge that was fragrant and delicious. They even made her a fresh cucumber salad to go with the meal. "How many days until Auntie can be discharged?"
“The doctor said she’ll be fine in three more days. I’ve already talked to my third uncle, but the old man said he wouldn’t be able to take care of her. So I just said I’d bring her to our house. We’ll tidy up the east room for her to live in, and the doctor said she’ll be able to take care of herself in about two weeks. I’ll take care of the cooking, so you don’t need to worry about it.”
"good."
The pleasant days passed quickly, and before we knew it, my third aunt was discharged from the hospital and moved into the east room. My cousin stayed there for a few days and found that my cousin's meals were really good. No wonder he was in charge of the grain, oil, and non-staple food. And he was really generous to his wife, providing her with eggs and milk constantly.
“Mother, I think you’ll have a better time with Xiang Dong’s family than with my second brother. Not only is there plenty of food, but Xiang Dong’s wife is really good. She’s gentle and kind, and never picky or looks down on anyone.”
Auntie San nodded, "Yes. She made me chicken soup and gave me eggs." As she spoke, Auntie San couldn't help but shed tears. "She treated me better than your sister-in-law and brother's wife."
"Mom, don't cry. Just stay here and rest assured. They don't have any elders to help them, so you can take care of the child."
"Yes, I thought about it over and over again, and when I really had no other choice, I came up with this idea."
"Mother, I'm sorry..."
"It's alright." The woman patted her daughter. "Mother knows you've had a hard time, stuck with that man."
After Su Juan left, Third Aunt was already able to cook simple meals. Making porridge was no problem for her. She couldn't stay idle, and seeing Shu Yao preparing to make clothes for the child, she immediately grabbed a pair of scissors and started making them herself.
"I'm pretty good at needlework. Tell me how to do it, and I'll do it."
"Third Aunt, we have a sewing machine at home. That will be faster."
"Really? That's even better."
Shu Yao liked her very much. She didn't take advantage of being an elder to make decisions on her own; she would consult with her on everything. Even when it came to making clothes, she would follow Shu Yao's suggestions on what style to make.
As summer faded and autumn arrived, the weather cooled down, and Shu Yao's belly began to swell. She changed into loose clothing; a woman's body changes when she's pregnant. Although it wasn't particularly large yet, it was obvious she was pregnant.
My aunt now stays home doing laundry, cooking, and even sewing. She makes pretty good clothes, including swaddle blankets and diapers for her two unborn babies.
"Yaoyao," she said, showing the small blanket to Shuyao. "Look, is the thickness just right?"
Shu Yao reached out and touched it: "Perfect. They'll be born around March, and the weather will get warmer and warmer."
"Yes." Third Aunt was doing chores on the kang (heated brick bed) in the inner room, where it was more convenient due to the larger space. Shu Yao wasn't working today, so the two sat and chatted.
"Is Yaoyao sleeping facing east so restless?"
Shu Yao was stunned for a moment, then quickly realized what was going on. You can hide things from outsiders about your family, but you can't hide them from someone you live with every day, so she had already prepared her explanation.
"Absolutely. He almost kicked me in the stomach. We were both terrified, and he took his blanket and went to sleep in the outer room."
Auntie chuckled. "Men, no matter how considerate and thoughtful they may seem on the outside, can be quite rough around the edges in some ways."
"you do not say."
Su Xiangdong, I'm sorry, you'll have to take the blame. That evening, when he came home from work, she pulled him into the inner room and whispered about it to him.
"If your third aunt mentions it, don't let it slip."
"Okay, I understand."
"sorry,"
"Wife," he interrupted her promptly. "I've already told you, we're husband and wife, you don't need to be so polite with me."
The light was already quite dim in the evening; you could only see a shadow inside. But the two of them were whispering to each other, so they were very close, and he could smell her delicate fragrance. Her bright features, soft voice, and that almost imperceptible scent made his heart flutter.
He leaned forward and planted a kiss on her cheek. Shu Yao was startled by his kiss, the scent of his masculine hormones filling her nostrils. She blushed and gave him a reproachful look with her big eyes.
What are you doing?
"I liked it so much that I couldn't help but kiss it." He saw no disgust or dislike in her eyes, so he took advantage of the situation. "If you think it's unfair, then I'll let you kiss me too."
He pointed to his cheek, and Shu Yao blushed even more from his teasing. She felt a little embarrassed and annoyed; she was the one who had lived an extra life, so why did he always make her blush?
Hmph, fine, I'll kiss you then. You're my man, it's only natural for me to kiss you.
When that gentle kiss landed on his cheek, and his breath was filled with her sweet scent, Su Xiangdong was stunned for a moment before he came to his senses and reached out to pull her into his arms.
"Wife," he murmured, his heart pounding, yet he knew not what to say. He could only hold her close and call out softly. This was his wife, the woman he loved.
"Oh, let go! Auntie San will see this."
"So what if he sees? It's none of anyone's business if I'm hugging my wife." Shu Yao stopped struggling and let him hug her. She even reached out and wrapped her arms around his neck, the two of them very close.
"Wife, you like me too, right?"
"You shameless brat, who likes you?" she said coquettishly, her voice as gentle as April rain. But in reality, she reached out and hugged him, then secretly kissed him in the darkness.
A note from the author:
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