223 To Be Responsible
Shen Qiuhua and her daughter arrived at Old Madam Su’s house and saw them cleaning eggshells in the yard. Several baskets of duck eggs and chicken eggs were in front of them.
Su Binglan never expected to see so many eggs. It seemed her grandmother had collected many.
“Hello, Father-in-law and Mother-in-law,” Shen Qiuhua said.
“Hi there, Grandma and Grandpa!” Su Binglan greeted her elders.
Old Master Su and Old Madam Su raised their heads and saw the mother and daughter.
“Oh, Qiuhua and Binglan are here.”
“Quick, come in.”
Shen Qiuhua approached the older couple and said, “It’s cold out here. Why are you still in the courtyard?”
It used to be cold only during the morning and night, but now it was also cold throughout the day.
Old Madam Su said smilingly, “We’re wearing thick clothes, so it’s not too cold.”
Since their days had improved, Old Master Su and his wife often smiled. They felt they had the strength to work. Old Madam Su did not feel cold. Instead, she felt a warmth in her heart.
The older couple could rest assured because their sons’ were living good lives. They mostly worried about the eldest family, but it was useless because the eldest family lived far away.
After entering the courtyard, Shen Qiuhua handed a basket to her mother-in-law. She said, “These are the wild vegetables I dug up and sorted. You can use them for cooking.”
“You said you would revisit us, but I didn’t expect you to bring something,” Old Madam Su smiled even though she said that. She felt touched because of how responsible her daughter-in-law was.
One would only hope for their children to live good lives whenever they grow old. Old Madam Su did not want to think about anything else. She also did not want her children and grandchildren to miss her.
Shen Qiuhua said, “These aren’t valuable since they’re only wild vegetables I gathered from the mountains.”
Old Madam Su put away the eggs and stood up. “Wild vegetables are great, especially because you gathered and cleaned them.”
She saw how attentive and respectful her daughter-in-law was. Moreover, she could use those vegetables for cooking many dishes, including buns and dumplings.
“One must always be dutiful to one’s elders,” Shen Qiuhua said.
Old Madam Su knew her granddaughter and daughter-in-law had a reason for their visit, so she said, “Let’s talk inside.”
She held Su Binglan’s hand as she spoke. Her eyes revealed kindness as she loved her granddaughter very much.
Su Binglan supported her grandmother, saying, “Take your time, Grandma.”
Old Madam Su said, “Don’t worry. I’m as strong as an ox.”
Old Master Su entered the house and brought the kettle from the stove to the inner room. He also placed a bowl on the table.
Su Binglan hurriedly said, “Don’t bother, Grandpa. We’ve drunk enough water at home before leaving. Please, sit with us.”
She did not want her grandparents to do too much work, but they could not stay idle. Moreover, Old Master Su and Old Madam Su always worried too much. Perhaps they would only feel at ease once the eldest family had settled down.
“Your grandmother and I are doing fantastic. Didn’t you see how much everyone else envies us? The villagers mentioned how good our son and daughter-in-law are. They even envy us for having Binglan as our granddaughter,” Old Master Su said as he looked back and forth between the mother and daughter.
Since Su Binglan woke up from her coma, she became more thoughtful and capable. Everyone could see it, mainly because they were from the same village. The villagers would always chat a little whenever they gathered. They also knew the Su family had improved because of Su Binglan.
Of course, it tempted them. Everyone thought about how great it would be if Su Binglan were their daughter or granddaughter.
Su Binglan was a little embarrassed as she said, “I’m not as great as you say, Grandpa and Grandma. You guys are exaggerating.”
Old Madam Su said very seriously, “Not at all, Binglan. You are great.”
Old Master Su usually did not talk so much, but at that moment, he could not help but say, “Your grandmother and I are genuinely grateful to you.”
The Su family’s past and present situations differed tremendously. It’s just that the family was familiar with doing more, so there were some things they could not say aloud. Still, their gratitude toward Su Binglan was genuine.
In the past, the older couple was concerned about their four sons and felt that none of them would make them feel at ease.
Their eldest daughter-in-law was like that. Su Fengmao became dispirited when he returned, Su Fenzhi was the same when he returned from overseas, and Su Fengchen’s personality changed when his hand got severely injured.
The older couple was worried, but they could only do so much. Old Master Su and Old Madam Su could barely help their children with anything.
Fortunately, things were better. Su Fengmao had improved and began earning money to live an honest life, Su Fengzhi’s family was thriving, and Su Fengchen was living a good life. Su Fengchi even smiled more prominently and enjoyed talking now.
Old Madam Su and his wife thought they could help the elders later if they worked hard and saved money. They wanted their elders to eat their fill, at least.
“Our family doesn’t say such things, Grandpa and Grandma.” Su Binglan felt uncomfortable when her grandparents said that. She thought there was no reason for her grandparents to be grateful to her.
Old Madam Su understood what her granddaughter meant. She said, “Okay, we won’t say that. Let’s sit on the brick bed.”
Su Binglan said, “Aren’t we celebrating the Mooncake Festival soon? I was thinking of eating mooncakes, chicken, and duck since it’s customary during the festival. However, I’m not talking about ordinary duck and chicken dishes. I’ve thought of a new way to eat them.”
Old Master Su and his wife became spirited when they heard that. The two elders and Shen Qiuhua looked at Su Binglan in unison, waiting for her to reveal the dishes.
The trio had similar expressions in their eyes, signaling Su Binglan to speak up quickly. Suddenly, Su Fengchen’s voice sounded outside the door, “Father, Mother, quick!”
Everyone heard his voice and hurriedly exited the inner room. Then they saw Su Fengchen carrying a woman into the house. Everyone’s expression changed when they saw that.
Everyone wondered what was happening as Old Madam Su could not react in time. “W-What happened, Fengchen?! Why are you carrying her, and why is she wet?”
Although she hoped for her youngest son to find a wife soon, that was not how she wanted it to happen. She knew the villagers would gossip about Su Fengchen carrying a girl back like that. The family would have to be responsible for that girl.
Only then did Su Fengchen notice Su Binglan and Shen Qiuhua there. He started to blush and did not know how to explain himself. “H-Help me put her down before I explain.”
He quickly carried the girl to the back room and put her down. He was panting but quickly explained, “I went to collect eggs in another village. I was thirsty and looking for a spring to get water when I saw her.
“She was unconscious but still breathing, so I brought the girl here first since no one was around to help.”
Old Master Su was shocked and could not gather his senses. After a while, he said, “We have to get a doctor quickly. Her life is at stake!”
