Chapter 21: Chapter 21 She Takes the Silver
Translator: 549690339
Upon hearing this, Qiao Changshun, who was already quite confused, felt his mind go whirling into a blank nothingness.
Qiao Dami’s unintentional remark was like a sharp dagger, ruthlessly plunging into his chest.
They had been married for over ten years, but he would never again see that familiar figure at home…
Wiping his eyes, he slowly got up and limped towards the kitchen, “You two siblings go ahead and eat, 1 need to step out for a moment.”
Confused, Qiao Dami, his hand on the table while holding a vegetable bun that he was about to stuff into his mouth asked, “Sister, what’s wrong with Dad?”
“Nothing, let’s eat our dinner.” Qiao Xiaomai took the vegetable bun from his hand, instead stuffing him a piece of green bean cake, “Eat this, leave the vegetable bun for Dad.”
Qiao Dami’s sensibilities made her heartache. Such a small child, yet able to restrain himself to only eating one piece; what hardships had he experienced? “Aren’t we saving this for later?” Qiao Dami eyed the green bean cake but didn’t take it.
“No need to save it, we eat this now and buy more tomorrow.” Qiao Xiaomai pushed the oiled paper package containing the green bean cake towards him. “Enjoy it. We have money now.”
Qiao Dami, now reassured, took the green bean cake and began to eat happily. While eating, he glanced at Qiao Xiaomai and exuberantly declared, “It’s delicious!”
“Eat as much as you like.” Qiao Xiaomai pinched his thin cheek, her smile dampened by the melancholy in her eyes.
Qiao Dami was easy to fool; he could be sidetracked by any simple excuse.
However, it seemed that Qiao Changshun was somewhat attached to Zhuang Luhe.
In this era, people didn’t fuss overly much about the interactions between men and women. It was acceptable for unmarried couples to meet and exchange gifts, and for widows to remarry. However, society still roundly scorned women who would elope.
But it seemed that Qiao Changshun didn’t care about this…
Qiao Xiaomai sighed internally, picked up a piece of the green bean cake, and began to eat as well.
She had eaten a bowl of Yangchun Noodles offered by Shopkeeper He at noon. By now, she was quite hungry again.
Never mind, let’s eat first.
The taste of the green bean cake was not as good as the ones in the future. After eating one piece and drinking half a bowl of porridge, she went to call Qiao Changshun for dinner.
Qiao Changshun was sitting in a trance on a stone at the entrance of their house.
After a moment’s hesitation, Qiao Xiaomai ventured, “Dad, should we go look for her?”
“Where would we look?” Qiao Changshun responded with a hoarse voice that caught in his throat.
Qiao Xiaomai fell silent.
Bailu Town was under the jurisdiction of Huai’an County. The county had a larger population than Bailu Town did, and due to the presence of Bailu Academy, the county was well-connected with the surrounding regions. Who knew where Zhuang Luhe had gone?
> (y v <) r
“Never mind, we’ll talk about this later.” Qiao Changshun stood up—his back a little more hunched, the wrinkles on his face deepened, reminding her of a withered tree bark. For a man not yet forty, he seemed to have aged to his sixties.
Qiao Xiaomai pursed her lips, and followed him into the house.
After a simple dinner, Qiao Dami, burdened by tiredness, washed up and climbed into bed to sleep.
Qiao Xiaomai put a basket filled with silver in front of Qiao Changshun, telling him very clearly, “Dad, I’ll keep the silver. If you need anything, ask me.” “You’ll keep it?” A surprised expression appeared on Qiao Changshun’s usually grim face.
Qiao Xiaomai nodded. “1’11 keep it. In a few days, it will all be handed over to Grandma.”
Qiao Changshun was foolishly filial. The Sun Family often demanded money and grain from him in various names, resorting to lying on the ground crying, rolling around, and throwing tantrums if he refused. As a result, Qiao Changshun always ended up agreeing to their demands.
This situation needed to change going forward, or else all the silver she earned would end up in the pockets of the Sun Family.
The change had to start with Qiao Changshun being broke.
Without grain or money, she wanted to see how he would comply with the Sun Family’s demands in the future..
