Chapter 381: Feelings
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Shen Qiuhua started learning to cook from her daughter so that she could do it whenever her daughter was not around. Then her daughter could also be more relaxed.
“I can do it too, Mother-in-law,” Liu Yinyin said.
Shen Qiuhua looked at her and said pitifully, “You’ve lost weight from working so hard at the shop. You should eat more. You don’t have to worry about family matters because your father-in-law and I can handle them. Besides, I find cooking to be enjoyable.”
Shen Qiuhua cooked independently and felt like it was a more engaging task. It was like she was doing something fun instead. That was because she could look forward to eating the delicious food she had learned to make.
She genuinely enjoyed how it felt, mainly because it was much more harmonious than before whenever the family ate together.
“I feel the same way, Mother-in-law,” Liu Yinyin said smilingly, “Wenzhe and I were so busy when we opened the shop, but I never felt tired.”
The family laughed and talked while having supper. Afterward, they all returned to their rooms to rest.
The following morning, Shen Qiuhua and Su Fengmao woke up before dawn. The older couple warmed the pot after making breakfast for when their children woke up. Then they could immediately have a hot bowl of rice.
The older couple also hurriedly ate to fill their stomachs before driving the oxcart to Northern Song Village. They had to go there early to be able to return earlier at night.
When Su Binglan and the others woke up, their parents were no longer home. The young lady had grown accustomed to eating with her family in the morning, making her feel empty when she did not see her parents around.
Luo Jin’an noticed his wife’s expression and could roughly guess her thoughts.
He comforted her softly, “Your parents must’ve woken up early to fetch oil. They’ll be back before you know it.’
Su Binglan still seemed a little down. “Yes, I know they’ve left to fetch oil. Still, I feel a little guilty when I think about how I was the one who told them to do it and how they had to wake up so early. I’m so used to seeing them in the morning while we eat and talk.”
Luo Jin’an looked at his wife and sighed. He reached out and touched her hair.
“It’ll only be a day. They’ll be back tonight, okay? Why don’t I ride the horse to
Northern Song Village to help your parents?” He was severe when she said this.
Su Binglan shook her head. “I’m okay. I’m just not used to it. I’m just grumbling. You should go to the Academy since you still have a lot of things to do. Don’t worry about the family.”
She could not bear to let her husband worry about many things. She helped him adjust his clothes as she spoke and thought he looked good in anything. However, she felt he would look even more dazzling in his uniform. She said, “This reminds me of some things from the past.”
Luo Jin’an lowered his head and looked at her, asking, “What is it?”
He would earnestly listen to Su Binglan whenever she had something to say.
Su Binglan lost herself in her memories as she answered, “When I was younger, my parents would always wake up earlier than us during the busy farming season and return very late at night.
“There was a time when my father would go to the dock to load goods for money. He never earned much, even though it was physical labor. Still, it was extra income for the family. Otherwise, we could only rely on livestock and crops to earn money, which wasn’t enough.
“We didn’t have an oxcart back then, so to save two coins for a round trip, my father would go to town for work before dawn and rush home at night. I couldn’t see him during breakfast and dinner since he always woke up before dawn and returned late at night.
“But he was always happy because he could earn a few more coins for us. He would also bring dry food to work at noon to save money. He would eat when he got hungry and then continue working immediately after.
“Later, he fell while carrying a bag of goods. It was because he was probably either too tired or dizzy from hunger. The fallen goods hit his foot and broke it. He was no longer able to work in town after that injury.
“My mother had to do more work because of that. Soon after, she found a job in town, washing clothes for people.”
Su Binglan felt terrible just thinking about these things. The families worked hard to survive and not starve to death. Furthermore, it was already a challenging task for the people of this backward era to find jobs. Most could
only rely on their crops to earn money.
In the past, Luo Jin’an had only lived in the capital, leading troops to war at the border. He did not understand the lives of ordinary people. At that time, he only wanted to protect the country. He never knew that many did not have enough to eat or even wear.
Only after experiencing many horrible things did he go to live in Su Teng Village. Then he slowly began to understand how ordinary villagers and farmers lived. He also noticed many ordinary people in Chu Country who still starved and froze during winter.
His heart grew heavy after learning these things. He wanted to do something about it and had the heart to do so, but he was powerless.
Nonetheless, he felt inspired after seeing what Su Binglan had done after regaining consciousness that fateful day. She used her actions to help countless people.
“That’s all in the past now,” Luo Jin’an said gently, “Don’t blame yourself, and don’t be sad.”
He knew his wife had a tremendous sense of responsibility and would sometimes overthink things.
Su Binglan nodded and said thoughtfully, “I know that feeling. I want to help my parents be happy and relaxed in the village. Then they won’t have to run to town and tire themselves out.
“I’m always in a better mood whenever I see them happy. I also want the villagers to have jobs to earn money and improve their lives. Then the children can see their parents more often, eat with them, and even have warm clothes to wear. No one will have to worry about their livelihoods by then.”
She felt many things and wanted to do many things. She also worked hard to achieve her goals and plans.
Luo Jin’an revealed a gentle expression, saying, “Yes, you’ve already done very well. ”
“It’s not enough. I still have many things to do.” Su Binglan looked into the distance with determination in her eyes.
Luo Jin’an’s heart trembled when he saw the look in her eyes. He felt that the world would change because of her.
Su Wenzhe and the rest woke up at dawn and washed up. Then he and the rest of the family headed to town after breakfast while Luo Jin’an took Su Xuexuan and Su Xuehai to school.
“I’ll arrange for Luo Kang and Qiu He to deliver food to the academy. If the kitchen isn’t ready, they’ll have to work a little harder and make a big pot of rice at home, then bring it there,” Su Binglan said.
“They’ll finish the academy’s kitchen by this morning,” Luo Jin’an said.
Su Binglan smiled when she heard that. “Then I’ll arrange for Luo Kang, Qiu He, and the others to cook at the academy this morning. We’ll be able to prepare lunch for the students and even teachers.
“Then you won’t have to take Xuexuan and Xuehai out for a meal, and Wenzhe and Yinyin won’t have to free up their busy schedule to send food..”
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