Chapter 388: That Young Lady
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Li Shi realized he was still soft-hearted and could not bear to let his parents work hard. He always felt sorry for his parents whenever he saw their old and hunched bodies.
Therefore, he was very grateful to his boss’s parents for letting him drive the oxcart to Su Teng Village. Li Shi did not know where he would be in his life if it were not for his boss. Perhaps he would have never returned to Northern Song Village to check on his family.
If he continued to be a hooligan and gave up on himself, he would feel inferior and would feel that his parents looked down on him. He would not have thought of returning to the village.
If he did not, he might not even know if his parents were alive or dead. Li Shi felt a lingering fear in his heart when he thought of these things.
However, Mr. and Mrs. Li were confused when their son kept mentioning his boss to the Su couple. Mr. and Mrs. Li were cautious when they looked at their son. They felt doubtful but dared not ask Li Shi anything.
Li Shi noticed his parent’s expressions and fell into deep thought. Then he slowly said, “Mr. Su and Miss Shen are my boss’s parents. I did many terrible things back then and met with Lin Zheng, but my boss saved us. I was a hooligan back then and gave up on myself. I thought my life didn’t matter.” Mr. and Mrs. Li felt even more guilty when they heard that.
“Li Shi, it’s all our fault. If it weren’t for us, you wouldn’t have gone through that,” Mrs. Li said, crying.
Li Shi looked at his mother. “Don’t cry, Mother. Let me finish.”
Mrs. Li nodded, still sobbing. She and Mr. Li continued to listen patiently. They were quite happy that Li Shi was willing to tell them about his past. Still, Mrs. Li felt guilty and sad when she heard this.
“Then we met our boss,” Li Shi continued, “She was a young lady who went to town and set up a stall to sell roasted chestnuts. We saw that she had earned loads of money, so my friends and I tried to rob her.”
He was embarrassed when he told his parents this and wanted to find a hole to hide in. He was simply too ashamed to face anyone.
“However, we realized how strong she was when we fought her. She beat us down in just two moves. We thought she would make things difficult, but she didn’t. Instead, she only asked some questions and told us to go to her stall
early in the morning to find her.
“It’s good that we went to find her. My life wouldn’t be this good if we chose differently. My boss can do many things, make delicious food, and is highly capable,” Li Shi’s eyes lit up as he spoke. He had a look of worship.
He could say a lot more when it came to his boss, but he did not continue. Mr.
and Mrs. Li were shocked and amazed when they heard their son’s story. They wondered if such a young lady could ever exist.
The couple could not help but feel their hearts tighten as they listened to their son’s story, but at the same time, they also expressed gratitude toward the young lady. After all, she was the one who had saved Li Shi.
“She’s our boss who gave us a hand and taught us many things. She also trusted us and let us look after her shop. We get paid every month with a bonus. I’ve already saved money, so you don’t have to feel guilty. I only want you two to get healthy first.’
Mr. and Mrs. Li still felt ashamed. “Li Shi, that’s all the money you’ve worked so hard to save. We can’t use your money. We have some with us and plan to give them to you.”
A long time after they had left Northern Song Village, Mrs. Li took out a set of worn clothes. Then she tore the old clothes apart and found 100 copper coins inside.
Mrs. Li had sewn the 100 copper coins into her patched clothes so that her evil daughters-in-law would not know where the money was. After all, Mrs. Li wanted to give them to Li Shi.
‘Everyone said Li Shi was dead, but I refused to believe it.’
Li Shi watched as his mother carefully took a hundred copper coins from her clothes and handed them to him. His eyes started to sting, and tears almost flowed out.
“Mother, I told you, I have money. These are yours, so keep them. Since my two siblings don’t care about you, I will.” Li Shi still yearned for kinship. He wanted to have a family and parents.
Lin Zheng and Zhou Shan could see their parents every day whenever they returned home, so Li Shi felt a little envious. The feeling of not having a family to return to was too painful.
His heart was always empty, and he did not know what to do with the money he had earned. That was why he enjoyed working at the dessert shop during the day. It was crowded and lively during the day, and it would distract him from his loneliness.
However, he felt lost again whenever the dessert shop closed for the night. He did not know where his home was.
Since he and his parents had cleared up their misunderstandings, he felt a sense of security with his parents around. Besides, his parents had changed, and he could afford to care for them.
Mr. and Mrs. Li felt so touched that they did not know what to say.
“Li Shi, we can’t be a burden to you in our current state.”
“Father, Mother, do you not want to live with me?” Li Shi asked.
“No, no, we want to make it up to you, but…but we’ll be a burden to you if we continue like this.” Mrs. Li did not want to go for a consultation, but her son insisted, so she had to go.
If she wanted to get medicine, she would not. After all, the copper coins she had saved were for Li Shi.
Li Shi replied, “No, I’m helping my boss look after her shop in town. I’ve always wanted to build a house in the surrounding villages. Since I have you two, we can look for a house together. I also planned to raise chickens and ducks. Didn’t you say you want to make it up to me? Then help me with something.” He knew his parents would only move in with him if he said that.
The more Mr. and Mrs. Li listened, the more their hearts ached. They knew their second son faced difficulties living alone, but he did not say it. The couple realized how poorly their other two sons had treated them, but only their second son was willing to care for them.
Li Shi showed his filial piety. He had said that purposefully so they would not feel like burdens.
Mr. and Mrs. Li felt even more guilty but were very touched. ‘How can this child be so good to us?’
Mrs. Li sobbed under Li Shi’s persuasion. “We’ll listen to you.”
“We’ll treat you well and compensate for what happened in the past.”
A faint smile appeared on Li Shi’s face. “Father, Mother, I’ll get paid every month. If I save up more, we won’t have to return to Northern Song Village. We’ll just build a house near Su Teng Village instead.
“That’s right,” Mrs. Li said, “We’ll build a house for you and your future family.
I’ll find you a good wife who will treat you well. She’ll be warm and kind to you. Your father and I can still help you look after your child while you do your own thing. We’ll help your future wife with family matters.”
Mrs. Li’s gloomy expression suddenly brightened. She and her husband had been in despair but regained their hope when their second son returned..
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