Chapter 52: Promise

If she hadn't heard it, it would have been one thing, but having heard it and not stepping in to teach her a lesson left her feeling stifled. It wasn't like she was living off that girl—what right did she have to bully people?

Seeing the girl turn around and leave the ward with a darkened face, Liu Chuxue calmly withdrew her gaze. "Mom, help Dad sit up."

The two of them had already heard what the older brother at the door said. Mother Liu had an expression of heartache that almost made Liu Chuxue laugh. "Alright, health is the foundation of everything. It's a good chance for us to take advantage of your father's situation and nourish our bodies these next few days."

Hearing her second daughter's words, Mother Liu felt a surge of bitterness.

Even Father Liu felt a sense of unease. Over the years, his wife and daughters had indeed not lived easy lives following him, but the family's circumstances were simply what they were. Furthermore, filial piety is greater than heaven; sometimes, he felt utterly helpless.

Mother Liu wanted to say more, but Father Liu stopped her. "The child is speaking out of filial piety. If we say too much, it will only make her feel bad."

Mother Liu thought it over and agreed. "Fine, then let's enjoy our second daughter's blessings in advance."

As she spoke, her eyes reddened. Because she had given birth to three daughters in a row, the villagers had mocked her behind her back with all sorts of insults.

She felt a pang of heartache for her daughter. If there had been a brother or a younger brother in the family, she wouldn't have to be the one stepping out and exhausting every thought to find solutions whenever trouble arose. Yet, amidst her sighs, a sense of pride welled up within her.

Her daughter was capable. So what if other families had sons? They probably weren't even as good as her daughter.

Liu Chuxue took chopsticks out of her bundle and handed a mixed-grain steamed bun to each of them. "Eat your fill and get your strength back. Once Dad is discharged, we'll live our little lives well. My younger sister and I are counting on you two."

The two of them stopped declining. "Alright, we'll listen to our daughter."

Father Liu cast aside his previous gloom and took a large bite of the bun. "Mmm, delicious. The master's skill at steaming buns is truly excellent."

He then took a bite of the braised pork with cabbage and vermicelli, looking satisfied. "Delicious! Wife, you try some. Daughter, you try some too."

Mother Liu took a bite and sighed with emotion. "The last time was during last year's New Year, when your grandmother was merciful enough to let us have a good meal with meat. Since the new year started, this is the first time we've had meat."

Hearing this, Liu Chuxue felt a pang in her heart. "I will work hard to give our family a good life. No matter what happens in the future, I will take care of you both in your old age."

Mother Liu was deeply moved by these words. "You child, don't say such things in the future. Be careful someone hears you, or you won't be able to find a good marriage."

Father Liu and Mother Liu knew what her phrase "no matter what happens in the future" implied. Since ancient times, it had been the sons who provided for parents in their old age, and not having a son had always been a source of heartache for them. However, her words warmed their hearts.

Naturally, Chuxue knew what her mother meant. Her mother was simply afraid that if word got out, potential suitors' families would have reservations, which might affect her marriage prospects.

To put Mother Liu at ease, after finishing the meal, Chuxue pulled her along to help with the washing, under the pretext of: "Mother and daughter working together makes the work effortless."

In reality, she wanted to find a quiet place to give her mother the full story; she had to give them a process to adapt to her changes.

Finding a secluded spot, she recounted what had happened at the moat today to Mother Liu, naturally skipping the parts that couldn't be told. "Mom, if you don't believe me, I'll take you there another day."

Mother Liu's eyes were filled with guilt. "This burden shouldn't have fallen on your shoulders, but who told you to be born as our daughter with such a hard fate?"

Seeing her like this, Liu Chuxue said, "Mom, we sisters will definitely work hard to become your and Dad's pride, making those who mocked our family envy you for having such wonderful daughters."

(End of Chapter)