Chapter 29: Heading to the City

Even though the great-grandmother-in-law was easygoing, the family had not yet split their households, and she didn't want to make things difficult for her daughter and son-in-law: "Alright, get us on the bus. You two head back to the farm immediately. Once you get to the city, things will be easier to handle. If all else fails, find a relative to help. Don't you worry."

Liu Chuxue agreed with her mother's thinking. After all, when she went to the Qiu family yesterday, the heavily pregnant second sister-in-law of the Qiu family looked difficult to get along with, and she didn't want her sister to go back and face any friction: "Alright, let's do as Mom says."

They all knew that Liu Laoqi, who worked as a gatekeeper at the health clinic, owned a semi-old bicycle: "Sis, go ask Grandpa Qi to borrow his bike. In a moment, let Brother-in-law push Dad so he can go catch the bus."

Xia Qiu gave an affirmative response and ran toward the guardhouse.

Once things were packed, Xia Qiu managed to borrow the bicycle, but unexpectedly, the elder of the clan, Liu Laoqi, followed them as well.

Seeing Qiu Shaofeng carrying the people out, he hurried forward to lend a hand.

Once everyone was settled, he pulled twenty yuan from his pocket and handed it to Mother Liu: "Shanliang's wife, this trip to the city will likely cost quite a bit. It's a heavy burden to carry money when you're poor, so please take this and keep it safe."

Liu Chuxue hadn't expected this elder of the clan to lend them so much money, and she couldn't help but feel moved.

Mother Liu looked conflicted. Uncle Qi was right, but how could she have the nerve to reach out and take money from an elderly man? She heard Liu Laoqi say, "I have a bit of extra cash on hand, just take it."

Chuxue saw that if they didn't leave now, they would miss the bus: "Mom, this is Grandpa Qi's kind gesture, and we really do need it right now. Please accept it. Once our family gets back on its feet, we will show Grandpa Qi much filial piety."

These words touched Liu Laoqi's heart. After all, his son was in the military and his daughter had married into that area; he was now all alone in the house.

The group didn't dare delay any longer and hurried toward the intersection of the commune that led to the city. In about twenty minutes, a bus heading to the city would pass through here.

As they passed by the high school Liu Chuxue attended, the Liu couple looked guilt-ridden. Now that their eldest daughter was married and their youngest was still small, they could only let the second daughter accompany them to the city, which meant her studies would likely suffer.

Liu Xiaqiu thought of this as well and leaned toward her sister: "Chuxue, if it weren't for the circumstances, I should go instead. You're about to graduate; it wouldn't be good if your studies were delayed and you couldn't get your diploma."

Liu Chuxue glanced at her brother-in-law, who was pushing the bicycle ahead: "You know your in-laws' situation better than I do. If you miss a few days of work, setting aside everyone else, that sister-in-law from the other branch of the family will raise hell."

To keep things simple, Liu Chuxue spoke very bluntly. Thinking of her sister-in-law from the other branch, Liu Xiaqiu sighed: "If I had known, I wouldn't have married so early."

Mother Liu naturally overheard the sisters' conversation: "Don't talk such nonsense. It's enough that your mother and sister are going with them. Don't worry about it; just focus on living your own life well."

After saying this, she sighed inwardly, ultimately blaming herself for not giving her husband a son.

When trouble arises, it is always the boys who can shoulder the burden; it was truly hard on her daughters.

Not long after they reached the intersection, the bus arrived.

A couple sitting by the door saw their situation: "You all sit here."

Liu Chuxue hurriedly thanked them and settled her parents in: "Sis, Brother-in-law, we're leaving. Please return the bicycle to Grandpa Qi in a little while."

As soon as she finished speaking, the bus started moving.

*

Liu Village

Old Lady Liu looked at the old man sitting at the head of the heated kang, smoking a pipe, with some displeasure: "Didn't we agree on this before? Why did you agree to split the household?"

(End of Chapter)