Chapter 13: Chapter 13, Going Home

Aunt Meilian was imparting her experiences regarding plum blossoms here; these were lessons she had bought with her very life, and she wouldn't have shared them with just anyone.

Fortunately, Mei Xue was her own niece.

"The village isn't just made up of our He family. It's called He Family Village, yes, but there are other major surnames here too. The population is large and diverse. If you don't stand on your own two feet, you can't always rely on Third Aunt to stick her neck out for you; she isn't getting any younger."

Speaking of her Third Aunt, Aunt Meilian's face filled with heartache again. "Your grandmother hasn't had it easy either. I don't know what happened when she was young, but I had already married into the family when Brother Zhengfeng and the others passed away. Life was so bitter afterward; if your grandmother hadn't been so strong-willed, I'm afraid your entire branch of the family would have died out."

Recalling the past, Aunt Meilian felt a sense of dread.

Mei Xue could well imagine how difficult it must have been for a woman to try to establish a foothold in the village while raising a grandson.

Added to the fact that all the men in the family had died, life must have been even harder and more bitter.

Knowing how much her grandmother had endured, Mei Xue made up her mind: from now on, she would treat her as her own biological grandmother.

"I know. I will be filial to Grandma, and I will stand on my own feet. I also know that because Grandma wanted me to marry in, everyone had a field day criticizing her. Don't worry, Aunt Meilian, I won't let Grandma suffer such indignities again."

Mei Xue thought about the original owner's background; she feared that everyone must have been badmouthing her grandmother behind her back.

Thinking of the fragments of information the original owner had heard, Mei Xue's mind raced; she knew exactly how much struggle it took to fight for survival alone.

It was just a different era and a different person, and she wasn't as capable as the original owner, but she could imagine the hardships and perils involved.

"It's good that you think that way. Your grandmother usually can't bear to spend on food or clothing, but she was very generous when it came to your marriage with Zhengze. You know yourself—these days, who in the village pays such a high bride price? A hundred yuan is considered the absolute limit."

Aunt Meilian began telling Mei Xue about Grandma He's hardships.

"The funeral for your parents, and all those banquets—that was all money. Even if there wasn't much food, there had to be a substantial meat dish in there; meat isn't cheap these days."

Mei Xue recalled the original owner's experience of burying her parents, but for some reason, she couldn't recall the specific dishes that had been on the table.

"And those eggs she gave you—those were your grandmother's daily living expenses. She relied on trading those few eggs for things like salt. Even the vegetables were from last year's crop, because from the moment you entered the house, all the family's wealth was spent on your marriage."

These were matters only the family knew; outsiders had no idea. Hearing Aunt Meilian recount these things, Mei Xue's nose tingled with suppressed tears.

"Aunt Meilian, please don't say more. I understand, I truly understand. I understand now that those eggs and the sugar water I had every day were all things Grandma saved for me."

Mei Xue was truly heartbroken. She knew her grandmother was good to her, but she never imagined it had come at such a cost. She didn't know what kind of grievances from the past had forced her to sacrifice so much.

Grandma used to tell her she had money, that she had money, but in reality, where was the money?

Seeing Mei Xue cry, Aunt Meilian felt a bit of regret. "I have a loose tongue; don't cry. Just keep it in your heart. I'm not telling you this so you can feel pressured to repay the debt, I just want you to know how much your grandmother has sacrificed for you."

Deep down, she just wanted her Third Aunt's life to be a little easier, less bitter.

"Mhm, I understand, I understand. Thank you, Aunt Meilian. If you ever need anything, just ask; I won't hesitate to help." Mei Xue vowed to repay this kindness to the best of her ability.

"We're family; would I really ask for help if I didn't think you'd give it? Alright, enough of this. Dry your tears; don't let my Third Aunt see you like this, or she'll give me an earful."

Along the way, Aunt Meilian teased Mei Xue to lighten the mood.

By the time they returned to the village, it was past twelve o'clock, and the aroma of cooking wafted from every household.

Mei Xue's stomach betrayed her with a loud growl.

"Hurry home, I'm afraid Third Aunt is getting anxious." After helping lift the basket down from the carriage, Aunt Meilian urged Mei Xue.

Mei Xue felt a bit embarrassed. "It's okay, I'll go up with you, Aunt Meilian." Their home required walking up a mountain path made of stone steps, which wasn't too difficult, but since it had rained heavily this morning, the stones were a bit slippery.

It was better to wait for Aunt Meilian; no matter how hungry she was, a little extra time wouldn't hurt.

Grandma had likely already prepared the meal, so she would have something ready to eat upon her return.

Aunt Meilian smiled and said no more, hoisting her shoulder pole to walk up with Mei Xue.

The carriage fare wasn't expensive, only twenty cents. For such a long distance, twenty cents plus the help with the load wasn't considered pricey; they were all from the same village, and it was on the way.

Of course, if they weren't carrying goods, most people would prefer to walk to save money.

As Mei Xue was parting ways with Aunt Meilian, she saw someone approaching from not far away, and her eyes lit up.

"Grandma!"

The person was none other than Grandma He, who had been waiting at home. With the heavy rain this morning, she wouldn't have wanted Xiao Xue to go out alone if she weren't so old.

But there was no helping it; if her old bones were soaked in the rain all morning and then jolted around in a carriage, she might have collapsed.

However, she couldn't let the vegetables go to waste, so she had to let Xiao Xue go with Meilian to sell them.

When noon arrived and no carriage had returned, she grew anxious.

But anxiety was useless; she could only prepare lunch first, otherwise, what if Xiao Xue came back hungry?

To keep herself busy and stop her mind from wandering, Grandma He had prepared a very hearty lunch.

She was just waiting for Xiao Xue to come home and eat.

But even as the food grew cold, there was still no sign of her. A carriage had passed by earlier, but Xiao Xue wasn't in it, so she had run back home to reheat the food.

Just as she was feeling anxious, she heard Meilian's voice and hurried outside.

"Ah, Xiao Xue is back! Are you tired? Are you hungry? Grandma has made food. Come, let's go home to eat." Grandma He quickened her pace toward Xiao Xue.

Having been coached by Aunt Meilian along the way, Xiao Xue had been missing her grandmother dearly. The moment they met, Xiao Xue didn't even consider leaving Aunt Meilian behind and rushed straight to her grandmother's side.

"Hehe, I'm hungry, Grandma!" She didn't hand the shoulder pole to her grandmother because it was heavy and full.

"If you're hungry, go inside and eat." Having said that, Grandma He looked at Meilian, who was entering the house. "Meilian, thank you for the trouble. I'm sorry Xiao Xue was a bother to you on the way."

"Don't say that, Third Aunt, as if we aren't family. After all, Xiao Xue calls me Aunt, doesn't she?" Aunt Meilian replied with a smile.

Grandma He knew she was a good person and a kind soul, which was why she felt comfortable entrusting Xiao Xue to her. "Alright, go on back. You've been working all morning; go eat. Lixia is waiting at home too."

"Alright, I'm going, I'm going."

(End of Chapter)