Chapter 6: Tingting 4

Grandpa Han believed Tan You’s words, and he didn’t say much else. The old man looked very fierce, and in Han Tingting’s memories, he certainly didn’t count as someone easy to get along with.

He had a violent temper, just like Tan You’s biological father, Tan Lin, and he loved to use his hands. The most serious incident in the past was when he hung Han Tingting from a tree and beat her because she had stolen his money to buy snacks.

However, after Han Tingting started middle school, he stopped hitting her. He probably figured that since she was older, it wasn't appropriate to resort to beatings and scolding at every turn like before.

Perhaps because the shadow Grandpa Han cast over Han Tingting was so large, Tan You’s attitude toward him was also cautious, terrified that this old man might be as moody as Tan Lin.

The grandfather and granddaughter, reunited halfway through life, finished dinner in silence. Tan You conscientiously went to wash the pots and dishes. Han Cunming was happy not to have to do it himself, lying comfortably on a recliner and picking his teeth.

Tan You didn’t say anything after she finished cleaning up. She sat down at the dining table, carefully took out Han Tingting’s math textbook and workbook, and began to work through them, stumbling along.

Han Cunming glanced at Tan You sideways, but in the end, he didn’t say anything. Tan You was happy for the peace and quiet, summoning almost all of her patience. When she encountered difficult problems she couldn't solve, she felt discouraged, but what could she do? She could only overcome them herself.

It wasn't until midnight that Tan You rubbed her wrists. She had set a goal of ten pages for herself; she had finished half, and the remaining half would likely be completed tomorrow.

Han Cunming had long since returned to his room to sleep. He hadn't said a word about Tan You doing homework in the main room. Unlike Tan You’s biological grandmother, who would have a mouthful of complaints if Tan You turned on a light at night.

At six in the morning, Tan You got up right on time. She wanted to sleep in, but school always started at this hour. Besides, whenever she returned home for holidays in the past, there seemed to be endless chores to do.

When she was making breakfast, Han Cunming pushed open his door while yawning. Only the grandfather and granddaughter lived in the Han household. Han Tingting’s family situation was quite miserable; her parents had divorced years ago, and both were working out of town. Neither wanted to take her with them, so Han Tingting could only stay in her hometown.

Seeing Han Tingting preparing breakfast, Han Cunming didn’t say anything, simply taking his tea mug to the well to wash up. Tan You didn’t speak to him either; mainly, she didn’t know what to say to this old man.

She wasn't a glib person to begin with.

The two finished breakfast in silence. Han Cunming wiped his mouth and picked up a hoe, preparing to head to the fields. Before leaving, he gave Tan You five yuan and told her to go to the village market to buy some meat.

Tan You took the five yuan: "Got it. I'll buy some bean curd sheets, too."

Han Cunming waved his hand: "Do as you see fit."

After Han Cunming left to work in the fields, Tan You didn't rush to clean the house. Instead, she took the money and went to the village market to buy groceries. When buying groceries, especially meat, you have to go early; if you go late, all the good cuts are picked over.

Just as she pushed her bicycle out of the house, an auntie from next door suddenly called out to her: "Tingting, are you going to buy groceries? Could you bring me back a fish while you're at it?"

Tan You paused to look at her. Seeing the other person didn't move, Tan You pursed her lips: "Give me the money."

The auntie was stunned: "You pay for it first, and I'll give it to you when you get back."

Tan You immediately hopped on her bike: "I don't have money."

"Hey!" The woman wanted to call Tan You back, but Tan You had already ridden out of her sight, leaving the woman to stomp her feet in frustration. Han Tingting wasn't like this before; why was she so dull today?

Tan You didn't know someone had called her dull. Of course, she was indeed a bit slow-witted, not very good at speaking, and even worse at social interactions. She had only one thought: trying to get money out of her pocket was absolutely impossible.

Thinking of this, Tan You pedaled even faster, fearing someone might be chasing after her.

After circling the market, Tan You successfully bought the pork belly and bean curd sheets, spending the five yuan entirely. She wasn't a stranger to these tasks; whether it was her or Han Tingting, both had learned various household chores early on.

When she returned from the market, the auntie who had called out to her in the morning didn't come out, and Tan You didn't care. She knew who the woman was, but what did that have to do with her? No one required a middle school student to socialize with adults.

Setting the ingredients for lunch aside, Tan You didn't stay idle and took out the workbook she had half-finished the night before. Unfortunately, she hadn't written more than a few problems before someone came looking for Han Tingting.

"Han Tingting, we're going fishing. Are you coming?" There were three boys in total. The one in the lead was about the same height as Han Tingting and looked clean and fair. His name was Yang Shun, the son of the auntie from the morning.

The other two boys following Yang Shun were named Han Peng and Han Wei. All three boys were carrying fishing rods and holding small buckets.

Tan You glanced at them and then lowered her head again: "I'm not going. I have things to do."

Yang Shun didn't seem to expect that Han Tingting, who had always followed his lead, wouldn't tag along today. In the past, she would have followed him happily before he even said anything. What was wrong with her this time?

Tan You was done talking. She didn't look at them again, just lowered her head to continue working on her exercises.

Han Wei was a bit mean: "With your grades, you won't get into a good high school no matter how hard you study."

Han Peng was kinder. He tugged on Han Wei’s sleeve: "If she doesn't want to go, she doesn't want to go. Why are you saying that? If we catch any fish later, I'll bring you a couple."

Tan You smiled: "No need. If you catch any, keep them for yourselves."

Her mother, Cheng Wenhui, was strict with her; it was best not to take things from others. Even if you really wanted something, you had to exchange it for something of equal value. Don't take advantage of others—Tan You had known this since she was a child.

Yang Shun twisted his mouth. Seeing that Tan You was ignoring them, he snorted through his nose and led the other two boys away. Tan You didn't even look at them, focusing solely on her exercises.

After finishing the remaining five pages of exercises, she checked the clock in the living room and saw it was 10:30. Tan You went to the kitchen to light the fire and cook. Among rural families who farmed, very few used gas stoves, and the Han family was no exception.

Tan You was very skilled at starting the fire. While the red-braised pork simmered slowly over a low flame, she sat behind the stove holding her book. From time to time, she would check the fire in the stove, then lower her head to memorize math formulas.

Tan You’s cooking was just average—she could get the food cooked—but she was very good at red-braised pork. Because it was Tan Lin’s favorite dish, and Tan Lin was picky.

If the meat was tough, old, or the seasoning wasn't precise, he would complain. Through such rigorous practice, Tan You’s skill in making this dish had improved rapidly.

In this cramped village, everyone could smell what every household was cooking. Especially once the aroma of the red-braised pork wafted out, the scent was overbearing.

Tan You had been sitting in the kitchen the whole time, so she didn't think much of it after smelling it for so long. But the neighbors couldn't hold back, and one by one, they began to talk about it.

New book, please add to your library and recommend!

(End of chapter)