Chapter 39: Grandfather and Grandmother's Reaction

Uncle Li teased, “So you’re finally willing to buy yourself a decent pair of shoes.” His younger brother had always been reluctant to spend money on himself; it seemed he must have made some extra earnings lately.

Uncle Li felt no jealousy at the growing prosperity of his brother’s family. The Li family enjoyed harmonious relations, free from petty resentments at another’s good fortune.

Back when his brother’s family was struggling just to put their son through school, the rest of the Li family would lend a hand where they could. But truthfully, none of their lives were much easier—just managing to fill their bellies was considered fortunate.

“I could never bring myself to buy these for myself. Si bought them for me. I even wanted to return them, but the boy wouldn’t allow it,” Li Daping said to his brother, trying to sound nonchalant.

“If the boy bought them for you, then you should wear them. Su’s a filial child. Things will only get better for you and your wife,” Uncle Li said, the corners of his mouth twitching, but he still agreed with Li Daping, following along with his words.

Li Daping nodded, “Exactly, that’s why I kept them.”

Uncle Li invited the two of them inside. Li Daping handed over the rice he’d brought, “Brother, take this rice. Our parents are getting on in years, eating good rice is better for their health.”

Uncle Li didn’t stand on ceremony. “Alright. Your sister-in-law made some pickles these last few days. Take some with you when you go home.”

Grandmother Li greeted Su warmly, “Su, you’re back! Have you had breakfast? Let Grandma boil an egg for you.” As she spoke, she headed for the kitchen.

Eggs were already a precious food for ordinary farming families.

Su hurried to say, “Grandma, I’ve already eaten. Please, don’t trouble yourself.”

Among his generation, Su was the youngest. His older brothers and sisters were all married. Li Daping, his father, was the youngest son, and Su had been born when his father was over thirty. That made him more than ten years younger than his siblings, and as the baby of the family, he was doted on by everyone from a young age.

Later, when he went to school, he was even more favored. Grandfather and Grandmother Li adored this youngest grandson.

For Su, his original home had been a place where familial affection was terribly scarce. The Li family was entirely different, enveloping him in warmth he’d never known.

“Grandpa, Grandma, I bought a pair of shoes for each of you. See if you like them. If not, I can exchange them,” Su said, taking out two pairs of cloth shoes and looking at his grandparents with shining eyes.

Grandfather and Grandmother Li’s eyes widened slightly—shoes, for them?

“Oh, you silly child, we’re already old, what do we need new shoes for?” Grandmother Li said, though her heart was sweet with joy. The boy still thought of her and the old man.

But truly, she didn’t want to take the shoes. “Su, return these shoes and save the money for your studies.”

Grandfather Li added, “Yes, listen to your grandmother.”

Su had heard this several times already today. He moved closer to Grandmother, his voice taking on a playful note, “Grandma, just take them as an expression of my filial devotion. Please, let me do this for you and Grandpa.”

Grandmother couldn’t resist—her attitude softened at once. “Alright, then. This is Su’s way of showing his respect for us old folks.”

Su immediately pressed the shoes into their hands. “Grandpa, Grandma, do you like them?”

Grandfather and Grandmother Li grinned, their smiles wide enough to hide their teeth. How could they not like them? No matter what their grandson gave, even just a blade of grass, they would cherish it—let alone such fine shoes.

“We love them! Oh, these shoes are really beautiful,” Grandmother Li said, unable to put them down.

“My good grandson is indeed filial,” Grandfather Li said, running his rough hands over the shoes.

Su felt a bit embarrassed at their praise. He hadn’t spent much money, but the emotional reward was immense.

He’d set aside the whole day to spend with his family. He chatted for a long while in Uncle Li’s house with his grandparents before returning home as lunchtime approached.

That day, the Li family had prepared meat. Li Zilin was sent to deliver a bowl to Grandfather and Grandmother Li.

“Mother, I’d like to go up the mountain a bit later,” Su said after lunch, thinking he’d look for wild vegetables and fruits. He was quite eager to go foraging.

It was June or July, a time when the mountains were full of wild produce.

“Alright, I’ll have your eldest brother go with you,” his mother said, since second brother Li Zhengqiang was already in town at his stall.

“Great.”

Several children raised their hands. “We want to go too!”

“Uncle, I’ll dig wild sweet potatoes for you!” Li Ziliang shouted.

“I’ll pick ground cherries for you!” Li Zixi chimed in.

The wild sweet potatoes they mentioned grew in the fields, with vines trailing across the ground—if you followed the vines, you could dig them up.

In June, wild sweet potatoes were ripe, but by mid-July, they’d start to rot.

It was the perfect time to eat them. Su had never tasted wild sweet potatoes or ground cherries—he’d only read about them in books. He nodded, “Alright, then I’ll rely on you to feed me.”

The four children nodded vigorously, determined to supply their uncle!

Li Zhengyi and Su led the four children up the mountain. They hadn’t been climbing long before they found wild sweet potatoes, and the children immediately set to digging, bottoms in the air.

Curious, Su squatted down and dug one up himself. So this is what wild sweet potatoes looked like. He’d take it home, wash it, and finally find out what it tasted like.

They wandered the mountains for several hours. Li Zilin even took off his shirt to carry fruit, and Li Zhengyi’s basket was filled with wild vegetables.

Su planned to bring some of this pure, natural produce to his master tomorrow for a hotpot.

They descended the mountain with a bountiful harvest.

That evening, wild vegetables from their foraging appeared on the dinner table, and Su found them especially delicious. The fruit was washed and eaten—he and the four children finished off nearly all of it.

“Su, will it be a long time before you can come home again?” Feng Cuicui asked.

Su shook his head gently. “No, this time I’ll be able to come home often.”

“That’s wonderful,” Feng Cuicui said, her voice much lighter.

Li Zhengqiang brought out the account book. “Si, check if I made any mistakes.”

Remembering something, Feng Cuicui went into the house.

Su took the two ledgers and carefully checked every entry. “Second brother, you did great—no mistakes.”

Li Zhengqiang grinned. He always double-checked everything, but no one believed him because their earnings had exceeded everyone’s expectations.

He felt quite wronged by their suspicions.

That night, Su joined his family at the river to catch fish. They didn’t manage to catch any, and instead ended up soaked. When they returned, their father, eldest brother, and second brother were all scolded by Feng Cuicui.

Su laughed carelessly at the side, only to be glared at by Feng Cuicui. “Go change out of those wet clothes instead of standing there giggling.”

Still laughing, Su went to change. After a day of happy play, he returned to the city the next day.

He brought along the wild vegetables he’d picked himself, stopped by the pharmacy to buy some saltpeter, and planned to try making ice. His first stop was Xi Sheng’s place.

Xi Sheng said sourly, “Whenever you go home, you come back loaded with bags. When you visit me, it’s just a few wild greens.”

“Master, these aren’t ordinary wild greens. I picked them myself! I’ll cook something delicious for you after school. And I’ll make some ice, so you don’t sweat while playing chess,” Su promised earnestly.

Xi Sheng rolled his eyes. “Do you really think you can buy ice around here? If I could, I would’ve bought it myself already.”

“I have my ways.” Su was full of confidence. He waved to Xi Sheng, “I’m off to school now.”

With that, he dashed away.