Chapter 9: What a Bunch of Fools

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Old Madam Su didn’t understand the little one’s silent grievance; in truth, Sweet Treasure’s face showed little expression. In any case, the old lady sternly instructed her never to wave her tiny hands about so casually again. In her view, every gain comes with a loss. Those pears that Sweet Treasure had given them—who knew what they had to trade in return? She would rather Sweet Treasure be an ordinary child, poor but nourished with simple porridge and water, growing up safely. Great wealth was no match for peace and happiness.

Outside, the sky gradually darkened, the wind and snow relentless. Those who had gone out were still nowhere to be seen. Old Madam Su glanced out repeatedly, her brows knitting tighter each time. The three boisterous boys of Su Wu’s clan gradually quieted, occasionally running outside to peer down the path for familiar figures. A subtle, creeping tension filled the air, even Sweet Treasure felt the oppressive weight.

As night fell, a dim oil lamp flickered in the shabby courtyard, its faint warm glow spreading softly. Sounds came from outside; the old and young by the fire rose silently, opening the slightly ajar main door to look out.

“Why are you only just back now? Don’t you know it gets colder as night deepens? If you can’t sell the goods, come back early; the roads at night are dangerous, you might fall into a ditch—” Old Madam Su began scolding out of habit, but upon seeing the scene at the gate, her face drained of color and her voice cracked, “What’s going on here?”

“Mother! Father has fallen!” Su Da carried Old Su into the yard, both disheveled and weary.

Those inside rushed out immediately. Su Er was quickest, helping to lift their father inside.

Old Madam Su’s heart trembled when she heard her husband had fallen and saw him lying on their son’s back motionless. Once inside, under the lamp’s light, she almost couldn’t stand. His gaunt face was completely pale, bruises darkened his cheekbones and temples, and his injured right leg hung limply, unable to move.

Perhaps sensing her fear, Old Su lifted his head, faintly smiling with pale lips, saying softly, “Don’t panic, I just slipped and fell accidentally. It’s nothing serious. Here, this is half a sack of flour I traded for firewood—put it away.”

Su Da muttered quietly, “The wooden cart slipped on the way back. Father fell trying to protect this sack.” He dared not elaborate on the close call.

The snow made travel treacherous, and darkness hindered sight. The cart slipped down a slope, and father narrowly avoided being crushed by it.

Old Madam Su’s eyes reddened as she took the heavy cloth bag from his veined, twisted hand, but she didn’t scold him for risking his life.

Because this sack of flour was the family’s ration for a long time to come.

He wasn’t protecting the flour bag—he was protecting their lives.

“Big one, help your father to bed. Second one, go fetch the doctor, some good incense, and boil hot water.” Sniffling, Old Madam Su regained composure, her voice steady and commanding as ever, efficient and resolute.

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Old Su, carried into the room by his eldest son, twisted his neck in pain and protested, “No need to call the doctor, I’m fine, don’t waste silver—”

“Shut up!”

“...”

Old Su fell silent immediately.

The younger ones dispersed to their tasks.

Liu Yuelan had struggled out of bed when she heard the conversation. Holding Sweet Treasure, she stepped out but nearly recoiled back into the room at Old Madam Su’s sharp scold.

In the Su household, from eldest to youngest, no one feared heaven or earth, but they all feared the matriarch’s wrath.

Only after the old lady went to put away the flour did Liu Yuelan approach the in-laws’ door cautiously, asking anxiously, “How is Father-in-law?”

Old Su kept grumbling, “I’m fine, I’m fine! All of you worry too much. I know my own condition.”

Su Da said, “Father, just be quiet. Mother will scold you again if she hears. You’re not young anymore; why insist on being stubborn?”

A sharp slap landed with a loud smack. “You good-for-nothing! Didn’t I warn you on the road? Don’t say anything! You come back spilling the beans! If you weren’t so talkative, would I have to scold you?!”

Liu Yuelan quietly covered her daughter’s ears, both amused and exasperated.

No point asking further. She returned to her room.

After tucking her daughter in bed, she rummaged beneath the bedside cabinet and took out a small wooden box, palm-sized.

Sitting quietly by the bed, she waited a moment. When the man was finally sent out by the irate father-in-law, she called him in, opened the box, and took out a pair of silver earrings, handing them over.

“Use this as payment for the doctor and medicine. With things as they are, Mother will be tight on money, and she’s not the type to ask you or me for anything. You have to be smart.”

Su Da looked at the delicate earrings, emotions swirling. “Wife, these are your dowry...”

“I rarely wear them. They’re just dead weight. Enough talk. How bad is Father-in-law’s injury?”

Acknowledging his wife’s kindness, Su Da clenched his teeth and accepted the earrings. The family’s situation left him no choice.

“Father’s leg injury is serious; the bone might be broken... Wife, I’ll take these earrings now and return you better ones later.”

“We’re family. What’s the point of returning them? Go look after Father-in-law; I can’t manage being there right now.”

“Okay.”

After a brief exchange, Su Da left, leaving mother and daughter alone.

Outside the room, it was restless.

The three little ones fussed noisily over their grandfather’s injury.

The adults bustled about, boiling water, cleaning the injured, preparing food...

Liu Yuelan’s mind was unsettled. Holding Sweet Treasure tightly, as if to find some support to calm herself, she said softly, “Sweet Treasure, Grandpa is hurt. You’re a blessed child. Let’s pray together that Grandpa gets better soon, okay?”

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Sweet Treasure blinked, not understanding how to pray.

She couldn’t speak, walk, or run; the only thing she knew was giving pears.

But the only thing she could give, Granny didn’t want.

People were truly strange.

Before, when others tried to take things from her through needles and knives, she refused. Now she willingly gave, yet someone didn’t want it.

Why was there such a difference?

She looked at her mother: Teach me how to pray.

Her mother sighed, gazing out the window. “I wonder if your second uncle has called the doctor yet.”

Sweet Treasure thought: Don’t look out the window, look at me. Can giving you pears count as praying?

Her mother said, “I hope your grandfather’s leg is alright. Injuries to muscles and bones take a hundred days to heal; the old man is suffering.”

Sweet Treasure asked, “Then how do you pray?”

Her mother sighed again.

...

The mother and daughter failed to communicate.

Sweet Treasure closed her eyes and slipped into her own realm.

Sitting beneath the bountiful pear tree, she rested her small hands on her cheeks, gazing up at the laden branches.

How should a broken leg be healed? What must be eaten?

She had nothing but pears; thinking this, she realized she could do nothing to help Grandpa.

That kind, smiling old man with gentle eyes who looked at her.

At that moment, Sweet Treasure suddenly felt utterly useless.

Those people in white coats in the laboratory had studied her for years—a bunch of fools indeed.