Chapter 12 A Lifetime To Remember

Chen Longxiao actually wanted to offer more help, but it was impossible for his parents to agree. Song Zhenyu gave Chen Longxiao a pat on the shoulder. “Let's not talk about such formalities. You should head home and rest.” Chen Longxiao wasn't Song Zhenyu's biological brother, yet he was more like a brother to the latter than an actual siblings. Watching Chen Longxiao disappear into the night, heading home, Song Zhenyu also tidied up and retreated to his room. It was easy to kick someone when they were down, but rare to offer help in a time of crisis. The bond of friendship with Chen Longxiao was something that Song Zhenyu would never forget in his lifetime. As soon as Song Zhenyu entered the room and lay down, he noticed that Zhang Yingyue was still awake. He couldn't help but ask, “Why aren't you asleep yet? Did Shuying bother you?” Zhang Yingyue gave a slight smile and said, “No. Shuying is a good girl. Zhenyu, was it Longxiao and his brothers who came to help us?” Song Zhenyu nodded, lightly touching the sleeping Song Shuying before lying down himself. He replied, “He'll help me fix the roof. The sun's been scorching lately, but it looks like it might get cloudy soon. Tomorrow, I'll gather the chestnuts early so I can return quickly, then spend half the day cutting grass. In the evening, Longxiao will come to help weave. Meanwhile, I'll be at home, refurbishing the roof.” “You've worked hard.” Zhang Yingyue's heart was heavy with sorrow, all of which eventually condensed into this single remark. She was in her confinement period after childbirth, unable to lend any assistance to Song Zhenyu. The burden of managing all household affairs had fallen squarely on Song Zhenyu's shoulders. If their two sons were smart, they could have helped out. Unfortunately... It was as if Song Zhenyu knew of Zhang Yingyue's worries. He gently smoothed her hair and said, “Why worry? Things are much easier than before. From now on, what's ours is ours. When I have some free time, I'll go cut some bamboo to weave silk strainers. Wealthy families often use silk strainers to hold their belongings. Don't fret. Our days will only get better.” As winter was fast approaching, Song Zhenyu knew exactly what was troubling Zhang Yingyue. Even though he was equally worried, he still made it a point to comfort Zhang Yingyue wholeheartedly. “In the past, you've never done the traditional postpartum confinement, but this time, let's do it for a full month. The medicine prescribed by Dr. Wang is enough for a month. I'll have Ruying prepare it for you daily. In a couple of days, I'll go check on the traps. Who knows, we might just get lucky and have some gains.” Song Zhenyu gently caressed Zhang Yingyue's face, speaking softly. Zhang Yingyue was very thin, her cheekbones were strikingly prominent. Although he had initially found it hard to leave home, he had since come to terms with it. Although the amount of food was scarce, all the food was theirs. In that household, their family had never experienced a full meal. Even when there was meat, it was never their turn to eat. At the very least, whatever they had at home now, their whole family could share and eat. “Okay. I'll follow your lead.” Zhang Yingyue relied on Song Zhenyu. Despite the poverty they lived in, the two had always depended on each other. Awakened by the need to use the restroom, Song Shuying overheard these conversations. She couldn't help but think that her father was actually quite a decent man. Zhang Yingyue's health was not the best, so if she could manage to rest for a full month, it would certainly be beneficial. Song Shuying was happy to be in such a family. In her previous life, she had been an orphan. The old traditional medicine practitioner who adopted her told her he had found her abandoned. Back then, the preference for sons over daughters was intense, coupled with the family planning policy, many secretly gave birth. Upon discovering they had a daughter, they would discreetly leave the daughters by the roadside. If someone picked the child up, they survived; if not, they would be left to their own devices. Song Shuying yearned for the warmth of parents, but she also understood the harsh realities of the world. Having parents did not guarantee warmth and comfort. What she couldn't have in her past life, she now had in this one. If it hadn't been for Zhang Yingyue's meticulous care for her, she would have wanted to provide Zhang Yingyue with spiritual spring water every day. However, Song Shuying figured there would be plenty of opportunities in the future, so there was no need to rush at that moment. Early the next morning, before dawn had even broken, Song Zhenyu was already up and about. He stoked the fire and began preparing a warm meal, then went to rouse Song Ruying and his two sons from their slumber. He instructed the three of them to have a meal before continuing to clean the well. She also asked Song Ruying to first wash the diapers that the Song Shuying had changed. Before he left, Song Zhenyu was most worried about his two sons. He gently patted the heads of his three children and said, “Tianheng and Tianqi, you mustn't run off to play, understand? You need to help your sister with the chores. If you do, I'll bring back some chestnuts for you to eat tonight, okay?” Song Tianheng and Song Tianqi reminisced about the delicious chestnuts they'd had the day before. Roasted in hot ashes, the chestnuts were incredibly soft and fragrant. Both of them nodded obediently and hummed in agreement. Song Ruying obediently nodded. She entered the room to collect the soiled diapers that Zhang Yingyue had changed, taking them outside to clean. Afterward, she disposed of the dirty water at the edge of the courtyard. After making arrangements for the three kids, Song Zhenyu shouldered his basket and headed into the mountains. As he traveled, he checked his traps to see if they had caught anything. Finding them empty, he couldn't help but feel a tinge of disappointment. Fortunately, there was that chestnut tree. Upon reaching it, he cut down a small branch and began to climb. The tree bore a good amount of fruit, and Song Zhenyu figured selling them should fetch around a hundred coins or so. He didn't understand any of this before. In the past, it was always Wei Zhilan who handled the sales. She never disclosed how much money was made. The money all went into the family's coffers. But this time, with the division of the family, they were essentially abandoned without a lifeline, leaving them without a single penny. Even if it was just a couple of coins, he would sell it. Once he had made peace with his thoughts, Song Zhenyu felt a surge of energy coursing through his body. After knocking down all the chestnuts from the tree, he shelled those he could and carried the rest home, still in their husks. The burden on Song Zhenyu's back was heavy, yet his face was lit up with a smile as he made his way home. From a distance, he saw his children diligently cleaning the well. A smile of contentment spread across his face. Watching Song Zhenyu return home, the three siblings rushed over to him with joy. They grabbed his hands and cheerfully called out to him. “Daddy, Daddy, you're back.” Song Zhenyu ran his hand through each of their hair, chuckling as he asked, “Have you all been good?” Song Tianheng and Song Tianqi, not quite grasping Song Zhenyu's words, nodded enthusiastically. “We're very well-behaved.” Song Ruying let go of Song Zhenyu and darted toward the chicken coop, quickly returning with a leaf-wrapped bundle. She presented it to Song Zhenyu with a sense of pride, saying, “Daddy, I've gathered a bunch of bugs for the chickens to eat. They really enjoy them. Daddy, you can use this as bait. The chickens at home love it, and I'm sure the birds in the mountains will too.” Song Ruying's eyes sparkled with understanding. As tactful as she was, Song Ruying was well aware that things at home had changed, and that times were tough. This realization had struck her while she was feeding the chickens. Song Zhenyu took it, smiling and nodding. “Okay. I'll listen to you. I'm going to have a sip of water and then head out to mow the grass. You all need to behave while I'm away, understand?” Excitedly, Song Ruying nodded. “Okay. I'll make sure to look after Tianheng and Tianqi.” The docility of Song Ruying brought tears to Song Zhenyu's eyes. He gently ruffled her dry hair, and then, with a smile, entered the house. Zhang Yingyue was seated on the bed when she heard Song Zhenyu's voice. She waited for him to come in and check on Song Shuying. In a gentle tone, she said, “Zhenyu, take a seat and rest for a while.” As she spoke, Zhang Yingyue reached out and gently removed a leaf that had found its way onto Song Zhenyu's head. She noticed that his hands were riddled with wounds from handling the prickly chestnuts. A pang of sympathy tugged at her heart.