Daily Life of Raising Kids and Running a Stall - Chapter 11

Chapter 11: Temptation

Qiu Yuruo took the candy with a smile but then stuffed it right back into her sister-in-law’s mouth and said, “I’m taking care of my stomach right now, so I can’t have sweets. I’ll eat it once my stomach’s better.”

The women walking with them saw how affectionate the sisters-in-law were with each other. They exchanged looks, and all of them inwardly felt glad for this eldest branch of the Su family.

Humming to herself in her heart, Qiu Yuruo returned home before noon with her two younger sisters.

She handed the basket directly to Su Yunche and said, “There’s candy for you in there, take it and eat it,” before heading off to wash her hands.

The first thing she did after washing up was check on Su Yunting’s condition. As expected, there was no change.

By now the temperature outside had risen, so Qiu Yuruo called for the two siblings to help move Su Yunting back inside.

Su Yunche sucked on his candy while listening to Qiu Yuruo talk. He didn’t need to worry about taking care of his older brother or his sisters being out by themselves.

He just did whatever Qiu Yuruo told him to do. Not only did he get to eat candy he hadn’t tasted in forever, but he also had a lunch more delicious than anything he’d ever had before.

…

Because he had helped prepare Qiu Yuruo’s dowry, Third Uncle Qiu basked in quite a bit of attention during her wedding. So when it came time to escort her home for her return visit, he was naturally very enthusiastic.

He hitched up the family’s ox cart first thing in the morning. After breakfast, while the other villagers were just heading out to work, he drove the cart to Sujia Village to pick up Qiu Yuruo.

He was still basking in compliments all the way out of the village. When he arrived at Sujia Village, Aunt Wang, who had brought over the live chickens for Qiu Yuruo, hadn’t even left yet.

Qiu Yuruo saw him arrive and immediately put on an eager, pleasantly surprised expression. She rushed to ask, “Are you thirsty or hungry?”

Luckily, Third Uncle Qiu had heard so much flattery these past two days, he had already convinced himself that they’d always been close, as if they weren’t just relatives who barely exchanged a few words every few months while living in the same courtyard.

Faced with Qiu Yuruo’s enthusiasm, he accepted it easily. “Your aunt has been hoping you’d come home early. She even made breakfast earlier than usual and rushed me to get going after we ate.”

Qiu Yuruo said sweetly, “I’ve been missing Auntie too.”

After that, she called over Yunche and the others, asking them to come greet their third uncle.

In just two days, Yunche and his sisters had been fully won over by Qiu Yuruo. All three obediently greeted him, “Third Uncle.”

Third Uncle Qiu responded warmly, “What good kids.”

He noticed a familiar-looking woman in the courtyard, and immediately his ‘kind uncle’ persona kicked in. He said to Qiu Yuruo, “Yuruo, you’re their eldest sister-in-law now. These three children will be relying on you from here on.”

Life is a stage, and it all comes down to acting skills. Qiu Yuruo wasn’t lacking in that department either. “Don’t worry, Uncle. I won’t disgrace you or Grandfather.”

Aunt Wang had witnessed the whole heartwarming scene and was deeply moved. She complimented both Third Uncle Qiu and Qiu Yuruo one after another. After receiving the payment for the chickens, she left contentedly.

Once Aunt Wang left, there was a brief awkward silence.

Thankfully, Third Uncle Qiu was sharp. He quickly asked, “How’s Yunting been these past two days?”

Qiu Yuruo replied, “He’s in the room. He’s been doing alright.”

She then told Yunche and the others to tidy things up and wait in the courtyard for a bit. She brought Third Uncle Qiu into the house.

Only Su Jingshu would be home today, so Qiu Yuruo hadn’t moved Su Yunting elsewhere. He was still lying in bed, making it easier for Second Sister to help him turn over and feed him.

Third Uncle Qiu looked at the young man lying in bed. He was good-looking, yes, but when it came to offering any praise, he truly couldn’t find the words.

Because he’d spent the past two days convincing himself that he and Qiu Yuruo were close, Third Uncle Qiu now silently cursed the old man for sacrificing his niece’s happiness for the sake of saving face. He also muttered to himself that Eldest Brother Qiu wasn’t much of a man; his daughter should’ve married in, but he made Yuruo take her place just because Second Brother was dead.

Qiu Yuruo noticed his expression and instead tried to comfort him. “Actually, it’s not so bad here. There are no elders above to boss me around, I can be the head of the family myself, and I don’t have to endure a husband’s bad temper. As long as I raise the kids well, I’ll have someone to rely on in old age.”

She spoke calmly, but Third Uncle Qiu’s nose turned sour. Though he could be a bit lazy and calculating, he wasn’t heartless. Seeing a young girl like a budding flower resign herself to a lonely life ahead, it tore at his heart.

And it wasn’t just him. Su Yunting, whose consciousness was currently awake, also felt a wave of emotion.

These past two days, whenever his mind was clear, his thoughts revolved around Qiu Yuruo. He paid the most attention to her. She was the one he interacted with the most, especially at night, when she was the only one by his side.

He realized that during the day, she was a dependable older sister-in-law for his siblings. But at night, she was a cheerful yet lonely young girl.

Her liveliness was something only he knew. Her loneliness, she shared only with him.

And now, this girl who hadn’t even fully grown into herself yet, was already speaking with such weary acceptance of life. How could he not feel pained?

Qiu Yuruo, on the other hand, had already come to terms with it. She was preparing to make her mark in this era and change her life. Honestly, if you offered her a healthy, lively husband right now, she wouldn’t even want him.

After all, an active, strong-willed man would expect to be served, would insist on being the head of the family, and wouldn’t tolerate a wife who outshone him.

How could that possibly compare to a handsome, motionless husband who didn’t cause any trouble?

Qiu Yuruo had sent the siblings outside because she had something to discuss with her uncle. Seeing he was feeling down, she offered a few words of comfort and then changed the subject.

They’d seen Su Yunting, so she invited her uncle to speak in the outer room.

During this time of year, the door between the rooms was just a thin curtain. Su Yunting could hear his wife’s voice as she chatted with Third Uncle Qiu in the outer room.

She started by telling him how someone had asked about her hunger strike yesterday and how she responded. She also mentioned how people in town advised her not to stay close with Eldest Uncle.

Third Uncle Qiu was pleased to hear she had also talked up how he prepared her dowry. Playing the role of the righteous uncle, he said, “You’re the only bloodline your father left behind. I couldn’t decide your marriage, but at the very least, I could give you a decent dowry so you wouldn’t be looked down upon after marrying.”

Qiu Yuruo thought: He doesn’t get it. Time to spell it out.

“I’m truly grateful to you and Auntie. But when I think of what I’ve been through, I can’t help but worry about the two of you. It’s just us here, Uncle, so I’ll speak frankly. Grandpa only has eyes for Eldest Uncle’s family. This time, he pushed me out there to clean up their mess. What happens next time something goes wrong?”

Third Uncle Qiu’s heart jolted. Of course, they’d just shove his side of the family out next time too!

Qiu Yuruo continued, “You know my mother was literate.”

He nodded. Of course he did. Their family had over a hundred mu of land and lived comfortably. If Second Sister-in-law hadn’t been literate, Father would never have agreed to marry into such a poor family.

Qiu Yuruo said, “Even when it comes to arranging a marriage, literacy is a big plus for a girl. My eldest uncle studied for years. But aside from teaching his own sons, did he ever teach your sons?”

Third Uncle Qiu said, “Sanli is still young. Ersheng used to study with your uncle, but the boy was playful… Your uncle said he wasn’t cut out for studying…”

Then he paused, the realization dawning on him.

Qiu Yuruo suppressed the smile tugging at her lips. “I was playful as a child too, but my mother still made sure I learned to read. Ersheng might’ve been playful at five or six, but now he’s much more steady…”

Third Uncle Qiu’s breathing grew heavy with anger. That wonderful Eldest Brother of his had written off his son as “not scholar material” just so he could hoard all the family resources for his own children.

If Eldest Brother never passed the exams, but his kids were the only ones who could read, then obviously the family would keep investing in them.

He was furious. Which meant Qiu Yuruo could rest easy.

But just being angry wasn’t enough. She needed to show him the way.

“Grandpa had three sons. My father died early, and my younger brother died with him. Thank goodness you have two sons, Uncle, otherwise out of the three brothers; two lines would’ve ended with no heirs.”

Third Uncle Qiu looked up and met her gaze.

Should he have one of his sons adopted into Second Brother’s line? That would mean his share of the inheritance could double. But an adoption meant the child would have to call someone else father and while he might not mind, his wife probably wouldn’t be too keen.

Qiu Yuruo wouldn’t push anyone to break up a mother and child.

“My father may have died young, but he’s on the clan registry and receives family offerings. Now that my brother’s gone, those offerings fall to his nephew.”

Third Uncle Qiu understood. She wasn’t asking for an adoption. Just that one of his sons perform the ancestral rites during her father’s death anniversaries.

Plenty of families did the same when there were no direct heirs. A distant nephew would be the one to conduct the memorials, and in return, inherit the land.

Third Uncle Qiu was tempted. But he said, “Eldest Brother probably won’t agree to this.”

Qiu Yuruo looked at him and said, “Everyone in the village says Grandpa values honor. And didn’t your role in my wedding show your righteousness too?

“Sometimes, all it takes is the right moment to turn the impossible into the possible.”

Third Uncle Qiu’s heart pounded. He’d never dared dream he could get more out of the family than Eldest Brother. But now, the idea didn’t seem so far-fetched.

Qiu Yuruo watched him sink into thought and smiled slowly.

Su Yunting also smiled inwardly. She was luring Third Uncle Qiu into demanding a division of the family.

And that’s exactly what she was doing.

Qiu Yuruo wanted to shake up Old Man Qiu’s family. She wanted to make sure Eldest Uncle never again got to live high on the hog.

Back when she was starving herself in protest, she’d imagined countless ways to get revenge.

Marrying into the Su family might look decent on the surface and even she admitted it wasn’t bad. But that was because she had adjusted her mindset and made a plan for the future.

This marriage itself was not a good one.

They had forced her to face life and death. That was already a fact.

And some people needed to pay the price for the things they had done.

Cultural Notes:

• Ersheng : Second son of the Third Uncle’s family