Daily Life of Raising Kids and Running a Stall - Chapter 4

Chapter 4: Su Yunting

Amid the crackling of firecrackers, Su Yunting’s consciousness returned once again.

In his past life, he had risen to great heights in office, yet had not a single family member by his side. After growing old and dying alone, he unexpectedly awoke once more at the moment of his youth when he had just fallen into a coma.

When he first regained consciousness, Su Yunting was elated, thinking Heaven had granted him a second chance to protect his family.

But reality struck him like a thunderbolt. Though his mind had returned to clarity, his body remained unresponsive. Even though he could feel the sensation of touch, he had no control over his physical body, which still appeared to be in a coma.

This rebirth had not given him the power to change fate by protecting his family, it had instead thrust him into the torment of reliving what he had missed; watching helplessly, with full awareness, as his loved ones passed away one after another.

Compared to his previous life, where he had awakened only after everything was over, this was far more cruel.

Through the words of those coming and going, Su Yunting learned that today was the day of his marriage.

But he knew full well that the bride would not truly enter his home. She would, like his mother, choose death to escape this family that offered only visible, unending misery.

She would abandon the sedan chair mid-way and throw herself into the river. And he, just like when his mother had given up her life, would lie here like a corpse, unable to give them even the slightest hope of survival.

Today, the house was no longer cloaked in silence. The courtyard bustled with joy and festivity. Aunt Shuncai from the neighborhood busied herself back and forth, helping his clueless younger siblings arrange the details of the wedding.

Even his grandfather, who had driven their family into this broken, decrepit old courtyard, had come with Second Uncle’s family in tow. Su Yunting couldn’t open his eyes to see their expressions, but he could still feel their delight.

After all, they were finally offloading the burden. Of course they were happy.

Even his younger siblings were happy, though their joy was tinged with apprehension.

The clan elder also came. He was there to preside over the wedding. His tone was full of regret, showing more sentiment than Second Uncle, at least on the surface.

But those faint traces of kindness meant little. When Grandfather had cast their family aside, he had said nothing. And later, as his siblings suffered misfortunes one after another, he had never offered a hand.

Such superficial affection, what did it matter if it was there or not?

Another round of firecrackers sounded. The wedding procession had set out.

The time dragged on slowly. Su Yunting, clear-headed yet powerless, awaited the bad news they would inevitably bring back.

…

Amid waves of praise for Old Man Qiu’s righteousness and kindness, Qiu Yuruo was lifted into the bridal sedan chair. She could faintly hear people nearby gossiping and wondering why the bride hadn’t cried.

Qiu Yuruo sneered inwardly. Girls usually cried when leaving their families behind. But her parents were long gone. Other than her third uncle’s family, which still had some small shred of decency, the rest of her family? Forget crying, just being able to leave without laughing in their faces was enough to thank the Heavens for Su Yunting’s coma.

As the sedan chair carried her away from the village where she had grown up, she suddenly felt a wave of heart palpitations when they crossed the bridge.

In her previous life, Qiu Yuruo had been a strong swimmer. Even in this life, despite her parents having drowned in a river, she had never feared water. Feeling panic on a bridge like this—it had never happened before.

Clutching her trembling, frantic heart, she suddenly remembered the dream she had during her hunger strike a few days ago, the one where she starved to death and was thrown into a river.

She didn’t know whether her current panic was triggered by that dream subconsciously, or if starving and being thrown into the river was something that had actually happened.

After all, she had transmigrated here from the modern world and had taken over this body without resistance. In her coma, she had heard the heartfelt pleas of both her modern and current parents. And when she recalled that vivid dream, it was hard not to believe that what she had experienced might have truly happened once.

Qiu Yuruo lowered her hand from her chest and clenched her fist tightly. Once again, she silently vowed. No matter whether the dream was real or not, no matter how hard the days ahead may be—I will not give up!

As her will grew firmer, the heart palpitations gradually subsided.

…

The wedding procession had left the Qiu family home, and people continued moving in and out. Su Yunting could only wait quietly for the bad news.

Time trickled by, second by second. Then came the clan elder’s words, “They should be here any moment now.”

Su Yunting was carried outside.

In the distance, another wave of firecrackers shattered the stillness in his heart, igniting a sliver of hope deep inside him.

And with hope, the wait grew even more excruciating.

As the firecrackers died down, a crowd surged into the courtyard to watch the commotion.

Su Yunting listened to the new arrivals chattering without restraint around him. They talked about how the Qiu family had swapped sisters for the marriage, and how the replacement sister had protested with a hunger strike.

In his previous life, the Qiu girl had resisted the marriage to the death. After she drowned herself, her body had still been buried in the Su family’s ancestral tomb.

So far, it seemed she hadn’t jumped into the river this time. But Su Yunting couldn’t be sure the person in the sedan chair was still alive.

Just like in his past life, his younger brother had told him that their mother’s death had been an accident. But in truth, that “accident” had been what she wanted people to believe. Her death had not been accidental.

…

The bridal sedan entered the village, and the atmosphere turned lively. Before long, it stopped at the gate of the Su family home.

Amid excited cries of “The bride is here!” the sedan’s curtain was lifted. Beneath the red veil, Qiu Yuruo saw a pair of woman’s hands reaching toward her.

She placed her hands into the woman’s and followed her down from the sedan, across the fire basin, and into the Su family.

When Su Yunting heard that the bride had stepped out of the sedan, his entire being trembled. A surge of hope bloomed in his heart.

If the Qiu girl could step through the Su family’s doors alive, then maybe—just maybe—the tragic fate of his younger siblings could change too.

He was so overwhelmed with emotion that his awareness began to fade. He fought desperately to stay awake. He wanted to see his bride. He wanted to change the fate of his past life. He wanted to go through this wedding ceremony together and with full consciousness.

…

Led slowly by the woman, Qiu Yuruo approached a bamboo couch. Her red veil blocked her upper vision, but not what was below. She saw someone lying there, dressed in red wedding clothes. Because the veil draped over her eyes, she couldn’t make out his features or even his height.

Once the bride entered, someone immediately called out for the groom to be propped up.

Su Yunting managed to remain conscious until the end of the ceremony—then he fell back into a coma.

After the bows were completed, the groom was carried back into the house. Qiu Yuruo was still led by the same woman.

The crowd, hungry for drama, followed them into the bridal chamber. But the new bride was too well-behaved. She hadn’t been dragged inside, limp with dread, nor had she resisted with fury and tears. Now, seated quietly at the comatose groom’s side, she remained utterly calm.

Disappointed by the lack of spectacle, the crowd began demanding to see the bride’s face.

The woman supporting Qiu Yuruo, Madam Zhao asked, “Little sister-in-law, would you like me to lift your veil on Yunting’s behalf?”

Qiu Yuruo let out a soft breath and replied, “Thank you, sister-in-law.”

Hearing her response, Madam Zhao’s smile visibly relaxed. Amid the crowd’s urging, she lifted the red bridal veil.

Qiu Yuruo’s features were elegant and striking. Her poor complexion was covered by the bridal makeup, and her beauty far exceeded everyone’s expectations. And this kind of marriage, she had even brought two quilts and two bundles of dowry!

With a face like that, she wasn’t just a good match for an unconscious groom who might die any day. Even if Su Yunting were healthy, he’d be lucky to have a wife like her.

Some people felt bitter. Even in a coma, Su Yunting still managed to marry a fine wife. The congratulatory words coming from their mouths were laced with subtle stabs aimed straight at Qiu Yuruo’s heart.

Madam Zhao heard the seemingly polite yet malicious remarks and quickly said, “Now that everyone’s seen the bride, there will be plenty of time to chat later. Let’s all give the young couple some rest.”

One of the bitter onlookers said mockingly, “Su Huai’s wife, you’re really something—leading your cousin-in-law’s bride into the house and treating her like a treasure.”

Madam Zhao didn’t argue. “No need to rush, Auntie. Yunting’s bride just arrived today, so of course I’ll pamper her a bit. When your Da Shan marries tomorrow, I’ll pamper her too.”

As she joked, she began pushing people toward the door.

Not everyone there had bad intentions. As Madam Zhao shooed people out, the crowd slowly followed suit.

After the onlookers were gone, Madam Zhao fetched water for Qiu Yuruo to freshen up and change clothes.

Once Madam Zhao had left, the room grew quiet. Qiu Yuruo didn’t rush to change. Instead, she entered the inner room to see the other main character of this wedding—what exactly he looked like.

The sun outside was bright, and light filled the room. The groom lying on the bed wore a red wedding robe.

Qiu Yuruo’s bridal gown had been prepared by Old Man Qiu, out of pride and saving face.

As for Su Yunting’s wedding clothes, Qiu Yuruo guessed either Old Master Su had paid for them, or they had been bought in advance, back when the family was still whole.