Daily Life of Raising Kids and Running a Stall - Chapter 5

Chapter 5: Little Sister

Su Yunting had been in a coma for over two months. Qiu Yuruo had originally thought that someone unconscious for so long would surely have sunken cheeks and a terrible complexion.

But when she actually saw him, she realized Su Yunting wasn’t as thin as she’d imagined. Though he wasn’t exactly sturdy, he was far from gaunt. His complexion was, surprisingly, not bad and about the same as her own when she wasn’t wearing makeup.

As for his appearance—at first glance, his weight and color were passable. Looking closer, he had a sharp, chiseled face, thick eyebrows reaching toward his temples, and a high, straight nose. Truly, a handsome young man.

Qiu Yuruo let out a gentle sigh. What a fine person… what a pity that it’s uncertain whether he’ll ever wake up.

Fortunately, she was good at adjusting her mindset. Considering that his condition, while comatose, wasn’t worsening quickly, she felt slightly relieved.

She wasn’t sure how dire the family’s finances were, but judging from the wedding room, where besides the groom’s wedding robe there wasn’t a single new item in sight, things didn’t look promising.

Qiu Yuruo had already anticipated financial difficulties and accepted the plain furnishings wholeheartedly. In fact, compared to the cramped half-room she’d had back at the Qiu home, this two-room central house already felt like an upgrade.

Though nothing was new, the furniture wasn’t worn-out either. Judging by the style, it was likely what Su Yunting had always used.

Qiu Yuruo pulled a bright change of clothes from her bundle. After removing the wedding robe, she touched the inside of her undershirt, where she had secretly sewn a hidden pocket to store silver.

She didn’t trust the Qiu family. Clothes and bedding were safe to hand over, but money—she’d rather keep it close.

Confirming the silver was still tucked in her sleeve pocket, Qiu Yuruo finally relaxed and changed into the clean outfit.

Once dressed, the outside had quieted. Qiu Yuruo heard the host calling the escorting party to be seated.

She wondered: Who paid for today’s expenses? Did Old Man Su cover it, or did it fall to the family here?

If Old Man Su paid, that would be great. But judging from his past behavior, the chances were slim.

Knowing the family’s situation was tight, Qiu Yuruo was already brainstorming how to improve their finances when the door creaked open and a little girl of seven or eight peeked in.

Their eyes met. The girl gave a shy smile before calling softly, “Sister-in-law.”

Su Yunting was the eldest in the family. He had two younger sisters and one younger brother. The second sister was already thirteen. This little girl must be the youngest sister—Su Jingxuan.

Qiu Yuruo asked, “You’re the little sister?”

The girl stepped inside, clutching her clothes and lowering her head. She gave a quiet “Mm.”

Seeing how nervous she was, Qiu Yuruo took her hand, led her to sit on a chair, and brought out some preserved fruits she had tidied from the bed, placing them on the table for her to eat.

The girl picked out a peanut, cracked it open, and ate a few pieces. Qiu Yuruo noticed she set all the red dates aside and asked, “You don’t like red dates?”

The little girl shook her head. “I’m saving them to cook porridge for Eldest Brother.”

Qiu Yuruo gently ruffled her soft hair and helped sort out the red dates from the pile of snacks, setting them aside.

Once the red dates were picked out, the girl didn’t eat anything more. She just sat there, staring at Qiu Yuruo.

“What’s wrong?” Qiu Yuruo asked.

Su Jingxuan was only eight years old. In the span of half a year, she had lost her father, her eldest brother had fallen into a coma, and after their grandfather separated their family from the main family, even their mother had passed away.

Their grandfather had said that once the sister-in-law entered the family, there would be someone to take charge. But all the neighbors were saying no girl would willingly marry a half-dead man and even if she did, she wouldn’t stay for long.

Before the wedding, she and her siblings had lived in daily fear. Now that the new sister-in-law had arrived without making a scene, her second brother had sent her in to check what kind of person she was.

Once inside, she could feel Qiu Yuruo’s kindness. And now, seeing her pick out the red dates for her brother, the girl suddenly felt she had someone to rely on.

She asked Qiu Yuruo, “Sister-in-law, will you stay here for good?”

Looking at this cautious little girl, Qiu Yuruo couldn’t help but think of her younger self. She replied softly, “I’ve gone through the wedding rites with your Eldest Brother. I’m your sister-in-law now—of course I’ll stay.”

Hearing this, the girl’s eyes lit up. She jumped off the chair and said excitedly, “I’ll go tell Second Brother and Eldest Sister that Sister-in-law said she’ll stay!”

She ran out of the room, and Qiu Yuruo didn’t stop her. In fact, she welcomed it. Letting the Su family know she was serious about staying would help set the tone.

Not long after, the door opened again. This time, a girl of about twelve or thirteen entered.

If the little girl earlier was Su Yunting’s youngest sister, then this must be the second sister—thirteen-year-Old Man Su Jingshu.

She carried a tray full of mismatched bowls and dishes. As she came in, she said, “Sister-in-law, it’s time to eat.”

She was slim and petite, and the tray looked heavy in her hands. Worried she might drop it, Qiu Yuruo quickly stepped forward, took the tray, and placed it on the table. “You’re the second sister?”

Su Jingshu replied with a quiet “Yes” and began helping unload the dishes.

Qiu Yuruo saw the dishes were all heaping full. “Why so much food?”

Su Jingshu, realizing that her sister-in-law was now head of the family, didn’t feel the need to hide anything. She said, “Second Aunt and the cousins didn’t leave. Aunt Shuncai, who was helping in the kitchen, brought over half the remaining food for us.”

In rural families with modest means, they were only expected to host the main guests—typically one representative from each family. Unless you were directly helping out, most relatives wouldn’t stay for the meal.

Old Man Qiu had known their situation and had only sent six people with the bridal party. Including a few local hosts, they needed only two tables. Su Jingshu clearly didn’t know how to cook, which was probably why someone had been hired to help. In a capable family, that wouldn’t have been necessary.

So if they’d hired Aunt Shuncai, then Second Aunt wasn’t helping but still stayed to eat. That was pretty shameless.

They didn’t invite their own aunt but had someone from outside helping in the kitchen. Combined with the fact that Aunt Shuncai had split the food and told the second sister to bring some over.It was clear she was a good person.

Thinking of Aunt Shuncai, Qiu Yuruo also recalled the woman who helped her down from the sedan and was referred to as “Su Huai’s wife.”

The women chosen to help during weddings were always respected figures—blessed, fortunate, and well-liked. These women were typically responsible for laying out incense, preparing the bridal bed, and more.

Such helpers should have been offered a meal. Qiu Yuruo asked, “Did Su Huai’s wife go home?”

Su Jingshu replied, “She said there was something at home and left just now.”

Looking into her innocent eyes, Qiu Yuruo realized that although this sister looked grown, she didn’t yet understand social niceties.

In situations like this, helpers wouldn’t ask to stay for a meal, and if the host didn’t offer, they’d simply leave. In this case, no one invited her to stay, so she’d gone.

Qiu Yuruo picked a bowl of meat dishes and set it aside. “Second Sister, grab a basket and take this over to Su Huai’s wife.”

Su Jingshu blinked in confusion. “Ah?” Then, realizing they should’ve kept her for the meal, she quickly nodded and went to fetch a basket.

After she left, Qiu Yuruo ate a bit, then turned her gaze to the untouched dishes on the table. She wondered how to feed Su Yunting.

When she agreed to marry into the Su family, Qiu Yuruo had already adjusted her expectations. She hoped he would one day wake up.

But if the predictions were right and his chances were slim, then she hoped he could at least hang on for a few more years.

Whether Su Yunting eventually woke up or passed away young, Qiu Yuruo had no plans to leave the Su family.

She couldn’t guarantee she’d find a better match if she remarried. Rather than go serve another family like a mule, it was better to stay here and run her own family.

Life was hard now, but the country had seen no wars for years. Though it wasn’t a golden age, it was at least a peaceful one.

She was good at cooking. She could open a stall and sell food. The Qiu family only had eyes for farmland, but truthfully, if they had let her sell food before, the money she earned wouldn’t have been any less than the return on their land.

That was also why she had insisted on getting silver from Old Man Qiu and Eldest Uncle. She needed capital to start anything.

Before starting a business, she’d need to assess the situation—especially Su Yunting’s daily care.

Since he was still unconscious, it was clear he couldn’t eat any of the food on the table.

Just as she was thinking of going out to ask someone, Su Jingshu returned from delivering the food. Before Qiu Yuruo could say anything, she ran into the inner room to turn her brother over.

She was so slender and frail—barely strong enough to manage. Qiu Yuruo stepped in to help, adjusting Su Yunting from lying on his back to lying on his side.

Afterward, Su Jingshu explained, “Since Eldest Brother can’t move, we have to turn him often during the day so he doesn’t get bedsores.”

Qiu Yuruo nodded to show she understood. Since Jingshu was still young, she didn’t ask her too much more about medical care—only, “How does your brother eat?”

“He can swallow, just not chew much. We usually feed him porridge.”

Just then, she remembered the porridge they had made and went to the kitchen to fetch it.

Together, the two of them got Su Yunting into a sitting position and fed him the porridge. Afterward, Qiu Yuruo urged her to eat too.

Only after she had eaten did they lay Su Yunting back down.

Qiu Yuruo then asked about his condition and what medicine he was taking.

“At first, he was still drinking medicine,” said Su Jingshu. “But when he didn’t wake up, we stopped. After we were separated from the main family, Mother invited a doctor once or twice and got a couple rounds of medicine… but now, the family really has no silver left.”