Chapter 13

“Liu Tong, Liu Tong, wait…”

Liu Tong just stepped out when he heard someone calling him from behind. He turned around and saw Wu Mei and Liu Qing running towards him in a hurry.

Liu Tong stopped and looked at the two people who were gasping for breath. He comforted them both, “No hurry. Take your time.”

Puffing a little, Wu Mei said, “Liu Tong, we’ve heard you were driven out. We know you don’t have a place to go now, so let’s go to my place first!”

“Yeah, Liu Tong, you are supporting the whole family. The kids are still young, while Xu Ran still needs to take the medicine. So let’s go. We won’t let you starve,” Liu Qing also echoed.

“Well…” Liu Tong was hesitant.

Wu Mei tried to persuade him, “Even if you don’t think about yourself, you should think about it for your two kids! You must have not eaten lunch yet! Tangtang and Guoguo must be hungry. No matter what, go to my place to have some food first. ”

“Yeah, and Ran needs a physician to see his injury,” Liu Qing also urged.

Looking at the two quiet and obedient children by his side, as well as Xu Ran, who was badly injured, Liu Tong felt very distressed. He blamed himself for being so useless that he couldn’t even protect his children.

He then nodded at Wu Mei and Liu Qing, “Well, I am so sorry to bring you so much trouble.”

Wu Mei and Liu Qing waved their hands at the same time, “What are you talking about? I wouldn’t care it if it were others.”

Naturally, Liu Tong knew that it was because of their friendhsip that Wu Mei and Liu Qing stood out to help him at his most desperate moment. He decided to accept their good favor and was determined to take good care of the two families in the future

Wu Mei’s spouse was called Xu An, who was a craftsman as well as a good hand in the field. Besides, Wu Mei was virtuous and capable, so his family lived a good life, and they could even be considered as wealthy in Xu Village.

Wu Mei also had two children. The oldest one was called Dahu, while the younger one was named Yueya’er. Both of them were very obedient.

After Wu Mei brought them home, he first asked Dahu and Yueya’er to play with Tangtang and Guoguo. He then arranged Liu Tong and Xu Ran to sit in the hall. After all these were settled, he quickly went to work in the kitchen. Liu Qing went back to his home, saying that he was going to bring some food here.

When Xu Ran and Liu Tong were left in the room alone,  Xu Ran, sitting in his seat, put his hand on Liu Tong’s, who was next to him. He said gently, “Tongtong, I’m well now. I won’t let you suffer any longer.”

Hearing Xu Ran’s words, Liu Tong was stunned for a moment, and then his eyes immediately turned red.

Xu Ran stood up and walked behind him. Avoiding the place where Liu Tong had been hurt, he gently stroked his back to comfort him, “Tongtong, you’ve been working hard for us all these years. Thank you so much.”

Red-eyed, Liu Tong suddenly stood up and hugged Xu Ran tightly. He kept calling, “Ran, Ran…”

“I’m here, Tongtong, I’m well now…” Xu Ran softly comforted him in his ear while patting his back.

Liu Tong was so excited that he didn’t know he was sad or happy at this moment. He had been hoping that Xu Ran would recover since he married into the Xu Family. He had been suffering so many years in the Xu Family, but his hopes for Ran never died.  Even at the worst time, the hope that Ran was sure to recover had always cheered him up.

He had been waiting for seven full years, and today Ran suddenly told him that he was well and that he would not allow him to suffer anymore in the future.

Liu Tong really wanted to cry to let out all these years of grievance. In the future, he didn’t need to work alone. His husband and his children’s dad was finally healed.

After all, they were still in someone else’s house, so Liu Tong didn’t lose his composure for long.

After Liu Tong calmed down, Xu Ran began to tell him his plan,

“Tongtong, actually I came back to myself the day before yesterday. I remember all the things happening these years since I became a fool. I also know what life you were living. I am sorry. It is I who let you and the children down.”

“No, you didn’t bring trouble to me and the children. And I have been willing to do so.”

Xu Ran was interrupted by Liu Tong. Liu Tong hurriedly expressed himself, showing his willingness and love to the family.

Xu Ran endured the pain in his mouth and laughed gently, “Don’t worry, Tongtong. The past days are over. Our family will be fine and enjoy a better life in the future.”

“Yes,” Liu Tong nodded repeatedly. He believed in Xu Ran.

“Tongtong, listen to me. I have been planning on the family separation since I came back to myself. Whether I am a fool or not, my life in the Xu Family is not easy. Thus, it’s better to split up with them and live on our own. As for the other arrangements, I’ll tell you later this evening. Remember to tell the doctor to have a good check on my head when he comes. Then ask the doctor to prescribe me some more medicine, and I’ll get better after I take it.”

Liu Tong nodded, “I got it.”

Liu Tong still wanted to say something, when he saw Wu Mei come to call them for dinner.

Thus it was not convenient for them to go on talking. They got up and were led to the dining room.

By then, their two children were already sitting at the table and eating. They looked starving.

Getting near, they found that the two kids were having egg soup. Liu Tong was moved, but he didn’t say anything. He pulled Xu Ran to sit down and silently bore the gratitude in his heart.

Xu Ran also darted a grateful glance at Wu Mei. He knew that the eggs of this era were not cheap, and most people couldn’t afford to eat them. People sold them for money instead.

Now Wu Mei was so generous as to feed the two kids with the precious eggs.

Xu Ran thought to himself that when he was well off, he would definitely help Wu Mei’s family as a return.

Wu Mei and Liu Qing served them rice. It was brown rice, but it was not bad. Besides, there were three dishes and meat on the table. Liu Tong was very moved because someone was willing to help him in the most difficult time.

He wanted to say thank you again. However, he swallowed his words. He felt no language could express his real thankfulness.

While they were eating, Wu Mei said, “Liu Tong, please look after Dahu and Yueya’er for me. I’ll go out with Liu Qing.”

“All right. You just go for your business. I will take good care of Dahu and Yueya’er,” Liu Tong replied.