Chapter 74: Bitter Life
“We have popcorn, and this time we also made some rice crackers for sale. It tastes crispy and crunchy. If you want some rice crackers, the children will probably like them too. The price is not expensive, only two taels per penny.”
“Okay, then bring me some popcorn and two taels of rice dumplings for the kids to go back and try.” Wu Tianfu said.
"Okay." Su Mulan agreed, quickly scooped up the popcorn, weighed the rice cakes, and gave them to Wu Tianfu, "These two things are delicious, but Uncle Wu also saw that they were a little dry, so don't leave them when you go back." Let the children eat too much at one time so that they don’t get upset when the time comes, and drink more water so that they don’t get angry.”
“Thanks to you for reminding me, otherwise I really wouldn’t be able to remember it. When I go back, I still have to look after the two little ones at home and not eat too much.”
Wu Tianfu packed the popcorn and crispy rice, paid for it, and cut a piece of tofu for Su Mulan, "Take it back and fry some tofu at noon."
Seeing Su Mulan's hesitation, Wu Tianfu couldn't help but take the tofu over and wrap the tofu in the bamboo basket, "Don't think you can't tell because I'm old, your rice cake should have more weight." , the same goes for the dried sweet potatoes from last time.”
“Don’t forget, I have been selling tofu in this town for more than ten years. You can tell how much it is by just weighing it with your hands. You can’t hide it from me.”
"It's done, I think you don't have much left of these things. Hurry up and go home as soon as you sell out. The sun is very strong. I have a good business today, so I will pack up and go home early. At noon I have to go back and cook.”
Wu Tianfu said and returned to his stall.
Su Mulan could only respond with a smile and put away the piece of tofu. From the corner of his eye, he caught a glimpse of Bai Lixia staring at Wu Tianfu and laughed, "What's wrong?"
"I'm thinking…"
Bai Lixia scratched her ears and said, "Uncle Wu, it's quite hard. It's not easy to carry two big baskets of tofu and bean sprouts to the town. He has to go back to cook at noon. Listen to that, there are two more at home. Do you have children to take care of?”
“Yeah, it’s quite hard...”
Su Mulan paused and looked at Wu Tianfu again.
It seems something is not quite right.
He has to sell tofu, cook, and take care of children. And from what Wu Tianfu said just now, it seems that he has to take care of the children himself, and no one else can help him.
Is it possible that he is the only adult in the whole family?
“This Brother Wu has a hard life.”
Next to him, a middle-aged woman in her thirties who was selling peaches seemed to notice Su Mulan's doubts and explained, "He and I are from neighboring villages, and our homes are fairly close. I know a little bit about his family. This When Brother Wu was young, his wife had a massive hemorrhage after giving birth. He raised the child as both a father and a mother, married his son, and later had grandchildren and granddaughters. He was supposed to be blessed. When the time came, his son and his daughter-in-law went out to carry goods and took a boat, and they encountered water bandits and lost their lives. "
"Nowadays, Brother Wu is the only one living with his two grandsons. It looks very desolate. But fortunately, Brother Wu is still quite strong. He makes a living by making tofu, and he doesn't have much money, so his life is just that. Not bad.”
“Speaking of which, Brother Wu has a nephew who opens a shop in the town and does business. He often takes Brother Wu to his house for dinner and so on..."
(End of this chapter)