Chapter 392: Touched
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Du Xiaoju knew what kind of life her mother and brother had lived in the past. Just thinking about it made her uncomfortable. She became teary-eyed, and her voice was hoarse, “I’m happy that we found each other again, Big Brother. Please tell Mother not to miss me too much.
“You don’t always have to think about me and start thinking more about yourself. I’m working at the factory now and receive salaries and bonuses. Also, Miss Su has treated me very well. I have many sisters who take good care of me, like Li Mei.”
Du Xiaoju treated Luo Jian and Li Mei as her sisters. However, Luo Juan had gone to help at Blue Mountain Academy’s cafeteria, so Du Xiaoju became more familiar with Li Mei.
Perhaps it was because Li Mei was older than Du Xiaoju and more mature in handling things. Most of the time, Li Mei took care of Du Xiaoju instead. Although Du Xiaoju did not say it, Li Mei knew she was grateful.
After hearing his sister’s words, Du Xiaoshuan looked at Li Mei again and said thoughtfully, “Thank you for taking care of my sister, Miss Mei.”
Li Mei was at a loss when she suddenly heard this and saw Du Xiaoshuan’s expression of gratitude. “N-No, I didn’t do much. X-Xiaoju also takes care of me.”
Her words were incoherent, and her face was flushed red as she waved around. She typically did not stutter but not this time.
“All right, don’t scare my friend, Big Brother,” Du Xiaoju hurriedly said.
Du Xiaoshuan scratched the back of his head in embarrassment. “W-•Well, I didn’t mean to.”
He wondered if he had looked too fierce just now and if he had scared her because of it. “I’m sorry. I-I didn’t do it on purpose!”
Li Mei quickly shook her head. “No, no, no. There’s no need to apologize.”
“Big Brother, you should go now. Remember to tell mother not to worry about me,” Du Xiaoju said, “I like Su Teng Village too, so I’ll also save up. When the time comes, we can buy a house and live here.”
Du Xiaoshuan said, “Yes, Little Sister. You don’t have to worry. You can save the money for yourself since I’m also earning.”
The brother and sister chatted a little longer before Du Xiaoshuan drove the oxcart to town to deliver the goods.
Li Mei’s face was still red, but Du Xiaoju was still young and simple-minded, so she did not think much of it. She explained to Li Mei, “My brother is a nice guy. He’s not scary. He has a good temper and is great to my mother and me.
“Xiaoshuan is also very hardworking. Although, he might look a little serious when he’s not smiling. So, don’t be afraid of him, okay?” Du Xiaoju was worried that her brothers serious expression had frightened Li Mei.
Li Mei shook her head and quickly explained, “No, your brother is fine. I just…l just don’t know what to say.”
Du Xiaoju chuckled. “Right? You think my brother is nice, too, right?
Xiaoshuan is very attentive and always brings me food whenever he visits me. He can’t bear to eat all the food himself and is always close to our mother and me.
“We didn’t have much to eat when I was younger, and Xiaoshuan always said he was full. But I Imow he said that just so my mother and I could eat more.”
Du Xiaoju could not help but ramble on whenever she talked about her brother. She would not be able to stop herself.
Still, Li Mei listened attentively with a trace of emotion in her heart. After returning inside, she listened to Du Xiaoju talk about her brother while making meatballs.
She said lowly, “A person who is dutiful to his parents and kind to his siblings is indeed good.”
“Yes, my brother is kind.” Du Xiaoju nodded, “I’d like him and my mother to settle down in Su Teng Village because of how great it is. The village will only improve with Miss Su around.
“Many others want to live here, too, but not everyone can enter without the village official’s permission. One would have to go through the town center to buy land.
“I heard our village is good because the village official only allows those with good morals to live here. The village official won’t let problematic people live here.” Du Xiaoju only learned a lot about Su Teng Village after staying there.
Li Mei laughed when she heard this. “Yes, our village is magnificent. My parents are gone, but I still have my younger siblings. I would probably get bullied if I lived in another village, but everyone here helps us.
“Even the village chief would ask if my siblings and I needed help. We might’ve starved to death if it weren’t for the villagers’ help.”
Everyone in Su Teng Village helped each other. Although the villagers liked to chat and gossip, they had no bad intentions.
Du Xiaoju sighed. “Stone Village is unlike this one. My brother told me some people in Stone Village are very selfish. Some don’t care about their parents, and others don’t care about their siblings. Li Mei, I admire you. You’ve been taking care of your younger siblings all alone.”
Li Mei said, “Well, they’re my siblings, and we only have each other to rely on. How can I ignore them? I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if I did.”
She would not be able to sleep in peace if she were to be selfish. She would never have the heart to watch her younger siblings starve.
Taking excellent care of her siblings made her feel at ease and that she had not let her late parents down.
Du Xiaoju started to admire Li Mei from the bottom of her heart after discovering what she had been through. Moreover, Du Xiaoju was willing to keep close to Li Mei and talk to her more.
After all, Du Xiaoju’s mother and brother said she should befriend those with good hearts.
Su Binglan and Su Wenxiu had been busy the whole afternoon, and they only finished giving consultations when it was late at night. The brother-sister duo would probably have to stay till midnight if it were not for Su Binglan’s outstanding medical skills.
This time, many who came for consultations were from the surrounding villages. After all, everyone worked hard all year round and would inevitably develop health problems.
Even if these people faced severe illnesses, they bore them as much as possible. They would refuse to see a doctor or get medicine.
Take Old Lady Lin, for example. Her leg was in so much pain that she could not sleep at night, but she never complained because she did not want her family to worry and spend so much money on medication.
It was too expensive for people in that era to see doctors and get medicine.
Therefore, they would resist but die if they could not.
Su Binglan had learned about this and wanted to treat as many people as possible. Moreover, Su Wenxiu could continue even if she stopped giving medical services in the future.
In the future, he would also cultivate some apprentices. Then more people would benefit from more affordable healthcare.
Su Binglan had many ideas but needed time to put them into motion. After all, there were some things she could only do one step at a time.
As the duo packed up and was about to close the door, Su Wenxiu said excitedly, “I can take in apprentices tomorrow, Little Sister!”
He could now be a teacher, which he dared not even imagine in the past..