Chapter 321
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Zhang Xiaohua waited outside Grandpa Hao’s door for quite a while before Ji Xiaohua finally arrived.
Ji Xiaohua looked very listless.
However, upon seeing Zhang Xiaohua, he still forced a smile and said: “Young Master, you’ve waited long.”
Zhang Xiaohua waved his hand and said: “It’s nothing, really.”
With that, Ji Xiaohua led Zhang Xiaohua ahead. The two of them returned to Ji Xiaohua’s rundown home. When they reached the door, Ji Xiaohua turned back and asked: “Young Master, we’ve arrived at my humble home. Would you like to come in?”
Zhang Xiaohua nodded and smiled. “Yes, let’s talk inside.”
Ji Xiaohua seemed somewhat absent-minded. He pushed the door open and entered without calling out. Madam Zhang, having heard the noise from inside, forced herself to rally her spirits and asked weakly: “Is that Xiaohua back?”
Ji Xiaohua seemed a bit flustered and quickly replied: “Mother, it’s me. I’m back.”
Madam Zhang coughed a few times, then scolded him: “You child, you come into the house and don’t even say a word. That young master must have left already, hasn’t he? Later, you should come with me to find Grandpa Hao again and ask him to plead for you once more. That young master only gave you a dozen copper coins—far less than the steady trickle from the tea shed. You’d best go apologize to the tea shed owner, take whatever punishment they give, and go back to boiling water for them.”
“Uh… Mother, the young master hasn’t left yet.”
As he spoke, Ji Xiaohua glanced apologetically at Zhang Xiaohua and walked into the shabby house.
“What? He hasn’t left yet, and you came back already? Did you mess something up again?”
Ji Xiaohua’s small face turned a little red as he said: “Mother, I didn’t do anything wrong. The young master insisted on coming to our home.”
“Oh? The young master came again? Why didn’t you say so earlier? Xiaohua, come quickly and help your mother up.”
Zhang Xiaohua heard this and was just about to intervene, but after a moment’s thought, he remained standing there with a gentle smile, unmoving.
At that moment, Ji Xiaohua’s voice came from inside the house: “Aiyo, Mother, how have you not eaten the steamed buns from this morning? It’s already late in the day—you must be starving. I’ll heat them up for you right away.”
Then came another round of coughing, followed by a gentle voice: “Xiaohua, you must be starving too. Once the buns are warm, you eat them. I just had some of last night’s corn gruel—I’m not hungry at all.”
“Mother, that corn gruel’s already been around for days—it’s starting to go sour. Didn’t you say you were going to throw it out today and not let me eat it?”
“It’s fine. I was going to throw it out, but when I smelled it, I figured it was still edible. I just took a few sips. It fills the belly and quells the thirst. Xiaohua, you haven’t had buns in a long while—eat a few more. Mother’s old bones can get by on anything. But you’re different—you’re still growing.”
Though the mother and son spoke in low voices, Zhang Xiaohua heard every word loud and clear. A surge of emotion welled up in his heart as he quietly savored that deep, instinctive love between mother and child. Truly, all mothers under Heaven shared the same boundless affection for their sons!
Unconsciously, his thoughts drifted to his own mother far away.
Inside the house, Ji Xiaohua said again: “Mother, try this—it’s a pastry from the Fine Tea Pavilion. The Young Master had it at noon. There were some leftovers, so I brought them back for you.”
“I don’t need it. You eat. I had them when I was younger, but poor you—you’ve never had them before, have you?”
“I already ate at noon. Mother, the Young Master didn’t eat a single bite. I ate it all. Please, have a taste.” As he spoke, Ji Xiaohua unwrapped the neatly folded cloth and took out a piece, holding it up to his mother’s lips. Madam Zhang shook her head and said: “Xiaohua, you eat it instead. Or save it for tonight. I’m not feeling well—I’ve no appetite.”
Ji Xiaohua’s tone turned slightly sulky. “Mother, I know you can eat. You just want me to have more. But I’m already nine. I’m no longer a little child with a shaved head and a runny nose. Don’t try to fool me. If you won’t eat it, then I won’t either!”
Seeing her son like this, Madam Zhang nearly shed tears. Forcing a smile, she said: “Alright, my good Xiaohua, then Mother will have a bite, alright?”
That single line—“my good Xiaohua”—didn’t stir much feeling in the Ji Xiaohua inside the house, but outside, it struck the softest spot in Zhang Xiaohua’s heart. Wasn’t that exactly how his grandmother used to call him when he was little?
In that moment, Zhang Xiaohua’s eyes grew a little misty, and his longing for home deepened. He wished dearly that wings would sprout from his back, so with a single flap, he could return to Guo Village and add fresh earth over his grandmother’s lonely little grave.
And so, Zhang Xiaohua gave a light cough in the courtyard and raised his voice: “Auntie, may I trouble you to come out for a moment? I have a few words to speak with you.”
Upon hearing that, Madam Zhang quickly replied: “Young Master, please wait just a moment—this humble woman will come right out. Forgive me for making you wait in the courtyard.”
Ji Xiaohua also said softly: “Aiyo, Mother, I completely forgot the Young Master was still in the courtyard.”
Madam Zhang sighed. “Xiaohua, you’re still just a child. Did something happen this morning that may have offended the Young Master? Quickly, help me outside.”
“What are you saying, Mother? Nothing like that happened at all!” Ji Xiaohua sounded deeply aggrieved.
“You silly child. If you hadn’t upset him somehow, would the Young Master have come all the way here again?” Madam Zhang clearly didn’t believe him.
As soon as she stepped out the door, Madam Zhang bowed and said apologetically: “Esteemed Young Master, did Xiaohua offend you in some way this morning, or was there some shortcoming? This humble woman apologizes on his behalf.”
Zhang Xiaohua hurriedly returned the bow and said: “Auntie, you’re being far too polite. Truly, nothing of the sort happened. Ji Xiaohua is a good child—I’m very pleased with him. I only came by to bid you farewell and to leave a few instructions.”
Madam Zhang was a little puzzled, but still asked politely: “Young Master, there’s no need to stand on ceremony. If you have anything to say, just tell me. If this humble woman or Xiaohua can be of help, we certainly will do our best.”
Zhang Xiaohua thought for a moment, choosing his words carefully before saying: “It’s like this, Auntie. This morning, Ji Xiaohua helped me a great deal. He was very thoughtful—far more than I had expected. Originally, I had told him I’d pay him eleven wen in copper coins. But now I’ve changed my mind.”
Upon hearing that, Madam Zhang felt even more confused. If you’re not planning to pay him, then fine. But why praise my boy? she thought. If you mean to give more, then just hand him a bit extra—it doesn’t have to be so complicated. I really don’t get it.
She gave another respectful bow and said: “Young Master is too kind. If Xiaohua was lacking in any way, it’s only right that you withhold his pay. Besides, you gave him those steamed buns, and even shared your pastries at lunch—that’s already more than enough to cover the wage.”
Zhang Xiaohua wrinkled his nose slightly and said: “Auntie, you’ve misunderstood. I want to give Ji Xiaohua more.”
Madam Zhang smiled and said: “There’s no need, Young Master. As I said, you’ve already been good to our Xiaohua. Please don’t spend more than necessary.”
Zhang Xiaohua replied: “Those were just small gestures. I owe Ji Xiaohua a real thank-you for what he did for me. Please, don’t turn me down.”
Seeing his sincerity, Madam Zhang smiled and said: “Since that’s the case, this humble woman won’t decline. Xiaohua, come thank the Young Master.”
Ji Xiaohua stepped forward and bowed deeply. “Many thanks, Young Master!”
Zhang Xiaohua nodded. “No need to be so formal. Ji Xiaohua, I was very satisfied with what you did this morning. That route you mapped out was so detailed, and you even paid the fare out of your own pocket. How could I let you bear that cost?”
Hearing this, Ji Xiaohua’s cheeks flushed a little red.
Zhang Xiaohua continued: “Your mother’s health isn’t good. You’ll need to spend more time at home looking after her. Oh, and you should really have a proper physician from the clinic come take a look at her. If things keep going like this, how can her body hold out?”
Both Madam Zhang and Ji Xiaohua gave a bitter smile.
Then, with a loud thud, Zhang Xiaohua flung the large hemp sack he was carrying right into the middle of the courtyard. From his robes, he took out a small pouch of scattered silver—the very one he had exchanged earlier—and handed it over, saying: “Auntie, this is what I’m giving to Ji Xiaohua. Please, take it all.”
“Ah!!!” Both Madam Zhang and Ji Xiaohua stood there in stunned silence, their eyes wide as saucers.
Zhang Xiaohua saw their expressions and explained: “I originally wanted to give Ji Xiaohua a banknote, but then thought—he’s still a child. Carrying a banknote might raise suspicion. And if your household suddenly has large silver ingots, wouldn’t that invite trouble too? That’s why I went to the money exchange with Ji Xiaohua and had everything converted to copper coins. The sack holds ten strings, and this little cloth pouch contains five taels of loose silver, all in one-qian pieces. Oh, and Ji Xiaohua was there when we exchanged it—he knows. These scattered pieces of silver shouldn’t draw too much attention, right?”
Indeed, given Zhang Xiaohua’s own experiences in Lu Town and Pingyang City, he well understood how dark the world could be. If Ji Xiaohua and Madam Zhang were to go out with five taels of silver in plain view, they might not even get a chance to spend it before drawing the eyes of some thug or local bully. He wanted to help them out of kindness, not bring calamity upon them.
“Young Master… You… you went to the money exchange just to convert copper coins for me??”
Ji Xiaohua looked at the unfamiliar boy before him, stunned. He didn’t even know the young master’s name.
“Of course. Did you think I was just bored and exchanging coins for fun? That stuff is heavy, you know. Ten thousand copper coins! And you didn’t even help me carry it!” Zhang Xiaohua teased lightly.
“Young Master~” Ji Xiaohua didn’t know what to say.
“No! Young Master, we can’t accept this money!” Madam Zhang suddenly stepped forward, her tone firm and resolute. “I still need to keep Xiaohua by my side. Please, don’t do this.”
Zhang Xiaohua realized she’d misunderstood and quickly smiled. “Auntie, you’ve got it wrong. I have absolutely no intention of taking Ji Xiaohua away. He knows this too. My home isn’t here—I still have a long road ahead of me. And honestly, I’m not really some young master from a rich family. I don’t need anyone to wait on me. So please, rest assured—Ji Xiaohua will be staying with you.”
“But, Young Master… why? Why are you being so kind to us?”
Madam Zhang was genuinely at a loss. If it were someone older, perhaps she could attribute it to desire for her beauty, but not only was she not particularly attractive, this young master was clearly still just a boy. And if he wanted to buy her child—well, her child wasn’t worth this much silver.
She truly wished she could refuse the silver. But poverty weakens resolve—she knew all too well the hardships of the poor. She could endure suffering herself, that was nothing. But every day, watching her child leave before dawn and not return until late into the night, being bullied by others at the tea stall… Though he never spoke of it, she heard his quiet sobs in the darkness. Each one cut into her heart.
