Chapter 27
Su Ying hurried on her path home ignoring the bewildered and disdainful gaze of the villagers as the saw her alighting from the ox cart with a basket on her back and heading home on a fast pace. After walking a few distance she reached the almost isolated part of the village which was her house and the way to the mountain path. Looking around she quickly removed all the items from her space and put it into the basket causing it to be more heavy before opening the door and going inside.
The kids were playing with sister Fei's sons in the courtyard and ran to hug her on noticing her presence. It was obvious they had taken their bath from how neat and tidy they looked making her relieved. Turning to the other boys she got the hawthorn candy and gave them one stick before asking them to go home go to see their mother who should be at home now. After thanking her they ran off while the twins looked eagerly at their eyes shining in anticipation as if saying where is mine. Smiling she got the remaining hawthorn candy stick and gave it to them each before going inside to offload the things she bought.
There was no food today so she planned to enter the mountain and look for any prey to hunt and prepare alongside the other dishes she was going to make.The kids had followed her into the kitchen and watching all the things she came back with had only one question in mind
'Where did she get the money'
They hoped their mother hadn't stolen to buy them food. She bought so many things even pork meat. Their mouth watered at the thought of having meat again and the hawthorn candy didn't seem that delicious anymore to them. Curiously Xiao Ming asked her
"Mother are we having pork meat tonight?
Smiling Su Ying nodded in affirmation and they both rejoiced. After the joy she shooed them out of the kitchen to go into the mountains. Her cheap husband was not back today and she wondered where he had gone to as he told the kids to tell her that he would be back early. The children seeing their mother about to go into the mountains requested to go and Su Ying disagreed as it was late and the mountains was getting dark making it dangerous for kids like them to go inside so late. The kids seeing their mother opposition acted cute as Su Ying gave in as she couldn't resist their sad looks.Recluntantly she brought them with her into the mountains to look for a catch.
The children had fun following their mother into the mountains as they obediently followed her steps and not going any further. It hadn't rained fortunately or the mountains would have been steep and slippery to walk on making it a hassle if she had taken the kids with her into it. As they walked Su Ying stopped at higher ground which was cleared by her the last time she came inside and made them sit down while she prepared to hunt herself. She walked a little bit away from them but stood where she could see and save them if any danger came. A few minutes of silence then the clucking of chicken was heard making the kids so excited that they wanted to scream. Su Ying shushed them and quietly waited for the pheasant to get near before launching an attack catching them both in one strike.
"Mother is good she caught it both at the once".
"We're going to have pheasant chicken tonight".
Su Ying smiled at the infectious happiness from the kids as she held the two pheasant chicken and tied their legs before throwing them into her basket. She followed the path the had come from and found a nest with six of its legs and also collected it home. Just as she was about to leave with the kids she spotted a leaf that made her look surprised. Bending she examined the leaf only for it to confirm her suspicion and she was delighted. Looking around she spotted the tree looking vibrant and greenish.The children watched her in confusion not knowing why their mother was so excited seeing some leaves so they curiously asked her what it was.
"Babies you both are mom's little treasures and lucky star. This seemingly ordinary leaves is our way to make money at the market".
The children looked at her in confusion clearly not understanding how leaves could turn out to be money making goods or who would be stupid to exchange money for some grasses. Seeing their confusion Su Ying explained further.
"This leaf is from this tree called Fairy Tree. The leaves can be processed into something delicious and sold for money. Don't worry I will mark it so tomorrow we can come pick it and I will show you how it can be made into good stuff".
Seemingly convinced the kids nodded in agreement before they started heading home. Reaching their house she saw her cheap husband standing at the door probably waiting for them. Xiao Shan looked towards the mountain path and saw the kids and her coming down and exhaled in relief. He had come back and not seen anyone at the house which was quite unusual as he had strictly instructed the kids not to leave the house until he was back because he was unsure when their mother would be back home. Seeing them now he felt relieved and walked up to them but the kids guilty averted their eyes as they remembered his instructions to them now.
"You both are very good that you left even though I instructed you not to. Do you know how worried I was thinking something had happened to you?"
"We're sorry father for leaving without letting you know".
The kids lowered their head in shame afraid to meet their fathers gaze. Su Ying understood what was going on and instinctively intervened to save the kids.
"Husband don't be angry at them I'm sure they won't do it again. They were at home only so I had them go up the mountains with me. You both apologize to your father immediately"
"Sorry father we promise not to do it again".
Xiao Shan sighed before squatting down to hug them. After that the brief tension was released and they all walked into the house to prepare dinner. Su Ying released the pheasant chicken and tied them to the backyard and dropping some food for it and making her way inside to prepare dinner before it was completely dark. As they entered the kids began narrating their experience with their mother in the mountain with excitement while Xiao Shan listened occasionally staring at the woman's silhouette busily moving around in the kitchen wondering how drastic her changes were.
Since she came the kids were very happy no longer gloomy and timid as before. They now looked tidy and always had new stories to tell him everyday and most importantly she never lets them go hungry. Her arrival had affected and changed the kids life and mentality slowly affecting him too and making him feel things. It could be said that her arrival had drastically changed their home making her a vital source in their home now but looking at his disabled led his eyes darkened but quickly disappeared. Since she had come she shouldn't think of leaving.....
The dark thought swirled in his mind making him restless and uneasy. Snapping out of it he made the kids go bathe while he entered the kitchen to help her cook.