Grandma Lu chimed in from the side as well, gently patting the back of Ye Mengyi’s hand.
“Listen to Grandma, girl. These two little monkeys are wild all the time. Missing a meal or two won’t hurt them. Your injury is what matters right now. Eat while it’s hot.”
Hearing this, Lu Qinglian quickly tugged at her brother’s sleeve and tilted her little face upward.
“Big Sister, please eat. We’re not craving it.”
Lu Qingsong nodded vigorously too, puffing out his chest like a little adult.
“That’s right! Father said good food should go to sick people. Big Sister is hurt, so she should eat it.”
Even so, the little motion of him secretly swallowing his saliva didn’t escape Ye Mengyi’s eyes.
Her heart felt even heavier.
Looking at the remaining half of the poached egg in the bowl, she suddenly had an idea.
Pretending not to hear their refusal, she scooped up a small spoonful of egg custard and held it to Lu Qinglian’s mouth first.
“Just one bite. Otherwise I won’t enjoy eating it either.”
Lu Qinglian glanced nervously at Grandma and her father. Seeing they weren’t stopping her anymore, she hesitantly opened her mouth and took a tiny bite.
The soft egg melted in her mouth, warm sweetness spreading instantly across her tongue.
Her eyes lit up.
“Thank you, Big Sister,” she whispered softly.
Lu Qingsong looked so envious that Ye Mengyi quickly scooped another small bite for him. The boy ate even faster, swallowing after two quick chews before smacking his lips happily.
Grandma Lu watched the scene helplessly and sighed.
“You child…”
Though her words sounded reproachful, the smile hidden at the corners of her eyes couldn’t be concealed.
Lu Dahe also said nothing more. He simply turned and walked into the courtyard, though his back looked noticeably more relaxed than before.
Only then did Ye Mengyi feel at ease enough to finish the rest of the brown sugar water and egg custard, scraping the bowl clean to the bottom.
After setting down the bowl, warmth spread through her entire body. Even the throbbing pain at the back of her head seemed lighter.
At that moment, Sun Yanfang entered carrying a rough ceramic bowl filled with golden chicken soup. A thin layer of oil floated on top, and the rich aroma drifted out through the doorway into the courtyard.
“Drink it while it’s hot. It was just finished.”
She handed the bowl to Lu Qingshan before turning back toward the kitchen for another bowl of porridge.
Several quiet swallowing sounds suddenly came from the doorway.
Lu Qingsong, Lu Qinglian, and the other children clung to the doorframe, eyes fixed unblinkingly on the chicken soup.
Lu Qingyu’s saliva nearly reached her chin, yet she bit her lip hard without making a sound.
Little Lu Qingshuang clenched her clothes tightly in tiny fists, staring longingly with desire written all over her face.
The Lu family lived tightly from day to day.
Most of the wild game Lu Qingshan caught was never kept for the family to eat. Instead, it was cleaned overnight and taken to town the next day by Lu Erhe to exchange for money.
Two years ago, to repay lingering debts, the family had even sold their last two mu of poor farmland.
Now they survived entirely on hunting, chopping wood, and occasional labor jobs in town.
Forget chicken soup—even white flour only appeared during holidays.
“Come in, all of you,” Grandma Lu called out loudly.
But the children merely pushed each other backward, none daring to move.
They all knew the chicken soup was meant to nourish Ye Mengyi.
She was the future wife their older brother was bringing home, and now she was injured.
Naturally, it should go to her.
Lu Qingshan carried the soup to the bedside. He scooped up a spoonful, blew on it gently, and held it to Ye Mengyi’s lips.
“Drink.”
Ye Mengyi looked at the soup, then at the children standing at the door swallowing hungrily. Her heart twisted uncomfortably.
“I’m not hungry,” she said softly, shaking her head. “Let the children share it.”
“You silly child, what nonsense are you saying?” Grandma Lu patted her hand again. “Your body is injured. You need nourishment. They’re sturdy enough—it won’t matter if they miss this.”
Then she turned toward the children.
“Qingyu, take your younger siblings to the kitchen. Your Third Aunt left sweet potato porridge for you.”
Lu Qingyu’s eyes brightened instantly.
She grabbed Lu Qingsong and Lu Qinglian and ran toward the kitchen, with Lu Qingshuang hurrying after them. Their craving for chicken soup quickly faded under the promise of sweet potato mush.
Looking at Grandma Lu’s gentle expression and the spoon Lu Qingshan still held near her mouth, Ye Mengyi finally opened her lips.
The chicken soup had been simmered until rich and soft, carrying a faint sweetness. As it slid down her throat, warmth spread all the way into her chest.
“There’s nothing good in this house,” Grandma Lu sighed as she watched her drink. “You’ve suffered hardship. But from now on, we’re family. As long as we have a bite to eat, you’ll have one too.”
“Grandma, I don’t feel wronged at all.”
Ye Mengyi lowered the spoon, her eyes warming with emotion.
“Brother Qingshan saved me. I’m already grateful just to be allowed to stay.”
She looked toward Lu Qingshan sincerely.
“Really. I don’t feel wronged.”
Lu Qingshan looked at her pale but earnest face and felt something strike heavily against his chest.
After a moment, he said,
“Tomorrow I’ll take you into town and let another doctor examine you.”
“No, no need.” Ye Mengyi hurriedly waved her hands. “Doctor Sun’s medicine is already very good. I know my own condition—it’s just some blood loss. Resting for two days will be enough. There’s no need to spend more money on a doctor.”
She understood too well how hard-earned every coin in this household was.
Grandma Lu also added,
“It’s better to let a doctor check properly. We can’t risk leaving behind permanent problems.”
“I’m really fine.”
Ye Mengyi tried lifting the blanket to sit up and prove she felt better, but Lu Qingshan pressed a hand against her shoulder.
“Lie down and don’t move.”
His voice deepened slightly.
“Be good and listen.”
Startled by the firmness in his tone, Ye Mengyi unconsciously lay back down obediently.
Then she smiled faintly and pointed at the empty bowls on the bedside table.
“Look. I finished all the brown sugar eggs and chicken soup Second Aunt and Third Aunt made for me. My head isn’t even dizzy anymore. I really feel much better.”
Lu Qingshan glanced at the empty bowls, then at the slight color returning to her face. His brows relaxed a little.
He stopped insisting, only saying,
“If you’re still dizzy tomorrow, then we’re going.”
Ye Mengyi nodded, though inwardly she resolved to recover completely by morning.
She absolutely could not become another burden on this family.
“Dinner’s ready—!”
Sun Yanfang’s voice drifted out from the kitchen, tired yet filled with the warmth of ordinary life.
She carried out a large rough ceramic basin filled with wild vegetable porridge. Yellow-green mush dotted with chopped greens—this was dinner for all thirteen members of the Lu family.
Grandma Lu rose from beside Ye Mengyi’s bed and gently patted her hand again.
“We’ll eat first. Your Second and Third Aunts left some hot food for you.”
“Brother Qingshan should go eat too,” Ye Mengyi said, looking up at him.
He had just finished washing the dirty cloth bandages in the courtyard. Sweat still clung to his shoulders.
Lu Qingshan nodded but did not leave immediately.
“If anything happens, call for me.”
After everyone left, the thatched room finally became quiet.
Ye Mengyi sat for a while and realized her dizziness had eased considerably.
Quietly, she lifted the blanket and climbed out of bed.
The moment her feet touched the cold dirt floor, she shivered slightly. Supporting herself against the wall, she slowly made her way to the doorway.
In the courtyard, the Lu family sat gathered around several low stools eating dinner.
Grandma Lu sat at the main seat, holding a chipped bowl and sipping slowly from it.
Lu Dahe sat on the doorstep eating at an unhurried pace, occasionally glancing at the children.
Lu Erhe and Lu Sanhe squatted on the ground, noisily gulping down their porridge as though rushing through the meal so they could return to chopping wood afterward.
Xu Ru and Sun Yanfang fed the children while eating themselves, though the amount in their bowls barely seemed to decrease.
Lu Qinghai, Lu Qingyu, and the other children held small bowls carefully in both hands, eating with complete seriousness.
No one spoke.
Only the sound of swallowing echoed softly throughout the courtyard.