Actually, Li Suisui didn’t really like these two stone houses. Not only had someone died there before, but they were also dilapidated and cramped.
But given the current situation, she didn’t have a better choice, so she could only try her best to make the two rooms cozy and livable.
“Grandma, the house is so empty—there isn’t even a bed, and the floor is damp. We can’t sleep on it like this. Can you help us get two beds?”
Lin Guiying frowned at Li Suisui. What was going on with her second granddaughter?
She used to be so afraid of her. How come she was talking so much to her today, and even saying such sensible things?
“You just said you were sensible, and now you suddenly aren’t? A bed costs a fair amount of copper coins—I don’t have money to buy beds for you.”
“Then what should we do? Xia’er and I are young; we don’t mind sleeping on the damp floor. But I’m worried about my father and mother—they can’t take it. One is injured, the other is pregnant; the damp floor will definitely be bad for them.”
This really struck a chord with Lin Guiying. One was her son, and the other was carrying her unborn grandson.
Although she acknowledged Li Suisui’s words in her mind, her response still came out harshly.
“I really must have owed you in my past life, always having to think about you. Come with me—I’ll get some straw to lay on the floor.”
Wang Lanzhi, who was best at pretending not to hear, immediately got flustered when she overheard their conversation.
“Mother, last time I asked you for straw, you didn’t give me any. Why are you giving it to Suisui now?”
“That’s because Suisui listens and behaves well. If you were half as obedient and sensible as her, I’d give you some too.”
“Mother, I’m not disobedient or bad! You’re just biased—favoring the second branch of the family.”
“Stop, stop! I don’t want to argue with you. Go fetch your straw. If I come back and see you haven’t gotten enough, I’ll skin you alive!”
“Mother, we’ve already split households. Why do you still yell at me all the time?”
“Hmph! Even if we’ve split households, you’re still a daughter-in-law of the Li family. Do you think I can’t manage you?”
…
Lin Guiying spoke and moved in a whirlwind of energy, walking and working at the same pace.
Li Suisui had to jog just to keep up as Lin Guiying led her back to fetch the straw.
Soon, they arrived at a courtyard.
There was a row of five mud houses, with one small side room on each end. Behind them was a stone-built latrine and a shed made of thatch.
Lin Guiying and Old Li had been living with Li Dazhu’s family, occupying three of the side rooms, while Li Sanzhu’s family took the remaining side room. They shared the main hall, and the side rooms on each end were used as kitchens, belonging separately to the two families.
Technically, this house and the Li family’s five acres of land should have included a share for Li Erzhu, but he had given it up, taking only some silver to help buy the ship that had been sold today.
When they returned, only the eldest cousin, Li Yueyue, was at home.
“Grandma, has Uncle’s matter been settled?”
“It’s not that easy. Come with me to the backyard and get some straw—your uncle’s family will need it.”
They turned past the main house and arrived at the backyard shed.
The straw shed had two levels: the lower level kept a pig, while the upper level was stacked with straw.
Li Yueyue nimbly climbed onto the pig pen, then with both hands and feet propelled herself up to the second level. She grabbed a bundle of dry straw and handed it down to Lin Guiying.
“Grandma, catch it!”
“Don’t worry, I’ve got it.”
Li Suisui followed closely behind Lin Guiying. As soon as Lin Guiying caught the straw, Li Suisui quickly took it and ran to place it under the eaves.
Soon, four large bundles of straw were neatly stacked under the roof.
Satisfied, Lin Guiying told Li Yueyue to stop and fetch a basket from the front courtyard. She loaded all the straw into it and carried it on her back.
Even though straw was light, Li Suisui felt a bit embarrassed—after all, she was helping with her own family’s work.
“Grandma, let me carry it!”
“You’re just a little girl, why all the fuss? Hurry up and go. Don’t waste time here. I’ve been running around all day just for you, and now I still have other things to do. Move it, move it!”
Thinking of all this, a nameless irritation rose in Lin Guiying’s heart. She’d spent her whole life working hard, and none of her three sons had ever been easy to deal with.
“Suisui!”
Just as Li Suisui ran out of the courtyard with Lin Guiying, Li Yueyue called out to her.
“Eldest Cousin Yueyue, what is it?”
Li Yueyue smiled and slipped a warm object into her hand.
Looking down, Li Suisui saw it was an egg.
“Yueyue…”
“Shh, keep it quiet. A few days ago you were sick, and I didn’t get to see you. This egg is for you—don’t tell anyone.”
Li Suisui felt a warm glow in her heart. Her eldest cousin was always kind to her, often slipping her little treats.
“Thank you, Yueyue!”
“Suisui, what are you dawdling for?”
Hearing Lin Guiying urging her, Li Suisui smiled sheepishly.
“Eldest Cousin Yueyue, I’ll go now.”
“Go ahead. If you need anything, come to the old house for help.”
“Okay, I remember.”
As Li Suisui ran back to Lin Guiying’s side, she got a sharp look from her grandmother.
“Yueyue gave you an egg?”
Li Suisui widened her eyes. “Grandma, how do you know?”
“Hmph! I know exactly how many eggs our chickens lay every day. And seeing that round thing in your pocket, it’s obviously an egg.”
Li Suisui sheepishly pulled it out—she’d been caught.
She felt worried—had she gotten Yueyue into trouble? That would be her fault.
“Grandma, here’s the egg back.”
“Why return it? If Yueyue gave it to you, then you keep it.”
“You’re not angry?”
“Angry? The egg belongs to Yueyue. She can spare one or two, so if she gave it to you, just take it.”
Li Suisui instantly broke into a big smile. “Ah, thank you, Grandma!”
“See? You’re that happy over a single egg—so childish.”
Clutching the round egg, she couldn’t help but feel delighted. It was the only good thing she had seen since coming here, so of course she was happy—childish or not.