Beside her, Su Xiuxiu watched Tian Cuifen add something to the bowl and frowned. She swallowed as she looked at the steaming, sweet‑smelling syrup.
“Mom… won’t that kill someone?”
In this house, new cloth and good food always went to the two of them never to Su Ying. The very idea of serving her such a bowl made her burn with resentment. Her mother actually treated that jinx like a human being. And how dare the girl call off the engagement? If she didn’t marry, where would her dowry come from?
Poisoning her would be simple enough but then who would wash their clothes, tend the chickens, and feed the ducks?
“It won’t kill her,” Tian Cuifen said. “It’s just a sedative from the pig farm. Your father and I have already agreed: once she’s out, we’ll tie her up and send her to a distant relative’s home in a few days. We’ll ask four hundred yuan for her and there’ll be plenty left over for your dowry.”
“Really?”
“Of course. Why would I lie? Win over Wang Liang if he’s yours, once he’s posted back to the city, you’ll go with him and live the good life.”
Su Xiuxiu’s eyes lit up. She could already picture it fine food, nice clothes… leaving this wretched place behind.
Outside the kitchen door, Su Ying heard every word and gave a cold snort. Selling her off already? She’d see about that. She slipped away to the courtyard before Tian Cuifen came out.
When she returned to her room, Tian Cuifen was already waiting by the kang.
“Yingzi, you’re back!” Her tone was sickly sweet. “I’ve come to apologize. I lost my temper earlier, and I’m sorry. Look I made you this bowl of egg and brown sugar myself. Drink it while it’s warm and build up your strength.”
Fine words mean fine tricks when no good reason exists, Su Ying thought. She’d heard every word. She wasn’t about to fall for it. She could act too.
“Auntie, you were upset, I understand. Don’t worry I don’t blame you. After all, once I’m married, you’ll still be here looking after Dad. The engagement’s ended, and I’ll find someone else in time.”
She looked meek, utterly different from her boldness earlier. Tian Cuifen frowned had the girl been possessed? Some other family, she thought grimly a blind widower or a cripple, that’s who you’ll get.
“That’s a sensible attitude. Now drink it while it’s hot.”
Su Ying took the bowl, glancing sideways at Tian Cuifen’s expectant face. She lifted it slowly toward her lips then set it down on the table.
“Auntie, I just ate. My stomach’s full I’ll let it cool a little first.”
Tian Cuifen fretted; she couldn’t stand guard forever. Surely the girl, starved of treats, would drink it as soon as she left.
“Very well just don’t forget. It’ll help you recover.”
“I won’t.”
Su Ying watched her leave, the smile fading from her face. Tian Cuifen… I’ll see what you’re planning.
Su Dabao’s head poked around the doorframe, eyes fixed on the sweet soup. Before Su Ying could speak, he rushed in, grabbed the bowl, and drained it in greedy gulps. He belched, patted his round belly, and whispered threateningly, “You don’t deserve nice things. And if you tell Mom next time I’ll put a dead rat in your bed.” He left smugly.
Su Ying folded her arms, staring at the empty bowl. Harm seeks the harmed your own son drank what you prepared for me.
Usually Su Ying cooked at this hour, but from now on, she would be no one’s unpaid servant.
In the kitchen, Su Xiuxiu stirred coarse cornmeal into boiling water with angry jabs. The porridge bubbled thick and unappetizing. “Mom!” she snapped, throwing down her spoon. “How long is she going to lie there pretending? I’m sick of waiting on her!”
“Bear it a few more days for your dowry.”
At the mention of several hundred yuan, Su Xiuxiu bit back her complaints. Her mother had terrible taste in men first a sickly husband who died young, then a drunk, lazy good‑for‑nothing. She’d had enough of poverty. She would win Wang Liang, whatever it took.
When the food was ready, Tian Cuifen called them to eat. Su Ying hurried to the kitchen and this time, she intended to sit at the table. She worked harder than anyone here; she had earned her place.
As Su Xiuxiu reached for a chair, Su Ying stepped in first and claimed it. Su Xiuxiu fumed but worse, before Su Fugui had even lifted his chopsticks, Su Ying seized a steamed bun, piled it with pickled vegetables, and ate ravenously. The coarse porridge scratched her throat back in her own time she’d turned down rich meals for diets of corn and pumpkin. But right now, filling her belly mattered more than anything. The soft, warm bun tasted like pure joy.
Su Xiuxiu pointed at her. “You jinx! Those white buns are for Dad! And you you little mongrel who gave you permission to sit at the table?”
Su Fugui slammed his liquor bottle down hard. “That’s right get down. This is no place for you.”
If not for the blood between them, she’d flip the table over. Father? More like enemy.
Su Ying chewed steadily, cheeks full. “I’m his own daughter, and you’re only here by marriage. If she can sit at the table, why can’t I? I’m up before dawn, working until dark earning every scrap of food. Even sick, can’t I have one simple bun?”
They’d spoiled her for too long; she wouldn’t be walked over anymore. Her words stung Su Xiuxiu like a slap. Su Fugui’s face darkened he’d almost forgotten Su Ying was his flesh and blood. Tian Cuifen signaled Xiuxiu to hold her tongue. Su Fugui raised a hand to strike the table when Su Dabao suddenly swayed, pitched backward, and crashed heavily onto the hard earthen floor.