"This little girl is certainly talkative, isn't she?" The man felt a bit awkward, as he wasn't very confident himself; the house was, in truth, quite dilapidated.
Su Yu was still surprised that Shi An had spoken up, but he was in full agreement with what she had said. He asked, "Does that satisfy you, sir? Xiaoya, come here." He beckoned for Shi An to come to his side, then picked her up.
The man only hesitated for a moment before agreeing. "Fine, but you must pay the silver before you move in."
Su Yu nodded and said, "That is no problem, but I would trouble you to help us draw up a written agreement."
"Very well, I shall go find a scholar..."
"Please rest assured, sir. I am literate, so signing a document is no problem for me."
"Oh, I see. That is good." The man was slightly surprised that Su Yu was educated, but it was only a fleeting thought.
Su Yu mentioned that he both studied and taught at Sanshan Academy, which reassured the man that he had a steady income and wouldn't be unable to afford the rent.
The man finally felt at ease. Sanshan Academy was well-known throughout Zhulinqiao Town and indeed the entire Nanxiang Commandery. "We have no brush or ink here; come with me, brother!"
"Certainly. How should I address you?"
"My surname is Chen. Call me Chen Wen, or just Brother Chen will do."
"It is a pleasure, Brother Chen. I am Su Yu."
"Very well, Brother Su, please lead the way."
Before Su Yu left, Deng tried to offer him money, but he waved her off. He told Su Daya and Su Shirong to accompany him, then turned to Su Shikuan and said, "Take care of your sister and stay with your mother. Do not wander off; wait until we return, understand?"
Su Shikuan replied, "I understand, Father."
No sooner had he finished speaking than Su Yu set Shi An down beside him and headed out with the man.
Deng had already begun weeding the yard, and Su Shikuan joined in. Shi An felt ashamed to be idle, so she began to work with her own small hands.
Less than an hour later, Su Yu returned with Su Daya and Su Shirong. They were carrying various items—brooms, hoes—and Su Yu was carrying a pair of bamboo baskets.
Deng was curious how he had managed to get tools in such a short time. Su Yu laughed and said, "Although Brother Chen has his own house and land, he still has all the things that a farming family would have."
"So you brought Daya and Rong'er along to help you carry things?"
"Indeed. I couldn't have brought it all back by myself. Besides, I wanted them to see how others keep their yards so they might help us do the same."
Shi An felt a genuine sense of admiration for this "cheap father's" approach to things; he was indeed very thoughtful in his planning. He was also very good to the children and showed respect for his wife.
Such a man was rare even in the modern society she came from. The ancients placed great emphasis on filial piety, and even if it were blind obedience, few would dare risk the stigma of being unfilial. Yet Su Yu dared to do so, separating from his family for the sake of a daughter who was held in little regard.
Moved by this, Shi An picked up the pace of her weeding. She didn't know if she would ever be able to return home, but since she was here, she would live well with them.
At that moment, Su Yu called to her, "Xiaoya, come here."
"What is it, Father?"
"Stop weeding," Su Yu said softly, his gaze firm. He took the hoe, intending to clear the weeds himself, demonstrating a man's sense of responsibility. "You and your Second Older Brother put the weeds into the bamboo baskets." His voice held a trace of tenderness, alongside his concern for the family.
Deng smiled as she watched Su Yu; she was satisfied with his arrangements. She knew Su Yu was an organized man, and his division of labor allowed everyone to contribute according to their abilities. "Very well," she replied gently, her voice filled with trust.
Deng had never been one to have many of her own ideas. At home, she had listened to her parents and older brothers, obedient and compliant. After marrying Su Yu, she had become accustomed to working alongside everyone, contributing silently. Her heart was kind and simple, and she loved her family deeply.
This atmosphere of cooperation made Deng feel warm and harmonious. She knew everyone was striving for a common goal, and each had their own duties. She led Daya and Shikuan into the house to begin cleaning, her heart filled with a sense of responsibility toward their home.
Su Yu focused on clearing the weeds, his movements skillful and powerful. Every strike of the hoe carried his love for the land and his familiarity with farm work. He worked in silence, thinking of how to make their home cleaner and more comfortable. Under his guidance, the family carried out their tasks in an orderly fashion.
The family was exhausted by the time evening arrived, having barely managed to clean the place. The few dilapidated rooms were at least habitable.
It was a humble dwelling with only three rooms in total. Aside from the communal space used as a main hall, there were only two rooms left for living. Su Yu and his wife faced a difficult dilemma; they had four children—both boys and girls—and not nearly enough rooms. Given their limited circumstances, they had to do their best to manage.
To provide the children with a relatively independent living space, the couple decided to divide the rooms with curtains. This measure, borne of necessity, was infused with the parents' deep love and care for their children. They hoped their children could find a small measure of peace and privacy within this cramped space.
The curtains in the rooms might not have been thick or ornate, but they became a shield for the children's hearts. Each time they pulled the curtain shut, the children felt their parents' efforts and devotion. Though the world behind the curtain was small, it was filled with warmth and a sense of safety.
Su Yu and his wife knew their conditions were limited, but they were not discouraged. With their wisdom and hard work, they did their best to create a warm home for their children.
The next morning, Shi An awoke to the sound of Su Yu teaching Su Shikuan and Su Shirong their lessons. Deng and Daya had already prepared breakfast: yellow millet porridge and buckwheat cakes.
After breakfast, Su Yu took his tools early in the morning to clear the wasteland beside the house; he and Deng planned to grow some vegetables there. The children also rose early, excitedly following him to participate in this small farming project.
After the meal, Su Yu gently stroked Shi An's head and smiled, telling her, "Xiaoya, listen to your mother." Then he hurried off to the private school. To Su Yu, the school was not just a job; it was the family's only current source of income.
Yesterday, because of the emergency at home, he had been forced to ask for a day off. This delay left him feeling guilty and anxious. He knew well that the students' progress could not be neglected, and the parents expected them to succeed. He could not afford to delay any longer, or the parents would grow dissatisfied, and he would risk losing his position as a teacher.
Deng stayed behind with the children to continue tidying the house. She carefully wiped down the tables and chairs and arranged their daily necessities, letting the home gradually take on the atmosphere of a place where people truly lived.