Su Daya turned the flatbreads with meticulous care and patience, fearful that they might burn and ruin the flavor of such a delicacy. Shi An kept her eyes fixed on the griddle, sensing every subtle change in the dough as if engaging in a heartfelt conversation with the food.
The truth was, she was simply famished. Despite having eaten plenty of fine food in her past life, the aroma of these wild vegetable flatbreads cooked with traditional oil still made her mouth water. Moreover, her body was severely malnourished, making it impossible for her to endure hunger.
As time passed, the flatbreads were perfectly cooked, releasing an enticing fragrance. Deng smiled, picked up the bowls and chopsticks, and carefully handed one to Shi An. With eyes full of affection, she whispered, "Eat slowly now, don't burn yourself."
Shi An was already salivating, but she knew she couldn't just think of herself like a small child. She replied, feigning hesitation, "Uh... I'll wait until everyone is ready to eat."
Su Daya sensed her feelings and said gently, "Go ahead and eat, little sister!" Su Shirong chimed in, "That’s right, eat up. We’ll be done with our chores soon and eat then, don’t wait for us."
Su Shikuan tried a different approach, teasing her with a playful tone: "Xiaoya, if you don't eat quickly, you won't be able to keep up with me later. I can finish two in one bite..." Before he could finish, Su Shirong called out, "Brother, stop spitting while you talk!" Everyone suddenly fell silent.
Shi An stopped demurring. With a mix of shyness and gratitude, she took her first bite of the wild vegetable flatbread. It was crispy, and the fresh scent of the wild greens filled her mouth, bringing a unique sense of satisfaction. That bite was more than just nourishment; it was the warmth and love of her family.
It was nearly dark when Su Yu returned home. Before he even entered the courtyard, he caught the scent of oil. He hurried inside, where Su Shirong was already waiting. Seeing him, she called out, "Father, you're back! Mother, Father is home."
Su Yu thought to himself, "I'm just coming home, why such a fuss?" As he rounded the corner into the shabby kitchen, he saw a large plate of flatbreads.
Before he could ask, Deng spoke up first: "Try these wild vegetable flatbreads we made today and tell me what you think." With that, she picked up the utensils and placed two flatbreads into his bowl.
The kitchen was too small to fit a table or chairs, so the family stood around the stove. It wasn't that they enjoyed it this way; it was just that the rest of the house was dark, and they had no light source other than the fire in the hearth.
"Have you all eaten?" he asked, looking at the flatbreads with a mixture of doubt and concern.
The others replied in unison, "We've all eaten." Su Shikuan added, "Mother only had one."
"Then everyone should have more. I can't finish all these by myself," he said, his gaze sweeping over them with sincere concern.
"All right," they responded, except for Shi An, who whispered, "No, thank you." She was genuinely full, and the others didn't press her further.
Taking advantage of the moment while Su Yu was busy eating, Shi An gathered her courage and told him her plan to start a small business selling wild vegetable flatbreads. She stared at him intently, her eyes sparkling with anticipation, waiting for his affirmation and support.
For a moment, time seemed to stand still, and her heart began to race. She prayed silently that Su Yu would understand her idea and support her efforts.
Su Yu gave his encouragement without hesitation: "That is a brilliant idea, Xiaoya. If that is what you want to do, then go for it!" His voice was filled with warmth and support, emboldening her.
However, his tone shifted as a hint of worry crept in: "But, you are still so young..." Shi An, anxious, blurted out, "I am not that young!" She looked at her own hands as she spoke; the small, thin fingers certainly looked incredibly delicate.
Bursts of laughter erupted in the kitchen. Shi An felt a bit embarrassed, her cheeks flushing red, but she didn't retreat. Instead, she raised her voice and said firmly, "Father, even though I'm young, I am capable of working with my older brother and sister to sell the flatbreads."
A flicker of hesitation crossed Su Yu’s eyes as he looked at her with concern. Beside them, Deng said softly, "Husband, look..." Her eyes held both pity for Shi An and admiration for her courage.
Finally, Su Yu nodded, making his decision: "Let's try it. Daya, Kuan'er, you two must take good care of your younger siblings." His eyes settled on them, carrying the weight of responsibility and trust.
Seeing Deng sigh softly with a look of helplessness and uncertainty, Su Yu said to her, "My dear, our family is already destitute; no matter how much we struggle, it can't get any worse than this." His voice carried a trace of bitterness, yet the hardships of life had not exhausted him; rather, they had fueled his expectations and drive.
His eyes then shone with determination and hope. He took Deng’s hand firmly and encouraged her, "My dear, do not be so pessimistic. Life is full of variables; how can we know there isn't a turning point if we don't try? Perhaps this is the chance for us to change our fate." His words were filled with longing for the future, stirring a sense of deep emotion in Deng.
Shi An stood by, her eyes full of admiration and support for her father. She said firmly, "Father is right. We cannot give up on trying just because we fear failure. Even if we don't succeed, things won't be any worse than they are now." Her voice was strong, revealing the courage and resolve of the youth.
Deng looked at her husband and children, the clouds of worry in her heart gradually dissipating. She nodded, tears glinting in her eyes. "All right. Since you all have such confidence, I am willing to try. After all, no matter how bitter life is, we cannot lose hope."
Su Yu smiled with relief and pulled Deng into a tight embrace. "My dear, with your support, I believe we can overcome any hardship and welcome a better tomorrow." At that moment, his heart was full of responsibility for his family and hope for the future.
Su Shirong also stepped forward and gently patted his father’s shoulder. "Father, Mother, Sister, Second Older Brother, little sister—if we all work hard together, we will surely make this home a better place." His eyes gleamed with firm conviction, as if he could already see the dawn of success.
Shi An felt a surge of emotion; she knew this was her family’s trust and support. She clenched her fists, silently resolving to do her very best. Daya and Kuan'er also promised their father that they would take good care of their younger siblings.