Chapter Five, South of the City (Five)

He set down the wooden tub, turned around, and prepared to enter the house to cook. However, he discovered that his mother had somehow already arrived at the door, smiling warmly at him while inquiring, "Xiao Jiu, you are back. Did you find any work today?"

With her palm resting on the edge of the rice jar, Cheng Zhushi began to tremble all over. She was unwilling to suspect that her son would steal or rob. She believed that her years of teaching by example would never produce a little thief. However, the source of this jar of rice was indeed beyond reason, leaving her no choice but to doubt. A pang of sorrow struck her heart, and tears immediately blurred her vision. Through the misty tears, she saw her son's excited smile, his sturdy frame, and the skin on his chest that remained fair yet was increasingly rough. But the source of this jar of rice was indeed beyond reason, leaving her no choice but to doubt. A pang of sorrow struck her heart, and tears immediately blurred her vision. Through the misty tears, she saw her son's excited smile, his sturdy frame, and the skin on his chest that remained fair yet was increasingly rough.

"Mother is eating now. Take your time, there is plenty in the pot!" Cheng Zhushi smiled affectionately, snatched her son's bowl, and added a large spoonful of rice. Then she stood up and slowly walked to the earthen basin on the stove to scoop out the rice soup.

"Instead of asking him for help, it would be better to seek the Kitchen God behind the door!" Cheng Xiaojiu muttered softly. Yet, she did not dare to argue with her mother any further. Weak and sickly, she accepted the clothes and dressed herself. Then, with a pained heart, she watched as her mother scooped the white rice, which she had worked so hard all day to earn, into a pocket to give away, all in exchange for a faint hope.

Hmm! Cheng Xiaojiu did not believe his mother's lies, but he also did not intend to expose them. He was confident that by observing her expressions and behavior, he could discern what exactly was making her unhappy. If it was due to his own mistakes, he would quietly correct them, ensuring that his mother would not be saddened again

"It's nothing, it's nothing, my dear, I'll go cook for you!" Cheng Zhushi quickly turned her head, wiping her eyes vigorously. She reminded herself to be strong and not to become a burden to her son. The government office has always been a dark place; without money to bribe, no one can come out unscathed. Her son merely wanted her to have a full meal; he should not have to enter such a place, nor should he risk his life for a meal. After all, he is only sixteen, just sixteen years old!

The blue smoke and steam spiraled up from the stove, momentarily separating the gazes of the mother and son. The room fell silent, with the sound of rice boiling in the pot clearly audible. After standing in front of the stove for a while, lost in thought, Cheng Zhushi reopened the pot lid. First, she used a wooden strainer to scoop out the rice that was cooked to about eighty percent, then carefully ladled the rice water into a clay basin with a bamboo ladle. Next, she added a ladle of clean water back into the pot, arranged the steamer, and prepared to steam the rice dry. First, she used a wooden strainer to scoop out the rice that was cooked to about eighty percent, then carefully ladled the rice water into a clay basin with a bamboo ladle. Next, she added a ladle of clean water back into the pot, arranged the steamer, and prepared to steam the rice dry.

My little Jiu is truly capable! Cheng and Zhu were unaware of what their son intended to show them, but with Jiu's support, they turned around with a smile.

"Mother, mother, what is wrong with you?" Cheng Xiaojiu was startled by her mother's tears and asked with wide, innocent eyes

Mother, there is plenty of rice. That jar contains a full ten dou of rice. Old Zhou's Cheng Bo appreciates my hard work and specifically instructed the steward not to deduct even a single liang. Tomorrow I will work another day, and they promised to give me another one and a half dou of rice! In order for mother to have enough to eat, Cheng Xiaojiu reported loudly.

But what is there to be afraid of at the moment? Cheng Xiaojiu smiled, pouring out these chaotic thoughts along with the dirty water into the yard. This home has become a place that even thieves are reluctant to visit, so there is no fear of being schemed against. If Cheng Bo wants to use her, that would be even better, as long as he is willing to pay a sufficient price! Cheng Xiaojiu believes her own worth is not high; as long as she can provide two hearty meals a day for herself and her mother, and hire a good doctor to prescribe medicine to improve her mother's health, she can demand anything from him. This includes facing any danger, no matter how perilous.

It is fortunate that I earned two coins today! While wiping the sweat off his body with cold water, he thought with satisfaction. With these two coins, at least he could walk into the pharmacy with his head held high and buy two doses of medicine for his mother. Perhaps, as the doctor said, his mother was merely weak, and with a bowl of ginseng soup, she would be cured immediately.

Hehe, hehe! Cheng Xiaojiu clarified the misunderstanding with his mother, and his heart immediately felt at ease. "What is there to be afraid of? Am I not doing just fine?" he said with a smile, reaching out to pour the leftover rice soup from his mother back into the earthen basin, and then filling the bowl with steaming hot rice again. "I have never done anything immoral since I was young. How could the thunder god strike me? Please eat your meal while it's hot; if it gets cold, the rice won't be soft anymore!"

"Does mother also eat dry food?" Cheng Xiaojiu quickly jumped up from beside the table to stop his mother from filling her hunger with rice soup. The rice soup at home had never been wasted, but he could not bring himself to let his mother drink rice soup alone while he ate dry rice.

The rice was quickly cooked. The pickled vegetables and wild greens were mixed together in a colorful dish that was very appetizing. Cheng Xiaojiu took a large bowl of rice from his mother's hands, eagerly devouring it. After working hard for half a day, he was indeed quite hungry, to the point that he noticed the bottom of his bowl only after it was nearly empty, realizing that his mother had been staring at him blankly, with only an empty bowl in front of her

"Go deliver rice to the Zhu family?" Cheng Xiaojiu, who rarely argued with her mother, immediately frowned and said, "Mother, what are you thinking? The Zhu family doesn't care about such trivial matters. No matter how good you are to him, he will never look at the two of us!"

Cheng Xiaojiu silently watched her mother busy at the stove. In her memory, it had been at least two years since the two of them had indulged in plain rice like this. Her mother always said that life should be sustained like a gentle stream, and one should not eat today without regard for tomorrow. As long as life could continue, there would be hope for the future. Although she had firmly believed this many years ago, to this day, "Mrs. Hope" still had not arrived.

"Mother, why aren't you eating? Hurry up and eat, the rice is fragrant!" Cheng Xiaojiu put down her chopsticks, chewed, and asked indistinctly.

I will start the fire! Cheng Xiaojiu was unable to obtain the true answer. He could only sit gloomily in front of the stove, using fire tongs to sift through the remaining ashes, searching for a few fire starters buried beneath. Unable to afford expensive fire starters, he had always used this method to save money. After each meal, he would cover a piece of charcoal with ash to serve as a fire starter, so that he wouldn't have to relight the fire the next time he cooked. However, this method would make the room very hot; it was bearable in winter, but in summer, it was quite unbearable. After each meal, he would cover a piece of charcoal with ash to serve as a fire starter, so that he wouldn't have to relight the fire the next time he cooked. However, this method would make the room very hot; it was bearable in winter, but in summer, it was quite unbearable.

After all, he is still a young man, and the future is always filled with hope. Thinking that perhaps within one or two years, this family will emerge from adversity, the clouds in Cheng Xiaojiu's eyes slowly dissipate. While cleaning the mud and sweat off his body, he recalls the sights and sounds of today. Not only did he encounter strange weather today, but the few people he met also exuded an air of mystery. Even Cheng Bo, whom he is usually most familiar with, acted in a manner that was vastly different from his usual habits. It was as if he had been struck by a hailstorm, transforming him completely. From being stingy to generous, from arrogant to easygoing. From looking down on others to becoming kind and amiable.

Cheng Zhu listened quietly, her gaze occasionally revealing a hint of admiration. Her son resembled his father in his youth, possessing courage, responsibility, and a willingness to help others, along with a touch of cleverness in his character. If his father were still alive, he would surely have secured a good position for him. Reflecting on this, she felt a deep sense of resentment. Such a smart and kind son should not be reduced to a mere laborer. He ought to have his own domain, wearing a golden helmet and a brocade robe, rather than being unable to afford even a decent pair of shoes. If his father were still alive, he would surely have secured a good position for him. Reflecting on this, she felt a deep sense of resentment. Such a smart and kind son should not be reduced to a mere laborer. He ought to have his own domain, wearing a golden helmet and a brocade robe, rather than being unable to afford even a decent pair of shoes

He knew that his mother had fallen asleep again, so he did not dare to make too much noise. Since the beginning of summer, his mother's health had become increasingly frail; sometimes, she would even doze off while squatting on the ground to tend the fire. The doctor said she was lacking in blood and needed to buy some ginseng and donkey-hide gelatin for nourishment. However, in this household, apart from a few earthenware basins that belonged to the two of them, even the cracked iron pot on the stove was borrowed from relatives. How could they possibly gather money to buy ginseng

Mother, Mother is happy. It has been a long time since I have seen so much rice!" Cheng Zhushi wiped her face with her hand, forcing a relaxed smile in response. "Mother will make you a meal right away. We just happen to have a few pieces of pickled vegetables at home, and I will steam them for you to eat!"

But some people's hearts, are they really made of flesh? He does not believe it, not even a little.

Every time I think of this, Cheng Xiaojiu feels that he is growing too slowly, unable to mature overnight, which has caused his mother to suffer so much. Although his mother always comforts him by saying, 'There is no rush, no rush; everyone has their own timing for fortune. As long as you have this intention, your mother will be very happy!' Cheng Xiaojiu is truly afraid that by the time he finally achieves great fortune, his mother will have turned into a pile of yellow earth in the countryside. Although his mother always comforts him by saying, 'There is no rush, no rush; everyone has their own timing for fortune. As long as you have this intention, your mother will be very happy!' Cheng Xiaojiu is truly afraid that by the time he finally achieves great fortune, his mother will have turned into a pile of yellow earth in the countryside

Cheng Zhu affectionately patted her son's head, secretly sighing within. Her son had grown so tall that, without realizing it, she now had to stand on tiptoe just to reach the top of his head. After finishing the meal, she began to pack his things, preparing for his departure. She wanted to take a few more glances at him now, for after their separation that night, it was possible they would never meet again.

"Mother, why are you crying again!" Seeing the stream of tears rolling down her face, Cheng Xiaojiu felt increasingly anxious. She half-squatted down, staring into her mother's eyes and pressing for answers.

Such loud thunder, such bright lightning, and with two halves of the sky clear and bright, yet a line of dark clouds densely packed in between, creating a terrifying scene. In the entire Guantao City, who could remain indifferent? Cheng Zhu stared blankly at his son, wanting to laugh but unable to do so. After a while, he set the rice soup aside, covered his mouth with his hand, and sobbed, "Aren't you afraid of being struck by lightning? You, this child, are too bold!"

This body was never meant for hard labor, and I can only blame myself for being useless, believing the words of those deceivers. I always hoped to "rescue" my husband, who was sent into exile, from the clutches of death. As a result, not only has my husband been silent to this day, but my only son has turned to theft just to ensure he has enough to eat

After finishing their meal, the mother and son tidied up the dishes. In the past, this was the time when Cheng Zhu would set aside for her son, Xiao Jiu, to study. She would engage in needlework while listening with a smile to the verses that she did not understand at all. However, today, the mother did not wish for her son to continue his studies. With a smile, she took out a long shirt without patches from her bundle and also pulled out a pair of cloth shoes with intricate stitching, gently placing them beside her son

Once my mother’s illness is cured, I can confidently make a trip to the capital to seek a position from my father’s old military friends. As the saying goes, thirty years in the east of the river, thirty years in the west; who has decreed that Cheng Xiaojiu is destined to be a dockworker for life? If I manage to achieve some military merits with my strength, perhaps I could attract the attention of His Majesty the Emperor and clear the injustices my father suffered back in the day

With an income that one could hardly dream of, Cheng Xiaojiu and Wang Ermao walked with exceptional vigor. The distance from the dock to the alley where they lived, Donkey Dung Alley, was about five or six li, yet they arrived in the time it takes to burn a stick of incense. They had agreed to go to the boat together again the next morning to "make big money," and the two young men returned home. As soon as they opened the door, a burst of laughter immediately echoed from Wang Ermao's yard, bringing warmth to the heart and making one want to join in the merriment. In contrast, the Cheng family next door remained quiet, with only the light footsteps and heavy breathing of Cheng Xiaojiu breaking the silence, failing to stir any further sound.

Fearing that his mother might harbor lingering concerns, Cheng Xiaojiu recounted all of today's experiences while eating, gesturing animatedly. He began with how he shielded Wang Ermao from disaster, then described how he used the foreman's hand on the ship to teach two bullies a lesson, and continued with the thunder and lightning that erupted in the sky, the fierce winds and torrential rain, all the way to how the merchant Zhang recruited manpower with a substantial sum to assist, and how he led the charge onto the deck. He narrated all this with great enthusiasm and pride.

"Are you saying that this rice was earned by working for the Lao Zhou family?" The ceramic bowl in Cheng Zhushi's hand trembled, nearly falling to the ground. Her son was not someone who was good at lying; even if he had turned to theft out of necessity, it was impossible for him to fabricate such a convincing story about the source of the grain! Could it be that he really had good luck? As a mother, she should not have doubted him from the very beginning? Cheng Zhushi's eyes widened with a sourness, filled with hesitation. Could it be that he really had good luck? As a mother, she should not have doubted him from the very beginning? Cheng Zhushi's eyes widened with a sourness, filled with hesitation.

Mother, I found a big opportunity! Look, look...! Cheng Xiaojiu quickly draped the sweat-soaked clothes over herself, hurried a few steps, and supported her mother's arm

"Oh, you child!" Cheng Zhushi poked her son's forehead with her finger and sighed, "Thirty years in the east of the river, thirty years in the west. Who can say that our family won't thrive again under your stewardship! He is your father-in-law and also your cousin; if he can lend you a hand, your future path will be smoother!"

Her gaze fell upon the open rice jar, and she immediately shuddered in fright. My goodness, more than half a jar of white rice lay quietly there, the luster emitted from the grains felt incredibly warm! But this could not possibly be the day's wages of a half-grown child! Not even in peaceful times, let alone in this chaotic era!

"Just eat, just eat!" Cheng Zhushi glanced apologetically at her son, returned to the table, and began to eat rice heartily. This was what her son had earned to show his filial piety towards her. Her son had grown up and was able to provide enough food for the family. She chewed happily, her heart filled with pride

Of course. Just now, there was thunder outside; did you hear it? In an instant, Cheng Xiaojiu understood the reason for her mother's tears and explained with a mix of laughter and tears: "At that time, I was the first to brave the wind and rain to help cover the grain ship with tarpaulin. They thanked me, so they rewarded me with ten dou of rice. By the way, I wasn't the only one; Wang Ermao from next door also received ten dou. Originally, they offered a reward of five dou, but since the two of us were at the forefront, we received the most! Oh, and there are also two taels of money and two taels of fine meat. Look, come and see!" He jumped up from the dining table and ran over to the wooden platform in a few quick steps, pulling aside his tattered clothes to reveal the warm sheen of the fine meat. "This is such a large piece, I borrowed a cart to bring it back. Many people saw it from the dock to our home!" He ran over to the wooden platform in a few quick steps, pulling aside his tattered clothes to reveal the warm sheen of the fine meat. "This is such a large piece, I borrowed a cart to bring it back. Many people saw it from the dock to our home!"

What are you saying? Cheng Zhu's face, which rarely showed displeasure, turned serious as she softly reprimanded, "No matter what, he is still your elder; you cannot be so disrespectful." Looking at her son's aggrieved expression, she felt an inexplicable softness in her heart, reining in her anger and forcing a smile as she added, "Go on, listen to your mother. Human hearts are made of flesh. If you treat him well, he will treat you well in return. After all, both families have exchanged their birth dates; your uncle is a scholar, and even if he wanted to call off the engagement, he might not have the courage to do so."

"Mother, eat first, have a bowl of rice soup to moisten your throat!" Cheng Zhu replied with a smile, yet she was unwilling to hand the ceramic bowl to her son for him to refill it with rice.

In the past, at this stage, it was always necessary to add wild vegetables to the rice. Cheng Zhu habitually reached for the vegetable basket, but quickly withdrew her hand. She decided to indulge this time and treat her son to a meal of pure white rice before parting. Only those who are full can walk quickly; vegetable dumplings do not satisfy hunger. If her son were to get hungry on the way, there would be no place to find food in the desolate mountains and wilderness.

Recalling the forced smile on Cheng Bo's face when he sent himself rice, Cheng Xiaojiu couldn't help but shiver. As a young person who had experienced the vicissitudes of life too early, he was far more sensitive to the warmth and coldness of human relationships than his peers. In other words, he did not believe that Cheng Bo, the steward of the Zhou family, known for his cunning and stinginess, truly paid him double the reward out of gratitude for leading the effort to cover the grain ship with tarpaulin. He believed that the old man's smile concealed other meanings. Especially those eyes, which always reminded him of a lone wolf he encountered while walking at night last spring. In other words, he did not believe that Cheng Bo, the steward of the Zhou family, known for his cunning and stinginess, truly paid him double the reward out of gratitude for leading the effort to cover the grain ship with tarpaulin. He believed that the old man's smile concealed other meanings. Especially those eyes, which always reminded him of a lone wolf he encountered while walking at night last spring. The gaze of a beast in the mountains, fixated on its determined prey, was just like that. Confident, calm, and profoundly chilling.

With a quiet sigh, Cheng Xiaojiu poured the rice into the earthen jar outside. Then, he cautiously looked around and carefully stuffed the money under the wooden bed where he usually slept. To avoid being discovered at a glance, he covered the coins with several pieces of worn-out clothes and tattered socks that could no longer be worn. He confirmed that even if a mouse came in, it would be suffocated by the stench of sweat emanating from the ragged clothes and socks, and finally felt at ease. He sighed softly again, then filled a basin with cold water and went out into the sunlight to wipe his body. He confirmed that even if a mouse came in, it would be suffocated by the stench of sweat emanating from the ragged clothes and socks, and finally felt at ease. He sighed softly again, then filled a basin with cold water and went out into the sunlight to wipe his body

Only the last sentence resonated with Cheng Xiaojiu, who believed that her mother had hit the nail on the head. "He indeed cannot bring himself to call off the marriage. However, before our family sees improvement, he will not say 'Marry me!'"

"Put it on, scoop out two dou of rice from the rice jar, and take it to your father-in-law. Let him have a taste of something new. If I am not mistaken, what you bring back is the new rice from Huguang." The mother smiled and reminded him under Cheng Xiaojiu's doubtful gaze