"Dad, didn't the Gu family give fifty yuan? This little bit of grain definitely won't be enough for so many mouths at home. Give me the money and I'll go to town to get some food."
As soon as she finished speaking, she saw Chen Mantun's eyes clearly dart away.
"What food are you going to get in town? So many eyes are watching. Do you want to be caught and extorted again?"
Chen Lishu knew he was like a snake bitten once, fearing wells for ten years. She had to patiently explain, "In the family's current situation, if we don't think of a way, we probably won't even be able to get through the year. Who would pay attention to a young girl like me? Moreover, it's snowing heavily now, and everyone is staying home. Who has the time to bother with who goes out? As long as I'm careful, I absolutely won't be discovered."
"Husband, I think Lishu has a point. It's okay for adults, but there are several little mouths waiting. Besides, we can't ignore the one in my belly."
She had given birth to six daughters and was counting on this one in her belly to be a boy and bring honor.
The Chen family truly lived up to the old saying: the poorer they were, the more they had children, and the more children they had, the poorer they became.
Chen Mantun looked at the earnest eyes of his wife and daughters, and after a while, said with difficulty, "I gave the money to our mother."
"What?" This time, Chen Lishu didn't even need to speak. Wu Chunmei immediately frowned, her voice rising by a whole octave, "That's fifty yuan, you gave it all to her?"
Chen Mantun's eyes shrunk as he avoided hers, "Our family's grain for filial piety has been delayed for quite a while, and with the New Year approaching, as a son, I must show some respect..."
Seeing his usually good-tempered wife's face filled with anger, Chen Mantun immediately stopped talking. He meekly lowered his head.
"That's Lishu's betrothal money! The whole family is counting on this money. Are you trying to force us, your wife and daughters, to death!" Wu Chunmei's tears started to fall as she spoke.
"Mom!"
Seeing her clutching her belly and looking in pain, the Chen sisters immediately rushed forward. Chen Mantun was also flustered at this moment. He stepped forward and hugged her towards the kang.
Wu Chunmei, due to excessive excitement, her water broke, and she was going to give birth prematurely.
Chen Lishu put aside everything else, turned, and ran to the neighbor's to call the Wang family's mother and daughter-in-law for help with the delivery.
After tossing and turning all night, as dawn broke, Wu Chunmei finally gave birth to a weak daughter as small as a kitten. When the old Mrs. Chen heard it was another "money-losing commodity," she didn't even come to take a look.
Chen Lishu watched Wu Chunmei crying while holding the baby, and Chen Mantun sighing by her side. She got up, went out to burn some hot water, filled it in the family's only chipped enamel mug. There was no brown sugar, so she had to sprinkle a few goji berries and take it to the side of the kang.
"Mom, you're in confinement, crying too much is bad for your health. Besides, little sister needs to nurse. I've made you some goji berry water. Drink it while it's hot."
After speaking, she pursed the corners of her lips, turned, grabbed her hat and scarf from the side of the kang, and walked out.
"Big sister, where are you going?" The second sister, Chen Liyuan, ran over and asked in a low voice. Dad gave all the money to Grandma. She was afraid Big Sister might get angry and do something rash.
"I'm going out for a bit, and I'll be back soon. Take good care of Mom and little sister." Chen Lishu saw her worry, patted her shoulder, put on her hat, wrapped her scarf, and stepped out the door.
The snow outside had stopped at some point, but the wind was still strong, cutting her face like a knife. The snow was too deep, and everything was a vast expanse of white. Chen Lishu fixed her direction and walked straight ahead, one deep step after another.
"Lishu, you're here. I heard your mother gave birth to another daughter. I've been busy and haven't had time to visit."
Chen Mancang's wife, Zhang Chunhua, although smiling, had a hint of schadenfreude in her tone.
Chen Lishu pulled at the corners of her mouth.
Everyone was hibernating, so what could be busy? She didn't expose Zhang Chunhua, but only asked, "Aunt, is my Grandma at home?"
"She's in the inner room. You can go in," Zhang Chunhua said, pointing towards the inner room.
"What do you want with me? If you have something to say, say it here. Your mother just gave birth to another 'money-losing commodity,' don't come into my room, I find it unlucky!"
Old Mrs. Chen came out from the inner room, her small feet pacing. Her eyes, from under half-drooping eyelids, looked at her with disgust. She even spat on the ground.
Chen Lishu didn't want to go in anyway. Standing at the doorway, she got straight to the point, "My dad said he gave you my fifty yuan betrothal money. I want to get the money back."
As soon as she heard that this "young girl" was actually here to ask for money, old Mrs. Chen's long face drooped even further. "That's your father's filial respect to me. You 'money-losing commodity' still want money? Get out quickly!"
"Grandma, you call me a 'money-losing commodity' one after another. What about yourself?" Chen Lishu shot a cold gaze at her. Old Mrs. Chen jumped as if stung, pointed at her, and scolded, "You shameless 'money-losing commodity,' is this how you speak to your Grandma? Eldest daughter-in-law, quickly throw her out."
Chen Lishu curved the corners of her lips into a cold smile. "Grandma, give me the money and I'll leave immediately, not staying a moment longer. If you don't give it..."
"What can you do if I don't give it to you? You little brat, speaking to me like this, believe it or not, I'll report you to the commune."
Chen Lishu smiled. Her delicate face was like a beautiful blooming flower. "Grandma, when you go, I'll go with you. Besides, we can't even afford to eat at home. Maybe I can even eat a full meal at the study group. Anyway, I've already told Mom and Liyuan, if I don't come back, they'll all move over to spend a lively New Year with you, Grandma."
Zhang Chunhua heard this and realized she was trying to extort her. The hand that was about to push was changed to pat Chen Lishu's back gently, and she smiled stiffly, "You child, the family has already split, how can you come back now."
Chen Lishu glanced at her sideways, with a smile that wasn't quite a smile. "Aunt, what you said is not right. There are many ways to show filial piety. Like your father giving money and grain, and like Aunt and Uncle who are here to entertain you. We granddaughters have no other skills, but if we move in together, we'll definitely serve Grandma comfortably until the end."
Zhang Chunhua's stiff smile disappeared.
"Are you trying to anger me to death?" Old Mrs. Chen saw that her granddaughter had completely changed her demeanor and insisted on wearing her down. She immediately pounded her chest and stomped her feet, threatening to cry, make a scene, and hang herself.
"My dad isn't here, and there's no one else. Grandma, save your strength. I'll state my position today. If you don't give me the fifty yuan, I won't leave this door."
Chen Lishu said this, found a long stool, and sat down properly. "Grandma, if you try to die or live extravagantly, after you're gone, I won't want that fifty yuan anymore. I'll consider it my filial respect to you."
Chen Lishu's delicate face was filled with frost. Her dark eyes looked at old Mrs. Chen, her gaze filled with unprecedented seriousness.
The meaning was clear: unless you die, you must give back that fifty yuan.
"I don't want to live anymore, I'll fight with you, you little slut!" Old Mrs. Chen said, bending down and lunging towards Chen Lishu.