Chapter 17: Is Su Zhiqing Possessed by a Ghost?

Zhou Linglan returned with the items, which didn’t surprise Su Taotao at all.

The moment Su Taotao saw Cao Guohua, the words “moral dignity” popped into her mind. In this era, many people were upright, and many had a scholarly demeanor, but few truly deserved the term “moral dignity,” as most couldn’t withstand the trials of life.

Cao Guohua, however, was one of those rare exceptions. At his age, he still stood tall and straight, as if nothing could bend his spine.

“Mom, put the items on the table for now. I’ll deliver them to him later.”

“Taotao, actually…” Zhou Linglan began but hesitated.

Su Taotao didn’t rush her. She used the bowl that Cao Guohua had just returned to scoop some braised pig ear and pig tail into it.

“Mom, if you don’t want to talk about it, that’s fine. I’ll take it to Teacher Cao myself.”

Zhou Linglan nodded, her head down. “Take the vegetables by the door with you.”

When Su Taotao arrived at the cowshed, Cao Guohua was starting a fire.

He glanced back at Su Taotao and then turned away. “I thought I told you to act like you don’t know me. This isn’t a place for you to come to. Go back and stop bringing things over. I won’t accept them.”

Su Taotao put the items down. “Don’t worry about getting us into trouble, Teacher Cao. It won’t happen. You should’ve guessed that I’m acting on someone else’s behalf. Rest assured, I’ll keep track of everything I bring. The vegetables we grow at home will be charged at market price. Once the cost is covered, we won’t bring anything more. You won’t owe us any favors. If you really don’t need them, talk to Chen Sihai. I’ll do what I’m paid to do, and that’s it.”

After saying her piece, Su Taotao turned and left the cowshed, regardless of his reaction.

Cao Guohua didn’t chase after her.

The aroma of the braised dish was overwhelmingly strong, especially in the small cowshed. The smell of the pork noodle meal from last night still lingered, having been the best meal he’d had in over two years since arriving here. The rich scent of the braised dish had filled the air all night, and he knew without tasting it that it would be delicious.

Cao Guohua considered himself to have little desire for food. As long as it could fill his stomach, it was enough. But before he realized it, he was already gnawing on the pig tail.

He couldn’t describe how good it tasted, as if it made him want to savor every bite. It might not have been the best meal of his life, but it was certainly the most aromatic. The pig tail had a rich flavor, paired with the right seasonings. A small bite would melt in your mouth, tender and not greasy, making you want to eat more after the first bite.

The pig ear had a similar flavor but with an extra layer of cartilage, offering a different texture and flavor.

By the time he finished the small bowl of braised dish, Cao Guohua was still craving more.

He never expected that the wife of Fu Zhengtu could cook better than the chefs at the state-run restaurant. Could it be that she learned from Su Donghan?

It was possible. He wouldn’t be surprised by what kind of daughter Su Donghan could raise.

Cao Guohua found himself looking forward to Su Taotao’s next meal delivery.

As he washed the bowl, he smirked at the corner of his lips, realizing he was just an ordinary person after all.

Su Taotao’s family reserved the braised dish for lunch and dinner. For breakfast, they still had sweet potato porridge, some small dishes, and a large bowl of egg custard to share among the family.

Today, they opened the malted milk for the first time. Su Taotao made four bowls in one go, which made Zhou Linglan feel a bit of heartache.

“Taotao, this is for Chenchen. I’m too old to drink this. It’s a waste, so let Chenchen have it.”

Su Taotao took a sip. The taste was indeed wonderful, no wonder everyone liked it.

“It’s our first time opening it, so let’s try a bowl today. From now on, it’s Chenchen’s food. Yuanhang can have it once a week.”

Even though Fu Yuanhang had been sipping slowly, he shook his head when Su Taotao spoke. “No, Sister-in-law, I’m fine. Save it for Chenchen.”

Su Taotao rubbed his head. “You’re just a kid, pretending to be an adult. Our family doesn’t have the means for it right now, but otherwise, we’d give each person a bowl of milk every morning.”

Zhou Linglan suddenly thought of something and asked Su Taotao, “How about goat milk? The neighboring village raises a lot of sheep, and I heard that many of the ewes that recently gave birth have extra milk. However, it’s one egg for a bowl of milk, and most people are unwilling to trade.”

Su Taotao’s eyes lit up. “What size of bowl?”

In her previous life, goat milk was actually much more expensive than cow milk. It was said to have higher nutritional value and was easier to absorb. Parents who had the means preferred to give their children goat milk.

Zhou Linglan shook her head. “I don’t know the exact size, but it’s definitely not a small bowl. It wouldn’t be so expensive if it were. It’s just that it doesn’t taste very good. I’ve traded for it once, but Chenchen wouldn’t drink it.”

Even Fu Yuanhang, who was never a picky eater, wrinkled his brows and said, “Goat milk doesn’t taste good; it’s too gamey.”

Su Taotao said, “Don’t worry, I have a way to make it taste good.”

Chenchen lifted his head from the malted milk, nodded seriously, and said in a drawn-out tone, “It tastes good~~”

It was the first time Chenchen had ever tried malted milk, and he was drinking it very attentively. He hadn’t heard what the adults were talking about earlier, so he thought they were talking about the malted milk, which was why he agreed with Su Taotao.

Su Taotao smiled and gently pinched the little one’s cheek. “Mom will make you a bowl of malted milk every day from now on.”

Chenchen nodded and said in a childish voice, “Okay~~”

Su Taotao then asked him, “So, later on, will you go with Mom to trade for goat milk? I can make the goat milk taste just as good as this malted milk.”

Chenchen blinked, unsure whether to go to school with his uncle or help Mom trade for goat milk. After these past few days of spending time together, he no longer resisted being alone with Su Taotao, but in terms of affection, he was still closer to his uncle and preferred to follow him.

After thinking it over, the little one still shook his head and said, “Uncle Xiao Shu~~”

Su Taotao didn’t force him. At least this time, he didn’t outright refuse and actually thought about it for a moment. By drawing a little closer each day, it wouldn’t be long before the little one fully accepted her.

After breakfast, it was time for the adults to go to work and the children to go to school. Fu Yuanhang showed Su Taotao the two milk candies in his pocket. “Sister-in-law, I’m taking these two milk candies to school today to share with Chenchen.”

Su Taotao nodded. “You can decide on your own. Go ahead, Chenchen, say goodbye to Mom. Remember to think of Mom, okay?”

Chenchen nodded vigorously. “I will~~”

Before they even got to school, Fu Yuanhang peeled one of the milk candies on the way and split it with Chenchen. He carefully folded the candy wrapper and tucked it back into his pocket.

The warm morning sun lazily bathed the children in its light. Fu Yuanhang half-closed his eyes and, carefully holding the half candy in his mouth, said to his nephew on his back, “Chenchen, I feel like these days are like a dream, not real at all.”

He had been living like a little immortal these past two days. His sister-in-law had taken him to the county town, into the state-run mall, and bought him new clothes and shoes. Every day, they had eggs, meat, White Rabbit candies, and malted milk. Lunch even had savory braised treats that would make the neighbor’s kids cry with envy.

He was afraid that this was all a dream and that when he woke up, everything would return to how it was before.

Chenchen, resting his head on his uncle’s shoulder, thought for a moment about his mother’s smile, the warmth of her hugs, the feel of her kisses on his cheek, and how good she was to him, then said with certainty, “It’s real~~”

Fu Yuanhang laughed genuinely for the first time. “Yes, it’s real.”

……

Su Taotao asked Zhou Linglan for the exact location to trade for goat milk and then “dressed up” before heading out.

The banyan tree was the only way to leave the village, and Su Taotao didn’t expect that every time she passed by here, she would hear her own legends.

“Uncle Niu is talking nonsense, right? Who saw it? She doesn’t even take candy from kids, much less give them a whole handful.”

“It’s true. Aunt Guihua saw it with her own eyes—she thought she was seeing a ghost!”

“It’s not as if she’s seeing ghosts, but lately, what has Su Zhiqing been up to? Ever since she fell into the water, she’s been acting strange.”

“That’s not strange at all, she just never did human things before, and now she is.”

“Pfft, going to her house to use the bathroom and getting an egg as a reward—is that a human thing to do?”

“Oh man, stop talking about it already. When will we ever be able to build a bathroom like that? With the weather warming up, the stench from our outhouse could kill a person.”

“Tell me about it.”

……

Su Taotao really didn’t mean to eavesdrop, but in this era, there wasn’t much entertainment, and there were simply too many legends about her circulating in the village. So, she had become the talk of the town.

“Black Charcoal!” Su Taotao waved at the little boy who was jumping on hopscotch grids with his back to her.

Black Charcoal’s first instinct was to bolt!

He quickly checked his small pocket, realizing there was no candy in it. Well, no need to run.

Though small, Black Charcoal was smart. He had just overheard people saying that Su Zhiqing had given Uncle Niu a big handful of candy. He remembered that last time, Su Zhiqing had said she would repay him with a handful of candy. What if she called him over to give him the candy? What if?

Black Charcoal slowly jogged over. “S-Su Zhiqing, what’s up?”

Su Taotao handed him a handful of fruit candies. “Here, I promised to repay you last time. Don’t go around saying I still owe you candy, okay?”

Black Charcoal’s mouth fell open, and it took him a long time to react. “Y-you’re giving this to me?”

Su Taotao took out a White Rabbit milk candy and handed it to him. “This one tastes even better, and it’s for you too.”

Black Charcoal: “W-w-white Rabbit milk candy?!”

Su Taotao smiled. “I’m being nice, okay? I remembered that last time, I was about to faint from low blood sugar, so I had no choice but to borrow a candy from you to save myself. I still owe you a thank you. There, go play now.”

Su Taotao patted his head and walked away without another word.

Not only did Black Charcoal stare in disbelief, but the chatty women who had been gossiping just moments ago were also left speechless.

“Black Charcoal’s grandma, did you see that? She gave Black Charcoal a big handful of candy and even a White Rabbit milk candy!”

Black Charcoal’s grandma whispered under her breath, “Seeing ghosts, really seeing ghosts. Has Su Zhiqing been possessed by a ghost?!”

“Pfft pfft pfft, we don’t do feudal superstitions in the new society. Be careful or you’ll get criticized.”

Black Charcoal’s grandma quickly shut her mouth and ran over to confiscate her grandson’s candy. So much candy could last a month if rationed properly.

Black Charcoal wailed in frustration, rolling on the ground and crying that the candy was repaid by Su Zhiqing. He absolutely refused to give it up.

Su Taotao didn’t have time to watch the drama. She headed to the sheep pen of the neighboring Red Flag village authorities, where several people were already lined up to exchange for sheep milk.

As soon as Su Taotao stood in line, someone called her name. “Su Taotao, Su Zhiqing?”

Su Taotao looked over and saw some old acquaintances. Not just one…