Chapter 14: Learning to Read

Grandfather Lizheng  couldn’t help but have tears welling in his eyes. “Good, good children. As long as you all are well, Grandfather will be content.”

The actions of these children had moved him deeply.

Who doesn’t like children who know how to be grateful? For such children, he was more than willing to offer help.

Hmph, Song Shitou and Song Sanzhu are fools. Such good children, yet they push them away.

If he had to say, Chunsheng was far better than Song Dalang and Song Erlang. To grit his teeth and lead his younger siblings out to live on their own—that courage alone earned respect.

Moreover, this child was not blindly fierce; he had a plan in his heart.

Now, looking at Sanya, Wuya, and little Qiusheng, they too were not lacking in any way.

If these four children grow up, they will truly embody the saying: “Never underestimate a young man in poverty.”

Yet, Song Shitou’s whole family refuses to treat these children like human beings—it’s utterly unreasonable.

The reason Song Jinxiu acted this way was to let Grandfather Lizheng know, and through the mouths of Grandfather Lizheng and Song Fuquan, to tell everyone in Songjia Village that these siblings all understand gratitude.

Only when Grandfather Lizheng fully accepts them, and the villagers embrace them—not just offering passive help—can these children, who have severed ties with their own father, live better lives in the village.

“Grandfather Lizheng, you should take this money back and return it to everyone. I know this is the food money the uncles and aunties have saved, squeezing it from their own mouths.”

Song Chunsheng handed the pouch back to Grandfather Lizheng, and when Grandfather Lizheng shook his head, he hurried to explain:

“I don’t need an amputation now; the bone-setting won’t cost much. Sanya and Wuya help the clinic brew medicine and have even earned the favor of a benefactor, so the money we have now is enough. I don’t want this money.”

Regarding the five hundred taels, except for little Qiusheng who didn’t know the amount, the three siblings had agreed that no one could find out about it.

They said it was their mother’s hairpin. Even if the Song family found out, they would have no face to make a fuss over it.

But if they knew the siblings held such a large sum, Old Song’s family would probably want them dead, and would stop at nothing to get it back.

So, no one could talk about this matter.

That was why Song Chunsheng said the two younger sisters worked for someone and received the benefactor’s reward. It also gave them an excuse if they ever really spent too much money.

Grandfather Lizheng saw he was serious and couldn’t help but think even more highly of him.

The money offered could be declined without hesitation—this child was not greedy, his character truly excellent.

“Very well, then Grandfather will return it for now,” he said, taking out a tael of silver from the pouch. “This is from Grandfather himself. This must be kept.”

This time, Song Chunsheng did not refuse; he feared that if he didn’t accept it, Grandfather Lizheng would be upset.

Well, the debt to Grandfather Lizheng could never be fully repaid. From now on, they would just consider him their own grandfather to honor.

After sitting for a while, Grandfather  Lizheng and Song Fuquan prepared to leave.

“Since I’m going to the county seat, I’ll stop by Chunshan Academy to see your brother, Fusheng. Chunsheng, take good care of your injury. I’ll come back to visit you in a few days.”

Song Jinxiu quickly gathered the eggs. “Grandfather Lizheng, please take these eggs to Brother Fusheng. Studying tires the brain, and these eggs are good for it.”

Song Fuquan quickly waved his hand, refusing to take the basket.

“No, no, these eggs were collected by the villagers for Brother Chunsheng. You may not keep the money, but the eggs must stay.”

Grandfather Lizheng also wore a stern expression and said, “Hmm, little girl, you’re being too polite. The eggs will stay. Your Brother Fusheng will have eggs to eat. Don’t worry about it.”

With that, he stood up, waved to Chunsheng, and headed outside.

Song Jinxiu had no choice but to put down the basket and follow behind to see them off.

“Grandfather Lizheng, do you have a list of the villagers who donated? Please give us a copy. We need to know to whom these favors are owed.”

Grandfather Lizheng didn’t stop walking but glanced at her and smiled. “You said you didn’t want the money, right? If the money isn’t accepted, then these favors don’t need to be repaid.”

Song Jinxiu quickened her pace to catch up and said earnestly, “That won’t do. Although we didn’t accept the money, we did receive the goodwill. And those eggs—though small in value, they carry deep meaning. Grandfather Lizheng, please tell us. With such strong ties of friendship, we wouldn’t be able to sleep if we didn’t know.”

Grandfather Lizheng stopped, looked at her, and nodded.

“Well said—‘small gifts, great affection.’ You’re a good child.”

He then took a piece of paper from his chest pocket and handed it to Song Jinxiu.

“This is the list. I’ve recorded who contributed how much. This copy is for you. I still have the original at home.”

After seeing Grandfather Lizheng and Song Fuquan off, Song Jinxiu returned to the sickroom.

The four siblings stared at the densely written list filled with names, eyes wide and blinking at each other.

Song Jinxiu blinked, suddenly realizing.

That’s right—they were all illiterate!

But the problem was, she recognized these characters. Was she pretending to be illiterate?

Or should she just read the list aloud?

No, no, she couldn’t let her older brother think she was some kind of monster.

She had to find a way to “learn to read” openly and legitimately.

“Big Brother, I can recognize some characters. I picked them up secretly when Dalang was studying. But I’m not sure if I really know them correctly. Maybe I should find someone to ask?” Song Jinxiu asked cautiously.

Song Chunsheng didn’t suspect a thing and frowned. “Dalang also taught me how to write my own name, but I only recognize those three characters. I doubt you secretly learned many more. Besides, we don’t know anyone here—who would you even ask?”

Song Jinxiu was speechless.

“I’ve got it, Big Brother! I thought of a plan,” she said, slapping her forehead.

“What plan?” Song Chunsheng asked.

“You all wait here. I’ll be right back.”

Song Jinxiu remembered there was a bookstore right across the street.

She hurried out of the clinic and into the bookstore. Spending half a tael of silver, she bought a copy of the Three Character Classic.

Song Chunsheng looked at the book in his hands, puzzled. “Why did you buy a book? You don’t know how to read—buying a book is just nonsense, isn’t it?”

Song Jinxiu smiled and said, “Big Brother, this book is called the Three Character Classic. Dalang used to recite it every day at home. Do you remember any of what he recited?”

Song Chunsheng thought for a moment and replied, “Oh, I do remember two lines from the Three Character Classic: ‘At the beginning of human nature, it is fundamentally good.’ But even though I remember those lines, I still don’t know how to read.”

Song Jinxiu chuckled. “Heh heh, it doesn’t matter if we can’t read. We can match each character one by one. Doesn’t that mean we’ll learn the characters?”

Pointing to the three characters on the cover—Three Character Classic—she said, “These three characters are called ‘San Zi Jing.’ If we read along and write along, won’t we be able to recognize characters?”

Song Chunsheng’s eyes lit up. He laughed, “That’s a good idea! Sanya, you’re really smart. I never thought of it.”

If only he had thought of this before, he might have remembered more of what Dalang recited.

“Big Brother, her name is Jinxiu. Why do you still call her Sanya?” Song Jinfang protested unhappily. “And I’m Jinfang—don’t keep calling me Wuya.”

“All right, all right, it’s Big Brother’s fault. I won’t call you Sanya anymore. No, I won’t call you that at all. Jinxiu, Jinfang.”

Song Chunsheng quickly cupped his hands and bowed in apology. The two sisters laughed, and even little Qiusheng covered his mouth, shrugged his shoulders, and giggled softly.

With the book in hand, the four siblings huddled together, following the text and relying on their memory, comparing each character one by one as they began learning to read.