Chapter 7: Parents Who Love Their Children Plan for Them Deeply

Wen Yunwei walked ahead with a beaming smile. After keeping a large portion of the eggs, she had saved up for over half a month, she was finally relieved. As long as she didn’t have to give them to those scoundrels in the He family, she was happy.

The Wen family’s house was located at the foot of the mountain, built when they first moved there. Wen’s father had been in his prime back then, and with savings in hand, he used quality materials to build a solid house.

Especially the courtyard walls, which were built with three layers inside and three outside, tall and strong to prevent mountain animals from coming down and harming the family.

Now, more than ten years later, while the house looked a bit rundown, it was still as sturdy as ever, continuing to protect the family in place of Wen’s father.

Because of Wen Yunhe’s situation, the family hadn’t had lunch yet.

As they entered the courtyard, Wen Yunhe quickly got off her brother’s back, wanting him to wash up. He had walked barefoot for the whole journey, and she didn’t know if his feet hurt. While there were no shards of glass like in modern times, the hard stones on the ground were enough to hurt the feet.

However, it was clear her worry was unnecessary.

He couldn’t wear cotton shoes while working in the fields, so he had always worked barefoot, and by now, he was used to it. He didn’t have the weak habits of a bookish scholar.

Wen’s mother pulled Wen Yunhe aside to ask her questions.

Wen Yunwei entered the kitchen and carefully put the eggs from her basket back into the jar where she stored them. After placing them all inside, she thought for a moment and then took out two more eggs.

Her elder sister’s injuries needed to be nourished, so she decided to steam a bowl of egg custard just for her.

Wen’s mother, unable to see her daughter, could only feel for her condition through touch, reaching out to search for her.

“Yue’er, why have you lost weight again? Has the He family mistreated you? Child, if there’s anything, come back and tell your mother. Don’t keep it all to yourself.”

She spoke, tears falling again.

Wen Yunhe felt a heaviness in her chest, unable to describe the discomfort. She didn’t know how to comfort her mother, for her daughter was already gone.

She could only take out a handkerchief to wipe away her mother’s tears.

“Mother, don’t cry. You already have eye problems. Crying like this repeatedly will only worsen your condition.”

She repeated the same words she had told Wen Yunqing on her way back, word for word.

Wen’s mother said with deep concern, “Child, you’re thinking too simply. Right now, you haven’t married, so it’s fine to keep Yue’er at home. 

But what if one day you do find a wife and marry? Will she agree to let you care for your widowed elder sister for the rest of your life?”

There was something she didn’t say out loud: with a widowed elder sister returning home after a divorce, it would be hard for her son to find a wife in the future. She was torn, loving both sides.

What she said was reasonable. Wen Yunhe agreed. She had just taken charge of these matters and hadn’t thought it through. Her current plan was to stay at home for a while after the divorce, but she had forgotten that her younger brother would one day get married.

But now that the topic had come up, she responded, “Mother, don’t worry. After the divorce, I’ll just stay at home for a while. When big brother gets married, I’ll move out. I’ll set up my own household and take care of myself.

Don’t forget, you taught me needlework when I was little, and Father taught me pottery. I won’t let you worry.”

She hadn’t thought about this before, since she was about to escape, and her first priority had been to care for her mother’s family.

But now she realized she wasn’t being “rejected.” She knew her mother wasn’t trying to drive her away; it was just out of long-term concern.

A parent’s love for their child is deep and far-reaching.

Everyone’s growth and life environment shape their thoughts. She couldn’t impose her own ideas on others.

“Mother, I’m still young. Even if I do get married in the future, if a woman can’t accept my elder sister, I won’t marry her.”

Wen Yunqing spoke with determination, eager to prove that he was willing to take care of his sister. His face turned red in his anxiety.

Wen Yunhe felt a warmth in her heart. Good little brother, she could never let such a good child die far from home. Even if she had to cling to them at home, she would stay with them and face everything together.

“Yue’er, Mother doesn’t want to drive you away. You must understand a mother’s heart,” Wen’s mother hurriedly explained.

Wen Yunhe didn’t want to continue this topic as it seemed pointless. In the face of life and death, everything else seemed trivial.

She shifted the conversation, saying, “I understand. We’ll talk about this later. We’ll consider it carefully. Is there anything to eat? I’m hungry.”

Wen Yunqing quickly went to the kitchen when he heard this.

Before long, he and Wen Yunwei came out with dishes.

One plate of overcooked boiled greens, and another plate of pickled radishes. That was the entirety of the meal.

A few black, coarse grain steamed buns were the staple food. Looking at the number of buns, it seemed like Wen Yunqing would normally eat two, while Wen’s mother and Wen Yunwei each had one.

Wen Yunqing rubbed his hands awkwardly. Just a moment ago, he had promised to be his sister’s support and provide for her, but now, the only food they could offer was this rough meal. It was truly embarrassing.

When Father was still around, the family never struggled like this. It all boiled down to his own lack of ability.

The young man felt a sense of helplessness and unease in his heart.

At that moment, Wen Yunwei came out from the stove with a bowl of golden-yellow egg custard and placed it in front of Wen Yunhe.

“Sister, this is for you. I didn’t know you were coming home today, so it’s simple. Please just make do with it. In the evening, I’ll cook dumplings for us.”

The family hadn’t been well off these last couple of years. After handling Father’s funeral and ensuring the eldest sister’s wedding, most of their savings had been spent.

The money for her brother’s schooling, her mother’s eye treatment, various small expenses for the household…

In the past, when Father was still around, she never had to worry about these things. But these last two years, managing the family’s affairs had slowly turned her into a frugal and diligent housekeeper. She hated to waste even a single coin.

She sighed, hoping her elder sister wouldn’t feel bad about it.