Call Me Daddy

The village chief’s courtyard wasn’t large, consisting of three small rooms. One was used as the main room, where the kang bed had collapsed and needed to be repaired. For now, it was rebuilt with stone blocks, topped with wooden boards, and covered with bedding, making it barely a bedroom. The skillful women made a temporary curtain from a quilt cover, dividing the room into two parts for the father and daughter to live together.

The other two rooms served as the dining and guest room, and the kitchen-cum-storage room for cooking and storing miscellaneous items.

Everyone worked together to clean these abandoned rooms and placed the belongings of Su Aobai and his daughter within.

While organizing the beddings, the women understood more about the father and daughter’s situation at the Su family. The cotton in the mattresses had long turned black and hard, indicating they had been used for many years. The quilts were also stiff. When the weather turned colder, how could such quilts provide warmth?

The fact that the Su family could afford to send a child to school indicated a decent family condition, especially since Second Su was the main labor force of the family. Yet, he slept on such a bed and used such quilts. Were there more grievances in other aspects?

Out of sympathy, the helpful women worked even harder and more meticulously. When they finished, the somewhat shabby small rooms were barely habitable.

“This house needs a major renovation. Try to gather some money. If necessary, borrow a little from everyone. At least repair the roof and the kang bed. In a few years, Er Niang will be a grown girl. It’s not proper for her to keep living in the same room as you. By next year or the year after, you must build another room for Er Niang to have her own space.”

Village Chief Wang pulled Su Aobai aside to talk. He had already planned to sell this abandoned courtyard to Second Su at a low price. The cost of repairing the small broken house was much less than buying land and rebuilding.

This courtyard could barely keep out wind and rain. If a bad season came with heavy rain or strong winds, this old and dilapidated house wouldn’t hold up.

Village Chief Wang considered Second Su’s character; he wasn’t the type to default on debts. He was just in a difficult situation. As long as he asked for a loan and promised to repay, many villagers would be willing to help him.

These words were heartfelt.

The reason for saying such things was not only that Village Chief Wang saw potential in Second Su, but also because he felt a bit guilty. After all, the whole commotion had started because of his wife. So, if Second Su and his daughter weren’t properly taken care of, Village Chief Wang would feel uneasy.

“Uncle Village Chief, I’m really grateful for your help. If it weren’t for your reputation in our village, everyone wouldn’t have come to assist me so readily.”

Su Aobai’s words struck a chord with Village Chief Wang. He knew that most of the people who came to help were doing so because of his own influence.

Village Chief Wang couldn’t help but glance at the man with the foolish expression in front of him. Everyone knew that Second Su was the most honest person. Honest people didn’t lie, which showed that Village Chief Wang did indeed have some respect and reputation in the village.

He couldn’t help but smile, stroked his beard, and noticed another virtue in honest people; they spoke the truth.

Such a good person, yet Su Kuishan and Li Shi did not like him!

“I’m not thinking about those sad things now. Right now, I just want to live well with Er Niang. As for my leg…”

Su Aobai looked at his injured leg with a dim expression, then took a deep breath and showed a strong and determined look.

“I still need to work hard to treat this leg. Once we’re settled, I will ask Doctor Li about the herbs on the mountain that can treat my leg. If I can’t afford the medicine, I’ll start with some herbal soups and see how much improvement I can get. Whether it gets better or not will depend on fate. Before my leg heals, I’ll rent out the three acres of land to my elder brother. At least I can get some grain in return.” He shared his thoughts with the village chief.

When the land was divided, Su Youtian received 5 acres. This amount was definitely insufficient for their large family. Su Youtian and Zhang Shi were both strong and capable. Before the division, they had both worked hard and saved some energy. Now, to quickly build their own house, they would work hard and earn money.

If Su Aobai was willing to rent his few acres of barren land to Eldest Su, he would definitely be open to it. Although those few acres could not grow fine grains, they could be used to grow sweet potatoes and corn. These types of crops had high yields. While fine rice and flour were typically grown to be sold for money, sweet potatoes and corn were mainly grown to fill one’s stomach.

Given that Su Aobai couldn’t work the fields for now, renting out the three acres to his elder brother to secure some staple food and ensure that he and his daughter wouldn’t starve for the next few months was a sensible decision.

“Once we get through this period, even if my leg turns out to be permanently disabled, at least the injury should be healed. At worst, I’ll just end up with a limp. But I still have my strength and can work, so life will gradually improve.”

There was an indomitable resilience on his honest and simple face. Village Chief Wang was even more satisfied upon seeing this. Second Su had a clear plan for the future, showing that without being blinded by false affection, he was still a smart person.

Village Chief Wang had no fear of helping intelligent people, especially someone like Second Su who had foresight.

“However…”

Suddenly, Su Aobai’s tone changed, and he looked somewhat embarrassed.

“Uncle Village Chief, you and everyone have helped me so much, but I can’t even offer you a meal. I don’t have anything left to repay you for the kindness you and the others have shown me and Er Niang today.”

His eyes were full of gratitude and guilt. Village Chief Wang couldn’t help but laugh. What a sincere child! In reality, they hadn’t done much to help today. Not only had Second Su been driven out of his home, but they hadn’t managed to secure any valuable items for him.

But this child was so genuine. He remembered every bit of kindness shown to him and felt immense guilt for not being able to offer anything in return.

Village Chief Wang appreciated people who were grateful and felt that Second Su, who had previously seemed insignificant, was now more likable.

One shouldn’t underestimate the preferences of a village chief. The goodwill that Village Chief Wang extended to them could significantly influence their living conditions in the village for the foreseeable future.

Of course, if Su Youwen were still a scholar, Village Chief Wang wouldn’t risk falling out with the old family just for his small gesture of kindness. If Su Youwen made further progress, even those who helped him today, including Village Chief Wang, might change their attitudes.

But this was only natural. Just as Li Shi’s thoughts were when things went awry, as long as Su Youwen rose high enough, no one would oppose him just because of the two useless families that had driven her out.

So, to maintain this goodwill, Su Aobai had to rise higher than Su Youwen; much higher!

***

During the land division, the second family received a small jar. Next to their small house was a small pond, fed by spring water from the mountain. Most of the village’s drinking water came from this spring.

At this time, the jar was already filled with water. Although Su Aobai didn’t have enough food to prepare a meal to thank everyone, he still had Er Niang bring out all the bowls and dishes they had received. He and his daughter personally served a bowl of spring water to each of the villagers who had helped them to quench their thirst.

“We should have prepared some simple tea and food, but given my current situation, as you all know, this water is the only way I can express my gratitude for now. Once I have healed my leg and earned some money, I will definitely repay everyone for the kindness shown today.”

In fact, considering his situation, it would have been understandable if he offered nothing. Everyone came to help out of sympathy. If it were merely for a small favor, flattering Li Shi might have been more effective.

But Su Aobai’s attitude now pleased everyone. Who wouldn’t want their kindness to be remembered? If there was no expectation of repayment, one was a saint, but most were mere mortals.

Regardless of whether Second Su would succeed in the future or fulfill his promises, this bowl of water and these words made everyone hold him in higher regard.

The image of the formerly silent Second Su gradually faded, replaced by a father who, after experiencing sudden change, had been reborn and was now the head of a family.

Er Niang also felt that her father had changed. Her big eyes were fixed on the man beside her.

She liked her father now.

***

“Er Niang, I’m going to visit Doctor Li.”

After the others left, the father and daughter were alone in the room and found themselves unsure how to communicate.

The original owner had never felt deeply attached to his daughter. Like most men in ancient times, he was responsible for working, while the care of the children was left to the wife. Due to his wife’s death during childbirth, Er Niang was actually raised by his elder brother’s wife when she was young. As she grew older, she moved to live with her elder cousin, Su Yuanniang. Moreover, due to the gender restrictions of the time, even father and daughter, they didn’t have a close relationship.

In the past, Er Niang felt that her father resented her for being a girl and didn’t like her. She also heard her step-grandmother frequently complain at home that she was the cause of her own mother’s death and a harbinger of doom. She thought her father might feel the same way and became even more distant from him.

But now things were different. She knew her father loved her. His previous patience was largely for her future; to ensure she had support when she married.

Even so, knowing this didn’t mean that Er Niang could immediately become close with her father.

After hearing her father’s words, Su Erniang immediately breathed a sigh of relief.

“Father, I’ll go make dinner. By the time you return, it will be time for the evening meal.”

In the old house, Yuan Niang and Er Niang often helped Li Shi with the cooking. However, back then, Li Shi would keep a close watch to prevent the sisters from sneaking food. Er Niang was accustomed to these tasks, and Su Aobai had no worries.

Yet, seeing such a small and slender girl wielding a spatula still made him feel guilty.

He needed to fatten this little girl up quickly. After all, children were much cuter when they were chubby.

Su Aobai was mentally calculating his money-making plans as he hobbled along with his cane, slowly making his way to Doctor Li’s house.