A century of poverty

Chapter 105 Domineering

The next morning, I prepared the meal and set out the bowls and chopsticks. The two sisters ate and chatted. Zhiqiang and I had finished eating quite a while ago, but when I went over to check, we hadn't finished drinking yet, so I went back to the shop.

Because he hadn't stocked up on supplies for the past two days in preparation for entertaining guests, Zhiqiang planned to go and stock up today. However, he couldn't remove the table from that room, so he didn't dare to leave.

It was past nine o'clock, and they had been eating breakfast for two hours. If they didn't leave soon, they would be late for lunch. Zhiqiang was so anxious that he paced back and forth.

I went over to check again and saw my father-in-law holding two chopsticks in his left hand, leaning against the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed) on a chair with his right arm. My aunt was sitting upright on the edge of the kang. They didn't seem to be drinking.

When I came in, my father-in-law sat up, waved his chopsticks across the table, and said to his older sister, "I bought all the dishes on this table."

When I heard that, I was filled with rage. What old man? He was talking nonsense! It was clearly Zhiqiang who went to the market and used our money to buy the fish, meat, and vegetables. The wine was from his own shop. How could it all be his doing? I was just thinking of letting them finish eating so I could clear the table.

He said, "Dad, let me serve you some rice. Zhiqiang is waiting to go to town to buy supplies after we finish eating!"

Upon hearing my words, my father-in-law suddenly stood up, kicked over a chair, and yelled, "Who do you think you are! Your mother never cared about me, yet you dare to tell me what to do? Did your mother die young? Get up here?!"

My heart was pounding with anger, and I was afraid he would say something even worse.

He turned around and said, "How can you say such a thing? What kind of old man are you? You're being unreasonable." He then went back to the shop.

The father-in-law chased after the shop, hands on his hips, yelling, "Who do you think you are? You old codger from the city, what's the point of reasoning with me! Reasoning is unreasonable, ignoring reason is right!"

I'm truly speechless. I can't argue with them, and I can't beat them.

While crying, she packed the child's toys and clothes, wrapped the child up, and carried the child home.

At this moment, my great-aunt came up and pulled me forcefully, saying, "What are you doing—where are you going? You're not allowed to go anywhere!" She pulled me hard, not letting me move.

I didn't dare to pull too hard. My great-aunt is over seventy years old, an old lady with bound feet. It wouldn't be good if she fell or bumped into something.

I had no choice but to sit on the edge of the kang (heated brick bed) in the shop and cry.

From then on, my father-in-law would frequently and unrestrainedly argue and scold Zhiqiang and me.

A year has passed, and we've been living this life of swallowing our anger.

With May Day approaching, before my third uncle could even come looking for me, my father-in-law started yelling again, "Who is your third uncle? Who am I? I've been helping him hang fish for a few days, and you're not happy about it? Stop dawdling!"

Gradually, Zhiqiang lost his spirits and became unwilling to pick up goods when they were out of stock.

I asked, "Why haven't you gone to get more stock yet?"

Zhiqiang: "Feeling lethargic and experiencing chest tightness."

A few days later, he looked unwell and lost his appetite, but forced himself to go out to buy goods.

I said, "Go to the hospital for a check-up today, then we'll order more goods."

When he returned, he placed bags of local goods on the kang (a heated brick bed).

I asked, "Did you go to the hospital? How did it go?"

Zhiqiang: "Pleurisy - I had an X-ray and they recommended hospitalization, but I didn't go. I asked what medication to take and decided to get it injected at home for two weeks to see how it goes."

Indeed, he cannot be hospitalized given our condition.

After two weeks of treatment with no improvement, Zhiqiang's health deteriorated. A follow-up examination at the hospital revealed pleurisy with effusion. The doctor advised him to avoid anger and overexertion, and to refrain from any physical activity, requiring complete rest.

Now Zhiqiang can't buy goods, can't take care of the children, can't sell goods, can't do anything. The dosage of his injections and medications has been increased, and he's getting several IV drips a day.

I do everything myself – selling goods, sourcing inventory, taking care of the children, cooking – I can't manage it all.

At this time, Mr. Guo, the tenant of the west-end house, moved out.

A family of five arrived: Zhao Dingxi, a cousin of Zhao Liuxi from behind the house. It consisted of Zhao Dingxi and his wife, their two children, and their elderly father. Their son, Zhao Bai, was thirteen or fourteen years old. Their daughter, Zhao Qian, was eight or nine. Both children were very well-behaved and lovable.

Xiao Zhaoqian really likes Su Long and often comes over to play with the children.

I could glance at it, but handing it over to her was out of the question. This reminded me of her mother, whom we called "Seventh Aunt." She stayed home cooking for a few people and had nothing else to do.

I went to their house: "Seventh Aunt, Zhiqiang is sick, and I can't manage on my own. Could you help me take care of the child? It'll only cost a few hundred yuan a month. It's convenient since we live in the same courtyard. Zhao Qian really likes Su Long, and the child enjoys playing with her. You can also increase your income. Hiring someone else outside is inconvenient, and I don't trust them to do it!"

Aunt Qi: "What money? Didn't you say the money wasn't far off? I'll bring you some for two days, no money required!"

Me: "I'd feel bad if I didn't take the money, so please just consider it a favor. I really have no other choice right now."

Aunt Qi: "Put the child down, I'll take care of him, but don't mention money!"

Zhao Qian was playing with the children. I took the opportunity to go back to the store, close the door, and go to get more stock.

When I got home, Zhiqiang hadn't returned from his injection yet. I hurried to the main room to cook, but then I heard loud banging on the shop door. I was anxious, but I couldn't go to sell the goods.

Father-in-law: "Give me the keys, I'll go sell them!"

I asked, "Are you sure you can do this?" Hesitantly, I took out the keys and handed them to my father-in-law.

I've finished cooking and put the food on the table. Zhiqiang came back from his IV drip and went into the store. His father-in-law handed him a hundred-yuan bill: "I just sold a carton of Hongmei cigarettes for forty-one yuan. The man gave me one hundred, so I'll give him fifty-nine in change."

Zhiqiang took the money and felt something was wrong. He held it up to the sunlight and saw that it had no anti-counterfeiting features, the paper was soft, and the color was off. "It's counterfeit money. Who spent the counterfeit money you received?" Zhiqiang said.

Father-in-law: "I don't recognize this person. How could it be counterfeit money? Give it to me, let me see..."

Just then, Hei Xingan came in, fuming, "The old man worked so hard to sell your goods, and you're blaming him for accepting counterfeit money! You look like counterfeit money to me! What were you two doing? Making the old man sell your goods!"

Zhiqiang, already in a bad mood, retorted, "You're everywhere, just stay put!"

Hei Xingan: "You think I'm happy to meddle in your dirty business! I came here to tell Lihua about the lactation process and ran into you! You can't stand it when I see you treating the old man badly, even though you don't really mistreat him behind his back, but you see it today!"

Zhiqiang: "What if it doesn't work?"

Black Stargan: "You wait!" he said, then ran out like a madman.

I went over and told him and his son, "Dinner's ready, you two go eat, I'll watch over it!"

A short while later, Third Uncle Su Jiyou led Su Zhiwei, Su Zhiguang, and Su Kai through the shop window and into the courtyard, with Hei Xingan following behind.

Seeing the situation was bad, I closed the shop door and came through the courtyard gate to the front door. There I saw Su Jiyou punch Zhiqiang, knocking him down beside the water vat in the outer room. Zhiqiang slowly got up, but his third uncle punched him again, sending him crashing down with a thud against the vat. While hitting him, he cursed, "I'll beat you to death! How dare you disrespect your father!" He straightened up, clapped his hands, raised his head, and raised his voice eight octaves higher: "Your father doesn't lack sons! If you kill one, you'll be fine; if you kill two, you'll be fine too! How could the Su family produce such a bastard like you…"

The father-in-law watched smugly, while the three brothers cheered on his third uncle from the side.

I rushed forward and helped Zhiqiang up, tears instantly streaming down my face: "Zhiqiang, are you alright?! How could you be so cruel? He's still sick. Are your hearts made of stone?"

"I'll teach you a lesson for your dad, you little bastard! You little punk, when I was young I'd have three or five of you..."

"Stay here in this ward and behave yourself, or I'll beat you up if I find out..."

Su Jiyou, like a dog with thorns, was still glaring at him with his small triangular eyes and cursing.