Miao Chu

Chapter 213 Good Luck
Song Miao was startled. She quickly put down the food in her hand, washed her hands, and immediately followed Da Bing outside.

After leaving the main gate and walking several dozen steps, you will reach a corner where a path connects two houses.

At this moment, a person sat by the path, dazed—he even knew to pull his feet back and shrink himself so as not to block others from walking by.

At a glance, Song Miao noticed that the man's head was covered in bruises and swollen, and his eyes were bloodshot and swollen like walnuts. Upon closer inspection, she saw that his clothes were too short, his shoes were patched, and his hands and feet were exposed.

It was that little Liang Yan.

She hurried over and called out, "Why are you sitting here all alone so early in the morning?"

He then asked, "How did you get such a head injury? Are you dizzy? Are you hurt anywhere else?"

Liang Yan stared blankly as he looked up and saw Song Miao standing right in front of him. He had nothing else to say but silently shed tears.

Seeing this, Song Miao knew something was wrong, so she took a handkerchief and bent down to wipe his face.

Seeing that the bruise on her forehead was more than an inch thick, with blood pooling out and looking bright red, which was quite frightening, she was really worried and said, "There's a clinic on the street ahead. Shall I go with you to see a doctor?"

She asked him several questions in a row. Liang Yan had only been crying before, but when he heard that he needed to see a doctor, he suddenly became anxious and shook his head. After shaking his head twice, he immediately pressed his head, but accidentally pressed on the swollen area. He hissed and quickly let go, clenched his fist, and said hurriedly, "Sister Song, I don't need to see a doctor, I'm fine."

Song Miao was unusually firm, saying, "Just take a look. There's no need to take medicine. If there are any serious injuries, treat them immediately. It's better than having a chronic condition later. Otherwise, everyone will worry, and you'll suffer too, right?"

"I'm not afraid of taking medicine."

"Then we should definitely go and see it."

Seeing his strained expression, and recalling the boy's behavior when they first met, Song Miao guessed the reason for his predicament. She said softly, "It won't cost much. I'll lend it to you first, and you can pay me back when you grow up—or you can help me with some chores to pay for it, okay?"

Liang Yan hesitated for a moment.

Song Miao immediately called to Dabing, and the two of them worked together, half-carrying and half-supporting, to take the person to a clinic not far away.

At this time, the doctor in charge was an old doctor. He first examined the injury, took the pulse, and asked about the situation.

Nowadays, doctors often have a habit called "to treat illness, first consider fate."

When the old doctor learned that Liang Yan had been kicked hard from behind while kneeling on the ground, causing him to hit his head, and that his clothes were tattered and his shoes were too short—the back half of them were even sticking out—and that he had been accompanied by two women, Song Miao and Da Bing, one a young woman and the other a child, the doctor simply prescribed some liniment and told Liang Yan to apply it twice a day to reduce the bruising, and also advised him to avoid running and jumping around.

After listening to everything, Song Miao paid the money first. While Da Bing and Liang Yan went to get the medicated oil, she asked, "Doctor, do you need some calming and sleeping medicine? Something happened in his family. Although he is young, he has a lot on his mind and is very depressed. I asked him just now, and he said he could hardly sleep last night."

The doctor then said, "I'm not afraid to be frank with you. Even though it's a child, if I want him to sleep peacefully and calm his mind, I still need to prescribe more jujube seed extract—and these days, jujube seed extract is becoming increasingly expensive..."

"We can't just not see a doctor because it's expensive. Please, doctor, treat my symptoms."

The doctor shook his head and said, "Every medicine has some toxicity. Taking too much medicine can damage your liver and stomach. It's not time for that yet. It's best not to take it if you can avoid it."

She added, "Although the child has injured his head, fortunately it's only a superficial wound. He can recover with rest. Are you his older sister? Give him some advice and tell him to go home, eat well, and get some sleep. That's better than any medicine."

Finally, he said, "I advise him to think more positively and come back to see me in a couple of days. If he still can't sleep, he can come back to me. If he really has to take medicine, I won't charge him for the consultation."

Song Miao hurriedly said, "That won't do!"

After a while, Da Bing and Liang Yan came out. Seeing that she had received the medicine, she thanked them earnestly again before taking her leave.

On the way back, Song Miao bought basins, buckets and other items. When she returned to the official post station, she didn't give Liang Yan any time to rest or let anyone rest. Instead, she took him directly to the kitchen to familiarize himself with the way. She pointed to the stove and said, "There is hot water in the water pot. Go and get a basin of it, wash your face and hands, and rinse your mouth."

He added, "I'm in the outer hall. Come find me when you're done tidying up—hurry up, I need your help with something."

She made all the arrangements clearly, specifying what to do first, what to do next, and even urging for the deadline.

Although they were all minor matters, it was Liang Yan's first time entering the backyard of the official post station, and he was unfamiliar with everything. He had to pay close attention to avoid causing trouble. He also had to hurry to see "Sister Song," so he didn't have time to think about anything else.

After Song Miao came out of the outer hall, she first beckoned Da Bing over and asked in a low voice, "Do you have an extra set of clothes you can spare?"

“Even if you hadn’t asked, I would have told you!” Dabing hurriedly replied, “You gave me a new summer outfit around the time of the Beginning of Summer. I haven’t worn it yet. I was planning to wear it when I returned to the capital, just like what Master Kong said about ‘returning home in glory’—and now it’s perfect for Liang Yan. The shoes are also ready, though they might be a bit big. I’ll just put some insoles on them and they’ll be fine!”

Song Miao then said, "When we come back tomorrow, let's go to the fabric shop first—I'll make you another outfit. You can choose your favorite color, fabric, and style. When we get back to the capital, wear it to your uncle's house and say that you did a good job in Huazhou, and it's a reward from your cook. How about that?"

Big Pancake was so happy that his tiger teeth were showing. He said, "Oh dear, now that you say that, I was going to be polite, but I don't even want to say anything polite now, for fear that I won't really reward you!"

He then said somewhat hesitantly, "Could I make it a little longer? Although it will use a little more fabric, when I grow taller and bigger, I can loosen the sleeves, hem, and trouser legs, and wear it for a few more years!"

Song Miao smiled and replied, "Of course!"

He then joked, "I'm afraid that when you grow taller and bigger, you'll be so big that you won't be able to fit into all your clothes and will have forgotten that you can still move freely here."

Dabing hurriedly replied, "No! No! How could I forget the clothes my wife gave me!"

After speaking for a while and carefully explaining, he went back into the house to find some clothes.

When he returned, Liang Yan had already washed up and come out.

Today, the breakfast reserved for Dabing at the official post station consisted of fried dough sticks, thin bean porridge, pickled vegetables, boiled eggs, and duck and goose steamed buns.

Song Miao had already mixed the porridge with hot water, divided it into a bowl, and waited for him to come over before asking him to sit down. She then said, "You haven't had breakfast yet, have you? Let's eat together."

As she spoke, she pushed the porridge, duck and goose buns, and eggs in front of him, saying, "After you've eaten, you'll have to help with the work—today's work is physically demanding, and if you don't eat, I'm afraid you won't be able to do it."

Liang Yan had no appetite, but when he heard that he needed help, he forced himself to eat the porridge and steamed buns. After he finished eating, he didn't even know what they tasted like. He did remember to return the egg to Song Miao and say, "I just ate a meat bun. Sister, please have this egg!" Song Miao didn't stand on ceremony with him and took the egg. Seeing that he had eaten, washed his face, and applied medicine to his forehead, he looked a bit more energetic. Only then did she ask him what had happened.

Liang Yan honestly explained the Xiang family's situation, and then whispered about the inside story of his father that he had heard from Steward Xiang.

Finally, he said, "I'm really useless. Even if I know, I still can't do anything."

Song Miao was utterly astonished upon hearing this.

But upon closer reflection, despite the surprise, she felt that this behavior actually matched the character of that element.

Seeing Liang Yan's bruised forehead and bewildered expression, she didn't try to persuade him or offer any comfort. She simply asked, "What do you want to do?"

Liang Yan remained silent, then said, "I don't know either."

She continued, "Xiang... he killed my father, yet I recognized a thief as my father. If I had known sooner, even if I couldn't avenge him, I would never have accepted a single favor from him. But... Sister Song, I can't wholeheartedly hate him right now. When I think about it, I feel an itch to grind my teeth in hatred, but when I think about the favors I received from him, my heart aches terribly..."

Song Miao said, "Because you are a good person, you know the principles of propriety, righteousness, integrity, and the right way to be a person, and you cannot do such a despicable and filthy thing, that's why you are so distressed and conflicted. He did raise you and take care of you, and he did kill your father—if I were you, I wouldn't know how to deal with it either."

If you can't figure it out, just put it aside for now. When you're older and more independent, you can think about it again, and maybe the answer will come naturally.

“But right now I don’t want to get any more benefits from the Xiang family, nor do I want to live off them. But I’m too stupid. All I can do is think, which is useless. Sister Song said last time that when Young Master Han was my age, he was already able to support himself with his carpentry skills. I’m so much better off than him, but I can’t do anything. No one is willing to take me on as an apprentice.”

Song Miao said helplessly, "What are you comparing yourself to him for? How many people can compare to him?"

"Sister Song is only a few years older than me..."

Seeing that the child in front of her had gotten stuck on a point, Song Miao thought for a moment and said, "Listen to me, I know who that Zhu Liangfu Master Zhu that Manager Xiang mentioned is."

"Although I am not familiar with him, I have a lot of contact with his daughter and have received a lot of help from her family - I call her Aunt Zhu."

“His family started out slaughtering pigs. Because they killed a lot of animals, they had to donate money and goods to several places such as the Orphanage, the Welfare Bureau, and the Peace and Happiness Lodge every year to put their minds at ease. Even without the money from the Xiang family, if Master Zhu knew about your situation, he would most likely have taken you in and helped you grow up without hesitation.”

"The Zhu family has been in the capital for many years. Master Zhu is a very righteous man. In recent years, his business has grown and his reputation has become more and more widespread. If he were to find you a good martial arts school, it would only take a few words."

“If you don’t want to get involved with the Xiang family, I’ll accompany you to the capital to talk to Master Zhu and clear things up together. We’ll put all the current expenses, food, and lodging on the books, remember the kindness in your heart, and repay it in the future. The more successful you are, the more he will benefit, and the more you will repay him. Isn’t that good?”

"If you enlist and earn merit, receive a reward, gain fame, or even open your own escort agency, would you not offer any reward?"

"Of course I would! I'm not that kind of ungrateful person!" Liang Yan said urgently.

Song Miao smiled and said, "Then that settles it!"

He added, “Don’t always rely on yourself. A single tree cannot make a forest. If you can borrow strength from others, and they are willing to lend you their strength, why not do so?”

"Think about it, if he helps you today, you can repay him tomorrow. If you were him, it would be a small favor, and even if you don't get a huge reward, you could really save and help a child. When the child comes to thank you and tells others about the favor you did, wouldn't you be happy?"

Liang Yan couldn't help but imagine it.

He knew all too well that he would be grateful for such kindness, and that if he ever became successful in the future and encountered such a young boy, he could help him...

—What reward do you expect! It wasn't for any reward in the first place!
When my child grows up, even if he doesn't have a bright future, just visiting him occasionally to say hello during holidays will make me so happy and content!

Liang Yan suddenly understood.

Song Miao added, "I also really want you to come to the capital—even though there's Xiang Lin, we can just ignore him. If you come to the capital and learn martial arts at a martial arts school, your strength will surely grow stronger."

"In a few years, besides grinding beans, you can also chop firewood and fetch water from the water vat. If anyone causes trouble, you and your fellow apprentices can just stand outside, raise your arms, and the hooligans and ruffians will be scared away!"

"When I'm too busy to handle everything and you're on break, I'll naturally ask you to help out. If I make a new dish, we'll have another mouth to taste it. Isn't that great?"

Liang Yan was filled with longing.

"Your father didn't appear in your dream, but instead asked Xiang Yuan to come to your door, because in his eyes, you are more important than anything else. This time, he deliberately made sure that Xiang Yuan died, and through the steward Uncle Sheng, he told you the truth, just so that you wouldn't be trapped by the Xiang family. Don't let him down."

Just then, Dabing came out carrying a small bundle.

Song Miao smiled and took the clothes, handing them to Liang Yan, saying, "Your brother Bingzi found his own clothes. Go take a shower later to get rid of the bad luck, change into clean clothes, and go to sleep—since you're wearing his clothes, you'll be under his control this afternoon and evening!"

Liang Yan naturally agreed, quickly took the clothes and thanked him profusely, then asked what he needed to do.

Big Pancake grinned slyly and said, "Finally, I have someone to do things for me! Liang Yan, you've come at just the right time—there are three hardships in the world: rowing a boat, blacksmithing, and grinding tofu. You'll have to grind soybeans with me! My wife said she's going to make soy milk tonight. Besides frying a bunch of good stuff and stir-frying some fragrant powder and noodles, she also wants to make some wet tofu skin and many other ingredients to go with the soy milk!"

He urged again, "Go take a shower and get some sleep. If you don't sleep now, you won't have the energy to work this afternoon!"

As expected, she pulled him to the back.

Liang Yan hadn't walked far before turning back to look at Song Miao. Seeing her smiling and nodding, he finally felt relieved and followed Da Bing back to his room.

Big Pancake rarely has a companion, chattering away, even more cheerfully than the birds in the morning. Sometimes he would show him the arrangement of things in the room, sometimes he would tell him how to rub the soapberry to get the biggest lather, and sometimes he would take him to fetch water like a little brother.

After fetching the water, he proudly urged, "Smell it quickly, isn't it strangely fragrant!"

Liang Yan leaned closer to smell it and asked in surprise, "Is it a pomelo leaf?"

"My wife just told me to go and find some pomelo leaves to boil in water—to get rid of your bad luck! After you take this bath, you'll have good luck and meet only good people!"

(End of this chapter)