It took about a month and a half to get from the capital to Ning County, and now Su Family had been on the road for a month.
That day, they stopped at a temple where they did not know which kind of Daoist Immortal was enshrined and worshipped. As soon as everyone getting out of the carriage, they got busy. The men built the kitchen stove and looked for firewood. The women prepared food, washed up clothes and made up the bedding. Everyone was busy carrying out task.
Of course, it did not include Su Qingbai. Everyone was used to it and did not force him to work. The only ones that did not think so were Father Su, who was exasperated that his son does not live to expectation, and Madam Su, who thought her son is good anywhere in her eyes.
Dejected and depressed Su Qingbai crouched at the side, looking at his old parents’ busily worked. It was not that he did not feel sorry. In fact, he also wanted to help. But lately, somehow he always tired, coupled with the bumpy road, he had no energy to do anything. He was always oversleeping. Even if he intended to work, no one woke him up. Everybody regarded him the same as before, especially in recent days, he practically slept all the time.
In fact, the family encountered great changes, and he personally watched his parents slowly become old. His heart was not made of stone, how could his heart not move a bit at all?
When Su Er-sao[1] heard Su Qingbai's words, it was as if she heard a joke. “Isn’t that laziness?” She looked at Su Qingbai. “Aren't all lazy people like that? They all have reasons to be lazy.”
Su Er-sao was not satisfied with this little uncle. If the family circumstances were better as before, it would have been nothing. But right now, they all were exiled and he was still being such a delicate. A ten something years old youngster paralyzed every day like a pregnant woman.
Su Qingbai pursed his lips, bowed his head and did not speak. In fact, he was afraid of this Er-sao. He knew that Er-sao had never liked him, the little uncle, who was always stirred up trouble since she married into the family. Although she was not obvious, his mother still saw some signs. Therefore, his mother did not like Su Er-sao very much, and her attitude towards Su Dsao[2] was quite different. As a result, Su Er-sao’s dislike for him was even more undisguised. Especially in recent days, when the family gathered together, her dislike shown was especially obvious.
Even so, Su Qingbai knew in his heart that Su Er-sao was telling the truth, so he looked down and did not dare to answer back.
Su Dsao stroked Su Qingbai’s head. “Little uncle is still small, ne.” He was younger than her son. He was still a child.
Madam Su was so distressed. When everyone was not around Su Qingbai, she stroked his head and asked, “Is there somewhere uncomfortable?”
Su Qingbai shook his head. “Mom, I’m all right.” Su Qingbai didn’t want to say anything because there were so many chores in the family and they were on the road.
…
“Dinner’s ready. Let's eat.”
The men had finished their work and waited at the side. When they heard the call, they hurried to circle around the pot.
It was Er-sao who was tasked to arrange the meal, so Su Qingbai handed over his bowl. Su Ersao only gave him a faint look and then took the bowls of other people. She filled them one by one before she took Su Qingbai’s bowl.
Su Qingbai rubbed his nose embarrassingly and then took the bowl of rice with his head down.
Madam Su's heart ached looking at her little son. She gave Su Er-sao a hard look, and then saw Su Er-sao was even more unpleasing to her eyes.
Su Dsao took her son Su Huai silently picked up the meal and said nothing more.
“Ou!” Su Qingbai suddenly dropped the bowl and then hunched over and retched.
Su Er-sao didn’t think much of this little uncle. After many days of frustration, Su Er-sao became even angrier. This time, she finally broke out. “We worked hard to cook for most of the day. Little uncle, if you don't want to eat it then say it, don't have to waste it.”
Su Qingbai’s stomach churned so hard that his eyes began to burst into tears. He still explained, “I— I don’t.” He was really not feeling well.
Su Er-sao still had something to say but she was pulled away by Su Qingtong.
Silently picking up the bowl, Su Qingbai could even hear Er-ge and Er-sao arguing in the distance.
Su Qingyang sighed. He picked up the bowl on the ground and rinsed it. He gave Su Qingbai half of the rice in his bowl. He watched his little brother buried his head like a squirrel and could not help stroking that small head.
“Thank you Dge[3]!”
Somehow, Su Qingbai had been feeling sleepy lately. When it was meal time, he often felt nauseous and could not help retching. But if he didn’t eat, he would be hungry.
Lying on his side on the sogon grass, Su Qingbai looked out at the stars. His heart grieved. He really didn’t mean it.
Holding his shoulders, Su Qingbai tried to curl himself up into a smaller ball. Usually, he was afraid of his Lao Tzu and also not used to getting along with his family, so he spent most of his time outside. Nowadays, he didn’t get along with his family but had to be with them all day.
If today’s matter happened before this and among outsiders, he certainly would not stop and let people scolded him. But today it happened in the family. For one thing, he was not feeling well, and could not ask for Er-sao's understanding. For another, if he really dared to talk back, Su Qingbai felt that his Lao Tzu would whip him here.
Releasing a sigh, Su Qingbai only felt that he had been unlucky in recent days. His family was exiled. He encountered a pervert on the road when he wanted to collect debt. Since then, he was always uncomfortable and could not get along well with his family.
Su Qingbai sighed. He did not resist the fatigue and slowly fell asleep.
Footnote:
[1] Er-sao = second sister-in-law
[2] Dsao = eldest sister-in-law
[3] Dge = eldest brother
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