Chapter 49: Status
After leaving the clothing shop, Su Yaoguang noticed that Zhang Zhaodi had been silent. She turned to her and said, "Mom, you’re hungry, aren’t you? Let’s find somewhere to eat first."
Zhang Zhaodi snapped out of her thoughts, "Not hungry. We still need to buy things for Wang Shu first. Let’s get him what he needs, so he won’t lack anything at the academy and be looked down upon by others."
"It won’t make much of a difference to do it later." Su Yaoguang pulled Zhang Zhaodi to sit down at a wonton stall. "Boss, two bowls of mutton wontons."
"One bowl of mutton wontons, one bowl of vegetarian wontons," Zhang Zhaodi said. "I don’t like mutton; I prefer vegetarian."
"Mom, you’re lying. You’ve never even tried mutton wontons, so how do you know they’re not good? If you don’t eat with me, I’ll eat vegetarian wontons too," Su Yaoguang said, about to call the boss.
Zhang Zhaodi had no choice but to compromise. "Fine, fine, mutton wontons."
While waiting for the wontons to arrive, Su Yaoguang curiously observed her surroundings. Only then did she appear to be a fifteen-year-old girl, full of interest in everything.
"My daughter, all these years your mother has been out, sometimes for several days, or even a month or two without returning home. With me not at home, it must have been hard for you?"
"Mom, what’s wrong?"
"Seeing you alter clothes so skillfully just now, I suddenly realized you’ve learned so much in places I couldn’t see. I’m not a good mother, I’ve made you suffer."
"Oh, Mom, you were silent earlier. I thought I had done something to make you angry! Mom, I’ve grown up and I can protect you now. When I was little, you were my world, my support. Now you can try to rely on your daughter. You’ve raised me, and I’ll take care of you in your old age. Isn’t that how it should be? You can’t keep seeing me as a child."
The boss brought the wontons over and said with a smile, "You two have a great relationship. Watching from the outside, I truly envy you! Enjoy your meal."
Zhang Zhaodi felt a pang in her nose. Normally averse to emotional expressions, she felt particularly awkward saying sweet words at this moment.
"Delicious," Zhang Zhaodi said. "Thanks to my daughter, I also get to eat mutton wontons."
Having eaten, Su Yaoguang continued to buy things for Zhou Wangshu.
First clothes and shoes, then ink, paper, and brushes, and then other daily necessities.
Since there were so many things, Su Yaoguang specifically asked an attendant to help deliver them. She gave three cents for the running fee, and the attendant, delighted, was more than willing to take the trip for them.
"Mom will wait for you at the door," Zhang Zhaodi said. "Deliver the items and then come out."
Su Yaoguang went in with the attendant.
The old servant at the gate first went in to report, and after receiving the teacher’s approval from inside, they were let in.
It was noon, the time for a rest after lunch. The teacher had just arranged Zhou Wangshu’s room, and so he was inside tidying up his things.
"Zhou Wangshu, your family is here for you."
Chen Buyu peeked his head out, looking outside. "Wang Shu, who came? Come and see."
Zhou Wangshu had an inkling of who it was. He stepped outside and saw Su Yaoguang approaching with the attendant. She carried a large bundle, while the attendant bore a heavy load.
"Wang Shu, Mother and I bought some things for you to wear and use. Is this your room? Let me have the attendant carry the items inside."
Chen Buyu studied Su Yaoguang.
The girl was small and too thin, as if she could be lifted with one hand. Her hair was a bit dry and yellow, her complexion somewhat sallow, but she had fine features and was quite delicate. However, she was only passably pretty. He was accustomed to beauties, even the maids at his home looked better than her. Nevertheless, her eyes were bright and lively, seemingly capable of glowing, giving off a spirited impression. Her smile was warm and sunny, creating an immediate sense of friendliness.
"Hello, I’m Wang Shu’s classmate and friend who shares his dormitory. My name is Chen Buyu," Chen Buyu greeted.
Su Yaoguang smiled, "Hello, I’m Su Yaoguang, Wang Shu’s sister. Please take good care of my younger brother in the future."
"Sister?" Chen Buyu was surprised, glancing at Zhou Wangshu, scratching his head. "I have a very curious question. Can I ask?"
"Don’t you have anything else to do?" Zhou Wangshu looked at Chen Buyu displeased.
"Oh, it’s the middle of the day, what could I possibly be doing? This is my first meeting with Sister Su, and it feels like meeting an old friend. Let me chat with her a bit," Chen Buyu casually said, climbing out of the window, "Some people say Wang Shu was bought back as a son-in-law for ten cents, that’s not you, right?"
Su Yaoguang frowned, "Who said that?"
"Well, the statement isn’t entirely wrong," Zhou Wangshu said. "Nothing to get worked up over."
"What’s wrong with it? You’re my brother, you’re a free person," Su Yaoguang said unhappily. "Why are the students at this academy, much like gossiping market women, ignoring their studies to focus on other’s household matters? Wang Shu, you should stay away from such people and never engage in hypocritical activities."
"I will."
Chen Buyu chuckled, "Sister Su, I was just curious. I didn’t say those things. Rest assured, Wang Shu is my brother, and I’ll surely take good care of him."
"Our Wang Shu is genuine, kind-hearted, timid, and has suffered a lot. Chen, please look after him," Su Yaoguang said.
Su Yaoguang made the bed for Zhou Wangshu with new linens and took out newly bought clothes, shoes, and the Four Treasures of the Study. She gave him careful instructions, chattering on like an old lady.
"Mother and I will often come to town to sell rouge and powder. You know the place, it’s the same spot. We did even better today than last time. Sister Chun’e asked about you, saying why such a beautiful sister didn’t come to attract customers." Su Yaoguang laughed, "After setting up the stall, many asked about you. It’s a good thing you didn’t come; otherwise, in a few days, a matchmaker might come knocking with proposals. Then where would I find such a beautiful sister?"
Su Yaoguang put a steaming roasted duck on the table, "Share it with your friends! By the way, carry this with you, buy whatever you like to eat, and don’t starve yourself."
First, she handed a purse of money, containing 300 cents. Scanning Zhou Wangshu’s fragile appearance, she added another hundred cents.
Holding the purse, Zhou Wangshu was overwhelmed with emotion.
Why are they treating him so well?
If initially buying him for ten cents was to solve their predicament, now that their situation has turned around, he serves little purpose. Sending him here to study already filled him with gratitude, as there was no need for them to treat him so well. He understood their household’s poverty and knew what the money bag meant for them. Precisely because of this knowledge, he felt this mother and daughter were particularly foolish.
"Mother is waiting for me at the door; I’m going," Su Yaoguang smiled. "Wang Shu, study well, no slacking off!"