"I didn't know. She never told me, so I thought..."
"The neighbors said she must have taken the money to keep a toy boy. I thought it was true..."
Shitou's Grandma stopped halfway, unable to continue.
Shitou's words just now made her realize that the neighbor was actually a two-faced person.
"Mother said that losing your son was already painful enough for you, Grandma."
"She works so hard every day, but she never allowed me to tell you."
"For our daily meals, you eat the rice, Grandma, while Mother and I only drink the rice water."
"Because all the money we have goes to the clinic to pay for your medicine."
"Grandma, your winter coat is stuffed with cotton, but the ones Mother and I wear are stuffed with catkins!"
Shitou shouted indignantly.
"I didn't know, I didn't know..."
Shitou's Grandma was filled with guilt.
"Grandma, you lost your son, but my mother also lost her husband, and I lost my father!"
"Did you think you were the only one in pain?"
"You stay in bed every day, leaving my mother to handle everything inside and outside the house all by herself."
"Mother suffers, but she never complains to anyone."
"I am her son, and it breaks my heart!"
"I secretly went down to the river to catch fish, just wanting to help her out."
"But I'm useless. I didn't catch any fish and ended up getting sick."
As Shitou spoke, he stubbornly wiped the tears from his face.
"Mother was right to sell me. This way, she has one less burden and won't have to be so tired anymore!"
"Grandma, from now on, you and Mother just live a good life together."
Shitou's Grandma looked completely guilt-ridden.
"I'm the one who should go! When your father passed away, I should have gone with him!"
Shitou's Grandma scrambled up from the ground and stumbled over to Shitou's Mother.
"Shitou's Mother, it's all my fault. I've dragged you down!"
"You've worked so hard all these years! From now on, you don't have to look after me anymore."
"Go find a better life for yourself. Consider these past years as you fulfilling filial piety on behalf of Shitou's father."
Shitou's Mother had been standing there in a daze, but upon hearing Shitou's Grandma apologize, she suddenly burst into tears.
After speaking, Shitou's Grandma turned and bowed deeply to Duoduo.
"Thank you, Miss, for saving my grandson. I have no way to repay this life-saving grace, but I will surely repay you by working as a horse or cow in my next life!"
Seeing Shitou's Grandma bow, Duoduo quickly stepped aside to avoid it.
"Your illness isn't severe. If you walk around more, you'll naturally get better."
Duoduo couldn't help but offer a word of advice.
It turned out that every family had its own difficulties.
In the past, she felt her own life was bitter.
But looking at it now, she didn't seem to have it that bad.
Finally, Shitou's Grandma patted Shitou's head.
"It was Grandma's fault. I wrongly blamed your mother."
"When you grow up, you must be thoroughly filial to your mother, understand?"
Shitou nodded. "Yes, I know."
"Good boy! You are a good boy!"
Shitou's Grandma caressed Shitou's cheek one last time and stumbled away.
Shitou's Mother covered her face and wept incessantly, as if pouring out all the grievances she had suffered over the years.
The onlookers slowly dispersed.
Duoduo watched Shitou's Mother and Shitou crying in each other's arms, lost in her own thoughts.
"Princess, it's almost time for our appointment with the Princess Consort."
Li Jin quietly reminded Duoduo.
Duoduo nodded, and Li Jin took some copper coins from his pouch to settle the bill.
Suddenly, the shopkeeper slapped his thigh.
"Oh no, that old woman is going to do something foolish!"
"Quick, we have to save her!"
The shopkeeper abandoned his stall and ran.
Hearing this, Shitou chased right after him.
Duoduo hurriedly gave Li Jin a push. "Teacher, hurry and save her!"
Li Jin hesitated for a moment, then nodded.
Duoduo also hurried to follow. Shitou's Mother froze instantly upon hearing the shopkeeper's words.
Seeing everyone running in the direction of her house, she quickly scrambled to her feet.
Li Jin quickly caught up with the shopkeeper. "Where is her house?"
The shopkeeper, panting heavily, pointed deep into the alley.
"Further in..."
"The fifth door on the right!" came Shitou's loud voice from a distance.
Li Jin was a bit surprised. How could Shitou hear them talking from so far away?
At this moment, he didn't have time to overthink it. He turned and sprinted toward the fifth door.
Li Jin reached the entrance and pushed the door.
It was bolted from the inside.
Li Jin looked at the courtyard wall and took a few steps back.
With a few large strides for a running start, Li Jin leapt into the air, kicked hard against the wall with his feet, and vaulted over it.
Li Jin's swift movements left Shitou, who was running up behind him, completely stunned.
Li Jin cleared the wall and landed lightly in the courtyard.
He ran straight for the main room, where a figure was throwing a rope over the beam.
Without a word, Li Jin dashed over and pulled Shitou's Grandma down in one swift motion.
"Let me go!"
Shitou's Grandma saw that it was the man she had just met.
Li Jin let go of Shitou's Grandma. "What are you doing? If you die, wouldn't it make it even harder for your daughter-in-law and grandson to go on living?"
Shitou's Grandma smiled bitterly.
"I'm just a burden. Only if I die can the two of them live a better life."
"Doesn't the neighbor want my house?"
"I'll hang myself right in this room, let's see if she still dares to take it!"
A flash of hatred crossed Shitou's Grandma's eyes.
Li Jin turned and went out to unlatch the courtyard door.
Shitou and the shopkeeper rushed in immediately.
"How is it? Did you save her?" the shopkeeper asked impatiently the moment he entered the house.
Li Jin nodded, and the shopkeeper's legs gave way, causing him to plop down onto the ground.
Shitou dashed into the room, and soon, Shitou's Grandma's cries echoed from inside.
Li Jin sighed.
In this day and age, it was truly difficult for a household without a man.
At that moment, Duoduo also arrived.
"Teacher, is everything alright?"
Li Jin shook his head. "She's fine for now. But as for later, it's hard to say."
With all things, once there's a first time, there will be a second and a third.
You can save a person's life, but you cannot change their fate.
Soon, Shitou's Mother also arrived.
She ran into the room, threw her arms around her mother-in-law, and wept.
"Mother, what are you doing? If you pass away, how am I supposed to face my husband in the future!"
Shitou's Grandma hugged Shitou's Mother and Shitou.
"You poor child, if I die, you'll be free!"
"I just can't bear to see you work so hard! My heart aches for you!"
"You're still young, you can find someone else. Must I really drag you down until you're old and faded, with no one wanting you?"
"I can't be that heartless!"
"Mother, I won't remarry. I'll stay by your side and Shitou's for the rest of my life!" Shitou's Mother shook her head vigorously.
"Silly girl!" Shitou's Grandma cried uncontrollably.
The shopkeeper, who had been slumped on the floor, shifted somewhat awkwardly in front of the three of them.
"Shitou's Grandma, how about letting Shitou's Mother marry me!"
"I have no father or mother. I'll acknowledge you as my godmother. That way, you'll still have a son and a daughter-in-law."
The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, who had been crying in each other's arms, were both stunned.
