Liu Yuan fell silent at Gu’er’s words. He knew he was being a bit impatient. But he was genuinely worried. The journey was dozens of miles, and Gu’er was a young woman traveling alone. If anything happened, there would be no one to help her. But Gu’er had refused, and if he insisted, it would seem like he had ulterior motives.
"Can you really manage on your own?"
Liu Yuan was still a little uncertain.
"Really. Look, didn’t I get here just fine?"
Gu’er nodded, assuring him. It was better for her to go back by herself than for Liu Yuan to escort her.
"Alright then. Be careful on the road."
Liu Yuan could only give up. His intentions were good, but it wouldn’t be right to make her feel as if he were forcing her.
Gu’er smiled at him. Seeing another custor arrive to buy vegetables, she quickly struck up a conversation.
After selling all her vegetables, Gu’er packed up her things neatly.
"I’m heading back now, Brother Liu Yuan. You should head back soon, too."
Gu’er said goodbye to Liu Yuan.
"Okay, you absolutely must be careful on the road. By the way, when are you coming next ti? I can co and help you."
Liu Yuan’s voice was very soft as he asked the last question.
"There’s no need. You see I can manage on my own. How could I trouble Brother Liu Yuan?"
Gu’er refused. If a young man like him helped her, people might see it and get the wrong idea.
"Don’t be so polite with . You’re from the sa village as my aunt. If my aunt found out I didn’t do anything to help, she would definitely scold ."
Liu Yuan used his aunt as an excuse again.
"Well..."
Gu’er hesitated. She could tell he was sincere, but if she accepted, she felt a little...
"Sister Gu’er, don’t overthink it. I don’t have any other intentions. I just see that things aren’t easy for you and I want to help."
Liu Yuan noticed Gu’er’s hesitation and explained in a low voice.
"I know. How about this, Brother Liu Yuan? If you really want to help , then you can help by taking this basin back for ."
After a mont’s thought, Gu’er took the basin she had used to carry water from the cart and handed it to Liu Yuan.
Liu Yuan looked at Gu’er, completely baffled. ’What does this an? Why is she giving a basin?’
"Brother Liu Yuan, it’s like this. I filled a basin with water before I left, but the road was so bad that it all spilled out. My family doesn’t have anything else to carry water in, and I was just worrying about it. If your ho isn’t far from here, could I trouble you to bring so water next ti?"
Gu’er explained her reasoning. Going a whole day without drinking water was an awful feeling, especially when she was sweating so much. If Liu Yuan helped her with this, it would make things much more comfortable for her.
"You haven’t had any water all day? Goodness, why didn’t you say so? If you’d told earlier, I would have gone back to get you so. And here I’ve been talking your ear off... Wait here, I’ll go get you so water right now."
A flicker of sympathy crossed Liu Yuan’s eyes. ’I didn’t know Gu’er had no water to drink, yet I kept chattering away. No wonder her voice was a little hoarse—she was thirsty. I’m so careless. How did I not think of that?’
"No, no, there’s no need! I’m about to go ho anyway, and there’s water at ho. I’ll be back the day after tomorrow. If you have ti then, Brother Liu Yuan, it’d be great if you could bring so water. I’m not in a rush; any ti is fine."
Gu’er hurriedly stopped him.
"I understand. I won’t take the basin. Don’t worry, I’ll definitely bring you water next ti you co."
Liu Yuan nodded in agreent. He didn’t take the basin for two reasons. First, he knew the Zhou family didn’t have many pots and pans, and if one went missing, they might be displeased. Second, if he brought a basin ho, his mother would ask too many questions.
"Okay, thank you then. I’m leaving now. You should head back soon too, Brother Liu Yuan."
Zhou Gu’er waved at Liu Yuan.
"Alright. Be careful on your way."
Liu Yuan reminded Gu’er one more ti.
As Gu’er pushed her cart away, Liu Yuan stared at her departing figure for a long ti, lost in thought. He didn’t know what was happening to him. Maybe it was because Gu’er was pretty, or maybe because her circumstances were pitiful. Whatever the reason, he felt that Gu’er had found a place in his heart.
The sun was already setting by the ti Gu’er got ho. She had just pushed the cart into the yard when, before she could even wash her face or have a drink of water, Zhou Mazi anxiously demanded, "Quick, tell your old man, how much did you make today? Was it a whole yuan?"
Zhou Gu’er looked at her adoptive father. His face was anxious, yet his expression held a faint glimr of anticipation. His eyes were fixed on her without blinking, as if she were the most fascinating thing in the world. ’If I weren’t his daughter, but a son,’ Gu’er thought, ’he probably would have pounced on and started searching for the money by now.’
"Father, I made one yuan and thirteen cents today."
Gu’er answered softly, her face feigning excitent. She had decided on this number beforehand. She had more thorny spikenard and other vegetables today, so her earnings were bound to be higher than last ti. If she reported too little, Zhou Mazi would definitely be suspicious, since he himself had estimated her sales would be around one yuan. But if she reported an even one yuan, he would be suspicious as well. The number she gave, however, was specific, with both whole yuan and loose change. That was why Zhou Mazi wouldn’t doubt her.
As for the real amount, Gu’er had already counted it on her way ho. Because the thorny spikenard was sold by weight, she had made a total of two yuan and fifty-seven cents. It was a significant sum. To put it in perspective, the highest-paid person from their village working in the city only earned about ten yuan a month. Many people toiled for an entire month just to make a few yuan. She had really, truly earned a lot.
Gu’er was very satisfied, and her self-confidence had grown quite a bit.
"Quick, let your old man see."
Zhou Mazi looked extrely eager, as if he wanted to reach out and snatch it.
Gu’er took out a handkerchief—or rather, a square piece of cloth cut from so old clothes she could no longer wear. It was quite convenient for wrapping money.
Zhou Mazi took the cloth, looked at the small bills inside, and spat on his finger. After wetting it with saliva, he began to count.
Gu’er turned her face away, unable to watch.
Zhou Mazi’s hands were dark and grimy; even if he didn’t do any work, there was still black dirt under his fingernails. Thinking about his yellowed teeth, the saliva he dabbed on his finger, and then onto the cloth... Gu’er didn’t know if she would have the courage to take that cloth back. But she also knew that many people liked to wet their fingers with saliva when counting money; it wasn’t just Zhou Mazi. ’Still, I’ll definitely have to wash that cloth later.’
"It really is one yuan and thirteen cents. I’ll give you credit, you didn’t try to fool your old man. Alright, I’m taking this money."
After counting, Zhou Mazi smiled with satisfaction. ’Raising this girl was the right decision after all. She can really make money for . If this keeps up, I won’t have any worries. What’s that thirty yuan from Zhang Da? I was right not to agree to him.’
"Father, how about you leave twenty cents?"
Gu’er asked tentatively, even though she already knew the answer.
"Leave you what? You eat and live at ho, what do you need money for! You just rember that."
Zhou Mazi glared, but since he had the money in hand, he didn’t curse at her this ti.
"I’m heading out. Don’t you fucking look for your old man tonight."
After saying his piece, Zhou Mazi started humming an unidentifiable tune and walked out.
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