TSWPF – Chapter 13 Compromise

Li Qingling’s fierce reputation spread throughout the village after that fight. Hearing the gossip, Madam Zhao was so worried that she was practically turning gray.

Seeing her daughter looking completely unfazed, Madam Zhao could only sigh. Luckily, her daughter was already engaged — if not, who would dare marry a girl with such a reputation?

Li Qingling didn’t care about what people said. She was busy making arrows. Her father had only left four arrows behind — far from enough.

She didn’t have money to have more made, so she had to make do and craft simple bamboo arrows herself.

“Big Sis, are you making arrows? Will they really work?” Li Qingfeng crouched beside her, watching as she whittled bamboo. Curious, he reached out to touch one.

Li Qingling smacked his little hand away, telling him not to mess around or he’d get pricked.

She sharpened the tip until it was razor-sharp, then tested it. Holding her bow, she aimed at the peach tree in the yard and released. Thunk! The arrow embedded straight into the trunk, quivering slightly.

Li Qingling nodded with satisfaction — that would do nicely for hunting pheasants and rabbits.

Li Qingfeng gasped, eyes wide with admiration. “Sis, you’re amazing! I want to learn too!” If he could learn, he could go hunting with her someday.

She smiled and patted his head. “When you’re stronger, I’ll teach you.” She wanted him to study in the future, but it wouldn’t hurt to teach him other skills too.

The more one knew, the better one’s chances of survival.

Li Qingfeng nodded eagerly. He flexed his skinny little arms and decided he’d eat more so he could grow stronger faster.

Li Qingling chuckled softly and went back to work, continuing to craft arrows.

Watching her frail daughter, Madam Zhao sighed deeply and couldn’t help but try persuading her again. “Xiaoling, Mother really doesn’t want you to go hunting anymore. It’s fine if we’re poor — as long as our family is safe and sound.”

Every time her husband went hunting, she worried herself sick. Now her daughter wanted to do it too — how could she not be afraid?

This again…

Li Qingling pressed her lips together and said nothing. If she opened her mouth, her mother would start crying again. Why bother?

After waiting a while and hearing no response, Madam Zhao noticed her daughter’s movements quicken — clearly, she didn’t want to hear any more of this.

Madam Zhao’s eyes reddened. “You’ve grown up now — your wings are hard, and you don’t listen to your mother anymore.” She turned around and went inside.

Li Qingling’s hand stilled. She took a slow, deep breath and forced down the sting in her nose. She understood her mother’s feelings, but she wouldn’t give in.

She was determined to support this family — no one could stop her.

“Big Sis?” Li Qingfeng peeked at her carefully. Seeing her red nose, his heart ached. “Is hunting… really dangerous?” Maybe that’s why Mother didn’t want her to go.

“As long as you don’t go deep into the mountains, it’s fine.” Li Qingling took the chance to explain a bit about hunting. Seeing that he only half-understood, she smiled. “Mother’s upset right now. Go cheer her up, alright?”

He was still too young — she’d teach him properly later.

Li Qingfeng nodded, stood up, and ran inside. He found Madam Zhao sitting with her head down, weaving rope. He shuffled over and softly asked if she was angry.

Madam Zhao shook her head without answering. Li Qingfeng squatted beside her, looking up with innocent eyes. Seeing her red-rimmed eyes, he mumbled, “Sis… Sis was crying too.”

Madam Zhao’s hands paused for a moment before she resumed weaving, pretending nothing was wrong even as her heart twisted painfully.

She knew her daughter meant well, but she just couldn’t get over her fear.

Li Qingfeng dug at the dirt on the floor. “If only I were older,” he said sadly. “Then I could help Sis hunt, and she wouldn’t have to work so hard.”

Hearing his childish words, Madam Zhao’s long-suppressed tears finally fell, dripping onto the rope. She hurriedly wiped them away, afraid to ruin her work — or let her son see her cry.

She turned her face aside, trying to send him out to play.

“Sis said you’re sad and told me to cheer you up!” Li Qingfeng refused to leave, staying close. “Mother, don’t be mad at Sis. She hunts so we won’t go hungry.” His little voice trembled. “I don’t want to be hungry again. It hurts so much.”

Madam Zhao’s freshly dried tears welled up again. Her daughter went hunting because they’d been starved once — terrified of having nothing to eat, terrified they wouldn’t survive.

Hearing his mother’s sobs, Li Qingfeng panicked. He clumsily wiped at her tears with his small hands, repeating, “Mother, don’t cry, please don’t cry.”

The more he said it, the harder she cried. Finally, flustered, he bolted outside for help. “Sis! Sis! Mother’s crying a lot — I can’t stop her! Can you come?”

Li Qingling froze mid-motion, set down her knife, and put away her finished arrows. Then she walked into the house.

At the doorway, she saw Madam Zhao with her head bowed, wiping tears. Her chest tightened. She closed her eyes briefly, took a deep breath, and walked over. She opened her mouth — but couldn’t think of what to say.

She couldn’t lie and promise she wouldn’t go hunting.

For a while, neither of them spoke. One sat, one stood — silent. Li Qingfeng looked from one to the other, not daring to make a sound.

Finally, Madam Zhao’s hoarse voice broke the quiet. “You really insist on going? Nothing I say can stop you?”

“Mm…”

Madam Zhao wiped her eyes, set aside her rope, and took her daughter’s hand. Li Qingling stiffened at first, then relaxed.

“Then go,” Madam Zhao said softly. “Mother… won’t stop you anymore. Just one thing — don’t go deep into the mountains. Promise me you’ll come back safely.”

There was no winning — her daughter was just too stubborn.

Li Qingling’s eyes lit up with joy. She hadn’t expected her mother to relent so soon — she thought she’d have to sneak off again.

She crouched down, resting her head on Madam Zhao’s knee. “Don’t worry, Mother. I’ll come back safe.” She cherished her life too much to be reckless after getting a second chance.

Madam Zhao stroked her daughter’s dry, brittle hair and sighed. She knew that if she didn’t agree, her daughter would still sneak out — like that night before. Better to let her go openly, at least then she could go without guilt and return safely.

“Mother, me too—” Li Qingfeng grinned, throwing himself onto Madam Zhao’s lap beside his sister.

Looking at her two children, Madam Zhao finally smiled gently. They were good, sensible kids. She should count her blessings.

With her mother’s permission, Li Qingling was full of energy again. She made even more bamboo arrows, hoping to catch more prey this time.

When everything was ready, it was time to head for Song Mountain.

That night, Liu Zhimou came with Liu Zhirou in his arms and Liu Zhiyan in tow, knocking on their door.

Li Qingling got up and opened it. Liu Zhimou stepped in, set the sleeping Liu Zhirou on the heated brick bed, and told the yawning Liu Zhiyan to climb up too.

Liu Zhiyan looked at him with wide eyes. “Big Brother, you have to come back safely.” He knew hunting was dangerous and didn’t really want his brother to go — but they owed money. If he didn’t hunt, they couldn’t repay it. He was torn.

“Mm.” Liu Zhimou patted his brother’s head. “Be good, listen to Auntie, and take care of your sister until I get back.”

“I will.” Liu Zhiyan nodded hard.

Liu Zhimou smiled and turned to leave. As soon as he did, Liu Zhiyan burrowed under the blanket and silently cried.

“You two must be careful,” Madam Zhao instructed anxiously. “Don’t go deep into the mountains, don’t be greedy. Just catch some pheasants or rabbits — that’s enough.”

She’d been repeating these words for two days now, but Li Qingling didn’t mind. She nodded patiently, waiting for her mother to finish.

When Madam Zhao finally stopped, Li Qingling said softly, “Mother, I’m going now. If Grandma and the others come by, take care of yourself — don’t clash with them. I’ll handle it when I get back.”

She didn’t say that last part aloud. If she did, her mother would just scold her again.

“I know. Don’t worry about home.”

“Madam, I’ll leave Zhiyan and Zhirou to you,” Liu Zhimou added. He didn’t want to leave them, but someone had to watch the children.

Madam Zhao shook her head. “It’s no trouble.” After repeating a few more reminders, she finally let him go.

Once they were outside, Li Qingling let out a long sigh of relief. Her mother’s nagging was getting worse by the day.

Liu Zhimou chuckled softly.

Li Qingling shot him a look. “What are you laughing at?”

“Nothing…” He just found her quite amusing.

Li Qingling didn’t press the issue. They walked in silence, making good time. Since she had been to Song Mountain once before, they didn’t need to scout the route like last time.

They arrived before dawn.

Seeing Liu Zhimou sweating profusely, Li Qingling decided not to rush into the forest. “Let’s rest for a bit. We’ll go when it’s light.” She sat down on a big rock and pulled him to sit too.

Liu Zhimou was exhausted — it was his first time walking so far, and his legs were already weak.

Glancing at Li Qingling, who looked perfectly fine, he couldn’t help but feel a little jealous. This small girl had incredible stamina.

He’d definitely have to start training, or she’d leave him far behind.

Li Qingling had no idea what he was thinking. Leaning against her basket, she nodded off — after waking in the middle of the night, she was really sleepy.

When she opened her eyes again, the sun was already up. She rubbed them, stretched, and stood.

Seeing Liu Zhimou still asleep, she crouched beside him, studying his fair and handsome face. She couldn’t help but reach out and touch it. “Tsk tsk, such nice skin.”

“Zhimou, wake up — it’s morning. Time to head up the mountain.”