TIPS – Chapter 150

“Ahem, a promise is a promise,” Song Jingwei said, turning slightly to Shen Junxi beside him. “…Let’s see if there’s anything we can give them to eat.”

“…” Shen Junxi looked at his wife helplessly. The two big dogs had already been fed that night—they were just being greedy.

“Go on,” Song Jingwei said, nudging his arm.

“…” His wife rarely made requests like this, so Shen Junxi didn’t want to refuse him. He had no choice but to nod and go. But there wasn’t much to eat in the kitchen. He found a lump of something in the vegetable cabinet that looked vaguely like braised meat—it was dark and hard to identify—so he gave it to the dogs.

Seeing how happily the two big dogs were eating, they blew out the kitchen’s oil lamp and slowly walked back toward the courtyard.

As they walked, Shen Junxi suddenly stopped and gave his wife a kiss.

Song Jingwei glanced at him in puzzlement, then raised an eyebrow and smiled. “What was that for?”

He just shook his head, smiling both bashfully and not-so-bashfully at the same time.

The two returned to their room and went to sleep, resting soundly until dawn.

The next morning, Yang Shi was in the kitchen when she suddenly cried out, “Where’s my braised pork?!”

A moment later, she shouted again, “Who ate my Benben’s shrimp?!”

And that wasn’t the end of it. When she went to water the vegetable garden, she saw that a neat row of bok choy was suddenly missing a corner. She pounded her chest and wailed, “Which idiot did this? Who pulls vegetables like that?”

At breakfast, when the whole family was gathered, Yang Shi brought up these incidents and said she suspected a thief had sneaked in during the night.

Song Jingwei laughed a little awkwardly and confessed to Yang Shi, “I pulled the bok choy. The shrimp—we ate that together. As for the braised pork…” He glanced at the two big dogs outside and gave an embarrassed smile.

“Oh, so that’s what happened?” Yang Shi was relieved to hear that it was her daughter-in-law who’d eaten it. She patted her chest and said, “I thought a thief broke in last night.”

Everyone laughed. Shen Junxi who had been part of the “crime” gestured innocently, saying, “We got hungry in the middle of the night and made some noodles.” As for the shrimp, he had caught them specially for his wife—it wasn’t something that belonged only to Benben the dog.

“Alright, as long as it wasn’t a thief.” Yang Shi waved it off, not planning to hold them accountable.

After breakfast, the Lu family solemnly informed everyone that they had decided to return to their hometown. The news came as a shock to the Shen family’s main household—why leave so suddenly?

“We still don’t know what things are like over there. Why don’t you wait a bit longer before going?” Song Jingwei tried to persuade them.

Qiao Lang looked at his parents, sighed, and said, “We discussed it together last night and decided it’s better to go back early.” His parents were getting older and missed their hometown.

“Well, if you’ve already made up your minds, we won’t try to stop you,” everyone said, understanding their longing for home.

“Thank you all,” the elderly couple from the Lu family said sincerely. After spending more than half a year together and getting along so well, it felt strange to suddenly part ways. If it weren’t for the deep longing for home…

“Don’t say all that polite stuff.” Seeing their genuine emotion, Yang Shi’s eyes turned red too, as if a real farewell was happening. “The journey isn’t that far. The younger folks can travel easily. Let’s keep in touch more.”

“Yes,” Qiao Yun said. “Next time, it’ll be your turn to visit us—don’t forget!”

“Mm-hmm, we’ll definitely go. Once things settle down here, we’ll come visit!” Shen Dongming said.

“Then it’s settled. When the time comes, I’ll come pick you up!” Qiao Lang laughed, his cheerful voice dispelling the sorrow of parting.

“…” Ya Bo gestured excitedly, urging them to be sure to visit.

Shen Junxi replied to him, “We will! We’ll come see you.”

Ya Bo nodded repeatedly, clearly touched.

The rest of the day was spent helping the Lu family pack. Yang Shi prepared a lot of things for them to take back home. The Lu family tried to refuse, and the two families ended up pushing the things back and forth.

But no matter what, the next day arrived quickly, and they saw them off at the dock.

Partings like this always felt a little melancholic. The men managed to hold it together, just getting a bit teary-eyed, but the women cried outright.

“Take care, no matter what you encounter when you get back, take care of yourselves,” the Shen couple said, holding their hands at the dock before they boarded the boat.

“Take care. No need to see us off. You all should head back now,” the Lu family said, bidding farewell to each person in turn.

After watching the boat sail away, Yang Shi took out her handkerchief to wipe her tears, sighing, “Who knows when we’ll meet again after this farewell.”

“Nonsense—it’s not far at all. Taking a boat is nice and comfortable,” Shen Dongming said. Regular boats were indeed much more comfortable than riding in a cart.

“Yes, and we’ll still need to send money to Ya Bo every year,” Song Jingwei added. “I hope Ya Bo lives a long, healthy life.”

“Mm-hmm, absolutely,” Shen Dongming nodded, then looked at his family and at his son Shen Junxi carrying his beloved grandson on his back. He smiled and said, “Alright, let’s all go home.”

At the same time, in the chaotic town of Lihua, a ragged father and daughter were being chased and cursed at by an angry crowd.

“It’s those two traitors! They deserve to die for selling out the country and killing my daughter!”

The ones being hunted were Song Man and Song Jinmei. They fled the town in utter disgrace, too afraid to ever return.

Emaciated and pitiful, Song Man lamented, “Heavens… how did I, Song Man, end up like this?” Once wealthy beyond measure and living a life of splendor, everything had been reduced to dust by the war. He couldn’t believe it—he couldn’t accept the cruel reality.

“Why?” his daughter Song Jinmei asked weakly, collapsed by the roadside. “All because you were a coward—sacrificing someone else’s daughter just to save yourself…”

Ever since the invading army had been driven out of the country, their suffering had truly begun.

The more glorious they once were, the more miserable they were now.

“You think I did it for fun? I did it all for you!” Song Man snapped, eyes wide in disbelief at her words. Everything he had done—throwing another girl to the wolves—had been to protect Song Jinmei.

“Don’t drag me into this. You were just afraid to die!” she retorted. “I told you we should’ve escaped, over and over—but you didn’t dare!”

Back then, even though the situation was dire, many people had still managed to break through the siege and flee.

Song Jinmei had wanted to flee with her father too, but he had frozen at the sight of enemy soldiers, his legs turning to jelly.

Thinking back to that moment, Song Man had no defense. Even now, if he had to face it again, he wouldn’t have had the courage. Just imagining the sharp spears and gleaming long weapons in the soldiers’ hands made his legs go weak.

“So what now? We’ve got nothing, and we don’t dare go back to town…” Song Man slumped onto the roadside, utterly dejected.

“Yeah… are we just supposed to sit here and wait to die…” Song Jinmei murmured, dazed. After being chased around town for so long, she was now both exhausted and starving, unwilling to take another step.

“I wonder where Old He ran off to?” Song Man muttered. He vaguely remembered seeing Old He fleeing with his family and baggage.

“So what if we knew? Do you think he’d take us in?” Song Jinmei let out a bitter laugh. “The world is full of people who’ll kick you when you’re down, and very few who’ll help in your time of need. Who would be willing to take us in now?”

She thought of her past life as a pampered young lady, now reduced to this wretched state, and couldn’t stop the tide of grief and anger in her heart.

The Song family had once held considerable prestige in Lihua Town, yet now, in their hour of need, not a single person had stepped forward to help them.

“So… is there truly no place left in this vast world for the two of us?” Song Man said sorrowfully.

“…Wait,” Song Jinmei suddenly sat up. “Father, do you remember that younger brother of mine who got married?”

Song Man froze, stunned for a long moment before stammering, “Which one? You mean Jingwei?”

He couldn’t even remember the last time he had thought about that son. If Jinmei hadn’t brought him up, he might have forgotten he had a son at all.

That son had never been particularly liked or disliked by Song Man—just… overlooked. He muttered, “Didn’t he marry into some countryside family? Are you thinking of relying on him…” 

Song Man didn’t hold out much hope. The town was already a mess; the villages outside were likely even worse, perhaps completely wiped out.

“What choice do we have? At least it’s a sliver of hope. We might as well go take a look,” Song Jinmei said. A glimmer of hope lit up in her eyes once more.

Song Man thought it over—he was already at the end of his rope. If his son was still alive, surely he’d be willing to take them in, especially considering all the dowry he’d brought with him when he married.

So the two of them, relying on a hazy memory, asked passersby for directions and stumbled their way to Chashan Village.

At this time, Chashan Village was bustling with activity—everyone was busy building houses and working hard. It was lively and full of energy, in stark contrast to the desolate villages elsewhere.

Song Man and Song Jinmei were taken aback. Why didn’t this place seem to have suffered from the war at all?

If it had been attacked, the houses should’ve been burned down. But if it hadn’t, why wasn’t there any trace of post-war sorrow or silence? Why did everyone’s faces shine with vigor and purpose?

Strange as it was, the two were still pleasantly surprised. Didn’t this mean the person they were hoping to rely on was still alive and well?

The arrival of two strangers caused some stir among the villagers, who assumed they were war refugees. Though no one greeted them warmly, they were politely questioned.

“Where are you two from, and what brings you to our village?”

Song Man quickly replied, “Do you—do you know someone named Song Jingwei? He’s my son, I’m his father!”

“Yes, yes! I’m his sister! Is he here? Is he doing alright?” Song Jinmei chimed in excitedly. With all the dowry Song Jingwei had brought when he married in, surely many people would remember him.

“You’re the father of Young Master Song?” The villagers were shocked. They exchanged puzzled glances.

Someone finally said, “But… wasn’t Young Master Song’s father the richest man in Lihua Town?”

How could he possibly be this ragged old man standing in front of them?

“Ai, I really am his father. We just…” Seeing that they didn’t believe him, Song Man hurriedly sighed and said, “It’s all because of the war that we ended up in this state…”

Seeing how pitiful he looked, and having heard that Song Jingwei did have an older sister, the crowd simply said, “Alright then, come inside and have some water. We’ll send someone to inform Young Master Song.” If it turned out to be true, then it would be a good thing; if it was a lie, well, they’d just throw the two swindlers out.

“Great, thank you all so much,” Song Man said at once. He hadn’t had anything to eat or drink in several meals. If he could get something to eat, that would be even better.

The villagers led Song Man and his daughter Song Jinmei into a house, and someone brought them tea and a few snacks and steamed buns.

Famished, Song Man and Song Jinmei each grabbed a bun and devoured it like starving wolves, almost choking.

“Hey, slow down, slow down—drink some water first…” a woman nearby quickly urged them, feeling truly sorry for the pair.

If these two really were Song Jingwei’s father and sister, then this was just too tragic. To think that a well-to-do man could fall so far.

Hearing the sighs and murmurs around them, Song Man and Song Jinmei said nothing. They just kept eating nonstop. They didn’t dare reveal the truth—that they had fled here after being hunted down by the townspeople of Lihua Town.

Nor could they go to the authorities to resolve the issue, because their actions afterward had indeed bordered on treason. Being chased by civilians was one thing—if the government confirmed them as traitors, they’d be as good as dead.

Back with Song Jingwei, he was suddenly told by some villagers that two people had arrived claiming to be his father and sister.

“Jingwei’s father? And his sister?” Yang Shi and Shen Dongming immediately asked, “Where are they? Why didn’t you bring them here?”

In their minds, Song Man and Song Jinmei were family, after all. No matter how the relationship was before, they still had to put on the proper airs.

“Uh, they’re still in the village! We weren’t sure if they were telling the truth, so we didn’t dare bring them right away…” said the man who had come to report. “Mainly because they looked too…” Not like a rich family at all—more like refugees.

Everyone fell silent and looked at Song Jingwei. This was his business, after all. He needed to be the one to speak.

“I’ll go take a look,” Song Jingwei said. In truth, he had already more or less confirmed it in his heart. It was likely them—after all, besides those two, no one else would come claiming to be his family. And who would bother impersonating his father and sister?

Seeing him get up, Shen Junxi followed and signed, “I’ll go with you.”

“Yes, yes, let Xi’er go with you. If it really is your father and sister, then bring them home quickly,” said Yang Shi. After all, this would be their first visit.

“Mm.” Song Jingwei said no more and left with Shen Junxi.

On the way, they asked the man for more details. Upon hearing that Song Man and Song Jinmei looked like ragged refugees, Song Jingwei didn’t react much. But Shen Junxi was clearly surprised—in his impression, Song Man had always been glittering with wealth, the richest person he had ever met. He still remembered the nervousness and inferiority he’d felt the first time he stepped into the Song residence.

Who would’ve thought that in just over a year, Song Man would fall so far?

“They said it was because of the war,” the man scratched his head and said, though he didn’t quite believe that a town’s wealthiest man could be reduced to this overnight.

“Mm.” Song Jingwei thought to himself, It probably wasn’t just because of the war, was it? That may have been an indirect cause, but more likely, it was their own doing…

By now, Song Man and Song Jinmei had eaten and drunk their fill, finally regaining some strength. They began inquiring about Song Jingwei.

Upon hearing how highly respected he was in the village, both of them were very surprised—though they also seemed a bit dismissive, as if this wasn’t something worth mentioning.

Song Jinmei said, “My brother’s opened a tea plantation, growing lotus roots and raising fish and shrimp—he must be making a lot of money, right?” That was what she really cared about. Back then, the dowry she gave had seemed sizable, but to her, it was hardly worth mentioning. But now that they’d fallen on hard times, Song Jingwei needed to be capable—if he wasn’t, how could he possibly support them?

“Uh, we’re not really sure about that,” a woman said hesitantly. “We just heard that last year he didn’t make much, but that’s to be expected. It’s only been a year, and with the war and all…”

“So you’re saying it’s been over a year and he’s still living off the dowry, without making much silver?” Song Jinmei asked, beginning to feel worried. How would that little bit of silver be enough?

“I told you long ago—he’s not cut out for business…” Song Man muttered. He’d never had high hopes for Song Jingwei.

“Useless,” Song Jinmei echoed in a low voice. “Good thing he married a peasant, or anyone else would’ve looked down on him.” Yet she didn’t reflect on her own situation—already twenty-one and still unmarried.

It wasn’t that no man was good enough for her, but that the ones who were didn’t want to marry her. The ones who did want her had lower status, and she looked down on them. So she’d dragged things out until now without marrying at all.