Li Xiangli patted Xiaozhu's head and smiled. "Xiaozhu is so clever. No matter what, we must not let the enemy gain the upper hand while harming ourselves. Crying is something only the weak do. True strength is using tears wisely to gain an advantage."
Xiaozhu nodded firmly. "I want to be strong! I'll remember what you said, Mother!"
Li Xiangli smiled warmly, about to reply, when Aunt Chen's voice called out from nearby. "Xiangli? Where are you heading off to?"
Seeing Xiaozhu's swollen, red face, Aunt Chen's expression darkened. "What happened? How did he get hurt like this?"
Li Xiangli replied, "It's a long story. I was just about to take him home to apply some medicine. After that, I need to head to town, so I'm in a bit of a rush."
Li Xiangli had no choice but to go to town today. Without some money, life would be impossible to manage.
Aunt Chen quickly suggested, "Why not come to my house? Going all the way back home would be a hassle, especially since your house is so far. Plus, we have a donkey cart. My son can take you to town afterward."
Feeling a bit awkward, Li Xiangli hesitated. "I'd feel bad asking him to take the trouble. It's too much to ask."
Aunt Chen waved her hand dismissively. "What trouble? Don't be so polite. Xiaozhu's hurt like this—how could I not help?"
Li Xiangli hesitated again. She didn't want to inconvenience anyone, especially since Aunt Chen's son relied on the donkey cart to make a living by transporting goods.
Sensing her hesitation, Aunt Chen grew a little glum. "Are you looking down on my family now?"
Li Xiangli quickly shook her head. "How could I think that Auntie? Our family is the one looked down on most in this village. You've always been good to us—how could I ever look down on you?"
In truth, Aunt Chen couldn't have children due to health issues. While some villagers gossiped about it, Li Xiangli never saw it as something to judge. After all, in modern times, many couples chose to remain childfree by choice.
Relieved, Aunt Chen softened. "Then don't stand on ceremony. Come to my house."
With no other option, Li Xiangli smiled wryly. "Thank you, Auntie."
At Aunt Chen's house, Xiaozhu's injuries were treated with some herbal ointments. Fortunately, his wounds weren't too severe.
Since taking both children to town would be inconvenient, Li Xiangli decided to leave them in Aunt Chen's care for the day.
Aunt Chen smiled warmly. "I'd be more than happy to watch them. These two kids are so lovable. I wouldn't mind if they stayed for a month! Don't worry—I'll take good care of them."
"Thank you so much, Auntie. Xiaozhu, Le'er, you must behave and not trouble Auntie, understand?"
Le'er frowned, her little face scrunching up. "Mother, come back soon to pick us up!"
Li Xiangli stroked their heads gently. "I promise I'll be back before dark. Don't worry."
"Okay!"
Aunt Chen personally instructed her son, Dazhu, to drive the donkey cart and take Li Xiangli to town. Dazhu, an honest and filial young man, readily agreed.
Compared to ox carts, donkey carts were faster, but they were also much bumpier. The cart was little more than a wooden plank attached to the back, and the uneven dirt roads made for a rough ride. Sitting on it, Li Xiangli felt like her backside was about to split into eight pieces. Ancient transportation was truly torturous!
Noticing her discomfort, Dazhu offered, "Is it too bumpy? Should I slow down a bit?"
Disclaimer:
I am not the original author of this work. This is a translated version of the original text, shared for reading and reference purposes only. All rights to the original content belong to the original author. I do not claim ownership of the original work or its characters. This translation is intended solely for informational and entertainment purposes.