Chapter 19: The Strange Woman

Chapter 19 The Strange Woman

Mother Cheng looked at the sensible Lu Yu and felt a pang of guilt. She gathered both children into her arms and said, "It's our fault—we can't even take care of you kids properly. You've been through so much."

"Alright, let's eat first. The food's getting cold waiting on you." With that, she pulled Cheng Miao over to the stove. "Lu Yu can wake you up in the morning, but you need to learn to heat up your own food. Come watch how I add the firewood."

Cheng Miao shuffled over reluctantly, and Lu Yu stood nearby, watching Mother Cheng slowly stoke the fire. Once the water boiled, she deftly dropped in the pre-cut noodles. In no time, the noodles were done, scooped out, and rinsed in cold water. There was tomato-and-egg, pepper-and-pork stir-fry, and a plate of spicy shredded potatoes on the side.

Mother Cheng fixed both of them their bowls, then grabbed her jacket. "I'm gonna run next door for a sec. You two eat first."

Cheng Miao nodded, adding two scoops of tomato-and-egg, one scoop of pepper-and-pork, and a splash of vinegar to his noodles. His tear tracks were still wet as he cheerfully called out to Lu Yu, "Quick, add it like this—it's super tasty."

Lu Yu was surprised at how fast Cheng Miao had bounced back. "Not upset anymore?"

Cheng Miao slurped his noodles, pouting slightly. "What's the use of being upset?"

Lu Yu said, "We agreed you'd act cute and explain yourself, but—" He paused. "I've noticed you're all tough in front of your mom, but you're smooth with everyone else."

Cheng Miao said matter-of-factly, "Other people are outsiders. They can not believe me if they want, but my parents have to. So I don't bother explaining."

Lu Yu nodded thoughtfully.

Cheng Miao tapped the edge of his bowl. "Eat up, don't just sit there—the noodles'll get all clumpy."

Lu Yu picked up a chopstickful of noodles and took a bite. Smooth and springy, coated in the tangy tomato-and-egg sauce with a little kick of spice—one bite and he was suddenly starving.

Lu Yu was eating his noodles seriously when another chopstickful of spicy shredded potatoes landed in his bowl. "Don't just eat noodles—have some veggies too."

Just then, a burst of yelling came from next door. Cheng Miao's chopsticks froze mid-air, then he pulled them back and said flatly, "Keep eating. Don't worry—my mom's never lost a fight."

Lu Yu looked concerned. "Shouldn't we go check?"

Cheng Miao waved dismissively. "No need. But—" He glanced sideways at Lu Yu. "You really impressed me today, Lu Bai Lian. Who knew you were so good at tattling?"

"Not used to talking, huh? That mouth of yours sure can talk. Even I felt bad for you listening to you." Cheng Miao teased.

Lu Yu's ears turned red, and he said nothing, burying his head in his noodles and ignoring Cheng Miao's teasing.

Cheng Miao couldn't help but remark, "So not wanting to talk and not knowing how to talk are two totally different things! You're a real little white lotus."

Pretty soon, the noise next door died down. Mother Cheng came back looking smug, wolfed down a big bowl of rice, and shooed the two boys off to bed.

After eating and then taking a nice nap, Cheng Miao felt totally content.

When they woke up, the two grabbed their backpacks and trudged off to school. A few students dotted the road—no farming to do in winter.

Besides migrant workers and students, everyone else usually napped until past three, and by the time they woke up, it was time to start making lunch.

Father Cheng and Mother Cheng sold veggies at the market, getting up super early but not needing to go back in the afternoon. Father Cheng sometimes picked up odd jobs, while Mother Cheng slept until four or five, then started dinner. Winter was a chill season for farmers.

Cheng Miao was still half-asleep, mumbling, "Good thing it's just elementary school. If I'd jumped straight to high school, who could deal with that?"

Lu Yu spotted someone up ahead on a bike who looked familiar. He tugged at Cheng Miao. "Isn't that Lin Jinrui's dad?"

The man happened to turn around—those same triangular eyes. A woman was walking next to him, the two of them tugging at each other.

Cheng Miao studied the woman carefully. She looked older than Lin Shun, with big eyes ringed with wrinkles and droopy eyelids that gave her a sharp, mean look. Looking closer, there was still some resemblance to Lin Jinrui in her features.

Cheng Miao figured this must be Lin Jinrui's mom. He grabbed Lu Yu and jogged a few steps closer, hoping to eavesdrop.

But as soon as they got close, Lin Shun eyed him warily, and the woman shut her mouth.

Cheng Miao walked right up and greeted them politely, "Hi, uncle. I'm Lin Jinrui's classmate—we met at noon."

Lin Shun waved him off impatiently and pushed his bike, ready to leave, while the woman scrambled to block him.

Cheng Miao added, "Hi, auntie. You're Lin Jinrui's mom, right? I didn't get to say hi at noon. You really do look like Lin Jinrui."

Hearing this, the woman stumbled back in a panic. "No, no—I'm not her mom."

Lin Shun looked at her with disgust and said harshly, "Get lost. Don't come back. I've got no money. I've fed and housed you for years and haven't seen a single hair of a son—useless as can be—and you still have the nerve to ask for money? I should be the one asking you." With that, he rode off into the distance.

The woman's face went pale. She trembled and squatted down, sobbing quietly. Cheng Miao wanted to go over and see what was wrong, but Lu Yu grabbed him. "Wait—she's not in a good state."

Cheng Miao hesitated. "But if she leaves..."

Lu Yu pulled him back. "Let me go check first."

"Wait—together!" Cheng Miao grabbed Lu Yu's hand, and the two walked over together. As they got closer, they could hear her sobbing, "No money... what am I supposed to do?" "My baby, Mama can't save you."

He carefully approached and spoke softly to comfort her, "Auntie, don't cry. I have money—I'll give it all to you."

The woman suddenly looked up, a startling light in her eyes. "Money? You have money?"

Lu Yu instinctively tightened his grip on Cheng Miao's hand, his nerves on high alert.

Cheng Miao carefully pulled out fifty cents from his pocket—money he'd scrounged up at home with a lot of effort. He handed it over with a pained expression. "Auntie, this is all the money I have. Take it all."

The woman's face dimmed. "It's not enough. My little Bao's sick—needs tens of thousands. So much money—it's never enough!"

"Is little Bao your son?" Cheng Miao probed.

"I only have this one son—why did he have to get sick!" The woman wailed in anguish, her face full of grief and despair. "Why couldn't it have been that worthless girl? She stole my little Bao's nutrition in the womb. My poor little Bao—born so small and wrinkled, and now he's sick!" Her eyes revealed undisguised hatred.

Lu Yu quickly yanked Cheng Miao away. "Let's go."

Cheng Miao scrambled to follow him, letting out a long breath. "That scared me—I was so afraid just now!"

Cheng Miao carefully folded the fifty-cent coin and added, "I was so scared she'd take it—it's our only pocket money." He tucked it away protectively.

Lu Yu said flatly, "Then why'd you pull it out?"

Cheng Miao shrugged helplessly. "What else could I do? You can't catch a wolf without risking the bait."