Although the fourth Miss Chu has been in trouble constantly, she has never done anything to avoid repaying a favor. This is the first time.
"Forget it, maybe these alms are just a small thing to that person, and no one will remember them after tomorrow."
Refugee? She is just a beggar in his eyes.
Chu Qiao gave up chasing, turned around, dragged her tired body, and walked back.
When we returned to the ruined temple, it was almost dawn and the wind and snow had subsided a lot, but it was still very cold.
The eldest lady was lying on the haystack, already so ill that she was delirious. She kept thinking of her husband's name. Poor woman, when will she understand that that relationship has long been over?
Chu Qiao touched her mother's forehead. It was very hot. She might not be able to hold on if she didn't take medicine. She looked around eagerly and found a jar that someone else had discarded. After struggling for a long time, she made a fire and filled it with snow water.
I boiled the medicine and gave it to the eldest lady to drink.
"Mom, hold on, I'll take you to find a place to stay, and you'll get better."
Chu Qiao looked at the ruined temple. With such harsh conditions, even if she took medicine, her mother's illness would not get better. It was still snowing outside. There were a few coins in her bag from kindhearted people, so she could stay in an inn.
It's been a while.
Chu Qiao struggled to support her mother and was about to leave the ruined temple. In the wind and snow, an old man ran in. His face turned red from the cold. After entering, he kept rubbing his hands.
"I've found you. It's so cold."
"Uncle Ma?"
Chu Qiao took a closer look and saw that she knew this person. Wasn't he Mr. Ma Da, who was in the spice business with Chu Jing'an back then? He had not worked for the Chu family for a long time, and she didn't expect to meet him here.
"I've been looking for you all night. Hurry up and get in the car. I'll take you out of here." Mr. Ma Da urged.
"You dare... take us away?" Chu Qiao was surprised. Who dared to take in their mother and daughter at this time? It was too late to escape.
"I am no longer in the spice business. I am living the life of a small farmer, growing vegetables and raising chickens. Who will pay attention to me? What are I afraid of? The eldest lady was kind to me back then, but now I am in trouble. I, Madam, cannot sit back and watch.
No matter, let’s go.”
Mr. Ma Da came over and without saying a word, he picked up the lady on his back and strode outside the ruined temple.
Chu Qiao picked up the baggage, hesitated for a moment, and then followed her. She didn't have much money on her now, and she was living in an inn. Sooner or later, she would run out of money. If Mr. Ma Da could help, the matter would be relieved.
Mr. Ma Da’s home is far away from the small town of Yueyao. It is in a remote place and there are few people around. It seems that he really plans to give up business and start farming. The yard is full of golden ears of corn, which are floating in white.
The snow is really beautiful.
A fire was lit in the room, and when Mrs. Ma saw Chu Qiao and the eldest lady coming, they were busy and very enthusiastic, which made Chu Qiao feel a little relieved.
"Back then, you almost became my daughter-in-law, haha..."
Mr. Ma Da suddenly said something, but after thinking about it, it seemed a little inappropriate. He looked at the lady on the fire bed and stopped what he said next.
"Uncle Ma can really joke."
Chu Qiao smiled awkwardly, wondering why Mr. Ma Da said such a thing. Although the Chu family had quite a few daughters, her mother only gave birth to her. How could she be willing to give it to someone else as a daughter?
But this sounds quite reasonable. Could it be true?