In Su Muqing's previous memories, their relationship with the old family was indeed not harmonious. The so-called grandmother would constantly ask her father for money and things. Whenever she met her mother, she would taunt her, calling her a hen that couldn't lay eggs.
But she could never have imagined that her own son was on the brink of death, and Su Chenshi not only showed no grief or sadness but instead constantly haggled over external possessions. She even set conditions for taking care of her own grandson.
Listening to her words, Su Muqing, as a modern person, was almost driven to death. What kind of people were these? They were utterly unworthy of being human.
Judging solely by her attitude today, it was not difficult to see how sharp-tongued and malicious she usually was! No wonder her father later forbade them from interacting much with the old family.
Upon hearing his mother's words, Su Mingyuan's already rapid breathing became even more uneven, and bloody foam spurted from his mouth. He knew his time was short. He also knew what kind of faces his so-called relatives showed.
They would not genuinely treat his children well. It was possible that once he died, they would sell his children. Natural disasters were difficult to guard against, and some people, to survive, even resorted to cannibalism. To protect his children from persecution, he had to find someone influential to ask for their care.
"Big brother… Li… Qing jie’er… Li…"
Seeing Su Mingyuan becoming emotional, Su Minghui immediately stepped forward, took his hand, and comforted him, "Diyuan, don't worry! … We have so many people here, we will definitely help you take good care of the children. Third brother promises you, if… if you really… leave, I will immediately help Qing jie’er establish a household registration. As long as I am here, I will not let anyone bully them. Don't get too agitated."
Su Minghui said these words while looking at Su Chenshi and the others. It was to reassure Su Mingyuan and also to make it clear to Su Chenshi's family.
Upon hearing Su Minghui's words and seeing the clear warning in his eyes, Su Chenshi and her group were furious. Su Mingyuan was her own son. When he died, his remaining possessions naturally belonged to her, his mother. Yet, this unfilial son was leaving everything to an outsider.
But as the village chief, Su Minghui's words carried considerable weight. They dared not refute anything, fearing that if they angered him and were expelled from the group, it would be a disaster. After all, in these times, one could not go far without following the main group.
On the road earlier, they had seen many lone individuals robbed, beaten, and injured. It was commonplace. They even heard of some people being captured and cooked to be eaten. That was truly hell on earth!
However, since they couldn't gain any benefits, she saw no reason to stay. Not getting anything but having to spend food to raise that little brat.
A mere girl, a nursing infant. Relying on the pity of others to survive in such chaotic times was simply wishful thinking!
She would wait until things stabilized, reclaim what belonged to her, and then sell that wild girl! Anyway, that girl was not of their Su family's blood. She had such a foxy face, and she was raised by a slut like Su Li. She couldn't be a decent person!
After making her plans clear, Su Chenshi snorted and turned to leave the dilapidated temple. The others from the old family followed suit.
Su Minghui gave his own younger brother a look, signaling him to follow them out. This old woman was no easy person to deal with.
Su Mingyong understood his elder brother's intention, nodded, turned, and left the dilapidated temple, heading straight for the luggage carts of Su Mingyuan's family to guard them, lest anyone seize the opportunity to steal.
With the village chief's assurance, Su Mingyuan finally felt somewhat relieved. He called out to Su Muqing again, wanting to entrust some matters to her. "Qing… come closer…"
"I'm here. Speak…" Su Muqing trembled uncontrollably, bringing her ear close to Su Mingyuan's mouth.
"They are not your parents… Qingmu Prefecture… mother's bag… token… Qing’er, daughter… alive… alive… your brother… needs to take care of… brother… brother… brother…"
Su Mingyuan tightly clutched Su Muqing's arm, as if only then could he muster the strength to speak. After uttering these few broken sentences, Su Mingyuan's eyes widened, he muttered "brother" a few times, and then slowly breathed his last!
"You… how… don't die!" Su Muqing, seeing Su Mingyuan pass away, was suddenly reminded of her lost parents. The psychological preparation she had finally made collapsed instantly.
"You don't die! What will I do? Come back quickly…"
Su Muqing held Su Mingyuan's clothes with one hand and the nursing infant in her arms with the other, sobbing uncontrollably. The nursing infant, startled by her cries, also hid closer in her arms and began to cry along.
She had not yet emerged from the pain of losing her parents. Who knew that as soon as she arrived in this strange time and space, the adoptive father who, in her memory, was like a mountain protecting her, had also died.
Although she had not personally interacted with Su Mingyuan, she had integrated the original owner's memories, making it seem as if she herself had experienced those things. At least, she had a sense of emotional resonance.
What a terrible reality! She had become an orphan once again…
The suffocating feeling she had once experienced resurfaced. Her chest felt tight and she couldn't breathe, making her want to forcefully cut open her trachea and pump oxygen directly into her lungs…
The others standing by, seeing the heartbroken sister and brother, all turned away with pained expressions, wiping away tears.
Seeing how terribly she was crying, the people around quickly tried to comfort her, fearing that her excessive crying would harm her health, as there was a long road ahead.
Su Muqing cried heartily, releasing the pent-up emotions in her heart, and then felt her chest less constricted. The little bun had also cried himself tired and was sleeping, nestled in her arms.
"Qing jie’er, Xuan ge’er only has you now. You must not neglect your own health. Your father still hoped you would establish a household. You must pull yourself together; your brother is still so young, he needs you to take care of him," said the village chief's wife, Wang Shi, while consoling her and helping them up.
She was initially worried that Su Muqing might be too tired from holding the child for too long and thought of taking over to hold him for a while. However, the nursing infant tightly clutched his sister's clothes and refused to let go. With a slight frown, he seemed on the verge of waking up. Fearing that the child would cry if he woke up, Wang Shi had to let go and let him sleep.
After Su Muqing's emotions stabilized a bit, Su Minghui also came over to talk to her about her father's funeral arrangements.
Li Shi was the first to die, dying alone a hundred miles outside Houxi Village. It was Su Mingyuan who chose the spot at the time, and he personally buried her. Now, it was unrealistic to bury them together.
Finally, after discussion between Su Minghui and Su Muqing, they decided to bury Su Mingyuan near the dilapidated temple.
The elders of the village chose a good spot behind the dilapidated temple, a distance from the main road. It was a small slope at the back, and not far in front, there was a small stream. Before the drought, it was considered to be by the mountains and water.
When burying Su Mingyuan, many people spontaneously helped. Luo Mujiang, the village carpenter, even found a piece of wood and carved a wooden tablet for Su Mingyuan.
Standing before Su Mingyuan's tombstone, looking at the rather humble earthen mound before her, Su Muqing silently vowed in her heart that if she had the ability in the future, she would definitely return to move their graves so that the couple could be buried together.
At the same time, she also silently and formally promised the original owner and the Su couple in her heart, "I will work hard to take good care of my brother, raise him, protect him, and depend on each other. You can all rest assured!"
After saying these words in her heart, Su Muqing felt that the inexplicable emotions that had been lingering in her heart had also dissipated.
Although it sounded a bit unbelievable, it was only at this moment that Su Muqing felt that the original owner had completely left this body.