TATSD Chapter 60

As lunch was about to end, You Guizhi kicked Liu Shan under the table twice, giving him a meaningful look.

At first, Liu Shan didn’t understand her exaggerated expressions, but when she gestured with her fingers, realization dawned on him. He picked up a large serving of vegetables and placed it on Liu Yimian’s plate.

“Yimian, there’s not much to offer at home, so please make do. Once things get better, we’ll buy some meat for you when you visit,” Liu Shan muttered, glancing at Liu Yimian’s expression as he spoke.

Seeing that Liu Yimian looked a bit confused, he continued, “In the past, we used to have meat now and then, but since Xiu-jie was born, the expenses have grown. Now, we don’t even get to eat meat once a month.”

You Guizhi, frustrated that Liu Shan was beating around the bush, shot him a fierce glare and mouthed at him to shut up.

“Your father loves his drink, you know that. Every three to five days, he goes out drinking, and sometimes he orders snacks to go with it. One outing can cost several dozen coins. Now, with another mouth to feed in the family, it’s been even harder…” she said.

Liu Yimian knew well enough about his father’s drinking habits. When he still lived at home, he’d seen firsthand how Liu Shan would drink heavily, no matter if he was happy or upset. When he got drunk, he’d often come home and vent his anger on someone. You Guizhi’s fierce personality made him afraid of her outbursts, and Liu Chengyin usually stayed in his room reading, rarely coming out.

That left Liu Yimian and Liu Piaoxu as the usual targets of his drunken outbursts. Most of the time, it was Liu Yimian who bore the brunt, as Piaoxu was still young and a girl—she’d hide whenever trouble arose.

Initially, Liu Yimian felt sympathetic as he listened, but when You Guizhi mentioned the family’s hardships, his feelings turned to irritation. It was her idea to sell him to the human traffickers because he was a “burden” to the family. Now, with Xiu-jie added to the family, she’d even sent his 14-year-old sister to be a concubine to Master Tian.

By that calculation, the family should have had fewer mouths to feed and life should have been easier.

The more he thought about it, the more resentment bubbled up in Liu Yimian’s heart.

Back when his mother was alive, the family lived in harmony and rarely argued. But ever since You Guizhi became his stepmother, Liu Chengyin had grown distant from him, and his father, Liu Shan, always took her side in matters.

Over time, Liu Yimian had grown more and more bitter toward You Guizhi.

“What about Piaoxu? She’s already married off. Why is the family still struggling?”

You Guizhi’s words got stuck in her throat. For a moment, she didn’t know how to respond. She glanced at Liu Shan and then at Liu Chengyin for help.

“It’s all your father’s fault!” she snapped. “If he didn’t get drunk all the time and smash those wine jars at the shop, we wouldn’t have to pay for all the damages. Do you think we have money to spare?”

“And so?”

“What?”

You Guizhi, who had been wiping non-existent tears from her eyes, froze, unable to follow up. She dumbly repeated, “And so what?”

“When I was sold, didn’t you get two taels of silver? Why didn’t you use that money to pay for Father’s debt?” Liu Yimian frowned slightly.

“That silver was used for your brother’s travel expenses for the exams,” she stammered.

“And what about Piaoxu’s dowry?” he asked.

“There were some issues at home, and most of it was spent,” You Guizhi mumbled.

Liu Yimian let out a small “oh” in response, his expression neutral, giving no hint whether he believed her or not.

You Guizhi laughed awkwardly, feeling a bit guilty.

After selling Liu Yimian, they used half of the money to send Liu Chengyin to the autumn exams. He was gone for half a month, but he didn’t pass, and the money went to waste.

As Xiu-jie grew up, they needed money for her food, clothing, and daily needs. Since there were no other children of her age, they had to buy everything brand new.

On top of their daily expenses, the rest of their savings quickly disappeared.

Then, Liu Shan, while drinking with others, heard that Master Tian was looking for a seventh concubine, someone young and fresh-faced. He slipped some money to a matchmaker to set it up.

Liu Piaoxu, with her delicate and pretty features, caught Master Tian’s eye. Shortly after, Master Tian sent over silk, jewelry, and five taels of silver, and she was married off in a small ceremony.

You Guizhi and Liu Shan had never seen so much money before and began to spend lavishly—eating out at restaurants, and buying new clothes. Liu Chengyin took some of the money as well. Within two months, nearly all of it was gone.

 A few days ago, there was another incident where Liu Shan got drunk and smashed a wine jar, causing all their remaining savings to go to waste. They were still short by seven or eight coins.

Suddenly, they had no way to gather more money, so they thought of looking for Liu Piaoxu. Unfortunately, after two visits, they were told it wasn’t a good time, and they never got to see her.

Liu Shan was anxious, pulling at his hair in frustration, while at that moment, Liu Yimian arrived, almost as if it was the heavens’ intention.

“Yimian, I’ve raised you to this age; can you lend me a little? I see you’re doing well, so you must have some extra money at home?” Liu Shan said, feeling secretly pleased as he reached out to grab Liu Yimian’s wrist.

Just as he was about to touch her, Liu Yimian moved her hand away and placed it on her knee.

Liu Shan missed, awkwardly chuckled and withdrew his hand without taking it to heart.

“Father, I have no money,” Liu Yimian replied after a brief silence.

“How could that be? You look healthy and well-fed, and your clothes are quite new, indicating they were just made!” Liu Shan argued, growing increasingly agitated as he grabbed the fabric of Liu Yimian’s sleeve.

“But, Father, this was bought for me by Brother Ji,” Liu Yimian explained.

“Isn’t that Ji fellow your man? His money is your money! You silly child, how can you not see that?” Liu Shan exclaimed in exasperation.

“Father, when you sold me to the matchmaker, the contract is still with Brother Ji. You raised me, and I still call you ‘Father,’ but I am no longer a member of the Liu family,” Liu Yimian retorted.

“You!”

Liu Yimian forced a sad smile, stood up, and pointed to her clothes. “These belong to Brother Ji, and so do the clothes. I have no money.”

“Father, I have nothing left.”

“Unfilial child! You’re just making excuses!”

Liu Shan, mistaking Liu Yimian’s refusal as unwillingness to help, slammed the table and pointed at Liu Yimian’s nose, cursing, “You ungrateful wretch! I raised you for so many years, and now all I ask is for a little money, and you won’t even give it! Even a dog would wag its tail for me, but you! You’re worse than a dog!”

Liu Yimian was already stirred by painful memories, and Liu Shan’s final remark hit her like a heavy blow, making her stagger backward, nearly losing her balance.

“Father…”

She felt heartbroken and called out to Liu Shan, but all she received was his furious shout.

“Get lost! I don’t want a disobedient child like you!”

After a night of heavy drinking, Liu Shan had a splitting headache. With his anger flaring, his head throbbed as if pierced by needles. He groaned, leaning against the table, showing a pained expression.

You Guizhi supported Liu Shan, her voice anxious. “Are you okay? Should I make some hangover soup? I told you to drink less, but you never listen!”

“Why are you making noise? A good sleep will fix it; who knew that brat would come back? He’s making my head hurt! I’m going back to my room to lie down. Get him out of here; I don’t want to see him again,” Liu Shan growled before rubbing his temples and grumbling as he returned to his room.

Liu Yimian remained rooted to the spot, not recovering from the shock, watching Liu Shan’s retreating figure until it faded away, her face pale.

You Guizhi, abandoning her previous warmth, spat at Liu Yimian, disgusted. “You’re a worthless son, no better than a woman, not even as good as your younger sister! Didn’t you hear what that deadbeat said? Get lost, don’t dirty my ground!”

With her patience gone, You Guizhi no longer bothered to pretend. Seeing Liu Yimian still standing there, she grabbed a broom from the corner and struck him with it.

The broom was made of thin, flexible bamboo branches, and it quickly left a red mark on Liu Yimian’s skin.

In pain, Liu Yimian recoiled, stumbling backward until he tripped over the threshold and fell, tears welling in his eyes.

Yet he gritted his teeth and fought to hold back his tears, not wanting to cry in front of You Guizhi.

Amid the commotion, Liu Chengyin lost his appetite, putting down his bowl and pushing back his chair to get up. Just as he was about to leave, he felt a gaze behind him and turned to see Liu Yimian sitting on the ground.

The two brothers’ eyes met in the air. Liu Yimian felt a jolt in his heart, thinking Liu Chengyin was coming to speak up for him. Just as he opened his mouth to call out “Brother,” Liu Chengyin turned and walked away in annoyance.

“Brother…?”

Liu Yimian felt a sharp pain in his chest, gripping his clothes tightly, unable to contain the tears that spilled from his eyes.

“Oh, so you’re crying because Chengyin didn’t speak up for you? Do you still have the face to cry? Who was it that said they weren’t a member of the Liu family?” You Guizhi waved the broom, the end striking Liu Yimian’s arm and leaving a red mark.

“If you’re not a member of the Liu family, why would Chengyin speak for you? If you don’t leave now, I won’t hold back on you!”

Liu Yimian wiped his tears away and stood up from the ground.

He didn’t leave immediately but looked deeply at You Guizhi, his large, round eyes reflecting a beauty that was now filled with hatred.

For the first time, You Guizhi shivered under the intensity of Liu Yimian’s gaze.

“What are you staring at? Get out of here!”

You Guizhi raised the broom again, but this time Liu Yimian didn’t let her have her way. As the broom came down, he quickly grabbed her wrist and forcefully swung her to the side.

After all, he was still a boy, and You Guizhi wasn’t prepared. Liu Yimian’s strength sent her tumbling sideways, her shoulder hitting the doorframe, causing her to wince in pain and cry out.

The broom fell from her grip.

“How dare you!” You Guizhi shouted, covering her shoulder.

“Why shouldn’t I?” Liu Yimian stood tall, his handsome face expressionless. “Who are you to me? What right do you have to hit me?”

Without even glancing back at You Guizhi, Liu Yimian walked into the house, took the mooncake box from the table, ignored You Guizhi’s screams, and left without looking back.

Liu Yimian arrived home at the hour of the monkey.

Even though he had dried his tears, his eyes were still red.

“What happened? Who bullied you?” Ji Wei asked, startled upon seeing him.

He quickly noticed the mooncake boxes in Liu Yimian’s hands.

One box had already been opened, while the other remained sealed. Looking at Liu Yimian’s sad expression, Ji Wei could easily guess what had transpired.

He smacked his forehead in frustration.

“It’s my fault for not considering everything; I shouldn’t have let you come home alone.”

Liu Yimian said nothing as he followed Ji Wei into the house.

Ji Wei had him sit on a stool, saying, “Tell me what happened.”

“It’s nothing, Brother Ji; it’s not a big deal.”

Liu Yimian didn’t want Ji Wei to worry and had no intention of discussing the matter. But Ji Wei insisted on hearing the full story. Unable to refuse, and feeling blocked up inside, Liu Yimian recounted everything.

“That’s outrageous!” Ji Wei shouted, standing up from the table in anger.

He had thought that the family would make Liu Yimian feel nostalgic. Even though they had sold him, it was done out of necessity, and there should have been some redeeming qualities.

But now, it seemed he was entirely wrong.

There was not a single redeeming quality; they were greedy and motivated by profit!

With such a father and brother, it was best to sever ties.

“Brother Ji, am I particularly useless?” Liu Yimian wiped the tears that kept falling, leaving a red mark on the corners of his eyes from the effort.

“Not at all. You’re still young and have experienced little. As you grow older and see more of the world, you’ll learn to handle things much better,” Ji Wei comforted, patting Liu Yimian on the back and encouraging him. “You did very well to get the mooncakes back. You know, those two boxes are worth a tael of silver!”

“A tael!” Liu Yimian exclaimed in shock.

“Yes, a tael of silver. Such valuable items, they don’t deserve to have them; you did great!” Ji Wei exaggerated, trying to cheer Liu Yimian up, and after soothing him for a while, he finally saw a hint of relief.

“Yimian, let me share a lesson with you.”

“Hmm?”

“In life, you must always consider yourself more. The word ‘endure’ is like a knife; you should endure when you need to, but if you only keep giving in, you’ll only hurt yourself.”

Ji Wei gently patted his head and looked at Liu Yimian. “Remember this well,” he said.

Liu Yimian nodded obediently. “Okay.”

“What would you do if you encounter a similar situation next time?”

Liu Yimian thought for a moment and hesitantly replied, “Just turn around and walk away?”

Ji Wei smiled and shook his head.

“Fight back?”

“That’s not it either.”

Ji Wei sighed softly. “You need to consider why You Guizhi came out to find you. If you can understand that, you’ll be able to turn passivity into initiative and learn how to deal with them.”