Chapter 334

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Protagonist:

Chai Mi

"What do you think? You think you're something!" Chai Mi abruptly stood up, her pent-up anger finally erupting, her voice piercingly sharp in the silent courtyard, "Feeding the cattle is your job! Can't you see what state the cow is in? Diarrhea, watery stool with blood streaks — is that a small matter?! This definitely isn't the first day of diarrhea; at the very least it's been two days of being especially severe. All day long you just know how to run from the host family's house to the neighbor's to watch the excitement! Your own family's work is done terribly! If the calf has any mishap, I'd like to see what you'll use to compensate!"

Chai Youqing, scolded head-to-toe by his daughter, flushed a livid pig-liver color, ashamed, guilty, and wronged all at once, yet unable to utter a single complete sentence; he could only squat on the ground, hugging his head, letting out stifled sighs.

Su Wan, seeing her husband like this, then looking at her furiously burning daughter and the dying calf, had tears well up instantly: "Alright alright, Chai Mi, stop scolding… your dad… he… he didn't do it on purpose… scolding is useless now… the important thing is the calf…"

"Not on purpose? When has he ever had a heart!" Chai Mi's chest heaved violently, pointing at Chai Youqing, "Last time when Mom was hospitalized, besides squatting in the corner smoking what else could he do? This time the calf is sick like this, what was he doing? Big or small matters in this family, which one isn't me worrying about? What is he doing? He only knows how to add trouble! Drag things down!"

"Sister…" Chai Xiu gently tugged Chai Mi's sleeve, wanting to persuade her to calm down.

Chai Mi took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing her surging anger; she knew continuing to speak was useless. She wearily rubbed her brow, voice carrying deep powerlessness: "Forget it. What am I arguing with you for? If I win the argument will the calf get better? Mom, you and Chai Xiu go rest a bit, I'll keep watch. Dad," she looked at Chai Youqing squatting on the ground, tone icy, "if you still have a shred of conscience, don't stay here being an eyesore, go back to your room! Tomorrow morning, go do whatever you're supposed to do; the job of feeding cattle and sheep, I'll find someone else!"

Chai Youqing's body stiffened, the sighs stopped. He raised his head, eyes full of bewilderment and pain, glanced at Chai Mi, then quickly lowered his head again, and finally walked back to the room step by step.

Su Wan watched her husband's retreating figure, wiped her tears, sighed, and said to Chai Mi: "Don't worry too much either, I'll keep you company watching for a while…"

"No need, Mom you go sleep. I'll just watch for a bit." Chai Mi's tone softened somewhat, "Chai Xiu you go sleep too, tomorrow you still have to get up early to help me wrap dumplings."

Chai Xiu still wanted to say something, but seeing her sister's taut profile and the calf's faint panting in the cowshed, she finally nodded, pulling Su Wan back to the room.

The cowshed fell quiet again. Chai Mi squatted beside the calf once more, gently stroking its emaciated spine, feeling its weak breath.

"Pull through…" she said softly to the calf, more like saying it to herself, "Survive, live well… this family, can't count on others, can only count on ourselves pulling through…"

Wind blew through the cowshed, carrying late autumn's chill.

Chai Mi pulled her collar tighter; this pile of rotten mess at home, every single piece left her mentally and physically exhausted.

The fried chicken business had just started and was stolen, and it was fucking Second Uncle Chai Youfu who stole it; after stealing he used the money to go watch him…

Ai…

Now the calf's life is hanging by a thread…

And that father who should have been the pillar, is forever like a child needing someone else to clean up the mess.

This life, it's really fucking tiring.

Chai Mi has always understood Chai Youqing, so many things she couldn't be bothered to haggle with Chai Youqing over. Even several times, she would take a step back.

Actually, she's already given Chai Youqing enough face.

Before, when she fought with the old house that bunch, when was Chai Youqing ever like a decent person?

Even so, Chai Mi never lost her temper.

Felt he was still her birth father after all.

But, everything has to have a limit, right.

Can't do anything right, all kinds of sabotage. Chai Mi arguing with the old house out front, he's in back playing dead and dragging things down. She goes out to set up a stall and do business, he pretends to get up chopping firewood all day not letting people sleep.

As long as there's any little thing, he wants to participate a bit.

Thinks he has some idea.

This life not lived well, never blames his own lack of ability, just says everyone's like this.

Chai Mi sighed, looked at the calf again, then went inside and stayed a while.

Su Wan saw Chai Mi's complexion wasn't good, didn't dare speak, went downstairs poured a bowl of plain water, handed it to Chai Mi; Chai Mi took a sip, after a while asked leisurely: "My Second Uncle, his leg can't be broken, right."

"Nothing serious, just scraped some skin. Didn't cost much money either, just suffered a bit. That flesh also fell off a piece, but didn't hurt bone or tendon, counts as a stroke of luck. If it had hurt the tendon, we couldn't treat it here, afraid he'd be lame." Su Wan said: "Chai Mi ah, don't hold a grudge against your dad either, he's just like that. He's actually quite careful, feeds the cattle very diligently every day."

"Mm hm, really diligent. The calf's about to die and he can't even see it." Chai Mi said.

Su Wan was momentarily at a loss for words.

"Can it be cured?" After a moment, Su Wan asked: "I see that calf all withered and defeated, not easy to fix."

"I can't say either; the calf's too small, today's only its fourth day. Too much medicine won't work, too little does nothing." Chai Mi was also helpless: "I reckon it's my dad with nothing to do, fed the old cow green grass. His fake-diligent energy, the thief is fucking annoying. I don't even need to ask him; it's definitely this situation."

"Uh… your dad the day before yesterday did cut some green grass, said the cow eating it saves feed…" Su Wan said in a low voice.

Chai Mi was so angry she laughed: "Ai… I figured as much. Not…"

Chai Mi herself was a bit puzzled: "Doesn't he know this cow just gave birth to a calf, can't eat green grass?"

Normally speaking, a cow in the first month after giving birth must control water intake, also can't eat green grass. During this time the cow is actually quite weak; cold things are bad for the cow's body.

This point, everyone who raises cattle knows.

"Your dad though said, didn't give the old cow… only gave that Xiaohua cow…" Su Wan hesitated.

"Mom, do you believe that?"

Chai Mi doesn't believe it anyway.

That's how Chai Youqing does things; maybe he really only gave the Xiaohua cow some green grass, but the old cow snatched and ate some.

The matter might be just that simple.

But Chai Youqing will definitely have a reason, saying he really only gave the calf.

As for the big cow snatching it, he also didn't know.

Chai Mi sighed, let it be then; her dad, that's just how he is.

"Right, your Second Uncle… is dissatisfied, at the hospital berating Song Qiushui, saying the cause of this whole thing is all Song Qiushui's fault. So that's why he went to steal." Su Wan said.

"Aiya wo qu." Chai Mi slapped her forehead, why is she so angry today?

"No, does Chai Youfu have a brain problem? What's he spouting? Doesn't he know those chickens were bought with my money? Only says what benefits himself. And fucking blames this one and that one. Was it Song Qiushui who ran to his door to deliberately make things difficult? What was he thinking at the time? Besides, what Song Qiushui said wasn't wrong either. His daughter doesn't study properly, fucking dating all day. I didn't even have the nerve to say anything about her; is Chai Min that little girl just dating one boyfriend? She's fucking dated at least two or three…"

"Ah… Chai Min has dated two or three boyfriends already?" Su Wan was a bit surprised.

This is only Senior Year Three, one per year?

"No!!!" Chai Mi said: "Chai Min is dating two or three at the same time, not a total of two or three."

Su Wan froze: "Uh……"

Chai Xiu also widened her eyes: "Holy shit! My cousin sister is awesome…… time management master. Ancient kings, every one of them had three palaces, six courtyards, and seventy-two concubines; my cousin sister is heading that way too."

"Hiss……" Su Wan gasped: "That Chai Mi…… this you must not go out and say."

"I didn't say it; if I did, Chai Min's legs would be broken by my Second Uncle." Chai Mi said: "So, me and Song Qiushui at the time wanted to give Chai Min a warning. Our family produced a high school student, that's not too easy……"

Although Chai Mi looked down on this cousin sister, she also felt Chai Min might be young in years, gone astray, so she just simply said a bit.

Said Chai Min had a boyfriend.

But did not say too much.

Result: Chai Min bore a grudge in her heart.

Went home adding oil and vinegar, definitely Chai Min said something to Chai Youfu, stirred the fire, then Chai Youfu did this.

"Sister, then you say why Second Uncle had to do this stealing-people thing?" Chai Xiu had some lack of understanding: "Even if Chai Min reported back home, made Second Uncle angry and such. He could steal other things, or do other things. For example, steal our family's corn; we're this busy, also no time to go to fields……"

"Wait……" Chai Mi interrupted Chai Xiu: "Don't you fucking jinx it. You say it like this, I just remembered. What if our family's corn is already gone……"

Chai Xiu: "Uh……"

Su Wan instead said: "Your dad every three or five days goes to check the fields; he didn't say any was lost."

"Mom, tomorrow you go to the fields and check. See if our family's corn is lost or not. Xiu'er says it like this, I just remembered; maybe our family's corn has lost quite a lot." Chai Mi said seriously: "You think: now everyone knows my Second Uncle stole chicken meat. Before my Second Uncle stole chicken meat, whether he stole our family's corn is an unknown variable."

Su Wan frowned: "Can't be. He steals that stuff for what? Dead heavy, also not worth money. One hundred catties of corn, only twenty yuan. Even if one mu of land all stolen clean, that's only two hundred yuan. To steal one mu of corn, wouldn't that take two days…… what stealing other things isn't light and quick."

Chai Mi said: "Look, even you think this impossible to steal; then not far from lost. This matter actually logic simple. My Second Uncle maybe stole in advance, we don't know. Or now everyone knows my Second Uncle steals things; today or tomorrow go to our family's fields steal corn; afterwards normal person thinks: right, it's Chai Youfu did it…… don't need to find a second person.

When that time comes, that's when it's hard. No matter who stole, we'll all think it's Second Uncle stole. What if he didn't steal? So, tomorrow morning, after Mom I set up stall, you go check the fields. You must not learn my dad; you go inside and look. I have a very bad premonition; I feel Xiu'er this jinx, good things don't succeed, bad things definitely succeed."

"Sister…… you must not make trouble. I just say say; if it really gets lost then, you blame me." Chai Xiu a face of wronged: "I just say a mouth; if lost you cheat on me won't do."

Chai Mi touched Chai Xiu's head: "I blame you useful? Quickly quiet down and sleep. I'll go out and check in a bit."

Chai Xiu didn't speak, prepared to take off clothes and sleep.

Su Wan concernedly said: "How about I go check. You also tired a whole day."

"No matter no matter, won't die. I'm durable. Mom, you also sleep. This calf can't eat milk; in a bit the old cow all night won't be idle; definitely will moo moo call." Chai Mi sighed: "I listen to noise can't sleep; better go keep watch. Unlike Xiu'er. Xiu'er can sleep; falls asleep; someone sells her, she wouldn't know."

Chai Xiu a face of awkward: "That's my sleep quality high."

"Quick sleep you." Chai Mi speaking then came out.

Su Wan wanted to block, but didn't block.

Had to herself also close clothes and sleep.

Chai Mi came out looked at calf; felt calf slightly spirited a bit; at least eyes not straight anymore.

But again pulled blood; and more.

And is didn't get up to pull blood.

This explains: calf already exhausted beyond measure; basically can't get up; only can see tomorrow if can get better a bit.

Then Chai Mi leaned against cold earth wall; just like this kept staying; Da Niu kept calling; reached latter half of night; Chai Mi eyelids almost couldn't open.

Foot side's little calf curled up; occasionally let out a weak moan. Old cow in restless pacing; muffled "moo" sounds one by one struck in silent night.

Midway, Chai Mi again gave calf poured some anti-diarrhea medicine; Veterinarian Old Zhang's words still in ear: "Survive tonight…… key depends on its own fortune……"

"Show some spirit……" she low voice to calf murmured: "Live on, live well……"

Shed outside at this time transmitted hesitant footsteps; stopped at door.

Chai Mi raised eyes looked.

Is Chai Youqing; he hands holding a steaming Tang Ci Ci; stood at shed doorway; enter not right; retreat not right.

"I…… I boiled some hot water……" Chai Youqing's voice dry hoarse; carrying heavy nasal sound; "Old Zhang said…… every few points feed once medicine…… water must be warm…… I…… I afraid you forgot to stir evenly……"

Chai Mi didn't speak; only looked at him.

Chai Youqing more nervous; shuffled forward two steps; put basin gently at Chai Mi feet; flew fast withdrew hands. "Medicine…… medicine powder according to his said mixed good; in basin……"

He low voice added finish; eyes staring at ground's calf; "You…… you feed it…… I…… I just here……"

He said finish; not wait answer; silently retreated to corner piled dry grass place; curled body sat down; put himself curled into a ball.

Chai Mi looked at feet side that basin warm medicine water; again looked at corner inside silent shadow. Heart's fire anger; like by this basin water silently soaked a bit; that scorch heat quietly dissipated a bit.

She didn't again say what; silently picked up small bowl; scooped warm medicine water; carefully brought near calf mouth side. Calf's little tongue slightly moved once; difficultly licked.

Chai Mi patiently bit by bit fed.

Chai Youqing sat in corner inside; not move not move.

Finished feeding medicine; Chai Mi tired leaned back against wall; closed eyes rest spirit.

Half dream half awake between; opened eyes; Chai Youqing still not gone.

"Alright; quick go back sleep. Tomorrow daytime you feed medicine; if calf gets lost by you; I'll again with you speak speak."