Chapter 23: A Dream

Those funds felt to her like nothing more than a fleeting dream. Upon waking, she was forced to confront her empty wallet once again, alongside the harsh reality of providing for her entire family. Whenever such moments arrived, Qin Huairu felt as though a thousand-pound stone were pressing down on her chest, leaving her breathless and weighed down by sorrow.

On this particular day, Qin Huairu stood once more before that hollow wallet, her brows knitted in distress and her face etched with worry. Her heart was a turmoil of helplessness and anxiety; she had no idea how she would make it through the month. Just then, Bang Geng returned from school. He pushed the door open and his first words were, "Mom, I'm hungry. What are we having?" The innocence in his voice, filled with a desperate longing for food, only deepened the ache in Qin Huairu’s heart. She let out a long sigh, suppressing the bitterness within, and replied, "Just wait, Mom will go make something for you." Yet, as she spoke, she knew full well that there was nothing left in the house to cook.

With no other choice, Qin Huairu had to steel herself and head out once more in search of help. She arrived at the He residence, but this time, she bypassed He Yuzhu, choosing instead to approach the gentler, more accessible He Yushui. In her mind, the old adage about picking the softest persimmon held true when it came to asking for favors.

"Yushui, are you home alone?" Qin Huairu asked tentatively.

He Yushui smiled and replied, "Sister Qin, you already asked me that just a moment ago."

Qin Huairu realized she had been clumsy and offered an embarrassed smile. A sudden silence fell over the room, broken only by the occasional chirping of birds outside the window. He Yushui looked at Qin Huairu with a gaze full of understanding and sympathy, pausing for a moment as if considering how best to broach the subject.

"Sister Qin, look at you. We’ve been here so long, chatting about this and that, yet we haven't touched on the real reason for your visit."

A flicker of awkwardness crossed Qin Huairu’s face. She bit her lip gently, as if steeling her resolve.

"Yushui, to tell you the truth, I feel terrible about this, but the situation is so dire that I have no choice but to come to you. You know how things are at home; the meager wages I earn each month are spent on debts before I can even warm the coins in my hand. Once the debts are paid, there isn't enough left to even buy rice or vegetables." Qin Huairu’s voice was heavy with bitterness and helplessness. She sighed before continuing, "With the pot about to go empty, I feel as anxious as an ant on a hot pan."

While Qin Huairu remained lost in her own sorrow, speaking half to herself as tears welled up and traced paths down her cheeks, He Yushui had quietly risen. She reached under the bed to retrieve an old key, and with a soft, metallic *click*, she slowly pulled open a small, usually locked cabinet. She withdrew a crisp, new "Da Tuan Yuan" banknote and placed it gently into Qin Huairu’s trembling hand.

As Qin Huairu stared at the bill—the very symbol of hope—her tears fell like beads from a broken string. "Yushui, thank you so much. I will keep this kindness in my heart and will surely repay you in the future," she choked out.

Hearing this, He Yushui pouted in disapproval. "Sister Qin, I don't like hearing you talk like that. We are so close; why would I help you just so you could pay me back later?"

Qin Huairu felt a warmth spread through her heart and nodded quickly. "You're right, Sister spoke out of turn. Don't take it to heart."

"Yushui, let me write you an IOU. As soon as next month’s wages come in, I’ll pay you back immediately." As she spoke, she started to rise and move toward the desk, but before she could take a step, He Yushui held her back with a gentle but firm grip. A look of mock reproach mixed with a smile graced He Yushui's face. "Sister Qin, are you trying to make me feel uncomfortable on purpose? Are you trying to create distance between us?"

Seeing He Yushui’s feigned annoyance, Qin Huairu couldn't help but laugh, her tone turning lighter. "Yushui, you really are like a younger sister to me!" With that, Qin Huairu left, her heart filled with joy and the banknote clutched in her hand. Yet, deep within He Yushui, there lay a multitude of unspoken thoughts, a heavy weight that she found difficult to cast aside.

...

Elsewhere, He Yuzhu and Yu Haitang were in the throes of a sweet romance, nearly inseparable. As a result, the time He Yushui spent seeing her brother at home had dwindled significantly. During this time, she had gradually grown accustomed to dining alone, no longer expecting the warmth of the whole family gathered around the table.

However, on this particular evening, after He Yushui had prepared dinner, she insisted on waiting for He Yuzhu to return, even as her stomach growled with hunger. The clock on the wall ticked rhythmically, each second testing her patience. After what felt like an eternity, she finally caught sight of He Yuzhu returning.

"Brother, you're back. The food is almost cold." She began to pick up the plates to reheat them in the kitchen.

He Yuzhu was quick; he caught her by the arm and studied her expression closely, a subtle unease stirring in his heart. "Why are you acting so strange today? By the look of things, were you waiting specifically for me to eat?"

He Yushui offered a guilty laugh, trying to cover her tracks. "What’s so strange about waiting for my brother to eat?" She then hurried away with the plates.

Watching her leave, He Yuzhu felt a nagging suspicion that something was off. As the saying goes, "When things happen out of the ordinary, there must be a reason." How could his sister, usually so carefree and focused only on her own belly, be waiting for him while starving?

...

He Yuzhu ate with a sense of unease, his heart unsettled, waiting for He Yushui to reveal her true intentions. He Yushui, already starving, devoured a bowl of rice in no time before remembering she had business to attend to. She watched He Yuzhu’s expression carefully, fearing she might inadvertently displease him. Unexpectedly, He Yuzhu looked up, and their gazes met.

He set his chopsticks down, crossed his arms over his chest, and said, "Yushui, if you have something to say, just say it. Stop beating around the bush."

"Oh, Brother... Brother, look at my face—can I really hide nothing from you?" He Yushui let out a giggle, scratched her head in embarrassment, and then picked up a wine bottle, skillfully pouring him a glass. She held the cup with both hands, presenting it to him with a fawning smile that was as warm and bright as the spring sun.

"Brother, try this wine. I picked it out just for you; I'm sure it's exactly to your taste."