Struggle in Ancient Times

The days passed quickly; it was time for Liao Tingyu to teach in the Qingshan Academy. While packing his baggage, mother Deng told him, “Although you are an adult now, you still don’t know how to take care of yourself. Mother has prepared clothes for you. I don’t know if you have a place to wash them in the school; if there was none, you could bring them home. Mother will wash it for you.”

“Mother, there’s no need for that. I used to wash it when I was a student, I still could do it as a teacher. Don’t bring too much clothes, it’s not far from home.” Liao Tingyu looked at the pile of clothes his mother prepared, he felt helpless. It looked like he was going to travel faraway.

“How can you compare yourself with the past? Back then, you only need to do your homework. But as a teacher, you have many responsibilities. Mother still know some things, don’t look down on me.” Mother Deng looked at her son.

“But I don’t need that much clothes.”

Mother Deng looked at the baggage and felt it was not good. She picked out some clothes but felt wrong and added them back.

“Hm, is there something missing?” mother Deng murmured to herself, “You go out. I’m busy here, don’t bother me!”

“Okay. Okay, don’t bring too much.” Liao Tingyu nodded his head.

“I know it.” mother Deng pushed him out.

.

During the meal, mother Deng babbled a lot.

“You should eat more, look at how thin you are. Your da-ge almost twice your size, don’t be a picky eater. Buy things if you want to, you don’t have to save it much. You are a teacher now, don’t worry about the family. We have our own money, mother prepared a tael for you. So, don’t be stingy and spend it.”

Liao Tingyu looked at his mother, he was very moved by her passion. If only the food was better, he would be satisfied.

Mother Deng thought for a long time and remembered she didn’t give the money to Liao Tingyu yet, she rushed inside to take it. Liao Tingyu looked at his father, while his father only shook his head. Liao Tingyu turned to his da-ge but Liao da-ge finished his meal fast and went back to work. He could only bury his head and ate the food slowly.

.

Mother Deng went back with the money, there was only her xiao-erzi struggling to eat alone.

“Xiao-erzi, take this money. You can use it in the town.”

Liao Tingyu pushed the money back, “Mother, I still have some money. You need it more in the home, don’t worry about me.”

“How much money do you have? Living in the town cost a lot, it’s better to bring more. Back then, you always bring money from mother to the school.” Mother Deng replied worriedly.

Liao Ting shook his head and refused, “This time was different. I used to spend a lot for studying and build good relationship with my classmates. Now, I am a teacher, I don’t need to do such things...” Liao Tingyu paused a bit to burped.

“I also wrote stories and sold them in a bookstore. The school will take care of my meals, even if I buy things, it won’t cost much. It’s better for you to keep it. If I don’t have money, I will come back and ask mother.”

Since he was unwilling, mother Deng couldn’t force her son. After all, he knew the best about his own situation.

In the past, he would come back as soon as his money gone. So, mother Deng didn’t think too much.

.

Liao Ming was sitting on the ox cart waiting for them, he got a little impatient and shouted, “Why aren’t you done yet? How long will you prepare? If you don’t leave now, it will be dark.”

Mother Deng was feeling down, once she heard this, her emotion instantly blowed up, “What’s the rush! I am talking to my son! What’s the problem? I won’t see him for a long time. Why can’t you let me spend more time with him? You can’t wait for our son to leave? I’ve never seen a father like you.”

Liao Ming didn’t like his wife’s words. How can’t he want his son to leave? As a father, he was happy that his son had the ability to be a teacher. He couldn’t hold him from the good career. Liao Ming glanced at mother Deng, almost replied her but he backed down, “A loving mother is a weak one.”

Liao Tingyu and Liao da-ge exchanged glances, well their father was a weak chicken in front of their mother. Both brothers pretended they didn’t witness their father’s lame words.