Chapter 14: Brother, Do You Really Think Ah Chen Is Talented?

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Su Chen rubbed his red, tender head.
“Alright, wear what I bought for you, okay? Daddy can earn money.”
He pulled out a wad of cash and waved it in front of her.
Today, two coats cost ninety; the children's sweaters, pants, and shoes were purchased at one store, and after bargaining, the total came to one hundred thirty. Two packs of cigarettes cost fifty. After subtracting the money spent on yellow paper and cinnabar flowers, he still had over thirty yuan left.
Seeing this, Honghong finally relaxed.
Su Chen handed her a one-yuan note.
Honghong quickly waved her hand. “Daddy, I don’t want it.”
“Take it. This is your pocket money for the month. Your little brother and sister have some too.”
Honghong was momentarily stunned. Su Chen then stood up and went inside, giving pocket money to Yueyue, Apeng, and Acai before asking Apeng, “Why is your clothes dirty? Did you fall?”
Apeng shook his head. “Brother pushed me.”
“Which brother?”
“Ah Hui.”
Ah Hui is the third son of the eldest brother’s family.
Su Chen stroked Apeng’s head upon hearing this. “Don’t cry. Next time brother wears new clothes, you just return them.”
Apeng pouted. “He doesn’t have new clothes. He’s always wearing Ah Liang’s hand-me-downs.”
Su Chen paused, then gave a wry smile and patted Apeng’s head.
“Don’t worry, there will be some.”
Seeing Honghong helping her siblings try on the new clothes, Old Su watched happily nearby, while Su Chen went next door.
Little Ah Yun was sound asleep, lips pursed, occasionally sucking.
There was a movement in his pocket.
Looking down, Su Chen saw the little paper doll’s tiny hand and head peeking out again.
He tapped the doll’s head.
“You carry ghostly and resentful energy. Don’t get close to Ah Yun; it will weaken him.”
The paper doll reluctantly withdrew.
Su Chen leaned close to Ah Yun’s cheek, kissed him, then, satisfied, got up and grabbed the two packs of cigarettes. “Dad, I’m going to the eldest and fourth brother’s houses.”

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Old Su, who had been smiling while watching the grandchildren change clothes, quickly came out. “What for?”
“Oh, I want to carve something. Fourth brother is a carpenter; he should have some wood. I’ll ask him. Eldest and fourth brother live together, so I’ll check on them too.”
Old Su thought it was just an excuse, sighed, and said, “Go ahead, talk to your eldest and fourth brother properly. If they…”
“Don’t worry. If they scold me, I’ll take it. I’m the one at fault.”
Old Su was about to say more when Su Chen stepped out the door.
Since the family split eight years ago, the eldest and fourth brothers built a house together at the end of Niuwai Village. With limited money, the walls were made of yellow mud and bamboo strips, which would fall off during rain and need constant patching.
When Su Chen arrived, Su Mao, the eldest brother, was carrying yellow mud back inside. Seeing him, his face softened.
“What are you doing here?”
“Big brother, I recently made some money in the city and bought cigarettes for you and fourth brother.”
A flicker of guilt crossed Su Mao’s eyes, but he stiffened his neck. “Take them back. I don’t need them.”
“Big brother, I know I’ve done many wrongs before, wronged you and sister-in-law, and fourth brother and his wife. I realize my mistakes now and will make amends.”
Su Mao snorted lightly. “Who believes your lies?”
Su Chen sighed inwardly: why do I have to bear the burden for the original person’s sins?
Still smiling, he said, “Big brother, do you want to patch the wall? I’ll help.”
He set the cigarettes aside and lifted the dustpan.
Su Mao dodged. “Who asked for your help? Go away.”
But the dustpan was full of heavy yellow mud, and he was caught after a short distance.
“Big brother, it’s getting late. Let’s hurry.”
Without waiting, Su Chen carried the dustpan to the wall and quickly spotted several exposed bamboo strips. “Big brother, bring a stool!”
Everyone in Niuwai Village knew how to patch walls from experience. The original person had memories of this too. Moistened with water, the yellow mud was kneaded and cleaned of large debris. Su Chen began patching, smoothing the surface with bamboo pieces to ensure flatness.
Su Mao opened his mouth but said nothing harsh, silently lowering his head to help.
When the wall was nearly done, Su Chen’s fourth brother, Su De, arrived, surprised to see him. “Ah Chen, what are you doing here?”
“Fourth brother, I came for your help.”
Su De’s face darkened immediately. “I have no money!”
“I’m not borrowing money. I want some wood. By the way, do you have a chisel? I need to borrow one too.”

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“Wood?” Su De frowned. “What do you need it for?”
“I want to carve a small figure.”
Su De’s expression grew even darker. “Ah Hua just died. Your kids don’t care about anything but playing cards, and now this mess? Do you want Ah Hua’s spirit to never rest?”
His words were harsh enough to make Su Mao scratch his nose.
When the family split, he and fourth brother had suffered big losses and even cut ties with their parents. But Ah Chen’s wife, Ah Hua, was a good woman who had secretly sent food and clothes to their family over the years, especially when times were hard. But as Ah Chen’s children grew numerous and life became harder, they eased off.
In truth, though brothers with Ah Chen, Su Mao and Su De were closer to Ah Hua.
Su Chen was not angry and smiled, nodding. “Yes, fourth brother, you’re right. I shouldn’t be messing around. I should work hard and take care of the kids. But carving the figure isn’t play—it’s important.”
Su De, sharp-tongued but soft-hearted, softened and asked, “What important business?”
Su Chen sighed and told him what happened this morning. Then he showed the little paper doll. “I promised, so I have to do it. Paper isn’t sturdy; water soaks it and it breaks easily. A wooden figure can last longer.”
Su De and Su Mao were shocked. Su Mao even touched Su Chen’s forehead, muttering, “No fever!”
Knowing they didn’t believe him, Su Chen repeated what he told Su Xiaoyan and their parents, then pointed at the cigarettes. “Big brother, fourth brother, if you don’t believe me, go ask in the city. I’m selling at Chunming Street. These cigarettes are a thank-you gift from someone who helped settle this matter.”
Su De and Su Mao looked at each other silently.
After a long moment, Su De said, “Take the cigarettes back. We don’t want them. But the wood, I’ll give you.”
He went inside, rummaged, and soon returned with three palm-sized pieces of wood. “Will these do?”
Su Chen nodded. “Perfect, thank you, fourth brother.”
No chisel was needed now. He picked up the wood and turned to leave. “Big brother, fourth brother, I’m going home for dinner first.”
After a few steps, he broke into a light run.
“Hey, your cigarettes!”
Su Mao chased after him for ten meters but saw people coming out to watch. Since Su Chen had already run far, he grumbled and gave up.
Su De frowned suspiciously. “Big brother, do you think Ah Chen really has skill?”
“Who knows? Hope it’s not a scam.”
“Can’t be. Ah Chen has always loved playing since he was little but has never stolen or cheated.”
Su Mao sighed. “We’ll see. Besides, these cigarettes…”