Chapter 148: Little Hope

Translator: 549690339

“You and your son need not be so formal; it isn’t such a serious matter of life-saving grace. I simply helped out of sympathy for an aunt’s deep affection for her child. It was just a helping hand, you needn’t take it to heart like this,” Su Wenyue waved her hand as she spoke. When she had offered her help, it was indeed with this sentiment, and she had not thought of seeking any return from the mother and son. However, now that she knew Feng Susu’s status, she naturally had more thoughts.

Su Wenyue didn’t consider herself despicable, for it wasn’t about harming anyone. Although there was a suspicion of taking advantage of Feng Susu and her son, the fact that she had saved their lives was undeniable. Therefore, asking for some remuneration without affecting the mother and son was reasonable. It is often said that doctors are compassionate, yet they still charge a consultation fee for treating patients. Even kind-hearted doctors would only waive the fee for patients in genuine financial distress.

Seeing Su Wenyue’s response, Feng Susu and her son felt more grateful. They believed that Madam Han was truly kind-hearted; after all, they genuinely had nothing desirable to offer. Besides good intentions, Feng Susu and her son could think of no reason why Su Wenyue would lend a hand. As for that matter, no one knew about it except Su Wenyue at this time. Even Feng Susu and her son wouldn’t be living this rough and tumble life if they were aware.

“Madam Han has a warm heart to offer help. Although it may be a small effort for you, it is a tremendous favor for us mother and son. We will remember this kindness for the rest of our lives. Whatever Madam Han commands, as long as it is within our capabilities, we will not refuse,” Feng Susu declared with conviction, a woman who could articulate herself forcefully. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have been able to raise her son single-handedly under such difficult conditions.

Su Wenyue decided not to continue the topic. After all, she would naturally claim what was owed when the time came. She recalled that Feng Susu’s previous humble abode partially collapsed due to rain, so the mother and son had taken refuge in the Ruined Temple.

“Aunt, are you still living in the Ruined Temple with the child? How do you maintain your livelihood on a daily basis? Do you have any plans?” Su Wenyue asked these questions not only to foster a closer relationship but also genuinely to help the mother and son. Before anyone found them, there was still a hard stretch of days ahead, and she didn’t mind giving them a hand. Feng Susu and her son were indeed people worth her assistance.

If someone else had asked such questions, the mother and son might have become irritated and guarded, but they could feel Su Wenyue’s goodwill when she asked.

“Once the house fell, we lost our shelter and could only temporarily stay in the Ruined Temple. But it’s fine; we’re accustomed to such a life after so many years of hardships. As for our livelihood, Taier earns a few coins by writing letters for others on the Street, and I can earn a bit by washing Clothes for Wealthy Families every day. We have enough to support ourselves and have no other plans. Our greatest wish in life is to find my son’s father so that our family can be reunited and live together happily.”

Feng Susu was a woman of resilient character. Her Husband had been out of touch for many years, and while most people would give up after searching for so long, she had never given up hope and continued her relentless search, believing that her Husband was still alive.

“So, it’s said that your child’s father went to join the army, right?” Su Wenyue inquired, following Feng Susu’s narrative.

As soon as the topic of her long-separated Husband came up, Feng Susu’s eyes reddened: “That was thirteen years ago. Dad joined the army, and for the first one or two years, he would send letters arranging for his Military pay to be brought home. Later, a war broke out at the Border, and he accompanied the Imperial Army to fight off foreign enemies. After that, he never returned, nor was there any news. Subsequently, a great flood struck our hometown. Our Crops and home were destroyed, and life became unsustainable, so I left Xinye with my child. We depended on odd jobs or begging, and it took three years to reach the Border City.”

Listening to this, Su Wenyue felt a surge of admiration for Feng Susu: “What happened after that, did you still not find your child’s father upon reaching the Border City?”

Feng Susu shook her head: “I was overjoyed to finally arrive at the Border City, hoping that I could finally see the child’s father. But in such a vast place, it’s not easy to find one person. I asked around in the military camp, and they said there was no record of him. I searched many nearby areas too, but there was no news. Later, I learned from a veteran who had returned from the Battlefield that my child’s father had been transferred elsewhere. We traveled to many places but still couldn’t find him. A couple of years ago, we heard he might be in Xinye and went there, only to be disappointed again.”

This was truly a story full of sorrow; just listening to it, Su Wenyue could sense the hardships, let alone Feng Susu who had lived through it day by day.

“Do you still plan to continue searching for him? But where to look next? Searching aimlessly like this isn’t a solution,” Su Wenyue said, well aware of the child’s father’s whereabouts but unable to reveal it, because in this lifetime, she couldn’t possibly know about it. If she were to reveal it, she would have no way to explain how she came to know, yet she couldn’t bear to see Feng Susu continue the search either.

“I have no other ideas; I can’t think of any other way,” Feng Susu admitted.

“Why don’t you stay here for now? My Husband is on duty at the Camp. You can tell me about your child’s father, and I’ll have my Husband look into it for you. It’s better than aimlessly rushing around like a headless fly,” Su Wenyue suggested after some thought.

“Really?! That would be wonderful! I, a civilian woman, wouldn’t know how to thank Madam enough,” Feng Susu exclaimed, emotionally standing up, her tears almost spilling over with gratitude. She felt incredibly fortunate to have encountered such a kind-hearted person as Madam, and she attempted to kowtow to Su Wenyue in thanks.

Su Wenyue quickly pulled her up: “Aunt, please don’t be like this. I’m just going to ask my Husband to have a look for him; whether he can find him is uncertain. If he doesn’t, I wouldn’t want to disappoint you.”

“It’s alright, it’s alright. As someone who has been searching for so many years, I don’t expect to find him at once. I’m already very grateful that Madam is willing to help,” Feng Susu responded.

“Don’t keep calling me Madam; it feels so distant. My surname is Su, and my name is Wenyue. You can just call me Lady Yue. That’s what everyone calls me at home,” Su Wenyue offered.

Su Wenyue actually wanted to keep Feng Susu and her son, but since it was only their second meeting, being too enthusiastic wouldn’t be normal. She had to restrain her desire to offer them a place to stay and let them leave for the moment. In the evening, when Han Yu returned home, she talked about the matter of finding someone.

It wasn’t a big issue, and since his Daughter-in-law was asking, Han Yu agreed without hesitation: “However, Daughter-in-law, with just a name and a place of origin, finding a person – especially one who joined the army over a decade ago – is unlikely to be successful.”