Struggle in Ancient Times

Liao Tingyu walked back inside with brown rice from the doctor.
Although the brown rice didn’t taste as soft as modern rice. The grains weren’t big or fragrant compared to the Chinese rice.
When they saw him coming over, mother Deng and Liao Ming went over to take it from Liao Tingyu. Mother Deng poured the rice into Liao Ming and Liao Tingyu’s bowls then she sat down to eat.

Liao Shi and Wen Xiuer remained motionless. They still held the steamed buns in their hands and looked at the rice. When they saw Liao Tingyu’s eyes, they looked down.
Liao Tingyu felt uncomfortable, he couldn’t let this situation went on, “Mother, isn’t there a portion for my big brother?”
Mother Deng put the rice in her mouth with a blank look. She looked at the food on the table as saying if he wanted it then let him get it.

Liao Tingyu knew mother Deng didn’t understand what he meant, he repeated, “Mother, big brother is laying on the bed. You can serve a bowl for him and sister-in-law.”
Liao Tingyu wanted to do it on his own but the root of problem wouldn’t be solved. If he wasn’t home then who will treat his big brother?
Mother Deng put down her chopstick and complained, “Why should I serve him? it’s not like your big brother couldn’t get out of the bed. He has rested here for so long, even your sister-in-law is here. What is her use if she didn’t serve her husband? What a shameless person!”

Liao Tingyu said in a gentle voice, “Of course, you have a wife to accompany the husband. But, mother, you served food for father and I. You gave none for big brother and sister-in-law. Siblings always take care of each other and I only have big brother as the closest person in my life. We have to support each other.”
Liao Tingyu continued, “I know you have big brother in your heart and big brother has always respect you. But there is misunderstanding between you and him. You always speak in the hard way but are soft-hearted and I knew it well. But my big brother is dull, he couldn’t understand you. If my mother could support me then you also should give the same to my big brother. The family should live in unity and harmonious way.”
Liao Ming nodded his head and said to his wife, “Go serve the bowl to our eldest son and his wife. We are one family, there is no need to feel wronged. You have started it, then you have to be fair with everyone. Let’s move this table a little closer to the bed, so we could eat together.”

“Okay. I think it’s unlucky to have such stupid son. I have always been unlucky for a year; did you think you were raised by a stepmother? The whole family didn’t even know how to get their own portion.”
Liao Shi’s heart was filled with warm emotion, the seven-foot man was a little teary in his eyes.
Mother Deng also reflected on her own behaviour. Although, her eldest had many things she didn’t like but it was still her own son. The reason she behaved that way was because she was used to it, including Liao Ming who was always take care of their youngest son and ignored the eldest one.

In the past, no matter what time it was, whenever mother Deng cooked something, it was for her youngest son.
As for the eldest, there was some leftover in the pot, he could take it himself if he wanted too.
Liao Tingyu looked at his family members who had changed a little. He picked a meat piece for them using the chopsticks.

“Come, let’s all eat. Especially sister-in-law, you are pregnant, eat the dish from our school.”
“Yes, eat more. This is the meat from student and teacher’s place. Eat more, maybe your child could be smarter.” Mother Deng said pointedly.
Liao Shi buried his head in his bowl and took a bit with a little shyness. It was really delicious.
The meal was eaten in a warm mood. Everyone was happy and talked with a smile.

Liao Tingyu told his parents about his plan, “I thought about it. Now, I have some savings and our business is good. We should buy smaller shop in the West Street. We could sell the bean curd and other things. Sister-in-law already so big, I think it was safer to stay in the town with many doctors here. What do you think?”
Liao Ming knew about some situation in the town. He thought, to do business here at least they must have a shop.
He calculated the money he had and was disappointed, “A shop in the town could cost fifty taels. Your father and mother have been saving up for so long but we only have dozen taels. It was too little to buy a shop.”

Liao Shi who was excited about the shop suddenly felt depressed. He turned to his younger brother for help, after all, he was very reliable.
Liao Tingyu indeed had his own idea, “I still have some money here which I earned from writing. We could open a small shop and buy the furniture needed.”
When he heard that his youngest son, Liao Ming was surprised. How much could you get from writing a book?

Judging from his tone, it seemed that he earned more than twelve taels. In addition, Liao Tingyu never short on money and always buy something for them.
Liao Ming asked him, “Can you make a lot of money from books?”
Liao Tingyu felt his father was hesitate about him, he looked at his father’s worried eyes, “This is depending to the quality. If it was good, the boss would print the book and sell it in his store. All the money from the sale would be recorded in an account and the writer could get their own shares. Well, you could get dozen taels or even hundred from the sale.”

Liao Ming felt relieved when he heard it, sure enough, scholars spent money like a water but also earned it easily.
If he had known it, he would have asked him to write a book years ago.
What was Liao Tingyu doing in the holiday? He was busy reading books and writing articles.

At first, he was worried with his son’s ability to make money. He was so capable and it was easy to go astray. Although their town wasn’t big but it still costed a lot of money to live.
There were brothels, gambling houses and other dark business here.