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When they returned with the sweet cane, Yu Chunmiao broke off a piece, peeled it, and snapped it into two segments. She handed one to Qi Rong and stuffed the other into her mouth.
Qi Rong looked at her as if she were foolish. "Sister-in-law, are you a cow?" He wasn't sure if this new sister-in-law was really that silly.
Yu Chunmiao chewed on the sweet cane, her words muffled. "You should try it; it's sweet."
Frowning, Qi Rong slowly put the sweet cane into his mouth and mimicked her chewing. After just one bite, his eyes widened in surprise, the pupils visibly dilating. "It's really sweet! Sister-in-law, it's so sweet!"
He quickly chewed until the sweet cane was nothing but pulp before spitting it out. "We should get some more for Mother and Elder Brother to try."
Yu Chunmiao shook her head. "Just one is enough for now. It's not fully ripe yet; when it ripens, it'll be even sweeter and can be used to make brown sugar. Right now, the segments are short and green. When they grow longer and turn brown, that's when it's time to make sugar."
Qi Rong nodded vigorously, momentarily distracted by his cravings rather than thinking about money.
Chen Ruolan had already prepared the meal but was waiting for Uncle and Aunt to arrive. She first took lunch to Qi Chong and expressed her concern. "Qi Rong still hasn't returned; I'll go check on him. You eat first."
Qi Chong grew worried as well and leaned on his crutch to follow her.
"Just rest! If you hurt yourself, no amount of money can fix it." Chen Ruolan pressed her son back onto the stool and turned to leave.
As she stepped into the yard, she saw Qi Rong running back with two pieces of sweet cane. "Mother! Elder Brother!"
Noticing that her daughter-in-law was missing, Chen Ruolan bypassed her younger son's excited expression and asked, "Where's your sister-in-law? Why are you the only one back? What took so long?"
Hearing this made Qi Chong anxious too.
"She’s right behind me! I came back first to give you this; you have to try it—it's really sweet!" Qi Rong handed the sweet cane to his mother before dashing toward his elder brother's room.
"Elder Brother! Here!" Qi Rong offered the sweet cane to him. "Try it! It's so sweet! Sister-in-law said that in August we can use it to make sugar, and with the money from selling it, we can get your leg treated."
Qi Chong thought to himself that by August, he would have missed the chance for treatment; there would be no hope left.
However, seeing his little brother still catching his breath with a slightly open mouth and sweat glistening on his neck made him feel a mix of emotions. His younger brother had taken on such a heavy burden for their family at such a young age while he himself had injured his leg and burdened them all.
Looking at the sweet cane in his brother's hand, he said nothing but took a bite himself. He didn't believe it could be sweet; after all, cows liked it. He figured if he took a couple of bites, he wouldn't die from it—he couldn't let his little brother down.
Seeing his younger brother looking at him with eager anticipation made him think he could just tell a little lie to get through this moment.
As he chewed on the sweet cane, Qi Chong's expression froze. There was indeed a hint of sweetness as the juice was squeezed out by his teeth, filling his mouth with flavor.
"See? I didn't lie to you, did I? Sister-in-law is really impressive. She even had me pick some Loquat Leaves, saying she would make a tea for Mother to help with her cough." Qi Rong said before running out.
Qi Chong stood there in a daze, hearing his voice from outside. "Mother, you should try it! Just ask Big Brother; it's really sweet!"
Just then, Yu Chunmiao returned, carrying a basket full of Clams and a dozen Loquat Leaves, her waist bent under the weight.
"Why aren't you helping your sister-in-law carry things? Look how much she's struggling!" Chen Ruolan said as she handed the sweet cane to her younger son and hurried to help Yu Chunmiao with the basket.
Yu Chunmiao set down the basket and said, "Mother, Qi Rong helped me carry it all the way; I only carried it for a short distance myself. I'm not tired."
Inside the house, Qi Chong listened to their conversation, feeling an urge to go out and see them. They hadn't even met yet, and this girl was already working hard for him. Why was he hiding?
Just as he was lost in these chaotic thoughts, his younger brother ran back in. The door was left open, and he saw their mother and Yu Chunmiao heading toward the kitchen.
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