Chapter 176: No Regrets

Once they parted, they would never see each other again.

Even if there was a path to the netherworld, mother and son were not fated. If there was really a second life, they would not know each other even if they stood in front of each other.

At that time, she would not know whose wife or mother she was, nor did he know whose husband or son he was.

Hu Daniu smiled gently at Madam Cao and said slowly, “Mother, I’ll be your son again in my next life. Please forgive me for being unfilial in this life.”

He was the only child of the Hu family. When his father was alive, he had given all his love to him.

So had his Mother. He had been unfilial.

Madam Cao shook her head sadly.

It couldn’t be helped. She was just so heartbroken.

Hu Daniu had said a lot and his breath was very weak. He did not know how long he could last. He said to Madam Cao, “Mother, I want to eat the noodles you made.”

He was finally going on this last journey. He had said everything he needed to say. He had no regrets anymore.

Hearing that Hu Daniu wanted to eat noodles, Madam Cao hurriedly got up trembling. She said to Hu Daniu, “Alright, wait for me. I’ll make it for you now. Don’t worry, Third Brother and Third Sister-in-law are here. They’ve brought noodles. Don’t worry, they’ll help Xiaozhi.”

Madam Cao slowly went out. Seeing Su Xiaozhi and the children waiting anxiously outside the house, Madam Cao said gently to Su Xiaozhi, “Xiaozhi, Daniu wants to eat the noodles I make. I’ll make them. You and the children can go in and accompany him.”

Su Xiaozhi nodded and brought Hu Shuangshuang, Hu Changshou, and Hu Changyang into the house.

Madam Cao was just about to ask Su Sanlang and Madam Zhao for help.

Madam Zhao went forward to support Madam Cao and said gently, “Auntie, let us help you.”

Madam Cao nodded. “Okay, thank you.”

Madam Cao looked at Su Xiaolu and said gently, “Xiaolu, I don’t have enough strength in my hands. Can you give me two more injections? These noodles are only delicious when they’re made with strength.”

Su Xiaolu nodded. “No problem.”

Everyone knew that Hu Daniu was going to go after taking this bite.

Madam Cao was injured and she didn’t have the strength, but she would be fine after injecting two needles.

Su Sanlang lit a fire and boiled water.

Madam Zhao went to get the flour.

Madam Cao personally mixed the dough and carefully kneaded it. Finally, she pulled the dough apart and cut it into noodles.

After boiling in water, a little lard, salt, shallots, and half a bowl of noodle soup was scooped out and placed in a bowl. This simple bowl of noodles is cooked.

Madam Cao carried it over slowly.

Su Xiaozhi took the bowl and said, “Mother, let me feed him.”

Madam Cao nodded.

Hu Daniu’s consciousness was no longer very clear.

Su Xiaozhi called out to him softly, “Daniu, the noodles are ready. Open your mouth…”

Hu Daniu opened his eyes. His lover in front of him was already blurry. He smiled and ate his noodles.

He no longer had the strength to chew. He just swallowed. He nodded slightly and said contentedly, “Delicious.”

After two bites, Hu Daniu could not swallow anymore. He said gently, “Xiao Zhi, mother, I’m full. Thank you.”

He blinked. His vision was getting blurry. He wanted to take another good look, but he was so tired.

“All of you … be … well.”

With great effort, Hu Daniu finished the last sentence and slowly closed his eyes.

Everyone was quiet.

After a long while, Su Xiaozhi called Hu Daniu softly. Hu Daniu did not move and did not open his eyes again. Only then did Su Xiaozhi and the children cry out in pain.

Su Xiaozhi pounced on Hu Daniu and cried, “Daniu, Daniu, open your eyes and look at me again.”

The three children also cried and shouted, “Father, look at us again.”

Madam Cao also whimpered. She looked at Hu Daniu. “My son, my son…”

Hu Daniu had finally come to the end of his life.

Whether it was mother and son or husband and child and father, they all ended at this moment.

Since Hu Daniu was dead, they naturally had to hold a funeral.

After Su Xiaozhi’s pain, she pulled herself together and presided over Hu Daniu’s funeral.

Su Sanlang gave Su Xiaozhi a few taels of silver to help with the funeral.

Su Xiaolu had also prescribed a few medicines for Madam Cao. Madam Cao’s eyes were injured from crying too much. She would recover after taking the medicine.

Hu Daniu was already cleaned up very well and left very decently.

Su Xiaozhi pulled herself together, and so did Madam Cao.

Su Sanlang and Madam Zhao discussed staying behind to help with the funeral arrangements. Madam Zhao went home first.

The husband and wife worked together, and there was no lack of people at home. As for Su Xiaozhi, she would make plans after Hu Daniu’s funeral.

Madam Zhao nodded and left with Su Xiaolu.

It was dark when they got home.

Su Chong, Su Hua, and the others were having dinner at Chen Hu’s house.

Seeing Su Xiaolu and Madam Zhao return, Chen Hu and Madam Qian hurriedly called them over for dinner.

After sitting down, Madam Qian asked with concern, “Sister-in-law, how is it? Is Xiaozhi’s family alright?”

Chen Hu also looked concerned. Since Su Sanlang had not returned, something must have happened.

Madam Zhao sighed and said, “Xiaozhi’s husband, Hu Daniu passed away today. This year, Hu Daniu’s father passed away. A few months ago, Hu Daniu fell and injured his head. He has been unconscious since then. We called Xiaolu to take a look. There’s nothing we can do because it’s too late. Xiaolu woke him up and he left his last words in peace.”

“Xiaozhi’s mother-in-law also cried until she was blind. Sigh…”

Thinking of this, Madam Zhao felt that it was a pity. If only she had known earlier.

However, Su Xiaozhi did not want to drag them down. After all, it was their lives.

Chen Hu and Madam Qian remained silent for a long time before sighing.

Su Chong, Su Hua, and the other children did not speak, but they all sympathized with Su Xiaozhi.

Chen Hu sighed and asked, “Sister-in-law, what will happen to Xiaozhi in the future? It’s too hard on her to raise three children alone.”

Without a pillar of support at home, she might even be bullied a lot.

Madam Zhao sighed and said, “We don’t know yet. Sanlang said that we’ll discuss it after Hu Daniu’s funeral.”

Madam Qian said, “Sister-in-law, why don’t we get Xiaozhi’s family to make sauerkraut together with us? She’s Eldest Brother’s biological sister. We can trust her.”

There was a lot of demand in the shop now, and there wasn’t enough to sell. Both families were very busy. If they called Su Xiaozhi and her family over, it would make it easier.

Most importantly, Su Xiaozhi could be trusted.

Chen Hu also said, “Sister-in-law, I think that’s fine too. You can discuss it with Big Brother later. We have no objections. If it’s Xiaozhi, we trust her.”

Su Xiaozhi had suffered so much, but she didn’t come to find Su Sanlang. She didn’t want to burden Su Sanlang. This was enough to prove that she had Su Sanlang’s family in her heart. She also sincerely hoped that Su Sanlang’s family would be well.

It was difficult for such a good sister to come and help. She was not jealous when she was rich. What mattered was love. There was no need to worry about roping her in.

Madam Zhao was touched. She had actually thought about it before. She planned to discuss it with Su Sanlang and Chen Hu after Hu Dashan’s funeral.