Explore Chapter 16 of "牛天赐传" with the original Chinese text, English translation, detailed Chinese vocabulary explanations, and audio of the Chinese original. Listen and improve your reading skills.
Old Niu's money had gone with Wang Baozhai. Wang Baozhai took his money to open a shop, lost everything, and then disappeared himself. Old Niu was not worried, because he was never one to worry by nature. But Mrs. Niu was worried. She quarreled with Old Niu, making the household a constant uproar. By then, Tianci had already entered higher primary school, and he didn't understand what was happening at home. All he noticed was that his mother grew increasingly irritable and his father more and more silent. One day, Mrs. Niu called Tianci over and told him there was no money left in the family. Tianci was stunned. He had never imagined things could be so serious. He recalled the lavish days of the past, now all gone. He began to hate Wang Baozhai, and also to hate his own helplessness.
Mrs. Niu tried every means to sustain the family-selling off her jewelry and mortgaging the house. Old Niu remained the same, neither worried nor angry, going out daily to visit friends and drink. Tianci watched his father and felt deeply saddened, but he dared not say a word. He learned to cry in secret.
At school, his classmates knew of his family's decline and began to keep their distance. Those sworn brothers who once called him "brother" now ignored him. Tianci felt lonely. He no longer wore leather shoes or bought snacks. He had become a poor student.
But he still had Sihu. Sihu remained the same, kind to him, occasionally sneaking him some food. Tianci felt that Sihu was his only friend.
One day, Old Niu suddenly vanished. Tianci and Sihu searched everywhere, finally finding him in a small tavern outside the city. He was dead drunk, slumped over the table. Tianci helped him home. When Old Niu woke up, he looked at Tianci, tears streaming down his face. He said, "I've let you down, son." Tianci also wept.
Mrs. Niu's condition grew worse. She took Tianci's hand and said, "If I die, what will become of you?" Tianci replied, "Mother, you won't die." Mrs. Niu said, "If I die, you must live well, and don't follow your father's example." Tianci promised through his tears.
Mrs. Niu finally passed away. Tianci wept bitterly, as if his heart were breaking. He remembered all the good times with his mother, her temper, her rules and discipline-now all gone. He felt as though he had grown up overnight.
Old Niu sank deeper into despair. He stopped talking and just drank. Tianci looked at his father and thought to himself: I can't end up like this. I have to survive. He started looking for work, but no one would hire him-he was still just a child.
Tianci thought of Teacher Wang. He went to find Wang Baozhai, but Wang Baozhai had long since disappeared without a trace. He also thought of school, but he no longer had money for tuition. Standing at the school gate, watching the uniformed students, he felt he no longer belonged there.
Sihu said, "Come work with me. Let's earn our keep by hard labor." Tianci replied, "Alright." And so Tianci began a new life. He was no longer a young master, but an ordinary poor child.