Chapter 211: Third Uncle Su, Worse Than a Beast
Third Uncle Su wanted to shout, but he was afraid of drawing attention.
Zhang Lianxiang snatched the money, counted it several times, and clicked her tongue. “The Shen family really has money! Last time they gave us a hundred, this time two hundred — we haven’t even done anything and already earned three hundred bucks!”
She grabbed the little booklet and flipped through it; sure enough, it was full of foreign characters she couldn’t read a single one of.
Third Uncle Su snatched the booklet back and shoved it into his trouser pocket, his voice trembling, “Don’t let anyone see it!”
Zhang Lianxiang’s eyes glittered. “Now I see it — apart from the old man, none of the rest of the Old Su family treat us like people. Why not take this chance to finish it all at once? Not even counting what Ruyi promised us before, two thousand yuan is worth it!”
Third Uncle Su hesitated. “But if we do this, Su He might lose her life, and the Old Su family will be finished.”
Zhang Lianxiang sneered. “What does whether she lives or dies have to do with us? They never acknowledged you as a third uncle anyway! Think about it — if they keep treating us like this, they’ll be eating the good stuff while we slave away. You willing to let that happen? If you feel bad about the old couple, we can always take care of them when they’re old and bury them when they die…”
Third Uncle Su was persuaded.
He was selfish by nature. Otherwise, when Old Madam Su had been sick, he wouldn’t have refused to lend a single cent.
People look out for themselves — blame your bad luck, Su He!
After they agreed on the plan, Third Uncle Su wondered aloud, “Why do you think Ruyi hates Su He and the Old Su family so much?”
Zhang Lianxiang curled her lip. “Who cares why! As long as she pays when the time comes!”
Before entering the village, Zhang Lianxiang tucked the booklet into her waistband so no one would notice.
They’d barely stepped into the yard when Old Madam Su started cursing: “You were supposed to buy some meat — why are you only back now? If someone didn’t know, they’d think you went off to raise pigs…”
Third Uncle Su forced a smile. “Mother, it’s too hot; the road was bad, so we came back late.”
Old Madam Su spat and urged Zhang Lianxiang to start cooking.
Using the excuse of changing clothes, Zhang Lianxiang hid the booklet in the small room they were staying in, planning to slip it into the travel bag Su He used later. That would be much safer than putting it in a cupboard — even if Su Yongguo and his wife tried to cover for them later, they wouldn’t be able to!
But the house was never empty, and they couldn’t find the chance.
The next noon, Su Xiaoman came running in, pale with panic. “Grandpa! Grandma! Jinbao fell into the river! Tiezhu pulled him out, but both of them fainted! I can’t drag them — sob, sob…”
The Su household instantly fell into chaos and rushed to the riverbank.
Third Uncle Su and his wife exchanged a glance. Zhang Lianxiang deliberately lagged a step behind and slipped the booklet into Su He’s travel bag, then hurried to the river.
By the time she got there, Su Jinbao and Tiezhu were already awake.
Su Yongshi grabbed a stick and was about to strike, but Old Madam Su and others held him back…
Early the next morning, Third Uncle Su found an excuse and went to the commune.
The staff at the office were shocked. Su He could do such a thing? No way — wasn’t she the great contributor to our Hua Hua Commune?!
But Third Uncle Su insisted and accused her of a major crime, so they couldn’t ignore it and followed him to the Old Su household. Before leaving, they sent a letter to Director Luo.
When the commune officers arrived, the Old Su family assumed it was to look for Su He.
Su He greeted them with a smile. “Comrades, what’s the matter?”
Director Chen looked embarrassed — he had a fairly good impression of Su He — but official business is official. He said, “Comrade Su He, someone reported that you have been secretly hiding immoral books; there’s suspicion you might be a spy. We need to carry out a routine inspection and ask for your cooperation.”
Su He was stunned. “This—this makes no sense! How could I do such a thing? Where would I get books like that?”
Zhang Lianxiang stopped pretending and sneered, “Maybe you didn’t have the chance before, but didn’t you go to the big city recently? I wondered how a little girl like you got foreign trade orders — turns out you’re a spy! Those foreign orders are just sugar-coated artillery!”
Third Uncle Su sighed theatrically. “Su He, I didn’t want to report you, but this is such a big matter I can’t cover it up. You’d better hand over that little booklet voluntarily — maybe you’ll get a lighter sentence.”
Su Yongshi and his wife exchanged stunned looks. They were astonished both that Su He had stirred up such a huge affair and that Third Uncle Su could be so heartless — this was trying to destroy her completely!
No — not just Su He; this could finish the whole Old Su family. If the accusation stuck, they wouldn’t be able to stay in the county.
Su Yongshi’s eyes reddened. He forgot about grabbing a stick and instead flew at Third Uncle Su with a kick. “You bastard! How could our Old Su family produce a creature like you! You made so many mistakes before and your parents forgave you, and you repay them by biting the hand that fed you — are you even human?!”
Cao Hongmei, furious, lunged to scratch Zhang Lianxiang.
Su Yongguo and his wife had come to their senses and were enraged, joining the fray.
The commune officers, seeing how outrageous it had become, had to pull people apart.
Third Uncle Su, frantic, cried out to the officers, “Comrades, you all saw it, right? I think they might be in cahoots, deliberately covering for Su He!”
Old Madam Su’s face was wet with tears.
She knew Su He wouldn’t be at fault — this was clearly a trap set by Su He. She cried because her youngest son was dead to her now.
From today on, her little son was completely gone.
She had expected it partly but still held a thread of hope. Instead, Third Uncle was even more vicious than she’d imagined — worse than an animal.
Old Man Su felt the world spin. If he weren’t strong, he might have fainted.
“You beast, a beast! I shouldn’t have been soft. I’ve wronged Su He, I’ve wronged the ancestors of the Old Su family…”
As he said this he reached out to slap Third Uncle Su. Third Uncle Su grabbed his arm and shoved him out.
“Dad, Su He committed a crime — I reported her. This is righteous — do not get in the way!”
Though Third Uncle Su didn’t use much force, Old Man Su, overwhelmed by the blow and shock, was pushed down in a daze.
Su Jinbao swung his stick and charged, “You dare hit my grandpa? I’ll beat you to death!”
Su Xiaoman grabbed a broom and rushed forward too, “You dare hit my grandpa? I’ll fight you to the death!”
Tiezhu, stunned for a moment, quietly came over and helped Old Man Su to his feet.
