Chapter 207: Both Palm and Back Are Flesh
The next day Su He received a call from Sister Wu.
Just as Su He had expected, Zhang Lianxiang went to the Su household to kowtow and apologize; her father also came over to make amends and said the arranged marriage into the Su family would be called off.
“Marry where you marry” — from now on Zhang Lianxiang would be the daughter-in-law of the old Su family.
Third Uncle Su and Su Xiaohu pleaded and begged, and Old Man Su’s heart softened.
At first they were told to stay temporarily at Old Zhang’s place until a suitable house was ready here; but the couple insisted on moving in and ended up in the small shed used for storing odds and ends.
Su He thanked Sister Wu and hung up.
Parents are far more forgiving of their children’s mistakes than children are of their parents. That’s human nature. So Su He understood.
Understanding didn’t stop her from dealing with the scumbags.
That night, after returning home, Su He said to Old Madam Su, “Nai (Grandma), I want to talk to you about something.”
Old Madam Su smiled and asked, “What is it?”
“Grandma, I heard my third uncle and third aunt are splitting up!”
Old Madam Su froze for a moment, then spat, “Pah — what do those two beasts have to do with us? If they want to separate, let them. Better they die than stay! ”
Su He smiled and continued, “My third uncle has changed Xiaohu’s surname back; from now on he’ll be called Su Xiaohu. I heard my third aunt has softened too, and the couple won’t be staying as in-laws at Old Zhang’s anymore — they want to move back to our Old Su home. I heard Grandpa has agreed and will let them live in the old house.”
Old Madam Su’s expression kept shifting; finally she bit her lip and said, “Su He, don’t you go stirring up your Grandpa’s old fool head! He eats a hundred beans and never minds the fishiness — what does he know about Old San and his wife? They only came because our life got better, that’s why they put on this act! Isn’t this a pity-play from the dramas? They might fool your grandpa, but they won’t fool me! What do you want me to do — chase them out? Say the word and I’ll head back to the village tomorrow! I’ll drag a firewood stick and beat them out!”
Old Madam Su’s heart was torn. After all, Third Uncle Su was flesh from her own body; though she scolded harshly, she still couldn’t bear it inside. But she knew the Old Su family now depended on Su He. If they let Su He down and dishearten her, the family would be ruined. Not to mention Shen Ruyi! The old man was truly muddle-headed. Even if his heart softened, he should have asked Su He’s opinion before letting them move in — how could he be so careless? He used to study a few years at the private school, but it seemed all that learning went straight into a dog’s belly!
Su He took Old Madam Su’s hand and said, “Grandma, Third Uncle is still your and Grandpa’s son. No matter how wrong he’s been, you and Grandpa must care for him. I don’t want to see you two suffer. Since Third Uncle has come to his senses, let’s give them one more chance.”
Old Madam Su could hardly believe her ears. Seeing Su He’s sincerity, tears streamed down her face.
“Su He, my good granddaughter. I won’t say anything more — my life is yours from now on!”
Su He laughed, “Grandma, why would I want your life? I just don’t trust my third uncle. I’m going to set a test. If he and Third Aunt pass, then we’ll put the past behind us and I’ll treat him like any other uncle. But if they don’t change, Grandma, you’ll have to be ruthless. Even if not for yourself, think of my dad, my second uncle and my young aunt. If there’s a troublemaker in the house, no matter how hard we work, life won’t get better, right?”
Old Madam Su wiped her tears. “Su He, I know. It’s already generous of you to give them a second chance. If they don’t cherish their luck, then I’ll act as if I never had that son. Your grandpa may be muddle-headed but he’s not completely foolish — if they bring trouble this time, he won’t be soft again.”
That was the line Su He wanted to hear.
Although she could have forced the Old Su couple to throw Third Uncle and his wife out, that would only be a temporary fix. This time she wanted a long-term solution.
“Grandma, you’ve got to act with me — we have to put on a show, a big performance…”
When Su He finished, Su Xiaoman shuffled forward and pledged, wobbling her little tuft of hair, “Sister, I promise I can act well. I’ve used this trick lots of times to get Granny to give me tasty treats!”
Old Madam Su: “…”
You little brat! You think your childish tricks fool me? It’s my own soft heart that makes you succeed!
Old Madam Su spent the night restless, pillow wet with tears. Zhao Granny thought: you always scold me for crying, and you’re the same! Still, this is a hard spot anyone would be in — both the palm and the back are flesh (you love both sides). Blame Third Uncle and his wife for being scoundrels!
The next day Su He went to find Su Yongshi and his wife and told them about Old Man Su’s plan to take in Third Uncle and his wife.
Su Yongshi was about to blow a fuse. “Your grandpa is truly muddle-headed! Those two aren’t human. He’s being soft — doesn’t that invite trouble? When Granny needed money before and borrowed from Third Uncle, didn’t he say he had nothing to do with our Old Su family? Now that he sees we’re living well, he cozy’s up to us again. Bah! If I’d been home, I’d have hit him with a spade myself!”
Cao Hongmei swore, “Zhang Lianxiang is a shrew. If she comes, we’ll have no peace! Su He, don’t you meddle. Your second uncle and I will go sort it out. If I don’t scratch that Zhang Lianxiang’s face up, I won’t be Cao Hongmei!”
Su Jinbao clenched his small fists. “I’ll be the one to beat Zhang Xiaohu! I’m way older than him — one of me can beat eight of him!”
Su He: “…”
Su Yongshi and his wife were different from the Old Su couple — any family affection had long been worn away by Third Uncle and his wife’s behavior. They feared the arrival of the couple would ruin their comfortable life. In their eyes, Third Uncle and his wife were enemies. Even Su Jinbao knew that if they came, his chocolates, cookies, and little comic books would be finished.
Su He was pleased by their attitude and smiled wryly. “But Grandpa and Grandma won’t bear to turn them out — they’re their own son. So I’m going to give them a chance. We’ll set a test for them…”
Su Yongshi frowned. “Little Su, is it necessary to make such a big fuss?”
“If it isn’t convincing they won’t fall for it. Don’t worry — I’ll arrange the rest. You just need to act.” Before the Yongshi couple could reply, Su Jinbao pounded his chest and said, “Sister, I guarantee I can act it well. I’ve tricked Granny into treats before!”
Su He: “…”
You two — you and Su Xiaoman — are the real siblings, aren’t you?!
