Chapter 209: I Recite Lessons for Grandpa
Although Su Yufen didn’t say anything, it was obvious she tacitly agreed.
Cao Hongmei thought to herself: she just moved in and already starts bullying our little aunt—if she stays long, won’t she stir the Su household into chaos?!
The old man really is getting senile!
In this respect, he’s far worse than the old woman!
Third Su and his wife exchanged a glance, then both knelt to the ground.
Third Su cried and said to Old Mrs. Su, “Mother, we were foolish before and did many wrong things. We know our mistakes now and we won’t do it again. We’re all family—bones remain connected by tendons. Please give us one more chance!”
Having said that, the two of them began kowtowing loudly.
Old Mrs. Su kept a stern face and closed her eyes.
“Oh Third, how I wish what you say is true! I hope you won’t let your mother down.”
She opened her eyes, then slapped Third Su and his wife—one slap each.
Then she said to Su He, “Big girl, I know your grandpa handled this wrong. But what your Third said is true: we are family. For my sake, can you give them one chance? If they offend again, you don’t need to say anything — I’ll cut them off and treat them like they were never born, those beasts!”
Su He’s face darkened. She was silent a long while before saying, “Gran, since you say that, I have nothing more to argue. I just hope they behave themselves. Also, even though you and Grandpa have forgiven them, I don’t acknowledge him as my Third Uncle. Don’t expect me to do anything for them in the future. My second uncle and aunt have gotten settled in the county — in a few days I’ll take my parents and my little aunt to live in the county too. You two can stay here and look after the house.”
Third Su’s face stiffened for a moment, then he said, “Big girl, we are sinners. How can we have the face to ask for favors? Whatever you say, we’ll obey.”
Su He snorted coldly and said nothing more.
Old Man Su breathed a sigh of relief — he’d expected Su He to be less forgiving, but she was surprisingly reasonable. This kid may talk tough, but she has a soft heart.
He rapped Third Su lightly with his tobacco-pipe bowl again as a warning: behave yourself from now on, and if you slip again he won’t spare you. Third Su and his wife swore solemnly they would mend their ways.
Cao Hongmei curled her lip. “Don’t just say pretty words. We need to see action. Since the whole family is here, you two cook dinner today!”
Third Su and his wife agreed and began to build the fire and cook.
During all this, Su Yongguo and Zhao Cuier said nothing.
When they returned to the west room, Su He asked, “Dad, Mom—what are your thoughts?”
Su Yongguo gave a bitter smile. “Your grandfather is the head of the household. We’ve tried to persuade him, but he wouldn’t listen, and there’s nothing we could do. Actually, even if you hadn’t come back, I was going to go to the county in a few days and tell you about this. As the saying goes, a tiger’s nature is hard to change. Third Su and his wife are scheming — your mother and I will keep an eye on them, and you should be cautious too.”
Zhao Cuier added, “That’s right, Su He. Your father and I agreed: if things don’t work out, we’ll let them have our room and we’ll find land to build another house, so they won’t have the chance to do mischief.”
Su He thought to herself that her parents at least seemed sensible. After all, the bond between brothers doesn’t outweigh the bond between parents and children.
She muttered a few vague words and didn’t say much more.
At that moment, Cao Hongmei called from the outer room, “Sister-in-law, come shell sunflower seeds!”
Zhao Cuier went to the outer room. Cao Hongmei handed her a handful of seeds. “Sister-in-law, thank goodness for Su He. I got a permanent position, and the factory plans to train me as a key employee! My husband transferred to the food factory and doesn’t have to do night shifts anymore…”
“Sister-in-law, once Su He arranges for you and Big Brother to transfer to the county too, we can meet often. No more coming back to this village and running into certain people who bring bad luck!”
Cao Hongmei then pulled Su Yufen over. “Yufen, Su He said she’ll find you a job too, and get you into the city. I’ll even introduce you to someone there…”
Su Yongshi handed Su Yongguo a cigarette and the two brothers sat in the doorway chatting.
Old Mrs. Su and Old Man Su stayed in the east room and didn’t come out.
Third Su and his wife were busy with the fire and cooking; seeing no one help and hearing all their talk, they were furious but dared not say anything.
Finally, the meal was ready. Cao Hongmei said, “Ah — not everyone can sit here. Third Su, you two can eat later.”
Zhang Lianxiang forced out a smile. “You go ahead, we’re not hungry.”
They didn’t sit at the table, but Zhang Xiaohu sat beside Old Man Su, reached over and grabbed a piece of meat and put it in his mouth. In contrast, Su Jinbao, Su Xiaoman, and Tiezhu didn’t touch their chopsticks.
Only when Old Mrs. Su said, “Eat,” did the three children start taking food — and they only ate the dishes in front of them, not like Zhang Xiaohu who went through every bowl picking out the meat.
Old Man Su furrowed his brow but didn’t say anything.
After they finished, Third Su and his wife ate.
Su Jinbao, smiling, said, “Grandpa, I’ve learned a new text; I’ll recite it for you!”
Grandpa Su’s favorite was this eldest grandson; he laughed and said, “Recite it!”
“My passage is titled ‘The Farmer and the Snake.’ On a bitter winter day… This story tells us that in life one must distinguish good from evil, and that help should only be offered to good people; never be soft-hearted toward evildoers.”
Su Xiaoman swung her little cowlick and said, “Grandpa, I’ll recite one too! Mine is ‘Mr. Dongguo and the Wolf.’ Mr. Dongguo was riding a donkey along the road… The old farmer told Mr. Dongguo you’re too muddled to show mercy to a wolf…”
Old Man Su’s face went pale and flushed; he found an excuse and went back into the room.
Third Su and his wife were furious but dared not protest.
Before they finished eating, Cao Hongmei said, “Sister-in-law, boil some hot water. We’re dusty from travel and should wash up.”
Su Yongshi said, “Third, the woodpile looks messy. Since you’re idle, tidy it up properly!”
…
A little while later, Su Jinbao and Su Xiaoman came into the room crying. Their clothes and faces were covered in dirt.
One clung to Old Man Su, the other to Old Mrs. Su, sniffling, “Xiaohu was throwing dirt on us and spit at us!”
“I was letting him be because he’s my brother, otherwise I’d have beaten him! He even said that someday Old Su’s property will be his and he’ll kick us all out!”
“Right, he said he only came back to this lousy house because Third Aunt promised to give him candy!”
…
Old Man Su was so furious his head buzzed. He looked at Tiezhu, who’d followed into the room. “Tiezhu, you’re an honest kid. Tell Grandpa—are Jinbao and Erya telling the truth?”
Tiezhu looked down at his shoes. “It’s true. Xiaohu even said my house will be his in the future.”
At that moment, he felt like he was beginning to become part of the Su family…
