Chapter 86: Tearing Down Your Turtle Nest
Zhang Mapo’s voice trembled a bit. “You—you—how are you riding Director Tang’s bicycle?”
“Because I’m close with him, of course!
He even wanted to drive me back in a jeep, but I thought that would be too showy, so I rode the bike instead.
Zhang Mapo, I was going to let you off the hook for being Gou Dan’s grandmother. But since you’re pushing your luck, don’t blame me for being rude!”
As Su He spoke, she moved to push the bicycle, looking like she was about to report Zhang Mapo to the authorities.
Zhang Mapo quickly grabbed the handlebar. “Wait, wait, let’s talk this through. We’re relatives—there’s no need to make a scene at the station.”
Su He sneered. “Just now, you nearly cursed my grandma to her face. That’s your idea of ‘talking it through’?
If it weren’t for my grandma’s good temper, I would’ve beaten you out of here with a firewood stick!
You think you can throw tantrums wherever you please? Think again. You really believe no one in the Zhao family dares to stand up to you?
Go out and ask around—when I stood up for my little aunt, I brought a whole minibus full of people for a brawl. If you push me again, I’ll tear your turtle nest down!”
Huaihua Commune and Qiping Commune were pretty far apart, so Zhang Mapo hadn’t heard of Su He’s legendary deeds. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have dared provoke her.
Now, hearing what Su He said and seeing Director Tang’s bicycle, she instantly went from a squawking vulture to a cowering little quail.
Seeing that Su He wasn’t easy to reason with, she turned to Old Man Zhao. “In-law, please talk to Su He. I didn’t mean what I said. Let’s part ways peacefully. Gou Dan is your family’s blood, of course he should stay with you.”
Actually, she would have preferred to beg Old Madam Zhao, since she was easier to sway. But Old Madam Zhao’s legs weren’t good and she was still sitting on the kang bed.
Old Man Zhao’s face was cold. “Don’t say nice things now and come back causing trouble in a few days…”
“I won’t, I swear! I really mean it this time—I won’t cause any more problems!”
She was telling the truth—just looking at Su He now made her tremble; she felt like she might fall ill on the spot.
Old Man Zhao didn’t want the situation to get uglier, so he said to Su He, “Su He, since she’s backed down, let it go this time.”
Only then did Su He say, “Since Grandpa is pleading for you, I’ll let it slide.
But if I ever find out you came to my grandma’s house causing trouble again, I’ll tear down your turtle nest first, then send you off to jail!”
Zhang Mapo nodded repeatedly. “Yes, yes, I won’t dare again!”
Then she hurried off, almost tripping in her haste.
Su He brought the supplies she bought into the house and finally mentioned the letter of leniency.
Old Man Zhao could hardly believe his ears. “Su He, are you serious? You really got the letter?”
Su He nodded. “Of course. I already gave it to Director Tang. He told us to pick up the person tomorrow.”
Old Man Zhao confirmed it twice more before believing his son was actually coming home.
“Su He, we owe it all to you. If it weren’t for you, this family would’ve fallen apart…”
His voice choked—he had truly lost hope before.
His son was in jail, his daughter-in-law had run off, his wife cried all day and threatened to kill herself, and Gou Dan was just a child. All the burden had fallen on his shoulders.
He never imagined that Su He, this granddaughter who returned halfway through life, would single-handedly get his son out.
Su He smiled sweetly. “Grandpa, what are you saying? We’re family—this is what I should do! It’s already afternoon and I haven’t eaten. Can you cook something nice to reward me?”
Old Man Zhao nodded eagerly. “Sure, sure! Grandpa will cook right now!”
Su He offered to help, but Old Man Zhao refused no matter what, so she went inside to chat with Old Madam Zhao.
Earlier, Old Madam Zhao had cried so hard that her eyes were red and swollen again.
Since Su He first saw her, her eyes had been puffy like a goldfish’s!
Su He wasn’t fond of Old Madam Zhao’s constantly weepy personality, but since she was an elder, she sat by the kang to keep her company anyway.
At first, Old Madam Zhao just kept thanking her, much like Old Man Zhao had. But soon, her words turned into tears again:
“I’m so useless. If it weren’t for me, Jinping wouldn’t have divorced your uncle. I’m just a burden to my husband and children. I’d be better off dead…”
Su He couldn’t take it anymore.
“Grandma, I heard from a famous doctor that if someone keeps crying, they’ll go blind. You’d better cry less from now on.”
Miraculously, Old Madam Zhao’s tears stopped immediately.
Su He chuckled inwardly. Just as she was about to say something else, Old Man Zhao called from outside: “Su He, come help Grandpa add some firewood!”
“Coming!”
Su He responded and went outside.
Old Man Zhao gave her a look, and the two of them slipped out the back door to the garden.
There, he lowered his voice and said, “You don’t really like your grandma, do you? Think she cries too much and never takes charge?”
Su He felt a little embarrassed. She had tried to hide it, but he still noticed?
Old Man Zhao chuckled. “Grandpa’s lived long enough—I’ve got some perception. Don’t worry, I’m not blaming you. Your grandma’s personality isn’t easy for most to handle.”
He sighed. “She wasn’t always like this. When we first met, she was a lively firecracker, famous around the villages.
Later, because of your little granduncle, I got implicated in something, and she suffered a lot with me. That’s when she started becoming timid.
Then your younger uncle went missing while she was out with him at the market. She blamed herself so much, always afraid others would accuse her. That’s when the tears started.
Then her legs gave out, and she got even worse…
Su He, I’m telling you this not to make excuses, but so you don’t grow distant from her. Other than crying, she has no other faults.
Her legs aren’t good, but she still often gets down from the kang to do chores. During the busy farming seasons, she cooks and does the laundry.
She’s also really skilled with her hands, often helping villagers with handiwork to trade for eggs or salt…”
Seeing Old Man Zhao work so hard to explain and defend Old Madam Zhao, Su He felt a lump in her throat and nearly cried.
She did feel bad for Old Madam Zhao—but she felt even more for Old Man Zhao.
Old Madam Zhao, despite her misfortunes, had used her tears and weakness as a shield—a way to escape, perhaps even selfishly.
All the pressure had been transferred to Old Man Zhao.
This thin, wiry old man had silently borne it all and held the family together.
Su He reached out and hugged him, gently patting his bony back.
“Grandpa, everything will get better!”
As a junior, it wasn’t quite proper for her to do this.
But Su He felt that in this moment, a hug was warmer than any words.
Old Man Zhao was a reflection of so many in Huaxia—silent, resilient, carrying the weight alone.
