RGL – Chapter 10

Su Min turned her head to look. After a careful glance, she recognized Su Changgui sitting and dining with a few people.

Su Changgui—her third uncle. The only college graduate in the family, a teacher in the city, married to a city woman, and the pride of Grandma Su.

Back when her father got sick, she had wanted to borrow money from him but couldn’t find his home and ended up missing the chance. Later, after coming to the city, he did offer some help, but her third aunt—being from the city—looked down on their side of the family, which often made things awkward for her uncle. Eventually, her mother didn’t want to keep burdening others and stopped asking for help. Since then, Su Min hadn’t approached her third uncle even when she needed something.

Sun Qiufang smiled and said, “He really does look like him. Why don’t we go over and say hello? Who knows, maybe it really is him.”

Alone in the city without any relatives, it would be nice to meet some family.

Su Changrong was tempted too, but also felt a little hesitant. He squinted for a better look and finally confirmed—it was indeed his third younger brother, Su Changgui.

Excited, he stood up and walked over. Su Changgui, dressed in a dark blue suit and looking quite sharp, was holding a glass of wine, deep in conversation.

“Changgui!” Su Changrong called out happily.

Su Changgui had been dining with fellow teachers. Hearing the familiar voice, he turned and was shocked to see his older brother Su Changrong standing there, slightly hunched.

“Big Brother?” he exclaimed, surprised.

“It really is you, Changgui!” Su Changrong felt a wave of relief and joy. Although things had been going well recently, they still felt isolated in the city. Now, seeing his own younger brother brought an instant sense of comfort and familiarity.

Su Changgui was equally surprised. He stood up, quickly exchanged a few words with his colleagues, then pulled his brother aside. “Big Brother, what are you doing in the city? Did something happen at home?”

His brother had never left the village except for short trips to the nearby town. What was he doing here in the county seat?

Su Changrong smiled. “Your sister-in-law, Minzi, and I are all here. We’re just over there having dinner. Want to come join us?” he said, pointing to Su Min and the others.

Su Changgui looked over and saw his sister-in-law and niece. He frowned slightly. “Big Brother, what’s going on? Why didn’t you come to my place?”

Su Changrong replied, “Sigh, it’s a long story. Your sister-in-law and I split from the rest of the family. We’re trying to make a living in the city now. It’s been about a month. We didn’t want to bother you, so we didn’t say anything.”

“You’re being too polite,” Su Changgui said, frowning. “I live in the city—of course you could’ve stayed at my place. So what are you doing now? Did you find jobs?”

“Heh,” Su Changrong scratched his head. “Your sister-in-law and I are collecting recyclables on the streets. The income is pretty decent—we’re doing okay.”

“What? Collecting recyclables?” Su Changgui’s face instantly darkened. “Big Brother, how could you do that kind of work? Who does that nowadays? No, you and Sister-in-law can’t keep doing this. I’ll ask around and help you find proper jobs.”

Seeing his reaction, Su Changrong quickly said, “It’s really fine. Your sister-in-law and I don’t have any special skills, so there’s no need for you to trouble yourself. Besides, it’s honest work—not stealing or cheating—nothing shameful about it.”

But in Su Changgui’s heart, he was deeply uncomfortable. Collecting recyclables? What kind of proper job was that? It was shameful work, barely a step above begging. Better to return to the village and farm than do something like that.

He frowned and said, “Big Brother, just listen to me. If nothing else works out, go back to farming. This recycling work isn’t proper. Anyway, I’ve got friends here today, so I can’t talk long. Bring Sister-in-law and Minzi to my house tomorrow for dinner. We’ll talk more then, okay?”

Su Changrong had been in high spirits earlier, but now felt a little deflated. Seeing his brother’s guests waiting, he couldn’t say much and just nodded. After Su Changgui returned to his table, Su Changrong went back to his own.

As soon as he sat down, Sun Qiufang asked, “Why didn’t Changgui come say hi to us?”

“He’s got friends with him,” Su Changrong said, visibly displeased.

“What’s wrong? You were all happy a moment ago—why the long face now?”

“Sigh, I don’t even know. Just now, Changgui kept saying our work isn’t good, saying it’s embarrassing. It really got to me.”

He remembered that look of disdain on Changgui’s face when he mentioned recycling. If strangers looked down on him, that was one thing—but coming from his own brother, it was hard to swallow.