RGL – Chapter 21

Su Changrong had already heard about this. As soon as Su Changfu brought it up, he didn’t react right away—he’d learned not to take Second Brother at face value after everything that had happened.

It was actually Su Changgui who asked, “Building a house in town is a good idea. It’s a proper step. Life’s more convenient there. The village’s transportation is terrible—we only come back once a year, and even that’s a pain. Town would be better.”

“That’s what I was thinking,” said Su Changfu with a grin. “The old folks never got to enjoy life, so I figured if we built a house in town, they could live more comfortably too.”

Seeing Su Changgui nod along, he hesitated for a moment, then added, “Everything else is going okay… it’s just the money. Not sure we have enough. Dad and Mom are thinking of ways, and I’m scraping together what I can. Once the money’s ready, we’ll start construction. I just hope by then we can still get a decent plot.”

Su Changgui wasn’t stupid. After hearing that, he immediately realized what his brother was really saying—he wanted money but was too embarrassed to ask directly, so he was listing his “difficulties” and hoping someone would offer.

If it were anything else, he might’ve spoken up, but when it came to money… that wasn’t his decision to make.

He smiled and said, “Well, there’s no rush. Building a house is no small matter. Better to be prepared first.”

Hearing that, Su Changfu’s expression faltered.

He turned toward Su Changrong, but saw that he was looking off somewhere else, pretending not to have heard anything. Su Changfu gritted his teeth—seemed like only their parents could make the ask.

A little while later, Li Yulan came out of the kitchen and gave Su Changfu a look. He made an excuse and walked over to her.

Inside the room, she asked in a low voice, “How’d it go?”

“No dice,” he replied with a frown. “Can’t tell if they didn’t get the hint or are just playing dumb.”

Li Yulan’s mouth twisted in annoyance. “So stingy, even to their own brothers. Well, I don’t care. This is the only chance we get all year. Just bring it up during dinner. There’ll be more people, and with Mom and Dad there, they won’t be able to say no. And go for the eldest too—they’ve definitely got money. If both families chip in, even a little, our house will be done.”

Changfu knew the math already. A two-story house in town would run them no less than 4,000 yuan. They only had a bit over 3,000, and even that meant borrowing. If Third Brother could give 1,000–2,000, and Big Brother chipped in 1,000, they’d be in good shape. After all, their parents were going to live with them, and it was only fair for the brothers to contribute something for their care.

“I’ll mention it to Mom later,” he said.

The Su family was one of the better-off households in the village. Grandpa Sug had worked a government job, they had plenty of farmland, and their lifestyle had always been comfortable. From the outside, having a son living in the city made them seem even more prestigious. So for the New Year’s Eve dinner, the family went all out—chicken, duck, fish, and pork filled the big round table.

After Su Changrong lit the firecrackers outside, they shut the big front gate and gathered at the table.

Aside from the regular dishes, they’d also set up a hot pot in the center, bubbling with meat and fish balls, along with a heap of napa cabbage—hot and steaming.

Even Su Min couldn’t help but drool a little. A New Year’s dinner like this would look impressive no matter where or when.

Everyone gathered tightly around the table. Su Can had already grabbed a meatball and was happily munching away.

Li Yulan lightly slapped his hand.

Grandma Su said, “Why hit the child on New Year’s? If he wants to eat, let him eat.”

Su Min chuckled to herself and followed suit, grabbing a chicken drumstick to chew on. Grandma Su saw that and her face soured immediately.

“Adults haven’t eaten yet, and you’re already grabbing food? So rude.”

Su Min swallowed her chicken and replied, “Didn’t you say it’s New Year’s—if he wants to eat, let him eat?” She pointed at Su Can.

Su Can beamed and reached for more food.

Grandma Su snapped, “You little brat—” She was about to say “girls can’t compare” when she caught a glare from Gao Hong and choked the words back down.

Li Yulan noticed the shift and immediately sensed trouble. If they offended the third son’s family, the whole plan for later might fall apart.

She quickly changed the subject, “It’s New Year’s—everyone should be happy. Wenwen, would you like a drumstick? Auntie will get one for you.”

She smiled and picked up a drumstick, offering it to Su Wenwen.

“I don’t want it. It’s dirty if you grab it with your hands,” Wenwen said, turning away in disgust.

Li Yulan’s face turned stiff with embarrassment.

“Alright, let’s just eat,” Grandpa Sug finally said, unable to watch anymore. If it were the eldest son’s family, he might still have a few words. But the third son’s family? He couldn’t risk it. If he said too much, they might not come back next year at all.

Once the head of the household spoke, everyone picked up their chopsticks and began to eat. Although the earlier squabble between the children had been unpleasant, everyone still wore expressions of forced harmony. The Su brothers each raised their glasses to toast Grandpa Su. After a few rounds of drinks, the mood around the table began to relax.

Midway through the meal, Grandma Su brought up the topic of building the house again.

What she said was more or less the same as what Su Changfu had mentioned earlier—that it was all for the good of the family, that they wanted to build the house, but didn’t have enough money. Now they were planning to visit various relatives to try and borrow some funds.

After she finished, her eyes locked directly onto her third son.

Su Changgui felt a headache coming on as soon as he heard the topic come up again. He thought his attitude earlier had already made things clear—why was she bringing it up again? He glanced at Gao Hong, who had her head down eating, her expression unreadable. He wasn’t sure how she felt about it.

Seeing him remain silent, Grandma Su grew anxious. “Changgui, you’re living in the city and doing better than the rest of us. If your finances allow it, could you lend some money to help build the house?”

Although she said “lend,” everyone knew that once the money left their hands, it was as good as gone.

Gao Hong looked coldly at Su Changgui but didn’t say a word.

Su Changgui felt completely at a loss. “Mom, the cost of living in the city is high, and we have to raise a child too. We’re not exactly swimming in money.”

“How much can it cost to raise a girl? You don’t even need to build her a house in the future. Just feeding and schooling her doesn’t take much,” Grandma Su countered with her usual reasoning.

That finally pushed Gao Hong over the edge. She snapped, “And who says raising a girl doesn’t cost money? Her clothes alone take up half my annual salary. On top of that, she needs to study, we pay for private tutors, she eats well and drinks well. Honestly, raising a son might not even cost this much.”

Grandma Su was stunned silent by the scolding, unable to respond for a moment. “But won’t she get married someday?”

“Mom, that’s enough,” Su Changgui said unhappily. He had always known his mother favored sons over daughters, and Gao Hong had always resented that. Especially since they only had one daughter, Wenwen, and her maternal family treated her like a treasure. Yet over here, she was treated like nothing. Of course Gao Hong would be upset. And now when they got back, her family would definitely have something to say about it too.

Gao Hong said coldly, “Even if she gets married, all the money from our side goes into her dowry.”

Grandma Su didn’t dare say another word.

She wasn’t afraid of anyone else in the family—only this daughter-in-law from the city.

Unable to press Changgui and his wife further, Grandma Su turned to Su Changrong. “Changrong, since your third brother can’t lend money, surely you can spare something, right? A few hundred at least?”

Before Su Changrong could answer, Sun Qiufang interjected, “A few hundred? Changrong and I are struggling just to get by. When we divided the family property, we gave all our money to your side and got nothing in return. We accepted it, thinking of it as supporting the elderly. Now you want to build a house—fine, use that money. Consider it the support we already gave.”

“How can you count it that way?” Grandma Su protested in frustration.

Grandpa Su turned to Su Changrong. “Changrong, as brothers, you can’t be so heartless. Changfu is your own flesh and blood.”

Su Changrong was holding back his anger. He looked up and said, “Dad, if I said today that I wanted to build a house, how much do you think Changfu would give me?”

Grandma Su quickly chimed in, “How can that be the same? Changfu isn’t doing this for himself—he’s doing it for the Su family. Once Cancan lives in town, it’ll be easier for him to find a wife later.”

Su Changrong said, “Changgui has a daughter to raise, and so do I. Qiufang and I scavenge for recyclables. We have no skills, and no money.”

“Changrong, how can you be so heartless?” Grandma Su looked as if she might burst into tears.

Su Changrong said nothing more. Sun Qiufang wanted to argue again, but he stopped her. It was the New Year after all—while they didn’t want to lend money, they also didn’t want the house filled with yelling and crying, giving others something to gossip about. Sun Qiufang could only pout and silently pick at her food.

With both brothers firmly claiming they had no money, Grandma Su and Grandpa Su had no choice.

They couldn’t offend the third family, and the eldest was adamantly saying no. No matter how they pushed, they wouldn’t get a cent.

The rest of the New Year’s Eve dinner was eaten in awkward silence. Especially Li Yulan and Su Changfu—both looked extremely displeased.

After dinner, Su Changrong took his wife and child into their room and stayed there. They didn’t want to mingle with the others anymore.

In previous years, things didn’t feel so strained, but ever since the big falling-out, every gathering felt like a battlefield—mentally exhausting.

On the first day of the New Year, which was supposed to be a lively day of visiting relatives, Su Changgui said after breakfast that he and Gao Hong were returning to the city to visit her parents.

This was the usual routine every year, so Grandpa Su and Grandma Su didn’t stop them.

When Li Yulan saw they were leaving, she came over with several pieces of rice cakes she had made. Gao Hong didn’t take them, her expression icy. Only Su Changgui awkwardly accepted them without a word and left.

“Pah! What’s so great about them? Just because they have a bit of money?” Li Yulan muttered angrily once they were out of earshot. The Su elders said nothing. Even they had to admit—the third daughter-in-law’s temper was truly unbearable.