"What difference does it make? Today they find an excuse not to send money—who will care about you in the future? Can you use your brain for once and read this letter properly! Your second sister stayed in the city because your parents paid money to buy her a job. That money originally belonged to us! So in reality, we paid for your sister's job so she could stay in the city!"
"Su Weiguo, you've suffered such a huge loss, yet you can still laugh!"
"Today it's your second sister staying in the city. In the future, when it's your younger brother's turn, will they also buy him a job? Then when our son is born, will we just live on the northwest wind?"
The more Xu Hongying spoke, the angrier she became. She suddenly stood up and pulled her three daughters toward the door.
"Instead of letting our son be born only to starve to death later, we might as well jump into the river now. At least we'll die with full stomachs!"
Su Weiguo hurriedly grabbed her and tried to calm her down.
"Hongying, calm down. It's not as serious as you're saying. It's only for a few months. My second sister has a job now and earns a salary every month. Soon the family will send me money again…"
"You keep dreaming!" Xu Hongying snapped. "You're not the only one from your family sent to the countryside. Your elder brother and elder sister are also there! You're just the second son—stuck in the middle, neither loved by your father nor favored by your mother. Have you ever thought about why they specifically cut off your money and grain? Even if you die stupid, you won't be innocent!"
Hearing this, Su Weiguo began to feel uneasy.
He hesitated and said, "That can't be right. Didn't my father say in the letter that they're temporarily not sending money to my elder brother either…"
"And you actually believe that?" Xu Hongying scoffed. "Your elder brother has three sons! Unlike you—you've had three useless daughters. Do you think your family values that? Over the years, when your parents wrote letters, did they ever mention these three girls even once?"
"Su Weiguo, think about it carefully. Don't let your parents fool you while you still think they're wonderful and that your second sister staying in the city is a great thing! She's taken the share that should belong to you, and your parents are helping her deceive you, you fool!"
After hearing Xu Hongying's words, Su Weiguo began to waver. A trace of resentment toward his family slowly grew in his heart.
---
Meanwhile, in a village somewhere in the northeast, strong winds howled through the countryside.
Early in the morning, Su Ling got up with her nine-month pregnant belly and started the fire to cook breakfast. When she went outside to carry firewood, she slipped and fell. Immediately she felt her water break.
She shouted loudly in the courtyard. A neighbor aunt heard her and quickly called others over. They lifted Su Ling onto a wooden cart and rushed her to the town clinic.
After a painful scream, Su Ling gave birth to a son.
Ouyang Xu arrived late. When he heard the neighbors congratulating him, his expression did not look very happy. Without hesitation, he asked someone to help carry Su Ling back onto the cart so he could take her home.
The doctor who had delivered the baby quickly stopped him.
"Are you the husband of the mother? She has just given birth and cannot move yet. You'd better complete the hospitalization procedures and let her stay in the hospital for observation for a few days."
Ouyang Xu was labeled as a member of the "black elements." Not yet thirty, the hardships of life had already worn away his sharp edges.
Years of suffering had made him develop the habit of speaking with his head lowered.
Facing the doctor, he instinctively lowered his head and said in a muffled voice, "We don't have money for hospitalization. There's still a lot of work waiting at home. Who has time to stay in the hospital for observation?"
With that, he pulled the cart and left, ignoring the doctor and the neighbors who tried to stop him.
On the way home, Ouyang Xu said to Su Ling,
"There's no money at home for you to rest after childbirth. If you want to blame someone, blame your parents. They only care about your younger sister. They won't send you money for the next few months. I'm one of the 'black five categories,' and the work points I earn each month aren't even enough to support myself. If you rest after childbirth, who will raise our son?"
On the cart, Su Ling held her newborn son and cried silently. She kept blaming herself in her heart while also complaining that her family did not care about her.
In the end, all her emotions turned into resentment and envy toward Su Yun, and she sighed inwardly, believing that she could only accept her fate.
---
Back at the Su family home, the next day Su Yun bought two cans of milk powder from the system supermarket and brought them home to Chen Xiue.
When Chen Xiue saw the milk powder, her eyes practically shone with excitement. She held the cans as if they were golden treasures, examining them again and again.
"Xiaoyun, this is milk powder? It's even more precious than malted milk? How much did this cost?"
Su Baoguo tried to touch one of the cans, but Chen Xiue slapped his hand away.
Su Yun lied smoothly, "If someone else bought it, it would definitely cost no less than thirty yuan. But when I buy it, they only charge me ten yuan for both cans."
Hearing this price, both Chen Xiue and Su Wenshan were shocked.
Chen Xiue said in disbelief, "Such large cans of milk powder for only ten yuan? My heavens, Xiaoyun, your friend is suffering a huge loss! This won't do—we must make up the money to him…"
When the topic of money came up, Chen Xiue looked embarrassed.
She had already taken an advance on three months of her salary, and the family's savings had all been given to Su Yun. She didn't even have two yuan left in her hands.
Su Yun quickly said, "It's really not necessary. He doesn't care about that little bit of money. He's just generous—but not to everyone. Mainly because I can help him."
"A few days ago I helped him find an antique he really liked. He even asked me to keep an eye out for more."
Su Wenshan added, "Then you should keep looking for good things for him. But remember your limits—don't take advantage of the state, and keep the accounts clear."
"Okay, Dad, I understand," Su Yun replied casually.
Chen Xiue carefully locked the milk powder inside the cabinet.
"Then tomorrow I'll go to the post office and send these two cans to your second brother and Xiao Ling. I'll also send some rice to your second brother so his wife can cook porridge."
"Oh right, Xiaoyun, when will you invite that friend to come eat at our house? I should start preparing early. We can't let someone help us for nothing!"
"Well… how about tomorrow evening?"
Su Yun also wanted to bring a sewing machine and a bicycle into the house as soon as possible.
After the time was set, the next day Gu Hai came to the recycling station, preparing to attend class. Su Yun told him about the plan.
"Comrade Gu Hai, don't worry. Acting at my house will be paid separately. I'll give you two wages. Your acting skills are excellent—just use the same tricks you used last time to fool my dad and Uncle Xia. I guarantee you'll convince my parents."
Hearing this, Gu Hai hesitated.
If he kept deceiving people—and this time it was Su Yun's parents—what would he do if the truth came out later?
Just then, a familiar female voice suddenly sounded.
"Oh, young comrade, you have someone here!"
Su Yun looked up and immediately frowned. Her expression turned unpleasant.
"Why have you come again?"
As she spoke, she stood up and moved to grab a broom.
Seeing this, the woman quickly tried to appease her.
"Young comrade, I came today to tell you some good news. I'm not here to cause trouble!"
"I accept that my cousin will transfer the job to you!"
As she spoke, she pulled a shy young man from behind her and pushed him in front of Su Yun.
"This is my son. He's eighteen this year and hasn't found a girlfriend yet. Look at you two standing together—you're really a perfect match!"