Chapter Eleven: Old Su Nearly Fainted from Anger

"The money for those scraps was subsidized by my family," Qin Jiuhong said, adding, "Besides, that scrap isn't worth much."

Su Qiqi looked at the bicycle that Su Dawei and Qin Jiuhong were pushing with a sense of resentment, though in the darkness of the night, no one else noticed. She was certain the money used to buy those bicycle parts came from the box of gold Su Yanchu had taken. Otherwise, why would their family have had no interest in buying one before? It definitely wasn't subsidized by Qin Jiuhong's family; they were a bunch of paupers—where would they get that kind of money?

However, it wasn't the right time to expose them. If she reported them and no gold was found, it would be one thing, but if the gold really were uncovered, their whole family would be sent down to the most arduous rural areas, just like the landlords in the village. By then, not only would she fail to gain anything, but she would also lose her own standing in the process.

"Spendthrift fools! Why buy a bicycle!" Old Mrs. Su cursed and grumbled.

"Dad, Mom, let's live separately from now on," Su Dawei said, his main desire now being to split the household.

"In your dreams." Old Mrs. Su felt that if the family split, she would lose two laborers. "Splitting the household is impossible."

"Then stop interfering in our affairs!" Qin Jiuhong’s tone was firm. "Either we split, or if we take leave and lose a few work points, what business is it of yours if we go into town to get things done?"

"That’s enough. From now on, the third son and his wife don't have to work, but you must hand over an extra twenty catties of grain." Old Mr. Su made the final decision. He glared at Old Mrs. Su before turning to Su Dawei and Qin Jiuhong. "As for your bicycle, it must be turned over to the communal property for everyone to use."

"Spendthrift!" Old Mrs. Su cursed at Su Dawei again.

"Mom, if you curse Dawei again, I’ll slap you!" Qin Jiuhong was protective of her own.

"No," Su Dawei refused without hesitation. "Even brothers must settle accounts clearly. If you want to use the bicycle, you can, but you must pay us five jiao each time. Furthermore, this bicycle is for me to use for work in the city and for Chuchu to get to class; no one else is to touch it."

"Five jiao a time? Why don't you just go rob someone?" Old Mrs. Su yelled, furious.

"What about this work?" Old Mrs. Su continued. "If you both have jobs and move into the city, you’ll still have to provide your monthly grain quota."

"If you're too stingy to pay, then don't use it," Su Yanchu said lightly from the side. "Grandma, you’ve taught us since we were young that everything is an equivalent exchange."

"Enough. Since you’ve already arranged it, I have nothing more to say." Old Mr. Su’s face darkened. "Don't expect any help from us two old folks when you run into trouble later!"

"Grandpa, if we really run into trouble later, what could you possibly help us with, given that you’re already halfway into the grave?" Su Yanchu had long since seen through it: if it weren't for Old Mr. Su's indulgence, Old Mrs. Su wouldn't be so blatantly biased. Usually, he let Old Mrs. Su play the villain while he played the mediator, successfully keeping his hands clean in the end.

"Truly, if the upper beam is crooked, the lower ones will be too! Is this what your father taught you, and is this what the school taught you?" Old Mr. Su’s face was as dark as a pot.

"Oh, Grandpa, the pot is calling the kettle black. You really have the nerve to lecture me? If you think my father and I are crooked, I suggest you straighten your own beam first instead of playing the fake moralist here," Su Yanchu retorted with humorous sarcasm.

"You... you... Su Yanchu... Hmph!" Old Mr. Su’s face turned black with rage, but unable to find the words to respond, he let out a cold snort and retreated into the house.

"A monster raised by a monster!" Old Mrs. Su wanted to strike Su Yanchu, but Su Dawei stood behind him like a mountain, glaring at her, so she didn't dare move. She knew that if she laid a hand on Su Yanchu, even though she was his mother, Su Dawei would retaliate. She snorted again and followed her husband inside.

"Third brother, you really need to teach Xiao Chu a lesson. Look at how he angered Mom and Dad today!" Su Youren shook his head, putting on the air of the responsible eldest son.

"Eldest brother, I don't need your interference on how to teach Xiao Chu. You should get your own affairs in order before acting like an elder here," Su Dawei replied.

"Sigh, I was just trying to be kind, but it seems my good intentions were wasted," Su Youren said, left speechless.

"Kind? Stop with the hypocrisy!" Qin Jiuhong snorted.

"Third brother, third sister-in-law, why are your mouths like wild dogs, biting anyone you see?" said Li Tiemei, Su Youren’s wife.

"Auntie, we call this being straightforward. It’s far better than some people who are hypocritical and twist the truth. You should look in the mirror before you have the nerve to lecture us," Su Yanchu countered.

Li Tiemei, having no response, hurriedly pulled Su Youren back home. Su Qiqi had been observing them all evening and felt as though they had turned into different people. However, she said nothing and went inside.

The matter of the stolen gold bars would not end here. Su Yanchu had noticed Su Qiqi all along, but he simply couldn't be bothered with her.

"Let's go back too." Su Dawei and Qin Jiuhong had already eaten dinner in their private space on the way back, so it didn't matter to them if Old Mrs. Su had left any food for them.

"Dad, Mom, how is the job situation?" Su Yanchu had been thinking about this all day.

"Your father’s job is confirmed, but I failed the recruitment exam!" Qin Jiuhong sighed at the thought.

"It’s okay, dear. Once I start working, I’ll definitely find a job for you," Su Dawei comforted her.

"The most important thing now is the house. Without a house, how can we move out?" Qin Jiuhong wasn't worried about the job, but the housing situation. Although she didn't fear the old couple, facing them every day was exhausting.

"Right. We have some fine tea in our space; let’s find a chance to send some to the head of the housing department so we can get a place arranged," Su Dawei said, also troubled by the housing issue. Housing in the county was tight, and having a job didn't guarantee a place to live; one had to wait in line.

"That’s the only way. Dad, Mom, there will be a way," Su Yanchu said. He also wanted to move out soon to avoid the daily drama.

"Take it slow," Su Dawei said. "Chuchu, you can use the second-hand bicycle outside to get to school from now on. Walking every day is no way to live. I picked up that Flying Pigeon brand bike at the trust store; it rides very well."

"Thank you, Dad," Su Yanchu said.

"Our family's first pot of gold came from your discoveries; I was just the one doing the legwork," Su Dawei waved his hand dismissively.