Feeling Much Lighter
Su Sanyun spoke nothing but the truth. Old Man Su stood there, unable to come up with a single rebuttal for a moment.
Once Su Sanyun started talking, the usually honest and straightforward man spoke in one breath like never before. He continued, "We have given all the filial respect due to our parents. I have not been unfilial in any way. Filial son to a kind father, filial son to a kind father—I have been so dutiful. I just ask our parents to be a little 'kind' to me in return, is that too much? In just one lunar month, how many times have you ransacked my house? Three times! Each time like a full-scale raid, not even leaving us a single scallion! And today, while my wife and I were not home, you raided my house again. Not only did you take the kitchen stuff, you also took the bedding and firewood from the rooms, and even hit my daughter Lanxiang! When you took the kitchen items, did you think about whether we’d starve without food? When you took the bedding and firewood, did you consider that in this cold weather, without quilts and firewood, we might not survive? When you hit Lanxiang, did you think that Lanxiang is a member of the Su family, your own granddaughter, the niece of the eldest brother and sister-in-law?"
"Lanxiang is now gravely ill, half her life slipping away. Whether she can be saved, no one knows yet. Is this how you treat your own family? No, you never considered us the third branch family as kin!" Su Sanyun said, tears streaming uncontrollably. The man wiped his face fiercely with the back of his hand and said resolutely, "Since you don't treat us as family, why should we keep flattering you? From now on, we will only give the monthly filial respect due to our parents for their old age. Nothing more! If you dare to come to my house to take things again, don't blame me for being rude!"
After Su Sanyun finished speaking fiercely, he exhaled deeply, feeling as if decades of pent-up resentment were finally released. His bent back straightened unconsciously, and he suddenly felt much lighter.
It turned out that not suppressing oneself and speaking one's mind felt so relaxed and comfortable!
After Su Sanyun finished, he turned around and saw Qingmu, Old Fourth Su, Steward Xiao Yuan, and several servants, who had arrived unnoticed and were all standing in the courtyard watching him.
Old Fourth Su showed an approving look at Third Brother. This usually honest and simple man had finally woken up from his naivety!
But now that Third Brother was no longer naive, the Su family was unhappy. What if this cash cow stopped being so easy to exploit in the future?!
Old Man Su was the first to get angry, glaring, "Third Brother, what are you saying? How could we not give you a living? Aren't you making money with that wretched Su Li? Your family has money, so what's wrong with giving some to us? Look at our current situation, as your parents, you should give more."
Su Sanyun sneered, "Whether I give or not is my business, but if you steal, then you're in the wrong!"
Old Man Su was so angry his eyebrows raised, "You unfilial son, how dare you say your father is wrong!?"
Su Sanyun sneered, "Right is right, wrong is wrong. It doesn't become right just because of who did it! What you parents did was wrong. Even if you took it to the whole village for judgment, the villagers would say you were wrong!"
Old Man Su knew Su Sanyun's temper well. Usually honest and straightforward, but stubborn as if ten oxen couldn't pull him back.
Old Man Su sat down angrily, while Su Daqi put on a smiling face and tried to persuade Su Sanyun, "Ah, Third Brother, look at how you’ve angered our father. It’s better for the family to be harmonious. It’s the middle of the lunar new year, you shouldn’t be making such a fuss."