He asked in a low voice.

Li Jinhua shook her head, took the chicken, and put it into the pot.

As soon as the water boiled, Li's father eagerly came over.

"Is it ready yet? First, give me a bowl of soup!"

"Dad, it's only just started cooking..."

Li Jinhua said weakly.

"Who cares if it's cooked or not! I'm starving!"

Mr. Li picked up a spoon, scooped up a bowl of clear soup, blew on it twice, and gulped it down, grimacing from the heat but not stopping.

Su Mingqiang stood aside, watching his parents-in-law circle the pot like hungry wolves, while his pregnant wife could only stand in the corner. He felt like a stone was pressing on his heart.

Half an hour later, the whole chicken was served.

Mr. and Mrs. Li immediately pounced on the chicken, each tearing off a chicken leg.

"Mmm! It smells good!"

Li's father's mouth was full of oil, and he even chewed up the bones and swallowed them.

Not to be outdone, Li's mother tore off a piece of chicken breast and ate it in large bites.

"Mingqiang, your skills are excellent! I'll buy a few more next time!"

Su Mingqiang forced a smile, ladled out a bowl of chicken soup, and placed it in front of Li Jinhua.

"Have some."

Just as Li Jinhua was about to take it, her mother snatched it away.

"Why would a pregnant woman drink chicken soup? It's so oily!"

He gulped down more than half a bowl of the drink before handing it back to his daughter.

After the meal, only a pile of bones remained of the whole chicken.

Mr. Li patted his bulging belly and let out a burp.

"Alright, it's time to get down to business. Mingqiang, take Jinhua to your father's!"

Su Mingqiang clenched his fist under the table.

"Dad, how about tomorrow..."

"fart!"

Mr. Li slammed his hand on the table.

"Let's go now! It'll be easier to talk things over after dark!"

Li Jinhua kept her head down.

"Mingqiang, how about..."

"Walk!"

Su Mingqiang suddenly stood up, his voice hoarse.

He pulled Li Jinhua up and walked out without looking back.

The sun has completely set.

There were only a few streetlights in the alley.

Su Mingqiang walked very fast, and Li Jinhua had to jog to keep up.

"Mingqiang, slow down... my stomach..."

She pleaded softly.

Su Mingqiang stopped abruptly, turned around and looked at his wife's pale face, his anger instantly dissipating.

He took off his coat and draped it over her shoulders.

"sorry."

Li Jinhua's tears welled up instantly.

"I'm the one who should apologize... to my parents..."

"Stop talking."

Su Mingqiang gently embraced her.

"When you see my dad later, don't say anything, I'll handle it."

The Su family's gate was right in front of us, with dim yellow light shining through the cracks in the door.

Su Mingqiang's steps slowed down, and he finally stopped in front of the door.

Since the family split up, even when he was down on his luck and doing poorly, he never stepped into this door again.

"Knock knock knock."

His knocking was so soft it was almost inaudible.

Who is it?

It was Wang Xiulan's voice.

Su Mingqiang's throat tightened.

"Mom...it's me."

The door opened, and Wang Xiulan's surprised face appeared in the doorway.

"Mingqiang? Jinhua? You guys..."

Su Jianguo was sitting in the courtyard drinking tea when he heard the sound and turned around. His expression instantly turned cold.

"Oh, Comrade Su, what brings you here so late?"

Su Mingqiang did not answer. He pulled Li Jinhua into the courtyard and knelt down in front of his father with a thud.

His knees slammed heavily against the bluestone slabs, making a dull thud.

"dad!"

Su Mingqiang's forehead pressed against the cold ground.

"My son was wrong!"

This kneeling seemed to drain all his strength.

The guilt and remorse that had been building up for so many days surged out like a burst dam, his shoulders trembled violently, and tears fell to the ground.

Su Jianguo was stunned, his brows furrowed.

He never expected his eldest son to suddenly kneel down and admit his mistake.

Wang Xiulan covered her mouth, tears streaming silently down her face.

"Stand up and speak."

Su Jianguo said in a deep voice, though his tone had softened somewhat.

Su Mingqiang shook his head and raised his tear-streaked face.

"Dad, let me finish. I've been so selfish all these years, thinking that because I'm the eldest son, all the family money should be mine. All the good you and Mom have done for me is my due. I've always spent the family's money and never bought anything for either of you."

His voice was hoarse as he continued.

"It wasn't until after we separated from the family that I realized how difficult life is. Every little thing like firewood, rice, oil, and salt costs money. How hard it must have been for you and Mom to raise us siblings..."

Su Jianguo looked at his son kneeling on the ground with a complicated expression.

He never expected that his eldest son would change so much.

"Go on."

Su Jianguo walked up to Su Mingqiang and looked down at him.

Su Mingqiang took a deep breath.

"I...I'm so sorry to you both...I'm such a terrible person!"

As he spoke, he slapped himself hard across the face, the crisp sound echoing in the courtyard.

Li Jinhua also knelt down, her eyes brimming with tears.

"Dad, Mom, Mingqiang really knows he was wrong. He's been working from dawn till dusk every day these days, just to earn more money..."

Su Jianguo remained silent for a moment.

Get up!

Although he didn't say much, his tone had softened.

However, Su Mingqiang refused to get up and grabbed his father's trouser leg.

"Dad, I have something to ask you. Jinhua...she's pregnant, but her parents..."

At this point, Su Mingqiang's voice choked, and a look of pain appeared on his face.

Su Jianguo frowned.

"Pregnancy is a good thing, so what?"

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