As soon as I got downstairs, I smelled the aroma of food.

The aromas of braised pork, stir-fried fish, and stewed chicken soup mingled together, making one's mouth water.

When the door was opened, Su Mingqiang's face, plastered with a fake smile, was there.

"Dad? What brings you here?"

Su Mingqiang's fleshy face twitched, and he subconsciously glanced back at the kitchen.

Su Jianguo ignored him and went straight into the house.

The old man was sitting in a wicker chair reading the newspaper, while the old woman was knitting a sweater beside him. The room was spotless.

"Father, Mother, are you finding the accommodations alright?"

Su Jianguo asked.

The old man put down his newspaper and snorted.

"It's better than yours."

The old lady quickly tried to smooth things over.

"Mingqiang and Jinhua are so filial; they even went out of their way to buy soy milk and fried dough sticks this morning."

As they were talking, Li Jinhua came out of the kitchen carrying a plate of stir-fried vegetables. When she saw Su Jianguo, a hint of unease flashed across her face, but she quickly put on a smile again.

"Dad, you're here? Dinner's ready, want to grab some?"

Su Jianguo sized her up.

Today, Li Jinhua wore a plain blue cotton shirt, and her hair was neatly tied back, completely unlike her usual flamboyant eldest daughter-in-law.

Even more unusually, her right hand was wrapped in gauze, and her movements were somewhat clumsy.

What happened to your hand?

Su Jianguo asked.

Li Jinhua's eyes flickered.

"I accidentally cut the vegetables..."

The old man suddenly coughed, and Li Jinhua immediately lowered her head like a startled rabbit.

"I...I'll go get the rice."

Su Jianguo narrowed his eyes, already having guessed seven or eight parts of the truth.

The old man's sharp eyes, honed on the battlefield, would make dealing with someone like Li Jinhua a piece of cake.

At the dinner table, Li Jinhua diligently served rice and dishes to everyone, acting as if she were a completely different person.

Su Mingqiang stood to the side, smiling apologetically, his forehead constantly covered in sweat.

"Dad, please try this braised pork."

Li Jinhua placed a piece of meat into Su Jianguo's bowl, her voice sickeningly sweet.

Su Jianguo didn't touch his chopsticks, he just stared at her.

"Jinhua, how are your parents and brother at the police station?"

Li Jinhua's hand trembled, and her chopsticks fell onto the table.

She forced a smile.

"Thank goodness... Grandpa said they'll be allowed out in a few days..."

The old man slowly took a sip of his wine.

"That depends on how some people behave."

Li Jinhua's face turned pale, and she nodded repeatedly.

"Yes, yes, I will definitely do my best."

Su Jianguo chuckled inwardly, thinking that the old man had truly tamed his daughter-in-law.

He quickly ate a couple of bites of rice and got up to leave, not wanting to see his eldest son's face any longer.

"Dad, won't you stay a little longer?"

Su Mingqiang saw him to the door, rubbing his hands together as he asked.

"I'm annoyed just looking at you, get out of here."

Su Jianguo completely ignored his eldest son's attentiveness.

Su Mingqiang's forehead was covered in cold sweat.

"Yes, yes..."

Tell your wife.

Su Jianguo lowered his voice.

"If she dares to try anything again, her family will live in the police station for life."

After saying that, he left without looking back.

He heard Su Mingqiang's submissive reply from behind, which made him feel nauseous.

Riding his bicycle, and seeing the sun setting, Su Jianguo headed home.

As soon as I turned into the alley, I heard a heart-wrenching cry.

Su Jianguo's heart tightened, and he quickened his pace.

The sound was coming from their own yard; it was Wang Xiulan's voice!

He abandoned his bicycle and rushed into the yard, the sight before him freezing his blood instantly.

A makeshift stretcher was placed in the center of the courtyard, on which lay a mangled, bloody body.

Wang Xiulan knelt beside him, clutching his hand tightly, crying so hard she almost passed out.

Su Yufen and several neighbors stood around, busily handing out towels and bringing water.

"What happened?"

Su Jianguo asked sternly.

Everyone turned around and saw that it was the head of the Su family who had returned, so they automatically made way for him.

Only then did Su Jianguo get a clear look at the person on the stretcher.

It was his second son, Su Mingde!

The second son's once fair face was now swollen like a pig's head, his eyes were barely open, and blood was still seeping from the corner of his mouth.

His clothes were tattered and torn, and not a single patch of his exposed skin was unharmed.

"Master!"

When Wang Xiulan saw him, she cried even harder.

"Mingde...Mingde, he..."

Who did it?

Su Jianguo's voice was frighteningly low.

Neighbor Aunt Zhang stepped forward.

"Old Su, someone just brought Mingde here. They said he was found at the alley entrance. He was covered in blood, and he had no money on him."

"Take him to the hospital! What are you standing there for!"

Su Jianguo roared, startling everyone.

He knelt down to check his son's injuries.

The bridge of the nose is broken, and there may be problems with the ribs as well. The most serious issue is the bloodstains on the back of the head, which have congealed into a dark red color.

"Go and find your two brothers!"

Su Jianguo yelled at Su Yufen, then turned to the neighbors.

"Could you please help me get to the hospital?"

The crowd hurriedly lifted the stretcher.

Su Jianguo led the way, his mind in turmoil.

Although his second son was unfilial in his previous life, and although he had just kicked his second son out of the house in this life, he was still his son! He could beat and scold him, but no one else could lay a finger on him!

On the way to the hospital, Su Jianguo noticed that Su Mingde was tightly clutching something in his hand.

Upon opening it, there was a two-inch photograph of a young woman with curly hair, half of which was stained red with blood.

The words "Liu Meijuan" were written on the back of the photo in pen, the handwriting was delicate and beautiful.

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