He knelt there, his body trembling like a leaf, tears streaming down his face.

The dinner table was completely silent, save for the occasional clinking of chopsticks against bowls.

The children buried their heads in their rice, not daring to even pick up any vegetables.

Su Jianguo sat down again, poured himself a glass of baijiu and drank it all in one gulp. The burning sensation spread from his throat to his stomach, and only then did he feel the pent-up frustration in his chest dissipate a little.

In less than five minutes, everyone put down their bowls and chopsticks.

"I'll go wash the dishes!"

Su Yufen was the first to jump up and clear the dishes.

"I'll help my older sister!"

Su Yuzhen quickly followed.

The third brother, Su Mingfu, silently picked up a rag and wiped the table, his movements so gentle it was as if he were afraid of disturbing something.

Su Jianguo watched all this with a cold eye, a sneer in his heart.

In his past life, he spoiled these wolf cubs too much. Now he'll let them know what it means to be a boss!

When the sound of dishes being washed came from the kitchen, Su Jianguo walked up to Su Mingde, who was kneeling, and used a belt to lift his chin.

Su Mingde's face was covered in tears and snot, his eyes were nowhere to be seen, and his gaze was unfocused, probably wondering if he was really his biological son.

Do you know why I hit you?

Su Jianguo asked in a deep voice.

Su Mingde nodded, sobbing.

"I know, I know. I shouldn't have asked for such a large dowry."

"fart!"

Su Jianguo's loud shout startled Su Mingde, making him tremble.

"I hit you because you're dishonest! Trying to climb the social ladder? Do you even deserve it? What does that bureau chief's daughter want from you? Your 42.5 yuan a month? Your looks like a white-feathered chicken? Don't you even know that? You call yourself an intellectual? You've got your head kicked by a donkey!"

Su Mingde was so scolded that he couldn't lift his head, and his body trembled even more violently.

Su Jianguo looked at his second son, who was crying with snot and tears streaming down his face, and felt angry.

In his past life, this foolish son was taken advantage of and even felt smug, only to end up raising someone else's child.

He squatted down and gently patted Su Mingde's swollen face with his belt.

"Second brother, do you really think the bureau chief's daughter has taken a liking to you?"

Su Jianguo lowered his voice.

"Why don't you take a good look at yourself in the mirror? You might marry her and find yourself being cheated on without even knowing it."

Su Mingde looked up abruptly, his face filled with shock.

"No, impossible!"

"Oh."

Su Jianguo sneered.

"Go to her workplace tomorrow and find out what she's like usually. You'll know for sure."

Su Mingde's face turned deathly pale instantly, and his lips trembled as he was unable to speak.

In his previous life, his second brother's wife gave birth to a big, healthy baby boy seven months after their marriage. At the time, he naively thought it was because of his own prowess.

Later, he didn't get any benefit from his father-in-law. It wasn't until he was about to die that his second son went to his father-in-law's house and made a scene because none of the three children were his biological children.

That's why they promoted him/her.

As for the three children, he'll just have to raise them; he wouldn't dare get a divorce anyway.

Su Jianguo still remembers what his second daughter-in-law said with righteous indignation: "Does it matter whether we are biological children or not?"

Looking at her second son kneeling in the corner, she glanced around at her other children who were silent with fear.

"Come here, everyone, let's have a family meeting."

Su Jianguo said in a deep voice, then turned and walked towards the eight-immortal table in the center of the main room.

Wang Xiulan quickly wiped her hands, brought a teapot from the kitchen, and poured Su Jianguo a cup of hot tea.

The children looked at each other, none of them daring to make the first move.

It wasn't until Su Jianguo coughed heavily that they quickly gathered around like startled rabbits.

Su Mingde was still kneeling in the corner, his buttocks burning with pain, but he dared not get up.

Su Jianguo glanced at him.

"Second brother, come here too."

Su Mingde felt as if he had been granted a pardon. He slowly stood up, leaning against the wall, wincing in pain with every step.

He dared not sit down and could only stand by the table, his hands nervously twisting together.

Su Jianguo took a sip of tea, his gaze sweeping across everyone's faces.

The eldest daughter, Su Yufen, kept her head down.

The third son, Su Mingfu, had a shifty look in his eyes, glancing at his father every now and then.

The youngest daughter, Su Yuzhen, pouted, looking unwilling.

"You all witnessed what happened today."

Su Jianguo put down his teacup, his voice not loud but firm.

"From now on, anyone who talks back to me..."

He picked up the belt on the table and slammed it down on the surface.

"This is what happens!"

The children all shrank back at the same time, and even Wang Xiulan subconsciously took a half step back.

"Let's start with the eldest brother's matter."

Su Jianguo snorted coldly.

"None of you should interfere in the boss's and his wife's affairs. I'll make them cough up that three thousand yuan sooner or later!"

Su Yufen hesitated for a moment, but finally spoke in a low voice.

"Dad, what if my older brother really gets a divorce?"

"I can't leave!"

Su Jianguo was resolute.

"A woman like Li Jinhua, once divorced, wouldn't even be able to get a meal when she went back to her parents' home. Your older brother would be even less willing to part with that fifty yuan a month."

Su Yufen nodded and said nothing more.

Her face still bore bruises, from being beaten by her husband not long ago.

Looking at his eldest daughter's haggard face, Su Jianguo felt a pang of sorrow.

The eldest daughter has had a hard life; she is now married and has two sons.

The man is an alcoholic; when he's drunk, he beats his wife.

He works for the railway, driving trains, which is why his eldest daughter is currently at home.

She was beaten and ran back to her parents' home.

"Yufen, just stay home and relax."

Su Jianguo's voice softened.

"When that drunkard comes to pick you up, your father will stand up for you."

Su Yufen's eyes reddened, and tears fell down her cheeks.

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