Chapter 26 Yet another person who knows the truth

After cursing Su Laosan, he then cursed Li Banxia, ​​"Look at the good son you raised, fighting with his father for food, just as unruly as you..."

"Smack!"

Li Banxia, ​​expressionless, slammed her chopsticks on the square table.

Su Hongying wondered why Old Man Su hadn't eaten either, and asked Su's eldest brother, "Big brother, what's wrong with Dad?"

"Dad, he..."

Su Laoda hesitated for a moment, unsure of where to begin. Then, he succinctly relayed the information he had gleaned from their argument that day to Su Hongying.

Su Hongying was so shocked she almost spat out her food.

"What! You're saying Dad hasn't brought a single penny home all these years?! Really?"

She looked at Su Lao Er and Su Lao San as if seeking something.

Su Lao Er breathed a sigh of relief as the topic shifted, and nodded when he caught Su Hongying's gaze.

After nodding, I felt inexplicably angry.

His mother earns a little over a hundred yuan a month, while his father earns several dozen yuan more than his mother. If his father gave all his money to his mother, why would he be in such a predicament with the 800 yuan dowry, three turns and a ring?

Su Lao Er gave Su Lao Tou a resentful look.

"Really! Mom asked Dad who the money went to, and Dad couldn't give a clear answer..." Su Laosan mumbled between bites.

Su Hongying opened her mouth, looked at Li Banxia, ​​and said, "So all of us siblings were raised on your meager salary, Mom?"

Her words drew the attention of her siblings, who all looked at Li Banxia.

"What do you mean by 'relying on your mother'?"

Old Man Su didn't like hearing this and retorted with a frown, "This courtyard where you live was given to me by our auto parts factory according to seniority!"

"Dad, how can you say that? Your factory only allocated two rooms, and the whole family is living in cramped conditions... The other two rooms were rented by my mom!"

Su Laosan said disdainfully, "And all the food you've eaten, the clothes you've worn, the mat you've slept on, and the water and electricity bills you've used over the years—all of that was paid for with my mother's money!"

As he spoke, he casually snatched the rice bowl away.

"Hey, you brat!"

Old Su cursed and swore, trying to steal the rice bowl, but Su Laosan chuckled twice and plopped down next to Li Banxia.

Old Man Su, "..."

Su Hongying clicked her tongue and asked Old Man Su, "Dad, who did you give the money to?"

"Why are you asking so many questions, you little kid?" Old Man Su glanced at her irritably.

Su Hongying pouted, "You have so much money, and you really didn't spend a single penny on us siblings?"

Old Man Su ignored her with a dark expression.

"If you don't tell me..."

Su Hongying's eyes widened in surprise. "Dad, you're not having an affair, are you?!"

Old Su's face turned even uglier.

"How can you say such nasty things?! What do you mean by keeping a mistress? I was just helping my comrade's child and widow! He saved my life, and I promised him I would take care of his wife and child."

Su Hongying didn't believe it.

"Why have I never heard you mention this before? It's not a bad thing that you're helping the wife and children of your savior... Mom, do you know that?"

Li Banxia shook her head. "I only found out a few days ago from someone that he was secretly keeping a beautiful widow and her child."

"ah!"

Su Hongying stared wide-eyed, swallowing hard, and turned to look at her father, "Dad, is the child you're raising really your comrade's wife and child? Could it be your child with your mistress?"

These words caused the courtyard to fall silent instantly.

Li Banxia looked at her eldest daughter with some confusion.

This angle...

Is it possible that Lin Jiefang is Su Youfu's child?

She found out too late in her past life. Neither Su Youfu nor He Taohua mentioned Lin Jiefang. Could it be that Lin Jiefang really is Su Youfu's?

Old Man Su's face turned pale and then flushed from the shock of Su Hongying's words.

He retorted angrily, "I'm your father, it's not your place to talk about me! A married daughter is like water spilled from a bowl, so you should mind your own business from now on!"

"...Dad, are you getting angry out of embarrassment?"

Su Hongying clicked her tongue and whispered to Li Banxia, ​​"Mom, Dad's reaction clearly shows he's done something wrong. Don't worry, if he dares to mess around outside, I'll definitely stand by your side."

"I'm too lazy to waste my breath on you!" Old Man Su stormed off.

One by one, they judged him over and over again!

Su Hongying watched him leave the yard, pouted, and complained to Li Banxia, ​​"Dad is really unreasonable. No wonder I've always felt that with two people earning money in the family, and your salaries not being low, how come you're living so frugally?"

It turns out her father had never brought any money home, not even a lot of money!

Over there, Su Laosan, while stuffing braised pork into his mouth, chimed in, "My sister-in-law and I did some calculations the other day. If we assume Dad's annual salary is paid in full, from when he started working at the auto parts factory in '63 until this year, a total of 25 years, you can calculate how much that is..."

"Twenty-five thousand... hiss."

Su Hongying gasped sharply.

She turned and grabbed Li Banxia's arm, her eyes pleading, "Mom, do you know who it is? If you know who it is, we'll go to their door and get the money back. It's so much money!"

Twenty-five thousand!

Li Banxia glanced at her and noticed that her eyes were filled with a desire for money, and that greed was not concealed at all.

Li Banxia sighed, "Alright, finish eating and hurry up and leave, or there won't be any more buses."

Su Hongying snorted.

"Brother, can I borrow your bicycle for a couple of days?"

Boss Su looked up at Li Banxia.

Li Banxia: "No lending allowed."

"mom!"

Su Laoda breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Hongying, I can't lend you the bicycle. Your sister-in-law and I ride it to work every day."

"My sister-in-law is pregnant. Isn't it safer to take a car than a bicycle? Bicycles are so bumpy; what if the baby gets hurt..."

Before Su Hongying could finish speaking, Li Banxia slapped her, saying, "If you can't speak properly, then shut your mouth."

Boss Su refused to lend the money, leaving Su Hongying with no choice.

"Fine, fine, I won't lend it to you then. You'd better not ask me for anything in the future, and I'll just say I don't have anything then!"

After saying that, she sat down angrily and went to pick up some braised pork.

A lunchbox of braised pork was quickly emptied, with everyone taking turns eating it.

"This one is mine!"

Su Hongying picked up the last piece with her chopsticks, while Su Laosan quickly grabbed the fatty side, saying, "Did you write your name on it? Whoever puts it in their mouth is responsible for it."

The brother and sister pulled the braised pork from side to side, and the meat broke off from the fatty side that Su Laosan was holding.

Su Hongying withdrew her chopsticks and stuffed the braised pork into her mouth.

Su Laosan looked at the braised pork that had fallen onto the table, sighed, and then picked it up again. This time, he steadily put it in his mouth and let out a satisfied sigh.

Su Hongying ate her rice, then looked at the remaining soup in the lunchbox. She simply picked up the lunchbox and poured the soup into the rice. After stirring it, she had to admit, the taste was amazing.

"Brother, bring back some braised pork another day, and remember to bring an extra portion. I want to take it back for Haijun and my in-laws to try..."

Su Laoda responded, and Su Hongying drank another bowl of soup. Seeing that it was getting late and she would really miss the bus if she didn't leave soon, she stood up and asked Li Banxia to pack eggs for her.

Li Banxia: "...No, the remaining few are for your sister-in-law to supplement her nutrition."

"You're so stingy! If I take it, you won't buy it again."

Seeing that her mother couldn't get her to do it, Su Hongying decided to do it herself. Unfortunately, before she could even touch the eggs, Li Banxia grabbed her and threw her into the yard, saying, "Go, go, go quickly."