The factory manager; he knew it.
"Didn't you get an advance for three months last time? It hasn't been long and you've already spent it all? The factory isn't yours alone. You can't just take an advance like that. What? You really think this place is your home?"
Su Guoqiang gave an awkward laugh; "All the money I advanced last time was stolen, and now I don't even have money for food."
Upon hearing this, the factory manager frowned deeply; "It was stolen. Do you know who stole it? Did you report it to the police?"
Su Guoqiang found it difficult to speak after hearing this, but under the factory manager's stern gaze, he finally told the truth: "It was my adopted daughter who secretly took the money. I didn't report it to the police."
The factory manager was so angry that he suddenly stood up and slammed his hand on the table.
Pointing at Su Guoqiang's nose, he cursed, "What can I say about you? Your adopted daughter had a grandmother and uncles, how could it be your turn to raise her, an outsider? If it weren't for her, would your wife have had a difficult childbirth? You really can't see things clearly every day."
"Your own daughter has missed a single day of school because of you, and your own son ignores you completely. I have to say, there's no one else like you who acts like this."
Su Guoqiang was so ashamed by the factory director's words that he couldn't lift his head. His petty misdeeds were now known to everyone in the county.
But there's no other way now, he still has to get some money in advance; "Factory manager, I know I made a mistake, but I can forgive myself for skipping a meal. Xiao Mu is still growing. We can't let him starve."
The factory manager looked at Su Guoqiang with some helplessness; "They're really unlucky to have been born as your children."
Su Guoqiang let the factory director talk without daring to utter a word.
"The factory can't give you any more advances, but I'll lend you twenty yuan personally. Just make do with it for now!"
Su Guoqiang had a bitter look on his face. Although it was a small amount, at least he had managed to borrow some money.
Before leaving, he didn't forget to express his gratitude to the factory manager, saying, "Thank you so much."
After returning home, Su Guoqiang bought some whole grains, thinking he would just have to get through this period first.
Su Mu knew his father was unreliable, so every time he got paid, he would ask Su Guoqiang for ten yuan.
With the advance payment from Su Guoqiang, the two of them managed to get through three months.
They were finally looking forward to Su Guoqiang's paycheck, but then the factory announced layoffs.
Su Guoqiang was among the first batch of layoffs.
The factory director had long disliked his behavior; he never did a good job and always caused a lot of trouble.
He went to the factory to make a scene, but it was no use. He wasn't the only one who was laid off, and none of them got any results.
With no money in hand, the little money at home won't last long.
If she still can't find a job, Su Mu won't be able to afford her tuition.
As he walked dejectedly down the street after leaving the factory, he heard a familiar name.
"Hey, do you still remember Su Guoqiang's daughter, Su Li?"
The two didn't see Su Guoqiang at all and continued walking and talking; "Su Li? Of course I remember her. Su Guoqiang did something inhuman back then. He treated Su Jiaojiao much better than Su Li. What happened to her?"
"She's really something now. I heard she not only got into the best university in Beijing, but she also opened a Limin Supermarket there. Let me tell you, it's much bigger than our supply and marketing cooperative, and it has everything. I can't even imagine how much money she makes every day! Su Guoqiang is really unlucky. If he had treated his daughter even a little better back then, he wouldn't be without a job now."
Su Guoqiang was shocked to hear this. Su Li had never been to school, so how could she possibly get into a university in Beijing?
What surprised him even more was that her supermarket opened as soon as the country reopened.
Too shocked, too incredulous, he grabbed one of the middle-aged men who was speaking.
Staring intently at him, she said, "Wang Youzhi, what did you just say? You said Su Li is now studying at a university in Beijing and owns a supermarket?"
Wang Dazhi never expected that he would be overheard by Su Guoqiang just for chatting with a friend.
He laughed it off and said, "I was just kidding, don't take it too seriously."
Even they couldn't stand someone like Su Guoqiang. They didn't want to tell Su Li about how he treated her before, now that she's doing well.
Su Guoqiang, however, remained adamant: "Explain yourself clearly, or you're not leaving today."
Upon hearing this, Wang Dazhi shoved the man aside, saying, "Fine, say it. Su Li is doing just fine now that she's left you vampires. If I were you, I wouldn't dare go looking for her now, after all, you didn't fulfill your responsibilities as a father."
Su Guoqiang stumbled from being thrown aside, and angrily retorted after hearing his words, "She's my daughter! I raised her from infancy, and now that she's successful, she doesn't even tell her old man! She's a heartless ingrate! I'm going to find her right now!"
Wang Dazhi and his friends were furious when they heard him say this; "You have the nerve to say you raised her? Do you really think we neighbors don't know? You've bought her all sorts of things, from food to clothes, but in your heart she's not even worth a hair on your adopted daughter's head!"
"You almost drove your child to death back then. There was no shortage of food and drink at home, yet you starved her until she was as thin as a bamboo pole, skin and bones. Then you forced her to go to the countryside, forced her to find work. And you call yourself a father? Don't you even know if you're worthy? Now that you're successful, you think you're someone else's father? Where were you before? If you ask me, you should go find your good adopted daughter; after all, you've given her more."
Another person sneered, "His adopted daughter, I heard, stole all his life-saving money. He doesn't love his own daughter, but loves someone else's. This is what happens to him. We must never follow his example. Look at the retribution he's getting now! Even if you go looking for him, what can you do? He still won't acknowledge you."
Su Guoqiang blushed as he listened to the two men's words, and he also regretted that he should have given that brat some face back then.
But no matter what, he is her father, and that cannot be changed.
He's sick and needs to see a doctor, and she has the money, so she should pay for his medical treatment.
After all, without her father, she wouldn't have the good life she has now.
Thinking this way, he decided not to argue with the two of them any longer.
He hurried home and started packing some clothes, as it was colder in Beijing than here.
He needs to bring some warm clothes with him.
If Su Mu comes back later, we'll have to ask him for leave.
After all, Su Li had sacrificed a lot for this kid back then.
He refused to believe that her younger brother was going hungry and unable to go to school, and that she, as the older sister, would still ignore him.
He also packed a few clothes for Su Mu.
When Su Mu came home from school, he saw Su Guoqiang packing his things. He asked in confusion, "What are you doing?"
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