With the matter of the space explained, the three of them started eating chicken noodle soup. They had forgotten when they last ate chicken. Nowadays, every household can raise chickens, but the number is limited. Su Xingran's family raises two hens, both for laying eggs.
Su Xingran ate a bowl of noodles and a chicken leg and was full. Su's mother ate two bowls of noodles and some chicken. Su's father took the leftover noodles and left some chicken to eat later that night. The whole family had a delicious and satisfying meal and felt comfortable in both body and mind.
Over the years, whenever there was anything good to eat at home, the people from the Su family's old house would always come and take it away in various ways. A meal like today was practically nonexistent. Father Su's eyes reddened; he felt deeply guilty. It was his own uselessness that had led to him being bullied by his elder brother and sister-in-law for so many years, and to his parents being pressured by the concept of filial piety. He could bear the suffering himself, but he had also caused his wife and daughter to suffer along with him.
Having been husband and wife for many years, how could Su's mother not understand what Su's father was thinking? Yes, these years have not been easy. Because of the old house, the couple had a hard time raising Ranran. Because of their filial piety, the couple gritted their teeth and could not do anything to their parents. As a son and a daughter-in-law, if Su's father resisted even slightly, his mother would threaten to kill herself. Some people in the village would also point fingers and gossip. They couldn't let others talk about their daughter because of Ranran, saying that she had parents who were not filial to their parents.
Seeing her parents remain silent, their eyes reddening, Su Xingran roughly guessed what had happened. These past years have been incredibly difficult and painful. "Mom and Dad," she vowed, "I will take good care of you and make sure you have a good life in the future."
Mr. and Mrs. Su exchanged a smile. Yes, from now on, they would live well as a family. Filial piety and the concept of parents were no longer important to Mr. Su. He had learned from Ranran how his elder brother's family had treated them, how his niece, Su Wenli, had even murdered Ranran, and how his parents' favoritism had led to the deaths of three people in their family. To his parents, it was all because they themselves had died young. For the sake of his elder brother's family, they had endlessly exploited and oppressed his own. Such parents were more ruthless than enemies.
Su's father thought to himself that from now on, he should just pretend he had no older brother and no parents. In fact, he had no parents when he was a child. He was sent to his grandparents to be raised when he was only a few days old. They didn't give him money or food. If it weren't for his grandparents' kindness and genuine love for him, he might have died long ago. Since they were so unkind to him, why should he be filial to them?
Mom and Dad, I'm planning to take the college entrance exam. I have five years left. In my previous life, I received all the admission notices, but I didn't have the chance to step into the university. I felt somewhat unwilling and regretful, so I still want to go to university to fulfill my regret. Besides, a university degree is a great symbol of status.
Ranran, whatever you want to do, your parents will support you. I know that on the surface you are a twelve-year-old child, but inside you may already have the soul of an adult. Although you didn't say what mission you were on or how long it took to complete it to earn your rebirth, your father knows that you must have suffered a lot and experienced many things. My Ranran must have gone through countless hardships to return to your parents' side.
Ranran, Dad hopes you can grow up happily and safely, innocent and lively like a child, instead of having eyes full of sorrow. Do you understand what Dad is saying? Dad knows you hate your cousin Su Wenli to the core, and you also despise your grandparents and uncle's family and want to get rid of them. Don't worry, whatever you want to do, your parents will agree. Over the years, I have been filial to them as I should, consider it repaying their kindness in giving me life. From now on, our family will live our own lives well.
Tears welled up in Su Xingran's eyes and streamed down her face. Yes, she was only twelve years old, a child at heart, and should be innocent, lively, and cheerful, not acting like a child on the surface but an adult on the inside. Her overly mature demeanor would arouse suspicion from others; how could someone transform from a child into an adult in just a few days?
Father was afraid that if she gave herself away, people would notice something was wrong. And Father also said he didn't know how long it took her to complete the mission. She herself didn't know how long it took; she only knew that she completed one mission after another, constantly operating in that world like a machine.
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