"Need not."
The two words pierced the air like icicles, and the temperature on the dining table seemed to drop several degrees instantly.
Su Mingfu dared not say another word, and continued reading with his head down, only turning the pages more quietly.
The curtains in the east wing swayed slightly, then quickly returned to stillness.
Breakfast was simple: cornmeal porridge, pickled vegetables, and a few boiled eggs.
Su Jianguo sat in the main seat, watching the children sit down properly.
Su Yuzhen's hands were trembling as she held the bowl of porridge, and she almost spilled it.
Su Yufen silently distributed eggs to everyone.
Su Mingfu lowered his head and drank his porridge, not daring to make a sound.
The dining table was eerily quiet, with only the occasional clinking of chopsticks against bowls.
Everyone knows what happened last night, but no one dares to utter a word.
From the east wing, the faint sounds of rummaging through drawers and cabinets could be heard, followed by heavy footsteps, and finally silence.
Su Jianguo slowly peeled the eggs.
"father..."
Su Yufen hesitated, as if she wanted to say something but then stopped.
"Have a meal."
Su Jianguo interrupted her and handed the egg yolk to Wang Xiulan.
"Eat more, you're too thin."
Wang Xiulan's eyes reddened, and she lowered her head to drink her porridge, not daring to speak.
She knew her husband's temper; once he made up his mind, nothing could change it.
After finishing his meal, Su Jianguo wiped his mouth, got up, and went to push his brand-new Phoenix bicycle.
He planned to visit his eldest son's family.
Although they knew their old man was highly skilled and no ordinary person could do anything about him.
However, Su Jianguo was also afraid that his old man would be angered by his grandson Su Mingqiang.
It's better to go and take a look; it's safer that way.
Su Jianguo pushed his bicycle out of the courtyard gate, the bell on the handlebars flashing a cold light in the morning light.
He had just stepped one foot onto the pedal when he caught a glimpse of his second son, Su Mingde, huddled in the room.
Su Mingde was carrying a bulging blue cloth bundle. His eyes behind his glasses were bloodshot, and his face still bore the bruises from the beating he received the night before.
When he saw his father looking over, he immediately straightened his back, a glimmer of hope flashing in his eyes.
"father..."
Su Mingde's voice was dry, like sandpaper being rubbed.
Su Jianguo sneered, and without even getting out of the car, he stood on his toes and looked down at his good-for-nothing son.
"What? Still refusing to leave?"
Su Jianguo's voice was as cold as ice.
"You treated everything I said last night like it was nothing?"
Su Mingde's face turned pale instantly, and his fingers unconsciously tightened around the bundle.
That contained all his belongings.
Two changes of clothes, a work notebook, and half a tube of toothpaste.
He barely slept last night, tossing and turning, wondering if his father would change his mind.
"Father, I...I'll leave now..."
Su Mingde mumbled something, but his eyes kept glancing into the courtyard, as if hoping that his mother or younger siblings would come out to plead for him.
Su Jianguo followed his gaze and indeed saw Wang Xiulan hiding behind the curtain, wiping away tears.
He was furious and suddenly rang the bicycle bell. The crisp "ding-a-ling" sound startled Su Mingde.
"What are you looking at?"
Su Jianguo shouted sternly.
"I'm telling you, Su Mingde, if you ever dare to sneak back here again, I'll break your legs!"
These words struck Su Mingde like a heavy hammer, causing him to stagger back two steps.
He stared at his father in disbelief, his lips trembling but unable to utter a single word.
Su Jianguo turned his head and roared towards the direction of the curtain.
"Xiulan! Listen to me! If I find out anyone dares to give this ingrate a single meal, I'll break their legs!"
The figure behind the curtain trembled violently, followed by suppressed sobs.
Su Jianguo knew his wife was soft-hearted, but this time he had to harden his heart.
In their past lives, they spoiled these children too much, which is why they ended up with no one to see them off in their final days.
The other children in the yard kept their distance.
Su Mingfu pretended to be reading a book, but his eyes kept glancing this way.
Su Yuzhen huddled at the kitchen doorway, clutching a dishcloth in her hand, her knuckles turning white.
Only the eldest daughter, Su Yufen, mustered the courage to stand at the doorway of the main room, watching this scene with a hesitant expression.
What are you all standing there for?
Su Jianguo roared.
"Those who need to go to school should go to school, and those who need to work should work!"
That shout was like flipping a switch; the children in the yard immediately scattered like birds and beasts.
Su Mingfu grabbed his schoolbag and ran outside, not daring to even lift his head as he passed his second brother.
Su Yuzhen rushed into the kitchen in a panic, almost tripping over the threshold.
Su Yufen sighed and turned to clear the table.
Su Mingde stood alone at the gate of the courtyard, like an abandoned rag doll.
The morning breeze ruffled his meticulously combed hair, and his glasses fogged up with water.
He opened his mouth, as if he wanted to say something, but his father's gaze froze him in place.
"roll!"
Su Jianguo uttered only one word, but it carried immense weight.
Su Mingde finally gave up.
He mechanically turned around, dragged his feet and walked out, his back hunched over like that of a little old man.
The bulging bundle weighed heavily on his thin shoulders.
Early risers were already walking around in the alley.
Aunt Li from the front yard was carrying a spittoon to empty the chamber pot when she saw Su Mingde's appearance and stared in surprise.
"Mingde, are you going on a long trip?"
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