"It means that after you die, no one will offer sacrifices, and you will become a truly lonely ghost. It means you are no longer a member of the Su family, and your children are no longer descendants of the Su family. It means that you have no relatives left in this world."
"That's what Grandpa Su said in a calm voice."
These words were like a bucket of ice water poured over Su Mingqiang's head.
He suddenly realized the seriousness of the problem.
Being expelled from the clan in those days would absolutely ruin one's reputation.
From now on, he will find it difficult to move an inch.
Work, interpersonal relationships, social status...
Everything will be affected.
"Grandpa...I was wrong...I really know I was wrong..."
Su Mingqiang hugged the old man's leg and cried like a child.
The old man sighed and gently pushed him away.
"It's too late, child. Some words, once spoken, cannot be taken back."
Su Jianguo walked to the door and opened it.
"Get out of here. Tomorrow I'll go back to the village to complete the formalities. Then I'll publish a notice in the newspaper: from now on, whether you live or die is none of my business."
A cold wind blew in from outside, dispersing the lingering aroma of food inside.
Su Mingqiang knelt on the ground, looking into his father's cold eyes, knowing that everything was already set in stone.
Seeing this, Li Jinhua quietly picked up her bag and slipped away along the wall.
"Aren't you going to get lost?"
Su Jianguo shouted sternly.
Su Mingqiang staggered to his feet and stumbled out.
As he stepped across the threshold, he glanced back.
The father's eyes were as cold as iron, the grandfather's back was resolute and ruthless, the grandmother and mother were crying their eyes out, and the younger sister held the child, unable to meet his gaze...
The door slammed shut behind him.
The night wind blew away the tears on Su Mingqiang's face. Standing in the dark courtyard, he felt true loneliness and fear for the first time.
A few barks came from afar, as if mocking the poor wretch who had been abandoned by his family.
Su Mingqiang stumbled through the dark alley. The biting wind was nothing compared to the coldness in his heart.
He knew that from tomorrow onward, he would truly become the loneliest person in the world, a "wandering ghost" expelled from his family.
Early the next morning.
As dawn broke, Su Jianguo opened his eyes.
It was still pitch black outside the window, with only the occasional crowing of a rooster in the distance.
"Honey, what time is it?"
Wang Xiulan's voice showed no signs of sleepiness, indicating that she had clearly been awake for a while.
"It's just past five o'clock. How long have you been awake?"
Su Jianguo fumbled to light the kerosene lamp, and the dim yellow light spread throughout the room.
"I just woke up a little while ago and can't fall back asleep. Do we really have to do this today?"
Wang Xiulan sighed and sat up as well.
Su Jianguo paused as he buttoned his shirt, his voice low but firm.
"Xiulan, there's no room for discussion on this. You heard what that beast Mingqiang said; if we don't teach him a lesson, he'll never know his place."
Wang Xiulan didn't say anything more, but silently got dressed.
Su Jianguo knew she was upset, but this time he had to harden his heart.
He stepped out of the house; the courtyard was still shrouded in morning mist, and the air carried the chill of early autumn.
"Father, we're all ready."
Su Yufen carried the still-drowsy Da Mao out of the west room, followed by Er Mao, who was rubbing his eyes.
The third brother, Su Mingfu, was already dressed and was checking the bags he needed to bring in the yard.
Where is Grandpa?
Su Jianguo asked.
"It's here."
Grandpa Su's voice came from the main room. He and Grandma had finished getting ready and were leaning on their jujube wood canes.
"Jianguo, have you thought this through?"
Su Jianguo nodded.
"Father, I've thought it through. What's the point of keeping such an unfilial son around?"
The old man didn't say anything more, he just sighed.
The family ate a quick breakfast and then hurried out.
Sujiatun is dozens of kilometers away from Beijing, and Su Jianguo is traveling with his family again this time.
So, instead of riding a bicycle, I planned to take a bus.
The streets of Beijing were almost deserted in the early morning, with only a few vendors hurrying by pushing their wheelbarrows to the early market.
Su Jianguo carried the heaviest bag and walked at the front, Su Mingfu supported the old man, and Wang Xiulan and Su Yufen each led one of the children.
"Grandpa, where are we going?"
Da Mao tilted his little face up and asked, his eyes full of curiosity.
"Go back to your hometown and see your great-grandparents' relatives and neighbors."
Su Jianguo patted the child's head.
This trip back to Sujiatun wasn't just about dealing with Su Mingqiang's affairs; it also involved resolving Yufen's housing problem. Furthermore, since the villagers had come to the city to help last time, as the head of the household, he felt he had to go back and express his gratitude.
After walking for about half an hour, they finally arrived at the bus station.
It was already broad daylight, and the area in front of the station was already packed with people.
Long queues formed in front of the ticket windows, with some people even sleeping on the floor with their bedding, clearly having waited all night to catch the early bus.
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