Chapter 12: The Fierce Duo, the Su Brothers

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Casting a deep, lingering glance at his father, Su Yu said nothing more, yet he was eighty percent certain that his grandmother knew the truth. This whole matter was a trap—what remained unclear was what his eldest aunt had sacrificed to compel their grandmother to personally intervene, to the extent that the old lady disregarded family ties and outright sided with her daughter-in-law.

Su Yu said little, deciding only to steer the conversation away carefully so that his parents wouldn’t unknowingly agree to something that would complicate matters further.

“San Guo, where are you going?”

Turning away from the room, Su Yu headed straight for the front door.

“I’m going to call Huzi over. You stay home and wait for the fish,” he said, addressing both his younger sister and his parents, to prevent them from thinking he was off to confront his eldest uncle’s family.

Once outside, Su Yu’s anger grew with every step. In his previous life, to avoid conflicts with his eldest uncle’s family, he had left for another city alone, unwilling to witness his father’s foolish filial piety. After all, on one side was his father; on the other was a known trap. No matter his reluctance, if things went wrong, the family would be the first to suffer.

“Damn it. I didn’t have any ill thoughts about Xu Zhiqing before, but Su Bin, that bastard, deliberately played me. Well then, don’t blame me for butting in.”

Lost in thought as he walked, Su Yu found himself at Huzi’s house and knocked on the door. A boy of about fourteen or fifteen opened it.

“Oh, Brother Su Yu, what brings you here?”

“Oh, it’s Little Ben. I’m looking for your brother. We’re going to have fish at my place later.”

Su Xiao Ben was Huzi’s younger brother. The name itself was quite amusing—Huzi’s father had hoped to have several children to form a name meaning “Tiger Valor General,” but fate had other plans. By the time Little Ben arrived, all subsequent children were girls.

Huzi was eighteen, Little Ben fifteen—a three-year gap due to complications during Huzi’s birth. His mother had suffered heavy bleeding; the baby had shifted position. After finally delivering Huzi, the doctor advised her to rest for several years before having another child.

The villagers often teased Little Ben’s name, likening it to “Little Fool,” which was quite fitting.

As Little Ben led Su Yu inside, Huzi’s father emerged.

“So it’s Su Yu. Why aren’t you eating at home and coming over here?”

Because the two families lived close, Huzi’s father spoke bluntly, harboring some resentment toward Su Yu, who had often been the ringleader whenever Huzi got into trouble. He was never kind and usually resorted to kicking when words failed. Although not a direct elder by strict customs, he still considered himself senior.

“Hehe, Uncle Dahai, I came to invite Huzi and the younger siblings to our house for fish.”

Huzi’s father, Su Ruhai—nicknamed Dahai—had several children: eldest son Su Xiao Hu, second son Su Xiao Ben, third child a daughter Su Rou, fourteen years old, and fourth child another daughter Su Qianqian, thirteen.

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Judging by the ages, he was anxious—children came in quick succession, but the more he wished for a son, the more heaven denied him. So Su Ruhai gave up. Two sons and two daughters were enough. He was old now and couldn’t endure more trouble.

The family was poor with many children. By the time he married, he was already advanced in age. His wife suffered hemorrhaging during childbirth, forcing another two to three years of wait. They had three kids—one son, two daughters. Had they continued, it would have been shameful in old age, especially since his wife was still healthy but he was nearing fifty. Who would raise the children then?

“Oh… Brother Yu, what a surprise.”

They had agreed that if fish was served, they would come on their own. Huzi hadn’t planned to come since he hadn’t helped catch the fish. Unexpectedly, Su Yu had come to fetch them.

“I’m inviting you to eat fish. You helped catch the fish too, so you can’t just skip out. Hurry up and bring your brothers and sisters.”

Huzi glanced at his father, as if to say, “At this late hour, you want me to go out?”

“What are you staring at? He came to get you himself. Bring your own snacks and get moving.”

Su Ruhai was quick-tempered. Not only was he harsh with his son, but he was also domineering toward outsiders like Su Yu.

“All right, Little Ben, grab some flatbread. We’re going to Brother Yu’s to eat fish.”

Su Rou and Su Qianqian, fourteen and thirteen respectively, were shy little girls. Led by Huzi, they reluctantly followed.

Upon entering the house, the fish was being served. Since Huzi was expected, Su Sheng had deliberately added extra water to the fish stew. The total fish weighed only three jin—far from enough for everyone. Yet in those days, fish broth was a delicacy; dipping steamed buns in it was just as delicious.

“Sister Rou, Sister Qianqian, you’re here?”

Su Jing, a young girl in the household, was delighted to see Su Rou and Su Qianqian, bounding over happily.

“Everyone’s here. Come, sit down and eat. Don’t be shy.”

As the head of the household, Su He courteously invited everyone to sit. Su Xiao Hu took the lead, calling everyone one by one—a mark of good upbringing the family did not lack.

“You young ones eat first. The table’s small and there’s no room for all of us. Your aunt and I will eat in the kitchen. Don’t be polite—just sit and eat.”

With a few brief words, Su father and mother retreated to the kitchen. Their absence at the table wasn’t just about space; they feared the children would be too restrained and uncomfortable.

“Brother Sheng, Brother Yu, isn’t it improper that Uncle He and Auntie don’t sit with us? Won’t we be stealing the spotlight?”

“Enough with your nitpicking. Sit down and eat. It doesn’t matter where you eat; your parents don’t eat much meat anyway, just drink the broth. It’s the same anywhere.”

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Su Yu didn’t respond, merely shrugging to indicate he had no say. Even if Huzi and the others didn’t come, the parents wouldn’t eat much more unless they caught seven or eight jin of fish like last time. Usually, the parents saved most for the children.

“Are you going back into the mountains tomorrow?”

Suddenly, Su Sheng asked, drawing everyone’s attention.

“Yeah, that’s the plan. Why? You coming too?”

The two brothers began chatting; Huzi stayed out of it.

“I’m not going. If I went, no one would be left to work the fields. You hurt your head, so if you don’t want to go, just rest for a few days.”

After dinner, Su Xiao Ben and Su Jing went out to play. Close in age, they usually played together and had a great time eating together.

Su Jing was then taken by Huzi’s younger sisters to another room for whispers and secrets—an eight-year-old, a thirteen-year-old, and a fourteen-year-old playing around. Su Yu didn’t mind; let them whisper what they liked, no outsiders were present.

Meanwhile, Huzi, Su Yu, and their eldest brother Su Sheng retired to the eldest brother’s room for a talk.

Not long after, Huzi led his younger siblings home.

“Are you really going to lay hands on Su Bin?”

Suddenly, as the two brothers escorted Huzi’s siblings out, Su Sheng looked after their departing figures at the gate and uttered this abrupt, out-of-the-blue question.

“Why would you think I’d do that?” Su Sheng withdrew his gaze and looked at Su Yu, murmuring, “We’re brothers—I know you well. Everyone says the Su family’s eldest is a reckless brute, fond of fighting, but I know the third brother, you’re no different. You just prefer thinking things through rather than rushing in. But deep down, you and I are the same—we can’t stand being bullied.”

“Big brother’s not trying to stop you. I just want to say, if you’re going to fight, make sure you call me.”

With that, Su Sheng turned and went inside. Su Yu watched his brother’s retreating figure, then turned his gaze to the distant moon, murmuring, “Since when did big brother learn to be so profound? Suddenly so sentimental—I’m not sure I can handle it. Ha.”