Chapter 17: Shamelessness and the Breaking of Ties

“Brother Dayong, really, Tiger and I carried the person back together. They got hit by the basket trap, but the person should be fine.”

Hearing the mention of the basket trap, Third Uncle grew a little worried and said, “Why did you think of going hunting? The mountains aren’t safe. Try to avoid going deep into the forest. If you really crave meat, just tell Third Uncle. Come to my place, and I’ll buy some meat for you.”

Third Uncle never had much skill in life, but he had good insight. His children all graduated from university and found jobs, though that was ten years later. Right now, Third Uncle was just a rural man without many abilities. Saying this was because he knew that Second Brother’s family had many children and couldn’t afford much meat, so Su Yu went hunting to ease their burden. His own family was smaller, so he wanted to help Second Brother’s family out.

“Uh... no need, Third Uncle, don’t worry. I know what I’m doing. I won’t go deep into the mountains. Besides, there are two of us, so it’s okay. I’ll head back now; dinner’s waiting at home.”

Su Dayong stood up and walked Su Yu out to the front gate.

“When will you go into the mountains next time? I’ll come with you for fun.”

Seeing Su Yu able to catch game, Su Dayong felt a bit envious. Su Dayong was a lot like Su Sheng—reckless. Su Sheng was ruthless, while Su Dayong was a bit naïve, simply put: straightforward but not foolish.

“Sure, but can you even get out? If Third Uncle finds out you’re going into the mountains, won’t he break your legs?”

Unlike Su Yu, Su Dayong was the only child in Third Uncle’s family, whereas Su Yu’s family had three boys. Although Su Yu’s father worried, he wasn’t too strict. But for Su Dayong, it was different.

“Heh heh, don’t worry. If you don’t say and I don’t say, who’ll know? I’m just tagging along to experience it.”

Boys generally love hunting from childhood; few don’t. Especially when handling guns or even bows and crossbows to shoot small animals—it’s always exciting.

“Alright, then come find me tomorrow. I’m going into the mountains in the afternoon.”

“In the afternoon? Why not go in the morning?”

Su Yu knew he was selling pelts tomorrow—he wasn’t about to tell him.

“No time. I have something in the morning.”

Su Dayong had no choice but to agree. Then Su Yu turned and went home.

When Su Dayong returned home, his father was staring at him. Su Dayong felt uneasy and avoided his gaze.

“Are you going into the mountains with Su Yu tomorrow?”

Su Dayong was his son. Su Yuanzheng had been young once and understood what young men think.

“Don’t rush to deny it. Kids near the mountains can’t realistically avoid going in. I won’t stop you if you want to go, but be careful. Learn more, observe more, don’t act rashly. Keep an eye on Su Yu. Don’t go deep into the mountains, understand?”

Su Dayong didn’t expect his father to agree. He immediately smiled broadly and nodded repeatedly.

“You figure out your mother’s side yourself. Anyway, I don’t know. Got it?”

With a sharp look from his father, Su Dayong immediately understood: keep it secret, but don’t let Dad know. A little secret between father and son.

Undeniably, Su Yuanzheng was masterful at educating children. If he forbade Su Dayong from going entirely, it would backfire. Letting him go once, then gradually reducing or forbidding it, eased the rebellious spirit. They could always use the excuse that his mother found out. One played the stern role, the other the softer one. Su Dayong’s simple mind was completely managed.

Sometimes children don’t necessarily want to oppose their parents—it’s that neither parent understands the child’s thoughts. Su Yuanzheng’s behavior showed understanding and secrecy on Su Dayong’s behalf. Even if forbidden later, Su Dayong wouldn’t resist much with his father on his side.

Two flowers bloom, each showing its own beauty.

When Su Yu returned home, he immediately sensed a strange atmosphere. He tugged on Su Jin’s sleeve and whispered, “What’s going on? What happened?”

“Nothing much. Father went to Grandpa’s house to deliver meat but was scolded by Auntie. She even shouted about matchmaking for you so the whole neighborhood knows now. She said you were ungrateful and didn’t even take the meat, just dropped it on the ground. Father brought it back without a word.”

Hearing this, Su Yu’s face flushed with anger. Zheng Xiaolian was clearly counting on their silence.

If they didn’t know the truth, Auntie introducing her niece and you flatly refusing would seem rude. At least meeting once would be proper, or it would seem arrogant or show deep resentment toward Auntie’s family.

Auntie didn’t think Su Yu’s family knew the truth. So there was only one explanation: the family held a grudge against Auntie’s family, so Auntie exaggerated, accusing Su Yu’s father of hypocrisy—one thing on the surface, another behind their backs.

“Dad, if the meat can’t be delivered, then don’t deliver it. We’ve already offered it. If Auntie won’t accept it, there’s nothing we can do. You focus on raising us, but don’t forget you need to be taken care of too. My fourth brother and fifth sister are still young, growing fast. Eating more meat is good.”

Saying this, Su Yu picked up the meat nearby, washed it, chopped it into pieces, and put it in a large bowl. Then he started stir-frying, lighting the stove, heating oil, and adding chopped scallions.

After mixing evenly, he added raccoon dog meat, badger meat, and rabbit meat to stew together.

Five pounds of badger, two rabbits weighing five pounds total, eight raccoon dogs weighing three pounds—about thirteen pounds of meat altogether.

The family had run out of staple food. To eat properly, all they had were vegetable pancakes—made from wild greens and bran mixed together. The taste was definitely unpleasant.

So Su Yu didn’t bother making any. Last time they ate fish, there was no staple food either. This time, Tiger had brought extra pancakes. Tiger’s father was in the militia; they weren’t rich, but they had cornmeal and wild greens to make pancakes.

These vegetable pancakes were considered good food. Su Yu’s family used to eat wild vegetable porridge that was barely filling. Pancakes at least filled the stomach.

After speaking, Su Yu ignored his father and busied himself in the kitchen. Su Yu’s mother, Liu Yuzhi, nudged his father and gently persuaded him.

Seeing everyone’s eyes on him, Su Yu’s father didn’t want to spoil the mood, especially with Tiger around.

“Alright, I’m fine. You all go about your business.”

Waving his hand, he picked up a cup, put in some bitter herb root, steeped it in water, and started drinking.

Seeing he was okay, everyone relaxed and began chatting.

Before long, the aroma of meat filled the air.

“Third brother, is it still not cooked?”

“Third brother, is the meat ready yet?”

“Third brother, can we eat now?”

The little sister was like a little bee, buzzing around the yard and asking repeatedly. Su Yu was amused.

He scooped up the little girl. Her hair was dry and yellowish, her face pale—a clear sign of malnutrition. Yet she was the first university student in the Su family.

Su Yu had graduated high school but didn’t continue to university because it was suspended and would only resume seven years later. Su Yu’s eldest brother, Su Sheng, had wanted to attend university but failed the first year and then quit the next year.

“You little glutton, still not behaving, huh? Didn’t Third Brother tell you that if it’s ready, you’ll be the first to eat? Why do you keep asking?”