Qi Jianguoâs phone call reached Qi Taiguoâs house, saying that Mother Qi had been driven by their father to live in the old house.
Qi Taiguo was stunned for a moment and remained silent; he hadnât expected his father to be so decisive.
"Big brother, what exactly did mom do? Dad said, once my sister-in-law is no longer angry, mom can move back, otherwise, sheâll just keep living in the old house." Qi Jianguo hesitated and then said, "The old house hasnât been lived in for so long, everything is quite old. Some places even leak, and with the frequent rain these days, a tile fell off when I went there today."
After a long pause, Qi Taiguo said, "Jianguo, youâre also eighteen this year, about to take the college entrance exam, you need to learn to discern right from wrong, to know the proper judgment. Motherâs temper, too self-centered and overbearing, canât be indulged. Otherwise, there wonât be peace in this family."
Qi Jianguo was startled. Did that mean they were abandoning her?
"Go check on her when you have time. I wonât say more, I have to go work my shift," Qi Taiguo added before hanging up the phone.
After hanging up, Qi Jianguo walked away dejectedly, thinking about his big brotherâs words and looking at his own clothesâall purchased by his sister-in-lawâand couldnât help but sigh.
Qi Taiguo sat on the sofa in a daze.
Seeing this, Mother Cheng gave Cheng Su a push and motioned with her lips.
Cheng Su glanced over, then looked away. She had heard everything he said and didnât want to comment.
"Taiguo, whatâs wrong? Did your brother call you?" Mother Cheng, seeing Cheng Su unmoving, couldnât help but ask.
Qi Taiguo nodded and said, "My mom has gone back home." Then, looking at Cheng Su, he said, "My dad drove her to live in the old house."
"What? The old house, that old house of your family, itâs been decades since anyone lived there, right? Is it still stable? And itâs located in such a secluded place, is it okay for her to live there alone?" Mother Cheng frowned and glanced at her daughter again.
"It was the same in the past, no problem," Qi Taiguo forced a smile.
Mother Cheng went on, "Father-in-lawâs temper really is..." She looked at Cheng Su again and said, "That old house is so run down, it would be terrible if it collapsed. Aiyo, spit, spit, that would be truly catastrophic."
Cheng Su stood up and went into her room.
Mother Cheng was annoyed, "Look at this stubborn girl," and was about to follow her.
Qi Taiguo stopped her, saying, "Mother-in-law, let it be, sheâs troubled enough as it is, donât talk to her about this!"
"But that old house, how can anyone live there?" Mother Cheng hesitated.
"Itâs fine," Qi Taiguo smiled lightly and said, "I have the night shift tonight, you and Susu stay at home."
"Oh!"
Qi Taiguo then went to Cheng Suâs door and said, "Susu, Iâm on the night shift tonight, donât wait up for me, go to sleep early."
Cheng Su made a sound of acknowledgment without lifting her head.
Qi Taiguo pursed his lips, stood there for a while, somewhat helplessly, then turned and left.
Only then did Cheng Su lift her head and gently bite her lip, turning her attention back to the document in her hands; she needed something to distract her thoughts.
Mother Cheng walked in, her face stern, "You heard everything, right? Your mother-in-law has been chased to the old house to live by your father-in-law. Itâs been decades since anyone lived there. If anything happens, itâll be too late for regrets."
Cheng Su looked up and said, "The one who drove her out wasnât me, where she lives is beyond my control, and I have no intention of interfering."
"You..." Mother Cheng, taken aback by her retort, said, "So youâre really determined not to go through life with him? If thatâs the case, just keep being stubborn, and weâll see how long you can hold out!"
Angered, Mother Cheng couldnât bear to look at her any longer and huffed as she went out.
Cheng Su, lips still pressed together, continued to stare at her book, but not a single word sunk in.