Seeing her momās awkward expression, Cheng Su couldnāt help but shake her head and said to her dad, "Dad, if you think itās closer to find something here in Qing City, I can help him find a job, or if he wants to start a small business, I can fund it."
"Keep this conversation between us, donāt let your mother-in-law hear it!" Father Cheng immediately said nervously.
Cheng Su said, "Dad, canāt I decide how to use the money I earn myself? Donāt worry, if Cheng Zhi really has this idea, just let him say it."
Father Cheng felt warmth in his heart and said, "Itās not that you canāt decide for yourself, but you know what your mother-in-law is like. If she finds out, the house wonāt be peaceful, right? You just live well, your brother, he has his own fate."
Cheng Su knew he was worried about her relationship with her mother-in-law and thought that only her own parents would think for her like this.
"Dad, I only have one brother. In the future, after you and mom pass, heāll be my only family from my maternal side. I definitely have to support him. If heās doing well, Iāll have someone to back me up too!" Cheng Su laughed and said, "With my life as it is now, you can see that helping him is also helping myself!"
"I know, now that you have a good life, your mom and I feel at ease too. You have the heart to help, and Iām happy about that. Cheng Zhi is still a young man, he needs to learn from setbacks and falls to truly grow. With a good sister like you always planning for him, if his life is smooth sailing, what about later on? When he runs into trouble, can he get back up and handle it properly? Can you help him for a lifetime?" Father Cheng sighed, "Itās not that I donāt want you to help your brother. Itās just that people need to learn to take hits, to go through more and gain more life experience to grow. When he grows to be mature and stable, then he can truly support you."
Cheng Su felt her eyes moisten and her throat choke slightly: "Dad..."
"Itās alright, why cry?" Father Cheng patted her hand and said, "Before coming here, I talked to your brother about this too. Your mom and I are still young. He should go out and make a mark for himself. If he succeeds, thatās his ability. If not, if heās battered and bruised and canāt make it, coming home thereās always a full meal for him. In the worst case, thereās always you, his sister, to give him a bowl of rice!"
Cheng Su nodded, thinking thatās just how men should think.
The outside world, with its harsh winds and rainsāwhatās the worry? If you arenāt afraid of setbacks, if you arenāt afraid of losses, isnāt it even more possible to make achievements?
They were both from grassroots, not born with silver spoons. Everything relies on oneself. Back then, she could open a restaurant with nothing to her name and do business, what canāt Cheng Zhi, as the man, do?
If he fails, just as Father Cheng said, is he afraid of not having a full meal when he comes home?
"Dad, having a father like you is really a blessing for us siblings!" Cheng Su said from the heart.
Father Cheng felt a bit embarrassed and said, "Your father, I have no big abilities, canāt earn a lot of money, but my greatest ability is having the two of you, brother and sister, so of course, I hope for the best for you."
"Donāt worry, we definitely will," Cheng Su immediately said.
"Right now, I donāt worry about you, living well and having a happy family, but your brother..." Father Cheng pursed his lips and said, "Now, let him go venture out. Young people shouldnāt be stuck viewing the world from a limited perspective. But, Su, if one day your brother doesnāt succeed, remember what your dad said, give him a hand, because you are siblings."
Cheng Su nodded. Many years later, when she helped Cheng Zhi get back on track, she still clearly remembered what her father had told her.