Qi Jianguo’s phone call reached Qi Taiguo’s 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 hadn’t 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, she’ll just keep living in the old house." Qi Jianguo hesitated and then said, "The old house hasn’t 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, you’re 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. Mother’s temper, too self-centered and overbearing, can’t be indulged. Otherwise, there won’t 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 won’t 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 brother’s words and looking at his own clothes—all purchased by his sister-in-law—and couldn’t 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 didn’t want to comment.
"Taiguo, what’s wrong? Did your brother call you?" Mother Cheng, seeing Cheng Su unmoving, couldn’t 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, it’s been decades since anyone lived there, right? Is it still stable? And it’s 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-law’s 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, she’s troubled enough as it is, don’t talk to her about this!"
"But that old house, how can anyone live there?" Mother Cheng hesitated.
"It’s 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 Su’s door and said, "Susu, I’m on the night shift tonight, don’t 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. It’s been decades since anyone lived there. If anything happens, it’ll be too late for regrets."
Cheng Su looked up and said, "The one who drove her out wasn’t 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 you’re really determined not to go through life with him? If that’s the case, just keep being stubborn, and we’ll see how long you can hold out!"
Angered, Mother Cheng couldn’t 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.