Chapter 325: Three Years Too Long
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
No, it was not that. She just did not like having to listen to her Big Sister.
She did not like having her view proven wrong, which was the source of her present upset.
“Fifth Sister, you seem happy.” Su Xue’s tone belied a meaning she hoped her sister would pick up.
“I am.” Ever since Fifth Sister chatted with Su Wen the night before, she had set herself a goal. She became more centered with an idea of what she wanted to do.
The only thing left was to put in the hard work. Once she reached her goal, she would become useful to her family and bring glory to her Big Sister, hence, her good mood.
“Are you going to college?”
“That’s right. I’ll go look for our form teacher.” Fifth Sister did not want her Big Sister to shoulder responsibility for their family alone. If she continued the way she was, she would need another three years before completing this phase of her education since that would be how long it would take Fourth Sister to complete it.
Three years was too long; she could not stand the thought of Su Wen carrying on alone for so long.
“It sounds like you have a plan.” Su Xue looked like her soul had been sucked out of her. So lost was she that she did not even hear the passing students greet her along their way to school. They parked their bicycles in their usual spot, not a peep exchanged between the two sisters. With her head bowed, Su Xue trudged to her class.
Fifth Sister followed closely by Su Xue’s side.
“You know what? It wasn’t until yesterday that I realized how many people in the village looked down on Big Sister and our family just because we’re all girls.” Su Xue had not wanted anyone to discover her inner turmoil, so she kept her thoughts to herself for the most part.
She dared to voice her thoughts only now that they were away from home.
Su Xue was stubborn by nature. People like her, who stuck to their beliefs, were often more sensitive to undercurrents in the relationships around them. She had seen it for herself: the malice her Second and Third Uncles harbored, the scheming ways of their relatives in the village, and the gloating of their neighbors as they enjoyed the show.
None of them had regarded the sisters seriously simply because their parents had died early, and the family was without a male figurehead. While some extended their support, it was not out of camaraderie but pity. Had Big Sister always had to deal with people like them? Ones who only looked down on them?
What the seven sisters wanted was respect, not pity.
Yesterday, standing quietly in that courtyard, Su Xue realized how isolated her Big Sister was with a group of men looking down on her. The scene had caused needles to prick her heart.
Su Xue deeply regretted her actions toward her Big Sister, feeling disgusted with herself.
“Now that you mention it… Ah, I don’t think I noticed it.” Fifth Sister said, troubled. “I only noticed Sun Yunyun causing a scene, but I’m happy Big Sister, and Brother-in-law’s relationship has improved.”
Su Xue could not help but laugh. Fifth Sister had always been like this. Her air-headed nature was why Su Xue did her best to protect her younger sister. She feared Fifth Sister would be bullied and waited a year to start school together.
She only realized her foolishness when she overheard Fiffth Sister discussing college entrance exams with Big Sister.
She had only been seeing things her way without consideration for what her younger sister might have wanted.
Fifth Sister was smarter than her. Much, much smarter than her.
It was not her younger sister who needed protection, but she who had been holding Fifth Sister back.
“Fifth Sister, go and find our form teacher. I support you.” Su Xue touched her younger sister’s shoulder, squeezing it comfortingly.
“I will.” Fifth Sister nodded. Embarrassed, she said, “Fourth Sister, I won’t be able to accompany you. I hope you’ll be alright without me.”
Su Xue smiled bitterly. As expected, her actions were for naught. It was Fifth
Sister who had silently accommodated her.
It turned out that Fifth Sister was a genius..