Chapter 114: As if it were her own property

Chapter 114: As if it were her own property

However, before the second day arrived, the gambling den’s people had already tracked down the Su family that very night.

Only then did the Su family realize that what Su Chengzong had mentioned about "winning ten taels and losing them" was not the whole truth.

—He had not only lost the ten taels he had won but also incurred an additional debt of fifty taels!

Su’s father, mother, and Qian were both shocked and furious.

While Su Chengzong was smiling and being cautious with the debt collectors from the gambling den, he also appeared indifferent as he said to his family, “What’s there to be afraid of? We still have Yu Sanbao. I am Rou'er’s elder brother; tomorrow, when I go to his shop, he will surely give me the money!”

Due to Wei Feng being stabbed by the widow of a gambler who had jumped into the river, the collectors responsible for debt collection seemed more cautious, knowing they couldn’t push people too far.

Especially someone like Su Chengzong, who lived in the county with a family and a home, and wouldn’t run away.

This time, the collector came to give Su Chengzong a warning and urged him to gather the money quickly.

Thus, when Su Chengzong spoke slightly, the collector didn’t do much, just threw out a threat and left.

Su Chengzong was now elated, telling Su’s father and mother, “See! I told you, there are relatives of the Yu family in the gambling den. They definitely know the Yujia Commercial Store is wealthy and can pay off my debts, which is why they left!”

Originally, Su’s father, mother, and Qian were shocked, angry, and fearful. Seeing the debt collector leave so easily and hearing Su Chengzong’s sweet talk, they eventually believed him somewhat.

Mother Su was still somewhat uneasy, “Son, after your brother-in-law pays off your gambling debts, don’t gamble anymore.”

Su Chengzong responded casually, “I won’t. I’ve thought it over. Since I’m taking so much money from my brother-in-law, I shouldn’t take it for granted. I’ll go work at his shop as a manager and get a share of the profits. With my help, his shop will surely make a fortune, and I’ll earn a good amount of money... better than being a bookkeeper.”

Mother Su turned from worry to joy, “That’s a good plan.”

Su’s father also nodded, “If you really settle down and help your brother-in-law, it won’t be in vain for him to pay off your gambling debts.”

Seeing Su’s father and mother so confident that Yu Sanbao would definitely pay off Su Chengzong’s debts, and recalling how Wei Pozi had completely disregarded family ties and fought with her in Nantuo Village, Qian felt uncertain about Su Chengzong’s prospects.

But at this point, there was no other way.

Qian didn’t dare to think deeply about it, glaring at Su Chengzong and then going to sleep with her younger son.

The next morning, Su’s father and mother got up early, while Su Chengzong was still sound asleep.

Qian’s face, swollen from the two slaps she received from Wei Pozi the previous day, looked quite pitiful.

Qian originally didn’t want to go out, but Su’s father said, “You should come too, let your brother-in-law see how much we’ve suffered in their family! He has to pay, whether he wants to or not!”

Qian gritted her teeth, agreeing.

The family waited until mid-morning before Su Chengzong finally yawned and lazily got out of bed.

Qian mocked, “It seems you’re not worried about that fifty-tael debt at all.”

Su Chengzong sneered, “What do you know, a mere woman. In life and death situations, I don’t believe my brother-in-law won’t help!”

At that moment, the debt collector from the gambling den arrived.

It was a lean young man who glanced at Su Chengzong, “Have you brought the money?”

Su Chengzong immediately bowed and smiled, “Don’t worry, we’re just heading to the shop.”

The debt collector laughed coldly, pulling out a gleaming knife from his pocket and playing with it, the blade’s cold light making Su’s father, mother, and Qian too scared to speak.

“If you don’t pay today, you know the consequences, right?” the debt collector said with a sinister smile.

Su Chengzong, seeing the knife, felt his legs turn weak and his throat tighten, hurriedly nodding, “I know, I know! We’re on our way... Why don’t you come with us?”

Su Chengzong thought that if Yu Sanbao saw how vicious the debt collector was, he might pay more quickly.

The debt collector chuckled coldly and agreed.

With the debt collector brandishing a knife, not just Su Chengzong, but even Su’s father, mother, and Qian felt that this time, Yu Sanbao would definitely pay. They weren’t particularly anxious and took the debt collector to the Yujia Commercial Store.

It was nearly noon, the sun high and bright, a good time for business.

Yu Sanbao was busy in the shop, tirelessly serving wave after wave of customers.

He paid no attention to Su Chengzong and his group.

Su Chengzong, however, was delighted, looking at the bustling shop as if it were already his, and flatteringly told the debt collector, “See, this shop is doing very well. Don’t worry, the money will definitely be yours.”

The debt collector remained silent, knowing that until the money was in hand, everything else was just talk.

Mother Su, however, looked around the shop with delight.

To her, this was her son-in-law’s shop, and thus, it was as good as her own property!

Could she not take whatever she wanted from this shop?

Mother Su’s eyes were filled with greed.

Qian, watching Yu Sanbao’s busy back, sneered inwardly. Previously, Yu Sanbao had driven them away without mercy, but now that her father-in-law and mother-in-law were here, she didn’t believe Yu Sanbao could still drive them away!

Su’s father also commented, “This shop is indeed good. When Chengzong comes to help his brother-in-law, it will be a proper path.”

Each member of the family indulged in their own fantasies.

Yu Sanbao, finding a moment to spare, glanced at the Su family members wandering around the shop.

He was busy introducing items to customers and had no time to deal with them.

After he finished serving the customers, he would attend to them.

But Mother Su couldn’t wait any longer. A beautifully crafted bronze mirror was displayed on the shelf, but it was out of her reach, blocked by a row of counters in front.

She couldn’t possibly climb over the counter to get it, could she?

"Hey, son-in-law, could you please take that down for me to have a look? Then you can get back to your work." Mother Su stepped forward and patted Yu Sanbao’s shoulder as if it were the most natural thing to do.

Yu Sanbao was smiling broadly as he attended to his customers. He didn’t want to change his expression now, so he turned his head and said with a smile, "Just wait a moment. I’ll get to it after I’m done here."

With that, he turned back and continued explaining the goods to the customer.

Mother Su felt somewhat embarrassed at being refused. She raised her voice and grabbed Yu Sanbao’s arm, "You young man, can’t you get me that first before you continue working? Am I not your mother-in-law anymore?"

The couple across from them was taken aback by Mother Su’s behavior.

They were a pair looking to find some novel items as dowry for their daughter. Seeing the situation, they lost interest in buying anything and said to Yu Sanbao, "Shopkeeper, you go ahead and take care of things." Then they hurriedly left.