Chapter 6: Kicked Out, Your Good Parents Are Not Necessarily My Good Parents…

Chapter 6: Driving Them Out. Your Good Parents Don't Automatically Mean Mine Are Too...

Uncle Liu and Liu Dajun didn’t have a close relationship.

To understand why, we have to go back many years.

In the early 1960s, during a time of hardship, Uncle Liu came to borrow grain. Old Master Su left the decision to Liu Dajun, who stingily doled out just one pound of mixed flour and one pound of millet. Uncle Liu mentioned that his brothers’ families were also struggling, but Liu Dajun pretended not to hear! If not for his children crying from hunger, Uncle Liu would’ve told him to take the food and feed it to dogs.

From then on, the two families rarely interacted.

Despite his poverty, Uncle Liu still came to give a gift for the occasion this time. First, he was worried that if he didn’t come, the neighbors would look down on Liu Dajun, thinking he had no brothers to back him up, leaving him vulnerable to bullying. It was like how a married daughter without brothers might be mistreated by her in-laws. Second, after all, they were brothers—if they didn’t come, the other Liu relatives would gossip.

But as soon as they arrived that morning, they walked into quite a drama. At the time, Uncle Liu’s feelings toward Liu Dajun were complicated. If he said nothing, as Eldest Aunt Liu had mentioned earlier, staying in the Su house for even a moment felt like a betrayal of Old Master Su's memory. But if he spoke up, Liu Dajun was his own brother, and Su Xiaoxiao was his niece—and now a married woman besides. Scolding his brother for his niece’s sake was something Uncle Liu couldn’t bring himself to do.

However, at this moment, Uncle Liu no longer hesitated and comforted his niece: "Don’t worry about it."

Once in the yard, just as Su Xiaoxiao had predicted, Liu Dajun asked, "What’s in the bag?"

Uncle Liu replied, "Xiaoxiao gave it to me. I didn’t look, but it’s probably a little of this and that."

When Eldest Aunt Liu came out, the shape of the steamed buns was unmistakable. Su’s mother asked, "Why are you taking buns?"

Eldest Aunt Liu wasn’t so ungrateful to bite the hand that fed her. Even if Su Xiaoxiao’s actions were meant to provoke her parents, the ones benefiting were her and her brothers. She couldn’t eat the food and then badmouth the cook. Eldest Aunt Liu said bluntly, "She gave them to me."

"Gave?" Su’s mother clearly hadn’t expected Su Xiaoxiao to dare give things to relatives without her permission. She was stunned momentarily before reacting, "She gave you all of it?"

Su Xiaoxiao came out holding Tuan Tuan. Eldest Aunt Liu didn’t let her niece step in: "Yes. What’s the problem? The Su family’s things are Xiaoxiao’s to give to whoever she wants!"

Liu Dajun shot back, "If she gives it all to you, what will we eat?"

To think that the one demanding it back was his own brother. Uncle Liu’s face took on a strange look. If he had felt any guilt earlier, he was now relieved he’d chosen to side with his niece. "Aren’t you moving out soon? Use the communal kitchen!"

"Communal kitchen meal tickets are bought with food coupons!"

Uncle Liu paused, then turned to his sister, "Did Xiaoxiao give you food coupons too?"

Su Xiaoxiao: "No! Just a few buns!"

Su’s mother pointed at the bag in Eldest Aunt Liu’s hands: "A few? Su Xiaoxiao, since when did you become so generous? Just to spite me? Have you lost your senses?"

Su Xiaoxiao rolled her eyes: "I'd have to be crazy to do this just to spite you!" She turned to the Liu elders. "It’s getting late. You should head back."

Uncle Liu carried the bag, Eldest Aunt Liu followed, and the two Liu uncles looked somewhat embarrassed, smiling awkwardly as they said, "Dajun, we’ll... head back first."

Su Xiaoxiao glanced at the bedroom door—locked—then carried Tuan Tuan outside. Her second uncle quickly said, "No need to walk us out. You’ve got things to do."

Su Xiaoxiao had nothing to do. She wasn’t the original Xiaoxiao—no one could expect her to wash dishes or mind the stove. But she was worried there’d be no hot water that evening. "Mom, check if we need to change the coal briquettes." With that, she stepped outside.

Liu’s second uncle wanted to persuade her, but Eldest Aunt Liu tugged his arm. "Don’t make Xiaoxiao go back. The kitchen’s a mess—if she goes back, she won’t get a moment’s rest."

Liu’s second uncle was surprised: "They’re all home, and they still make you clean up?"

Su Xiaoxiao nodded: "Yesterday was so busy, and this morning they complained I slept in. My dad got up and wandered around but couldn’t be bothered to tend the fire. Then he complained the flame was too weak and that I took too long cooking."

Liu’s second uncle didn’t cook at home either, but fetching water and chopping wood were his jobs. Though he rarely tended the fire, he’d have his kids help. "What about Liu Xu and Chen Xue?"

Liu’s eldest uncle: "Xiao Xue is pregnant."

"Being pregnant means she can’t cook? How spoiled!" Liu’s second uncle scoffed. "Last year, my daughter-in-law was about to give birth, and even though we told her not to work in the fields, she still did half a day’s labor. This Chen Xue doesn’t work, doesn’t cook—thinks she’s some pampered young mistress."

Su Xiaoxiao noticed they had reached the intersection and reminded everyone to watch out for traffic, as the bus stop was across the street.

The brothers had walked here in the morning and planned to walk back. Su Xiaoxiao said, "Take the bus for a few stops and then walk. Once you know how to ride the bus, it'll be easier to come over next time."

She even came up with excuses for them. The siblings really didn't feel like walking, so they pretended they didn't know how to take the bus and let Su Xiaoxiao buy their tickets.

Eighty cents for four people was pocket change for Su Xiaoxiao, and the group was delighted. Once on the bus, they waved for her to go back. Her uncle even reminded her to send word home if anything came up.

Seeing the four of them, Su Xiaoxiao suddenly realized that the original owner's aunts and uncle-in-laws hadn't come. They must have been afraid Liu Dajun would complain about them bringing the whole clan just to eat after giving such a small gift.

Realizing this, Su Xiaoxiao confirmed that Liu Dajun was a real bastard.

Thinking about it, it made sense. If the Liu family weren't honest, the Su family patriarch wouldn't have dared to marry his daughter into their family.

When she got home, Su Xiaoxiao saw Yuan Daqing and Liu Chen still hadn't left. "Daqing, gather Liu Chen's belongings. I'll change the lock in a couple of days. After that, it won't be so easy to come back for stuff."

Liu Dajun couldn't help but say, "I haven't moved out yet!"

Su Xiaoxiao: "Want me to help you pack?"

"You—" Liu Dajun glanced at Chen Xue and swallowed his words, then barked at Liu Xu, "Hurry up and pack! You expect her to do it for you?"

Yuan Daqing had stayed this long because he was afraid of running into Liu Dagu outside and getting dragged into a long conversation. Seeing Su Xiaoxiao's expression, he figured they must have already boarded the bus. He said to her, "See you around, sis," then headed out.

Liu Chen snorted contemptuously. Su's mother shoved her. "Go on! Do you really want a divorce?"

In the past, Yuan Daqing had always been the one chasing after her. Now the tables had turned, and Liu Chen wasn't used to it. She muttered, "He wouldn't dare divorce me."

Su Xiaoxiao: "Marriage is a free choice. Why wouldn't he dare? These days, who dares demand lifelong fidelity from their partner?"

With revolutionaries everywhere destroying the "Four Olds," expecting lifelong loyalty from a spouse was more feudal than ancient customs—even back then, divorce was allowed. Liu Chen caught the implication and had no choice but to chase after Yuan Daqing.

Su Xiaoxiao looked at the others. "Take what's yours. If anything that isn't yours gets broken or lost, I'm going straight to the police!"

Liu Dajun and the others had seen clearly how the neighborhood cop had sided with her earlier. If this went to the police again, the officers would definitely step in to settle the family division.

Filled with resentment but too afraid to cause trouble, Liu Dajun could only seethe silently.

Su Xiaoxiao carried her son back to the room and saw the bedpan still hadn't been emptied. She set the kid down to play on the bed, cleaned the pan, put it back, then washed yesterday's clothes.

By the time she finished hanging the washing, the sun had set. Su Xiaoxiao went back inside and asked the child if he was hungry. Xiao Tuantuan had eaten too much at lunch and kept shaking his head. So she took him to the communal toilet, then brought back a thermos flask of hot water. After washing up, mother and child bolted the door and turned in for the night.

The next morning, Su Xiaoxiao went to the kitchen and saw the dishes and pots untouched—exactly as she'd left them the previous afternoon. She let out a bitter laugh. After washing up with Tuan Tuan, she locked the bedroom door, took some money, and went to a state-owned eatery for pepper soup and steamed buns.

The weather was nice, so after breakfast, she took the child to the park. Worried the autumn wind might make him catch a cold, they returned home after about an hour. Only Chen Xue was in the main room eating. Su Xiaoxiao was about to ask where Liu Xu was when she remembered—today was a workday. She took the child back to their room.

Tuan Tuan, tired from playing, fell asleep after a short story. Su Xiaoxiao tidied up and took the quilts outside to air.

By noon, she went to the kitchen and saw the dishes and pots had been cleaned. So they *could* wash up after all, huh?

Picking some leafy greens, she made a pot of egg and vegetable dough flake soup, with a poached egg each for herself and Tuan Tuan.

As for Chen Xue? She could take it or leave it.

Chen Xue did eat, then left her bowl in the kitchen, expecting Su Xiaoxiao to clean up after her. She didn't. By evening, before Liu Xu and the others got back from work, Su Xiaoxiao cooked noodles—again with two poached eggs—and took them to the bedroom to eat with her son.

Watching the child gobble down the food, Su Xiaoxiao asked, "Tuan Tuan, is it good?"

Xiao Tuantuan nodded happily. "So good!" He scooped up a piece of egg with his little spoon. "Mom, you have some!"

"Mom’s got some." Su Xiaoxiao picked up a piece of egg and stuffed it into his mouth. The child copied her and fed her a bite. Su Xiaoxiao opened her mouth and ate it. The child tilted his little head and asked in a sweet, childish voice, "Mom, is it good?"

"Good!" As soon as Su Xiaoxiao said this, the child giggled happily, laughing as he said, "Mom's is good too."

Su Xiaoxiao: "Then let’s see who finishes first?"

"I’ll finish first!" The child declared confidently and stuffed food into his mouth.

Liu Xu and his parents returned just in time to see Chen Xue eating noodles in the main room. The three exchanged glances and sighed in relief, thinking Su Xiaoxiao’s behavior the day before was just out of anger.

When they went to the kitchen and found no food for them, they were shocked.

Her mother shouted at Su Xiaoxiao’s door: "Did you only make enough for you and your kid?"

Su Xiaoxiao asked, "Didn’t Chen Xue eat?"

Her mother paused, caught off guard: "But why didn’t you make more?"

"Why should I make more? Why can’t you do it yourself?"

Her mother blurted out, "I have to work too, you know!"

"Are you giving me the money you earn? Fine, starting today, each of you gives me ten yuan, and I’ll make sure you’re all well taken care of!"

Her mother hadn’t spent a single cent in years. Asking her to fork out nearly half a month’s salary was like squeezing blood from a stone. Grumbling to herself, she went to the kitchen to cook.

The next morning, as Su Xiaoxiao carried Tuan Tuan to the alley entrance, she ran into the postman, who handed her a remittance slip and a letter.

Su Xiaoxiao set the child down, opened the letter, and was surprised to find oil coupons and national grain coupons inside. Recalling the original host’s memories, her husband did occasionally send these, though not every month. It made sense—the original host’s rations were enough for her and Tuan Tuan.

Her husband probably also assumed that since his wife had given up her job, her mother’s family would never let his wife and child go hungry.

The letter was just a regular letter home: first saying he was doing well on Wengzhou Island, then asking about Su Xiaoxiao and Tuan Tuan, and inquiring if there were any difficulties at home, etc.

After reading it, Su Xiaoxiao tucked the letter and coupons into her pocket. She and Tuan Tuan playfully made their way to the post office after breakfast. Unfortunately, it was the busiest time of day there. Originally planning to speak with the manager, she saw even the manager was helping with packing and filling out forms. So, she withdrew the money and took Tuan Tuan home.

For lunch and dinner, she and Tuan Tuan continued with egg drop soup and egg noodles, making sure to use up all the eggs in the next two days!

In the evening, her mother returned and made her own food.

Her original plan was to wait a few days for Su Xiaoxiao’s anger to subside, then discuss things properly to see if they could avoid moving. But after two days of coming home from work to no food, she realized Su Xiaoxiao was serious—if they didn’t move, Su Xiaoxiao really would throw their things out.

The next morning after breakfast, Liu Xu accompanied Chen Xue back to her parents’ home. Chen Xue’s parents naturally hoped their son-in-law with a worker’s status would move in. From then on, when chatting with colleagues about family matters, they could boast that they were part of a worker’s family.

So, upon returning from the Chen family, Liu Xu started packing.

Her mother borrowed two pulled carts from the factory to move her and Liu Dajun’s belongings.

Su Xiaoxiao and Tuan Tuan sat in the courtyard sun, keeping an eye on their moving process.

Liu Xu had been married for less than a year and, still new to marriage, was too embarrassed to take things Su Xiaoxiao had bought. His belongings were few, so he finished packing in just over an hour.

Her mother gave him one of the pulled carts. Liu Xu pushed it to the courtyard gate and stopped: "Sis, are you really being this harsh?"

Su Xiaoxiao laughed: "Your brother-in-law sends me a good chunk of money every month. After all these years, I’m left with just a few yuan, and now I’ve lost my job too. Who’s really being unfair here?"

Liu Xu was shocked: "How’d you end up with just a few yuan?"

"Why don’t you ask your precious parents?" Su Xiaoxiao shot a glance toward the main room.

Liu Xu glanced toward the main room, where Liu Dajun and Su Xiaoxiao's mother sat like statues—too afraid to show their faces or even utter a sound.

Seeing this, Su Xiaoxiao turned to Liu Xu: "Your so-called 'wonderful' parents are anything but wonderful to me! And your wife is just like your mother—selfish enough to snatch eggs meant for Tuan Tuan. Since you're my brother, take some advice—get a clue."

This was what the original owner of this body would have said. If she were still alive, she'd surely worry about Liu Xu being mistreated at his in-laws'.

Su Xiaoxiao’s mother stepped out: "Xiao Xu, don’t listen to that nonsense!"

Su Xiaoxiao: "Done packing?"

"Don’t worry, we won’t stay here!" Su Xiaoxiao’s mother turned and spotted the toothpaste, soap, and mug on the windowsill, then grabbed them all.

Su Xiaoxiao scoffed.

Liu Xu happened to look back just as his mother took the shoe brush and clothes brush. He couldn't help speaking up: "If you take everything, what will your sister and Tuan Tuan use?"

"She’s so rich, can’t she just buy more?" his mother snapped. "That couple earns over a hundred yuan a month—why should you worry? Just take these over and come back quickly. Your father and I still need them!"

Liu Xu opened his mouth but decided it was pointless to argue. "What about Xiao Chen’s things?"

"I’ll pack them and keep them with mine and your father’s for now." His mother urged him again to hurry.

Su Xiaoxiao asked casually, "Not taking the spittoon?"

Thinking there was no need for pretense now that the situation had soured, Su Xiaoxiao’s mother not only took her own spittoon but also grabbed the basin and water pail. After gathering those, she headed toward the kitchen.

The nerve! Su Xiaoxiao thought to herself. "I’d advise you to know when to quit. Otherwise, I’ll smash everything—then see who gets to use it!" She told the kid to go play, picked up the hoe leaning against the wall, and walked to the kitchen door.

Still defiant, Su Xiaoxiao’s mother called out, "At least give me some rice, flour, oil, and salt!"

Of course—that’s all that was left worth taking in the kitchen. Su Xiaoxiao was relieved she’d already given away the steamed buns, millet, and bean flour. Otherwise, with too many valuables around, even a hoe might not have been enough to scare this woman off. Su Xiaoxiao nodded. "Fine! Give me five hundred yuan, and everything in the kitchen is yours. You know exactly how much of my money you’ve used over the years! Just because I didn’t say anything doesn’t mean I’m stupid!"

"You—you—" Her mother tried to argue but had nothing to say. "You’ll regret this!"

Su Xiaoxiao: "My biggest regret is not listening to Grandpa and throwing you out years ago!"