276: Deserved It, Self-Inflicted!

"Yanyan! Are you trying to push me into making a mistake?" Su Jingrui couldn't hold it in anymore. He wasn't the type to keep things to himself, and since his little sister kept pressing, he decided to spill the beans. "Dad didn't want me to tell you... but I think you should know regardless."

Su Hanyan's heart skipped a beat, immediately sensing something ominous.

"What happened exactly? Just tell me!" She demanded.

"Big brother got into trouble," Su Jingrui said.

Upon hearing that it was Su Jingheng who was in trouble, Su Hanyan's anxiety instantly dissipated. It wasn't that she was heartless, but she truly had no emotional attachment to Su Jingheng.

Moreover, he was a weak and selfish man, which only served to further diminish her regard for him.

"What's with that expression?" Su Jingrui noticed that Su Hanyan's face had gone from anxious to relaxed upon hearing it was about Su Jingheng. He immediately began to connect the dots. "Is this how you react to your own problems too?"

"Mind your own business!" She shot him a glare. "If it's about Su Jingheng, don't bother telling me. As I've said before, I have nothing to do with the Su family anymore. We've gone our separate ways. Except for Dad, nobody else from that family can expect any help from me."

"Let me finish." Su Jingrui summarized the situation in a few sentences. "Here's what happened! Big brother messed up at the factory. He was adjusting a machine and made a mistake with the dimensions, ruining materials worth tens of thousands. As a result, he got fired. Feeling down, he went drinking and picked a fight on the way, which got him beaten up and his leg broken."

Upon hearing this, Su Hanyan remarked, "He deserved it! He brought it upon himself!"

"You're not wrong." Su Jingrui agreed with her statement. "Big brother hasn't been himself since losing his job. Without income, he and his wife, who is pregnant, argue all day long. It's chaos at home!"

"Wu Jiaojiao is pregnant? With the family planning policies so strict now, can they keep the child? This is just ridiculous!" Su Hanyan scoffed. "Why is it that girls are considered worthless? Must they insist on having a boy? It's archaic thinking that's literally killing people!"

"Don't all men want their own offspring?" Su Jingrui muttered.

Su Hanyan glared at him and turned to leave. "I have nothing more to talk to you about."

"Wait, wait, wait." Su Jingrui hastily grabbed her sleeve. "My dear little aunt, can't I admit my mistake?"

"Su Jingrui, listen up. Men and women are equal! If you still hold onto these sexist ideas, your future child might end up like me. Do you understand?" Su Hanyan stared at him. "In the future world, there are far more capable women than men! Don't look at people through such biased lenses!"

"I understand, I understand! In the future, if I have children, boys and girls will be treated equally." Su Jingrui quickly raised his hand and swore to the sky.

"That's more like it!"

Seeing Su Hanyan's temper had cooled down, Su Jingrui continued, "The couple's life is in turmoil, and they believe their bad luck at home is due to Tongtong's unfavorable birth horoscope. So, they consulted a fortune-teller. Guess what? The fortune-teller said their home's unrest is because of Tongtong's bad horoscope!"

"Nonsense!" Su Hanyan spat. "This is superstitious nonsense!"

277: Truly Ruthless

"Exactly!" Su Jingrui continued, "Big brother and sister-in-law actually believed it! The fortune-teller said that for a smooth future, they should give Tongtong away to be raised by someone else, so they can have a son!"

The more Su Hanyan listened, the more she felt something was terribly wrong. "Did Su Jingheng and Wu Jiaojiao really consider giving away Tongtong?"

"They didn't give her away, but it was close. Remember Uncle Er from the village? His son and daughter-in-law have been married for seven or eight years without a child. Big brother and sister-in-law were thinking of giving Tongtong over to them!"

"This is outrageous!" Su Hanyan knew that in the village, having a son was considered more important than life itself. This kind of thinking was even more entrenched among rural people, and Tongtong would not be treated kindly if she went there. "Didn't Dad object? Did someone really try to do this? We should report it; it's illegal!"

"Dad objected, but Mom agreed! If Tongtong goes, her household registration can be canceled. In the future, if they have another child, it can be registered." Su Jingrui was upset just talking about it. He felt for the first time how unreasonable his mother's actions were. "Sis, Mom has really gone too far this time! Even I can't stand it!"

"Enough, stop talking to me. I'm afraid I'll lose my temper." Su Hanyan's fists were itching. How could there be a mother like this? This birth mother was more malicious than a stepmother!

"Alright, I won't say much more. Let me tell you simply. After Mom and Dad found out, they had a big fight. Dad refused to agree with anything Mom said! He even hit her! Mom got angry and ran away from home. Just as she left, she got hit by a car and ended up in the hospital. She had surgery, and even after the surgery, it's uncertain if she'll be able to walk again, considering the injury to her waist..."

"What?" Su Hanyan was stunned. This was truly karma, poetic justice! Wei Guiqin had done so many bad things, and now she was hit by a car as soon as she stepped out!

"And then?" She continued to ask.

"The most pitiful one is Tongtong..." Su Jingrui's eyes reddened when he mentioned his niece. "Tongtong is really sensible and obedient. At such a young age, she helps Dad take care of Mom, fetching water and cooking meals. But Big brother and sister-in-law have been prejudiced against her. A few days ago, when Tongtong had a fever, she clung to her mom's arm wanting her to stay with her. But Sister-in-law was annoyed and forcefully pushed her away. Tongtong lost her balance and hit her eye on the edge of the table, injuring it..."

Su Hanyan's heart ached as she listened. She recalled the soft, sweet voice of the child calling her "Auntie," remembered the food Tongtong saved for her, and the sight of the child chasing after her in the courtyard, saying she liked her aunt and wanted to be with her...

Tears were welling up in her eyes.

"How is Tongtong's eye?" Su Hanyan asked with red eyes.

"We took her to the hospital. The doctor said her cornea was ruptured, and she's permanently blind in her left eye!"

[oh no my bby tongtong.. i will personally <redacted> those ppl istg]

"How long ago did this happen? Why didn't you tell me? Dad, he... why didn't he tell me about such a big thing?" Su Hanyan was both heartbroken and worried.

"Dad knew the family was in chaos, and he knew you had finally left all this behind. He didn't want you to get involved! Because of Tongtong, Dad couldn't even eat..." Su Jingrui explained.

"I understand Dad's concern for me, but you should have told me." Su Hanyan said, "I don't want to get involved in family disputes, but Tongtong is different. She's still a naive and lovely child. Now that something has happened, as her aunt, if I don't go, she must be very sad, right?"

"Yeah," Su Jingrui said, "Tongtong has been scared of her parents these days. Dad takes care of Mom during the day and watches over Tongtong at night. Tongtong keeps calling for her aunt! We all know she wants her little aunt..."

"Don't say anything more. I'm going with you to see Tongtong now!" Su Hanyan said through clenched teeth, "This matter cannot be left alone! Wu Jiaojiao is not fit to be a mother!"

"Yanyan, on this matter, Third Brother stands with you! No matter what you decide, Third Brother supports you!" Su Jingrui now understood Su Hanyan's position back then. "You can rest assured, I'll take care of you in the future and protect you. I won't do any more stupid things like before."

"Don't try to get close to me." Su Hanyan glanced at Su Jingrui. "Let's not talk about anything else today. I just want to see Tongtong. Our relationship ends here. We'll discuss everything else later."

"Okay then." Su Jingrui knew that hurting someone was easy, but healing the wounds in the person's heart was difficult.

Therefore, forgiving someone became very difficult.

However, he was willing to prove through his actions that he was no longer the scoundrel Su Jingrui of the past, no longer the one who bullied his younger sister.

278: Repay with Sincerity

Su Jingrui rode his bicycle with Su Hanyan towards their home. Along the way, she got off several times to buy many things—cakes, milk powder, fruits, canned goods, roast duck, and more.

"You're really generous. These things must have cost quite a bit?" Su Jingrui leaned against the side of the bicycle, watching his younger sister stuff the purchases into the bike basket until it was overflowing, even hanging from the handlebars.

"I'm willing to repay those who are sincerely good to me with sincerity," Su Hanyan said calmly.

Seeing her mood wasn't good, Su Jingrui tactfully didn't say more. Instead, he swung his leg over the bicycle seat. "Get on, we have a lot of stuff. Let's go straight home."

"Mm."

They navigated through familiar alleyways until Su Jingrui steered the bike into their courtyard.

As soon as Su Hanyan returned, neighbors greeted her, all talking at once about the situation.

"Yanyan, you're finally back. You have no idea how chaotic your family has become!"

"Your dad has had a hard time these days!"

"Go and see Tongtong quickly. This child is really unfortunate, having such erratic parents..."

Su Hanyan thanked the neighbors briefly and carried the items into her parents' room first. Upon entering, she saw Wei Guiqin lying on the bed, looking sickly with a waxen complexion, devoid of her former vigor.

Next to Wei Guiqin, Tongtong lay asleep, clutching tightly onto Su Dajiang's hand as she occasionally murmured and sobbed softly.

"Dad!" Su Jingrui called softly. "Yanyan's back!"

Su Dajiang, upon seeing his youngest daughter, paused before asking, "Why are you back? Did your third brother tell you?"

"Mm." Su Hanyan placed the items on the table and went directly to check on Tongtong. Seeing her eye wrapped in bandages, she felt a tightness in her heart. "Tongtong's eyes were so bright and beautiful before. What did the doctor say? Is there still hope?"

Su Dajiang shook his head. These past few days had aged him as if by more than ten years.

"I'll ask Dr. Jin later to see if he knows any specialists in ophthalmology," Su Hanyan muttered.

Su Dajiang nodded slowly. "Thank you, Yanyan. You've worked hard."

At that moment, Tongtong groggily opened her eyes, reaching up to rub the bandaged eye. Su Hanyan hurriedly grabbed her hand to prevent her from touching it.

"Grandpa, I dreamt of my auntie. When is she coming to see me?" Tongtong's voice was sweet and innocent, filled with childish sincerity, making it all the more heartbreaking now that she was struggling to recover.

"Auntie has come to see Tongtong." Su Hanyan stifled her tears, gently patting the child's head. "Tongtong, Auntie has brought lots of things you like to eat. Can you get up and take a look?"

"Okay!" Tongtong brightened up immediately, scrambling off the kang (brick bed). She hugged Su Hanyan's neck, saying in a coquettish tone, "Auntie, I've been in so much pain these days. I really missed Auntie. Auntie, can you stay with me more this time?"

"Of course!" Su Hanyan couldn't bear to see her face.

Seeming to sense Su Hanyan's sorrow, Tongtong reached up to touch Su Hanyan's cheek. "Auntie, don't be sad. My eyes don't hurt anymore. The doctor said it'll be some time before they can remove the bandages, and then I'll be better!"

She was so young, unaware of everything.

The doctor couldn't bear to tell her the cruel truth, using kind lies to deceive her.

Su Jingrui's nose tingled, turning away to hide his tears.

"Su Jingrui, take Tongtong out to play for a while! Come back for lunch later!" Su Hanyan said.

279: You're Not Worthy

"I want to play with Auntie," Tongtong held onto Su Hanyan's hand tightly. "Auntie, will you play with me? Sister Xiaohong came to see me yesterday and said I can play with her dolls. Can you come with me?"

"You go with Uncle first. Auntie still has things to handle. After that, in the afternoon, I'll take you to the amusement park, okay?" Su Hanyan gently stroked her head.

"Mm." Tongtong nodded obediently.

Su Hanyan took out some money from her pocket and handed it to Su Jingrui. "Take her to buy the dolls she wants. Whatever style she likes."

"Okay." Su Jingrui nodded.

Once they left, Su Hanyan closed the door behind them. She sat at the table, her eyes fixed on Wei Guiqin, who had been silent.

Wei Guiqin felt guilty, unable to meet Su Hanyan's gaze. "Why are you staring at me like that? You've been back for half a day, and you've greeted everyone in the world except me, your mother."

Though she spoke, her voice lacked confidence.

"You don't deserve to be a mother! You don't even deserve to be Tongtong's grandmother!" Su Hanyan's words were sharp, not giving Wei Guiqin any face.

"Da Jiang, listen to your daughter. I've barely come back, and it's always so unpleasant with me around! I have no place in this family anymore," Wei Guiqin muttered under her breath.

"Yanyan is right, you really don't deserve it." Su Dajiang turned away, giving her his back.

"You two are really on the same side."

"Have you said enough?" Su Hanyan's voice turned cold. "Tongtong's current situation is closely related to you. You favored boys over girls, and to make room for your grandson, you planned to deregister Tongtong's household registration and send her to the countryside! Is this what a grandmother should do? Well done! Not only did you ruin Su Hanyan's life, but you will soon ruin your own granddaughter Tongtong's life! Look at the car accident today; that's heaven's retribution for you!"

"Have you said enough?" Wei Guiqin, provoked, raised her voice. "Are these the words you should say to your mother?"

"Wei Guiqin, there's a saying: 'As you sow, so shall you reap!' Go ahead and do what you want. Let's see what mess you can create!"

The argument in the room attracted Su Jingheng and Wu Jiaojiao.

As the couple pushed open the door and walked in, seeing Su Hanyan, Su Jingheng turned around to leave.

"Hey, what are you doing!" Wu Jiaojiao grabbed his hand, pushing him forward. "You're so cowardly. It's like a mouse seeing a cat when you see Su Hanyan!"

Su Jingheng stood unexpectedly before Su Hanyan. He stammered, "Little sister, you... you're back..."

In response, he received a crisp, loud slap.

Su Jingheng froze, never expecting to be slapped by his own younger sister. He covered half of his face, his entire being in a bewildered state.

"Hanyan, what are you..."

"You deserved it!" Su Hanyan's voice was cold. "Tongtong is your biological daughter, and this is how you treat her! She's lost one eye! Do you know what that means? It means you've destroyed her original life with your own hands! Shouldn't I slap you?"

Su Jingheng shrank under Su Hanyan's gaze.

"Su Hanyan, he's your older brother. It's not your place to lecture him. You've already left this family. You don't deserve to speak here..." Wu Jiaojiao was furious, believing that she alone had the right to discipline her man, and that others had no right to intervene.

[imma slap u too bitch who cares if ur pregnant, catch these hands]

280: Hitting Her Heart

"Shut up!" Su Hanyan stepped forward and slapped her. "You're the one who doesn't deserve to speak!"

Wu Jiaojiao let out a sharp cry, "Su Hanyan, how dare you hit me! Do you know my situation? I'm pregnant..."

Before she could finish, she received another slap.

"You dare hit a pregnant woman!" Wu Jiaojiao was frantic. "If I miscarry because of this, you'll be the one to blame for the Su family's sin!"

Su Hanyan stared at her without saying a word, raising her hand again for another slap.

Each slap was harder than the last, leaving red marks on Wu Jiaojiao's face.

"Su Jingheng! Dad! Are you just going to stand there? Are you?" Wu Jiaojiao was ashamed and furious, unable to confront Su Hanyan, so she pushed Su Jingheng. "Are you even a man?"

Su Jingheng tried to placate her while holding her, "Stop making a scene! Please, don't! If you keep this up, what if you miscarry? How will the child be? If someone hears you screaming like this, the baby might not even stay!"

Hearing this, Wu Jiaojiao gradually calmed down. Tears welled up in her eyes as she looked at Su Jingheng with grievance, "Go and hit her for me!"

"I... she's my sister." Su Jingheng dared not act.

Su Hanyan looked at Su Jingheng, a trace of contemptuous smile appearing on her lips. "Su Jingheng, you're not a man at all! You're just a complete waste, unable to earn a living outside, unable to take care of your daughter at home. You lack basic judgment. It's a shame you're educated but still believe in feudal superstitions! I'll look down on you for the rest of my life!"

Wei Guiqin found Su Hanyan's words grating and attempted several times to speak up, only to be interrupted by Su Hanyan each time.

When she finally managed to speak, Su Hanyan said, "See this? This is the eldest son you raised, the sons you're proud of! They're just men, not capable or accomplished. Besides being able to reproduce, what else is there to boast about? Look at other people's children. How are their lives? Strong and courageous! Wei Guiqin, aren't you ashamed of this?"

"Enough! Stop talking!" Wei Guiqin covered her ears.

Su Hanyan's words deeply wounded her.

Over the years, Wei Guiqin thought she had weathered the hardships and tribulations of life, her heart as solid as a rock. She never expected Su Hanyan's words to pierce straight through her heart like a knife.

"I'm tired of talking to you all!" Su Hanyan cursed and then turned to Su Jingheng. "Since you're here, I won't need to find you later. I want to ask, who did the divination for you?"

"What are you going to do?" Wu Jiaojiao looked at her warily.

"I won't do anything! I just want to ask, who in this day and age is still doing harm like this!"

"I don't know..." Su Jingheng hesitated, unwilling to say, "The person is a master who lives in seclusion. Ordinary people don't know his address."

"That's not a master, that's feudal superstition!" Su Dajiang exclaimed angrily, stepping forward to kick his son. "If you keep believing in that, you'll really ruin the child!"

"That's secondary. The main point is they also want to get rid of Tongtong and make room for the unborn child!" Su Hanyan sneered.

"Su Hanyan, you're standing there talking big now! Wait until you're married and have no status in your husband's family because you didn't give birth to a son. Let's see if you still don't want a son at that time! Remember my words!" Wu Jiaojiao shouted.

[lmao jin chen wouldn't even force her to have children]