Volume One, Chapter Thirteen: The Second Son Loses His Job

Su Ningxia was indeed curious about what kind of job Su Tingxue actually had.

Noticing Su Ningxia looking at her, their mother raised her chin with pride and said, “Our little Xue is a full-time daughter—her job is to accompany her mother, and that’s a special kind of work!”

Su Ningxia almost wanted to laugh.

So, she was supposed to pave the way for Su Tingxue, while Su Tingxue only needed to enjoy the fruits.

The third brother walked out of his room, glanced at Su Ningxia, and sighed, “Mom and Dad couldn’t sleep last night because of your willfulness. We understand you have issues with Little Xue, but your parents are still your parents, and as your brothers, we only want what’s best for you.”

“How about this: I have a job in hand. You’re well-educated, so you can teach young children to read. Consider it a way to earn some money to help the family.”

At the mention of education, tears streamed down Su Tingxue’s cheeks.

“Third Brother, are you saying that because I’m not as educated as my sister, she can teach children, but I can’t?”

“I know I’m not as good as her, but I did go to school before. I was the best-educated in our village. It’s just that my adoptive parents abused me and didn’t want me to continue my studies. Otherwise, I’d be even better than my sister!”

Hearing this, Su Ningxia immediately understood.

Su Tingxue was still lying. She was illiterate, yet her mouth was full of lies.

Their mother’s heart softened at once. “Our little Xue has had such a hard life. My heart aches for her.”

Second Brother frowned and said, “Little Xue is also educated; let her teach the children too—it’s an easier job.”

“But before that, Little Xue, do me a favor. Go and say a few nice words to the director’s wife for me. I’m begging you. If you do, I’ll buy you that pretty skirt you like. How about it?”

Second Brother was still thinking about his own affairs!

Su Tingxue nodded, her face full of confidence. “Second Brother, everyone likes me. There’s no one who doesn’t!”

“Once you keep your job at the clinic and I go teach the children, our family of six will all have respectable jobs!”

Of course, this so-called family of six didn’t include Su Ningxia.

It seemed that was a tacit agreement among them.

Father and Mother looked at Su Tingxue with pride, not even noticing when Su Ningxia had left.

Su Ningxia went to the farmers’ market to buy some vegetables, planning to make some porridge, when she happened to run into Director Hong’s wife, Chen Xiang. Chen Xiang was buying pork to cook for her child. When she saw Su Ningxia, she greeted her warmly.

“Ningxia, why haven’t you been helping at the clinic lately? Your Uncle Hong misses you—he says you make the best tea and that your sister is all thumbs, only causing trouble!”

“If it weren’t for your sake, I’d definitely make a fuss about the lost money! That was dozens of yuan’s worth of goods!”

Hearing this, Su Ningxia recalled her past life, how she would smile apologetically, bow her head, and clean up Su Tingxue’s mess over and over again.

But now, it was time for Su Tingxue to clean up after herself.

“Auntie Chen, it’s not that I don’t want to help, but my second sister won’t let me. She says I’m working for free at the clinic, and that people at the clinic are shameless for not giving my second brother a better job and just exploiting us. She’s only going to make a point.”

“I didn’t want to say anything, but I know you and Director Hong treat me well, so I thought you should know…”

Of course, they didn’t treat her well at all.

Su Ningxia concealed the darkness in her eyes.

Director Hong and Chen Xiang were both cunning, always making her do endless chores. She knew they were just taking advantage of free labor, pretending ignorance, running her ragged as if she were a beast of burden—why wouldn’t they, when it cost them nothing?

Hearing these words, Chen Xiang’s face immediately darkened.

She snorted coldly. “If you don’t want to come, then don’t. But isn’t she just saying that my husband is shameless? Your family is really something!”

Chen Xiang stomped her foot and stormed off.

It was clear that Second Brother wouldn’t be keeping his job this time.

The next morning at the clinic, Second Brother brought Su Tingxue to apologize, not expecting to run into Chen Xiang as well.

Second Brother tried to greet her, but Su Tingxue lifted her chin and said, “Auntie, we were here first. Step aside and don’t block the way.”

In response, Chen Xiang slapped Su Tingxue across the face and scolded, “From now on, no one from your family is allowed at the clinic! If I see one, I’ll deal with one!”

“And you—get out! Our clinic is small and can’t accommodate a temple as grand as you!”

Su Tingxue was stunned. Since returning to the family, no one had ever dared hit her. Her face turned green with rage, and she started fighting with Chen Xiang right then and there. The traffic police were called, and Su Tingxue ended up being taken to the police station.

“Su Tingxue, you refuse to behave and even start fights. The organization will have to give you a serious reprimand and education!”

Second Brother’s face was full of despair.

Director Hong glared at him. “Get as far away as possible and don’t come back to our clinic.”

“Your sister even hit my wife. Is this how your family behaves?”

Second Brother wished he could crawl into a hole.

He cared about his image and couldn’t bring himself to beg in person, so he turned to Su Tingxue. “Little Xue, apologize to the director and Sister Chen. Aren’t you close to Sister Chen? Speak up for us—there must be a way.”

But Su Tingxue glared back at him.

“Second Brother, I’m your real sister. That wretch hit me and you didn’t stand up for me. You let others bully your own sister—you’re too much! I’m going to tell Mom and Dad!”

Second Brother gritted his teeth. “It’s all because of you. If you behaved like Ningxia, would any of this have happened?”

Su Tingxue’s eyes filled with tears.

“I knew you all only like Sister, not me. Maybe I should just die and not cause any more trouble. If I’m gone, at least things will be clean.”

Hearing this, their mother, who’d rushed over, was so startled she shuddered.

She scolded her son, “Why are you bullying your sister? If anyone’s to blame, it’s Su Ningxia. She’s lazy and won’t work properly, making Little Xue do everything. Little Xue is still young—what can she do?”

“If you want to blame someone, blame Su Ningxia. Go settle it with her—don’t you dare bully my precious daughter!”

Second Brother was so angry his teeth ached.

“Mom, it’s her! She kept saying she knows Sister Chen, but clearly Sister Chen doesn’t know her. She insisted on speaking up for me—did she? I say we get Ningxia back home right away, or our family will fall apart!”

Su Tingxue bit her lip—how could that be allowed?

She’d finally managed to drive Su Ningxia away. If she came back, how would she compete for their parents and brothers?

“Second Brother, are you blaming me?” she asked softly.

“Director Hong, I’m sorry. It’s all my fault. If you want to blame someone, blame me. Don’t blame my second brother.”