Zhao Shouren looked at Su Chong and Su Hua. No matter how he looked at them, they were already in their teens. Under normal circumstances, it was impossible for such an old child to be sent here to learn. After all, at such an age, they should already be married.
1
Su Sanlang said, “I want my two children to enter school. Their mental illnesses were cured recently, so they want them to come to school to learn how to read.”
Zhao Shouren finished sizing up Su Chong and Su Hua. Hearing Su Sanlang’s neither servile nor overbearing tone, his gaze landed on Su Sanlang.
One of Su Sanlang’s eyes was wrapped in gray cloth. Zhao Shouren frowned. He looked at Su Sanlang and said, “A few years ago, I heard that a family cut ties with their parents. Later, they went into the mountains and killed a big tiger. They went blind in one eye. It seemed that there were two sons with mental disabilities in the family. Is that your family?”
Three years ago, news of Su Sanlang killing a tiger had spread far and wide. Zhao Shouren had also heard about it and heard a few things about Su Sanlang’s family.
But that was someone else’s business and had nothing to do with him. Now that Su Sanlang had come to his house, Zhao Shouren felt the need to ask him about it. He did not want the child of someone who did not understand filial piety and disregard his parents’ kindness to learn from him.
1
Su Sanlang didn’t know why Zhao Shouren asked this. He looked at Zhao Shouren and nodded without hiding anything. “Yes, that’s me. I’m Su Sanlang.”
Zhao Shouren frowned. “Why did you cut ties with your parents? Can you tell me the reason in detail?”
Su Sanlang frowned slightly. He said, “Teacher Zhao, this is my family matter. I just brought the children to ask if they could enroll. I can guarantee that they’re all good and obedient children. They won’t give Teacher any trouble.”
“Su Sanlang, if you can’t explain why, then please forgive me for not being able to accept your two sons as students. Please leave.”
1
When Su Sanlang refused to say anything, Zhao Shouren’s attitude became much colder. He had heard that Su Sanlang had caused such a scene because of a woman. What kind of good children could such a person give birth to?
“Father, let’s go back. I don’t want to learn from such a teacher.”
1
Su Hua tugged at Su Sanlang’s sleeve and whispered.
This was the first time he had met the Teacher, but the Teacher was completely different from what Little Brother Heng had described.
The teacher didn’t test him on his knowledge. He only asked him about his family. He remembered that part of the past. It was a scar on their family. However, the knowledgeable Teacher Zhao didn’t avoid talking about it and even forced them to expose it. This wasn’t good at all. He didn’t want to learn from him.
Su Chong also pulled Su Sanlang’s hand and said, “Father, I don’t want to learn from him either.”
Two ignorant children actually dared to say that. Zhao Shouren’s expression immediately turned ugly. He snorted and said, “Please leave. My temple is small and can’t accommodate you two.”
Su Sanlang held Su Chong and Su Hua’s hands. He swallowed and paused before asking Zhao Shouren, “Master Zhao, I ended my relationship with my parents back then because my family wanted to live. I wanted them to be able to eat well and wear warm clothes. I don’t want to elaborate on the reason behind this. Others can never empathize with my experience from just a few words. I don’t regret my decision that day, and I never will.”
Su Sanlang hoped that Teacher Zhao would accept Su Chong and Su Hua.
He didn’t want to talk about the past, but when he thought of his two sons, he still explained a little. Zhao Shouren was also a parent. He felt that if he said this, Zhao Shouren should understand.
Zhao Shouren looked at Su Sanlang coldly and snorted. “When I take in students, I value filial piety the most. It seems that you haven’t repented in the past few years. You didn’t consider that they were the parents who gave birth to you and raised you. You’re a person without filial piety. I won’t take in your children either. You can leave.”
News of Su Sanlang leaving the family and abandoning his parents spread far and wide.
Zhao Shouren taught, and Su Qing and Su Shun studied at the school. They often said bad things about Su Sanlang’s family. Before Su Sanlang’s family knew about it, the school had already used their family as a bad example.
Now that Su Sanlang was bringing his two sons to school, Zhao Shouren naturally had to lecture them.
He did not expect them to be so unrepentant. Such people actually wanted to enter the school. They were really dreaming.
When Mrs. Zhao came with the tea, she realized that the atmosphere was not right. She could not help but frown and look at Su Sanlang and his son. She wanted to ask but did not.
Su Hua and Su Chong tugged at Su Sanlang’s hand.
Su Sanlang’s right eye was slightly red. He held his two sons’ hands tightly. Finally, he said in a low and hoarse voice, “Let’s go home.”
He took Su Chong and Su Hua out and left decisively.
Mrs. Zhao followed them out. She sighed and did not say anything in the end.
Su Sanlang let out a long sigh as he looked at the closed door of the Zhao residence. His throat felt constricted.
Su Chong and Su Hua also looked a little worried.
The two of them leaned tightly against Su Sanlang. Su Hua said, “Father, don’t be sad. It doesn’t matter if Big Brother and I don’t go to school.”
Su Chong nodded in agreement. “Yes, yes. I’ve already learned a lot from Little Brother Heng.”
Su Sanlang sighed. He let go of Su Chong and Su Hua’s hands and reached out to stroke their hair. He sighed. “Let’s go home.”
He’d never thought that doing what he thought was right would have so much consequence, looking at his two healthy sons, their eyes were no longer blank with the previously uncomprehending ignorance. They were now full of spirit. He would never regret going down the path he did.
Even if everyone in the world thought he was wrong, he wouldn’t think so.
He sighed at the coldness of the world.
On the way back, he no longer felt the excitement he did on the way here.
When they returned home, Zhou Heng was practicing walking.
The unhappiness in Su Chong and Su Hua’s hearts instantly dissipated. They entered the house and went to Zhou Heng’s side to encourage him.
Su Sanlang returned to his room in low spirits. Madam Zhao immediately noticed his abnormality and quickly followed him.
Old Wu could also tell that something was wrong with Su Sanlang. However, he did not have the time to care so much. Now that Su Chong and Su Hua were back, he did not need to take care of Zhou Heng anymore. He went to see how the medicine was brewing.
After Old Wu left, Zhou Heng stopped to rest for a while. He smiled at Su Chong and Su Hua and asked with concern, “Ah Chong, Ah Hua, how was your visit today? When will you start school?”
Su Chong and Su Hua looked a little down and instantly dimmed. The two of them looked at each other as if they didn’t know what to say.
Zhou Heng was a little worried. “What’s wrong?”
Su Xiaoling and Su Xiaolu also looked at Su Chong and Su Hua with worry.
Su Chong said in disappointment, “Teacher is not good at all. He asked Father why he was not filial. He said that he refuse to accept people who were not filial.”
Zhou Heng frowned and gritted his teeth. “Foolish!”
Zhou Heng was furious. Teacher Zhao’s words undoubtedly hurt Su Chong and Su Hua’s will. If they did not think it through, they would really think that they were in the wrong. When they grew up, they might even blame Su Sanlang for doing what he did.