Chapter 133: Marrying into the Su Family Means I Belong to the Su Family

"You child, no matter what, he is still your father. You cannot speak of him that way! Do you understand?"

Yu Qiulei glanced at Su Zheng with displeasure, then sighed and continued, "Xiao Zheng, I want to discuss something with you. I think I should go back to the countryside to live. I’m just not used to life here in the city. Besides, since you are now a son-in-law living with the Chen family, I shouldn't always be a burden to you."

"Mom! Why the sudden thought of returning to the countryside? Is it because of what happened tonight? Please, don't worry, I promise that such a situation will absolutely never happen again!" Su Zheng said, his face full of confusion as he hurriedly gave his word.

"It’s not just because of that. It’s mainly... I keep feeling that if your father ever comes back one day, he will surely go to our old home in the countryside. That was where we lived originally. If it hadn't been for your father arranging this marriage for you, we wouldn't have come to the city at all!"

Yu Qiulei’s eyes held a trace of longing and anticipation, her tone becoming somewhat sorrowful. "I will go back to the old house and wait. If your father and sister return one day, at least I can cook them a warm meal, can't I?"

"If... if your father truly never returns, then I will accept my fate. Having married into the Su family, I am a Su. I cannot let the neighbors think that our family has fallen apart!"

Yu Qiulei’s expression was one of determination and resolve. She wiped the corner of her eye and smiled gently at Su Zheng. "I have already decided, so you don't need to try to persuade me otherwise. I am more at ease alone in the old house. When you have time, come back to visit me; it will be just the same."

Hearing this, Su Zheng lowered his head in utter silence. He did not know how to persuade his mother to stay. He understood both his parents' characters well; once they made up their minds, it was difficult to change them.

"Alright then. But can you wait a few days, Mom? I’ll find someone to renovate the house. It hasn't been lived in for years; I’m afraid it’s not fit to stay in."

Yu Qiulei shook her head. "No need. After a renovation, it won't be the same as it was. The house your father built with his own hands is the most comfortable for me to live in. After tonight, I don't hold any resentment toward your father anymore. Perhaps he had his own reasons for leaving without a word."

"Mom! Can't you just..."

"Xiao Zheng, listen to your mother. I’ll buy a ticket and go back tomorrow. I’m a bit tired and want to sleep for a while," Yu Qiulei said firmly.

Seeing that his mother was exhausted, Su Zheng abandoned the idea of further persuasion and left the ward in silence.

"Brother Zheng, is Auntie asleep?" Qiao Lan had been waiting outside the door and asked immediately upon seeing Su Zheng emerge.

"Yes." Su Zheng, feeling low, replied and sat down on the bench outside, his heart in turmoil.

He knew his mother wanted to return to their hometown because the events of that night had made her miss his father even more. Yet, he was powerless to change anything. His father had disappeared without a trace, and despite searching for all these years, he hadn't found a single clue—it was as if he had vanished from the face of the earth, and his sister had gone missing as well.

Now that his mother insisted on returning to the countryside, he would simply have to visit her more often. There was no better solution.

***

The night passed without incident. The next morning, Su Zheng noticed that his mother’s spirits had improved significantly.

After breakfast, Su Zheng personally took his mother to the bus station. After watching her board the bus, he returned to the Liyuan residential complex with a heavy heart. Upon arriving home, he found Chen Jianguo, his wife, and Chen Muxue sitting on the sofa, staring blankly at the television.

"What... is going on?" Su Zheng asked, confused, turning his gaze toward the screen.

It was the morning news, and the footage showed an office where uniformed personnel were sealing off items one by one.

"Dear viewers, this is the scene of the final seizure of the Wu family’s assets. Given the Wu family’s unlicensed business operations, the illegal sale of counterfeit goods, and their involvement in multiple concurrent cases, the Qingyang Chamber of Commerce has intervened immediately, deciding to seal all Wu family properties and bank funds, and to impose corresponding penalties!"

"We welcome all sectors of society to provide valuable leads as we work together to rectify the business climate in Qingyang and maintain fair market competition!"

Seeing this, Su Zheng couldn't help but sneer inwardly; he knew the Wu family was completely finished this time!

"This... this is too sudden, isn't it? They were eating with Cheng Hao just last night—how could things have turned out like this by the morning?!" Chen Jianguo was so focused on the news that he didn't even notice Su Zheng’s return, muttering to himself in disbelief.

"Could it be... a mistake?" Lu Hongmei whispered blankly.

Even on Chen Muxue’s cool face, her brows were tightly knit, as she found the news report surreal. The Wu family was considered a somewhat prestigious family in Qingyang, after all; it shouldn't be possible for them to collapse overnight. Unless... they had offended a force even more formidable. But who could it be?

"You're back?! You found her, right?" Chen Muxue asked softly, a trace of pleasant surprise on her face as she saw Su Zheng.

"Yes, I found her, but my mother went back to our hometown this morning," Su Zheng said, his voice slightly somber.

"Going back is fine. She’s a country woman at heart; she must not have been used to the city. You know, since you found her, you should have at least made a phone call. Do you have any idea how late Muxue stayed up last night because of you?!" Chen Jianguo complained with a scowl upon seeing Su Zheng.

"Dad, say less. That’s enough. I’m going to work!" Chen Muxue, unable to stand her father’s attitude toward Su Zheng, grabbed her bag and prepared to leave. However, she didn't forget to look back and instruct Su Zheng, "You probably didn't sleep last night, right? Don't go to driving school this morning; stay home and catch up on some sleep!"

Su Zheng nodded slightly, looking at Chen Muxue with gratitude. In truth, he hadn't slept at all, having spent the night outside his mother’s ward, reminiscing about the happy days when the four of them were together in the countryside.

"Don't worry about him. President Sun is coming over with the medicinal herbs today; you hurry to the office and get busy. I'll have him help you out this afternoon!" Chen Jianguo urged, clearly unhappy with Chen Muxue showing concern for Su Zheng.

Chen Muxue was about to speak when her phone rang. Taking it out, she saw it was Sun Hong. Could the herbs have arrived so early? Chen Muxue was suspicious and hurriedly pressed the answer button.

"Hello, President Sun, good morning. Have the herbs already been delivered?" she asked politely.

"Heh heh... Good morning to you too, President Chen. Did you sleep well last night?" Sun Hong’s tone on the phone carried a hint of insincerity before he added indifferently, "I wonder if you’ve seen the news this morning? The Wu family is completely done for, ha ha ha..."

Chen Muxue frowned; she vaguely felt that Sun Hong’s laughter was not right.

"Wu Chenghao spent quite a lot of money on you, didn't he? Tsk tsk... Now that he has fallen, would you like to consider finding a new backer?" Sun Hong laughed unscrupulously on the phone. "Ha ha ha... You see, you just lack vision. I knew from the very beginning that trash like Wu Chenghao would get into trouble sooner or later. Look, wasn't I right?"