Volume One, Chapter 9: Reborn to Protect My Family

“Dad, don’t always criticize my brother. He’s quite outstanding and not any worse than Shao Ting’an.”

Su Dayan glanced at his son. “Ting’an graduated from university with a proper mechanical engineering degree. Your brother, after all, only went to a technical school. How can he compare?”

Su Mingde smirked at his sister. “Listen to that—is that really my own father? Even a stepfather wouldn’t slap you in the face like this. It hurts, it really does.”

Su Dayan laughed heartily. “My dear son! I’m just trying to help you face reality, so you don’t get your hopes up and end up disappointed.”

Hearing his father speak, Su Li felt an unspoken warmth welling in her heart. He always cared about her feelings and life.

The Shao family came from a prestigious background. When she and Shao Ting’an married, his parents’ obvious disdain left Su Dayan deeply resentful.

That’s why he treated Shao Ting’an like his own son, even better than his biological son, hoping Ting’an would always be good to his daughter.

The thought of his cherished daughter having to endure others’ scorn made his heart ache.

In her past life, she hadn’t heard her sister-in-law’s words and was unaware that Shao Ting’an was suppressing her brother at the factory…

Now, in this second chance at life, while seeking revenge, she must also protect her family.

“Dad, your daughter has married out, so our family still has to rely on Comrade Su Mingde. You need to be a bit kinder to my brother.”

Su Li smiled brightly at her father, a long-lost warmth and happiness spreading through her heart.

“Brother, you like tinkering with machines, but your design skills really can’t match Shao Ting’an’s. I’ll find some teachers at our school in that field to see if they can guide you. Then you can enroll in some night classes to make up for it.”

Su Mingde seemed interested. “That sounds great! I really want to learn. If you can find me a teacher, that would be a timely help indeed.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll take care of it.”

Su Li sat on the bench, leaning against Su Dayan’s arm, looking like an obedient and lovely little daughter.

Su Dayan turned to look at his daughter, pride shining through his loving smile. “See? It’s got to be my precious daughter, a university lecturer. Introducing a teacher to help such a hopeless case—you better not waste their time.”

Su Mingde opened his mouth, took a deep breath, then laughed, “Fine, your daughter’s the best. This hopeless case is going to go light the fire for Mom now.”

Su Li chuckled at her brother’s antics. This was her home, where family treated her like a treasured gem, their love and care never diminishing despite her marriage.

Watching Su Mingde leave, Su Li fell silent for a moment before softly saying, “Dad, I want to discuss something with you.”

She wanted to buy a camera but couldn’t let Shao Ting’an know. She had to gather money from different places.

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“Why would you need to discuss anything with this old man? Just tell me what you want to do. Dad supports you no matter what.”

Su Dayan doted on his daughter and was always eager to help.

“I need some money now to continue my studies. Could you lend me some first? I’ll pay you back slowly later.”

Su Li hesitated before speaking. Both her parents were ordinary workers, with a combined salary of only fifty or sixty yuan. They couldn’t save much in a lifetime.

When Su Dayan heard she needed money, he said softly, “What your mother and I have is also yours and your brother’s. If you need it, take it—there’s no need to pay us back.”

He slowly got up. “Wait here; I’ll get it for you.”

Su Li’s nose tingled. Holding back the lump in her throat, she smiled, “Dad, there’s no rush.”

“Oh? How much do you need? Your mother and I have four hundred yuan in total. Is that enough?”

It certainly wasn’t enough, but Su Li didn’t want them to worry. She smiled, “It’s enough. More than enough.”

“All right, come with me to get it.”

Su Li followed her father inside, holding back tears as she looked at his graying hair.

Su Dayan knelt by the bed, lifted a loose floor tile, and whispered, “Your mother and I keep our money here. When we’re gone, you must remember this spot.”

Su Li had managed to control her emotions until now, but hearing this, she broke down—tears poured like a dam bursting.

Su Dayan pulled out a plastic bottle, took out a plastic bag wrapped in a yellowed handkerchief, and handed Su Li a roll of money.

“Why are you crying? My daughter is so beautiful—you can’t cry. Crying doesn’t suit you.”

He patted her hand.

“Dad, I’m sorry. I’m grown now, and I’m still using your money.”

“Silly girl, who else have your mother and I lived for if not for you and your brother? You just started your own family; there are many things unsettled and many expenses. You can’t keep asking Ting’an for money; after a while, he’ll get annoyed. Coming to your dad is the right thing to do.”

Su Li wanted to say more but found herself stuck, unable to utter a word.

She leaned on her father’s shoulder, silently sobbing.

Su Dayan grew worried. “Girl, did something happen? If there’s anything, you have to tell your mother and me. We’re here for you!”

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Not wanting to worry her father, Su Li sniffed and coquettishly said, “What troubles could I possibly have? At home, I have you, Mom, and my brother to protect me. Ting’an treats me well now, too. I just feel so lucky—to be this old and still have Dad giving me money.”

Su Dayan chuckled. “You little brat, no matter how old you get, you’re still Dad’s little girl.”

Su Li wiped away her tears and smiled softly. “It’s all your fault, always talking about death and dying, making me cry. If Mom asks, I’ll say you scolded me.”

Su Dayan raised his hand to tap her forehead. “You tell her that? Do you think she’ll believe it? Everyone knows you’re my precious treasure. How could I ever scold you?”

Su Li looked at her father, acting spoiled, laughing freely like the carefree Su family girl she had been before marriage.

But in her heart, she resolved to find a way to repay her parents soon; their retirement savings must not be touched.

Now, the medicine in her bag seemed to give her a good reason.

Thinking of this, Su Li felt grateful that Fu Jinzhou had helped her so much this time.

Su Li stayed at home until the afternoon. Her mother kept urging her to return. “Xiaoli, hurry home. It’s about time to prepare dinner. You can’t let Ting’an come home to an empty stove after a long day.”

Su Dayan agreed, “Your mother is right. Ting’an treats you well; you should be a good wife and not act like you’re still at your parents’ house.”

Facing their advice, Su Li smiled helplessly. “Okay, I’m going. You both seem to dislike me staying home too long anyway.”

Her mother playfully patted her and smiled fondly. “Are we really that hard on you, child?”

Wen Yu took out two pairs of shoes. “I’ve never seen a daughter as lucky as you, spoiled by the whole family. Here, these are shoes your mother made for you and your brother-in-law. The soles have many layers of soft cloth.”

Su Li took the new shoes and smiled gently. She had always been delicate and complained about the rough stitching on her mother’s handmade soles, so Liu Guilan always added extra layers of soft cloth.

“Mom, don’t make these anymore. This isn’t the old days. Bought shoes look better and are more comfortable.”

She said this on purpose. Only by doing so could she stop her mother from staying up late and straining her eyes to sew soles.

“You ungrateful girl!”

Su Li laughed foolishly and pushed her bicycle away.