“How would I know? After the investigation and the cops determined that I was innocent, they let me go. I was going to return to my company but I got progressively more upset. I don’t care that he wants to look for Shu Yan, but why is he keep pestering me? Does he really think that I have taken Shu Yan’s money? Bull! I relied on nobody but myself to get to where I am today. And all the Ye Zhiqiang needed to do was to say a few things and had them fooled. And they will rather believe in an outsider than family,” said Shu Jianyang, enraged.
He had purposefully made this about himself. That way it became beef between him and his Second Uncle. If he was to make it Shu Yan’s problem, for sure neither his grandparents nor his parents would bat an eye. It was disappointing but nevertheless the truth.
The same issue, whether it involved Shu Jianyang or Shu Yan would bring about different attitudes from Old Mr. and Mrs. Shu.
“We can’t just let this incident go. My son is a good child. And his real uncle dared to call the cops on his own nephew. All they had in mind is the money that Shu Yan has with her; that is why they want to locate her. So go ahead and look for her themselves. Why are they dragging my son into this?” Shu Jianyang’s mother returned from field and went off when she heard the second half of the story.
Everybody in the village said the third child was the bad one but her third child was the most familial. He would bring her things every time he returned, food or clothes. He was more thoughtful than a daughter. Besides, now that her son was a big boss, she could even stand straighter. Compared to others who’d gossip behind her back in the past, now everybody was only too eager to flatter her. And, because her son was now successful, her husband was eligible to run for the patriarch of the village. She was about to become the wife of the patriarch.
She didn’t care what Shu Youfu and his family were doing but if her son was to be dragged into this and it hurt his future in any way, shape, or form, she would go and kill them.
That was Shu Youguo’s thoughts as well. Of course his own son would take precedence over his brother. Besides, he and his brother had never been close and, after they had moved out and established their own family, there were like any other relatives.
“The real uncle making a police report to have his nephew arrested. Was his brain chewed by pigs?” said Shu Youguo angrily. “Dad, you must have a good talk with Youfu. They need to minimize their trips to the city. They have been staying with Jiangyang every time they went. Jiangyang is busy too and had to find time to entertain them. He’s his nephew, not his son. And he goes there some 7 to 8 times a year. That’s just……”
Shu Youguo and his wife had been unhappy about that for a while now but they never said anything as they were relatives. Truth was, another reason was that they also felt that Shu Jianyang had gotten money from Shu Yan to kickstart his businesses.
“Yes, I must teach them a good lesson when they return,” said Old Mr. Shu as he drew a puff from the cigarette.
Shu Youfu and his family saw his parents and his brother’s family walking toward him angrily with Shu Jianyang following behind them as soon as they had gotten home.
Old Mr. Shu immediately started beating Shu Youfu with his cane. “What were you thinking, huh? You went to the police station to accuse your own nephew as a murder?”
”Dad, listen to me, I……” Shu Youfu didn’t dare to run away. He merely lifted his hands up to block Old Mr. Shu’s cane. “We are worried about Shu Yan.”
“Oh, so you decided to accuse your nephew of murdering her because you are worried? Have your head been kicked by a donkey?” Old Mr. Shu’s cane fell two more times. Panting, he said, “You don’t think we can tell what is in your mind? All three of your sons are married and their houses built. Why are they still eyeing their sister’s money day in and day out? Have some shame. It makes the entire Shu family look bad if words get out.”
