Chapter 18: His Resolute Stance

Luo Yunhe glared at them fiercely, the wooden club in her hand pointing right at their faces.

"Let me warn you: I cooked the meal, I wrecked the kitchen, and I ate the eggs. If you have any grievances, take them up with me. Don't you dare trouble my husband; I will not stand for it. What right do you have to lecture him? If it weren't for the money he has earned over these years to support this household, would any of you even have food or drink? He has done every single chore inside and out; what more could you possibly want? Even the stingiest miser couldn't be as demanding as you lot."

She took a step forward, her eyes flashing. "And another thing—forget about driving me out. You should know the saying: it’s easy to invite a spirit but hard to send one away. Since I have entered this house, I won't be leaving so easily. I belong to Su Jingxuan now; even he couldn't drive me away, let alone you. If you want me gone, there is only one way: divide the household property. Otherwise, if anyone mentions this again, I will smash their mouth in!"

The three of them shivered in terror at her display. Usually, they were arrogant and overbearing, but today they were so thoroughly suppressed by Luo Yunhe that they didn't even dare to breathe.

"Oh, right!" Luo Yunhe, who had just turned away, pivoted back to look at them with a mocking smile. "You hit my husband, so you must pay for it. Hand over the money, or I will make sure all three of you are lying on the ground today! Besides, with your reputations, I don't care about my own—I don't have to live with the people outside anyway. But if you lose face, how will you ever hold your heads up in this village again?"

"You... Luo Yunhe, don't you get too arrogant! You want money? In your dreams!" Mother Su, who had been terrified, suddenly found the courage to snap back when she heard she was being asked for money.

"You won't? Fine. Then don't blame me if this club shows no mercy!" As she spoke, Luo Yunhe raised the club high.

Su Jingxuan could not shake the pain; one of the blows Su Shan had dealt him earlier had landed directly on his already injured arm. The arm throbbed, unable to move, and the sharp pain lingered. Yet, watching his little wife defend him so fiercely, his heart felt warm. He didn't mind the pain, but he didn't want her reputation to be ruined.

"Wife, I'm fine. Forget about the money. Please, put the club down!"

Hearing the weakness in Su Jingxuan’s voice, Luo Yunhe finally lowered the stick. She glared at them one last time before turning to his side. Seeing the beads of cold sweat on his forehead, she became frantic.

"Husband, are you really okay? Did he hit you somewhere?" She began to check his body anxiously. "Where are you hurt? It must be so painful!"

"I'm fine, my dear, don't worry!" he said, his voice trembling despite the doting tone.

Luo Yunhe knew he was in agonizing pain and was only trying to spare her from worry. Tears welled up in her eyes. "Why are you so foolish? Why didn't you fight back? What good does it do to suffer in silence? Come, I’m taking you to the doctor!"

Su Jingxuan shook his head. With a gentle smile, he raised his uninjured hand to wipe the tears from her eyes. "I'm fine, really. Please don't cry." Having comforted her, he turned his gaze toward the three people cowering in the corner.

His expression remained firm, his tone unyielding. "Father, Mother, my wife may have been wrong today, but her actions were understandable. The eggs in this house are for eating, not for rotting away. She meant well by cooking for the family; if you didn't appreciate it, you cannot blame her for the mess. I will replace everything in the kitchen piece by piece."

He continued, "As for my wife, she didn't have any decent clothes. She is part of this family; we can't have her going out in rags and being a laughingstock. The clothes I originally bought for her were a thousand times better than these, but she chose not to wear them, opting for this coarse cloth instead. Little Sister, Elder Brother, when have I ever failed to provide for you? In the past, whenever I had something, did I ever leave you out? Even your Second Brother hasn't done as much for you as I have."

"Father, Mother, I don't want to dwell on the past, but you know exactly how much I have sacrificed for this family over the years. I shouldn't have to spell it out. I will say it again: if you want to drive my wife out, then drive me out with her. After all, you still have your youngest son. If you think he can support this entire household, feel free to call him back. It is his home too, isn't it?"

After speaking, Su Jingxuan walked over to the table, grabbed the bundle lying there, and returned to Luo Yunhe’s side.

"Wife, don't worry. As long as I am here, I will never let them bully you again, nor will I let you go without food or clothing!"

Luo Yunhe took the bundle he offered, tucked it against her chest, and took his hand. "Husband, I know. You are the best! I believe in you. I promise you, as long as they don't go too far, I won't lay a finger on them. But if they cross the line, I will not show any mercy!"

"Good," Su Jingxuan smiled gently. He cast one last deep look at his family before gripping Luo Yunhe’s hand and leading her out of the main room.

Watching them leave, the three of them finally let out a long breath and collapsed onto the floor.

"Father, Mother, Elder Brother has grown a spine. He’s not so easy to manipulate anymore," Su Ruyi said. Her mind raced with every word he had spoken. Indeed, as far back as she could remember, whenever her brother made money, he gave her whatever she wanted. Her second brother had never treated her as well. But so what? Still...

"Old man, this unfilial son... he actually... we raised him for twenty years for nothing..."

Su Shan was already injured, and the new bruises made him wince in pain. He had finally witnessed what it meant to be fearless. He could easily handle Mother Su’s arrogance and malice, but against his eldest daughter-in-law, he was helpless, fearing that one wrong move would provoke her into attacking him. As a man, he could never let such a humiliating thing get out; otherwise, how could he show his face in the village? He was filled with anger and hatred, yet he felt utterly powerless.