“That Shen Zhihuan—big brother, you know what she’s like. She takes three steps and starts coughing, five steps and she’s gasping for air. Climbing a slope or crossing a ditch? Someone has to hold her up! She’s constantly sick, and every few days she drags home bundles of medicine. Who can afford to keep such a burden?” Su Changhe complained, his face full of grievance.

For ordinary folks like them, even people who relied on government rations couldn’t sustain such a sickly person.

Seeing that his older brother’s anger seemed to subside, Su Changhe pressed on, “I’ve already discussed this with my wife. Even though the engagement is off, we’re all still neighbors. If the Shen family needs help in the future, we’ll still lend a hand.”

“Is Zijie okay with this?” Su Changjiang asked coldly, his expression sharp.

Did Su Changhe really think his private dealings with Accountant Xu had escaped his notice? As his elder brother, he was well aware of Su Changhe’s schemes. Decades of being brothers meant he could read the man like a book.

Su Changhe’s eyes flickered as he prepared to nod.

Before he could speak, the courtyard gate was thrown open with a bang. Su Zijie, dressed in a blue work uniform and drenched in sweat, stormed in.

“Zijie, why are you back?” Su Changhe stood up in shock.

The mechanical factory only had a few permanent positions each year, and this was a critical time.

“How could I not come back when such a huge decision as breaking off an engagement is being made?” Su Zijie glared at Su Changhe. His blue work uniform, soaked with sweat, clung to him as though he had just been pulled out of a river.

“The engagement is already called off. Shen Zhihuan agreed to it in front of everyone,” Su Changhe said bluntly. Since his son already knew, there was no point in hiding it.

As a father, he was aware of his son’s feelings for that sickly girl. But Shen Zhihuan’s frail health made it impossible for her to marry into their family.

He couldn’t afford to take in a “medicine jar.”

Other families married daughters-in-law who didn’t cost money and could work hard. Why should he allow someone into the Su family who couldn’t work, couldn’t be scolded, and couldn’t even be hit without risking her health?

“I don’t agree to this. Tomorrow, I’ll go to Aunt Li’s and tell her that when Zhihuan turns eighteen next year, I’ll marry her,” Su Zijie said firmly. Without waiting for a response, he turned and left the courtyard, heading straight to their neighboring house.

“Don’t you dare!” Su Changhe shouted, jumping up in anger as he stormed after his son.

Watching this, Su Changjiang sighed, shook his head, and rose to close the gate.

Before he could, a shadow slipped through the entrance and shut it from the inside.

“How many days of leave do you have left?” Su Changjiang asked as he sat back down, pulling out a cigarette and lighting it.

Before bed, his wife had repeatedly reminded him to bring this up.

“Leaving the day after tomorrow. What’s up?” Su Ziyu raised an eyebrow, sensing trouble.

“Your mother and sister-in-law have been looking at a few girls for you. They want you to spare some time to meet them,” Su Changjiang said, getting straight to the point.

“You’ll be twenty-five after the new year. Aren’t you the least bit worried? Everyone else your age already has kids running around the house.”

“No time!” Su Ziyu frowned, irritation clear on his face.

Every time he came home on leave, the topic of marriage followed him like a shadow.

Su Changjiang took a long drag of his cigarette and looked up at his son, whose patience was clearly wearing thin. “Your sister-in-law’s younger cousin is fair-skinned, well-mannered, and speaks softly. She’s diligent and capable. Your mother and I think she’s a good match. How about this? Tomorrow, your sister-in-law can bring her over for you to meet. If you like her, we can—”

“I know how to handle my own life. You don’t need to worry about it,” Su Ziyu interrupted, throwing out the words before striding off.

Before he reached the house, a sudden cry from the neighboring courtyard pierced the air, followed by a chorus of wailing.