This was a way for the child, Xiao Tian, to save face.
It was understandable, though; she wasn't very familiar with the other villagers.
Su Changjiu and his wife must have been heartbroken, with no time to concern themselves with her.
Su Xiao Tian called out to Li Yuling's retreating back, "Auntie, my grandma asked me to invite Teacher Xie Nan to our house for dinner. You don't need to cook for Teacher Xie Nan."
Li Yuling turned back, smiling gratefully at Su Xiao Tian, and left with Su Changjiu.
The onlookers, seeing that everyone had left and there was nothing more to see, also began to disperse.
In the end, only Tian Xiaohe and Su Ping'an remained.
Zhang Caiyun watched the stunned couple from afar, feeling much better.
"This is how it should be. If my in-laws had been like this years ago, the family wouldn't be in this state of unrest now."
Su Chang'an patted his wife's shoulder and said, "How about we go see Mom and Dad tonight? They must be feeling down."
Zhang Caiyun thought for a moment and said, "You take the kids tonight. I won't go. Otherwise, I'll probably be bothered by Tian Xiaohe again. Tell Mom and Dad that I'll visit in a couple of days!"
Zhang Caiyun had been feuding with Tian Xiaohe for years and was truly afraid of her.
When people are shameless, they are truly invincible.
Before Su Chang'an could reply, Zhang Caiyun added, "I'll go home and make something delicious later. You can take it to Mom and Dad tonight. They must not be in the mood to cook."
Su Chang'an was a little displeased with his wife's suggestion not to visit his parents, but upon hearing her thoughtful consideration, his displeasure instantly vanished.
"Wife, just make some dumplings for Mom and Dad. Dad loves pork and chive dumplings the most!"
Zhang Caiyun readily agreed, "Alright, we still have some meat at home. I'll go chop it now. You help me!"
The couple walked towards their home, chatting and laughing, their atmosphere incredibly harmonious.
This was in stark contrast to Su Ping'an and his wife, who stood there stunned.
"Ping'an, what do our in-laws mean by this? Are they trying to scare us?"
Tian Xiaohe's commotion was intended to make her in-laws back down. Who would have thought that not only did they not back down, but they directly declared their intention to sever ties and never see each other again?
How could this be?
She was still counting on her in-laws to help her live a good life in the future. If they severed ties, wouldn't all of that benefit Zhang Caiyun?
"I think it's real!" Su Ping'an said listlessly.
His mind was in a turmoil. He knew his father well; he wasn't someone who spoke without reason.
Since he could publicly declare his intention to sever ties with him, it was definitely not a joke.
Although he wanted to side with his wife, he had never intended to truly fall out with his parents.
The reason he had been so fearless was that he thought his father would never hold it against him.
Now that his parents were starting to hold it against him, how could he not panic?
Although Su Ping'an wasn't a very decisive person, he actually had his own plans.
The couple hadn't made any money over the years.
Moreover, they had lost quite a bit of money, and all of it had come from their parents.
If they were to break ties with their parents now, their future days would likely be even more difficult.
Su Ping'an didn't want to live like that.
Now, what should they do?
Hearing her husband say this, Tian Xiaohe also began to panic.
Could it be that her in-laws truly didn't want their family anymore this time?
This wouldn't do. Her in-laws' future days would surely be good.
"How about, wife, we humble ourselves to Mom and Dad?" Su Ping'an tentatively suggested.
Tian Xiaohe, however, hesitated.
In this situation, even if they apologized, her in-laws might not forgive them.
"Let's go home first. I don't believe they can abandon their son when it comes to old-age support," Tian Xiaohe said with full confidence.
Even Su Ping'an didn't realize that Tian Xiaohe was actually filled with dread deep down.
She felt that something was gradually slipping away from her.
Time flew by, and it was the sixth day of the Lunar New Year, the day the old Su family was to leave Nanling Village.
They were to travel separately.
Su Xiao Tian and her brother Su Shouwen would travel south to Licheng with Chen Zi'an and his wife.
The rest of the Su family would return to the capital to prepare for the opening.
Before they left, Li Zhuzi and his wife specially prepared many gifts for the elders to take with them, calling it their filial piety.
Ever since the Su family had helped Li Zhuzi years ago, Li Zhuzi and his wife had truly treated the Su elders as their own parents and shown them filial respect.
The relationship between the two families had grown stronger with daily interactions.
The train to the capital was slightly earlier. After Chen Zi'an and others saw the Su family off, they still had an hour.
The group then strolled around the county town a bit, reminiscing about the past.
Su Ciliang happened to meet an old classmate and stayed at the train station entrance to chat with him, while the others walked a little further away.
The houses of the Su family and Chen Zi'an were still there, but they were no longer occupied. They had left the keys with Li Zhuzi and his wife, asking them to check on them periodically.
"When I retire, we'll move back to the county town and live in our old house!" Chen Zi'an said to Su Manxiu with a smile.
This was the house where they got married, and it held a special meaning for Chen Zi'an and Su Manxiu.
"Okay, when you retire, we'll come back to live here!"
Seeing her aunt and uncle's affectionate display, Su Xiao Tian pulled little Chen Xiuyuan away from them.
"Xiuyuan, stay with your sister. Don't disturb your mom and dad!"
Hmph, after being married for so many years, they were still busy showing off their affection, and in front of their juniors, how could they be so shameless!
Although Su Xiao Tian looked disgusted, she was actually very happy for her aunt Su Manxiu.
At this time, the streets were not empty. Many people were visiting relatives and friends during the New Year, making for a lively scene.
Su Xiao Tian and Chen Xiuyuan looked somewhat different from the people in the county town.
A pretty young girl leading an equally handsome little boy, and no adults accompanying them.
The siblings were soon noticed.