Time-Travel: The Tragic Cannon Fodder Female Supporting Character Makes a Comeback
CHAPTER 3: The 1970s Naive Supporting Girl (3)
Mother Song grew anxious after hearing her son, muttering nonstop under her breath.
“Susu, that useless girl, it’s all her fault. We sent the letter days ago, yet she only got on the bus yesterday. She does everything slower than a snail. Completely hopeless.”
Song Jiabao didn’t come home to listen to his mother nag. He ignored her and walked straight to the sofa, looking at his father who was reading the newspaper.
“Dad, the staff at the housing bureau are getting off work soon. I don’t even know if we can get the money today. Why don’t you take out the compensation money from my older brother first? Once the house is sold, I’ll make up the amount.”
Father Song frowned at that. He said nothing, quietly lowering the newspaper.
Song Jiabao quickly set down his briefcase, hurried over to pour a cup of tea, and presented it to his father with both hands.
“Dad, I know we’re not supposed to touch big brother’s money, but there’s a real reason this time. If we miss today, the deposit won’t count, and we’ll lose 500 yuan for nothing. Once Susu comes back and we sell the house, whatever amount needs to be added, I’ll make it up to you.”
Father Song accepted the cup, his expression thoughtful, still silent.
Seeing her younger son pleading like this, Mother Song hesitated, then stepped forward to persuade as well. “Old man, Jiabao’s marriage is a big matter. He finally found someone suitable, and the future in-laws are leaders. It’s respectable to have such a match. The money is just sitting there anyway.”
“What do you know about men’s matters? Go back to your cooking.”
Father Song’s stern face made Mother Song shrink back. She awkwardly retreated to the kitchen.
The father and son sat facing each other.
Father Song finally spoke. “Your brother had it tough. He joined the army at sixteen, came back at thirty with one less leg, and still almost died at the end. The compensation and the monthly allowance the government gives… the higher-ups are keeping an eye on it. Your brother helped this family a lot for over ten years. All of your jobs were arranged by those leaders. Money like this is too sensitive. Everyone’s watching. It’s not easy to move.”
Song Jiabao grew even more irritated. Every time they tried to use the money, his father would pull out the same lines.
“This money is compensation for our family. How we use it is our business. What does it have to do with outsiders? My big brother hasn’t been around for so many years. Are we supposed to never touch it for the rest of our lives?”
Father Song’s expression darkened the moment he saw his son’s attitude.
“You brainless thing! That money isn’t the Song family’s. It belongs to your brother and his wife. The compensation and subsidy are so high because the leaders felt sorry for him. He had it hard, and now there are only two children left behind.”
“Why do you think the leaders keep such a close eye on it? They’re afraid we might seize the children’s money for ourselves. If you touch a single cent today, you might lose your job tomorrow!”
Song Jiabao was completely shut down by the scolding. After a long moment, he mumbled weakly:
“Dad, so we really can’t do anything about it? Why should those two jinxes use it? The fortune-teller said our sister-in-law brings disaster to her husband. If not, big brother wouldn’t have died. That money should stay with our Song family. Dad, think of something.”
Father Song sipped his tea with a stern expression, though his thoughts weren’t much different. The sum wasn’t small after all.
The passbook was in his hands. Every time he saw those numbers, no one felt more excited than he did.
But when the leaders handed it over, they made one thing clear. The money couldn’t be touched until at least one of the children turned eighteen.
It was meant for the children’s future, their studies, and eventually their families.
Since they had said that, he couldn’t shamelessly withdraw it behind their backs.
Fortunately, Song Susu had finally turned eighteen. With her coming home to visit this time, he could let her withdraw the money herself. That way, no one would have anything to say.
Once the money was in this house, he would be the one deciding how it was spent.
Thinking of this, Father Song’s mood brightened. He put down the teacup and said to his younger son:
“This isn’t something to rush. I have my own arrangements. That deposit of yours is only 500 yuan. If it’s gone, it’s gone. I’ll make it up to you in a few days.”
Hearing this tone, Song Jiabao immediately knew there was hope. His eyes lit up.
“Dad, I knew you’d have a way. I’ll listen to you.”
“Good. Now go. And don’t go spreading this around.”
“Alright, I’ll do as you say.”
Outside the window, a tall and skinny young boy froze in place.
He had overheard everything between his uncle and grandfather. His fists clenched tight, and an expression far too mature for his age filled his face with simmering anger.
It was bad enough that they bullied him and his sister. Now they even wanted to sell their house and to steal their parents' compensation money.
He would never let them succeed. He had to find Uncle Li!
He had barely taken two steps when something slammed into the back of his head.
“Song Yuanchao! Slacking off again?”
Song Yuanchao turned around. Standing there was Song Zhiqiang, wearing a smug grin while munching on milk biscuits. Song Yuanchao’s fists cracked as he clenched them harder.
He knew Song Zhiqiang was his uncle’s illegitimate son, but since his uncle never married, the boy had been registered under Song Yuanchao’s second uncle instead.
And thinking about what his uncle had said earlier, calling his mother a jinx, calling him and his sister disasters… His anger rose like a tidal wave.
Song Yuanchao’s beautiful peach blossom eyes turned dark and hateful. He shot forward like a small cannonball, ramming into the other boy with full force.
With a loud thud, he sent him flying.
“Waaah… uuuuu!”
Song Zhiqiang’s wailing echoed through the whole yard. Hearing his son cry, Song Jiabao rushed out first. The moment he saw Song Yuanchao beating Song Zhiqiang without holding back, he flew into a rage and kicked him hard.
“You little jinx, how dare you lay a hand on Zhiqiang!”
Still furious, he swung his fists and landed several heavy punches.
“You brat, if you ever touch Zhiqiang again, I’ll beat you to death!”
The boy’s body shook from the blows, pain shooting through him, but he snarled like a wolf cub and bit down on the man’s hand with all his strength. His dark eyes glared up with pure hatred.
Song Jiabao yelped at the pain and struck even harder in retaliation.
Just then, Father Song stepped out and shouted:
“Jiabao, enough! Stop hitting him so hard. If something happens, you can forget about getting anything.”
“Dad, stay out of this! This brat deserves a beating…”
Song Yuanchao kept struggling at first, but he was no match in the end. His thin body curled up, trembling uncontrollably from the pain. Blood streaked the corner of his mouth and cheek.
Seeing the blood, Father Song finally panicked. He hurried over and shoved his younger son away, scolding him sharply:
“You useless fool! He can’t take this kind of beating. He’s still your brother’s child. Know when to stop.”
Only then did Song Jiabao relent, dragging the bawling Song Zhiqiang back into the house.
Father Song looked down at the stubborn boy on the ground and frowned. The child’s looks and temperament were all like his mother. His eldest son had grown up in the countryside, and he had never been close to him. Naturally, he felt even less affection for the grandson.
If not for the compensation money, he would not bother with this mess at all.
“Yuanchao, can you stand?”
The boy curled in pain, unable to even answer. His head spun, and his vision blurred.
Father Song frowned when no reply came, and finally bent down to lift the boy into his arms.
—
Not long after, Liu Fang and Song Lili returned with Song Susu.
The trip to pick her up had not been pleasant, and both women wore dark expressions the whole way home.
The moment they stepped inside and heard Song Zhiqiang crying, they rushed over in alarm.
Song Zhiqiang might not have been Liu Fang’s biological child, but she had raised him since he was little. Even animals grow attached when you raise them with your own hands, let alone a child.
When Liu Fang saw her brother-in-law holding the boy, Song Zhiqiang’s eyes swollen red from crying, her heart clenched. She hurried forward and pulled him into her arms.
“Zhiqiang, what happened? Who bullied you?”
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