Chapter 10: A Dutiful Son in Vain—Su He, Cunning as a Fox—Su Yu

“Stay up there, I’ll go down and take a look.”

With that, Su Yu slipped off his shoes and socks, rolled up his pant legs, and stepped into the shallow creek. Gripping a makeshift fish spear carved from a tree branch, he cautiously moved in a certain direction.

“Brother Yu, can I go with you? It’s hard to catch fish alone, and it’s getting dark. Can you even see anything?”

“Don’t worry. Even if you come down, it won’t help since you can’t see either.”

Huzi scowled. He couldn’t see well, but did that mean Su Yu could?

What Huzi didn’t realize was that although Su Yu’s vision was poor, the last time he had been here, he had dug a pit in an area where the fish were most active. He was heading to that big pit now; since he had dug it himself, he knew exactly where it was.

To avoid startling the fish, Su Yu moved very slowly, which made Huzi standing on the bank wish he could jump into the water.

But Su Yu waved him off repeatedly. This was no time for Huzi to come meddling. After all, Su Yu’s fishing skill was already at Level 3, and he was familiar with the fish’s habits. Huzi had no special skills, and if the fish got frightened and fled, it would be a real loss.

Under the faint moonlight, Su Yu spotted fish in the big pit not far away. There were many small fish, but he couldn’t see the big ones clearly—just a vague dark shape that might have been a fish’s back. He wasn’t certain. Catching the small fish would scare away the big ones, but if he guessed wrong and tried to catch a big one, the small fish would escape.

“Sigh… catching small fish won’t be enough to eat. I’ll take a chance,” he muttered.

In the end, he decided to go after the big fish—after all, the thrill was in catching a big one; small fish just weren’t satisfying.

Su Yu tightened his grip on the spear, then suddenly lunged forward. The spear shot out instantly.

With precise aim, the water rippled, and a fish weighing at least three pounds was impaled through and through.

“Holy crap, you actually caught a fish?”

Huzi was stunned. He had thought this was just a game, never expecting Su Yu to really catch something.

“Ding dong… Experience +3.”

Host: Su Yu
Age: 19
Strength: 8
Speed: 8
Skill Points: 38
Skill: Fishing Lv3

Three whole points added. As long as he leveled up other skills, he could use skill points to upgrade, which would save a lot of time.

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Su Yu was delighted. Holding the fish firmly, he strode back to the shore.

“Let’s go. That commotion just now scared the fish off. We won’t catch any more. Time to head home.”

All the way back, Huzi kept praising him. “Brother Yu’s awesome!”

“Alright, alright, let’s get home. If you want fish, just tell your parents to come over. I won’t call you next time.”

Since they returned so late, Huzi would have to stop by home first; otherwise, Huzi’s father might come looking for them with a kitchen knife.

“Okay, got it. Hey, are we going back into the mountains tomorrow?”

Su Yu thought for a moment. “Depends on the situation. If I go, I’ll find you.”

He hesitated because of what had happened during the day. His family, knowing there were traps in the mountains, would certainly warn him not to go, especially since this matter involved him. They would be relieved, but such luck wouldn’t always hold. Still, he had to go. It was a heavy responsibility, but essential; without entering the mountains, how could he practice archery? How could he level up his archery skill?

After saying goodbye to Huzi, Su Yu returned home. Opening the door, he saw his little sister sitting by the entrance, digging in the dirt.

Hmm? As expected, other people’s sisters were always better. His own was just a simpleton.

“Oh, San Guo, you’re back?”

Her startled exclamation drew out the rest of the family—older brother, mother, and father.

“Why are you back so late? I thought you went into the mountains? Why are you carrying a fish?”

His father asked, and Su Yu gave an awkward smile.

“No luck in the mountains. I just caught this fish on the way back.”

“Oh dear, second son, your father hasn’t been eating well these past few days. Maybe your mother can take this fish home to help him recover?”

At that moment, Su Yu noticed an old lady standing behind his mother — none other than his biased grandmother.

No wonder his little sister preferred to stay outside rather than come in. The old lady disliked girls even more, so the little one was somewhat afraid of her.

Seeing his sister looking longingly at the fish in his hand, Su Yu quickly declined.

“No, this fish was caught together with Huzi. He has his share. He’ll come eat it later. Grandma, if you want, I can ask him about the price. I’m sure he’d be willing to sell it to you at a fair price.”

His father, naturally, didn’t believe this. Neither did his mother or older brother. But no one spoke up, and even his usually dutiful father said nothing.

“What? You want money from me? Second son, is this the good son you raised? Asking your own grandmother for money? What, you won’t even give your father a fish to eat?”

The grandmother ignored Su Yu and turned to scold his father directly.

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“Oh, grandma, that’s not fair. The fish belongs to both Huzi and me. If you take it, you owe him an explanation. But if you just want a bite, no need for all that. How about I invite grandpa over to eat? Huzi won’t mind, and you won’t have to spend a penny. How’s that?”

Su Yu’s words eased his father’s embarrassment. It made sense—two people caught the fish together, and it wouldn’t be right for one to take it all. But sharing it at home with grandpa? Huzi wouldn’t object. The argument was solid.

“Yeah, Mom. Why waste money? If Dad wants fish, let Su Yu invite Grandpa over to eat. It’s a chance for us to show some filial piety, right?”

His mother chimed in, but the grandmother was unconvinced. She wanted the fish for the eldest son’s family—the beloved eldest grandson, Su Bin. If grandpa came to eat, the eldest grandson might get nothing. Surely the whole family wouldn’t gather just for a three-pound fish? Wouldn’t the eldest son lose face?

“Hmph. Fine. Since you two don’t have the heart for filial piety, I won’t force it. Don’t want outsiders to think I’m being bossy.”

Her sarcastic tone made Su Yu furious. He wanted to lash out, but the old lady was his grandmother, and his father wouldn’t approve. In this era, reputation and filial piety were highly valued.

This was the iron shackles—tight and unyielding. Unless you truly bore the stigma of unfilial conduct, it was hard to break free.

“Xiao Yu, how about I pay you to give the fish to your grandmother?”

His father began to make a fool of himself again. Whenever the old lady nagged, he scrambled to apologize. Su Yu was truly exasperated.

“Dad, if I give the fish to grandma, she’ll have to clean it herself. Isn’t it better to just come eat it? You’re being unfilial—refusing even to cook a meal for grandma. You’re not worthy to be her son.”

“I’m going to find the village chief to settle this. You won’t even make a meal for your own grandma? And you expect an old lady to do it herself? Hmph.”

Su Yu turned and was about to leave, leaving his father stunned. What did that brat just say? That he was unfilial and unworthy?

The whole family was speechless. Su Yu’s loud words probably reached many neighbors.

“Xiao Yu, wait, wait! Don’t go to the village chief. Grandma won’t eat anymore. I have things to do; I’m leaving now. Think about what I said about the second son’s family.”

With that, the old lady hobbled away with her cane.

His older brother chuckled and came over, patting his shoulder and giving a thumbs-up.

The two exchanged smiles, but Su Yu soon noticed his father’s expression.

His father had found a short stick and was walking toward him, grinding his teeth.

“Unfilial? Not worthy as a son? Su Yu, fine. Today, I’ll show you why the flowers are so red.”