104: Exposing Su Mingzhe's Lies about "Filial Piety"

Wu Fei stood downstairs at the Su Family Old Residence holding Xiao Mi, her fingers tightly clutching her mobile phone. On the screen was a message just sent by Xie Hui: "Don't panic, I've already arrived downstairs and have all the evidence ready. Once you're up there, follow my lead."

She took a deep breath, but still couldn't help being nervous. Yesterday, Su Mingzhe had suddenly called to say they were having a "family meeting," specifically emphasizing that he "wanted to discuss elderly care with Dad." As soon as she heard that, she knew Su Mingzhe was going to fake being filial again to gain favor. However, with his limited financial strength, he couldn't possibly support the facade of "elderly care." In the end, he would likely push the pressure onto her and Su Mingyu.

Xiao Mi leaned against Wu Fei's chest and whispered, "Mom, I don't want to see Daddy. He was mean to you last time."

"Be good, Uncle will help Mommy in a bit." Wu Fei patted her daughter's head and pushed open the door to enter the old residence.

The living room was already full of people. Su Daqiang sat in the center, holding an enamel cup, his face full of expectation. Su Mingzhe was wearing a crisp suit with his hair neatly combed; at a glance, he was clearly meticulously dressed, prepared to play the role of the "filial eldest son." Su Mingcheng sat in the corner with a gloomy face, likely not yet recovered from the humiliation of being beaten yesterday. Su Mingyu sat next to Wu Fei. Seeing her enter, she quietly gave her a "rest assured" look—she had also received a message from Xie Hui this morning and knew they were going to expose Su Mingzhe's hypocrisy today.

Just as they sat down, Su Mingzhe cleared his throat and put on the air of a big brother: "I called everyone here today mainly to discuss Dad's care with him. I've thought it over. When I return to America, I'll take Dad with me to live together. I'll take care of him so he can enjoy his later years in peace."

As soon as these words were spoken, Su Daqiang's eyes instantly lit up: "Really? Mingzhe, you're really going to take me to America?"

"Of course it's true!" Su Mingzhe patted his chest, his tone full of "responsibility." "I am the eldest son of the Su Family; taking care of Dad is my duty! Mingyu, Mingcheng, don't worry. I'll take full responsibility for Dad's care from now on; you don't need to worry about it."

As he spoke, he secretly observed Wu Fei's reaction, wanting her to go along with his words. However, he didn't see the disappointment in the depths of Wu Fei's eyes—she knew Su Mingzhe too well. He had said such things countless times and never followed through. This time would surely be the same.

Just as Su Mingyu was about to speak, the sound of footsteps came from the door. Xie Hui walked in carrying a briefcase, followed by Lawyer Wang. "Big Brother Su's 'filial heart' is truly touching, but I wonder if it can actually be realized." Xie Hui's voice carried a hint of mockery, instantly shattering the "filial" atmosphere Su Mingzhe had built.

When Su Mingzhe saw Xie Hui, his face suddenly darkened: "Mr. Xie, this is our Su Family's private matter. Why are you here again?"

"Why can't I come?" Xie Hui walked over to Wu Fei and placed the briefcase on the coffee table. "Sister Wu is my friend. She was worried you'd play tricks again, so she asked me to come help. Besides, since you want to take Mr. Su to America, it involves matters like elderly care and finances. I can help you do the math so you don't end up unable to follow through and disappointing Mr. Su."

Su Mingzhe panicked inwardly but still held his ground: "I know my own financial situation perfectly well. I don't need you to calculate it!"

"Oh? You know?" Xie Hui took a stack of printed papers from the briefcase. "This is housing price data for San Francisco in America. The monthly rent for the community you live in is now 3,500 USD. Your monthly after-tax income is 8,000 USD. After paying 5,200 USD for the mortgage, the remaining 2,800 USD has to support you, Sister Wu, and Xiao Mi. Now you want to add Mr. Su—do you think that's enough?"

The papers were scattered on the coffee table. The top sheet clearly listed the average rent and living expenses in San Francisco, as well as Su Mingzhe's salary flow. Su Mingzhe's face instantly turned pale, and he reached out to grab them: "How dare you investigate my privacy! This is illegal!"

"Illegal?" Xie Hui pinned his hand down. "This is the rental contract and salary slip from America provided by Sister Wu. As your wife, she has the right to know these things. Also, you secretly transferred 10,000 USD to a friend's name last month, claiming it was for 'temporary storage.' In reality, you wanted to transfer assets because you didn't want to pay child support for Xiao Mi. Why didn't you tell everyone about this?"

Xie Hui took out his mobile phone and clicked on a photo of a transfer record. The sender was Su Mingzhe, the recipient was his friend, and the note read "temporary storage." Seeing this record, Wu Fei's tears immediately fell: "Su Mingzhe, you actually transferred assets! You keep saying you love Xiao Mi, yet you even want to dodge child support. Do you have a conscience?"

Xiao Mi also hugged Wu Fei's neck, crying and shouting, "Daddy is bad! Daddy won't give Xiao Mi money!"

Su Mingzhe was flustered by the mother and daughter's crying. His face turned red and white as he muttered, "I... I just put it with a friend temporarily. I'll take it back later..."

"Put it temporarily?" Xie Hui brought out another piece of evidence—the chat logs between Su Mingzhe and his friend. "You told your friend, 'There's no need to return this money later; just keep it for me and don't let Wu Fei know.' You call this temporary? Big Brother Su, this 'filial heart' of yours is just an act for Mr. Su, and 'transferring assets' is to screw over Sister Wu and Xiao Mi. You've calculated this far too cleverly."

Everyone around looked at Su Mingzhe. Su Daqiang's expectation turned into disappointment, and he whispered, "Mingzhe, if you don't have the ability, then don't take me to America. I can manage in China too..."

"Dad! I have the ability!" Su Mingzhe still tried to argue, but was interrupted by Xie Hui: "You have the ability? Then tell me, after you take Mr. Su to America, where will his medical and living expenses come from? The 2,800 USD you have left isn't even enough for Xiao Mi's formula. How will you support two more people? You can't expect Sister Wu to go out and work while leaving Xiao Mi with no one to care for her, can you?"

These words hit Su Mingzhe's sore spot. He opened his mouth but couldn't say a single word—he hadn't calculated any of this at all. He just wanted to fake being filial so Su Daqiang and his younger siblings would think he was responsible. He hadn't expected Xie Hui to tear his plan apart with data.

Wu Fei wiped her tears and stood up, her tone firm: "Su Mingzhe, I see you clearly now! You don't want to take care of Dad at all; you just want to act filial! You even want to dodge Xiao Mi's child support, yet you want to take Dad to America. You just want Xiao Mi and me to suffer with you! I am definitely getting this divorce. Don't even think about lying to us mother and daughter again!"

Su Mingzhe looked at Wu Fei's determined gaze and then at the contemptuous looks of those around him—especially the looks from Su Mingyu and Su Mingcheng. He felt his face burning and wished he could find a hole to crawl into. He no longer had any of his previous "eldest son's demeanor" and slumped in his chair, muttering, "I didn't mean to... I just wanted to make Dad happy..."

"Making Dad happy isn't done with words alone." Xie Hui packed up the evidence, walked to Wu Fei's side, and helped her pick up her bag. "Sister Wu, let's go. Don't waste time here. Xiao Mi, how about Uncle takes you to eat strawberry cake?"

Xiao Mi nodded, wiped her tears, and followed Wu Fei and Xie Hui out. Su Mingzhe wanted to stop them but didn't dare move—he knew that this time, he had completely lost face in front of Wu Fei and could no longer keep up the act.

Su Daqiang watched Wu Fei and the others leave, then looked at Su Mingzhe slumped in his chair. He let out a heavy sigh, picked up his enamel cup to take a sip of cold tea, his heart full of disappointment—he thought he could go to America and enjoy a life of leisure, but it turned out to be another empty dream.

Su Mingcheng sat in the corner, looking at Su Mingzhe's pathetic state. He actually felt a bit of schadenfreude, yet also a bit of fear—Xie Hui could even easily slap Su Mingzhe's face. If he caused any more trouble, he certainly wouldn't have a good outcome.

Xie Hui led Wu Fei and Xiao Mi out of the Su Family Old Residence. Wu Fei's emotions slowly calmed down, and she said to Xie Hui, "Thank you, Mr. Xie. If it weren't for you, I'd still be kept in the dark, thinking he really wanted to take care of Dad."

"No need for thanks; this is what he deserves." Xie Hui helped her open the car door. "I'll take you to eat strawberry cake to cheer Xiao Mi up."

As the car drove toward the dessert shop, Xiao Mi sat in her safety seat, holding the small pinwheel Xie Hui gave her, and slowly a smile appeared on her face. Wu Fei leaned against the passenger seat, looking at Xie Hui's focused profile as he drove, her heart full of gratitude—since Xie Hui appeared, she no longer had to face Su Mingzhe's hypocrisy alone, nor did she have to suffer grievances. This feeling of being protected was something she had never experienced in all her years of marriage.

Xie Hui saw Wu Fei's gaze through the rearview mirror. He knew that Su Mingzhe's "filial piety" lie had been thoroughly exposed, which not only made him lose all face in front of Wu Fei but also allowed her to see his true colors clearly, clearing the obstacles for the subsequent divorce and asset division. Next, it would be time to handle Su Daqiang's potential troublemaking, but with his previous experience, he was confident he could handle it.

The car stopped in front of the dessert shop. Xie Hui helped Xiao Mi open the car door, and she ran into the shop skipping happily. Wu Fei followed behind, a long-lost relaxed smile appearing on her face. Xie Hui looked at their backs, his heart full of satisfaction—another successful face-slapping of the su family men, protecting those he wanted to protect. This feeling was more solid than ever. He knew that as long as he was there, these three good women—Wu Fei, Su Mingyu, and Zhu Li—would never again be dragged down by the Su Family's messes and could truly live a comfortable life.