You Choose an Adopted Son, I Choose Madness

Chapter 14: Fire, Let’s Say Goodbye for Now:

In an instant, the words of praise that Su Zhenxing had been about to say got stuck in his throat. Instead, his eyes carried a complicated look.

Yes, why should he even be praising Su Mu?

Su Chen didn’t even have a proper bedroom!

He had spent two years living in this tiny, damp, and rundown room.

Was Su Mu really that aggrieved just by giving up his study for Su Chen?

Outside the room, Su Mu was momentarily stunned by Su Chen’s words, and then a hint of panic appeared on his face.

What was going on today?!

In the past, whenever he played the victim like this, making himself sound pitiful, Su Chen would always remain silent.

Then, the whole family would shower him with praise while reprimanding Su Chen.

But today, instead of staying quiet, Su Chen was actually talking back?!

Seeing that Su Mu had been put on the spot, Su Qiqi immediately spoke up to defend him.

“Su Chen, you really don’t know how to be grateful!”

“Su Mu was kind enough to give up his study for you, and instead of thanking him, you’re mocking him?!”

“You don’t know what’s good for you!”

Su Mu quickly pulled at Su Qiqi’s sleeve, speaking in an aggrieved tone.

“Second Sister, stop it.”

“I willingly gave my study to Brother so he can have a good night’s sleep.”

“I don’t need him to thank me.”

Su Chen said nothing.

Seeing this, Su Qiqi smirked smugly.

That’s more like it!

He should know his place.

Su Mu also sighed in relief.

It seemed Su Chen was still the same silent pushover as before.

That reassured him.

But then, the next moment—

Inside the room, Su Zhenxing, Liu Yanran, and Su Lili all watched as Su Chen stopped burning the mold on the wall.

Instead, he grabbed about ten more rose branches and gently placed them on the fire.

The flames eagerly leaped onto the dry wood, and in an instant, thick white smoke erupted from the pile, much denser than before, curling upward in chaotic tendrils.

At the same time, Su Chen sighed.

“Looks like I’ll be staying in this room after all.”

“Then I’d better dry it out properly!”

The three of them scrambled out of the room as fast as they could, afraid that if they hesitated even a second, the overwhelming smoke would choke them.

Once outside, Su Zhenxing turned to see the thick, suffocating smoke still creeping out after them, swirling in the air.

His expression darkened as he shot a glare at Su Qiqi and Su Mu.

This was all their fault!

Why did they have to provoke Su Chen?!

Now look what they had done—Su Chen had made the smoke even worse!

Covering his mouth, Su Zhenxing coughed a few times before scolding Su Qiqi.

“What nonsense about gratitude?!”

“Do you even know what you’re saying?!”

“Everything you eat and everything you own is provided by me! If I decide where someone stays, that’s final!”

“Why should Su Chen be grateful to anyone?! I haven’t even asked him to thank me, and you think he should be grateful to you?!”

“Just keep quiet, Su Qiqi!”

Then, he turned to Su Mu with a sharp frown.

“Su Mu, are you really feeling so wronged about giving up your study for Su Chen?”

Su Mu quickly shook his head, waving his hands.

“No, no! Dad, I don’t feel wronged at all.”

Seeing his reaction, Su Zhenxing gave him a deep look but said nothing more.

Instead, he turned to the housekeeper, Aunt Tao, and ordered, “Make sure that by tonight, Su Mu’s study on the third floor is cleared out and turned into Su Chen’s bedroom.”

Aunt Tao, who had been watching everything unfold in stunned silence, finally snapped out of her daze.

Quickly, she responded, “Yes, sir!”

Then, without wasting a moment, she rushed off to clear Su Mu’s things and prepare the room for Su Chen.

As she worked, she couldn’t help but marvel at the situation.

In the past, Su Chen had suffered at the hands of Su Qiqi and Su Mu.

But today, acting like a lunatic—burning things, filling the house with smoke—he had somehow managed to get what he wanted.

Even Su Zhenxing had given in and reassigned Su Mu’s study to him.

It seemed that from now on, she couldn’t treat Su Chen the same way as before.

The Su family’s balance of power was shifting!

Once he was sure Aunt Tao was taking care of things, Su Zhenxing took a deep breath and called out to Su Chen inside the room.

“Su Chen, look, your bedroom issue has been settled.”

“You’ll have a spacious, clean, and bright room soon.”

“So can you put out the fire now?!”

Su Chen looked at him, then glanced down at the fire, letting out a long sigh.

“Alright, fine.”

“I mean, I could’ve easily solved the dampness issue myself.”

“But since you all were kind enough to go through the trouble for me…”

“Then I suppose it wouldn’t be right for me to refuse your kindness.”

“I’ll listen to you and move to the third floor.”

Hearing this, Su Zhenxing’s eye twitched violently.

Since when did Su Chen talk in such an infuriating way?!

But at least this meant the endless smoke would finally stop.

Liu Yanran and Su Lili felt a headache coming on as well.

Meanwhile, Su Qiqi and Su Mu glared at Su Chen with pure resentment.

Standing up, Su Chen gazed at the fire pit with a sorrowful look.

“Ah, my dear fire, you’ve worked so hard.”

“But now that I have a new bedroom…”

“I won’t be needing you for a while.”

“So let’s part ways for now.”

With that, he picked up a cup of water and poured it over the fire, extinguishing the flames.

Su Zhenxing didn’t bother listening to Su Chen’s nonsense.

As soon as he saw the fire go out, he finally let out a breath of relief.

Finally, it was over!

What had gotten into Su Chen today?!

Why was he so difficult?!

He had done nothing but cause trouble with all these bizarre, ridiculous antics.

Su Zhenxing gave him a long, unreadable look.

But in the end, he chose not to say anything, fearing that if he provoked Su Chen again, he might just start another fire.

“Alright, alright, everything’s settled. Everyone go get some rest!”

“Su Chen, once Aunt Tao finishes preparing your new bedroom, go to sleep early.”

What he didn’t say was that at least if Su Chen was asleep, he wouldn’t be stirring up any more trouble.

But he kept that thought to himself.

Aunt Tao worked quickly, and in about half an hour, Su Chen moved into his new bedroom on the third floor.

It was spacious—about thirty square meters—with a desk, a sofa, and a bed, all arranged neatly without any clutter.

Compared to the room itself, Su Chen’s belongings looked pitifully few.

Just a blanket, a mattress, some books, and a small pile of clothes—all of which were just school uniforms.

Still, for now, he was satisfied.

After all the chaos of the day, he was exhausted. As soon as he lay down, he fell asleep instantly.

The next morning, when Su Chen woke up and reached for a change of clothes, he frowned.

His clothes were so worn out that they had faded from washing, and the hems of his pants were already coming undone.

He figured it was about time he got himself some new clothes.

But when he reached into his pocket…

Nothing.

That’s when he remembered.

In his past life, ever since returning to the Su family, he had never received any pocket money.

Liu Yanran had once said that since the Su family provided for all his needs and he had no real social life, there was no need to give him an allowance.

But Su Chen clearly remembered that Su Lili and Su Qiqi—who were both already working—each received 100,000 yuan in pocket money every month.

Even Su Mu got 50,000 yuan a month.

…

Fine.

If they weren’t going to give him money, he’d just make his own.

Making money?

That was the easiest thing in the world.

Even picking up trash could earn him a fortune!