Chapter 284: A Sudden Change in Old Man Su
After listing a whole string of complaints, Su Grandma finally stopped when she saw Old Man Su’s face had turned as dark as the bowl of his pipe.
Just then, Old Lady Liu came trotting in.
“Old sister, I know you love these little stuffed eggplants the most. I didn’t even eat them myself—I saved them all for you!”
Su Grandma smoothed her hair with her hand. “You’re thoughtful. Sit down and have some pastries Little Su brought back from Beijing.”
Old Lady Liu felt a pang of jealousy.
So what if you stayed in the county for a few days—now you’re acting like some noble lady!
Even so, she took the pastry Su Grandma handed her and took a bite.
In the countryside, even drinking sugar water was a luxury, let alone eating such delicate pastries.
To Old Lady Liu, this was no less than the Queen Mother’s peaches of immortality.
She only nibbled a tiny bit, then carefully held the rest in her hand, intending to take it home for her little grandson.
Su Grandma glared at her. “Eat yours. I’ll pack a couple for Little Huzi later.”
Old Lady Liu couldn’t believe her ears!
Su Grandma had always been stingy—she could chase her own granddaughter up onto the roof over a single egg. How had she suddenly become so generous?
The reason was simple: when granaries are full, people learn propriety; when food and clothing are sufficient, people learn dignity.
Now that the Su family’s conditions had improved, Su Grandma’s outlook had naturally broadened.
In the past, she would have mocked behavior like Old Lady Liu’s. Now, she found it rather pitiful.
When Old Lady Liu left, Su Grandma packed two pastries for her and even added a handful of candies.
Old Lady Liu was so touched she almost cried!
From now on, she swore she’d never speak ill of Su Grandma behind her back again.
Old sister was a good person!
After she left, Su Grandma sighed. “Poor thing—poverty does that to people.”
Old Man Su stood with his hands behind his back. “Once Little Su’s textile factory starts operating, things will get better. Many villagers will be able to earn wages there.
Little Su did a good job. People in the village have praised her a lot.
The proudest thing in my life is having a granddaughter like her!”
Su He: “…”
Hearing those words from her grandfather felt oddly out of place!
Su Grandma’s eyes widened even more. Had the old man been possessed or something?!
Old Man Su clenched his hands tightly behind his back. Only he knew how much courage it had taken to say those words.
He had figured it out.
If he wanted to escape the status of a useless old man stuck babysitting, there was only one way—win over his eldest granddaughter.
As long as she didn’t hold past grudges against him, his good days would return!
It wasn’t about enjoying life—he just cared about saving face. He couldn’t bear the drop in status.
He didn’t even dare look Su He in the eye, staring instead at the tips of his shoes.
Fortunately, Su He reacted quickly and didn’t leave him hanging for long.
“Grandpa, everything I’ve achieved today is thanks to your guidance!
Take the dried vegetable business, for example—if you hadn’t overseen it, it wouldn’t have gone so smoothly. Grandpa, try on the new clothes I bought for you in Beijing…”
Old Man Su gradually relaxed. Saying a few kind words didn’t seem so hard after all.
Su Grandma, however, didn’t look too pleased.
In the county, the second son’s family and that girl Er Ya had already stolen her spotlight. Now that she’d finally returned home, the old man was acting strange too!
How was she supposed to show her grandmotherly love now?
By dinnertime, Zhao Cui’e and her husband returned along with Su Yufen.
The whole family was cheerful, filled with laughter.
Old Man Su thought back to the chaos when the third son and his wife were still around, and his regret deepened.
He picked up his chopsticks and began putting food into Su He’s bowl.
“Little Su, you work hard—eat more meat to nourish yourself!”
“Little Su, have some scrambled eggs!”
“Little Su, this pork skin is cooked nice and soft—try some!”
…
The Su family: “…”
Only Su Xiaoman kept eating without a care.
What was so strange about this?
Even she knew that sticking close to her sister meant good food. Grandpa was so old—how could he not figure that out?
After dinner, Old Lady Liu came again, eagerly inviting Su Grandma to chat under the big willow tree.
Su Grandma put on an air of restraint, but still went along.
Su Xiaoman mysteriously pulled Su He into the west room. After closing the door, she whispered, “Sis, I asked my ‘subordinates.’ Grandpa’s behavior has been pretty good lately.
That pair of ingrates tried to get someone to contact Grandpa, but he drove them away and even said anyone who spoke up for them would be an enemy of the Su family!
A few days ago, they just reached the village entrance when the team leader chased them off with people. Grandpa even went to thank the team leader personally…”
Su He nodded. She had to admit, Su Xiaoman’s little network was quite useful.
Swaying the tuft of hair on her head, Su Xiaoman continued, “Sis, don’t worry. I’ve told them to keep an eye on Grandpa so he won’t have any chance to mess up again!
Oh, and I also told them to watch our aunt—so she doesn’t get tricked by some bad man. I still want Uncle He to be my future uncle-in-law!”
Su He: “…You really have your hands in everything!”
Still, keeping an eye on things wasn’t a bad idea—just in case Shen Ruyi tried something through Su Yufen.
“Sis, I need to go maintain relationships with my team. I’m off!”
With that, she stuffed a pouch full of broken candy pieces into her pocket and ran off.
Su He: “…”
You’re really stingy!
Just then, Zhao Cui’e walked in with a smile.
“What were you two talking about? That girl seems even more mischievous than before!”
Su He smiled. “Nothing much. By the way, Mom, I came back this time to arrange a school transfer for Er Ya. Next semester she’ll study in the county.”
Zhao Cui’e had already heard about this before, so she wasn’t surprised, just a little worried. “Little Su, your grandma and great-grandma are fine there for now, but once they go back to the countryside, you’ll be so busy—who will take care of Er Ya?”
“Mom, won’t Uncle and Aunt be there? Don’t worry. Er Ya is smart—she won’t suffer any losses.”
Zhao Cui’e sighed, looking at Su He with concern. “You’re working yourself too hard. The whole family depends on you. You’re still so young and don’t even have time to think about relationships…”
Su He: “…Mom, I’m still young—no rush for that. Oh, Director Luo praised you today, said you’re hardworking and responsible!”
Zhao Cui’e’s eyes lit up. “Really? As long as the leadership is satisfied, that’s all that matters. I just worry people will say I only got this position because of you.”
Su He laughed. “Mom, don’t overthink it. Let people say what they want. If they’re capable, they can give birth to a daughter as amazing as me!”
Zhao Cui’e burst out laughing.
After chatting warmly for a while, Su He went to the east room to find Old Man Su.
He brushed off a spot on the kang mat. “Little Su, this spot is clean—sit here.”
Then he opened the cabinet and took out an oil-paper package.
“Little Su, I found a wild hazelnut tree in the mountains a few days ago. I dried and roasted them just for you.”
Su He: Grandpa… you’re starting to act more and more like Grandma!
