Chapter 23: Heading Back to the Village Tomorrow
Cao Hongmei said impatiently, “That’s all in the past. Why are you bringing it up again?!”
She might have pretended normally, but now she was both exhausted and sleepy—she didn’t even want to act.
“Second Aunt, you’re a smart woman. Haven’t you ever thought that there might be something fishy about all this? Maybe someone was deliberately setting you up!”
Cao Hongmei was momentarily stunned, then laughed. “Why would a workshop director bother scheming against me? If anything, I’m the one who should be scheming against them!”
Su He immediately realized—it had been her workshop director who pushed this.
Now that she had a target, things would be easier. When she had time, she’d just go ask around at the textile factory’s residential compound.
So she didn’t say anything more and went to sleep.
*
The next day, Su He stayed home, worried that Qian Huifang might come looking for her.
Cao Hongmei had the morning shift, and after dropping off Su Jinbao, she headed straight to work.
Su Yongshi had just finished his night shift and was snoring thunderously as he caught up on sleep.
Su He had no choice but to grab a stool and sit in the courtyard. She opened the Exchange Market interface with her mind and browsed the goods, treating it like shopping on Taobao.
Buying wasn’t the goal—browsing was the joy!
The more she looked, the more surprised she became. At first, she thought the “Eternal Exchange” was just an exaggerated name, but it turned out to have some real substance.
She saw many ancient texts and artifacts in there, though the prices were jaw-droppingly high.
There were also a few blank sections, likely due to her current access level being too low to browse them.
As she browsed, the door to the east-side neighbor creaked open.
Old Man Ge came out into his courtyard to practice Tai Chi.
An average person might be too shy to openly stare, but Su He was clearly not average.
She leaned on the mud wall with her elbow, watching with great interest, even clapping and cheering from time to time.
Old Man Ge: …Why does it feel like she’s watching a circus?
After finishing his routine, he shot her a glare. “Young and idle, lacking manners—ignorant child!”
Su He laughed. “Sir, you’re amazing. Even your insults sound so refined!”
Old Man Ge: “…”
Was that a compliment or a jab?
“Sir, I really don’t have anything to do—do you need help with anything?”
Su He was genuinely fond of him, especially his dignified and ethereal bearing while practicing Tai Chi.
And she’d caught a whiff of traditional medicine before, leading her to suspect that the old man was a traditional Chinese doctor.
Old TCM doctors were treasures—it never hurt to get on their good side.
Old Man Ge snorted. “If someone’s overly friendly for no reason, they must be up to no good!”
Then he turned around and went back inside.
Su He: “…”
No wonder Cao Hongmei said this old man was eccentric. She wasn’t wrong.
Just as she was internally grumbling, Old Man Ge came back out, holding a winnowing basket with some herbs inside.
“You, Little River-Ocean-Lake-Sea girl—weren’t you trying to be helpful? Come sort these herbs for me.”
Su He: “…Sir, my name is Su He.”
She climbed over the wall into the neighboring yard.
Old Man Ge gave her a few instructions, then stood back with his hands behind his back, watching her sort the herbs.
He scrutinized her for a while, puzzled. Aside from being pretty, he couldn’t see what was so special about her.
Why did that Gu kid treat her differently?
“Sir, do you know why I’m cozying up to you?”
Old Man Ge was genuinely curious. “Why?”
“Because I can tell you’re a divine doctor—Bian Que reborn, Hua Tuo returned! Of course I have to flatter you. If I ever get a headache or fever, I want you to treat me!”
Flattery never fails. Even someone as aloof as Old Man Ge softened a little at her rainbow praise.
“I’m no divine doctor. My skills are mediocre. I haven’t treated anyone in years.”
Su He thought, If you don’t treat people, why are you gathering herbs? Why are you brewing medicine?
But she didn’t call him out. Instead, she smiled sweetly. “I just believe you’re a great doctor. Even if you don’t like me, I’ll keep sticking around!”
Old Man Ge: …He’d never met anyone this shameless!
Was this the trait Gu Chiyan liked about her?
An hour later, Su He finished sorting the herbs.
Just as she was about to boast about it, she saw Qian Huifang hurrying toward them.
“Sir, Aunt Qian’s probably here for me—I’ll head out!”
With that, Su He quickly opened the courtyard gate and left.
Old Man Ge watched from a distance and saw Qian Huifang warmly taking Su He’s hand, chatting away.
He couldn’t help but wonder—how did those two get so close?
Su He had been chirping non-stop earlier, and though it had been a bit noisy, now that it was suddenly quiet, he felt a little… off.
He brushed it off as his imagination and went back inside.
*
Outside, Qian Huifang was beaming. “Su He, things went even smoother than I expected. Our factory leadership already approved it! They even gave me a referral letter to go negotiate with the textile factory. Since you know Engineer He, come with me!”
Su He had been hoping for this—she’d volunteered to go yesterday precisely to build her network.
In this era, connections were everything.
The two chatted and laughed all the way to the textile factory.
The gatekeeper saw their referral letter and, noticing it was from the mechanical plant, welcomed them warmly and led them to the reception room.
Before long, Engineer He rushed in.
To be honest, after Su He left yesterday, he’d cooled down and thought the whole thing was too absurd.
She was just a girl from the countryside—how could she possibly have the pull to arrange such a big deal?
But now she’d returned with a union rep from the mechanical plant!
Su He made introductions, then quietly stepped back to let them talk.
Engineer He and Qian Huifang quickly reached a preliminary cooperation agreement.
Checking the time, Engineer He smiled. “Perfect timing—it’s lunchtime. Let’s eat in the textile factory cafeteria!”
Qian Huifang initially declined out of politeness but eventually accepted.
Since they were entertaining guests, Engineer He didn’t settle for the usual canteen fare—he had the chef make four special dishes.
The three chatted over lunch, and with Su He there, the atmosphere was never dull—it was quite lively.
Su He also saw a few familiar faces from the residential compound and greeted them warmly.
Everyone was surprised to see her. Su He explained she had come with the mechanical plant union rep to meet Engineer He.
That changed their perception of her completely.
This girl really had skills!
Just a few days ago, she was a poor thing almost bullied. Now she’d transformed into a capable young woman!
After lunch, Engineer He personally walked them to the factory gate and shook hands in farewell.
Qian Huifang was all smiles. “Su He, I’ll get started on the tractor arrangements when I get back. I should have good news for you tonight!”
Su He thanked her profusely before they parted.
She didn’t return to Su Yongshi’s house but went instead to visit Old He’s home.
Burning bridges wasn’t her style—besides, she couldn’t afford to lose this connection.
She carefully helped Grandpa and Grandma He downstairs to sunbathe for a bit before taking them back up.
Then she cooked them dinner.
“Grandpa He, Grandma He, I’ll probably head back to the village tomorrow. I’ll come visit again in a few days.”
The elderly couple was reluctant to see her go. Grandma He pulled out two industrial ration coupons and insisted she take them.
Su He didn’t actually need ration coupons—she could buy them from the exchange.
But seeing Grandma He’s sincerity, she accepted them anyway.
*
Just as Su He reached her doorstep, but before entering, Qian Huifang came skipping over excitedly.
“Su He, it’s done!
One of the tractors just came back for repairs. Our factory’s leadership has enough sway—they’ve agreed to send it to your village first thing tomorrow morning!”
