Chapter 29: Bragging About Herself
The next morning, Su He rode her bicycle to the commune.
After registering at the gate and waiting for a while, she finally met with Director Luo.
Director Luo had a pleasant attitude: “Xiao Su, you’re here. I’ll arrange for someone to write your letter of introduction right away.”
Soon, the letter of introduction was ready.
In addition to the letter, she was also given a work permit. Her job title was listed as: Liaison Officer of Huaihua Commune.
Su He was very satisfied—seemed like Director Luo was a man who got things done.
After expressing her determination and scoring some goodwill points, Su He went to the State-owned Mall to buy 20 jin of premium flour and 5 jin of pork before returning to Huangxi Village.
Although buying from the trading center would have been much cheaper, Su He had to keep up appearances once in a while—just in case someone started asking questions.
Since she might be staying in the county for a while, Su He needed to get things at the Su household in order.
“Grandma, let’s make dumplings tonight. Invite the team leader and those two masters over for dinner.”
Su He had thought she would have to explain the pros and cons to Old Madam Su before she’d agree, but to her surprise, the old lady immediately went off to chop up dumpling filling.
Old Madam Su might not be educated, but she was very clear-headed.
The people they were inviting were all useful, so if a little expense was needed, then so be it.
During the meal, Team Leader Chen Youde thumped his chest loudly: “Old Su, if anything comes up, just say the word. If that dog Zhang Zhanfa dares show his face again, watch how I deal with him!”
Old Su sat up straight with pride. He couldn’t help but feel emotional—just a short while ago, this very team leader was pressuring him to apologize to Zhang Zhanfa. Truly, the human heart is the most unpredictable thing in the world.
The two drivers were also all smiles, dropping compliments about how Su Yongguo was a great prospect for a driver.
Everyone had a great time during the meal.
Once Su He got everything arranged at home, she took a small bus to the county the next day.
Instead of going straight to Su Yongshi’s home, Su He went to Old He’s house.
She carried a mesh bag containing two cans of powdered milk, two jars of hawthorn preserves, and two packs of pastries.
At first, Grandma He refused to accept them. These items were manageable for a family like theirs, but for someone from the countryside, they were considered luxury goods.
Su He talked her into accepting the gifts after much persuasion.
Then she started helping the old couple tidy up the house and cook dinner, staying busy until nightfall before leaving.
Just as she approached the courtyard, Su He heard loud bickering between Su Yongshi and Cao Hongmei, with Su Jinbao’s crying occasionally breaking in.
“Second Uncle, Second Aunt, are you home?”
The noise inside immediately stopped, and Su Yongshi came out.
His face was still scratched from being clawed by Cao Hongmei, looking rather disheveled.
His first reaction upon seeing Su He was anger—it was because she conned him out of the bicycle that he and Cao Hongmei were now in chaos.
But right after that came a flicker of joy.
This damned girl seemed to have a good relationship with Engineer He. If they could get on her good side, maybe she could help them get regularized (converted to permanent employees).
So, he forced a smile: “Xiao He, you’re here! Come on in!”
When Su He entered, she saw Cao Hongmei sitting on the kang with disheveled hair, while Su Jinbao, snot and tears running down his face, was rolling around and throwing a tantrum on the bed.
Cao Hongmei glanced at Su He and sneered: “Xiao He, I really underestimated you. You even conned your own uncle? Impressive!”
Su He smiled. “Second Aunt, you’re absolutely right. I’m very capable!
You know how the machines at the textile factory got fixed?
I connected the textile factory and the machinery factory. They sold their defective fabric to the machinery factory, and in return, the machinery factory made parts for the textile factory.
To thank me, the machinery factory talked to the agricultural department and sent a tractor to Huangxi Village to plow the fields. That’s how I got a ride back last time—on the tractor.”
Su Yongshi and his wife stared at her, stunned. That actually worked?
Isn’t that just scamming with zero investment?!
Su He then pulled out her work permit and tossed it onto the kang, tilting her chin toward it, signaling them to take a look.
When Cao Hongmei picked it up and opened it, her mouth gaped wide enough to fit a duck egg inside.
Su Yongshi wasn’t much better. This damned girl was a nobody just a few days ago—now she was suddenly the liaison officer for Huaihua Commune?
How did she manage that?
Cao Hongmei quickly climbed down from the kang: “Xiao He, why are you still standing? Come sit and rest! You haven’t eaten, right? I’ll cook you some noodles and add a poached egg!”
Su Jinbao, who had been rolling around, suddenly jumped up: “Mom, I want one too!”
Then he glared at Su He. “Grandma said girls don’t deserve poached eggs. I’m going to eat yours!”
Su Yongshi immediately glared at him: “Is that how you talk to your sister? Apologize to her now!”
Instead of apologizing, Su Jinbao resumed rolling around and crying, wailing things like ‘I’m doomed, I don’t want to live!’
Su He: …Did he inherit Old Madam Su’s dramatic streak or what?
She said with a half-smile, “Second Uncle, I overheard people in the housing compound saying Jinbao’s doing very poorly at the school for cadre kids. They say you two can’t raise a child properly.”
Su Yongshi instantly imagined the worst—Could this be why they’re not getting regularized?
And so, young Su Jinbao experienced for the first time what deep paternal love felt like.
He got such a spanking that his bottom was covered in handprints.
Once Su He had enjoyed enough of the show, she finally spoke: “Second Uncle, it’s not good to be so rough when disciplining kids. You should reason with them. Jinbao, good kids are polite. Do you know what you did wrong now?”
Jinbao cried and nodded: “Wuuu… I was wrong…”
From that day on, a seed was planted deep in Su Jinbao’s young heart—of all people, never mess with Cousin Su He!
Later, he would learn that what his cousin did was called killing with a borrowed knife—without shedding a drop of blood.
Cao Hongmei, who normally spoiled Jinbao to death, didn’t interfere this time either.
Compared to getting regularized, everything else was trivial.
After Su He finished the noodles, she casually said, “Second Uncle, Second Aunt, I know you’re eager to be regularized, and I do have a way—but only if you listen to me.”
Su Yongshi and his wife were shameless types, and they immediately swore oaths of loyalty.
Of course, Su He didn’t believe a word of it. With people like them, you needed both a sweet date and a big stick.
“Second Aunt, tell me how your workshop director coaxed you into trying to set me up with Zhao Bin?”
Cao Hongmei smiled awkwardly: “It was just during casual chats. She said Deputy Director Zhao’s son didn’t have a girlfriend yet, was really picky, and liked pretty girls.
So I got the idea.
Xiao He, I think Director Meng meant well—she wasn’t trying to push me into it on purpose.”
Su He laughed.
“Second Aunt, let me ask you this—before that, how many times had Director Meng talked to you? Ever chatted about life?”
“Well… no. She’s a workshop director and I’m a temp. Why would she get chummy with me…”
At this point, Cao Hongmei’s face changed. Could it be that Director Meng said those things on purpose?
Su Yongshi snorted coldly: “Zhao Bin must’ve put her up to it! That old woman’s no good. Probably in cahoots with the Zhao family from the start!”
Su He rolled her eyes. “Second Uncle, did you ever stop to think—how would the Zhao family even know about me? Sure, I’m very pretty—everyone loves me, flowers bloom when I pass—but it’s not like that kind of fame could’ve reached the county, right?”
Su Yongshi: “…”
Cao Hongmei: “…”
Is it really okay to brag about yourself like that?
