Chapter 48: Young People Are Full of Energy
Su He didn’t think being thick-skinned was a bad thing. As the saying goes, “Thick skin, full belly; thin skin, go hungry.”
Especially in this era, where people were generally reserved and modest, her boldness actually gave her an edge.
After they had eaten and drunk their fill, Su He finally brought Su Yufen and Sister Wu back to Huaihua Commune.
Director Luo had been worried the entire time. When he saw them return, his heart finally settled.
“Did everything go smoothly?”
Sister Wu replied, “Smoothly… I guess.”
Director Luo: It either went smoothly or it didn’t—what’s with the ‘I guess’?
Su He knew that Sister Wu couldn’t say much in front of her, so she took Su Yufen with her and left.
Once Su He was gone, Sister Wu collapsed into a chair. “Director Luo, today was just too exciting!”
Director Luo: “……”
After hearing the whole story, Director Luo sat stunned for a moment before asking, “How was the food at the Xiangyang Commune canteen?”
Sister Wu: “……”
Is that really what you’re focusing on right now?
In truth, Director Luo just didn’t know what else to say. Should he praise Su He’s cleverness or call her a rogue?
Say what you will—this young girl sure is bold!
She was either driving off to pick fights or slapping people in the face. Young people really do have energy!
Though he thought Su He could be a bit reckless, he wasn’t repelled like Director Shen. On the contrary, he believed it was precisely this drive that allowed her to achieve such impressive results.
After wrapping up Su Yufen’s matter, Su He headed into town the next day.
She had no choice. Even though she had landed three contracts, she hadn’t personally gained anything beyond her salary.
Building a branch factory was a long-term goal. In the meantime, she needed to find other ways to make money.
Besides, although Su Yongshi and his wife were behaving well for now, they were too easily influenced by others. She’d have to keep them in check.
This time, Su He brought Old Man Ge a bunch of wild vegetables from the mountains—she didn’t want him saying she went back on her word.
Just as she reached the road intersection, someone bumped into her.
The wild vegetables she was carrying spilled all over the ground.
The man hurried to help her pick them up, apologizing repeatedly.
He was in his twenties, with decent looks, but for some reason, Su He found him off-putting.
So she simply said, “It’s fine,” and turned to leave.
Unexpectedly, the man said, “Comrade, wait! I’m Lin Bo from the county opera troupe. I think you’d be a great fit for our troupe. Would you be interested?”
Su He froze—Lin Bo?
She remembered him!
In the book, this character did exist, and he was closely tied to the original Su He’s tragic fate.
The original Su He had a “good” friend named Luo Xiaoling, who urged her to apply to the county opera troupe.
At the time, the original Su He had been emotionally shattered from her experience with Zhao Bin, so Luo Xiaoling’s suggestion seemed like a lifeline.
She immediately went to apply and, with help from Lin Bo—a lead actor in the troupe—she got in.
But what followed was a nightmare.
Lin Bo, having helped her and shown her warmth, quickly started a relationship with her.
One night, after drinking, he took her virginity.
Though heartbroken, she thought, “Well, we’re planning to marry anyway, so it’s okay.”
Little did she know, Lin Bo was suddenly transferred to the provincial troupe and abandoned her…
And all of this had been orchestrated by Shen Ruyi. Lin Bo’s transfer was his reward for playing along.
Now the question was—had Lin Bo already received his instructions, or was this just a chance encounter?
Su He’s expression turned cold. “Not interested.”
If it was just coincidence, she could let it slide. After all, her focus now was on making money.
But if this was a calculated move? She didn’t mind showing him what worse than death really looked like.
Lin Bo looked regretful. “Alright, I hope we’ll meet again.”
Su He ignored him and carried the vegetables to Su Yongshi’s house.
Seeing the door locked, she knocked at Old Man Ge’s gate instead.
The old man opened the door impatiently. When he saw Su He, he snapped, “You again?”
Though his tone was harsh, he still opened the gate quickly.
Su He held up the wild vegetables with a grin. “Of course, I’m here to butter you up!”
Old Man Ge gave a cold snort but took the veggies without complaint.
Su He sat with him for a bit before going to help Grandma He.
As school was about to let out, she headed over to pick up Su Jinbao.
In this era, it was rare for parents to pick up their children—unlike the future when school gates would be packed at dismissal.
When Su Jinbao saw Su He, his eyes lit up and he ran over excitedly.
“Jie! I have enemy intel to report!”
Su He: “……”
Okay, whatever works—as long as you get the info, call it what you want.
Jinbao was fixated on the chocolate she’d promised, so he recounted everything he’d overheard about Su Yongshi and his wife discussing Su He.
Being a kid, he told it all in bits and pieces, so Su He had to piece it together herself.
After analyzing it, she concluded that although the couple still had some doubts about her, they were generally obedient for now, which relieved her.
Keeping her word, she rewarded Jinbao with a few pieces of chocolate.
The boy was so thrilled he nearly blew a snot bubble—and from then on, he was fully committed to spying for Su He from inside his parents’ camp.
When Su He got home, Cao Hongmei had already returned from work.
“Xiao He, perfect timing—you got a letter!”
Su He took the envelope. It was from Luo Xiaoling.
She’d used Su Yongshi’s address when she wrote earlier.
Opening the letter, she found not just the letter paper but also ten jin (roughly 5 kg) of grain coupons and ten yuan.
Tsk tsk, how generous.
Skipping over the superficial pleasantries, Su He noted two key points in Luo Xiaoling’s letter:
First, Shen Ruyi and Qi Yuansheng had gotten together, and she should just get over it.
Second, Luo Xiaoling urged her to apply to the county opera troupe, saying there might be a chance to transfer to the provincial troupe later—and that way, she could return to the provincial capital.
Su He sneered. Looks like Lin Bo had already received Shen Ruyi’s orders.
Today wasn’t some random encounter. He’d been lurking, waiting for his moment.
Su He had always believed: the best defense is a strong offense.
Since Lin Bo had set his sights on her—she’d send him on his way!
