Chapter 191: Meeting Luo Xiaoling
Su He had no idea that someone was badmouthing her behind her back. She returned to her bungalow, picked up two cans of Little Bunny milk candy, and casually strolled over to the county broadcasting station.
Station Chief Liao smiled like a blooming flower when he saw Su He!
Originally, when Su He had said she was going to the capital to negotiate a hair accessory order—and even mentioned importing an instant noodle production line—Chief Liao thought she was just bluffing.
Although he gave her travel expenses, he secretly believed the whole trip would be a waste of time.
Unexpectedly, not only did Su He successfully introduce an instant noodle production line, she even secured a foreign trade deal—the first ever in An County!
This report was definitely going to be big news!
It could land in the provincial newspaper, maybe even China Daily or Inquiry News.
After a brief chat, Chief Liao subtly urged Su He to get the article written as soon as possible.
Su He smiled and said, “Don’t worry, even if I have to pull an all-nighter, I’ll finish the draft quickly and bring it over for you to polish.”
Chief Liao nodded in satisfaction. “Good.”
No wonder she became the director’s secretary at the machinery factory—she really knew how to handle things.
…
After leaving Chief Liao’s office, Su He went to find Tian Xiaotao.
“Come to my place after work. I’ve got something good for you!”
Tian Xiaotao beamed. “Why wait until after work? I’ve got nothing going on—let’s go now!”
The two returned to the bungalow, and Su He gave her two cans of milk candy, then brought out a light pink plaid Bragi dress as a gift.
Tian Xiaotao happily accepted it without being polite. Between close friends, there was no need for fake courtesy.
After seeing Xiaotao home, Su He made a turn and headed for night school.
As soon as she reached the gate, the old security guard greeted her, “Teacher Su, back from your business trip?”
Su He smiled and chatted with him a bit before heading inside.
The guard breathed a sigh of relief. Even if it meant offending Principal Chen, he couldn’t afford to offend her—or he’d be sent home to take care of his grandkids.
Su He went straight to Principal Chen’s office.
Principal Chen was dealing with backlogged work from the past few days. When he saw Su He come in, he asked in confusion, “Little Su, didn’t I tell you to rest at home for a couple of days? What are you doing here?”
Su He grinned. “If you’re working this hard, how can I not learn from your example?”
Principal Chen didn’t believe a single punctuation mark of what she said. “Spill it. What do you want?”
“You gained a lot from this trip to the capital, right? Shouldn’t you report it to the provincial night school?
Take me with you when you go. I haven’t been back to the provincial city in a long time. Would be nice to revisit old places.”
Luo Xiaoling still hadn’t replied to her letters. Likely, she had cut ties. Su He needed to meet her in person.
Money wasn’t the issue. The key was that this “nail” had to be firmly embedded next to Shen Ruyi.
Principal Chen did want to visit the provincial night school—not just to report the dollar donation, but also to chat with the old folks there. Especially Director Lu, he wanted to talk about the results of the capital trip.
Just pure talk. Nothing else.
Originally, he planned to go alone. But after hearing Su He’s request, he figured bringing her along was fine.
If he upset this girl, she might leave him behind next time there’s a trip.
“Alright. The day after tomorrow, we’ll take the coach to the provincial night school!”
Two days later, Principal Chen and Su He boarded the long-distance coach to the provincial city.
The bus wasn’t too full, and when it left, the entire back row of five seats was still empty.
Principal Chen thought Su He would behave this time. After all, a bus wasn’t like a train—you couldn’t just walk around.
But Su He had already started chatting with the ticket lady.
In no time, the two were like sisters, chatting and laughing in the back row.
Principal Chen: “…”
If someone could talk, she could charm them.
When they arrived at the provincial station, the ticket lady looked reluctant to part ways. Principal Chen was already numb to it.
After leaving the station, Su He said, “Principal, I’ve got something to take care of first. I’ll meet you at the provincial night school later.”
He gave her some reminders, and then they parted ways.
Principal Chen wasn’t worried. This girl had thrived in the capital. The provincial city would be a piece of cake for her.
Su He sat on a bus, watching the scenery outside.
She used to feel wary of the provincial city, but now things had changed.
Her capital trip had given her some real leverage. It wasn’t time to strike back just yet, but her situation was completely different now.
Su He arrived at Luo Xiaoling’s house and knocked on the door.
From inside came a slightly annoyed voice: “Who is it?”
“Xiaoling, open up. It’s me—Su He!”
The half-eaten apple in Luo Xiaoling’s hand fell to the ground, rolling around before coming to a stop.
She thought she had misheard. “Who? Who are you?”
“I’m your best, best friend—Little He!”
Luo Xiaoling felt like she’d seen a ghost in broad daylight.
Su He?
Wasn’t she supposed to be in An County?
What was she doing here?
Still, her showing up might be a good thing—a chance to fish for some intel and squeeze some benefits from Shen Ruyi.
Thinking this, she cracked the door open a sliver and said coldly, “I don’t have a good friend like you!
Su He, you really fooled me!
You said you were living in poverty, but in reality, you’ve been doing great in An County. I heard you even became a secretary at the machinery factory. Quite the accomplishment, huh?”
She had planned this as an opening blow to get the upper hand—then she’d pry information out of Su He.
But Su He squeezed right through the door gap and hugged her tightly.
“Xiaoling, I missed you so much! I know you’ve got a sharp tongue but a soft heart. You must be so happy for me, right?”
Luo Xiaoling: “…Right.”
Right, my ass!
This Su He must be out of her mind.
Still, that made it easier to get information from her.
Nearly suffocated in Su He’s hug, Luo Xiaoling finally wriggled free, only for Su He to start wandering around her place.
“Xiaoling, your place hasn’t changed a bit—still exactly the same!
Back when Shen Ruyi returned to the countryside, she told me you were like a little maid following her everywhere. Said your whole family benefitted from her. Looking at this place now, that was clearly nonsense!”
Luo Xiaoling snapped, “Stop trying to sow discord. Ruyi would never say something like that.”
“Tut tut, Xiaoling—it’s just the two of us here, don’t say heartless things!
Did Shen Ruyi not boss you around? Didn’t she treat you like a servant?
Forget everything else—those letters you wrote me, weren’t they on her orders?
And when her schemes were exposed, didn’t she take it out on you?
Xiaoling, I really feel sorry for you!
You’ve got family background, looks—you’re better than her, that half-bald chicken who just came back halfway through her life! Why should you bow down to her?”
Luo Xiaoling’s expression changed again and again. Then she sneered coldly, “Su He, your attempt at sowing discord is really low-level. You think I’d fall for that?”
Su He giggled. “Of course you won’t fall for it. But it’ll still get under your skin!
Next time you see Shen Ruyi, you’ll think, She’s no better than me. Why do I have to be her lackey?
The more you think about it, the more upset you’ll get. The more you think, the more wronged you’ll feel.
That’s my goal. Don’t you think I’m just devious?”
Luo Xiaoling: “……”
