Chapter 194: Still Need to Take a Closer Look
Qi Yuansheng was stunned at first, then he realized—Su He had just cursed him as if he were already dead!
Suppressing his displeasure, he said, “Little He, I know you’re still angry at me, but I had no choice. The difference in our social status was just too great; we could never be together. And Ruyi has always been deeply devoted to me, so I chose to be with her…”
Su He interrupted him, “Don’t flatter yourself. Just call it what it is—you were climbing the social ladder.
Deeply devoted to you?
Pah! In her eyes, you’re nothing more than a lapdog! She teases you when she’s in a good mood, and kicks you away when she’s not!”
Qi Yuansheng’s face instantly turned ugly. “Little He, I know you have resentment in your heart, but that doesn’t mean you should speak so harshly. Let the past stay in the past. We may not be lovers, but we can still be friends—”
Su He cut him off again, “What, now I’m supposed to smile and be friendly with a heartless scumbag like you?
Your breakup letter was clear as day—you’ve moved up in the world and I’m not good enough for you, so we should go our separate ways. And now you want to be friends?
You trying to act all noble is disgusting!
I’m a decent, respectable girl—unless I’ve completely lost my mind, there’s no way I’d be friends with trash like you.”
Qi Yuansheng was fuming. Pointing at her, he said, “Little He, I didn’t expect you to be this kind of person—”
Su He snapped, “What kind of person? Isn’t this all thanks to you?!
You chased money and status, dumped me, and I was so devastated I tried to drown myself in the river. Qi Yuansheng, if you had even a shred of conscience, you wouldn’t be standing here trying to play the good guy!
And now you shamelessly want to be friends? Just so you can take advantage of me?
You scumbag! You ruined me once, and now you want to ruin me again?!”
As she spoke, her voice broke and her face twisted with grief and anger.
Although Principal Chen knew Su He wasn’t the type to suffer silently, he couldn’t help but step forward.
He stood protectively in front of her and barked at Qi Yuansheng, “Get lost! If I see you harassing Little Su again, don’t blame me for what happens!”
There were quite a few people waiting for the bus at the station. With not much else to entertain them, everyone had been listening intently to the drama.
This was a time when people still valued decency, and soon the crowd began speaking out in defense of Su He.
“You pushed a girl to the point of jumping into a river, and now you’ve got the nerve to ask to be friends?”
“Exactly. Bet he’s got dirty thoughts just ‘cause the girl’s pretty!”
“So young and already mooching off women. Shameless!”
…
Qi Yuansheng was so mad he could’ve coughed up blood!
“It’s not how she’s making it sound—listen to me—”
Before he could explain, the bus arrived.
Su He and Principal Chen boarded.
Qi Yuansheng managed to squeeze on as well, but several passengers promptly shoved him back out.
Pah!
You Chen Shimei*!
Get lost and stay lost!
(*Chen Shimei is a historical byword in Chinese culture for a two-faced, heartless man.)
He fell flat on his back, his books scattered all over the ground.
By the time he scrambled to his feet, the bus had already driven off.
He was absolutely furious!
Especially when he noticed some pages of the books were torn. His expression darkened even further.
Ruyi had asked him to buy those. If she saw the damage, she’d definitely be upset.
Thinking of Shen Ruyi, he couldn’t help but recall what Su He had said—how in her eyes, he was just a lapdog…
He shook his head violently.
Su He—that damn woman—must’ve said that on purpose.
Ruyi’s feelings for him were real. They had to be!
*
On the bus, Principal Chen looked worried but didn’t say anything—too many ears around.
When they finally got off, he asked, “Little Su, are you okay?”
Su He chuckled, “Of course I’m fine. That kind of scumbag isn’t worth getting upset over. I was just using the power of the people to drown him in the sea of public opinion.”
Principal Chen finally relaxed, though he was still puzzled.
With Little Su’s personality, how could she have ever liked such a lowlife?
Just as he was wondering, Su He grinned and said, “Principal, you’re probably wondering why I ever liked someone like that, huh?
It’s simple. I must’ve been blind back then!
Don’t worry, I’ve got my eyes wide open now. No way I’m making the same mistake twice.
The one I’m dating now—mm, my current boyfriend—is a thousand times better than that scumbag. Totally reliable.”
Principal Chen advised seriously, “It takes time to know someone’s true nature. Just be cautious. You’re still young—wait seven or eight years before getting married. There’s no rush.”
Su He nodded, “I agree! I want to focus more of my energy on helping build An County. When the people here are living better lives, then I’ll think about marriage.”
Principal Chen was deeply gratified.
Little Su’s sense of duty was truly admirable!
On the way back, Su He struck up a lively conversation with the bus conductor. By the time she got off the bus, she had gained another “big sister”!
Principal Chen wasn’t even surprised anymore.
Typical Su He.
*
The next morning, Su He arrived at the machinery factory.
Secretary Yang looked at her with a half-smile and said, “Little Su, your job as secretary seems a lot easier than mine. I have to be here by 7 every morning to help Director Hu clean the office. After all, I’m the only one with a key.”
In other words, she was flaunting her status as Director Hu’s trusted aide.
Su He smiled, “Sister Yang, Director Hu trusts you so much—it’s only natural you have to shoulder more responsibility.”
Secretary Yang’s face lit with pride.
As long as you know your place!
You’re just a young newcomer. Even if you’re capable, so what?
Might just be a flash in the pan—back to square one in no time.
Little did she know, Su He didn’t care enough to argue. Out of respect for Director Hu, she didn’t want to stir up trouble.
A while later, Director Hu arrived.
As he passed the secretaries’ office, he glanced in, saw Su He, and smiled, “Little Su, you’re here? Have you picked up your welfare package yet?”
Secretary Yang froze, quickly saying, “Director, Little Su just arrived today—I haven’t had a chance to tell her about it yet.”
Director Hu didn’t mind, smiling, “No problem. Little Su, make sure to stop by the union office before you leave today.”
Su He beamed, thanked him, and happily followed Director Hu to his office.
“Director, I heard our factory is assigning housing?”
Director Hu frowned slightly. “Little Su, are you hoping to get an apartment?”
It wasn’t that he didn’t want to give her one. The issue was she was too new. If she got a unit so soon, it would surely stir resentment.
Su He smiled, “Director, I might lack many things, but I don’t lack self-awareness. I’m new here—what right do I have to ask for a place?”
Director Hu breathed a sigh of relief.
That’s more like it. Little Su really knew her place.
“Then why are you asking?” he said.
