Chapter 217: Who Did She Take After
Principal Chen sat down behind his desk and put away the small wooden comb, “Come in!”
Su He pushed the door open, placed the finished letter in front of him, and said, “Principal, I’ve written the letter to Elder Gu. Could you take a look?”
The more Principal Chen read, the more complicated his expression became. Was this a work report or just showing off her achievements?
Still, An County was too obscure. If Su He didn’t put it this way, no one would believe An County had the ability to earn foreign exchange through exports.
He helped polish it a little, toning down the… showy parts.
After reading it, Su He gave a thumbs-up, “Principal, that’s why you’re the best! After your edits, this is so much better than what I wrote!”
Looking at her grinning face, Principal Chen thought—did this girl deliberately write it so bluntly, just waiting for me to polish it?
She really might have!
Su He recopied the revised letter and mailed it at the post office.
The next day at noon, she went to the photo studio and picked up the developed pictures: one four-inch, one passport size.
The photographer beamed, “Miss, your photo came out so nice! Could I use it for display?”
Su He smiled, “Thank you for the compliment, but I’m shy. Better not.”
The photographer couldn’t insist and handed her the negatives.
At the machine factory’s secretary office, Su He began writing to Gu Chiyan.
Since the photos had been delayed, the letter had to be longer—to soothe the “wealthy fish.”
Comrade Gu Chiyan:
Greetings upon receiving your letter!
I’ve received your letter.
Elder Ge is well, his temper much improved, and he smiles more often.
I long for Qing Province, which you mentioned.
Every time I hear about it, a sense of pride wells up inside me. Our motherland’s rivers and mountains are magnificent, and our people are diligent and wise…
I’ve received your photo, and I understand the message you wanted to send.
We’ve gotten to know each other for some time. We share common ideals, beliefs, and topics. I also feel we can elevate our friendship further.
I hope in the future we can study and progress together, contributing to the Four Modernizations.
Oh, here’s some good news—
The textile factory is going to build a branch in Huaihua Commune. I believe my hometown will soon escape poverty and become prosperous…
*
Su He envisioned the factory’s future and filled a whole page with her hopes.
*
Also, I bought you a wallet when I was in Shanghai. I forgot to mail it last time, so this time I’ll send it along with the photo.
The weather is hot—remember to balance work and rest, and keep cool. That’s all for now. Yours sincerely.
After checking everything, she signed her name and date, and sealed it.
Touching the red mole by her eye, she called softly, “Doggie, come out—I need to buy something!”
After a long while, the trading system finally popped up.
Su He frowned, “Why so slow?”
The screen jumped:
[Host, I’ve been off grinding mobs these days!]
Su He: “…What’s that supposed to mean?”
It dodged:
[Can’t say yet, but it’s a good thing, don’t ask! Oh right—want some ice cream? My treat! Any flavor you like!]
Su He: “…”
Why did this feel like a pauper suddenly striking it rich?
Had Doggie made a fortune?
She didn’t bother asking. She just picked a wallet, then pretended to take it from her satchel and slipped the passport photo into the transparent sleeve.
That way, every time the “wealthy fish” opened it, he would think of her. She might not be in the capital, but she had to appear before him often.
Secretary Yang craned her neck to look, “Hey, Little Su, that’s a nice wallet! But looks like something for a man. Is it for your boyfriend? You seeing someone?”
Su He normally ignored her, but since this woman had helped yesterday—otherwise she might’ve forgotten to mail the photo—she answered with a smile, “Mm. I was planning to wait a few years before dating, but my elders introduced a comrade to me. We get along fairly well.”
Secretary Yang thought: introduced by her rural relatives? Then the man can’t be anyone important. This Su He really can be shortsighted—why not let Director Hu introduce someone? That would be a hundred times better!
So she wasn’t all that clever—landing the foreign trade order must have been dumb luck.
Still, she smiled:
“Then congratulations. Hope I get to eat your wedding candy soon.”
Su He blushed shyly and nodded, “Mm.”
But she didn’t want to marry so early. She wanted to attend university, build her career. Principal Chen was right—only when you’re outstanding yourself can you deserve an outstanding partner.
Love begins with hormones, but living together is, in some ways, a kind of game. The more cards you hold, the more initiative you have.
Su He mailed the letter, photos, and wallet.
By then, it was already past four, so she went straight home.
As she entered the courtyard, she saw Su Xiaoman sitting on a little stool, staring at the sky.
The moment she spotted Su He, Xiaoman ran over and whispered, “Nana and Grandma are fighting!
Grandma said Nana and Grandpa were biased, that they shouldn’t have let those ingrates off so easily.
Nana said, ‘That’s the pot calling the kettle black’…
I didn’t know who to side with, so I just slipped out. Anyway, with Grandma’s bad legs, they’ll only argue a bit, not fight. Once they’re tired, they’ll stop.
And I can hear them from the doorway, so I can tell you everything.”
Su He: “…Well done!”
When she entered, both old ladies sat on the kang, one at the head, one at the foot, their eyes red as rabbits’.
Seeing her, Grandma Su wiped her eyes, “The second son’s family really works so sloppily. Look at all this dust—it’s making my eyes sting!”
Granny Zhao nodded, “Exactly, my eyes sting too.”
Su He: “…”
She didn’t bother exposing them, just smiled, “Nana, Grandma, haven’t cooked yet? Let’s eat out—I’ll take you both to a restaurant!”
Su Xiaoman’s eyes lit up at once, “Big Sis, I’ve never eaten in a restaurant before! I hear the food’s amazing! You’re the best! When I grow up, I’ll earn money and spend it all on you!”
Grandma Su poked her forehead with a finger, “You and that sweet tongue—who do you take after?!”
Granny Zhao thought: Who do you take after? Don’t you already know?
You’re just like a gilt chamber pot—pretty on the outside, but still a chamber pot. A sweet tongue and nothing else!
