Chapter 18: Sweet and Well-Behaved
Su He had a serious expression. “Grandpa, how will we know if it’ll work if we don’t even try? It’s not like we’ll lose anything—just let me give it a shot! If I really can borrow the Iron Ox, our Su family will earn true respect in Huangxi Village! Even if Zhangjia Village tries to make trouble, the villagers will have our back.”
Old Madam Su pursed her lips. “You make it sound so easy. ‘Not lose anything’? Aren’t tickets money? Won’t your second uncle have to spend money to host you? Just stay put and stop with your crazy ideas!”
Su He didn’t respond, only stared steadily at Old Man Su.
He puffed on his pipe thoughtfully.
He really wanted to regain his pride, to be looked up to again by the villagers. Even though he knew what Su He wanted to do was nearly impossible, he decided to take a gamble.
He tapped out the ash from his pipe. “Since you insist, I’ll trust you this once. Tomorrow morning, I’ll have your dad take you on the bike.”
Su He nodded. “Okay. No need for Dad to pick me up—I’ll ride the Iron Ox back.”
Old Man Su: “…”
Su He turned to Old Madam Su. “Grandma, lend me thirty yuan. When my second uncle gives me back the money he owes, I’ll repay you.”
Old Madam Su’s eyes went wide. “What?! Thirty? You know full well what our household is like! We can barely get by from one meal to the next. Where do you think I’m gonna find thirty yuan?!”
“I’ll pay you forty when I return.”
At that, Old Madam Su dropped the pretense of being poor. She immediately replied, “I’ll give it to you tomorrow morning!”
Su He: …This old lady really is obsessed with money!
*
The next morning, Old Madam Su had Zhao Cui’er boil ten eggs—of course, they were for Su Jinbao.
During breakfast, she hesitated for a long time before finally giving Su Xiaoman one egg.
Su Xiaoman was thrilled. Ever since her “bad sister” jumped into the river, her life had gotten better and better.
After breakfast, Su Yongguo took Su He to the commune by bicycle.
He said little on the way, not knowing what to say. As a father—especially one who had only recently reunited with his daughter—he genuinely didn’t know how to interact with her.
Just before she got on the bus, he finally said, “Big Girl, it’s okay if you can’t get it done. Don’t stress. You’ve got your dad.”
Su He nodded. “Dad, I understand. Ride slowly on your way back, and comfort Mom a little so she doesn’t worry too much.”
Su He picked a window seat. Though she signaled Su Yongguo to head back early, he kept standing there watching her until the bus was far away.
Her nose turned a little sour.
She had grown up in her maternal grandmother’s house and had never known parental love. Unexpectedly, after entering the book world, she felt both fatherly and motherly love from Su Yongguo and Zhao Cui’er.
In the book, after the original Su He and Su Xiaoman met with their tragedies, Zhao Cui’er lost her mind and Su Yongguo fell ill. If not for Old Man Su holding things together, the family would’ve collapsed long ago.
Su He clenched her hands tightly. As long as I’m here, no one will harm my family!
“Hey girl, going to the county again?”
The voice of the ticket conductor, Gao Hong, pulled Su He from her thoughts. Su He quickly gave her a sweet smile and handed over two boiled eggs. “They’re from home, nothing special. One for you and one for the driver, Uncle.”
Gao Hong tried to decline but eventually accepted.
There were two conductors and two drivers on this route who rotated shifts. Gao Hong hadn’t been on duty the day before when Su He returned.
They soon struck up a conversation. Su He deliberately flattered her, and Gao Hong—who was simple and open—spilled everything, practically down to her ancestors.
Eventually, they talked about the bus itself.
Gao Hong curled her lips. “This is the worst bus in the company, but there’s nothing we can do. Huaishu Commune is the poorest, barely anyone here can even afford to ride the bus.
Just look at Qiping and Xiangyang Communes—they have brand-new shiny buses. Riding in them is so comfortable…”
Su He thought, Old Man Su did say the county’s tractors only go to Qiping and Xiangyang. Looks like money talks in this era too!
To solve this problem fundamentally, the Huaishu Commune had to get rich…
After arriving at the station, Gao Hong was reluctant to part.
“Girl, let me save you a good seat next time you return to Huaishu Commune.”
“Big Sis Gao, I’m not sure when that’ll be. Don’t go out of your way.”
“Alright then, we’ll chat again next time.”
After leaving the station, Su He went to her second uncle Su Yongshi’s house.
It was locked. The western neighbor’s house was also locked. Only the eastern neighbor’s, old man Ge, had his door half-open.
Su He hesitated, then stepped forward and knocked.
“Who is it?”
A grumpy voice replied, and an old man walked out.
Su He smiled sweetly. “Grandpa Ge, it’s me, Xiao He!”
Old Man Ge scowled. “I don’t care if you’re Little River, Little Lake, or Little Sea. I don’t know you. Why are you knocking on my door?”
Su He: …
No wonder Cao Hongmei said this old man Ge was eccentric—he really was unusual.
“Grandpa Ge, I’m Su Yongshi’s niece from next door. No one’s home, so I just wanted to sit for a bit.”
He glanced at her. “Not welcome.”
Then turned around, slammed the door shut with a bang.
Anyone else might have been embarrassed by the cold rejection. But Su He didn’t mind—strangers turning you away was normal.
She ate two sesame buns bought from the Exchange and was just about to wander around when a middle-aged woman approached and started unlocking the door next to Su Yongshi’s.
Su He quickly approached with a smile. “You must be Aunt Qian? I’m Su Yongshi’s niece, Su He.”
Qian Huifang gave her a once-over, her tone indifferent. “Oh? What do you want?”
“My second aunt often talked about you! She said you and Uncle Qi are outstanding workers at the machinery factory. Especially you, Aunt Qian—such a capable woman holding her own among all those men. Truly a role model for women!”
Su He’s expression was so sincere, her tone so earnest—like a fangirl meeting her idol.
Qian Huifang, who had been stony-faced, suddenly beamed. “Oh, you flatter me! I was named Outstanding Worker last year, but a role model? That’s too much. You little girl sure have a sweet mouth!”
Su He grinned. “Aunt Qian, no need to be modest! I know my second aunt well—she can be stingy with praise. If you weren’t truly amazing, she wouldn’t say that.”
Qian Huifang couldn’t stop smiling. “Your second uncle and aunt won’t be off work until 3:30 or so. Come, come sit inside Aunt Qian’s house.”
Su He happily replied, “That’d be great! I’ve been wanting to get closer to you! You haven’t had lunch yet, right? I’ve got some boiled eggs—have a few first!”
She handed her five boiled eggs.
Qian Huifang made a token refusal, then accepted them.
She thought back to some gossip she’d heard. No wonder that second uncle almost sold this Su He off. This girl is just too honest!
