Chapter 182: It’s So Hard for Him
Su He and her three companions boarded the train and found their assigned berths.
Principal Chen and Su He were across from each other, while Factory Director Tian and Yu Guodong were in the neighboring compartment.
Principal Chen kept a close eye on Su He’s luggage, because the old man was convinced she had stashed her money in there.
There was no way that small shoulder bag of hers could hold that much cash.
If it were winter, she could’ve hidden it in her inner coat pocket. But in the summer, wearing light clothes, the only place to put it was the luggage bag.
He was afraid someone might steal it if Su He looked away, so he stared at it the whole time.
Meanwhile, Director Tian, with strong self-healing abilities, quickly bounced back and came over to sit on Principal Chen’s bunk and started chatting away.
“Old Chen, how come Su He never mentioned that student of yours?”
Director Tian had been too stunned by Su He’s performance to think about it until now. Back when Principal Chen said he had a student working at the S City Food Factory, that was the reason he donated materials to the county’s night school and sent Principal Chen and Su He to S City.
But now, it didn’t seem like such a person existed at all!
In the past, Principal Chen might have panicked in such a situation. But he was no longer the man he once was!
He was now Niohulu Chen, who had been eating bitter melons all the way from S City!
Smiling calmly, he said, “Just bad timing—my student was transferred elsewhere. Fortunately, Su He helped the S City Food Factory secure a foreign trade order. Otherwise, I really wouldn’t know how to explain things to you.”
“Old Tian, once we bring the instant noodle production line back, your food factory is going to shine! In the future, our An County will rely on a tripod of factories: food, textile, and machinery. You stomp your foot, and the whole county will tremble!”
Director Tian felt thoroughly flattered—praise like that from bald old Chen was a rare treat!
Then he heard Principal Chen say, “Old Tian, since your factory will be booming, you wouldn’t want to see our night school struggling, right? How about donating some supplies when we get back? I won’t ask for much—just a hundred cases of canned food!”
Director Tian: “…Well, um, my stomach’s acting up. I’m going to lie down for a bit.”
No wonder Su He brought you and no one else to S City—turns out you’re two peas in a pod!
A while later, Director Tian came back, this time with his hands behind his back.
“Su He, I noticed quite a few college students on this train, heading home from school in S City. These young folks, full of energy and ambition, are really something to envy.
Our food factory has a university recommendation quota, and since you’ve contributed so much to the factory, I’ve decided to give it to you!”
Director Tian was feeling confident. After all, who wouldn’t want to go to college in this day and age?
Su He would definitely be grateful—and once she graduated in three years and came back, the food factory would be firmly under his control. She’d have no choice but to wait until he retired to take over.
Director Tian was thoroughly impressed with his own brilliance!
Even that clever bald Chen didn’t think of this!
But Su He smiled sweetly and said, “Director Tian, thank you for the offer, but I’d prefer to stay in An County and make my contribution here for now. Maybe in three or five years I’ll consider it.”
Director Tian almost exploded!
Three to five years?
By then, I’ll already be lying face down in the sand, buried by your rising tide!
Like a cockroach that refuses to die, Director Tian kept trying to challenge her in different ways throughout the journey—but every time, he was defeated.
Even Principal Chen was having a hard time watching.
Eventually, he couldn’t hold back.
While Su He went to the restroom, he said earnestly to Director Tian:
“Old Tian, I used to think you were a sharp guy—how’d you get so muddled? You’re just worried she’ll replace you as factory director. But let me tell you, if she really had that in mind, there’s nothing you could do to stop her!
Su He’s a girl with deep feelings. You’d be better off treating her sincerely. Who knows—you might end up with a great reward!”
Director Tian, having his thoughts laid bare, was embarrassed and annoyed. “Great reward? What great reward? What—am I going to start exporting and earning foreign exchange like the textile factory?”
He huffed, “I know you and that girl are two grasshoppers on the same rope, so of course you’d speak up for her. But I’m not someone who suppresses the younger generation or forgets gratitude.
I just wanted to give her a little warning, not actually do anything to her.
And honestly, from the factory’s point of view, I need to train a successor. Su He’s got her tricks, but I still think she has potential.”
I just don’t want my successor to take my place too soon, that’s all.
At that moment, Director Tian truly understood the dilemma of emperors in ancient times: raising an heir while fearing they’ll grow up too fast.
It’s just too hard!
Hearing this, Principal Chen was finally reassured.
Su He may be smart, but she lacked experience and roots. The fewer enemies she made, the better.
A while passed and Su He still hadn’t returned.
Just as Principal Chen was getting worried and about to look for her, Su He came strolling back, carrying a ceramic basin filled with tomatoes, peaches, boiled eggs, and a handful of fried peanuts.
Director Tian: …Did you go to the restroom, or out begging?
“Where’d that come from?”
“A few aunties over there were too warmhearted. They insisted on giving me all this. I told them it was inconvenient to carry, so they even lent me a basin! I couldn’t refuse such kindness!”
Director Tian: “…”
Principal Chen wasn’t even surprised anymore—this was exactly how the trip started.
When Su He returned the basin, she brought a handful of bunny milk candies, and soon after, laughter and chatter rang from that direction.
Director Tian clicked his tongue, “To be fair, this girl does remind me of myself in my youth! Back then, I was the center of attention wherever I went—especially popular with the young ladies…”
Principal Chen bit into a tomato and muttered, “So sour.”
Director Tian: “…”
Two days later, the train arrived at An County Railway Station.
After they got off, Yu Guodong sighed, “I didn’t think much of it before, but after going to S City, I realized how backward our An County really is.”
Director Tian snapped, “Well duh! Even the provincial capital can’t compare to S City!”
Su He smiled and said, “I think An County is better—this is where I was born and raised.
In S City, I felt like I was floating. But stepping back on An County soil, my heart feels grounded.
I believe that as long as we all work together, An County will definitely get better and better!”
Principal Chen wasn’t usually emotional, but at that moment, his eyes turned red.
Now he truly believed Su He meant what she said.
She wasn’t skipping university out of laziness—she just wanted to help build her hometown.
What a good kid!
Even Director Tian nodded. At least Su He had a good sense of the bigger picture.
What they didn’t know was…
What Su He was really thinking was:
A place like An County—so poor and underdeveloped—is the perfect stage for me to shine!
