Chapter 183: I Understand
Factory Director Tian had made a call in advance, and the food factory’s car was already waiting.
That old sedan had clearly seen better days—its paint was peeling and faded.
Still, in An County, it was a rare sight.
Director Tian waved his hand grandly: “Get in, everyone! Old Chen, I’ll drop you off at home first, then take Little Su home.”
He was basking in a long-lost sense of superiority, feeling smug.
Just then, two more sedans drove up.
They weren’t brand-new, but they were in much better condition than Director Tian’s ride.
When Tian saw who got out, his nose almost twisted from anger!
It was Director Feng from the textile factory and Director Hu from the machinery factory.
Director Hu jogged over first: “Little Su, I heard you were returning today, so I postponed the factory meeting to come pick you up personally. I even had the head chef prepare a welcome banquet…”
Director Feng was usually more reserved, but this time he didn’t bother with decorum. He shoved Director Hu aside and smiled brightly: “Little Su, you’ve worked hard!
Xiao Gao already told me how flawlessly you handled everything. Our factory really needs capable young people like you!
You’re now the Deputy Head of the Sales Department at our textile factory. Xiao Gao isn’t around, and there are many things at the factory that need your attention. Come with me to the factory first.”
Director Tian was so sour he was practically bubbling!
He used to see Su He as a scheming upstart, someone he’d gladly kick out. But now, he was desperate to keep her under wraps so no one could poach her.
He curled his lip: “Old Hu, Old Feng, stop fighting. Little Su just got back—of course she should go home to reunite with her family! Honestly, you two are just selfish, not thinking about her well-being at all. Little Su, get in the car—I’ll take you home.”
Director Hu sneered: “With that clunker of yours? Let’s hope it doesn’t break down halfway! Little Su, let me take you.”
Director Feng wasn’t backing down either: “Su Yongshi and his wife are model workers at our textile factory. I’ve been meaning to visit them anyway. Little Su, let’s go together!”
Principal Chen: “…”
Are you all blind or what?
You didn’t even notice a living, breathing person like me?
Even if you’re not giving me a ride, at least say hello!
He coughed twice, prompting Director Hu and Director Feng to give him half-hearted greetings.
Inside, both were green with envy. They didn’t call him “Baldy Chen” to his face already—that was restraint!
Seriously?!
They were all Su He’s supervisors, but only he got to ride First-Class with her, stay in a foreign guest hotel, and even landed a huge donation in U.S. dollars thanks to her. He must’ve been so smug his snot bubbles were showing!
To top it off, Principal Chen pulled out the photos he’d taken in S City and showed them off. Then he said, “Old Feng, Old Hu, the trip to S City really opened my eyes.
Of all things, we can’t skimp on education!
Old Tian already agreed to donate another hundred boxes of canned food to our night school—what about you two?
Little Su is, after all, our night school’s external advisor. If the school lacks funds, it’ll be a distraction for her, right?”
Director Feng: “…”
Director Hu: “…”
Baldy Chen, you’ve changed!
You went to S City and came back possessed!
Director Tian, meanwhile, stayed quiet—whether or not he donates doesn’t matter. What mattered was dragging the other two down with him!
In the end, both Director Feng and Director Hu had to pinch their noses and agree to make additional donations.
Principal Chen was thrilled.
He felt like he’d unlocked some new inner power and instantly become a master beggar!
No doubt about it—traveling with Su He made you better at everything!
He was already thinking he’d go on the next trip too!
In the end, Su He politely arranged for Director Hu to take Principal Chen home, while she rode with Director Feng back to her family’s bungalow.
Inside, Old Madam Su was directing Old Madam Zhao to massage her shoulders.
“I spend all day doing your laundry, cooking your meals, even taking you for walks while leaving the house a mess! All I ask is a shoulder massage and a few little songs—yet you’re full of excuses! Tell me, do you even have a conscience?”
Old Madam Zhao was silent for a moment before rasping out: “I give you at least two hours of shoulder massages every day… My voice is already hoarse from all the singing…”
Before she could finish, Old Madam Su cut her off: “Oh, listen to you, playing the victim now?! I’m doing this for your own good!
If you never move, what if you get paralyzed?!
If you never speak, what if you go mute?!
If you’ve got a problem, just wait till Big Girl comes back—I’ll have her send me home, and you won’t have to ‘serve’ me anymore!
It’s hard being the good one these days!
What kind of karma did I earn to be stuck with an ungrateful in-law like you…”
Old Madam Zhao wanted to cry, but… couldn’t.
Because every time she thought about crying, she remembered the threat of having her cart wheels removed, and the tears dried right up.
Just then, a car horn blared outside.
Old Madam Su’s eyes lit up: “Big Girl must be back! Only my precious granddaughter would come home in a car!”
She started to rush out the door, but paused to roll her eyes—and began massaging Old Madam Zhao’s legs instead.
Old Madam Zhao: “…”
When Su He walked in, the scene she saw was Old Madam Su tenderly massaging Old Madam Zhao’s legs.
Director Feng had wanted to come in and greet the two elderly women, but Su He politely declined.
The moment Old Madam Su saw Su He, she grabbed her hand tightly: “Big Girl, my precious granddaughter, you’re finally back! I dream about you every night! If you didn’t come back soon, I was going to ask your second uncle to go find you in S City!”
“Look how thin your little face is. You must’ve had a hard time out there—poor food, poor sleep, all kinds of suffering!
Tonight I’ll stew some meat for you—really give you a good meal!
Don’t just stand there—sit down, I’ll heat some water for you so you can take a bath and relax…”
She dabbed at her eyes with her sleeve, wiping away nonexistent tears.
Su He: “…”
Grandma, your acting’s a little much.
Still, her heart was warm.
Old Madam Zhao’s eyes reddened slightly, though no tears fell. She also pulled Su He aside to ask how she was doing.
Smiling, Su He handed out a handful of Little Rabbit Milk Candies for the two grannies.
Old Madam Su popped one into her mouth and, before even tasting it, exclaimed, “Candy from my precious granddaughter is the best—better than the peaches from the Queen Mother of Heaven!”
Su He giggled and pulled out the clothes she’d bought, letting the grannies try them on for size.
Old Madam Su was so pleased her eyes nearly disappeared into slits.
She couldn’t wait to wear them back to the village—her queen bee status would be unshakable!
Just imagining all the praise from the other grannies made her itch to grow wings and fly home immediately.
Oh right, Big Girl must have bought gifts for the old man and the others too. When the time came, she’d tag along back to the village for a triumphant return…
After trying on clothes, the two grannies asked Su He how her accommodations and meals had been.
Su He smiled and said, “Grandma, Grandma Zhao, I stayed at the Foreign Affairs Guesthouse—usually reserved for international guests. Every meal had meat, and we didn’t even have to pay out of pocket.”
As she spoke, she pulled out a shopping bag from the Jinxiang Hotel.
Old Madam Su’s eyes lit up: “Big Girl, I just so happen to need a bag to carry clothes—can you give this one to me?”
Su He: “…Sure.”
Using it for clothes? Yeah, right.
You just want to show it off back in the village.
I understand.
