Chapter 187: As Long As You’re Happy
Su He ignored the Trading System and chatted with Qian Huifang a little more before heading home.
She sat down in a chair and began reading the letter.
Old Madam Su was massaging Old Madam Zhao’s legs while glancing over at Su He. But since Su He didn’t say anything, she didn’t dare go over and peek.
In the letter, Gu Chiyan first asked about Old Man Ge’s condition, then wrote a bit about local customs and scenery, and ended with a reminder for Su He to take care of herself and not overwork.
The Trading System, being nosy as ever, read along too and commented:
[Host, your boyfriend really doesn’t know how to write romantic letters. Maybe you should send him a copy of the Book of Songs! That way he can write something like “A gentle and graceful lady, a fine match for a gentleman.”]
Su He curled her lips. “Doggy, you just don’t get it! No matter how sweet the words, they’re nothing compared to a money order!”
The Trading System pondered this for a moment and had to admit she made a solid point—pretty looks still can’t compete with a solid KPI!
Host is so smart! It had to follow her lead and learn from the best.
Su He browsed the system interface for a while and picked out a set of clothes and a fountain pen for Gu Chiyan.
It wasn’t that she was stingy with money—there just wasn’t much worth gifting in this era.
*
The next morning, Su He dropped two tins of rabbit milk candy into her shopping bag and headed out.
As soon as she left, Old Madam Su gossiped excitedly: “I bet Big Girl is seeing someone! That letter yesterday must’ve been from her boyfriend! Maybe she met some young guy in S City!”
Old Madam Zhao glanced at her. “If it’s from S City, could it have gotten here so fast?”
Old Madam Su: “…Did I ask you?! Think you’re clever or something?!”
Old Madam Zhao fell silent. Whatever makes you happy.
*
After leaving the courtyard, Su He placed the clothes, watch, and pen into her shopping bag and headed to the post office.
Once everything was mailed, she noticed a public telephone inside.
The downside was that the post office was bustling, so it wasn’t very private.
But Su He had a lot to take care of, so she didn’t mind. After checking in with the staff, she dialed Gu Chiyan’s number.
In the research institute office, Xiao Wang was cleaning when the phone rang. He hurried over to answer it. “Hello, who are you looking for?”
“Hello, I’m looking for Gu Chiyan. My surname is Su.”
Xiao Wang shuddered. This was clearly his boss’s sweetheart—last time, just chatting with her too briefly had landed him in hot water.
So he answered very politely: “Comrade Su, please hold on. I’ll go call Engineer Gu for you right away.”
Su He’s ears perked up. Engineer Gu?
So Mr. Sugar Daddy was either in tech or scientific research.
Honestly, with Su He’s conversational skills, she could easily coax Gu Chiyan’s whole family tree out of Xiao Wang, but she didn’t want to do that.
Fishing takes patience—you can’t rush it.
A while later, Xiao Wang came back on the line. “Comrade Su, I’m terribly sorry. Engineer Gu isn’t in the lab at the moment. I’ll make sure he calls you back when he returns.”
Su He thought, Yup, Sugar Daddy’s probably a researcher.
Xiao Wang still had no idea that in just a few words, he’d already revealed his boss’s identity.
“I’d appreciate it if you could tell him that I’ve returned from S City, everything went smoothly, and he doesn’t need to worry.”
“Of course, I’ll pass it on exactly as you said.”
“Thank you so much!”
*
After hanging up, Xiao Wang thought to himself: This girl named Su has such a gentle voice—seems like a really nice person.
With our Engineer Gu’s temper, he’s going to end up bullying her for sure!
*
After the call, Su He headed to the food factory.
Factory Director Tian was inspecting the workshop, hands clasped behind his back. Ever since Su He left his side, he’d regained some long-lost confidence.
But he’d only gotten through two workshops before Yu Guodong came running over: “Director, Deputy Director Su is here. She said she needs to report something.”
Director Tian: “…”
He deliberately dragged his feet a while before heading back to the office.
He thought Su He must feel a bit awkward being made to wait.
But the moment he entered the office building, he was greeted by cheerful chatter.
“Deputy Director Su, this rabbit milk candy is amazing! Totally lives up to its reputation!”
“Deputy Director Su, S City must be way bigger than our An County, right? I heard you can speak S Citynese—say something for us!”
“Deputy Director Su, is instant noodles really that tasty? I’ve never tried them!”
…
Director Tian was livid!
Listen to that! One “Deputy Director Su” after another—they’re calling her more affectionately than they call their own mothers!
And that bald Chen had the nerve to say he was petty?! With Su He’s charm, in less than three months she’d have the whole staff wrapped around her finger!
He cleared his throat loudly: “Little Su, come here a minute.”
Su He came out of an office with a cheerful smile. “Director, you’re back from your inspection?
You’re already back at work right away—dedicated as always! That’s why you’re the backbone of our food factory! We can manage without anyone else, but not without you!”
Director Tian: …That was such an obvious suck-up line, but somehow it still felt good to hear.
Once in the office, Su He poured him some tea.
Director Tian sipped and sighed in comfort, like he’d just swallowed a peace pill.
Only then did he ask, “Little Su, what do you need to report?”
“Director, we’re about to launch the instant noodle production line, and we’ll definitely be short on staff. I’m volunteering my second uncle to come contribute to the food factory’s success. What do you think?”
Cough cough!
Director Tian nearly choked on his tea.
How could she say something so blatantly self-serving and still sound so selfless?!
“Not necessary. We’ve got enough manpower at the food factory. We can reassign some workers to the instant noodle line—your second uncle can stay at the textile factory.”
Su He nodded. “I was just thinking—since the team from S City’s food factory knows me well, if my second uncle follows them, he could learn a lot. But if you think it’s unnecessary, then forget I said anything.”
Director Tian: “…Little Su, what I meant is—the textile factory is bigger than ours. Having your second uncle here might be a bit of a waste. But since you insist, let him come.”
Su He flashed a smile, said a few polite words, and happily skipped off.
The moment she left, Director Tian started pacing angrily around the room.
But then a thought struck him—
I might not be able to handle her… but I can handle her second uncle!
You’ve just delivered a hostage right to my hands!
Young people… still too naive!
*
Su He left the food factory and headed for the textile factory.
From a distance, she spotted Grandpa Ge wearing the clothes she’d bought in S City, walking toward the textile factory’s family compound.
She was a little puzzled. What’s Grandpa Ge doing over there?
Could it be… he’s got his eye on some granny?
