Chapter 196: Old Madam Su’s Moment of Glory
Su He was startled and quickly helped Old Madam Su up. “Grandma, are you okay?”
Old Madam Su had never regretted anything more in her life!
If she had known she’d fall flat on her face getting out of the car, she would never have done it!
Now look—she didn’t get her moment in the spotlight, and instead gave people something to laugh at!
But what’s done is done. What could she do?
She had to save face!
She waved at the nearby grannies. “Hey sisters, how’ve you all been? Sorry to make you laugh. I haven’t been back in so long, I got a little excited. What do they call that again? Oh right—‘nervous to be near home’ or something.”
“But seriously, the roads in our village aren’t great—way too many little stones. I’ve gotten used to living in the city, so walking on these dirt roads all of a sudden is a bit tricky.”
“And look at this—these clothes from S City are such good quality! Even after a fall, they’re still clean.”
Su He: “…”
When it comes to humble-bragging, Grandma, you’re the queen.
The grannies immediately gathered around.
“Wow, you came back from the county town? These clothes are from S City? So bright and stylish!”
“Of course you’re blessed—none of us have even been in a car!”
“Forget a car, I haven’t even been on a tractor!”
…
Old Madam Liu was last to arrive, seething inside.
She had just clawed her way back to being the top dog among the village grandmas, and now this old woman returned and stole the spotlight again!
As she silently cursed the others for being such suck-ups, she forced a smile. “Sister Su, the city life really suits you! You’re looking fairer, and your wrinkles have faded!”
Old Madam Su beamed. “Well, it’s all thanks to my big granddaughter—she insists I use snow cream every day! Says I have to apply it every morning. Such a hassle!”
Old Madam Liu was practically boiling with envy!
Then she spotted the plain white shopping bag in Old Madam Su’s hand—it looked even worse than an old cloth bundle—and took the chance to jab: “Sister Su, what’s with the bag? Doesn’t really match your outfit.”
The other grannies were just as jealous. Hearing this, they chimed in:
“Yeah, your outfit’s gorgeous, but that bag doesn’t really do it justice.”
“Exactly! A colorful cloth bundle would’ve been better!”
“Even a mesh shopping net would look nicer.”
…
Old Madam Su smoothed her hair with one hand and sighed dramatically. “I thought the same! But my granddaughter said this is a shopping bag from a foreign guest hotel.”
“Do you know what that means? Only foreigners can stay in those places!”
“And only someone like my granddaughter has the ability to stay there for free! When she left, the hotel gave her a few bags as gifts. She’s so filial—she insisted I take one, wouldn’t take no for an answer…”
Instantly, the grannies changed their tune:
“Wow! Your granddaughter’s incredible—staying at that kind of hotel? This bag must be worth a lot!”
“Oh my, when you put it like that, the bag actually is quite stylish!”
“Totally! Those flashy bags look cheap—this white one is elegant!”
…
Old Madam Liu was fuming.
She’d tried to embarrass Old Madam Su, and instead gave her another chance to show off!
Old Madam Su grabbed Su He’s hand proudly. “You all are right—my big granddaughter is truly amazing!”
“She’s now the secretary to the director of the county’s machinery factory!”
“Oh, and she’s also the deputy head of sales at both the food and textile factories, a night school teacher, and a reporter for the broadcast station. Gosh, my memory’s slipping—I can’t even remember how many jobs she has!”
“What can I say? She’s so talented that all the top employers are fighting over her!”
“They say a talented daughter attracts many suitors—but with a granddaughter like mine, the whole world will be begging for her!”
Su He: Her face, hardened by her runaway past, was now red with embarrassment.
Grandma… you’re laying it on so thick, I don’t even know where to look.
“Grandma, let’s head home. Grandpa doesn’t even know we’re back yet.”
Old Madam Su had shown off enough. She exchanged a few more pleasantries with the ladies, then got back into the car.
Once seated, she immediately groaned, “Su He, how could I be so clumsy? Why did I fall like that?”
Su He giggled. “Grandma, I thought you handled it like a pro! It’s no big deal—like you said, the village roads are bumpy. And after sitting in a car that long, it’s normal for your legs to be a bit wobbly.”
Old Madam Su slapped her leg. “Why didn’t I think of that! It’s because of the car ride! Those other grannies haven’t ridden in a car—they wouldn’t understand!”
Su He: “…”
The car pulled up in front of the Su family home, and this time, Su He carefully helped her grandmother out.
When Old Madam Su saw Old Man Su and Zhao Cui’e coming out to greet them, her eyes went a little red.
No golden palace beats your own humble home.
The city had everything, but it still wasn’t home.
She couldn’t not miss it.
But she had responsibilities—she had to think about the bigger picture!
The harmony and stability of the Su family depended on her!
Just then, Su Xiaoman came rushing over.
“Big Sis! Grandma! I missed you so much! I dream about you every night! If you hadn’t come back, I was going to beg Grandpa to take me to the county to find you!”
Old Madam Su: Why does that sound so familiar?
Su He was numb by now. Clearly, the Su family had inherited a whole book of flattery lines.
Laughing and chatting, the family entered the house, and Su He invited Xiao Li, the driver, inside.
Worried he might feel out of place, she said a few polite words and directed him to rest in the west room.
In the east room, Old Madam Su was still going strong, practically foaming at the mouth with her storytelling, while Su He handed out the gifts she had brought.
Old Man Su, dressed in his new clothes, clasped his hands behind his back and declared he was going to inspect the fields.
Su Xiaoman grabbed a few bunny milk candies and said she was going to patrol the school, “because even on vacation, the school must be defended!”
Su He: … I get it.
But Grandpa didn’t make it to the fields. He was swarmed right at the gate.
Most folks had been drawn over by the rare sight of a private car—it was a big deal.
“Old Su, your granddaughter is something else! Car pick-up and drop-off—Director Luo probably doesn’t even get that treatment!”
“I heard from the ladies that Su He’s now secretary to the machinery factory director? That’s basically a high-ranking official!”
“With Su He around, your whole family will be eating supply grain in no time!”
…
Old Man Su felt like a celebrity. This was the most glorious day of his life!
He never dreamed he’d get to enjoy such prestige.
The ancestors must be smiling on them!
Meanwhile, Su Xiaoman was surrounded by a horde of kids.
Even her little ahoge hair curl radiated queen energy!
But what to do when there were too many kids and not enough candy?
She ran back inside, grabbed a kitchen cleaver, and chopped one piece of candy into eight slices—just enough to share.
Twenty-something kids and only three candies used—what a genius move!
