Chapter 202: How Should I Fight Back
Su He was speechless.
At this age, shouldn’t kids be thinking about food, fun, and games?
Why were the two little ones in the Su family already trying to play matchmaker?
Although Uncle Zhao was more compatible with Aunt Su in terms of background, Aunt Su was rather soft-tempered, and Grandma Zhao had a domineering streak—Aunt Su might end up being pushed around.
But then Su He remembered Old Madam Su; maybe Aunt Su wouldn’t be the one to suffer after all.
Whether it was Master He or Uncle Zhao, what mattered most was Aunt Su’s own opinion—everything else could wait.
Keeping a stern face, Su He said to the two little ones, “Your job right now is to study hard. Don’t meddle in adults’ business, understood?”
The pair, who had been craning their necks for praise, instantly wilted like two drooping cabbages.
Su He beckoned to Tiezhu, “Tiezhu, set aside some time every day to help them with their homework, so they don’t get too carried away with play.”
Then she turned back to the children, “You two listen to Tiezhu. If I hear you’ve been naughty, just wait and see how I deal with you!”
The two shrank even further. If they’d known this would happen, they wouldn’t have fought for attention. Great—now Tiezhu, the outsider, had scored an easy win!
Su Xiaoman suddenly thought of a text she had just studied: When the snipe and clam fight, the fisherman profits.
She was the bird, Su Jinbao was the clam, and shameless Tiezhu was the fisherman!
Su He escorted Su Jinbao and Tiezhu home, then took Su Xiaoman back to the flat.
As soon as they stepped into the yard, Qian Huifang called over the wall, “Little Su, Little Su, come here for a moment!”
Su He told Xiaoman to go inside first, then went to Qian Huifang’s house.
The moment she entered, Qian Huifang grabbed her hand excitedly, “Little Su, Qi-shu and I got an apartment! You helped us fight for it, didn’t you?”
She knew perfectly well: without Su He putting in a good word with Director Hu, they wouldn’t have gotten the allocation.
Su He smiled, lips pressed together, “I did put in a word, but mainly it’s because you and Qi-shu have good work records. Otherwise, even if I spoke up, Director Hu wouldn’t have agreed.
Besides, helping you was also for the sake of subletting your old place!”
Qian Huifang’s eyes turned red, “Little Su, I won’t say anything unnecessary—let’s show gratitude through actions from now on.”
After a few more polite exchanges, Su He was about to leave when Qian Huifang slapped her forehead, “Look at my memory! There was another call from the capital. Same young man as before—he said if you have time tomorrow, give him a ring.”
Su He agreed, guessing the wealthy “Big Fish” had probably received the gifts she’d sent.
*
The next morning, Su He arrived at the night school.
Though it was a night school, Principal Chen was usually there during the day if he had no other business.
Sure enough, he was already in his office.
Rubbing her hands, Su He said, “Principal, could you wait in my office for a while? I need to use the phone.”
Principal Chen: “…”
You really have no shame! You call, and I have to vacate my own office? Where’s the justice in that?!
Still, the old man obediently stepped out.
Su He dialed Gu Chiyan’s number.
“Hello, comrade. Could you please put Gu Chiyan on the line?”
Soon, Gu Chiyan’s voice came through the receiver, “Comrade Su He, this is Gu Chiyan. I received the gifts you sent.”
Su He asked with a smile, “Do the clothes fit?”
“They fit perfectly—better than anything I’ve bought myself.”
“And the watch and pen, do you like them?”
“I do. I’m wearing the watch right now.”
“And the bunny milk candies—are they sweet?”
“Sweet!”
Sweet right into my heart.
“As long as you like them. I’m not very good at shopping; I spent a long time picking those out.”
Hearing she had spent a long time choosing, Gu Chiyan felt sweeter than if he’d eaten the candies.
“Comrade Su… Su He, I just mailed you a letter. When you have time, please write me back.”
Listening to his stammer, Su He thought, Is he confessing in that letter?
If so, good—it was time to reel in the line after letting it dangle so long.
“Alright, once I get it, I’ll write back.”
Gu Chiyan was momentarily tongue-tied. Writing was easier; phone calls left no time to compose his thoughts.
He wanted to say something caring but was afraid of sounding abrupt.
Fortunately, Su He never let conversations stall. She asked about the weather in the capital, and they chatted for a while.
When she felt they’d talked enough, she said, “This is the night school’s phone; I can’t talk too long. Let’s stick to letters.”
“Okay. Take care of yourself—it’s hot, so drink plenty of water.”
“Got it. Goodbye.”
“Goodbye.”
Gu Chiyan hung up, a little lost.
Thinking of the letter he’d sent, his heart fluttered. Sometimes he felt sure Su He liked him back and would agree to date; other times he worried she saw him only as an ordinary friend, with a touch of fondness but not enough for romance.
*
Meanwhile, Su He hung up and immediately called Nie Wenjie.
Teacher Yuan couldn’t easily contact him, so as the newly acknowledged granddaughter, she needed to act as a little messenger now and then.
“Hello, may I speak to Teacher Nie Wenjie? My surname is Su, from An County Night School.”
After a while, Nie’s voice came through, “Is… is this Little Su?”
“Grandma, it’s me!”
Nie Wenjie’s hand trembled—she almost dropped the receiver, “Little Su, are you alright?”
Last time she’d called her “Madam,” so why was she calling her Grandma now?
Afraid someone might overhear, Su He said vaguely, “Grandma, I’ve got the generation right—just think carefully and you’ll understand. The weather in An County’s been nice lately. How is it in Shanghai?”
Nie Wenjie, sharp as ever, realized “An County’s weather is nice” meant Teacher Yuan is doing well, so don’t worry. As for “Grandma”? Could this girl have acknowledged Yuan Xingzhi as her grandfather?
Smiling, she replied, “The weather’s good here too. Did you get back safely?”
“Mm, it was smooth. I just called to let you know I’m safe. Please jot down my work number—call me if anything comes up.”
After hanging up, Su He went off to mingle with the other teachers.
Even as a part-timer, she believed in professional ethics—she had to blend in!
*
After lunch at the night school, Su He felt drowsy.
The little flat was already cramped with four people and sweltering; she hadn’t fallen asleep until late last night.
She decided to head back for a nap, then visit the textile mill in the afternoon.
Just then, the Trading System popped up:
[Host, another system is bullying me!]
It mocked my ugly skin! Tell me, how should I fight back?
Su He yawned, “Just say, ‘If you’ve got the guts, try being uglier than me!’”
Trading System: “…”
Why does that sound… not quite right?
