Chapter 281: You’re a Good Kid
Under Old Master Ge’s persistent questioning, Su He recounted everything that had happened at the Gu household.
She didn’t embellish or distort anything—just laid it out plainly.
Old Master Ge slammed the table in anger. It shook slightly, and Su He thought to herself that it was lucky the table was sturdy, or it would’ve fallen apart long ago.
“That old fool Gu Hanzhou really thinks he’s something!
In my eyes, the Gu family is nothing but air!
My granddaughter, Zhuge Hongqiang’s granddaughter, is not someone he gets to pick apart!
If he had the guts, he should’ve just refused from the start! Going back on his word and slapping his own face—what nonsense…”
After cursing Old Master Gu for a while, he shot Su He a glare. “And you—you’re too soft! They treated you like that, why didn’t you say you’re my granddaughter?”
Su He: “…I didn’t even know you and Grandpa Gu knew each other at the time! Besides, he’s an elder. Enduring a bit of grievance is nothing—I just treated it as showing respect.”
“Hmph! You’re a good kid, but that old man has no dignity despite his age!
Fine, I’ll remember this. Next time I prepare his medicine, I’ll add more coptis—and throw in some croton seeds too…”
Su He: “……”
Now that’s ruthless!
But her heart felt warm. She knew Old Master Ge truly cared about her like a granddaughter, which was why he said such things.
Thinking about it, she was quite fortunate. The elders she had met all treated her well, as if she were one of their own.
Curious, she asked, “Grandpa Ge, does Grandpa Gu need to take medicine? Is there something wrong with his health?”
Old Master Ge pointed to his head. “He’s got a problem here. When it flares up, it can feel like half his life is gone.
The medicine I make only relieves the pain and keeps it under control—it can’t cure it.
If only the Qing Nang Shu hadn’t been lost… maybe we could’ve found a cure there…”
As he spoke, he began sighing.
Partly because he couldn’t cure Old Master Gu, and partly because such a legendary medical text had been lost.
Su He smiled. “Grandpa Ge, anything is possible. Maybe Heaven will recognize your compassion as a healer, and one day the Qing Nang Shu will reappear.”
He snorted. “Forget it. I’ve long stopped hoping for that! By the way, do you know why that old man insists Gu Chiyan must find someone from a matching family background?”
Su He replied with a smile, “Grandpa Gu told me—it’s because prestigious families have deeper roots…”
“Rubbish! That’s just an excuse!
If that were true, why are his eldest and third daughters-in-law from humble farming families?
Let me tell you the real reason—it’s because of his late wife!
She was a refined lady from a good family, and she suffered a lot with him. She doted on Gu Chiyan the most.
While she was alive, she often talked about finding him a girl from a distinguished family—only such a girl would be worthy of him.
She probably just said it casually to amuse the child. But Gu Hanzhou took it seriously.
He thinks it’s his late wife’s last wish, so he’s obsessed with finding Gu Chiyan a girl from a prestigious background…”
Only someone like Su He—thick-skinned and capable—could make that old man change his mind. Anyone else would’ve backed off long ago.
After hearing this, Su He felt it was a bit exaggerated, but thinking of the empty seat at the Gu family table and the carefully set place for the deceased wife, she believed part of it.
Old Master Gu truly had deep feelings for his late wife.
Most likely, both reasons played a role in his insistence on matching backgrounds.
She smiled and said, “If that’s the case, then it shows Grandpa Gu values loyalty and emotion. He’s a man of feeling.”
Old Master Ge snorted. “More or less.
If he ever bullies you again, tell me—I’ll deal with him!
Hmph, if nothing else, his old life is still in my hands!”
Su He smiled and agreed.
When Su He returned to Grandma Su’s room, Su Xiaoman was happily eating the braised pork Su He had brought back.
Seeing Su He, she shook her little tuft of hair. “Sis, this braised pork is so good! When I grow up and have money, I’ll treat you to braised pork every day!”
Su He smiled and agreed, then said, “Grandma, Granny Zhao, I’m driving back to Huaihua Commune tomorrow. Do you want to go back home and take a look?”
Grandma Su’s eyes lit up immediately.
“Little Su, I’ve been thinking about home!
Not to mention anything else—I miss your mother!
She’s recently become the head of the mobile quality inspection team, so she must be busy day and night. I worry she’s not eating or sleeping well…”
Granny Zhao: …If you didn’t know better, you’d think Cui’e was her daughter!
She just wants to go back to show off!
After Grandma Su finished, Granny Zhao said, “Little Su, I’ve been thinking about your grandfather and the others too. Especially Gou Dan—I don’t know if he’s lost weight or been bullied by the village kids…”
Her voice choked up as she spoke.
Grandma Su coughed twice, and Granny Zhao fell silent.
Seeing the awkward atmosphere, Su Xiaoman said to Su He, “Sis, there’s a problem I can’t solve. Let’s go to your room for a bit!”
Once inside, she shook her little tuft again. “Sis, Grandma Zhao is in a bad mood. It’s better if we come out and let Grandma talk her through it.”
Su He: “…You mean talk her through it? Not scold her non-stop?”
“Sis, I have to go back to the village with you!
I need to gather intelligence from my subordinates and see if Grandpa has done anything foolish.
Besides, I’ll be studying in the county soon—I need to keep them in line, or they won’t take me seriously when I’m not around!”
Su He: “……”
The next morning, Su He drove the two grandmothers and Su Xiaoman out of the county.
She first took Granny Zhao home, then headed to Huaihua Commune.
“Grandma, I need to see Director Luo and go to the Huaihua branch factory. It might take a while. Should I drop you and Er Ya back in the village first?”
Grandma Su rolled her eyes. “Little Su, that would waste fuel—and I’m worried you’d get too tired.
Your aunt mentioned recently that she hasn’t been back to her parents’ home for a long time. How about I go visit the Cao family, see if Jinbao’s grandma has anything to send along? You can pick us up when you’re done.”
Su He thought it made sense and agreed.
Grandma Su took out a Jinxiang Hotel shopping bag, put in two packs of pastries Su He had brought from the capital, then smoothed her clothes and left with Su Xiaoman.
As they walked off, Su He faintly heard Grandma Su ask, “You can recite those two articles your sister published in the newspaper, right? You can recite them for Grandma Cao later…”
