Chapter 285: The Fear of Rumors
Old Man Su opened the oil-paper package, and inside were indeed roasted hazelnuts.
He had even prepared a small stone and a wooden board for cracking them. Before long, he had smashed out a small handful of hazelnut kernels.
Su He picked one up and put it in her mouth—fragrant and crunchy.
Seeing that she liked them, Old Man Su cracked them with even more enthusiasm.
“Little Su, there aren’t many hazelnut trees on the back hill, and they all grow in hidden hollows. Most people can’t find them.
Only because I’ve gone into the mountains for years do I remember where they are.
The remaining trees will probably ripen in a few more days. I’ll pick them and save them for you.”
Su He smiled. “Grandpa, you’re really amazing!
No wonder the village chose you as the wild vegetable supervisor—you know the mountains best! By the way, Grandpa, I remember you once said you know how to do straw weaving?”
Old Man Su said proudly, “Of course I do! The baskets, winnowing trays, and even the kang mats at home were all made by me!
Your grandma said at noon that I should patch the kang mat with cloth, but that’s unnecessary. I’ll just get some reeds and fix it.”
Su He nodded and asked, “Grandpa, are there many people in our village who know straw weaving?”
Old Man Su’s eyes lit up immediately.
“Quite a few—we could gather twenty or thirty people.
But their skills are a bit worse than mine. For example, the baskets they make aren’t as sturdy as mine.
Little Su, why are you asking? Is some factory looking to buy straw products?”
Su He explained her plan to display straw samples in the soft sleeper train compartments.
“Little Su, you mean you want me to take the lead on this straw weaving project?”
When Su He nodded, Old Man Su almost jumped off the kang!
He knew it—if he could win over his eldest granddaughter, he’d have a chance to shine again!
Who would want to be a clod of dirt when they could be gold?
“Grandpa, don’t get too excited. For now, we don’t need others—just make some samples first.
Ordinary straw hats and baskets won’t do. They need some improvements and decoration. I’ve drawn a few sample designs—just follow those…”
Old Man Su took the drawings. Although they were rough sketches, he quickly visualized the weaving process in his mind.
If it weren’t already dark, he would have gone out to cut reeds immediately!
“Grandpa, no rush. Quality is the most important. If the samples have flaws, foreign customers won’t place orders. You just weave them first—I’ll come back later to collect them.”
Old Man Su agreed readily, already imagining his future glory as the head of straw weaving…
Su He left the east room with her grandfather’s “love” (hazelnut kernels). Her father, Su Yongguo, immediately came over.
“Little Su, last time you said you’d find someone to teach me how to drive a truck…”
Su He laughed. “Dad, don’t rush. Once the Huaihua branch factory starts operating, I’ll arrange for someone to teach you.
Actually, driving a truck isn’t that different from a tractor—you’ll learn quickly.”
Su Yongguo chuckled and said nothing more.
Su He noticed him glancing repeatedly at the car outside the gate and immediately understood.
That worked too—if she taught her father, she’d have someone to step in when needed.
“Dad, how about I teach you to drive the sedan first? It’s late today, but I’ll teach you tomorrow morning.”
Su Yongguo beamed. “Little Su, it’s a deal! I’ll go take a look at the car!”
After she nodded, he rushed out—at first walking normally, then breaking into a run.
Su He: …Now I know where Su Xiaoman gets it from!
That night, Su He slept soundly.
Although Su Yongguo and Zhao Cui’e didn’t have great abilities, their care for her was genuine, with no expectation of return.
Perhaps this was what “home” felt like.
The next morning after breakfast, Su Yongguo hovered around her.
Su Grandma hovered around her.
Old Man Su hovered around her too.
Su He didn’t even dare imagine how overwhelming it would be when the whole family gathered during the holidays.
Su Yongguo had a natural knack for driving, and since he already knew how to drive a tractor, he picked it up quickly after a bit of instruction.
As for proficiency, that would come with practice.
Sitting in the driver’s seat, even though he drove very slowly, his sense of pride was beyond words.
Being a driver was wonderful!
He wouldn’t trade it even for being an emperor!
Around three in the afternoon, Su He took Su Grandma and Su Xiaoman and left Huangxi Village.
They first went to Xu Family Village to pick up Zhao Grandma, then returned to the county.
Su Grandma sighed. “Having a car is so convenient. If we took a bus, it would take half a day. Too bad the car belongs to Director Tian—if only it were yours, Little Su!”
Su He smiled but said nothing.
It wasn’t hers yet—but soon it would be.
As soon as she entered the courtyard, Cao Hongmei came rushing over in a panic.
“Little Su, something’s happened!”
Su He remained calm. “Second Aunt, take your time. What happened?”
Seeing her composure, Cao Hongmei calmed down a bit.
“Since yesterday, there have been rumors spreading in the factory. They say you have improper relationships with Director Feng, Director Hu, and Director Tian.
Oh, and also Principal Chen!
They’re saying you seduced these old men to climb up the ranks.
They’ve twisted your trips to Shanghai with Principal Chen and to Beijing with Director Tian into something really ugly…”
Su Grandma exploded as soon as she heard this!
She unleashed a string of curses and even insulted those people’s ancestors.
“Little Su, don’t get upset! They’re just jealous of your ability and have nothing better to do than gossip! We have nothing to hide—let them say whatever they want!”
Cao Hongmei gave a bitter smile. “Mom, you’re thinking too simply!
Rumors can drown a person!
If a young girl gets labeled with moral misconduct, her life is ruined!
Not to mention, Directors Tian and the others will definitely distance themselves to protect their reputations. They might even remove Little Su from her position—everything she’s worked for will be wasted!
I think this was done by that ungrateful Shen Ruyi. Otherwise, why would such rumors suddenly appear?
And spread so fast?
Yesterday it was just within the textile factory. Today the whole county is talking about it!”
Su Grandma was immediately at a loss.
“Th-then what do we do? We can’t just go around shutting people up! Should Little Su go to the broadcasting station and say something? Prove her innocence?”
Zhao Grandma shook her head. “That might backfire and make things worse.”
Su Grandma snapped, “Then what do you suggest?”
Zhao Grandma fell silent—she didn’t know what to do either.
No one understood better than she did how terrifying public opinion could be.
Otherwise, she wouldn’t have shed tears for decades.
Su Xiaoman rolled her eyes, her little tuft of hair bobbing. “Sis, how about you just recognize those old men as your grandpas too? I mean, there’s no harm in having a few more grandpas!”
Su He: …
