Chapter 87: Glittering Gold
All of a sudden, Old Man Zhao exclaimed, “Oh no! The food in the pot must be burning!”
He hurriedly rushed back inside the house.
Su He understood that Old Man Zhao didn’t want to show weakness in front of the younger generation, so she didn’t expose him. Instead, she deliberately stayed in the backyard to “admire” the vegetable seedlings for a bit.
Once she figured enough time had passed, she went back inside.
Just as the meal was finished, Gou Dan came home sniffling and crying.
Su He was speechless. This kid must’ve picked up crying from Old Madam Zhao—crying at the drop of a hat.
In contrast, Su Jinbao, though a rascal, was way braver than Gou Dan.
Su He dragged Gou Dan out into the backyard and asked, “Why are you crying?”
“Da Ni said my dad is in jail. She said she’s going to marry Gou Sheng when she grows up and not me!”
Su He: “…”
These tiny little kids were already getting into love triangles?
Su He looked at Gou Dan and said, “You think crying will make Da Ni marry you?
Girls like boys who are strong, not crybabies!
You know Jinbao, my second uncle’s kid? All the girls in his class like him. He’s a little hero, never cries like you do.”
Gou Dan pouted and protested, “I’m not a crybaby! I’m a little hero too! I won’t cry ever again!”
Su He raised an eyebrow. “Really? If you can really stop crying, I’ll bring you a treat next time I visit. If you can’t, then you get nothing!”
Gou Dan puffed out his little chest. “I can do it! I’ll make all the girls at school like me! When I grow up, they’ll all want to marry me!”
Su He: “…Ambitious, aren’t we?”
She went on to patiently teach him a simple truth: people need to learn to be strong and self-reliant—crying solves nothing.
Gou Dan listened seriously. No one had ever explained things to him like this before.
Big Sis He was amazing!
Su He added, “Next time your grandma cries, you try to comfort her. If you can help her stop crying so much, I’ll reward you with a new set of school supplies!”
Gou Dan’s eyes lit up, and he agreed immediately.
As soon as they walked back into the house, Old Madam Zhao tearfully said, “Gou Dan, your dad’s coming home tomorrow…”
Gou Dan tilted his head and asked, “Grandma, why are you crying? Don’t you want Dad to come home?”
Old Madam Zhao: “…”
Su He stifled a laugh. This kid might be a little genius!
Whether it was because of what Gou Dan said or Su He’s earlier warning about crying too much leading to blindness, Old Madam Zhao miraculously didn’t cry again that night.
*
The next morning, Su He went to pick up Uncle Zhao.
Old Man Zhao had wanted to come too, but with only one bicycle, Su He decided to go alone.
After completing the paperwork, Uncle Zhao was brought out.
He had stubble all over his face and looked exhausted.
But his eyes were full of joy.
He had thought he’d be stuck in there for eight or ten years. He never imagined being released so soon.
After hearing what Su He had done, he was filled with gratitude. “Su He, you saved my life. Just say the word, and I’ll do whatever you ask me to do…”
Su He laughed. “Uncle, people say ‘a mother’s brother is like a second dad.’ Helping you is the least I could do. Don’t make it sound like I’m doing you a big favor.”
Uncle Zhao felt a little ashamed. The last time he’d visited the Su family, his impression of “Su He” hadn’t been good.
She hadn’t even looked him in the eye, acting all snobbish.
Who would’ve thought that in his time of need, it would be this very girl who came through for him?
Su He told him what had happened with Auntie Zhang and Li Jinping. Uncle Zhao’s temples bulged in anger, and he gritted his teeth:
“She can go ahead and divorce me. She’s always looked down on how poor we are, thought I was useless. This is just an excuse.”
“What if she changes her mind later?” Su He asked.
Uncle Zhao was silent for a long time before answering, “Even if she does, I won’t take her back. What if something happens to me again? She’ll abandon me and Gou Dan all over again.”
Su He thought to herself—at least her uncle had a clear head.
She stayed at the Zhao house one more night. Before leaving, she told Old Man Zhao, “I’ll go back and make arrangements first. Then I’ll come pick up Grandma to take her to the county for her leg treatment. If anyone asks, just say she’s going to the hospital—don’t mention the miracle doctor. No need to invite trouble.”
Old Man Zhao quickly nodded in agreement.
*
The next morning, Su He rode her bike to the commune.
She returned the bicycle and caught the minibus back.
It just so happened to be the same minibus she’d taken before, and she chatted with the ticket seller Liu Jing again.
Throughout the conversation, Su He subtly flaunted her connections: the broadcasting station, textile factory, machinery factory, food store, state-run restaurant…
Liu Jing was wide-eyed with surprise and became even friendlier.
Su He wasn’t just making idle talk. She planned to bring Old Madam Zhao to the county soon, and with her leg in that condition, they’d need reliable transportation.
She had her eye on this minibus.
Sure enough, when Su He sighed and mentioned her worries, Liu Jing jumped in generously: “Sis, what’s the big deal?
When the time comes, just take my bus. I’ll go to the village and pick up your grandma. Then I’ll drop her off right at your doorstep in the county—how’s that?”
Su He feigned modesty, “Oh, how could I impose like that? It’s too much trouble…”
“Trouble? What trouble? We’re sisters, aren’t we? Who knows, maybe someday I’ll need your help too!”
*
Su He didn’t go straight home after that—she headed to Teacher Yuan’s house instead.
He had a bunch of documents that needed organizing. Su He helped with that, made dinner, and only then went home.
As soon as she entered the yard, Qian Huifang handed her a letter and a remittance slip.
The amount: 200 yuan. The sender: Gu Chiyan.
The setting sun cast a golden glow on the slip, making it shine.
Su He: …Could this be the legendary “glittering gold of the rich”?
She thanked Qian Huifang and was just about to go inside to read Gu Chiyan’s letter when Old Man Ge next door called out:
“Who sent you a letter?”
Su He tucked the letter and remittance slip into her small bag and replied casually, “A good friend from the provincial capital.”
Old Man Ge didn’t ask further. As long as it wasn’t that boy surnamed Gu, he didn’t care.
He cleared his throat and asked, “Everything go smoothly? Why didn’t you bring your grandma back?”
Su He replied quickly, “It went well. There are still some things to sort out at home. I’ll bring her later.”
Old Man Ge cleared his throat again. “The corn in the field must’ve grown a lot by now, right? And the vegetables in the garden must be pretty tall too…”
Su He felt like Old Man Ge was making small talk today—stalling even. But she was itching to go inside and read Gu Chiyan’s letter!
Especially because… she wanted to know who exactly that 200 yuan was meant for!
