Chapter 95: Night School Is a Good Place
Zhu Yanli could hardly believe her ears!
What?!
She just lost her position as the union officer?
Her family had worked so hard to get her that job, and now it was gone just because of a few words from Su He?
And the coveted night school spot she had fought tooth and nail for against another union officer—gone too?
Although one could enroll in night school independently, most of the spots were factory-recommended, which came with subsidies. Many people fought fiercely for those limited slots.
“Director Yu, don’t listen to Su He’s nonsense. She’s slandering me! I just don’t like her—that’s all. I never meant to defend Lin Bo or do anything harmful…”
Director Yu’s brows knotted together—Zhu Yanli was truly hopeless!
If she had any brains, she’d be apologizing to Su He right now, tearfully even, and he could help smooth things over. Maybe the whole issue would blow over.
But instead, she insisted on clinging to her hatred for Su He and stirred up even more trouble for herself.
Su He may not have much backing, but lately, many of the broadcasts at the radio station were written by her. If she got angry enough to make a fuss, it could blow up into something serious.
And if that happened, even he wouldn’t be spared the fallout.
He barked, “Enough! Everyone saw what happened! Hand over your student ID and go home!”
Zhu Yanli didn’t dare disobey. She could only hand over her ID to Director Yu.
She glared venomously at Su He. “Su He, just wait! I won’t let you get away with this!”
Su He curled her lip. “Everyone heard that, right? Zhu Yanli just threatened me! If I so much as get a headache or a fever in the next thirty years, it’s all her fault! When I report her, you’d all better be my witnesses!”
Zhu Yanli nearly exploded with rage!
Thirty years?! Why not make it a lifetime?!
And what do your headaches have to do with me?!
She couldn’t take it anymore and lunged to scratch Su He—but Su He had already anticipated this and darted behind Director Yu.
He scolded sternly, “Zhu Yanli! One more outburst, and I’ll recommend the factory fire you!”
What an idiot!
This was the time to settle things down, and she was still trying to escalate it?!
Zhu Yanli finally burst into tears and ran off.
Cao Hongmei was stunned!
She had just assumed her niece had caved…
Turns out she’d been holding back a major move!
Dear heavens!
She didn’t even know where the entrance to the food factory was, yet she just talked Zhu Yanli out of her job and her night school spot?
Cao Hongmei was sure no one would dare mess with her or Su Yongshi again!
She was incredibly relieved—thank goodness she’d come to her senses early. Otherwise, if Su He had sold her out, she might have even helped count the money!
At that moment, Su He turned to Director Yu and said sincerely, “Director Yu, I want to apologize for my earlier comments. The food factory’s ideological education is actually very solid. Zhu Yanli was an isolated case—I shouldn’t have generalized. I’m sorry.”
She even gave a bow after speaking.
Director Yu, even if still upset, couldn’t say anything more and just responded with a few polite remarks.
Class was about to start, so everyone got back in line.
When it was Su He’s turn, she said, “Comrade, I’m here today to do a feature on the achievements of night school education…”
Before she could finish, the gatekeeper quickly said, “Reporter Su, please—go right in!”
Are you kidding? If Su He made a fuss, he might be packing up to retire early!
So, Su He strolled proudly into the night school.
Cao Hongmei was a little puzzled. Wasn’t her niece just here to stand up for her? That mission was already accomplished—why go inside?
Su He followed Cao Hongmei into the classroom and took the seat right next to her.
Soon after, the teacher came in with the materials and began the lesson.
This night school’s advanced class was roughly equivalent to high school level—but without math. It focused on liberal arts and ideological-political education.
During break, Su He turned and smiled at the girl behind her. “Hi, I’m Su He. What’s your name?”
The girl was startled at first, then quickly introduced herself. “I’m Yuan Xiaolan, from the logistics office at the State-owned Mall.”
Su He looked impressed. “No wonder you have such great poise. Working at the supply co-op—what a good post!”
Yuan Xiaolan shyly replied, “It’s not that great. You’re the one who’s really pretty.”
…
Su He chatted with Yuan Xiaolan, then her deskmate Zhao Lili, then her classmate in front…
Cao Hongmei watched Su He work the entire room and finally realized—
She was here to build connections. Helping her was just a bonus!
By the end of the night school session, Su He had already gotten to know half the class!
Cao Hongmei: “…”
If I had her skills, no one would dare mess with me either!
On the way home, Su He said cheerfully, “Auntie, night school is a great place! I’ll come often just to sit in on classes. I want to study hard and improve every day!”
Cao Hongmei: … Yeah right. You just want to build a network!
Of course, Su He did have networking in mind—but she also wanted to keep an eye on what Luo Xiaoling and Shen Ruyi were up to.
Cao Hongmei worried about Su He’s safety, so she walked her all the way to the bungalow before heading home.
When Su He came in, Old Madam Su and Old Madam Zhao were still awake.
Old Madam Su was giving Old Madam Zhao a hot compress and massaging her legs.
Su He quickly said, “Granny, thank you for your hard work!”
Old Madam Su snapped, “Silly girl, don’t say that! You brought me here to help take care of your grandma. This is what I should be doing! A bit of hardship is nothing as long as she recovers quickly.”
Old Madam Zhao silently clenched her jaw.
Who was the one making a fuss earlier, getting the patient to massage her shoulders, hum songs, and pat her back?
Poor her—her voice was nearly hoarse from singing lullabies!
The next day, while giving Old Madam Zhao acupuncture, Old Man Ge also took Old Madam Su’s pulse and checked her tongue.
“Thick white coating on the tongue, deep thin pulse… Qi deficiency, blood stasis, poor circulation…”
With each phrase, Old Madam Su’s face turned paler.
She didn’t understand the medical jargon, but it didn’t sound good.
Finally, Old Man Ge said, “It’s nothing serious for now. I’ll prescribe something to regulate it. But from now on, you must eat a bland diet, and avoid extreme emotions—no big highs or lows…”
After he left, Old Madam Su started crying. “My dear girl, what kind of fate is this?! I finally got to enjoy a couple days of meat, and now I have to go back to eating gruel and dry buns!”
Old Madam Zhao stared silently at her and thought:
Hah! And you called me a crybaby? What’s this, a musical performance?!
