RGL – Chapter 64

She didn’t have any real ability; in the past, she relied on Old Gao. Now that he was gone, she had to rely on her daughter. She couldn’t let her daughter keep fighting with her son-in-law. Otherwise, the burden of supporting both the old and the young would crush her daughter.

After packing up, Grandma Gao followed Gao Hong and left the house she had lived in for many years.

When the three women returned, Su Changgui was at home reading the newspaper. Even when he saw them come in, he didn’t greet them.

Seeing his indifferent attitude, Gao Hong felt sour inside. Her own mother had just entered the house, and as a son-in-law, he couldn’t even say hello. How embarrassing was that for her mother?

She was about to call out to Su Changgui, but Grandma Gao tugged on her sleeve, so she kept silent and led her mother into Su Wenwen’s room.

Once inside, Grandma Gao said, “Don’t argue with Changgui anymore.”

“I know.”

After settling her mother, Gao Hong came out to prepare dinner, only to see Su Changgui all dressed up and ready to head out.

“Where are you going this late?”

“Got something to take care of.” Su Changgui was carrying a black leather briefcase. His hair was neatly combed, looking more polished than when he went to school.

Seeing him like this, Gao Hong guessed a bit, “Are you going to see Shao Yun?”

Su Changgui glanced at her and replied while changing his shoes, “I’m just going out for a walk. Don’t worry about me. Just make something for the old lady to eat—don’t starve her here.” With that, he left.

Watching the door close, Gao Hong’s eyes turned red with anger.

From the crack in the door, Su Wenwen watched the scene unfold, her eyes full of hatred.

Su Changgui, carrying his briefcase, took a car straight to the entrance of a private elementary school. He didn’t wait long before seeing a woman with her long hair tied up coming out.

Seeing her, Su Changgui smiled. “Shao Yun.”

“Have you been waiting long? The kids had an exam today, so I spent more time grading.” Shao Yun smiled softly, her expression gentle—so different from Gao Hong’s overbearing attitude that Su Changgui couldn’t help but be moved.

He smiled. “Not long. Let’s go eat.”

“What about Haohao?”

“I’ll go with you to pick him up.”

The two of them went to pick up the child together, then headed to the county center for dinner.

Su Changrong stood at the mall entrance watching for a long time. When he confirmed that the man holding a child and entering the mall with a woman really was his brother, Su Changgui, he hurried into the store and took a sip of water.

Was that really Changgui just now, holding a child and walking with a woman?

That woman looked just like the one he had seen last time shopping with Changgui. Could it be that Changgui was really having an affair?

The more he thought about it, the more shocked he felt.

The kid was already that big, and he still had something going on outside? That was just outrageous.

“Dou Dou, I’m your big sister.” At Sun Hai’s house, Su Min was gently rocking little Dou Dou.

Even though he was still small, Dou Dou was chubby and full of energy, with round, bright eyes. Although Grandma Sun said he looked like Sun Hai, Su Min felt he resembled her aunt more.

Of course, babies changed every day. It was still too early to say who he really looked like.

“You should focus on studying and not hang around Dou Dou all the time,” Li Meng said from the bed, smiling. She was still in her postpartum confinement period and couldn’t leave the room.

“It’s fine. I’ve finished my reading. I just want to play with Dou Dou for a bit.”

Grandma Sun came in with a bowl of chicken noodle soup, smiling so much her eyes nearly disappeared. “Come eat some noodles. When Xiao Hai gets back, we’ll make you something even better.”

Li Meng accepted the bowl and smiled, “This is more than enough. Sun Hai’s busy outside, and when he comes back, he still has to worry about me.”

“You gave him a son, that’s only right.” Grandma Sun came over to pick up Dou Dou. “You go back to your books. You’ve got the high school entrance exams coming up, so don’t fall behind. Our little Dou Dou needs his nap now, right?”

Looking at her grandson, Grandma Sun’s eyes turned into little crescents. “This baby’s really well-behaved—nothing like Qiangzi used to be. Qiangzi was a troublemaker from the start.”

Hearing that, Li Meng paused mid-sip, her expression darkening a little.

But Grandma Sun and Su Min were busy playing with the baby and didn’t notice.

When Dou Dou looked sleepy, Su Min didn’t stay any longer. After saying goodbye to Grandma Sun, she headed home.

When she got back, Sun Qiufang had just returned as well.

Seeing her daughter come upstairs, she smiled, “How was it? Was Dou Dou well-behaved today?”

“He was really good. I held him the whole time and he didn’t cry.”

Sun Qiufang chuckled while picking vegetables. “Just like your uncle—quiet since he was a baby. He’ll grow up to be a sensible kid.”

“Mm.” Su Min smiled and joined her mother in picking vegetables.

Suddenly, Sun Qiufang said, “By the way, how’s Yanyan doing? Is she adjusting to the factory work?”

“She’s doing well. She’s working under an experienced old worker. She’s eager to learn, and since the factory director arranged it, no one’s making things difficult for her. Plus, the factory provides food and housing, so she’s got nothing to worry about.”

“That’s good.” Sun Qiufang sighed. “Your eldest aunt may be unreliable, but Yanyan’s a decent kid. Still, don’t talk about her in front of your younger aunt.”

“She’s still upset with Yanyan?”

“What do you think? Her own flesh and blood got hurt. Who wouldn’t hold a grudge? The only reason she didn’t make a fuss with your uncle is because she values him. Otherwise, your uncle’s life would’ve been ruined by your eldest uncle’s side.”

Su Min thought about how her younger aunt always smiled, never showing any unhappiness. Based on what her mother just said, her aunt was actually pretty deep. Turns out, Su Min still wasn’t good at reading people. Even after being reborn, her brain hadn’t gotten any sharper.

“And your grandma—I still have to talk to her, so she doesn’t keep obsessing over your eldest uncle’s side. Otherwise, if there’s conflict between the daughter-in-law and mother-in-law later, your youngest uncle will be in a tough spot.”

Su Min nodded. “Right now, Yanyan is doing pretty well. It’s just that Grandma still can’t let go of Qiangzi and worries he might go astray in the future.”

“She’s someone who just can’t stop worrying,” Sun Qiufang said helplessly. “As for Qiangzi, there’s nothing we can do. Yanyan will grow up and get married someday, and your eldest aunt can’t control much of that. But Qiangzi is a boy of the family—he’ll spend his life with your eldest uncle and aunt. Who can really make decisions for them?”

Su Min thought that was true. Especially after what happened with her youngest aunt this time, she didn’t really want to get involved in the eldest uncle’s family matters anymore. That eldest aunt’s way of doing things always ends up thankless and unappreciated.

Although everything turned out fine this time, as her mom said, her youngest aunt surely has her own thoughts. If she keeps meddling, how could her aunt possibly feel okay about it?

As Sun Qiufang brought the dishes to the table, she heard Su Changrong’s car pulling into the courtyard.

She quickly told Su Min to bring out the bowls and chopsticks. Sure enough, a moment later, Su Changrong came through the door.

As soon as he entered, Su Changrong poured himself a glass of water and took several big gulps.

“Look at you, what’s the rush drinking like that?”

“It’s not that I’m thirsty, I’m anxious,” Su Changrong wiped his mouth with his sleeve. “Guess what I saw today?”

Sun Qiufang was serving the food and chuckled, “What?”

Su Min also looked at Su Changrong curiously.

“I saw Changgui with a woman, and he was holding a child in his arms.”

Both Sun Qiufang and Su Min stared wide-eyed.

“Who was the woman?” Sun Qiufang asked.

“Looked like the same woman from last time. I don’t know who she is, but they definitely didn’t look like they had a simple relationship.”

Hearing this, one person suddenly popped into Su Min’s head.

Her third uncle’s first love, Shao Yun. She vaguely remembered that incident. Back when she brought her mom to the city, they once went to her third uncle’s school and happened to see a woman being kicked out.

People nearby were gossiping, saying the woman had some improper relationship with her third uncle. After asking around, she learned that the woman was his first love. She had become a teacher at his school through his connections, but someone reported them, claiming an inappropriate relationship, so her third aunt arranged for her to be driven out of the school.

Later, when she saw her third uncle again, he was still the elementary school principal, and life seemed the same as before. Clearly, the woman hadn’t affected him much.

She had only heard about it and didn’t know if it was true, so she never really remembered it. But now, it suddenly seemed very likely.

Only, with how her third uncle is now, it’s unlikely he could get someone into the elementary school as a teacher again.

Someone who showed up in the last life has appeared again in this one.

Back on the other side, Su Changrong was still chatting with Sun Qiufang about it.

“What do you think Changgui is planning? Could he really be getting a divorce? He said during New Year’s that if Gao Hong didn’t want to live together anymore, he’d divorce her. Could he have really meant it?”

Sun Qiufang gave him a look. “Why do you care so much? Whether he gets a divorce or not, that’s none of your business.”

“Divorce is a big deal though.”

“No matter how big it is, it’s not your concern. Let Gao Hong handle it herself.”

“I didn’t say I was getting involved, just talking about it.” Su Changrong said as he drank and mulled it over.

Su Min didn’t say anything. First, because it was an adult matter and none of her business. Second, because her third uncle’s family still had Su Wenwen—she wanted no part of that mess.

Because of what Sun Qiufang had said earlier, Su Changrong didn’t bring up the issue with Su Changgui’s family again. Instead, he started talking about the supermarket’s income.

Business at the supermarket had been booming. Many people liked the freedom of choosing products themselves, and traffic had been heavy, especially after dinner when crowds surged.

“One day’s earnings from this one store equals a week’s worth from the other two stores combined. Starting this business was absolutely the right move.”

Talking about this, Su Changrong was even more energized.

“It’s all thanks to your clever daughter. If not for her, we’d still be managing just those two little stores.”

“That’s true. Look, now there are similar stores popping up next to our other two shops, and business there isn’t as good anymore. Luckily we have the big store in the county center holding us up, otherwise we wouldn’t be doing so well.” The more he spoke, the more satisfied he became. He grinned, “If this keeps going, do you think we should open a store in the city? You promised—if we open one in the city, you’ll start listening to me.”

Sun Qiufang laughed, “The more you talk, the more smug you get. Fine, if you really have that ability, I’ll listen to you.”

Su Changrong smacked his lips. “Just wait and see.”

Listening to her parents tally up the household earnings, Su Min mentally calculated her own recent income.

Since her first collaboration with the Sanye Factory, her share had been increasing with each order. Altogether, she had made around fifteen thousand yuan.

Realizing she was already a “ten-thousand-yuan household,” Su Min’s appetite instantly improved.

After dinner, she went to her room and read for a while. Suddenly, she remembered she hadn’t written to Xue Mian since New Year’s.

She quickly pulled out some stationery and wrote to him. After telling him about her recent situation, she also mentioned that she now had a little cousin named Doudou who was incredibly cute. She added that she was now a rich girl and, once she got into a city high school, she would go visit him in B City.

The weather was gradually warming up.

B City was also starting to feel dry.

Sitting on his bunk in the dormitory, Xue Mian counted the days on his fingers—still seventy days until the high school entrance exam. Frustrated, he pounded the bed frame and drew another tally mark on his calendar.

“I say, Xue Mian, why do you keep staring at the calendar every day?” The boy on the top bunk across from him, with a buzz cut, leaned over and looked at him.

“You don’t get it—he’s got a little girlfriend,” joked a chubby boy from the lower bunk.

Xue Mian rolled his eyes, not in the mood to talk to these troublemakers.

Maybe it was because the principal didn’t get along with his grandpa, but all his dormmates were the delinquent type—little tyrants at home and constant troublemakers at school.

He had ended up in this dorm because he got into a fight on the first day of school. One of them had said he looked like a girl.

The fight got the principal involved.

This school’s principal was no fool. Thinking they liked to fight so much, he had all the troublemakers put into the same dorm to keep them occupied and less likely to distract others.

They did end up brawling in the dorm once more, but that cemented Xue Mian’s reputation as the local “boss” of the dorm.

“Han Lei, do you think a guy is a loser if he makes less money than a girl?” Xue Mian suddenly asked the buzz cut kid on the top bunk.

Han Lei swung his leg. “Of course! If a man earns less than a woman, what kind of man is he?”

He tilted his head. “Why are you asking? Don’t tell me… you really have a girlfriend? Damn, I thought you were a good student, but you’re more impressive than us.” He sat up. “So, tell us—what does your girlfriend look like? Is she prettier than the class beauty?”

“Stop talking nonsense.” Xue Mian turned his back to them. “We’re just regular friends.”

Han Lei smirked, his sunny face full of mischief. “If you’re just regular friends, who cares who earns more money? Right, Fatty Song?”

The chubby boy nodded. “Makes sense. I bet, Xue Mian, you’re not denying it because it’s not true—you’re either hiding her from us, or you’re just crushing on her.”

That last line hit the mark. Xue Mian buried his blushing face into his pillow, thinking of Su Min’s soft smile and slow, gentle way of speaking. He sighed deeply.

Su Min was already earning money, while he was still stuck between listening to his grandpa or his maternal grandfather.

No wonder she didn’t think much of him—he really was useless.

He couldn’t keep muddling through. Once he got into high school, he had to skip a grade. He had to. He had to graduate earlier than Su Min and start making money before her.

As spring passed its halfway point, Su Min began designing summer clothes for Sanye’s new collection.

After sketching out a few new designs, she brought them to the factory to show Ye Yongfu.

Ye Yongfu took the designs and locked them in his drawer. “No rush to produce them. Let’s wait a few days.”

Su Min was surprised. “Didn’t you say you were in a hurry last time?”

“The factory is currently producing designs I submitted earlier. Yours can’t go into production until that’s done.”

Seeing her frown, Ye Yongfu explained, “Don’t misunderstand. It’s not that I don’t want to use your designs—it’s just not the right time to release them.”

Because the city and province had adopted Sanye’s clothing styles, many factories started copying their designs shortly after release. Some shops even sold clothes with Sanye’s logo on them.