RGL – Chapter 78

Hearing Zhang Hui’s tearful complaints, Sun Qiufang pressed her lips tightly together. She suppressed her anger for quite a while before managing to hold it back.

She had initially thought it was Zhao Di who had done something to upset Zhang Hui. But it turned out that it was Zhang Hui who didn’t want Zhao Di to continue her studies. No wonder Zhao Di didn’t want to go home anymore—who would, with a mother like that?

Still, she couldn’t start a quarrel just because she didn’t like how someone behaved. She cleared her throat and spoke with a straight face, “Zhang Hui, we’ve known each other for quite some time now, and I don’t treat you like an outsider. So I won’t beat around the bush. Although you married Zhu Qiang, Zhao Di came from your womb. If you don’t make plans for her, who will? When Zhu Qiang married you, he knew Zhao Di would be living with you. Since he married you, he should accept your child as well. If Zhao Di stops going to school, people might praise you as a virtuous wife now—but what will that reputation mean once you’re gone? That so-called reputation won’t mean anything then, and Zhao Di will still be suffering because of it.”

Zhang Hui had intended to complain to Sun Qiufang and get some sympathy, but ended up being lectured instead. She couldn’t take it and said, feeling wronged, “Why are you taking Zhao Di’s side too? I’m not doing this for my own reputation. I’m doing it for her good! The market job earns money—if she doesn’t go to school for these seven years, she can still earn quite a bit at home. In the end, it’s all for her and the others. Zhu Qiang and I don’t even spend the money ourselves. Once we buy a house, there won’t be anything else lacking at home. There are so many decent people with real jobs who can’t even afford to buy a house their whole lives.”

She genuinely thought she was doing the best she could for Zhao Di.

Even though Zhao Di was now in the city, she was still a girl from the countryside. Good families in the city wouldn’t consider her. Rather than letting her go back and marry some poor village guy and suffer, it would be better for her to stay with Xiao Bing. At least she and Zhu Qiang could look after the young couple. If they had money and a house in the future, others would be envious of that life.

Seeing that reasoning with her wasn’t working, Sun Qiufang sighed and said, “Then let me ask you one thing—when Zhao Di earns money, does she keep it for herself, or does she give it to you? And the money you save—is it for Xiao Bing or for Zhao Di?”

“Aren’t we all one family? It’s the same.”

“Exactly. Because it’s all ‘one family,’ if Xiao Bing doesn’t study, then Zhao Di shouldn’t either? If you’re planning to give the money to Xiao Bing in the end, do you think he’ll give any to Zhao Di? He’s not your biological son, but you’ve seen him all these years. Don’t tell me you don’t understand what kind of person he is?”

Sun Qiufang felt that she had said it as plainly as possible. If Zhang Hui still didn’t get it, there was nothing more she could do. This daughter was hers—if she was confused herself, no one else had a say in it.

“Forget it. Think this over on your own. I need to get to the shop. Let Zhao Di stay at my place during the summer break. The two kids can study together and prepare for the new term.”

With that, Sun Qiufang turned around and left, not caring if Zhang Hui was still sitting there in a daze.

Zhang Hui remained seated, watching Sun Qiufang leave. She felt disheartened. She really thought her plan was thoughtful—why couldn’t anyone understand her?

Su Min and Liao Zhao Di spent the whole day out. Su Min bought clothes for herself and helped Zhao Di pick out two outfits. Since they were going to the city to study, it wasn’t just about having good grades—the way they dressed didn’t need to be superior to others, but it shouldn’t be worse either.

Besides, in this life, Su Min wanted to live with dignity.

She hadn’t cared much about dressing up in junior high, but now that she was over sixteen—such a youthful age—it was time to start caring about her appearance.

Zhao Di didn’t buy much for herself. Instead, she bought some food and clothes for her second and eldest sisters.

On the way back, Zhao Di mentioned that she wanted to go home for a visit.

Since she would be going to the city soon, the chances of going back home would become fewer and fewer. So she wanted to buy some things for the family before she left and also send a bit of money to her sister.

“That’s fine. Once you’re back, we can study together. The competition in the city is tough. If we don’t prepare in advance, we might fall behind.”

“Okay,” Zhao Di said with a smile. She felt hopeful whenever she talked to Su Min, as if she could draw endless strength from her.

That night, back home, Sun Qiufang didn’t say much to the two girls. She only said that she had already informed Zhang Hui, and that she didn’t object, so Zhao Di could enjoy herself at home.

Zhao Di knew her mother well and understood that Sun Qiufang hadn’t told the whole truth. But she didn’t think too much of it. Since she had already decided to go to the city with Su Min, it meant she had no intention of compromising with her mother anymore.

The next day, Zhao Di got on the bus home early in the morning.

Su Min stayed home alone working on her design drafts. Since she would be going to the city soon and wouldn’t have many chances to return, her time working for the factory would be reduced. So she put extra effort into it this time. During a break, she wrote a letter to Xue Mian, telling him that she had gotten into the top city high school.

Since returning home, the two of them had exchanged letters twice. The content of the letters had been formal and proper, showing no signs of anything suspicious, so Su Min’s worries had eased a lot.

Whether she had overthought it or whether Xue Mian had really let things go, the result was the best possible outcome for both of them.

After finishing the letter, Su Min took her designs and headed to the factory, mailing the letter to Xue Mian on the way.

She hadn’t visited the factory since the summer break began, but the gate guard still recognized her and let her in directly.

Su Min went straight to the second floor of the office building to look for Director Ye. When she knocked on the office door several times and got no response, she figured Director Ye might have gone off somewhere and turned to go ask the production department. Just as she was about to head downstairs, the office door suddenly opened, and a beautiful girl in her teens appeared.

She was dressed fashionably, with makeup and red lipstick. Her skirt was one of the factory’s new ruffled designs. Seeing Su Min, she looked slightly puzzled. “Who are you? What are you doing here?”

Su Min couldn’t guess who she was but replied politely, “I’m here to see Director Ye.”

Hearing that, the girl frowned. “Why are you looking for him? Who are you?”

“My name is Su Min. I came to deliver design drafts to the factory. Since Director Ye isn’t here, I’ll be leaving.” The girl didn’t seem very easy to get along with, and Su Min didn’t want to waste time here.

“Wait!” the girl called out quickly, stepping out of the office in her high heels. “Director Ye is my dad. You can give the designs to me. I’ve heard him talk about you. He said your clothing designs are really good, and that you’re very talented. I want to see what you’ve drawn.”

She spoke while reaching out her hand, motioning for Su Min to pass the item to her.

Su Min looked at the extended hand and the arrogant look in her eyes, suddenly feeling as if this girl wanted to slap her—and was even asking her to bring her own face forward for it.

She smiled politely and said, “Sorry, this is a confidential collaboration between me and the factory. Other than Director Ye, no one else can see it.”

The girl’s face instantly fell when she heard Su Min’s refusal. Her eyes, lined with shadow, widened even more. “He’s my dad. This factory will be mine in the future. It’s the same if I look at it.”

Su Min held onto her things and turned to leave.

“Su Min, you’re here?”

Before she could walk away, she heard Director Ye’s voice from behind. She turned around and saw him approaching with a cheerful smile, wearing a striped short-sleeved shirt.

Su Min pressed her lips together and forced a polite smile. “Director Ye.”

“Heh, let’s go into the office to talk—it’s hot outside.” He then looked at his daughter and said, “Lingling, why didn’t you invite Su Min into the office? When I’m not here, you should help me take good care of our guests.”

Ye Ling lifted her chin and glanced at Su Min before turning and walking into the office herself.

Seeing her behavior, Director Ye looked a bit awkward but still smiled and personally invited Su Min inside.

After they entered the office, Director Ye poured Su Min a glass of cooled boiled water himself. “We just received a batch of new equipment in the workshop today. I went to check it out. I’ve got to say, once you get used to these new machines, they’re much better than the old ones. I’ve been slowly trying out the suggestions you made.”

Su Min smiled. “I only heard about it from others. They said many big city factories are using new equipment now—not only does it improve efficiency, but the quality of the finished products is also better. I don’t really understand these things myself.” She was telling the truth. Most of it was second-hand knowledge. Some things she remembered, others she forgot. If something left an impression, she’d take note of it.

Ye Ling was sitting on the guest sofa nearby. Seeing her father chatting so happily with a young girl while ignoring her made her feel like an outsider. A wave of resentment surged within her.

She stood up and said, “Didn’t you say you had designs to show my dad? You wouldn’t let me see them earlier—are you still not going to take them out now?”

“Ye Ling, watch your tone!” Director Ye scolded her in a low voice.

Ye Ling tilted her head away with a pout, showing no sign of remorse.

Director Ye was angry at her behavior but couldn’t reprimand her too harshly in front of Su Min. He could only sigh inwardly. His daughter was older than Su Min by a few years and about to enter university, yet she still lacked basic manners. It was his fault for spoiling her too much and always giving in—no wonder she turned out like this.

He smiled at Su Min and said, “She’s just upset that I’ve been too busy to spend time with her. Don’t mind her. Anyway, are your designs ready?”

Su Min nodded and took out her drawings. “I’ve already finished four designs. I’m about to start school soon, so I don’t have time to draw more. The factory will need to look for someone else for the rest.”

When Director Ye heard she was about to start school, he remembered Su Min had mentioned aiming for the city’s top high school. He smiled, “You got in?”

“Mm-hmm.”

“You’re really amazing. You managed to work here and still keep your grades up. Your parents must be so proud of you.”

Ye Ling’s expression darkened even more as she listened from the side.

It’s just the city’s top school, she thought. Her own scores back then weren’t bad either—among the best at the county high school. But she never got this kind of praise from her dad. This girl wasn’t even related to him, and he was going out of his way to be so kind. It was ridiculous.

While her father was talking to Su Min, she walked over to glance at the drawings on the table. To her surprise, the girl actually had some real skill.

Director Ye noticed her studying the designs carefully and said happily, “Lingling, you’re studying this too now. You should talk more with Su Min. Don’t underestimate her because of her age—she knows a lot, things even your school might not teach.”

After hearing that, Ye Ling’s admiration for Su Min vanished completely.

She had thought Su Min was decent—but only in her own mind. Now that her father said it aloud in front of Su Min, it felt like a slap in the face to her, as if he was praising someone else at her expense.

She picked up the designs and flung them back onto the table. “It’s nothing special. The drawing is pretty crude.”

Su Min smiled faintly. “It is quite crude—I haven’t received professional training. I’m only sketching out the design ideas. A professional colleague will refine them into technical drawings.”

Ye Ling pressed her lips tightly together and stared at her. She had just insulted the drawing as crude, and this girl immediately admitted it and pointed out she wasn’t even a professional. Wasn’t that making her look bad?

“If you’re not a professional, why are you showing off in the factory?”

“Ye Ling, leave.” Director Ye finally snapped.

He had been thinking about how to retain Su Min for the factory, and now his daughter was trying to drive her away. What on earth was going on? When they got home, he really needed to give her a proper talking-to.

Ye Ling looked at him, angry and wronged. Seeing the stern expression on his face, she suddenly felt he was being horribly unfair—favoring an outsider over his own daughter.

She grabbed her bag from the sofa and fumed, “Fine, I’ll leave! It’s not like I care about this stupid place!”

Then she stormed out of the office.

Director Ye let out a helpless sigh and turned to Su Min. “Su Min, don’t mind her. I’ve been too busy to discipline her, and she can be quite immature sometimes.” As he spoke, he felt utterly humiliated. Su Min was younger than his own daughter, yet he was asking her to be understanding toward his child. It was almost laughable.

But Su Min smiled and said, “It’s alright. I’ll be really busy soon anyway, and probably won’t have time to come to the factory. I’ll help out when I’m on break.”

Originally, Director Ye had planned to offer to send a car to pick Su Min up when she was free, so she could visit the factory more often. But after how things had just played out, he didn’t feel he was in any position to say that now and could only nod in agreement.

“Uncle Xiao, what’s wrong with my dad? Why is he treating that little girl so specially? I’m his own daughter, and he’s never talked to me like that.”

Ye Ling sat in the production department office, slapping the desk as she fumed.

Director Xiao handed her a glass of water with a smile. “We’re all used to it by now. Even during meetings, Su Min’s one sentence carries more weight than ten of ours. Didn’t your Uncle Li leave because of that?”

“You’re saying Uncle Li was driven out by Su Min? But I heard he stole company designs—that’s why he left.”

Director Xiao sighed. “That’s just what your dad said. If your Uncle Li really leaked designs, do you think he’d be doing so badly now? He’s just sitting at home with nothing to do. And after he left, that position’s been left open. We all know who it’s meant for.”

“This is outrageous! Even if Su Min can design clothes, there’s no way she can manage sales! That’s the lifeline of the company. Without good sales, the factory might as well shut down. And she’s just a teenage girl. How can my dad give her such a big responsibility?”

Ye Ling grew more and more convinced that her father had lost his mind.

Director Xiao could only smile helplessly. “We’ve known your dad for many years. He’s always been stubborn—once he’s made up his mind, no one can change it.”

“He’s completely unreasonable. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have kicked me out just now.” Ye Ling clenched her fists, increasingly baffled. Why was her own father ignoring her and only seeing that little girl?

After wrapping up the discussion with Director Ye, Su Min prepared to go home. She was about to start high school soon, and she hadn’t fully pre-studied the new curriculum. The top high school in the city would surely be filled with top students, and she didn’t want to fall behind. She could only get ahead by preparing early.

Just as she left the factory, Ye Ling blocked her path.

Su Min glanced at her, turned to walk the other way, but Ye Ling quickly stepped in front of her again.

“Su Min, what did you say to my dad? Why does he trust you so much?”

“You should ask your dad. I’m only doing what I’m supposed to do. As for why he trusts me—I don’t know either.”