After reporting the matter to the police, Su Yun finally felt relieved and returned to the recycling station.
At this moment, Gu Hai was anxiously waiting at the entrance. When he saw Su Yun, he let out a breath of relief and, as she opened the door, asked,
"Comrade Xiao Su, why are you late today?"
Su Yun replied casually,
"I went to take care of something. Comrade Gu Hai, sorry to keep you waiting."
"It's alright. I didn't have anything to do anyway…"
Before he could finish, Su Yun corrected him,
"Who says you have nothing to do? Teaching me is your proper job—I'm paying you, after all."
Hearing this, Gu Hai felt a warmth in his heart and couldn't help but smile.
Today, he continued giving Su Yun a history lesson. At that time, schools didn't have foreign language classes. Besides mathematics, Chinese, politics, and physics, subjects like history and geography carried significant weight and were essential for the restored college entrance examination.
Su Yun's studies had once been decent, but after more than twenty years without touching them, she needed time to pick them up again.
After studying for half a day, Su Yun took out lunch and handed a portion to Gu Hai.
He was a little surprised.
Su Yun explained,
"My mom prepared this for you. She said she wanted to thank you properly for helping our family get the sewing machine and bicycle, so she insisted I bring this to you."
Gu Hai felt undeserving.
"I only helped put on an act. The sewing machine and bicycle were obtained through your own ability, yet in the end, I get the credit…"
"It's fine. You played a very important role. It wouldn't have worked without you!"
Hearing this made Gu Hai's emotions surge, his heart filled with excitement.
Su Yun continued,
"If it weren't for you, I wouldn't even know how to bring those things out. So your role is the most important. I might need your help again in the future!"
Gu Hai nodded happily.
"Alright. From now on, as long as you say the word, I'll go—even through fire and blades!"
"That's too exaggerated. It's just acting—there's no need for anything so extreme," Su Yun said, pouting slightly. "Alright, hurry up and eat. My mom specially made braised pork with potatoes. Her cooking is really delicious."
As usual, Su Yun lit the stove to heat the food. After taking a bite, Gu Hai felt a deep sense of happiness. He secretly glanced at Su Yun again and again, his deep eyes sparkling with unspoken emotion.
---
Meanwhile, at the steel factory, ever since hearing Su Yun's report, the security department had sprung into action early in the morning.
After patrolling the factory, the members gathered in Captain Wei's office, looking worried.
"Captain, if someone really comes tonight to steal steel, there will definitely be quite a few of them. Our security department only has a dozen people, and we don't even have proper weapons. If a fight breaks out, we'll definitely be at a disadvantage!"
Captain Wei thought for a moment.
"Then each of you should find an iron rod to carry. If someone really comes to steal, they'll be thieves. Even if they're beaten to death, we won't be held responsible!"
"But what if we're the ones who get beaten?"
Captain Wei shot the speaker a disdainful look.
"You're paid to work in the security department, yet you're so timid. You might as well go back to farming!"
The man replied unhappily,
"Who knows if anyone will even come? Just because of that girl's words, we have to risk our lives—why should we?"
Hearing this, the others fell silent.
This was exactly why Su Yun had reported the matter to the police—she feared the security department wouldn't be united!
Captain Wei let out a heavy sigh and was about to speak when someone outside called out,
"Captain, someone is here to see you!"
When Captain Wei went out, he saw a young man in plain clothes—it was the same young police officer who had received Su Yun earlier.
They shook hands, and the young man introduced himself,
"Captain Wei, I'm Zhou Ziyang from the police bureau. I've come to request your cooperation on a matter…"
---
The day passed quickly.
As the end of the workday approached, Gu Hai packed up his books, said goodbye to Su Yun, and left the recycling station.
Su Yun also returned home, her mind heavy with thoughts.
By then, Chen Xiue was already washing vegetables by the water basin.
Wearing his new clothes, Su Baoguo was playing marbles in the courtyard with Gao Tianci and the others. In his excitement, he lay flat on the ground to play, which immediately provoked Chen Xiue's furious reaction—
"Su Xiaowu, you naughty child! Those are brand-new clothes! Can't you take better care of them? Take them off right now! From now on, you're not allowed to wear new clothes—only patched ones for playing!"
Su Baoguo ran all over the courtyard, begging for mercy, but in the end, he couldn't escape. Chen Xiue caught him and gave him a good spanking.
The other children laughed and cheered, which made Su Baoguo angrily declare that he wouldn't play with them anymore!
But not long after, they were huddled together again, playing something else.
Su Yun changed out of her work clothes into old clothes and went into the kitchen to help start the fire. After washing up, Chen Xiue came in and said,
"Xiaoyun, once dinner is ready, you and Xiaowu eat first. I'll go to the steel factory to deliver food to your father."
Su Yun asked knowingly,
"Is Dad not coming back tonight?"
Chen Xiue replied,
"He said he has to work overtime and watch the warehouse. Who knows when he'll be back tonight."
Overtime at the steel factory was common, so Chen Xiue didn't think much of it.
Su Yun said,
"Then I'll take the food to Dad. I can also bring him a quilt—if he doesn't come back, he can stay overnight in the warehouse."
After thinking for a moment, Chen Xiue nodded.
"That works. It's not much trouble to deliver food. I can stay home and finish sewing clothes for Grandma Gao's family. She's generous—she's paying me fifty cents for the work!"
Ever since getting the sewing machine, the smile on Chen Xiue's face had visibly increased, as if she had gained a beloved grandson.
After dinner was ready, Chen Xiue packed two lunchboxes for Su Wenshan, placed them in a net bag, and handed it to Su Yun.
After eating, Su Yun took the bag and left. Su Baoguo originally wanted to go with her, but Chen Xiue grabbed him.
"You brat, all you think about is playing! Have you finished your homework?"
At the mention of homework, Su Baoguo immediately wilted like a frostbitten eggplant.
Su Yun smiled and soon left the courtyard.
---
At the steel factory, everything appeared normal.
Su Yun entered the warehouse office with familiarity. At that moment, Su Wenshan was with Captain Wei, looking extremely uneasy.
When he saw Su Yun, Su Wenshan instinctively scolded her,
"At a time like this, why are you bringing food? Missing one meal won't starve me. Hurry back!"
After hearing Captain Wei earlier, Su Wenshan had been frightened. He hadn't expected Su Yun to be so bold—after overhearing plans to steal steel, she had reported it to both the security department and the police, and now she even dared to come deliver food!
Knowing her father was worried, Su Yun spoke in a soothing tone,
"Dad, I've already brought the food. I'll leave after you eat. It's fine."
"You child, why won't you listen? What do you mean it's fine—"
Before Su Wenshan could continue, Captain Wei interrupted,
"Director Su, your daughter is remarkable. Go ahead and eat. With our security department here and police officers outside, there's nothing to worry about. Eat in peace."
Su Wenshan hesitated, then finally accepted the lunchbox and asked,
"Old Wei, do you want some?"
Captain Wei waved his hand.
"I already ate before coming. You go ahead."