As she spoke, Su Xiu pushed the basket into Su Yun's arms.
Afraid the eggs might break, Su Yun quickly steadied the basket and said, "Sister Xiu, my mom isn't angry anymore. We all know what my second aunt is like—my mom wouldn't hold it against her. Don't take it to heart; it has nothing to do with you."
Su Xiu looked ashamed. "How could it have nothing to do with me? What my mom did this time was really too much. I already told her not to cause trouble, but she wouldn't listen. Anyway, I'll keep an eye on her from now on and won't let her come bother your family again."
"And about the son of the supply and marketing cooperative director—actually, my mom doesn't even have connections with their family. They don't know you at all, so don't worry."
After saying that, Su Xiu turned to leave.
Su Yun quickly grabbed her. "Sister Xiu, I heard you're getting married next month. Second Uncle found a live-in son-in-law for you. How is he? Does he treat you well?"
At the mention of this, Su Xiu looked resigned. "Whether he's good or not… it's just so-so. Since he's willing to marry into our family, we'll treat him well. In the future, he can also take over my father's job."
She paused, then changed the subject. "Xiaoyun, I still have to deliver coal briquettes, so I won't stay and chat. Remember to give the eggs to Auntie."
With that, she left, ignoring Su Yun's attempts to stop her.
Su Yun carried the basket and followed her outside. She saw Su Xiu pulling a coal cart by herself, struggling forward. Her frail shoulders seemed weighed down, as if she had already taken on the burdens of life far too early.
Su Xiu was only twenty-two this year—at the age of blooming youth. She was completely different from how she would be ten years later. Everything could still be changed!
Su Yun felt a bit down. She put the eggs on the counter, picked up her pen, and continued working on her test paper. But her thoughts kept wandering, and she couldn't focus at all.
Seeing this, Gu Hai simply took away her test paper and asked gently, "Comrade Su Yun, is something on your mind? Is it related to that comrade just now?"
Su Yun looked at him, bit her lip, and said nothing.
Gu Hai grew a little anxious. "You can tell me anything. As long as I can help, I'll definitely do my best!"
After hesitating for a while, Su Yun finally said carefully, "Comrade Gu Hai, I want to ask you for a favor…"
"I agree."
Gu Hai answered without hesitation.
Su Yun was stunned. "I haven't even said what I need help with yet."
Gu Hai replied, "No matter what it is, I'll agree."
It had to be said—Su Yun was deeply moved.
Gu Hai was truly loyal!
She silently made a decision: from now on, she would never underpay him for scrap again. Instead, she would round everything up for him—double the value if needed—so he would never suffer a loss!
With that decision made, Su Yun said, "Comrade Gu Hai, I want you to ask Director Sun about something. Didn't he say the Public Security Bureau is recruiting a clerk? My cousin Sister Xiu also graduated from high school and has a good education. Do you think she could handle that position?"
Gu Hai thought for a second and nodded. "Alright, I'll ask for you tonight. I think it should be possible."
"Uncle Sun used to be my father's subordinate, and they had a good relationship. He's also taken care of me over the years. Before, he even wanted to arrange a job for me at the bureau, but… something happened, so I didn't go."
"This time, if I ask, he probably won't refuse."
The "something" Gu Hai mentioned was when his mother had come to make a scene, trying to make him give the Public Security Bureau job to Wen Daxing.
Gu Hai refused and simply gave up the job himself, rather than let his mother get her way.
Su Yun had already heard about this from Aunt Xu, so she didn't press further. She only said, "Then I'll prepare some gifts for you later. You can't go to Director Sun empty-handed."
Gu Hai immediately refused. "No need. I still have some fabric at home. I'll just pick a bright piece to bring."
"That won't do. You're helping me—how can I let you spend your own money? It's settled, I'll handle the gift!"
Seeing how clearly Su Yun was drawing the line between them, Gu Hai felt a bit down.
He deliberately said, "Actually, Uncle Sun has always wanted me to become his son-in-law, so he definitely won't refuse such a small request from me."
Hearing this, Su Yun stood up in shock. "What? How could Director Sun have such an idea? You didn't agree, did you?"
Seeing her strong reaction, Gu Hai felt secretly pleased, a smile appearing on his face.
He quickly shook his head. "No. I have no feelings for Sun Xiaoping. I—"
"Good thing you didn't agree!"
Su Yun let out a sigh of relief, completely missing the shy look on Gu Hai's face as he hesitated to continue.
She thought to herself: You should know your own situation. If you're going to ask Director Sun for help, you mustn't harm his daughter!
Then she felt a bit guilty.
As Gu Hai's friend, how could she think that way about him?
He already had problems in that area—he was already miserable enough. Saying things like that would only hurt him more.
Not very loyal of her!
Su Yun silently scolded herself.
Then she comforted him, "Comrade Gu Hai, you'll definitely find the best girl in the future. But right now, the most important thing for you is getting into university and improving yourself. You can't get entangled in romance and delay your future, understand?"
Gu Hai softly said, "I've already found her."
In his eyes, Su Yun was that girl.
"What did you say?" Su Yun didn't hear clearly.
Gu Hai quickly replied, "I understand. Comrade Su Yun, I'll listen to you. I'll definitely get into university and build a good future—I promise!"
For Su Yun, he would work hard.
He would definitely give her the best future possible!
That evening, Gu Hai carried a net bag of apples, along with a pound of brown sugar, two bottles of good liquor, and a piece of red cotton cloth—gifts Su Yun had prepared—and went to Director Sun's home.
Director Sun lived in a tube-style apartment building assigned by the Public Security Bureau. This used to be Gu Hai's home as well, but the three rooms that belonged to his family had now been occupied by his grandparents.
As Gu Hai went upstairs, he ran into his cousin.
The moment his cousin saw him, he ran away and slammed the door shut, afraid Gu Hai might beat him.
Gu Hai ignored him and went straight up to the third floor, where he knocked on Director Sun's door.
It was Director Sun's wife who opened the door. When she saw Gu Hai, her expression stiffened at first, but when she noticed the gifts in his hands, her attitude immediately warmed.
She quickly welcomed him inside and efficiently took the gifts from him. "Gu Hai, you really didn't have to bring so many things. This must be worth quite a bit—have you made a fortune recently?"
Then she turned toward the room and called out, "Old Sun, Gu Hai is here!"
Before Director Sun came out, Sun Xiaoping rushed out of her room. She stood shyly in front of Gu Hai, playing with her braid, and softly said, "Brother Gu Hai, you're here."
Her mother immediately shot her a glare and scolded, "What are you doing here? Go back to your room and do your homework!"
Sun Xiaoping pouted and refused to leave. "Mom, I've already finished my homework. Brother Gu Hai rarely comes—let me keep him company for a while!"