On the way back to the courtyard, with Gu Hai pedaling the bicycle and carrying Su Yun, she couldn't help asking, "What were you talking about with Comrade Zhou just now?"
Gu Hai smiled as he rode. "I didn't expect you to be so curious! Zhou Ziyang said he wants me to get him another television. I agreed. Didn't you just give me one? I figured that after I study it thoroughly, I'll sell it to him."
"That way, the benefits stay within our circle!"
Su Yun smacked her lips after hearing this.
Sure enough, a future tech genius was still a tech genius—even before formally entering university, he had already started studying televisions!
Thinking of this, Su Yun felt she should support Gu Hai. After all, talented people in technology were rare!
She said boldly, "It's just a television! I'll get one for Zhou Ziyang myself! You can keep yours and study it properly!"
"Oh right—will one be enough? Should I get you a few more so you can research them however you like?"
Hearing this, Gu Hai was pleasantly surprised. "Xiao Yun, you're so good to me! Don't worry, one is enough. I'll make sure to learn the principles of the television as soon as possible and won't let you down!"
Su Yun nodded in satisfaction.
Supporting science and technology was everyone's responsibility!
Gu Hai only left after dropping Su Yun off at the entrance of the courtyard.
It was just past 9:30 p.m., and the courtyard was already quiet. Every household had gone to bed, except for the Su family's main room, where the light was still on and the door left open.
As soon as Su Yun entered, she saw Chen Xiue sitting on the kang, counting money.
Chen Xiue glanced at her and frowned. "Where's the lunchbox? Why didn't you bring it back?"
Su Yun closed the door and sat down beside her with a grin. "Second Uncle hasn't woken up yet, and he hasn't even eaten the pork stomach chicken. How could I bring the lunchbox back?"
Hearing this, Su Wenshan, who was lying on the kang, immediately tried to turn over and sit up. "What? Your second uncle still hasn't woken up?"
Chen Xiue raised her hand to stop him. "Lie down properly! You barely ate anything at dinner, and you're still trying to act tough?"
Su Wenshan was indeed dizzy and didn't dare argue. He lay back down and asked Su Yun, "Xiao Yun, how is your second uncle now?"
Su Yun reassured him, "He's fine. It's just a head injury—he'll probably need at least ten days to half a month before he can eat normally again…"
Then she changed the subject. "Mom, why are you counting money so late at night?"
Chen Xiue rolled her eyes. "Why do you think I'm counting money? Gu Hai has already given the betrothal gifts. Of course I need to invite relatives and neighbors over for a meal and make your engagement official!"
She looked worried. "But this is all the money we have. Your father and I even advanced three months' salary—it still won't be enough…"
"Wait!"
Su Yun raised her hand to interrupt her. "Mom, there's something I need to tell you. Actually, both Gu Hai and I think now isn't the right time to get engaged!"
"Think about it—the college entrance exam is about to be reinstated. We both want to go to university, so we've already agreed that our priority right now is studying. As for the engagement, we'll talk about it after we get into university!"
At this moment, Su Yun's plan was simple—delay it for as long as possible!
Once she and Gu Hai got into university, she would have an even better excuse. She would be busy studying and serving the country—how could she have time to get married?
As for Gu Hai, he had stayed single his entire previous life. He probably didn't want to marry anyway, so he would definitely support her!
Chen Xiue, however, strongly disagreed. "That won't do! You've already accepted his betrothal gifts, and even I've taken the watch he gave. How can we go back on our word?"
Su Wenshan also nodded. "That's right. We can't behave like that. This should be settled soon so your mother and I can feel at ease."
Su Yun felt like she was facing a formidable enemy. "Dad, Mom, listen to me—actually, I don't want to delay Gu Hai's studies… Yes! I don't want to hold him back! You don't know—Gu Hai's academic performance is excellent. He's the kind of student who can definitely get into Peking University if he takes the exam! Tell me, with such great potential, if he gets delayed because of this engagement, wouldn't you feel bad?"
"Besides, it's only a few months. Once Gu Hai gets into university, that means I'll have a university student as my partner. Wouldn't that sound even better?"
Chen Xiue was gradually persuaded and nodded hesitantly. "When you put it that way… it does make sense."
Su Wenshan, however, was confused. "How would getting engaged delay his studies?"
Just as Su Yun was about to continue persuading him, Chen Xiue shot Su Wenshan a glare and said sarcastically, "Of course it would delay his studies! Don't you remember what you were like back then?"
Su Wenshan's face instantly flushed red. "The child is still here—what nonsense are you talking about!"
Su Yun blinked. Was Mom just implying something inappropriate?
Chen Xiue coughed awkwardly, then turned to Su Yun. "Alright, we'll do as you say. After you and Gu Hai finish your exams, I'll arrange your engagement!"
"Sigh, that child Gu Hai lost his father at such a young age, and his mother isn't reliable. From now on, I'll treat him like my own son…"
---
Chen Xiue truly meant what she said.
The next morning, before Su Yun had even finished breakfast, Chen Xiue handed her a set of new clothes.
"Xiao Yun, I made these clothes for Gu Hai. Take them to him."
Su Yun pouted, suddenly losing her appetite. "Mom, ever since you got the sewing machine, you haven't made any new clothes for me. Why did you make his first?"
Su Wenshan, half-lying on the kang, also said sourly, "Your mother hasn't made any new clothes for me either."
Su Baoguo proudly chimed in, "Mom made two sets for me!"
Chen Xiue rolled her eyes at them. "You two wear work uniforms every day—what do you need new clothes for? Besides, this cotton cloth was given by Gu Hai. If I don't make clothes for him, who should I make them for?"
"Alright, hurry up and eat. After that, go to work!"
Clearly, that last sentence was directed at Su Yun alone, since she was the only one working that day.
---
After breakfast, Su Yun rode Su Wenshan's bicycle to the hospital first and gave Su Xiu the watch.
Then she went to the recycling station.
Opening the system store, she first bought twenty jin of longans and red dates for Zhou Ziyang, then two cans of milk powder, and finally a 9-inch television.
After stuffing everything under the counter, Su Yun thought about Xia Xingguo's order and couldn't help but smile happily.
Even though she wasn't short on money anymore, who wouldn't be happy to earn more?
---
After 8:30, Gu Hai finally arrived.
Seeing the items under the counter, his sharp eyes narrowed slightly. Just as he was about to speak, Su Yun quickly cut him off:
"Why are you late today? Didn't we agree to study properly? You've already wasted nearly half an hour!"
Gu Hai pressed his lips together and answered honestly, "I dismantled the electric fan this morning and spent some time studying the motor's working principle before coming."
There was actually something else—but he didn't say it.