At the entrance of the department store, a state-owned truck was unloading goods.
Xia Ying had just picked up a box of watches and was about to head inside when Gouzi rode up on a bicycle and stopped right in front of her.
She trembled all over, instantly recalling what Su Yun had told her earlier. Without hesitation, she turned and ran straight into the store!
Gouzi froze for a moment, then shouted, "Hey! Why are you running?"
As soon as Xia Ying entered, a woman called out to her, "Xia Ying, someone outside seems to be calling you."
"Ah? Really?"
Xia Ying pretended not to know anything. She handed the box to the woman and said, "Sister Hua, could you help me put this on the counter? I'll go take a look."
She was afraid Gouzi might follow her inside—that would make things even worse!
When she stepped back outside, Xia Ying kept her head down, as if she were conducting some kind of underground transaction. She gestured for Gouzi to follow her into a corner.
Then she whispered, "Su Yun sent you again, didn't she? Where's the stuff?"
Gouzi quickly took out the watch boxes.
Xia Ying snatched them immediately and said, "Alright, I've got them. You can go now!"
Then she turned and ran back into the store without looking back.
As she walked, Xia Ying wondered if she had offended Gouzi. Meanwhile, Sister Hua spoke again, "Xia Ying, I've put the box at the watch counter. What did that person outside want from you?"
Xia Ying feigned innocence and shook her head. "I don't know him. He must have mistaken me for someone else!"
Gouzi, who overheard this: "???"
---
After Gouzi left, Su Yun ate a bit more of the ham and egg fried rice. When there was still half a lunchbox left, Gu Hai simply took it and finished it himself.
After washing the lunchbox, Gu Hai asked, "Su Yun, we have a break in a couple of days. Are we going back to the valley?"
Su Yun nodded. "Of course!"
That place was her treasure base—she even planned to go there once a week!
With her confirmation, Gu Hai couldn't hide the happiness on his face.
He could go on another private outing with Su Yun!
After savoring the moment, he noticed Su Yun resting her chin on her hand, looking puzzled.
"What's wrong?" he asked.
Su Yun replied, "I just remembered—what happened to my godmother's distant niece? Why hasn't she come back to cause trouble? She kept saying she would return, and I even prepared a new weapon, but she hasn't shown up."
Her "new weapon" was the coal briquettes Su Yonghe had sent.
She had already planned it—if that girl showed up again, she would smash a briquette right into her face!
"The batch of educated youth is about to be sent to the countryside. Could she be plotting something new?"
Hearing this, Gu Hai's gaze flickered. He recalled how he had sent Gouzi to scare that mother and son, then reassured Su Yun, "Maybe it's because they're about to be sent away, so she doesn't have time to bother you."
Su Yun suddenly understood. "Right! That must be it. Then I can relax. Honestly, I don't want anyone causing trouble—it's so annoying!"
After venting, she rested for a while, then picked up her books and resumed studying with Gu Hai.
---
At the steel factory.
Early that morning, Su Wenshan had arrived at the warehouse office.
He was reviewing inventory records when Section Chief Wei from security walked in with a smile, carrying two bottles of liquor and a bag of brown sugar.
"Director Su, busy?" Wei greeted casually.
Su Wenshan looked up, moved his lips, but said nothing.
Unbothered, Wei placed the items on the desk and continued, "I heard you were sick a few days ago. Are you better now?"
"I'm fine," Su Wenshan replied curtly. "Just a minor issue."
Wei smiled. "Even a minor issue is important—you're a key figure in the factory!"
"I didn't have time to visit earlier, so I brought these today as an apology…"
Before he could finish, Su Wenshan interrupted, "No need. I'm fine."
He was irritated—this man had taken credit for his work, yet now acted as if nothing had happened.
Wei ignored his attitude, pushed the items toward him, and added, "Oh, by the way, I ran into Deputy Factory Director Jiang earlier. He asked me to tell you to stop by his office when you have time—he wants to discuss something."
"Alright, I'll go later," Su Wenshan replied.
Wei left after delivering the message.
Su Wenshan frowned. He neither wanted the gifts nor the meeting—but he had no choice.
---
After lunch, he reluctantly went to Deputy Director Jiang's office.
Jiang had just hung up the phone. Seeing him, he immediately stood up warmly and poured him a glass of water. "Director Su, please sit."
Uncomfortable, Su Wenshan waved his hand. "Just say what you need to say. I'll stand."
Jiang insisted on pouring water, then shut the door and got straight to the point.
"Director Su, about the marriage between Su Yun and my son Guangzong—I'd like to try again."
"You're a warehouse director, I'm a deputy factory director. If our families become in-laws, it would be perfect! Since ancient times, marriages are decided by parents—you shouldn't let Su Yun act on her own."
"My son Guangzong is a truck driver earning 58 yuan a month. If Su Yun marries into our family, she'll live a life of comfort. I guarantee he'll treat her well and never let her suffer. As a father, you should think about her future."
"I don't need to think about it," Su Wenshan replied coldly. "Su Yun already has someone."
Jiang smiled. "I know—his name is Gu Hai. I've looked into him. But I don't think you fully understand his situation."
"He's an orphan with three younger siblings to support. The house he lives in belongs to the neighborhood committee. And worst of all, he spends his days collecting scraps!"
"Director Su, can you really accept your daughter marrying someone who lives off scavenging?"
Su Wenshan frowned deeply, clearly displeased with the insult.
But Jiang misunderstood, thinking he was agreeing, and continued confidently, "If you agree, we can arrange the engagement immediately. As for that widow He, I'll handle it—you don't need to worry…"
"I don't agree," Su Wenshan said firmly.
Jiang froze. "What did you say? You don't agree?"
Su Wenshan nodded.
Jiang's expression darkened. "Director Su, think carefully. You'd rather marry your daughter to a scrap collector than ally with my family?"
Without looking at him, Su Wenshan stood his ground.
"Deputy Director Jiang, forced marriages don't end well. Don't bring this up again."
"There's no possibility between my daughter Su Yun and your son."