When had he slipped the lunch boxes inside?
Su Yun quickly looked around the recycling station, but there was no sign of Gu Hai.
Pouting slightly, she casually opened the lunch boxes. Inside were fluffy white steamed buns and rice, along with a box of braised pork ribs, steamed fish, and blanched green vegetables.
They were all her favorite dishes.
Su Yun's mood instantly improved. She picked up her chopsticks and began eating.
Outside the recycling station, Gu Hai secretly leaned over the wall. When he saw Su Yun eating the lunch he had made, he couldn't help but curl his lips into a quiet smile.
---
At the People's Hospital, inside the ward.
After waking up, Su Yonghe had been suffering from constant headaches. He couldn't even sit up, leaving Zhao Manfen and Su Xiu to help turn him over and wipe him down.
Zhao Manfen had just finished wiping Su Yonghe's face, and Su Xiu was about to fetch another basin of hot water when Zhou Ziyang walked in carrying several stacked lunch boxes, a warm smile on his face.
"Auntie, I brought lunch for all of you. Hurry and eat while it's still hot. Later, I'll help wipe Uncle down so you and Su Xiu can get some rest."
When Zhao Manfen saw Zhou Ziyang, she looked at him as if he were her own son. Her voice was full of pride and exaggerated gratitude.
"Oh, Xiao Zhou, why are you bringing us food again? These past few days, you've worked so hard—chasing after He Qiang and then coming to the hospital to take care of your uncle. I really don't know how to thank you!"
As soon as she finished speaking, Zhao Manfen hurriedly gave Su Xiu a meaningful look.
"Xiu'er, don't just stand there. Go help Xiao Zhou!"
Su Xiu looked helpless. She had no choice but to put down the washbasin and take the lunch boxes from Zhou Ziyang.
Without even looking at him, she lowered her head and said, "Comrade Zhou, your work is already so busy. You don't need to keep running back and forth. My father only needs rest to recover. There's no need for you to waste your time."
Zhou Ziyang smiled.
"The duty of the People's Police is to fight crime and serve the people. Your father is a victim. Coming to the hospital to help out isn't a waste of time."
"Exactly! Our Xiao Zhou has such high awareness. No wonder he's a police officer!"
Zhao Manfen quickly chimed in. The more she looked at Zhou Ziyang, the more satisfied she became.
With smiling eyes, Zhou Ziyang turned to Zhao Manfen.
"Auntie, I've already made progress in tracking down He Qiang. After several days of investigation, I'm sure he never returned home after attacking your husband. I suspect he thinks he killed someone and has been hiding out in the wilderness."
"But based on what I've learned about his personality, I believe he'll eventually come back home. I've already arranged for people to keep watch near the coal mine residential area. As long as He Qiang returns, we'll definitely catch him. Once that happens, we'll make him sign a confession and pay compensation, ensuring he never comes to harass your family again."
"Also, I helped Su Xiu apply for a single dormitory room at the bureau. From now on, she'll live there, and no one will be able to hurt her."
At this, Su Xiu raised her head in surprise. Her lips parted slightly, but before she could speak, Zhao Manfen exclaimed joyfully,
"Oh, that's wonderful! If our Xiu'er can live in the Public Security Bureau dormitory, then everything will definitely be safe!"
"Xiao Zhou, all of this is thanks to you. Don't worry, I'll definitely make sure Xiu'er repays you properly in the future. Your efforts won't go to waste!"
After Zhao Manfen finished speaking, Su Yonghe, lying weakly in the hospital bed, also nodded faintly in agreement.
Su Xiu immediately looked awkward and embarrassed, wishing she could disappear into a hole in the ground.
Zhou Ziyang glanced at Su Xiu and quickly said to Zhao Manfen,
"Auntie, I'm doing all this willingly. I'm not expecting Su Xiu to repay me. We're colleagues, and helping each other is only natural."
Zhao Manfen beamed.
"Yes, yes, everything you say is right!"
It seemed her future son-in-law was practically secured!
Zhao Manfen was overjoyed and wanted to praise Zhou Ziyang even more, but Su Xiu interrupted first.
"Mom, you should make some milk powder for Dad first. He must be hungry."
Zhao Manfen was immediately distracted.
"Oh right! The doctor said your father needs proper nutrition during this time. Thankfully, Xiao Zhou brought over such a big tin of milk powder. At least your father can drink it for a whole month…"
Subconsciously, Zhao Manfen completely ignored the milk powder Su Yun had sent and gave all the credit to Zhou Ziyang instead.
Knowing her mother's personality well, Su Xiu said nothing. She simply glanced at Zhou Ziyang, signaling for him to follow her outside.
A flicker crossed Zhou Ziyang's eyes. Pretending not to notice her hint, he picked up the washbasin and quickly headed to the hot water room to refill it.
Su Xiu wanted to follow him, but as soon as she reached the corridor, a middle-aged female doctor called out to her.
Following the doctor in confusion, Su Xiu was led quietly to a corner by the staircase, where the doctor lowered her voice and asked mysteriously,
"Comrade Su Xiu, I heard you can get wristwatches without ration coupons?"
---
Inside the courtyard house.
All day long, cheerful laughter could be heard coming from Widow He's home. Several neighborhood aunties had specially come over to flatter her, showering her with compliments in hopes that she could help get their children jobs at the steel factory.
Feeling thoroughly pleased by their praise, Widow He happily accepted their gifts and immediately agreed to their requests.
Compared to the lively atmosphere in the He family's home, the Su family's side was heavy with tension.
After returning from the steel factory, Chen Xiue had been sulking for most of the day. She didn't even make lunch. Instead, she sat at her sewing machine, angrily grinding a piece of scrap cloth under the needle to vent her frustration.
Su Wenshan also looked deeply suppressed, sitting on the kang bed while smoking in silence.
The only sound in the main room was the steady hum of the sewing machine.
After some time, Wang Auntie's loud voice suddenly rang out from outside.
"Xiue, are you home?"
Only then did Chen Xiue snap out of her frustration.
"I'm here!"
The door was already open, so after hearing the response, Wang Auntie walked in herself. She was still wearing her cooking apron and looked extremely mysterious.
"Oh? Director Su is here too. Didn't you go to work today?"
Hearing that, Su Wenshan moved his lips, unsure how to answer.
Chen Xiue didn't want others to know that Su Wenshan had been forced to take leave, so she quickly forced a smile.
"Sister Wang, did you need something?"
Wang Auntie looked at Chen Xiue with excitement and mystery written all over her face.
"Xiue, I just went out to buy soy sauce and heard something!"
As she spoke, she cautiously turned to glance at the doorway before lowering her voice.
"Do you know why He Hua and that Jiang Guangzong suddenly rushed to get married?"
"I heard from Xiao Liu, the sales clerk at the supply and marketing cooperative, that yesterday at noon, Jiang Guangzong and He Hua were seen together at the steel factory guesthouse! Apparently, neither of them was wearing any clothes when they were discovered... A lot of people saw them! The Jiang family had no choice, so they hurried to marry He Hua into the family. They were afraid Jiang Guangzong would be taken away by the police and charged with hooliganism!"
After finishing, Wang Auntie clicked her tongue in disgust.
"If you ask me, He Hua really has no shame. She had only just gotten engaged, yet she couldn't wait and climbed right into a man's bed. She's exactly like Widow He—both of them seem desperate to cling to men!"
"And that Jiang Guangzong is no good either. On the surface, he acted like he disliked He Hua, but clearly his body told a different story…"
When speaking about Jiang Guangzong, Wang Auntie's tone became even harsher. After all, she had once fought with Jiang's mother, so the two families were on opposite sides. There was no way she would ever say anything good about the Jiangs.
Hearing this news, both Chen Xiue and Su Wenshan suddenly understood everything.
At last, they finally realized why Deputy Factory Director Jiang had suddenly changed his mind.