Chapter 205

When one becomes busy, time will always pass by quickly. The kids were each busy with their own things, and Han Cheng was working hard to meet his deadlines before his leave. 

Su Xiaoxiao, on the other hand, has become the busiest person in the family. So she slept until three o’clock in the morning skipped breakfast, had lunch at “Three Meals Four Seasons,” and spent her afternoons buying gifts for their many relatives and friends.

Whenever one visited the capital, it was customary to bring back some specialties. Su Xiaoxiao needed to get gifts for Fantuan’s grandparents, uncle, parents, siblings, and nephews in Sujia Village. 

Even if it’s just a small gift for each person, she would have to rack her brain to think about what she should buy them. Moreover, since she couldn’t drive back herself and had brought all the things to Shanghai, carrying a lot of packages on the train was out of the question. Just thinking about it gave her a headache.

She shared this thought with Han Cheng the previous night. Han Cheng said that gifts that need to be brought to Shanghai should be taken with them, but gifts that they would bring to Sujia Village can be mailed back in advance, so there is no need to bring the things with them.

Su Xiaoxiao felt enlightened and joked that the top scorer in the national exam indeed had a sharper mind than the top scorer in the provincial exam. Han Cheng told her to wait for two days and that he would accompany her to buy the gifts using Grandpa Zhang’s car. 

Su Xiaoxiao, finding herself with nothing else to do, decided to go out and explore on her own.

Since the beginning of this year, many places in the capital have started selling ready-made clothes. Many merchants transported goods from the south to the north, bringing a significant amount of ready-made clothes to the market. Some of these were said to be smuggled goods from Hong Kong. Consequently, fewer people used cloth tickets to buy clothes at department stores, but there was still a high demand.

Su Xiaoxiao thought she could discuss opening a ready-made clothing factory with Li Yufeng when she returned. The eastern city in their province was destined to become the world’s factory in the future, producing 60–70% of the country’s ready-made clothes, with a significant portion for export. Since Sujia Village was not far from the eastern city, getting an early start might secure them a part of the market.

Su Xiaoxiao didn’t know how tall Da Bao, Xiao Bao, and Yao Bao had become now. She could only estimate their size by using Fantuan as her reference. 

Su Xiaoxiao finally decided to buy clothes in Fantuan’s size. For Yao Bao, she bought a size larger than Xiao Tangyuan’s but smaller than Xiao Roubao’s, as buying according to Xiao Roubao’s size would be too large.

After saving cloth tickets for so long, it turned out she didn’t have enough to buy each person a piece of clothing. She would have to find time to replenish her supply at the small markets. Fortunately, the ticket system would be abolished soon, as buying things with tickets was quite troublesome.

As Su Xiaoxiao finished her shopping and exited the department store, she unexpectedly ran into Yang Lin and a woman!

What was going on?! Su Xiaoxiao widened her eyes. When she saw the woman’s face clearly, her jaw dropped in surprise—it was Jiang Xue!

No way, no way! Could they really be involved?

Yang Lin was gazing intently at Jiang Xue, saying something. Jiang Xue, with a cigarette between her fingers, occasionally flicked ash into a nearby trash can. Her eyes occasionally glanced ahead, and her expression showed impatience.

Su Xiaoxiao stood a bit far away. Although she wasn’t nearsighted and could see their expressions clearly, she couldn’t hear their conversation. They seemed to be at odds, and when Jiang Xue stomped out her cigarette and turned to leave, Yang Lin grabbed her sleeve but quickly let go.

Jiang Xue glanced at him disdainfully, said something, and turned to leave.

In those few minutes of their interaction, Su Xiaoxiao had already imagined a scenario where a bookish man chased a glamorous lady only to be rejected.

Su Xiaoxiao pondered for a moment. After Jiang Xue’s figure disappeared, she walked over and called out, “Brother Yang.”

Yang Lin was startled, unable to hide the longing look in his eyes, which Su Xiaoxiao caught. This further confirmed her suspicions.

“That was Jiang Xue just now, wasn’t it?” Su Xiaoxiao asked, making a statement rather than a question.

Since Jiang Xue and Han Cheng grew up in the same alley and were classmates, it wasn’t surprising that Su Xiaoxiao knew her. Yang Lin smiled bitterly and nodded. “It was her. Did you hear everything?”

Su Xiaoxiao shook her head and said, “I was standing far away just now and only saw you from a distance. I didn’t hear anything and had no intention of prying into your privacy. I just asked casually. You don’t need to take it to heart.”

Yang Lin shook his head and said with a bitter smile, “As you can see, I publicly expressed my feelings and was rejected.”

Su Xiaoxiao’s heart was like a clear mirror, and she silently thought, “As expected.” She didn’t press for more details and instead comforted him, “Jiang Xue has high standards. Otherwise, she wouldn’t still be single now. You can’t force fate. What’s meant to be yours will come eventually.”

Yang Lin self-deprecatingly said, “I even planned to come to the capital for graduate studies because of her, but she doesn’t care at all. Am I acting stupid?”

‘Uh, yes, very stupid’ 

However, how could Su Xiaoxiao say that? Of course not! But why was Yang Lin telling her so much? She didn’t want to know so many details.

Su Xiaoxiao didn’t want to play the role of a confidante, but after the “Widow Liu incident” in Sujia Village, Yang Lin had placed great trust in her and her family. Su Xiaoxiao understood how rare it was for a bookworm like Yang Lin, who had withered away and sprang back. However, as the saying goes, emotional matters cannot be forced.

Su Xiaoxiao shook her head and said, “It’s not foolish. You’ve tried to be accountable to yourself and responsible for your own life. If you gain it, you’re fortunate. If you don’t, it’s fate. There won’t be any regrets, right?”

After listening, Yang Lin nodded and said, “I feel much more comfortable with what you said. Even if not for her, studying at Capital University is still my dream. I should thank her for giving me the motivation.”

Su Xiaoxiao didn’t want to continue on this topic and raised the object in her hand. “These things in my hand are a bit heavy; would you mind helping me carry some?”

Yang Lin, who was simple and silly, snapped out of his thoughts, uttering a couple of “oh oh” sounds before taking most of the items from Su Xiaoxiao’s hands.

Yang Lin gave a self-mocking smile. “I guess I have. If I can get a ticket, I plan to return to Hu City tonight. I won’t wait for you all.”

Yang Lin really didn’t want to put on a happy face. He wanted some quiet time on the train.

Su Xiaoxiao understood and nodded. “Alright, then please tell the elders that we’ll visit them a bit later.”

Yang Lin nodded. “Okay.”

Yang Lin bought a train ticket for that evening and left.

The kids found it very sudden. They had originally planned to travel together; why did he leave on his own?

Emotional matters are too complicated, and the cubs are still young. Su Xiaoxiao only told Han Cheng about this alone when he was sleeping at night.

“Are you talking about Brother Yang and Jiang Xue? That’s highly unlikely, isn’t it?” Han Cheng was puzzled. These were two completely different people; how could they possibly be dating?

Su Xiaoxiao lay on Han Cheng’s chest with her eyes closed and said softly, “From my perspective as a woman, Jiang Xue is quite charming. It’s not surprising that Brother Yang likes her, right?”

Honestly, Su Xiaoxiao didn’t mind women smoking. For a woman like Jiang Xue, smoking didn’t seem offensive at all; instead, it added a mature charm and allure. To put it in 21st-century terms, she had some “swag.” 

Su Xiaoxiao truly found her quite charming.

It seemed that the more oblivious a techie like Yang Lin was to romance, the more he would be attracted to a woman full of charm. In terms of appearance, Widow Liu and Jiang Xue fit that description; though their styles were vastly different, both were very feminine.

Han Cheng shook his head. “Let’s not worry about others. He’s an adult. Whoever he chooses to be with is his right. It doesn’t affect our lives.”

Su Xiaoxiao said, “He didn’t say how they met, and I didn’t ask. But neither Jiang Xue nor Brother Yang is the type to drag things out. If it’s clear t no further story, then it’s probably over.”

Han Cheng lowered his head and kissed Su Xiaoxiao’s eyebrows and eyes and said, “Since you have the energy to worry about other people’s affairs, why not?” His words trailed off as he moved from her brow down to her nose and then to her lips.

Su Xiaoxiao kept her eyes closed and slightly parted her lips to welcome his “visit.”

——-

The next day, Director Chen’s assistant came to pick up the twins for the film set again, with Xiao Zhuzi tagging along out of concern.

Not even chocolate ice cream could make Fantuan and Xiao Doubao interested in the film set. They would rather stay home and draw a few more pictures to earn some extra pocket money.

When Gu Zhanwang arrived, Han Cheng and Su Xiaoxiao had already left to mail packages, leaving the brothers at home to draw their comic series.

The more Gu Zhanwang looked at their drawings, the more satisfied he felt. He asked Fantuan, “The renovation of my store is almost complete and should be finished next month. Can you give me a definite answer—will you come and showcase your talents?”

Fantuan is full of inspiration, his pen moving as if guided by a higher power. While drawing, he replied to Gu Zhanwang, “That depends on how sincere you are.”

Gu Zhanwang raised an eyebrow and said, “Name your price. Money is not an issue. By the way, what are these drawings?”

Xiao Doubao asked, “Uncle Gu, have you not been reading the daily newspaper since you came back?”

Gu Zhanwang was momentarily stunned and replied, “Yes, I read it every day.”

Xiao Doubao said, “Then haven’t you seen the comic serials in it?”

Gu Zhanwang responded instinctively, “Yes, but…” Suddenly, a realization hit him. “Are you saying that the illustrated column in the daily newspaper is also your work?”

He had a habit of subscribing to newspapers but wouldn’t waste time on the leisure and entertainment sections, merely glancing over them. He knew about the serial and found it quite interesting, but when he first discovered it, he hadn’t known them yet, so he naturally didn’t realize it was the handiwork of Han Cheng’s children.

As he spoke, Fantuan wrote another draft and put it aside. “So, do you think our drawings are valuable? Without utmost sincerity, you won’t be able to hire us. Think about it—we have fame, and we don’t lack money, right?”

Gu Zhanwang: “I I feel attacked.”

“So, what do you want? Name your terms, and let me see.”

Gu Zhanwang picked up Fantuan’s freshly baked masterpiece; not to mention, it was lifelike, accompanied by vivid and interesting texts. It was something that he couldn’t believe—it was hard to believe he had created it in just a few minutes while chatting. What on earth did this kid grow up eating?

Fantuan said, “Here’s the thing. We don’t lack money, but I have two brothers who might need it. They will come to the capital with us later. When the five of us help you, please offer generous terms so they can earn some extra pocket money, okay?”

Gu Zhanwang smiled and said, “You’re quite righteous, but how is their level? If their level is much lower than yours, the inconsistency might not look good.”

Xiao Doubao said, “All our calligraphy and painting skills were taught by our mom. My brother Xiaobao writes better than I do, and my brother Dabao isn’t bad either. My eldest brother’s handwriting is the worst in our family because he is the laziest in practicing.”

Fantuan: “ArAre you really my younger brother? Do you have to undermine me like that? “

Gu Zhanwang: “…” 

‘Why did I even ask such a humiliating question?’

Fantuan put down his pen and rubbed his younger brother’s face. “Xiao Doubao, although what you said is true, your eldest brother still has a face to maintain, okay?”

Xiao Doubao added, “But my brother is the smartest, the fastest in drawing and composition, and the fastest in conceptualizing stories.”

Fantuan couldn’t help but smile at his brother’s sincere compliment.

Each story’s main plot was essentially outlined by Fantuan. Once he determined the framework and direction, everyone else would enrich the story based on his outline. Sometimes, he even wrote the script first, and they would then draw according to his script.

Fantuan “reluctantly” agreed with this statement: “That’s more like it.”

Gu Zhanwang had already given up any thoughts of competing with Han Cheng and Su Xiaoxiao’s kids. The best kids he knew all seemed to be gathered in Han Cheng’s family. “If you trust me and the result satisfies me, I promise I’ll show you an unprecedented level of sincerity.”

———-

Gu Zhanwang stayed at the Han family’s home for lunch.

When Han Cheng returned, he asked for everyone’s ID numbers.

Han Cheng was puzzled. “Why do you need our ID numbers?”

Adjusting his gold-rimmed glasses, Gu Zhanwang replied with an air of mystery, “Your son said I need to show some sincerity if I want him to help with the murals for my store. I’m booking round-trip plane tickets for your whole family to save time on your trip to visit relatives, so you can come back sooner to help me. How’s that for sincerity?”

The whole family exchanged wide-eyed glances.

Fantuan asked, “You mean you’re going to get us on the big airplane that flies in the sky?”

Su Xiaoxiao knew that in those days, flying wasn’t something money alone could buy. Airplanes were mostly reserved for leaders, with only a few seats available to the public at a cost most ordinary people couldn’t afford. Gu Zhanwang’s offer was indeed sincere and thoughtful.

Gu Zhanwang was very satisfied with everyone’s reaction and said, “Yes, it’s that big plane. You were supposed to take a train for dozens of hours to get there, but it only takes a few hours to get there by plane. Mr. Fantuan, I’m offering this as a down payment of sincerity. Are you satisfied?”

Fantuan cheered, nodding vigorously, “Satisfied, satisfied! Mr. Fantuan is very satisfied. Mr. Gu, you’re really something! We promise to come back before August and design a unique and beautiful mall for you!”

Even Xiao Doubao was very eager, squinting his eyes and saying, “I haven’t taken a plane yet. Are we going to fly into the sky?”

Flying would save a lot of time, so naturally, Han Cheng wouldn’t be shy about accepting the offer. He turned to go get the household registration book.

The smart Fantuan, who had already memorized the family’s ID number, grabbed his father’s arm and said, “No need to trouble yourself, Dad. I’ll write them down for him. I also remember Xiao Zhuzi’s.”

Fantuan finished speaking, took a piece of paper to brush, and swiftly wrote down the numbers.

The family has become accustomed to Fantuan’s incredible memory and is not surprised at all.

However, Gu Zhanwang was in despair. Was Fantuan born just to humble others? How could his memory be so astonishing?

Don’t try to trick him into giving birth, Han Cheng. How did your offspring come out of it?!!!