Chapter 10.1

Graceful and beautiful, it is unparalleled in the world. ^[1]This expression is often used to praise someone’s exceptional beauty or elegance, suggesting that the person is so outstanding that there is no equal or second to them in the world.

In the past, Su Xi didn’t quite understand this verse. How could there be someone in the world so stunning based solely on appearance?

But after seeing Su Dong, in a white shirt and black pants, approaching with a gentle smile, Su Xi admitted that she lacked knowledge and hadn’t seen the world.

The man is about 185 meters tall; his figure is tall and graceful, and his features are exceptionally beautiful. His jet-black short hair contrasted with his increasingly pale skin. Phoenix-like eyes held a smiling expression, a straight nose, and thin lips curled in joy upon seeing family.

Su Dong raised his hand and rubbed his little sister’s head, took her school bag, and with a gentle smile, he spoke warmly, “What’s wrong? We haven’t seen each other for a few months, and you don’t recognize your big brother?”

Su Xi “…”

It’s not that she didn’t recognize him, but her big brother was too handsome, perhaps to the point that you would feel it was too unfair.

This was the beauty bestowed by the Creator, and its impact was too overwhelming. Forgive her for not being immune to such a face yet. “Big brother, why are you back at this time?”

Su Dong’s empty hand rested on Su Xi’s shoulder, and he gently urged his sister to walk home: “I’ve been transferred to the county hospital. I can come back to see you more often from now on.”

In fact, after receiving the news of his parents’ deaths, he began preparing to return to his hometown. After all, he was the eldest son, and both his grandmother and younger siblings were his responsibility.

Su Xi was surprised. “Weren’t you doing well at the hospital in Beijing? Transferring to a country, wouldn’t limit your career growth? Is it because of us…?”

Su Dong raised his long and fair fingers to lightly tap his little sister’s forehead, smiling as he expressed his sentiments: “Xixi, you’ve grown up. I came back not only because of you all. I’m a doctor, and big cities don’t lack doctors. But here, the medical standards are much lower. The capital won’t miss me; in my hometown, I hope to contribute. Can Xixi understand?”

Su Xi nodded. How could she not understand? This was her big brother’s sentiment: “Does Brother know you’re back?”

Upon hearing this, Su Dong’s eyes flickered, then he spoke warmly, “Not yet. I’ll go to the county hospital tomorrow to handle the paperwork and visit the school to see him.”

“Brother will probably be very happy!”

“Hehe. Then, is Xixi happy?”

“Brother, I’m 15 years old now. Can you stop talking to me like you’re talking to a child?”

“Okay, it’s my brother’s mistake. Xixi is an adult now.”

Su Xi “…..”

After returning home, Su Xi discovered that Eldest Uncle’s family was also there. Even her cousin from the town had brought his child along. With over twenty people gathered, the atmosphere was genuinely lively.

Compared to his younger brother, Su Chengxiao (Su Xi’s father), who had a small family, his Eldest Uncle, Su Chengzhong, had four sons and no daughters. Her eldest cousin worked in the county’s transport team, her second cousin worked in the town’s supply and marketing cooperative, her third cousin was a chef in the county’s state-owned restaurant, and her fourth cousin was a teacher in the town’s elementary school. In these times, having a secure job was impressive, let alone all four of Uncle Dai’s sons having such stability—the envy of nearby villages.

Of course, luck wasn’t abundant for everyone. Except for her fourth cousin, who got into the school based on his own merits, the rest of her cousins were all helped by Su Xi’s father.

After all, Su Chengxiao had reached the rank of deputy division chief before his sacrifice.

Eldest Uncle and Su Xi’s father got along well from the start. For these reasons, they were even more eager to welcome Su Xi’s family. Now that Su Dong had been transferred back to the county, they immediately dropped everything to come together for a meal.

Seeing his nephew and niece enter, Eldest Uncle Su Chengzhong waved at Su Xi with a smile. “Xixi, how have you been these days? Is your health better?”

Although Eldest Uncle was already in his sixties, he looked energetic and robust without the signs of aging one would expect from that age. Su Xi smiled walked over to sit beside Su Chengzhong and said, “I’ve been fine for a while now. I’m sorry for making my uncle worry.”

Su Chengzhong had no daughters and not even a granddaughter. With four sons who had produced a bunch of grandsons, he especially doted on his delicate niece from his deceased younger brother’s family. Now that his younger brother had passed away, compared to the two adult nephews, he found it even harder to let go of the little girl. After all, boys grew up rough and tough, but girls were different—fragile and delicate.

Su Chengzhong took out a few candies from his pocket, handed them to Su Xi, and said, “Take them and eat them. Eldest Uncle got it for you, I exchanged them from someone today.”

Su Xi looked at the rough, dark, calloused hands of her eldest uncle, holding a few hard candies. Her heart softened, and she took them without hesitation. In her memories, this uncle often gave the original owner tasty treats, putting even his own sons and grandsons behind her in line.

The cousins/nephews sitting or squatting on the side have become accustomed to their father/grandfather’s biased attitude, and without lifting an eyebrow, they continue to talk about each other’s topics.

Su Xi peeled a piece of sugar and put it in her mouth. She savored it. Despite hard candies not being particularly tasty at this time, especially compared to the diverse flavors of the future, Su Xi still enjoyed them nonetheless.

Suddenly, she remembered the peaches in her backpack. Though there were only nine, if divided, each person could still have one-third of a peach.

She jumped off the stool and ran back to her room. Sure enough, she found a school bag on the table. But besides the schoolbag, there were several snacks. Without thinking, she knew they were brought by her older male cousins, who were almost the same age as her father. After taking the books out of the backpack, she carried the peaches to the well for washing.

“Oh! This peach is not small, where did it come from?” 

Su Xi brought the washed peaches to the kitchen with a vegetable basket. When her sister-in-law saw the peaches with such a good appearance, she was surprised and asked.

The second sister-in-law also turned around and smiled. “Is this the May Red variety? Where did you buy them? Are they expensive? I’d like to buy some too.”

Su Xi handed the peaches to Auntie Wang, lied, and said, “On the way back from school, I saw an old man selling them. Only a few left, so I bought them all. One cent each.”

“One cent each?” the eldest sister-in-law gasped. Even eggs cost two cents each now. This prodigal child was too willing to spend money.

When Su Xi said these words, Wang Guizhi no longer cared about the cost. Since it wasn’t her money being spent, she efficiently cleaned the cutting board and knife. In a series of movements, she cut the nine peaches into clear and distinct pieces.

After cutting, the rich and enticing peach aroma spread into the already small kitchen. Several women couldn’t control their saliva and abandoned their chores, eagerly staring at the cut peaches on the table, wishing they could devour them all immediately.

The third sister-in-law was straightforward: “Gee, I knew these peaches would be expensive. The fragrance—I’ve never smelled anything like it my whole life.”

Su Xi picked up a seemingly larger piece and handed it to her grandmother. Then she gave a few to the eldest aunt and a few other sisters-in-law. The remaining pieces were placed in the basket and carried out.

Everyone was given a piece, and the extra piece was tacitly given to Su Xi by everyone.

So Su Xi ate two peaches alone.

………………………..