Chapter 8: The Vicious Female Supporting Character in the 1980s (8)

After Su Qin lost her temper, Father Su and Liu Mei felt guilty for several days. Liu Mei even treated her extra nicely during that time.

Liu Mei was mainly afraid that Su Qin would keep bringing up the matter and that Father Su would blame her.

Su Qin didn’t bother with Liu Mei. However, the two of them still didn’t quite believe that she was selected for her drawings. Father Su even hinted at it a few times.

He hadn’t known Su Qin had such a skill. It was true that Li Wen had once sent Su Qin to learn painting for a while, but that was back when she was a child. How much could she have possibly learned?

“I just casually drew a few pictures for kids, and Chief Editor Chen said he wanted my work. He told me to go back and keep drawing for him. I don’t even know why he liked it.” Su Qin pretended to be clueless, as if it was all just talent.

Father Su actually believed it and didn’t expect much. It was just a submission, after all. In the past, those teachers often told Li Wen to submit Su Qin’s paintings for contests just to get her to pay more money.

In the end, nothing ever came out of it.

He even thought that relying on Su Qin to get published in a magazine was less promising than Su Yue. After all, Su Yue’s article had been published once before.

Su Qin didn’t put much thought into the magazine either. After handing over the draft to Chen Guoliang, she went back to work and continued studying.

Since that day, Cheng Wenfeng had been bringing her a pomegranate every day.

The pomegranates he picked were big and red. Su Qin would sneak one into her bag and save it for the evening. If she couldn’t resist and ate it during the day, she would follow him after work to pick another.

Most of the time, she ate one on the spot and took another one home.

Su Qin had achieved “pomegranate freedom” and her satisfaction levels soared. Cheng Wenfeng could clearly feel her joy.

He used to completely ignore the pomegranate tree, even finding it a nuisance. Now, he couldn’t help but check it eight hundred times a day, trying to figure out which one to pick next for Su Qin.

*

The promotional board activity that Cheng Lan had mentioned earlier finally began. The factory required every workshop to participate, with the theme being to promote the spirit of the Constitution and uphold correct ideology.

Su Qin was chosen as the artist. In addition, they also needed someone with neat handwriting.

Cheng Lan asked around but no one was willing to take on the job.

Chen Feng said hesitantly, “Team leader, I can do sewing or participate in a fruit-cutting or canning contest, but writing? I only went to school until the second grade.”

“Even if you think your handwriting is average, that’s fine.” Cheng Lan lowered the bar.

Everyone looked at each other, but still no one spoke up.

Cheng Lan said, “There’s not a single person in our workshop who thinks their handwriting is decent?”

Everyone present shook their heads.

Cheng Lan: “……”

In the end, Su Qin took it all on herself. “I’ll do the writing after I finish drawing.”

“Can you handle it alone?” Cheng Lan asked with concern.

“I’ll try first.”

Because she had to make the poster, Su Qin stayed late after work. Seeing this, everyone felt a bit grateful and guilty.

They used to think she was sloppy and dragged the team down. Now they had no complaints at all.

Cheng Lan felt bad letting Su Qin do everything alone and stayed behind too. She just stood on the side and watched, while Su Qin picked up some chalk and started drawing freely on the board.

“Team leader, you can head back first. I can’t fully concentrate on drawing with you standing here,” Su Qin said with a smile.

Cheng Lan replied, “It’s not like I have time to stay here all day. I still have to cook and pick up my kid.”

Su Qin actually knew that already. She smiled and said, “That works. Hurry home, then.”

After Cheng Lan left, Su Qin painted even more freely. Holding a few colored chalks, she kept switching between them. In no time, a decorative pillar appeared before her eyes, with bright red silk fluttering around it.

Su Qin was focused on her work and didn’t notice Cheng Wenfeng standing at the door.

From his angle, he could see the auspicious clouds and dragon patterns on the pillar. They looked vivid and lifelike.

But his gaze fell more on Su Qin. Her expression was focused, looking just like when she was in the bookstore holding a book and studying.

Each stroke carried immersion and passion. She was doing something she was good at.

Cheng Wenfeng did not go in to disturb her. He just stood outside the workshop, watching the sun slowly set. Half of the sky was dyed golden yellow by the evening glow.

Su Qin only hurriedly packed up when she saw it was getting dark.

As she walked out the door, a wave of cool air hit her. In October, the temperature had dropped quite a bit in the evening.

Su Qin hugged herself with both arms. Plus, there weren’t many people left in the factory at this time. It was empty and desolate. She lowered her head and quickened her pace.

Not far ahead, Su Qin saw a familiar figure. She wasn’t sure and called out, “Cheng Wenfeng?”

Cheng Wenfeng turned his head, his eyebrows raised slightly. “You’re working overtime?”

“No, I was busy drawing the promotional board.” Su Qin walked up to him. “What about you? Why are you still at the factory?”

“Just finished unloading goods.” Cheng Wenfeng lied with a straight face.

Su Qin didn’t doubt it at all. Instead, she said, “That’s really hard work.”

Cheng Wenfeng took a pomegranate out of his coat pocket. “I was busy today and forgot to bring this to you.”

“I even forgot about that.” Su Qin happily accepted it. The pomegranate had been kept warm in his pocket. She held it with both hands.

Cheng Wenfeng asked again, “Do you want some dumplings?”

Su Qin said, “Huh? Right now?”

Cheng Wenfeng shook his head and handed her an aluminum box. “I bought a portion to take home, but He Peng just invited me over for dinner.”

He Peng did invite him over for dinner, but he declined. He had already eaten a portion of dumplings and packed another to bring back.

“How much was it? I’ll pay you.” Su Qin took it and was about to pull out money.

If she went back now, Father Su and Liu Mei had surely already eaten. Having dumplings would be a good option.

Cheng Wenfeng said, “No need.”

“I’d feel too embarrassed.” Su Qin held the pomegranate and the dumplings and promised, “When I get paid this month, I’ll treat you to a meal.”

Directly giving money felt too distant. Relationships between people were all about give and take. Friendships are built like this.

“Okay.” Cheng Wenfeng replied expressionlessly, but his heart was racing.

The two of them walked together to the dormitory building before parting ways.

Su Qin put the pomegranate and dumplings into her bag. At the stairway, she ran into Zhou Zhiyuan.

He stared at her intensely, his emotions agitated as he questioned, “Who sent you back? Who was that? I’ve never seen him before.”

“Are you sick?” Su Qin directly bypassed him and walked forward.

“You still haven’t answered me. Who is he?” Zhou Zhiyuan reached out and grabbed her, asking anxiously again.

Su Qin’s tone turned cold. “If you keep this up, I’ll start yelling.”

She had no idea what was wrong with Zhou Zhiyuan.

He really was a scumbag.

Eating from one bowl while eyeing the pot, and still wanted to string her along?

Zhou Zhiyuan slowly let go of her hand and watched as Su Qin walked away without looking back.

That night, Zhou Zhiyuan lay alone on the bed, tossing and turning.

Just thinking about Su Qin being with another man made his heart feel like it was pierced by countless iron needles. His head ached so badly he couldn’t sort out any emotions.

It was like he was drifting in a vast, confusing ocean. He kept struggling but felt restrained, in pain and uneasy, and finally gave up resisting in a daze before falling asleep.

*

The next day.

When Zhou Xiufang arrived at work, she specifically went to see the promotional board Su Qin had drawn. But before she arrived, Chen Feng and a few others had already gathered there.

From a distance, she immediately saw the tall and uniquely shaped Huabiao pillar. The bright red silk fluttered gracefully. The carved patterns on the surface were vivid and detailed. The bold title in the middle gave a strong visual impact.

“No wonder Chief Editor Chen likes her drawings. They’re really beautiful.”

“The calligraphy is also great. Looks like someone who has practiced.”

“Do you think our workshop will win an award this time? I just went to see the others’ boards. They’re nothing compared to ours.”

“Su Qin is really amazing.”

…

As everyone expressed their amazement, they all praised Su Qin. Zhou Xiufang originally wanted to make some sarcastic remarks, but after looking at the drawings on the board, she couldn’t say a word.

Su Qin had been working overtime for a whole week. She did everything by herself. Everyone watched as the drawings on the board were completed bit by bit. You could imagine how impressed they were with her.

On the very day the work was officially completed, Cheng Lan brought a box of ice pops and handed them out one by one. “Everyone gets one.”

“Is this to celebrate the successful completion of our workshop’s promotional board?” Chen Feng asked. “We didn’t even help. It was all Su Qin’s work. How can we be shameless enough to eat the ice pops?”

“It has nothing to do with that.” Cheng Lan smiled and said, “These ice pops are to celebrate Su Qin’s drawings being published soon.”

Chen Feng said, “They were selected?”

Su Qin also looked at Cheng Lan.

Why didn’t she know about this?

Cheng Lan smiled with the corners of her mouth raised. “Yes, Chief Editor Chen said it’s confirmed. It’ll be published next month. To be precise, all of them were selected, but this issue will only feature two short stories.”

“All of them were selected?” Chen Feng gasped.

That’s amazing.

“Of course. So we’re celebrating early with ice pops.” Cheng Lan’s smile deepened as she continued handing them out.

Su Qin was a little uncertain whether what Cheng Lan said was true. Luckily, she received news from Chen Guoliang the next day.

He asked her to visit the magazine agency when she had time. He said there were some details to revise, and then it would move on to layout and publication.

Su Qin had just received her salary. She invited Cheng Wenfeng out for a meal. Since she happened to be going to the magazine agency, the two arranged to meet at a Sichuan restaurant nearby.

When she arrived at the magazine agency, she unexpectedly ran into the ever-present Zhou Zhiyuan. This time, he wasn’t alone. Su Yue was with him.

The two had been chatting and laughing, but upon seeing Su Qin, Zhou Zhiyuan looked flustered. Su Yue stood awkwardly to the side and weakly called out to her, “Xiao Qin?”

Su Qin had planned to ignore them, but standing next to them was Chen Guoliang. There was no way to avoid them now.

“You two know each other?” Chen Guoliang looked at Su Yue and Zhou Zhiyuan, then pointed at Su Qin.

Su Yue braced herself and replied, “She’s my younger sister. We’re neighbors with Brother Zhiyuan.”

During this period, Su Yue hadn’t been home and didn’t know about Su Qin’s submission being accepted. She thought the other party had come to the magazine agency looking for Zhou Zhiyuan. Feeling uncertain, she looked at Zhou Zhiyuan for help.

They both wanted to leave a good impression in front of Chen Guoliang. If Su Qin made a fuss, everything would be ruined.

Think of something quickly.

When Zhou Zhiyuan saw Su Qin appear, his expression also became tense. He hadn’t figured out what to say yet when Chen Guoliang smiled at Su Yue and said, “You can write, and your sister can draw. That’s really great.”

Su Qin can draw?

Su Yue thought she had misheard.

Zhou Zhiyuan did know about Su Qin submitting drawings, but like Father Su, he never imagined Su Qin would actually be selected.

He had heard that it was submitted to the children’s magazine that Chen Guoliang was about to launch, which made it even more unlikely.

Let alone the strict and demanding selection process, even with the new department being formed, Zhou Zhiyuan had only hoped to be a small editor under Chen Guoliang and gamble on having greater upward mobility in the future, but he hadn’t even succeeded in that.

Su Yue reacted quickly and softly said to Chen Guoliang, “If Xiao Qin is interested in drawing, I hope Chief Editor Chen can look after her and give her some guidance. She’s willing to work hard.”

Chen Guoliang looked very pleased. “She doesn’t need my guidance. The few drawings she submitted this time were all very good. We selected two to publish in this issue, and the rest will appear in the next one.”

He emphasized, “Among the submissions this time, the ones I liked best were Su Qin’s. Her drawings even gave me quite a bit of inspiration.”

Su Yue was stunned. “Xiao Qin draws that well? But she never learned how to draw.”

“You’ve never learned drawing?” Chen Guoliang also looked at Su Qin in surprise.

When he asked her before, she said she had learned it. Her level didn’t seem like someone who had never been exposed to it.

Su Qin remained calm. “When I was little, my mom sent me to learn for a while. I stopped later. Everything since then was out of interest.”

Chen Guoliang felt even more that she had potential. “Art requires talent. Don’t doubt it. Some people are simply gifted by the heavens.”

After he spoke, he told Su Qin to go to the office.

Su Qin followed him inside, never once looking at Su Yue and Zhou Zhiyuan.

After the two left, Su Yue looked at Zhou Zhiyuan. “Brother Zhiyuan, is Xiao Qin really that good at drawing?”

Zhou Zhiyuan looked conflicted and shook his head. “I don’t know.” He thought for a moment and added, “She’s always been quick at learning things since she was little.”

Su Yue said, “That’s great. It’s a skill, too. If she can also get a job at the magazine, then Mom and Dad won’t have to worry about her future.”

Zhou Zhiyuan looked at her face. The irritation he felt from encountering Su Qin vanished in an instant. He pulled the corner of his mouth into a smile.

“Although she still doesn’t really talk to me now, it’s much better than before.” Su Yue added.

Zhou Zhiyuan comforted her. “It’s not your fault. It’s mine.”

“You didn’t do anything wrong either.” Su Yue shook her head hard, her tone full of sadness.

……

When Su Qin came out of the office, Su Yue hadn’t left yet. She was standing in the hallway waiting for Zhou Zhiyuan.

“Xiao Qin.” Su Yue greeted her when she saw her.

Su Qin completely ignored her and walked straight past.

Su Yue’s expression dimmed. She lowered her eyes and stood where she was, looking pitiful.

As soon as Su Qin stepped out of the magazine agency, she saw Cheng Wenfeng standing by the roadside.

“When did you get here?” Su Qin walked toward him.

“Just now.” Cheng Wenfeng replied.

“Let’s go.” Su Qin took him to a nearby Sichuan restaurant, handed him the menu and said boldly, “Order whatever you want!”

Cheng Wenfeng raised his eyebrows and looked at her with suspicion, as if trying to determine if she meant it.

“Really.” Su Qin said with a rising smile at the corner of her lips. “I’ll be getting paid for my drawings in a few days. It’s not just about the salary.”

That’s what Chen Guoliang told her. For her, it wasn’t a small amount of money.

She could afford to indulge in a few decent meals.

“Is that so? Congratulations.” Cheng Wenfeng said.

“Thank you!” Su Qin beamed with joy. She glanced across the room casually, and her smile instantly faded.

Zhou Zhiyuan and Su Yue were right across from them. The two were standing close together, speaking softly. Neither of them noticed Su Qin on the other side.

Cheng Wenfeng followed Su Qin’s line of sight.

With just one look, Cheng Wenfeng immediately knew who it was. His eyes narrowed slightly as he stared at the man, sizing him up from head to toe.

“That woman is Su Yue, my half-sister.” Su Qin’s voice rang out. Cheng Wenfeng looked away and placed the bowls and chopsticks the waiter had brought in front of her. He casually responded, “Mm.”

He understood now.

“Did you see the man next to her?” Su Qin gestured toward Zhou Zhiyuan. “The one wearing glasses.”

Cheng Wenfeng pressed his lips together, his eyes deepened. “I saw him.”

It was said he was someone she used to really like.

“Your expression looks off.” Su Qin leaned forward slightly, her bright eyes staring at him seriously. “Tell me honestly. What was your first impression of Su Yue?”

He was a supporting male character.

Supporting male leads always ended up heartbroken, willingly playing the role of the lovesick fool, the one who got hurt.

Su Qin didn’t want Cheng Wenfeng to suffer too much emotional pain or fall into a love that had no future.

Cheng Wenfeng thought about it, but Su Qin spoke first. “You had hostility in your eyes. Do you know that?”

“……”

She raised both index fingers and pressed them together. “Zhou Zhiyuan and Su Yue are destined to be together. Any third party will be cannon fodder. Su Yue will only love Zhou Zhiyuan. You must not like her.”

Cheng Wenfeng denied it outright. “Why would I like her?”

Before he could finish speaking, his cold eyes slightly narrowed as he looked toward Su Yue again. The strange feeling that stirred in his heart made his brows furrow tighter and tighter.

“You see? You’re already going against your heart.” Su Qin shook her head and sighed, calling the power of the plot really strong. She could only speak earnestly, “Trust me on this. Don’t like her. They’re locked together.”

Cheng Wenfeng spoke with certainty, “I don’t like her.”

“If you really can’t hold back, you can find someone who looks like her to like. Really, I’m absolutely doing this for your own good.”

“……”