Chapter 14: The Vicious Female Supporting Character in the 1980s (14)

Cheng Wenfeng took Su Qin in.

Actually, as soon as she left, he had already cleaned out the side room.

He had just tidied it up before the New Year. It was very clean, but still worried, he cleaned it again and brought out two new quilts.

Su Qin originally wanted to pay some rent to Cheng Wenfeng but before she could finish, sensing the awkward atmosphere, she wisely stopped talking.

The door lock was new. Cheng Wenfeng also reminded her to lock the door when she slept. Su Qin was not too wary about this because she trusted him and felt very safe spending the night.

Changing places, she thought she would feel uncomfortable, but she actually slept more soundly than at the Su family’s home, sleeping straight through until morning.

Cheng Wenfeng, lying on the kang, listened carefully to every sound next door. His mind was very clear but his heart pounded wildly, unable to calm down. It felt like waves were rolling inside his chest.

Early morning.

Su Qin got up and was about to open the door when she faintly heard a familiar voice, startling her awake. She pressed her back tightly against the door, refusing to move.

Cheng Lan came into the yard carrying two bags. “So early, where are you going or coming back from?”

Cheng Wenfeng said, “Went to buy some things.”

Cheng Lan said, “It’s a rare day off. You’re up so early. I thought you were still asleep. I brought you breakfast.”

Su Qin listened to the footsteps getting closer. She didn’t dare stand, covering her mouth and squatting behind the door, extremely nervous.

The second day of the Lunar New Year seemed to be the day for visiting one’s natal family.

If Cheng Lan discovered Su Qin was at Cheng Wenfeng’s house, even if nothing serious, there would be many rumors and she didn’t know how Cheng Lan might judge her.

Better to avoid trouble, so Su Qin kept hiding.

“Since you’re back, don’t bring so many things next time,” Cheng Wenfeng took the bags from Cheng Lan. “If I need something, I’ll buy it myself.”

“You’re not that thoughtful. I even brought two chickens. Find a place to keep them. Sometimes they can lay eggs for you,” Cheng Lan looked around and went toward the side room. “It’s too cold outside. Maybe keep them in the side room first. There’s nothing stored inside, right?”

Su Qin’s eyes suddenly widened as if she wanted to dig the ground and hide.

Maybe she should pretend to be asleep? That way it wouldn’t be awkward.

Just as Cheng Lan reached the door and tried to open it, Cheng Wenfeng’s voice came out, “The side room was cleaned before the New Year. How could it be used to keep chickens? People will live there later.”

“That’s true.” Cheng Lan smiled more broadly. “After you get married, someone will live there.”

Cheng Wenfeng carried the chickens into the kitchen. “Keep them in the corner?”

“Cover them with something, or it will be too cold.” Cheng Lan followed him outside and directed him to make a nest.

They were busy outside while Su Qin hid inside, sweating coldly all over, as if she had done something wrong.

But Cheng Lan didn’t stay long. She said she had to leave soon for something.

Cheng Wenfeng walked her out.

Cheng Lan half-jokingly said before leaving, “Are you in a hurry to get rid of me or something?”

“I have to go help a friend later.”

“He Peng?” Cheng Lan only knew this friend.

Cheng Wenfeng: “No.”

“Who then?”

He did not say.

Cheng Lan was puzzled: “So secretive, don’t make friends with bad company and learn bad habits from them.”

“I’m not a child.”

“No matter how old you are, you’re still a child in the eyes of elders, got it?”

“Got it.”

Hearing the footsteps gradually fade away, Su Qin let out a deep sigh of relief and slowly stood up.

Cheng Wenfeng walked towards the side room, standing at the door and asked, “Are you awake?”

“Mm.” Su Qin nodded. When she stood up, her legs had gone numb from squatting. She leaned on the door to stand up, and just as she was about to open the door, she suddenly saw Cheng Lan coming back. Startled, she quickly squatted down again.

Because she squatted suddenly, she gasped and then quickly covered her mouth again.

Cheng Wenfeng’s heart jumped to his throat. Just as he was about to ask, Cheng Lan’s voice came: “I forgot to tell you just now, there is a box of pastries under the bag. They can’t be kept for long, you need to eat them these days.”

“Mm.”

Seeing him still standing at the door without opening it, Cheng Lan suspiciously asked, “What are you standing there for?”

She felt Cheng Wenfeng was acting strangely today, and he was even turning his back to her.

Cheng Wenfeng turned around: “Aunt, I’m about to go out. I still have things to do.”

“Oh, I have to hurry back too. Your uncle is still waiting for me.” Cheng Lan looked at her watch and hurriedly left.

“Are you okay?” Cheng Wenfeng asked Su Qin.

“I’m fine.” Su Qin did not move.

Thinking she might still be scared, Cheng Wenfeng quickly walked over and locked the courtyard gate. Only then did he come back: “I locked the door.”

Su Qin leaned against the door frame, slowly stood up, opened the door for him, and limped back to the kang.

Seeing it was just numbness in her legs, Cheng Wenfeng breathed a sigh of relief. He went out and brought over the toiletries he bought for her. Not only were there a towel and toothbrush, even the basin was new.

“Thank you.”

“There’s hot water in the kettle. I’ll bring it to you.” Cheng Wenfeng went into his room, took out the metal kettle, and poured hot water into the basin for her. The water temperature was just right.

Washing her face with warm water, Su Qin couldn’t help but feel touched. Indeed, readers always said the male supporting characters belong to everyone.

Male supporting characters are always so affectionate, selfless, quiet, and willing to sacrifice themselves for the heroine.

Cheng Wenfeng only prepared toiletries for Su Qin and poured some hot water for her, yet she already thought he was very kind and felt a little moved.

In contrast, Su Yue had Cheng Wenfeng who lived and died for her, gave up big orders for her, donated blood when she was injured, stayed by her side day and night, and in the end, still ended up as cannon fodder.

Why couldn’t Su Yue feel moved? Wasn’t this better than Zhou Zhiyuan?

Cheng Wenfeng truly was a good man. Even for her, a supporting character, he treated her so well. Su Qin felt very fortunate to have become his friend rather than his enemy.

After Su Qin finished washing up, Cheng Wenfeng gave her the breakfast Cheng Lan had brought.

The lunch box contained stewed pork with vermicelli, dumplings, and two fried eggs, showing how much Cheng Lan cared for her nephew.

“Aren’t you eating?” Su Qin asked.

“I already ate.”

Looking at all the food, Su Qin said, “Eat some more.”

“Okay.” Cheng Wenfeng took another pair of chopsticks and ate breakfast with her.

After Su Qin recovered a bit, she laughed and described the fright she had just experienced, patting her chest: “It scared me to death. I was almost discovered, and it would have been hard to explain.”

Cheng Wenfeng smiled faintly. Out of her sight, his gaze grew even softer and more affectionate.

How could she be discovered?

He would never let her fall into an awkward situation.

*

During the New Year, while everyone was visiting relatives and paying New Year calls, Cheng Wenfeng and Su Qin were busy repairing her newly bought courtyard.

The old courtyard had been empty for a long time, with corners full of clutter. The kitchen was broken, the roof leaked, and the doors and windows were rotten.

Without much talk, Cheng Wenfeng somehow brought a cart and started moving the discarded clutter outside. Su Qin was in charge of cleaning.

On the first day, they cleared the clutter inside and outside, revealing the courtyard’s original appearance.

A small tile-roofed house, with the kitchen and toilet on the south side, surrounded by earthen walls providing good privacy. Su Qin was quite satisfied.

Thinking of how Cheng Wenfeng helped all day, Su Qin confidently said, “Let me show you what I can cook.”

After so many years living alone, renting places during holidays and working part-time, she thought her cooking skills were decent.

“Okay.” Cheng Wenfeng was encouraging.

Su Qin took out vermicelli and sauerkraut and also took out some cured meat to prepare.

While she was busy, Cheng Wenfeng somehow pulled out a piece of wood, measured it, and was cutting it into pieces with focused expression.

Su Qin peeked out and saw him concentrating on his work.

When the meal was served, Su Qin took the first bite. She tasted it carefully and then took another bite, furrowing her brows slightly, chewing carefully.

“Pretty good.” Cheng Wenfeng was the first to comment and helped himself to some.

Su Qin replied, “Compared to you, it’s far from good. The vermicelli is overcooked,” she was self-aware, “and the cured meat isn’t very flavorful.”

“No.”

“You really know how to comfort people.” Su Qin ate while saying, “It’s just that I haven’t cooked for a long time. My hands are rusty.”

“Maybe that’s it.” Cheng Wenfeng nodded. “It’ll be better next time.”

“Hey.” Seeing him smile, Su Qin gave sincere advice, “You know why you always fail at blind dates?”

Cheng Wenfeng stopped and looked at her.

Su Qin evaluated objectively, “You’re too dull, don’t know how to be smooth, work silently without taking credit, and you don’t smile much, so you look unapproachable.”

She sighed after speaking, “People all have their flaws. No one has patience to understand others deeply. Everyone’s so busy and often prefers flashy appearances. You need to learn to show yourself.”

“Show myself?” Cheng Wenfeng repeated these words.

Su Qin said, “Yes, for example, in front of your boss, you need to show that you work hard. In front of friends, you need to show loyalty. In front of outsiders, you need to show that you are not easy to bully. In front of the person you like, you need to show your strengths…”

Having faced too many cold stares since childhood, these were all experiences Su Qin had learned through struggle.

Cheng Wenfeng asked, “Strengths?”

“Yes, strengths,” Su Qin looked at him thoughtfully for a moment. “Your strengths are, from appearance, you have a good figure and are tall. From work, you have a promising future and great potential. You are steady, hardworking, practical, family-oriented, and mature. You have to trust my judgment. You are definitely the best choice for a husband. You must firmly believe that.”

“Also, maybe in the future, you will become a very capable businessman.”

Cheng Wenfeng listened to her speak excitedly, a curve lifted the corner of his lips: “Hmm.”

So in her eyes, he had so many advantages. Since she thought so highly of him, he had to work harder.

“Anyway, remember, the crying child gets the candy,” Su Qin concluded.

Cheng Wenfeng was the affectionate and gentle supporting male character. Such a person could not give the heroine a passionate romance, but was mature, steady, and reliable.

At least his ending was better than hers.

He loved but could not have her, remaining unmarried for life, while she had died miserably on the streets.

Thinking of this made Su Qin a little sad, her expression dimmed considerably.

“What’s wrong?” Cheng Wenfeng noticed her gloomy mood.

Su Qin looked up, bit her lower lip with her incisors, hesitating, “Do you think I’m so bad, will I die miserably on the streets in the future?”

She recalled that scene, shivering all over.

The original owner had completely fallen out with the Su family, and she had done the same, even taking away all of Father Su and Liu Mei’s property.

Was her behavior worse than the original owner’s?

When the original owner died miserably on the streets, Cheng Wenfeng had even collected her body. But what about her…

“Don’t say such unlucky things,” Cheng Wenfeng said seriously, afraid his tone was too harsh to scare her, “That’s not good.”

“Okay, okay, I won’t say it. Bah, bah, bah.” Su Qin lightly smacked her own mouth, then looked at Cheng Wenfeng and still could not help but say, “If something happens to me in the future, you have to remember to help me. Actually, I’m quite afraid of dying.”

They were friends now, with much better feelings than in the original story. Hopefully, he wouldn’t only help collect her body after she froze to death on the streets.

Cheng Wenfeng: “……”

Whether he could really help later was unknown. Anyway, during those days, when Su Qin woke up at dawn, Cheng Wenfeng had already climbed onto the roof to start repairs.

After fixing the roof, Cheng Wenfeng brought a truckload of tiles and bricks, and started fixing the walls and steps. Su Qin saw that he could do almost everything and was no amateur, her eyes showing surprise: “How come you know how to do everything?”

“I worked in a construction team before. Later, the business got bad, so I didn’t continue,” Cheng Wenfeng said, picking up a brick and stacking it carefully, then gently tapping it steady.

His movements were smooth and natural. He also checked the level before placing another brick.

Seeing him work hard, Su Qin went to boil water. She poured the hot water into a cup and carried it over: “Here.”

Cheng Wenfeng took it, their fingertips touched on her knuckles, the skin contact sent a tingling feeling. He was afraid of showing his emotions, so he lowered his head and drank water quickly, his ears slightly flushed.

It was so cold outside, yet he was sweating a little.

Su Qin didn’t notice at all. She squatted beside him: “I got some newspapers yesterday. I’ll use them to cover the windows later and paint the door.”

“Mm.” Cheng Wenfeng replied absentmindedly.

The two had clear divisions of labor. Every day, the shabby little yard showed new changes. Su Qin was filled with satisfaction, hopping around the yard, her face full of smiles. She asked him whether he wanted sand or stones and bricks one moment and talked nonstop.

The yard was filled with the sound of their chatter.

Cheng Wenfeng’s raised smile never faded. Although working alone was hard, his mood was happier than ever before.

He even slowed down his pace, unwilling to finish so quickly.

On the day before his vacation ended, Cheng Wenfeng moved the finished table and bench inside, announcing that the renovation of Su Qin’s little yard was complete. He even bought a couplet and pasted it on the main gate.

Su Qin looked at the refreshed yard, her heart stirred. She pulled the corners of her lips and said, “Small as a sparrow’s nest, but fully functional. Nothing is missing now.”

Whether it was Cheng Wenfeng’s illusion or not, he seemed to catch a fleeting tear in her eyes, which made his heart skip a beat.

“You’re the hero,” Su Qin’s smile couldn’t be hidden as she thanked Cheng Wenfeng, “You’ve really worked hard these days.”

“No problem.”

To reward Cheng Wenfeng, Su Qin decided to cook a big meal at her place. She went shopping for many ingredients—fish and meat.

During this time, considering Cheng Wenfeng was too tired, Su Qin volunteered to cook every day. He was polite and always finished the food.

This time, carrying the ingredients back, Cheng Wenfeng went to the kitchen: “Let me do it.”

“You think my cooking is bad!” Su Qin chased after him, jumping up and down anxiously.

Cheng Wenfeng denied it: “No.”

“You do!”

“You’re overthinking.”

…

Su Qin was not a petty person. After Cheng Wenfeng cooked the meal, she tried several bites.

It was just a little bit better than hers, wasn’t it?

After all these years, this was how she had lived. Her cooking wasn’t that bad, right?

That night, Su Qin moved back to her own yard early.

She had few belongings, only a few sets of clothes, a box of books, and some daily necessities she had been buying over the last few days.

Su Qin closed the door, looking at this little yard, feeling a bit dazed. Her eyes swelled, and her nose stung repeatedly.

She finally had her own home.

Su Qin thought she would be tired after these days and could fall asleep quickly on the kang bed after returning home, but instead, she tossed and turned and couldn’t sleep.

In her mind, scenes of her and Cheng Wenfeng busying themselves in the small courtyard over the past few days kept flashing by, one after another, playing like a movie.

Su Qin did not think much of it, instead feeling moved, “What an unforgettable experience.”

Now she had land and a house of her own, no longer needing to depend on others. Having lived two lives, she finally had her own place to call home.

*

The annual holiday ended, and the factory resumed work.

Su Qin met Liu Mei at the gate. Liu Mei had lost some weight and, upon seeing her, no longer greeted her warmly like before.

There seemed to be a trace of resentment.

“Aunt Mei?” Su Qin smiled and greeted her proactively, “You’re here so early?”

Liu Mei’s expression was stiff. She forced out a fake smile that could hardly be called a smile.

She hated her deeply.

After Su Qin left, Father Su told her that the family’s savings were all gone, all given to Su Qin, along with those gold jewelry pieces — that was all her belongings.

Moreover, the gold jewelry that Li Wen had left was taken by Father Su to give to another woman, yet she was the one who had to repay it. To protect her son’s job and house, she had spent all her savings.

Liu Mei said nothing in response. Su Qin looked her up and down a few times and complimented, “Aunt Mei, you seem thinner, your figure looks even better.”

That remark was like hitting a sore spot. Liu Mei almost spat out a mouthful of blood in anger.

She was never fat to begin with. If she got any thinner, she would look sickly.

Early in the morning, making Liu Mei lose face cheered Su Qin up a lot. Unfortunately, as soon as she entered the workshop, someone else made her unhappy.

She heard Zhou Xiufang whispering with several female workers, “Isn’t it true, Su Qin broke ties with her father, forced him to hand over a big sum, and then packed up and left.”

“Who knows where she’s living now? Maybe she has a boyfriend.”

“And she said she wanted to take the college entrance exam, but now she’s probably getting married, right? But living together before marriage, how improper is that? Would you let your daughter do that? Such disgraceful behavior.”

…

Zhou Xiufang’s voice lowered when she saw Su Qin come in, but she showed no sign of backing down. She even looked a bit like she was enjoying the drama.

After the Su family scandal, Mother Zhou overheard some gossip at the edge of the wall and heard the gist from Zhou Xiufang when she returned to her mother’s home for New Year.

That made Zhou Xiufang very excited.

During the New Year, Su Qin broke ties with her parents after taking a large sum of money and ran away from home alone. Any of those actions would be something an honorable girl would never do.

Who would dare marry her in the future?

Under everyone’s gaze, Su Qin walked in and asked with a puzzled look, “Huh? Since when did our factory hire some wild hens? Why is it so noisy?”

A burst of laughter came from someone nearby.

It was a clear insult, causing some to laugh out loud.

At first, Zhou Xiufang didn’t realize it was mocking her. Once she understood, she was furious and sneered, “We’re talking about some people being ungrateful, forcing their own fathers to hand over money and then cutting ties.”

“Who? Who is ungrateful? I’m not.”

Su Qin said and then asked, “I took the money left by my mother. If it’s my mother’s money, why shouldn’t I spend it? Are you her daughter? If not, go ask my mother’s tomb whether she would give you money.”

Zhou Xiufang was speechless and her face turned ashen.

She only knew Su Qin forced Father Su and Liu Mei to give up a large sum, but she didn’t know this money was what Li Wen left behind.

Su Qin said, “What does ungrateful mean? Not taking care of your parents when they are sick, then coming back after they die to divide the property. That is what ungrateful means.”

“What nonsense are you talking about?” Zhou Xiufang got angry.

When old lady Zhou was sick, Zhou Xiufang kept far away. After she died, Zhou Xiufang immediately appeared to claim the inheritance. This scandal was well known in the canning factory for two years.

“I’ll explain to you what ungrateful means. Why are you so anxious?” Su Qin put on her gloves slowly and looked puzzled.

Zhou Xiufang gritted her teeth with fury, but had no outlet for her anger.

If she confronted Su Qin directly, she would only prove Su Qin’s accusations right.

The people around kept glancing at Zhou Xiufang with amused expressions, as if their eyes said it was obvious who was the ungrateful one.

Zhou Xiufang was so mad that she changed the topic: “Your family is worried about you. You ran off during the New Year. Where have you been staying?”

Everyone was curious about that. A grown woman running away from home, where would she live? Could she have just married anyone?

“I’m staying at my place,” Su Qin put on her hat.

Zhou Xiufang found that funny, “Your place? You have been away from home for several days.”

Su Qin smiled lightly, “I used the money left by my mother to buy a house. Isn’t that my home?”

Chen Feng was shocked, because in these days, buying a house was still rare. Most people lived in dormitories or rented public housing.

Especially a young woman buying a house on her own was unheard of.

Su Qin spoke casually, “Yes, Aunt Mei had to make room for her son to live. My dad dislikes me because I can’t support him in his old age, so he kicked me out.”

“That’s too much. You are his daughter, yet he threw you out for a stepson.” Chen Feng was angry just hearing that.

“What does Liu Mei think? She seemed fine before but actually had this plan.”

“Don’t forget, Old Su can still pass on his position after retirement. It’s obvious she doesn’t want Su Qin to take over—she wants her own son to. A stepmother is a stepmother, after all.”

Everyone there was sly like foxes. They all knew Liu Mei’s small schemes. When Zhou Xiufang said this, they thought Su Qin had made a scene at the Su family again, and this time it was worse.

Hearing Su Qin tell it like this, it was not Su Qin who was unreasonable but Father Su who was clueless and Liu Mei showing her true colors. Poor Su Qin was kicked out with no one caring.

Luckily, she still had her mother’s money left. The young girl was admirable, buying her own house and standing strong.

Cheng Lan and the workshop supervisor also soon heard about this. Cheng Lan specially came to find Su Qin and said, “If you need anything, you can ask me for help.”

“Thank you, Team Leader Cheng. I will.”

Cheng Lan said, “The workshop supervisor said the magazine sales this month were also good. Chief Editor Chen has applied to increase your article fees and wants you to be an exclusive contributor. The fees will be much higher.”

“Really?” Su Qin was pleasantly surprised.

Buying a house and scattered purchases of daily necessities had already used up all her money. She would have to live frugally until the next paycheck. This was truly good news.

“Really.” Cheng Lan nodded confidently, then quietly leaned toward her. “Let me tell you, I found a blind date for Wenfeng like you mentioned.”

When Cheng Wenfeng walked over from afar, he saw Cheng Lan and Su Qin huddled together.

He didn’t know what Cheng Lan said, but Su Qin’s face was full of smiles and excitement.

Cheng Lan continued describing: “Her family is in the countryside, but her father is the team leader. He had four sons before finally having this daughter. The girl isn’t tall but is fair-skinned and clean-looking. The only thing is, she speaks with a bit of a pretentious tone. She looks fragile and soft, but every time she opens her mouth, it’s all about her brothers, talking nonstop about the eldest, the second eldest.” She thought for a moment. “Just like your sister Su Yue. I don’t like girls like that. Do you think it could really work?”

When Su Qin heard that she was like Su Yue, her eyes lit up immediately as if she saw a savior. “Maybe it’s her!”

Seeing Su Qin so happy, Cheng Wenfeng slowly smiled, raising the corners of his eyes.