Chapter 27: Seeing Su Qingyi Again

“I heard from Xiaoshuang that he’s a soldier, right? When is he coming home?”
“We can make more dumplings too!”

Gu Qiangwei pretended nothing was going on and replied casually.

Just then, Su Qingshuang came in from outside and heard their conversation. She smiled as she stood at the kitchen door.
“My brother sent word saying he should arrive on New Year’s Eve, but it’s hard to say for sure—things in the military are unpredictable.”

“It’s already this late and he’s still not back. I feel like my brother’s going to stand us up again!”

Hearing this, Su Jianbin set down his newspaper. “Your brother is serving in the military. He’s defending the country—it’s hard work. Don’t say things like that!”

“I was just joking! Even if he doesn’t make it and misses the dumplings tonight, it’s fine! Qiangwei’s going to stay with us for a few days anyway!”
“If he shows up later, we can just make more dumplings then, right?”

Su Qingshuang pouted, and Gu Qiangwei smiled as she invited her in to wrap dumplings.

The three of them made dumplings while chatting. He Xiulan also shared some of her business experiences with them.

“Auntie, you’re amazing—a true career woman!” Gu Qiangwei praised her, making He Xiulan beam with joy. Su Qingshuang sighed theatrically.

“Why do I feel like my mom likes you more than me?”

Hearing her jealous tone, Gu Qiangwei playfully threw her arm around her.
“Oh no, someone’s getting jealous!”

That made Su Qingshuang burst out laughing.

They quickly finished the dumplings and made a few more meat dishes. Since it was New Year’s Eve, aside from dumplings, they also had three meat dishes, two vegetable dishes, and a soup.

For the four of them, this was a feast.

Outside, firecrackers crackled in bursts. Every household lit them before dinner—it was part of their New Year tradition.

Su Qingshuang had pasted a bright red “Fu” character on the door earlier that day to bring in the festive mood. Red paper cuttings decorated the windows, filling the house with cheer.

They had even bought juice to drink with dinner.

As night fell and Su Qingyi still hadn’t returned, it became clear he wouldn’t make it for dinner after all.

They had no choice but to start eating.

“Even if he can’t make it tonight, he’ll be back in a couple of days. Don’t overthink it,” Su Jianbin comforted.

“I just miss my brother… The last time I saw him was half a year ago!”

“Alright, alright, we know you miss him. Let’s eat!”

It was disappointing that he couldn’t make it, but they understood.

They began the meal, which was mostly prepared by Gu Qiangwei that afternoon. One bite in, and everyone at the table was full of praise.

“Your cooking skills are on par with chefs from the old state-run restaurants! Everything is so delicious. I once tried to make tomato and egg stir-fry and managed to burn the eggs!”

Su Qingshuang stuck out her tongue, admitting that she really had no talent for cooking.
So clumsy!

“I’ll teach you then. Or better yet, I’ll just cook for you often. Whatever you want to eat, I can make it!”

There’s nothing Gu Qiangwei can’t do.

Hearing that, Su Qingshuang gave her a big chicken drumstick.
“The chicken soup with wild mushrooms you made today was amazing. I’m going to have more later!”

The four of them ate and chatted, sipping juice now and then. This New Year’s Eve was especially meaningful to them.

Gu Qiangwei looked at the happy family of three and smiled with contentment.

In her past life, she never had a chance to share a meal with them like this. She had always been busy, focusing on her in-laws and turning down their invitations again and again.

Who would’ve thought her sincerity was repaid with betrayal, and she ended up in such a terrible situation?

If Qin Zhirou hadn’t written to her, that couple would’ve never told her the truth. They would’ve just let her keep supporting them, even as she was dying.

They wouldn’t even let her die knowing the truth?
So cruel.

Outside, firecrackers continued to burst. After dinner, they all sat in the living room eating sunflower seeds and peanuts, chatting away.

This New Year was much livelier than usual. He Xiulan mentioned that their eldest son rarely came home, so the house used to be very quiet with just the three of them.

Now with an extra person, it felt much more festive—and they all enjoyed the liveliness.

Su Qingshuang held Gu Qiangwei’s arm with a grin.
“I’m lucky to have such a good partner!”

“You guys don’t know—when we met, it was because she helped me get my wallet back from a thief. Then she said she was looking for a job, and I immediately wanted to work with her!”

“She was amazing back then. A thief ran right past her, and most people would have ignored it. But she picked up a big wooden stick from the side and whacked the thief with it!”

As she recounted Gu Qiangwei’s heroic story, He Xiulan and Su Jianbin nodded and even applauded.

Then the conversation turned back to business, and both parents began praising Gu Qiangwei again.

She grew a bit embarrassed, and Su Qingshuang jokingly pretended to be upset. The two of them immediately started coaxing her again.

Su Qingshuang laughed out loud.
“Mom, why did you only give me a big brother? He’s great and all, but couldn’t you have given me a big sister too?”

If she had a big sister, her life would surely be even happier!

He Xiulan looked exasperated. “Aren’t you being a bit greedy? Why stop at a brother and a sister? Want a little brother and sister too?”

Su Qingshuang’s eyes lit up. “Wait, is that an option?”

He Xiulan shot her a glare. She laughed heartily while Gu Qiangwei watched their lively interaction, genuinely happy for them.

They chatted until after midnight. At the end of the New Year’s celebration, everyone finally went to rest. He Xiulan and Su Jianbin gave both Su Qingshuang and Gu Qiangwei red envelopes.

Gu Qiangwei tried to refuse, but He Xiulan frowned.
“There’s an old saying—when an elder gives, you don’t decline. Besides, this is a New Year’s red envelope. We give them every year to our eldest son and youngest daughter!”

“Take it, take it. You’re already like half a daughter to us since you’re spending New Year’s here!”

He Xiulan’s words left Gu Qiangwei no choice but to accept it and say thank you.

That night, Gu Qiangwei was supposed to sleep in her own room, but the two insisted on squeezing into the same bed. They stayed up talking late into the night about all kinds of topics.

They didn’t sleep until much later.

The Next Morning

More firecrackers crackled outside. Gu Qiangwei asked if there were any special traditions, and finding out there weren’t, she went ahead and made breakfast.

When He Xiulan and Su Jianbin returned from outside and found out Gu Qiangwei cooked, they were slightly embarrassed.
“You’re a guest—how can we let you cook for us every day?”

“You gave me a red envelope and treat me like family. Isn’t it only right that I cook a little in return?”

“I pan-fried the leftover dumplings from yesterday—they’re golden and crispy on one side. Come try them and see how they taste!”

Smelling the aroma, Su Qingshuang came out of the room in her slippers, yawning.
“We stayed up way too late chatting. I’m so tired this morning!”

He Xiulan chuckled. “Really now?”

“Totally! We talked about everything last night. My eyes could barely open this morning, but the smell of food dragged me out of bed!”

Everyone laughed again.

By the Second Day of the New Year

Su Qingshuang and He Xiulan were washing vegetables, while Su Jianbin was in the room working on a report.

Suddenly, there was a knock at the door.

Since Gu Qiangwei was nearest the kitchen entrance, she went to open it.

Neither He Xiulan nor Su Qingshuang thought much of it and continued picking vegetables.

Gu Qiangwei opened the door and saw a tall man standing outside.

Su Qingyi still looked just like he did in her past life—tall, with strong features and bold eyes, as if he’d been sculpted with precision by God.

He was practically the perfect man.

Far better than that scumbag Lu Zhoushan, and way more handsome too.

But in her past life, she kept turning Su Qingyi down, always feeling responsible for her in-laws.

Even after she rejected him, Su Qingyi still took care of her. And even after his sister died protecting her, he never once blamed her.

His whole family had been so good to her.

Thinking back on it now, tears welled in Gu Qiangwei’s eyes.

But in this life, this was Su Qingyi’s first time meeting Gu Qiangwei. Seeing a young girl he didn’t recognize open the door, he hesitated.

He instinctively thought he might have the wrong house.

After all, he didn’t come home often, and maybe his parents had moved or he’d remembered the address wrong.

He was just about to take a step back when Su Qingshuang noticed something odd and rushed out.

“Brother! Why are you just standing there?”

She ran over and pulled Su Qingyi inside, then excitedly introduced him to Gu Qiangwei.
“Qiangwei, this is my brother—the one I told you about who serves in the military!”

“Brother, this is my business partner and closest friend—more like my sister. Her name is Gu Qiangwei, and she’s spending New Year’s with us!”

Listening to her chirpy introduction, Su Qingyi quickly greeted Gu Qiangwei, then carried his backpack and a few more bags inside.

Besides his luggage, Su Qingyi brought home various gifts and health supplements.

Seeing everything he brought, He Xiulan and Su Jianbin teared up.
“You silly boy, why’d you bring so much? It’s not like I can’t earn money!”

“Next time, don’t buy so much. Save your allowance. You’ll need it when it’s time to get married.”
“We old folks aren’t short on cash!”

Like any mother, He Xiulan couldn’t help scolding him a little.

Of course, she was happy he brought things home, but she also wanted him to save money.

His job was tough—he earned money by putting his life on the line, and she didn’t want him spending it all on them.

“It’s okay, Mom. I saved most of my money—these are just a token of my appreciation.”

“I’ve been away so long. Of course I had to bring something back for you. Take it—it’s good to have some nutrition supplements on hand.”

Su Qingyi usually didn’t talk much, but with his parents, he always had more to say.

“This is for my little sister.”

He pulled out some small trinkets from a bag.
“I didn’t know we had a guest. Xiaoshuang, share these with your friend. Consider it a welcome gift from me.”