Chapter 33 – Then I’ll Learn More Self-Defense to Protect Her

Gu Qiangwei spoke as she walked into the kitchen.

Normally, it would take a few days to make real jerky, but since it was nighttime, she could use the wok to stir-fry the meat until it was slightly dry, then leave it to air-dry overnight. By morning, it should be about ready.

He Xiulan and Su Jianbin tried to stop her, saying she didn’t need to go to all that trouble, and even Su Qingyi felt a little embarrassed.

“It’s no big deal. It’s been so long since I’ve come back—I definitely want to bring back some hometown flavors. That way, next time I crave them, I’ll have some on hand.”

As she spoke, Gu Qiangwei got busy in the kitchen. Su Qingshuang came in to help as well. He Xiulan and Su Jianbin exchanged a look, both feeling deeply moved.

Su Qingyi was also touched.

Gu Qiangwei worked in the kitchen most of the evening and finally managed to finish making all the jerky. Su Qingyi had kept her company the whole time.

“Thank you,” Su Qingyi said, handing her a glass of water as he watched her sweat-soaked face. “Really, thank you for working so hard into the night. Go get some rest now.”

Gu Qiangwei nodded.

Compared to everything Su Qingyi had done for her in their past life, what she was doing now was nothing at all.

Back in her room, Gu Qiangwei quickly fell asleep. But Su Qingyi lay on his bed, tossing and turning, his mind filled with the image of her making jerky for him.

He didn’t know how long had passed, but morning arrived.

Su Qingyi went for a run, freshened up, and packed his things. Gu Qiangwei had already gotten up and made breakfast—and even cooked him some flatbreads.

He Xiulan sighed in admiration, “Qiangwei really knows how to take care of people.”

Gu Qiangwei gave a wry smile. Wasn’t it all thanks to the experience from her past life?

Back then, she’d made foolish choices—this time around, she would not waste her care on people like Wang Shufen and Lu Minghua.

Su Qingshuang had also gotten up early. After they packed up, they escorted Su Qingyi to the train station.

On the way, Su Qingyi reminded them, “You two need to be extra careful when running the business. Don’t overwork yourselves—make sure you get enough rest.”

“If Mom and Dad ever run into any issues, call me right away, and make sure they take care of their health too.”

Perhaps because he was about to leave, Su Qingyi became especially talkative.

“You two should also go for runs more often, build up some stamina, and take the time to practice self-defense!”

He repeated himself again and again, to which Su Qingshuang rolled her eyes. “Big brother, do you know you’re being really naggy right now?”

“I’m not nagging—I just want to make sure you both remember everything I have to say!”

Su Qingyi continued his long list of instructions, while Su Qingshuang acted annoyed the whole time. They soon arrived at the train station, and the train was just about to depart.

Su Qingyi boarded quickly.

“Bye, Brother!” Su Qingshuang called out, then turned around. As she watched the train slowly leave the station, she sniffled and finally murmured, “Now that my brother’s gone back to the army, I probably won’t get to see him for a long time again.”

Hearing this, Gu Qiangwei ruffled her hair. “Then why were you acting so tough earlier? If you didn’t want him to go, you should’ve shown it.”

“But if I did that, he would’ve just worried more, so I had to act like it was nothing.”

“Alright, alright. While he’s away, I’ll focus on the business, and we’ll both work hard. Come on, let’s go back and clean up the shop!”

Gu Qiangwei looked at Su Qingshuang, then at the disappearing train.

This life was already so different from the previous one. That meant she’d already changed so much.

Hopefully, she could continue to change for the better. Hopefully, their business would grow stronger and stronger.

The two of them would definitely become very capable.

After they finished cleaning the shop, they brought some gifts over to the landlord and had a chat about renewing the lease. The landlord was quite pleased and agreed to a small discount for long-term rental. They renewed for another year on the spot.

That way, they wouldn’t have to worry about it again anytime soon.

Once the shop matters were settled, they headed back.

Since they planned to stay at Su Qingshuang’s place more often from now on, Gu Qiangwei went to pack up some of her things and covered all the unused furniture at home with bed sheets.

“I’ve only been living here for a short time, and now I’m moving again,” she muttered.

She used to live with Wang Shufen and Zhao Minghua. Now, she was moving into Su Qingshuang’s home.

She decided to leave this place as is for now.

If she remembered correctly, over a decade later, this entire area underwent redevelopment, and houses were demolished for high compensation.

If she could earn enough money, could she maybe buy a few suitable properties here?

After all, a lot of people were still selling homes these past couple of years. Many thought foreign countries were better, and if they had successful children, they all wanted to immigrate.

They were so foolish.

They didn’t know that a few decades from now, the country would be prosperous and strong.

By then, it would be much harder to come back.

“In the future, we can go to work together and come home together. I’m so happy!” Su Qingshuang beamed, linking arms with Gu Qiangwei as she bounced along the road.

“When I was little, I always asked my mom why she didn’t have another baby, a brother or sister for me. My big brother couldn’t grow up with me, and all the men in our family have always been soldiers. He was sent to the army for training from a young age.”

“I really wanted a companion, so I was always out playing.”

“But I didn’t like hanging out with those delicate, whiny girls. I preferred playing with the boys—they were more free-spirited and fun.”

“The girls in our compound back then… if anything upset them, they’d say, ‘I’m not playing with you anymore!’ and take the other girls with them to ignore me.”

“I was stubborn. If you don’t want to play, fine! Who needs you? So I went to play with the boys instead.”

“Later, my dad got injured and retired. It was hard for me to keep studying, my grandpa had already passed away, and my brother had no housing in the army. So we moved into this current home, leaving my brother in the army alone.”

Su Qingshuang chattered away about her childhood while Gu Qiangwei listened with a smile.

“It’s okay. From now on, I’ll go to work with you, come home with you, and cook delicious food for you. You can eat whatever you like.”

“I can cook anything.”

They chatted and laughed all the way home. Tomorrow, Su Jianbin would be heading back to the army, and He Xiulan needed to buy supplies for her work.

That evening, while they still had time to talk, He Xiulan reminded the girls to be cautious when running their business—especially around people who seemed overly curious about their profits or had bad intentions.

“You two should do as Qingyi said—jog to work in the morning, jog back at night for exercise, and practice those self-defense moves he taught you.”

“When I was young and running a business, I could knock out two men with just one burlap sack. If you didn’t have real strength, you wouldn’t dare travel far!”

Su Qingshuang’s eyes widened. “Mom, were you really that amazing? Who taught you?”

“Your dad taught me a few moves back when we were young—otherwise, how would I have dared to go out?”

After she spoke, she grabbed Su Qingshuang’s hand. “I know sometimes your brother seems strict, and you don’t like listening, but every word he says is right. He’s a soldier. He’s been on missions. He’s seen how cruel people can be.”

Gu Qiangwei nodded.

It was true.

“I understand, Mom. I’ll train properly from now on!”

“Qiangwei cooks for me and gives me ideas—so I’ll learn more self-defense and protect her!” Su Qingshuang said with a bright smile.

Gu Qiangwei’s eyes suddenly turned red.

Just then, Su Qingshuang turned her head and saw her.

Confused, she asked, “Qiangwei, what’s wrong?”

“Are you not feeling well?”