Chapter 25: Time to Clap Back

Wrestling practice had turned into Qin Sui’s one-man show, with cheers and applause echoing continuously.

Lin Su gradually found herself completely captivated by Qin Sui, watching him without blinking.

Then she noticed something Qin Sui seemed even more amazing now. He was taking on two people at once.

Hiss. The man’s deadly charm was terrifyingly irresistible.

She glanced at the time it was already 10:00 without her realizing.

Time flies.

“I should head back. If Keke wakes up and doesn’t see me, he’ll sulk again. That little guy can be quite the tsundere,” Lin Su said as she got up.

Gu Lin, though not satisfied yet, also stood to unlock the door upon hearing this.

“What’s tsundere?” she asked curiously.

Lin Su smiled and explained, “Proud, confident, and a little bratty.”

Gu Lin understood, and her heart lightened she had learned a new word.

“When did they leave?” Qin Sui asked, looking around and finding the two of them gone.

Cheng Jianguo replied speechlessly, “They left a while ago. You were too boring they left because of that.”

Qin Sui had no response.

…

“Back already? Keke’s been staring at the door,” Grandma Lin said quickly when she saw Lin Su return.

Lin Su hurried to scoop up Qin Keke, who was obediently sitting on a small stool. “Did you miss me?”

Qin Keke turned his head away with a proud little “hmph.”

Lin Su knew he was pouting again and chuckled helplessly. “How about I make you some mini cakes?”

The new term caught Qin Keke’s attention. He hesitated, trying not to look at her, but when Lin Su nuzzled his cheek, he finally gave in.

He pushed his luck: “Two mini cakes.”

“Okay,” Lin Su replied indulgently.

They still had flour from the last time, plus a few eggs from their hens and some gifted by neighbors more than enough.

Grandma Lin fanned herself beside the coal stove, unfazed by the “waste” of flour. Her granddaughter had finally grown up well she could do whatever made her happy.

By the time the cakes were done, it was already noon.

Lin Su figured the school didn’t provide lunch, so she decided to deliver food and use the little cakes to sweeten things up especially for Qin Ni, who needed coaxing with tasty treats.

After preparing the meal, the three of them ate first, then cleaned up and set out.

Grandma Lin didn’t want Lin Su going alone with a child, so she tagged along.

On the way, they passed Gu Lin’s house. Lin Su took out a portion for her.

“Smells amazing. I’ve never seen mini cakes like this I almost don’t want to eat it. By the way, where are you headed?” Gu Lin asked.

Lin Su replied, “Bringing lunch to the kids.”

“Then go ahead, I won’t keep you.”

“Okay.”

Nearby aunties overheard and exchanged glances, whispering to each other:

“That deputy commander’s family doesn’t seem like the rumors.”

“She looks good. The kid she’s holding is clean, well-dressed, and lively clearly well taken care of.”

“Yeah, I heard she’s not in the best health, but she still delivers food herself. Tsk. If I wasn’t feeling well, I couldn’t manage that.”

Lin Su had no idea she was being discussed, and even if she had, she wouldn’t have cared.

The school’s infrastructure was lacking there was no cafeteria, so students either brought lunch, had it delivered by family, or went home. Some simply waited from breakfast until dinner.

Most kids brought cold meals. Parents delivering food like Lin Su were rare, so they immediately drew attention.

Lin Su gave a few mini cakes to Li Changjiang to thank him for his help and asked if he could keep an eye on the kids.

Li Changjiang tried to decline but eventually accepted.

Staring at the delicate mini cakes, Li Changjiang looked at the gentle woman before him through his glasses and said solemnly, “Thank you.”

“No need,” Lin Su replied, then left with her basket.

Li Changjiang watched her walk away, then looked down at the cakes. He didn’t eat them, just stared at them in thought.

Meanwhile.

Seeing their stepmom had come, Qin Yao and Qin Ni quickly ran out of class, straightening their backs under their classmates’ envious or curious gazes.

A strange feeling bubbled up inside them.

Qin Ni, with her sharp nose, smelled the sweet scent and sped up her pace.

Lin Su knew she wasn’t excited to see her but for the cakes.

This little foodie.

Since it wasn’t good to eat in front of others and cause envy, Lin Su took them to a quiet spot.

Qin Ni was visibly eager. As soon as Lin Su lifted the cloth from the basket, her eyes locked on the cute little cakes.

Though Qin Keke was full from his earlier treat, he still gulped at the sight of them.

Lin Su handed them out and asked, “Which do you want to eat first?”

The two didn’t answer they both went for the cakes.

Qin Ni nibbled delicately to avoid dropping crumbs. Once she tasted the delicious sweetness, she closed her eyes and smiled in bliss.

Qin Yao was more reserved but clearly loved it, his eyes curving into happy arcs.

Grandma Lin couldn’t sit still and wandered off.

When Qin Keke needed to pee, Lin Su left the older kids to eat and took him.

When she returned, she noticed several students hiding near the corner, watching them. More soon came, sucking on fingers, clearly tempted by the aroma.

Even though she’d picked a secluded spot, they’d still found them.

If this were modern times, she might’ve shared, but this was the scarcity-ridden 1980s.

Her own kids didn’t have enough how could she share?

She ignored them, but noticed Qin Yao suddenly stiffen and, as if on purpose, faced their direction and exaggeratedly ate with loud “mm-mmm” noises.

The kids watching drooled even more obviously.

Lin Su didn’t get why he was doing it, but she didn’t stop him.

Qin Ni joined in, exaggerating expressions to make them jealous.

Lin Su was nearly laughing out loud. What did those kids do to deserve this petty revenge?

Before they left, Lin Su thought of something and asked, “Did those kids bully you?”

Qin Yao glanced at her and shook his head.

“Really?” she asked again.

He hesitated a few seconds, then shook his head again.

Lin Su felt reassured and probed gently, “Do you like going to school?”

For most kids, studying wasn’t fun, and Qin Yao thought it was a dumb question.

Seeing he didn’t want to respond, Lin Su didn’t press him. She took Qin Keke and Grandma Lin home.

Qin Yao watched them leave for a long time before heading back.

Qin Ni wasn’t watching she was still savoring the cake.

…

Back home, Lin Su and Grandma got to work loosening soil, planning to plant more vegetables.

As it neared dismissal time, Lin Su got ready to pick up the older kids. While parents in the modern world often did this, no one here really did.

But Lin Su wanted to build immunity and help them adjust to school, so she decided to go.

When an auntie asked where they were headed, and Lin Su said to pick up the kids, she looked baffled.

So much to do all day, and she still has energy to fetch them? And she’s supposed to be sick? Unbelievable.

But Lin Su didn’t care about others’ opinions. She just wanted to do what she believed was right.

Good thing she went that day.

They walked slowly and ran into students on their way back. Not seeing Qin Yao or Qin Ni, Lin Su held Qin Keke’s hand and kept walking.

Then, not far ahead, they saw Qin Yao and Qin Ni surrounded by a bunch of rowdy kids one even throwing stones at them.

Panicked, Lin Su handed Keke to Grandma and rushed over. “Stop it!”

The kids scattered when they saw an adult. The one throwing rocks didn’t get away Lin Su caught him.

“Why are you bullying them?”

The kid struggled hard, almost escaping.

“Let go of me! If you dare hit me, my mom I’ll beat you to death, you stinky woman!” he screamed, scratching and swearing.

Lin Su restrained his hands and frowned. “I didn’t hit you. Just tell me why were you bullying them?”

“I’ll bully whoever I want! Who are you to stop me?”

Wow, this little brat.

Just as Lin Su was about to discipline him, a roar came from behind.

“Lin Su, you damn woman! Let go of my son!”

The voice was familiar. Lin Su turned and saw Zhao Cuifeng storming over.

“Oh, Lin Su! Just because your man’s a deputy commander, you think you can bully kids in broad daylight? Have you no shame?” Zhao Cuifeng shoved Lin Su aside and shielded her son like a protective mother bear.

Lin Su frowned. “Which eye of yours saw me bullying him? I didn’t hit or scold him. I only stopped him from bullying my two kids. You’re accusing me without even asking the facts?”

“Pah! My son didn’t bully anyone. All I saw was you bullying him!” Zhao Cuifeng glared.

No reasoning with her.

Even worse Zhao Cuifeng was getting more aggressive, looking like she might throw hands.

Sensing the danger, Lin Su wisely stepped back, but Zhao Cuifeng advanced, clearly intending to hit her.

Just then, Grandma Lin stepped in front of Lin Su, hands on her hips, ready to clap back.