Chapter 16: Since Ancient Times, Deep Feelings Never Last—Only Tactics Win Hearts

Su Luyun, like a dead pig unafraid of boiling water, said: “Of course.”

Wang Guifen was furious!

Hopefully, this damned girl could say the same thing later when taking care of all the peeing and pooping!

“Get a basin and pour the chicken and soup into it. I’m going back!” She didn’t want to stay and see this wretched girl’s face any longer.

Naturally, Su Luyun couldn’t let her mother leave so quickly. She grabbed a clean large bowl and poured the chicken soup into it.

But there was still quite a bit of chicken meat left.

She washed out the food container clean, then smiled as she linked arms with her mother. “Mom, don’t be mad. I know you’re just worried about me.”

Wang Guifen let out a cold snort. “If you’re choosing to suffer, don’t expect me to feel sorry for you. I’m busy too, no time to mind your business!”

“My mom’s always been sharp-tongued but soft-hearted. I know that.” Su Luyun smiled sweetly while coaxing her mother, and then smoothly changed the subject.

She wanted to make a few sets of new clothes for Zhou Changdong.

She had already sorted through the package his comrades had packed and brought back for him. That man was truly harsh to himself.

His socks could barely cover his toes anymore—four of them were already poking out through holes, and the fifth was about to follow!

And it wasn’t just the socks. His underwear had multiple holes too!

Good heavens, when she took inventory yesterday and saw everything, she had been stunned—how did he not freeze his balls off in the wind?

How could someone wear underwear like that and still not change them?

If his underclothes were like that, the outerwear was no better. He had shockingly little—aside from the outfit he wore on him, he only had one change of clothes.

Two sets each for summer and winter. That’s it.

Oh, and a padded winter coat—but that coat was already stiff and hardened. Just one touch and she knew it had been worn for many years; it clearly wasn’t warm anymore!

He probably relied entirely on that military overcoat to get through the winter. That overcoat was still in decent condition, but everything else was useless.

But how much money had he left her in that passbook when he left home?

That passbook had a full 2,800 yuan in it!

Zhou Changdong had graduated from high school and enlisted at seventeen. By the time he returned and got married in his early twenties, he had already earned the rank of Company Commander.

He wouldn’t have been able to save any money during his early years as a low-ranking soldier, but after getting promoted, he had finally been able to start saving.

And to be able to save 2,800 yuan as a marriage fund in just a few short years—besides his salary, he must’ve also received bonuses from missions. It clearly showed that this man was incredibly good at saving!

And judging from the clothes in his package, it was no surprise he could save so much.

Because he truly was diligent and frugal to the core.

Su Luyun never thought thriftiness was a bad thing. “Success comes from thrift, failure from indulgence”—that was wisdom passed down since ancient times!

Being able to earn money was certainly a skill. But being able to hold on to money? Now that was true ability!

Now that Zhou Changdong was back, of course Su Luyun wanted to make a few more outfits for him.

And her mother had always been taking sewing jobs—legally and properly.

Especially after the Spring Breeze Policy was implemented, she had even set up a small tailor shop at home, catering specifically to the neighborhood’s needs.

Her mom had learned tailoring from her grandma. The clothes she made weren’t just of good quality; they were also stylish. She was well-known in their area.

So having her mom make clothes for Zhou Changdong was obviously the most suitable option.

“Why make clothes for Changdong now? He can’t even wear them!” Wang Guifen, though she muttered with a bad temper, also understood from her daughter’s chatter how diligent and thrifty her son-in-law was—there was nothing to fault him on.

“How can he not wear them? Once I make them, I’ll put them on him! I’ve got both money and cloth coupons for the fabric—Mom, you just focus on making the clothes for Changdong.” As she spoke, Su Luyun went to fetch the money and tickets.

The cloth coupons had been traded from someone else. Originally, she had planned to use them to make a new set of clothes for herself.

But after checking, she saw she already had plenty of clothes in her closet. Although she wouldn’t mind making a couple more sets, wasn’t Zhou Changdong more in need?

He should be the priority. She could make hers later once she got more cloth coupons.

As the money and coupons were stuffed into her hand, Wang Guifen felt a lump rise in her throat.

It was obvious that the cloth coupons had originally been meant for her daughter to make clothes for herself. Yet, even with her vanity, the girl was willing to give them up to make clothes for her son-in-law!

Clearly, this girl was genuinely invested in her son-in-law!

However, Wang Guifen didn’t say anything on the surface. After all, this girl had that kind of personality—the more you tried to stop her, the more determined she became!

So, she simply took her son-in-law’s measurements for height and waist.

“My Changdong has a great build, doesn’t he?” Su Luyun said with a beaming smile.

Wang Guifen rolled her eyes at her.

But she had to admit—this son-in-law really was tall and imposing. What a shame he had ended up like this now!

Wang Guifen quickly finished taking the measurements. “Alright, I’ve got the sizes noted down. I’ll send the clothes over once they’re done. Give me that old padded jacket of Changdong’s too—I’ll take it back and rework it for him.”

“Thanks, Mom.” Su Luyun went to fetch it immediately.

After packing everything up, Wang Guifen didn’t plan to linger.

“Mom, don’t worry about things here. I can manage, and you’re really busy too.” Su Luyun walked her out and said sincerely.

Wang Guifen truly was busy—she didn’t have time to stay.

After seeing her mother off, Su Luyun went back inside to coax Zhou Changdong. “You’ll have new clothes to wear soon, okay? Even if you’re unconscious, I still want you looking handsome and pleasing to the eye.”

Zhou Changdong said nothing, but the color on his forehead kept changing.

Sometimes it was a dull gray. Sometimes it was pink, full of floating bubbles. Ever since her mother-in-law had come by that morning and said those things, his emotional state had been shifting between those two colors.

Clever as she was, Su Luyun could easily read his mood.

The gray tones represented guilt—his remorse for not being able to wake up and give her hope.

The pink bubbles were joy—his happiness that she had chosen to stay, unwavering and devoted, willing to care for him without regret. They also carried deep emotional attachment and lingering love.

So right now, his feelings were quite complicated.

Su Luyun secretly smiled to herself.

She didn’t think anything she was doing was too much.

So what if he felt a little guilty? It wouldn’t kill him.

After all, since ancient times, deep feelings couldn’t hold a person, only clever tactics could win their heart!

A person couldn’t afford to be too honest!

Now, back to Wang Guifen.

After leaving her daughter’s place, she spotted some neighbors outside. Without a second thought, she opened the bundle she was carrying and showed them the contents.

While doing so, she said: “Yun Yun asked me to make a few sets of new clothes for Changdong. Said he can’t take care of himself now and doesn’t have many clothes to change into. Even this padded jacket—look at it, the cotton inside is already stiff. She told me to take it back and replace it with fresh cotton.”

She didn’t want anyone thinking she was raiding her son-in-law’s home for things!

Naturally, the neighbors quickly chimed in, praising her daughter as a good wife who really cared for her man.

After chatting with them for a bit, Wang Guifen went to visit her niece, Zhao Yuzhu.

Zhao Yuzhu smiled and said: “Auntie, you came to see Cousin?”

“Yes. Where’s the child?” Wang Guifen pulled out a few milk candies. “I brought some treats for my great-nephew.”

“He’s at kindergarten.” Zhao Yuzhu smiled.

“So young and already going to kindergarten? You’re free at home anyway, why send him off so soon?” Wang Guifen handed her the candy and told her to save it for the child.

“I’m expecting again—getting a bit overwhelmed lately.” Zhao Yuzhu said frankly.

“Expecting again? When did that happen?” Wang Guifen looked a little envious.

“Just found out a little while ago.” Zhao Yuzhu touched her stomach, a hint of pride flashing in her eyes.

“You and your cousin got married around the same time, but now you’ve already got two kids while your cousin still doesn’t even have one.”

“That’s true.” Zhao Yuzhu replied: “but my cousin and I are different. Her husband hasn’t been home in three years—you can’t really blame her for that.”

After some more small talk, Wang Guifen got to the point. “Yuzhu, you and your cousin grew up together—you have to talk some sense into her!”