Chapter 224

Even if Gu Zhangwan doesn’t know how to draw, he can tell that this drawing is simply perfect. Achieving such lines would take at least a dozen or twenty years of skill.

If there had been no comparison, Fantuan and his team’s paintings would have been impeccable, but it was only after comparing them with Su Xiaoxiao that he realized what it means to have the essence of time and experience. Talent alone couldn’t replace it.

“Did Su Xiaoxiao start drawing from a young age?”

Da Bao and Xiao Bao had significant authority in this matter.

Da Bao started preschool at the age of three at his parents’ workplace. Xiao Bao grew up with Su Xiaoxiao and was also guided by her. He had the most authority to speak on this: “Yes, my grandparents said my aunt loved writing, drawing, and reading from a young age. She was the first university student in our village, and she even graduated as the top scholar. She taught all of us.”

Indeed, whether it’s the original owner or Su Xiaoxiao, who has traveled back in time, reading, writing, and drawing have almost become instincts engraved in their DNA since they could hold a pen. How could it be bad?

Gu Zhanwang nodded, “Very good, excellent. You all have surprised me greatly. Let’s proceed according to this plan. Handle the rest yourselves; I won’t interfere anymore. We’ll wait for the finished product directly. By the way, how many days do you roughly need?”

Fantuan said, “We plan to divide into two groups in about a week. Zhuzi and Xiao Doubao will be responsible for the exterior wall, while I will lead others in taking charge of this wall. Xiao Yu, Xiao Roubao, and Xiao Tangyuan will freely express themselves by drawing some irrelevant embellishments below. The final result may not be perfect, but it will add more childlike charm.”

Gu Zhanwang nodded, “That’s good. The casual flowers, insects, and cotton candy under the ‘Three Meals Four Seasons’ wall are excellent.”

Fantuan agreed, “Exactly. My mother says that innocence also has its benefits. As people grow older, what they paint or write naturally gains more craftsmanship but loses some of its spirit and innocence. Xiao Roubao and the others’ innocence fills in that spirit. This seemingly imperfect work will be closer to harmony and balance.”

Gu Zhanwnag patted Fantuan on the shoulder and said, “Su Xiaoxiao is an amazing female comrade. Her knowledge and depth of thought far exceed that of most people, and she is also your best life mentor.”

‘Although she looks so weak and petite, she is truly a person with a strong heart.’

“Of course!” The kids were proud and couldn’t agree more.

Without further ado, to maximize playtime, they had to start working immediately.

The first drafts were already out, and copying them onto the walls was easy. They could finish in a day if it weren’t for the large area and the need for coloring.

This summer, Su Xiaoxiao undoubtedly became the most leisurely person at home.

Han Cheng spent all day in the lab, even having lunch at school. The children went off to do summer jobs, and even the young twins went along to work. Gu Zhanwang took care of their meals; she felt awkward to be too relaxed.

After sleeping in for a long time and casually eating some biscuits and milk, she began planning the food court that Gu Zhanwang had in mind.

Gu Zhanwang, with his strong government connections, likely had access to specific information or acquired certain privileges. The legalization of personal businesses is an unavoidable trend in social and economic development, something the government must have recognized. Gu Zhanwang’s shopping mall might be a test case for legally operating personal businesses, although it might take some time to finalize the official documentation.

However, the interior decoration of the mall had not been completed yet, and it would take one or two years before it could be fully operational. The early 1980s was also the time when individual business licenses were issued, making the timing just right. It aligned perfectly.

Su Xiaoxiao believed it was beneficial to do more preparatory work early when there was time. Given the mall’s size comparable to several capital malls, fully controlling it was unrealistic. The plan was to operate it independently, offering local specialty foods from various regions and leasing the other half of the space. They aimed to find local cuisine with a good reputation and authentic cooking to establish their brand. While creating a new landmark in the capital might be ambitious, they hoped to ensure that anyone nearby wanting to dine out would think of their square first rather than a state-owned restaurant or one specializing in roast duck. Achieving this is a significant success.

Su Xiaoxiao also adopted a modern business model. The food court had a main entrance, public tables and chairs in the center of the square, and various small shops around it. Customers could order whatever they wanted, pick up their order with a number, and sit anywhere. Additional orders could be placed at any time. The dining environment was designed to be warm and comfortable. Su Xiaoxiao believed there would be no problem attracting a steady stream of customers.

As soon as Su Xiaoxiao started drafting her proposal, she forgot everything else. By the time she finished the first draft, it was almost half past ten, nearly time for lunch.

Looking at the freely scorching sunlight outside the window, it was the first time she had such a short and relaxing time to herself. She felt strangely unaccustomed to it.

What should she do next? Su Xiaoxiao thought for a moment and decided to prepare a loving lunch for the researchers devoted to great scientific research.

Su Xiaoxiao acted immediately. After changing her clothes and tidying up, she headed straight to ‘Three Meals Four Seasons.’

There was still some time before lunch. By now, Bailan and Old Uncle Yang had usually prepared all the ingredients. Ingredients needing to be braised were already ready to be taken out, and stir-fried dishes would be cooked once everyone arrived. The summer menu also included a small bowl of green bean soup or other sweet soups, all prepared early and left to cool for lunch.

In short, the efficiency of serving meals was very high, and everything proceeded in an orderly manner.

When Tiantian’s Grandma had nothing to do, she would sometimes sit at the stone table in the courtyard with Tiantian.

When Su Xiaoxiao arrived, Tiantian’s Grandma mysteriously pulled her aside and whispered, “Wait a moment before going in.”

Su Xiaoxiao instinctively glanced inside but saw nothing. She turned back and asked, “What’s going on?”

Tiantian’s Grandma covered her mouth and smiled before saying. “Good news.”

Su Xiaoxiao didn’t react immediately and said, “Good thing.

“It’s about Xiao Bai and Old Yang.” Tiantian’s Grandma brought her thumbs together and smiled mysteriously. “They’re getting closer.”

Su Xiaoxiao was stunned, pointed inside, and then looked at Tiantian’s Grandma. She hadn’t done anything except return to Sujia Village and go to driving school twice recently, had she? What exactly did she miss?

Tiantian’s Grandma nodded and said, “Exactly, but don’t mention it yet. They don’t seem ready to make it public. It took Uncle Yang a lot of courage to take the first step. If he retreats now, it’ll be a mess.”

Su Xiaoxiao closed her mouth and reluctantly accepted this fact. It was not that she couldn’t accept it; she was just a little surprised.

But she understood. Bai Lan, a widow raising her son, had fulfilled her wish now that her son was in college and about to enter society. Uncle Yang, being hard of hearing, had been single all this time. After spending so much time together, they knew each other’s characters and temperaments well. Both were honest and good people, a much more reliable match than those who married in haste.

Even Han Songbai, who has passed the age of sixty, has found a companion. They are only in their forties and still have good days ahead.

From this perspective, Su Xiaoxiao felt that Bai Lan and Uncle Yang were indeed an excellent match.

“Don’t worry, I’ll pretend I don’t know anything and won’t act too obvious. The two of them have a thin face. Let’s talk about it when they are ready to make it public.”

Tiantian’s Grandma nodded and said, “Don’t worry, I’ve only told you this. But Fantuan and the other kids are so smart; I think they’ll soon be able to guess. They’ve been a bit obvious lately.”

Su Xiaoxiao shook her head. “How old are they? They might be smart in other ways but slow on this front. Don’t worry

Before entering the kitchen, Su Xiaoxiao deliberately spoke loudly to Tiantian’s Grandma for a few words, letting those inside know she had arrived. Upon entering the kitchen, she didn’t notice anything unusual. However, after hearing the gossip, she sensed a slightly different atmosphere.

On closer inspection, Uncle Yang’s tall, military-built physique, combined with his soldierly bearing and Bai Lan’s fair complexion and elegant temperament, seemed a perfect match. How did she miss that before?

“Xiaoxiao?” Bai Lan waved her hand in front of Su Xiaoxiao.

Su Xiaoxiao came to her senses and realized she had gotten caught up in the CP in her mind. She felt embarrassed and touched her nose: “I’m sorry, Sister Lan. I was deeply thinking about what to bring Han Cheng for lunch.”

Bai Lan also didn’t mind. She smiled and said, “You’re delivering lunch to Han Cheng? Today’s menu is sour cabbage and pork intestine rice and onion-stir-fried beef rice. They’re appetizing and filling. Han Cheng really likes them.”

Bai Lan served Su Xiaoxiao while saying, “Xiao Roubao particularly loves these two dishes. It’s a pity he won’t be here for lunch, and I don’t know if he’ll come back tonight.”

Uncle Yang subconsciously instinctively took the freshly cooked white rice from Bai Lan. “Just out of the pot, it’s very hot. You can go and make mung bean soup.”

Bai Lan smiled and nodded, “Okay.”

Su Xiaoxiao couldn’t help but think why they seemed so sweet together. That’s why CP (couple pairing) was something you couldn’t just casually get into, or you’d get addicted.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-

Han Cheng’s lab had several people Su Xiaoxiao needed to become more familiar with, and she couldn’t carry so many meals. So, usually, she would deliver lunch to Han Cheng, his Teacher, and his assistant, plus one for herself, for a total of four.

Su Xiaoxiao arrived just in time. Han Cheng and his Teacher were about to go to the canteen. Seeing Su Xiaoxiao with something in her hands, he hurried over to take them. “It’s so hot today. Why are you not resting at home and instead running around?”

Seeing Han Cheng’s nervous look, Su Xiaoxiao couldn’t help but think of Uncle Yang’s expression just now.

Su Xiaoxiao asked Han Cheng to give the other two meals to his teacher and assistant first, then find a cool place to sit down and accompany him to eat.

“The weather is too hot; don’t send it next time, “Han Cheng said.

Su Xiaoxiao tilted her head and looked at him, “But I wanted to have lunch with you. The kids aren’t at home, and there’s no one to eat with me.”

Han Cheng paused for a moment, his expression somewhat helpless, and said, “Then I’ll walk back for lunch tomorrow. You don’t have to come here.”

Su Xiaoxiao tapped his forehead and said, “I’m just teasing you, you silly goose. I spent most of my time at home today and only came out to take a walk. I won’t be coming tomorrow.”

Han Cheng curled his lips and smiled, “That’s good.”

Su Xiaoxiao teased him again. “Do you really not want to see me?”

Han Cheng looked helpless again. “No, I just don’t want you to overwork.”

Su Xiaoxiao laughed again. “Han Cheng, you really are a silly goose.”

Su Xiaoxiao scooped most of the meat and rice from her bowl into Han Cheng’s. “It’s too hot, I can’t eat.”

Han Cheng didn’t say anything more about how it was too hot to go out. Instead, he got up and went back to the lab to get a thin book to fan her with.

Su Xiaoxiao took the book from his hand and fanned herself, occasionally helping him fan him also a few times while watching him eat.

From afar, Han Cheng’s Teacher watched and turned to his assistant. “You, hurry up and find someone to date. Look at Han Cheng. He has a wife who knows how to take care of him. They live such a good life.”

The assistant withdrew his envious gaze and said, “Teacher, am I not looking for one? I can’t find one. If I could find a wife like Comrade Su, I would marry ten. Finding a wife to take care of me, I’d rather write more papers.”

The Teacher smacked him with the book. “Dream on. You can’t find one, and you’re thinking about ten? If you dare to bother Comrade Su, you’re not my student anymore.”

The assistant chuckled twice. “Just kidding, just kidding, don’t be mad, Teacher. ‘Three Meals Four Seasons’ really lives up to its reputation. It’s delicious. If only I could eat this every day!”

Teacher: “Then you’d better go find a wife. It’s easier than relying on Han Cheng’s wife to bring you lunch. What are you thinking?”

Assistant: “……..”