Chapter 71.1

Su Xiaoxiao got up and walked towards the courtyard door, and it turned out to be Captain Xu Damu.

Su Xiaoxiao stopped more than one meter away from the courtyard gate and said: “Captain Xu, is there something you need? My husband, Han Cheng, is on a business trip, so it’s not convenient to invite male comrades inside. Please tell me what you need here.”

Xu Da Mu saw Su Xiaoxiao enjoying the sun comfortably and thought to himself that this female comrade had strong professional abilities and knew how to enjoy life. He wondered who she was and how she managed to attract the attention of high-ranking leaders. When the leader personally asked her about her work and showed him the design proposal, she had completed in less than two days, he was thoroughly impressed.

Upon hearing Su Xiaoxiao say this, Xu Damu waved his hand repeatedly and said: “No, no, I won’t come in. I was wondering if Director Han mentioned your upcoming work arrangements. The Propaganda Team has some matters…”

Su Xiaoxiao interrupted him. She was smiling without being submissive or forceful as she said: “I know. From now on, my work will no longer be under the management of the Propaganda Team. It will be directly affiliated with the Propaganda Department, and the work tasks will be assigned directly by the department; my tasks won’t involve fieldwork. Is there a new task from the Propaganda Department that requires you to personally come and inform me?”

Xu Da Mu was organizing his words, trying to find a way to persuade Su Xiaoxiao to return to the Propaganda Team to help them with their current project.

Just then, Su Xiaoxiao spoke again: “Originally, I was planning to transfer my files back to the elementary school. But then, Han Cheng told me that seems to be that the leader is very satisfied with my design. There are also many activities in the Propaganda Department at the end of the year and the beginning of the year, and they hope I can continue to stay there. Otherwise, if it wasn’t for the leader’s promise that the work arrangements won’t be as disorganized as in the Propaganda Team, I would have wanted to stay home and take care of my children. Right now, all three of my children are still asleep, and Han Cheng is on a business trip. I dare not take a step away.”

Xu Damu swallowed everything he had originally intended to say. A man goes on a business trip while a woman stays home, taking care of three children, the oldest being only six years old and the youngest under two years old. How could he have the face to ask?

“By the way, Captain Xu, what did you come to me for?” Su Xiaoxiao looked sincerely at Xu Da Mu.

Xu Damu waved his hand and said, “It’s nothing; I just came to inform you that your future work will be arranged by the department. I’ve seen your design proposal, and it’s a waste for you to stay on the Propaganda Team. I’ve had my fair share of offenses in the past, and I hope you won’t hold it against me, a rough person like myself. We have many single comrades in our team, where women act as men and men are treated like livestock. I didn’t consider your family situation, and it was indeed my negligence.”

Su Xiaoxiao shook her head repeatedly and said: “It’s because of my family’s circumstances that I’m unable to do so. However, I absolutely admire every comrade who is dedicated and works hard in their respective positions, including Comrade Xiao Zhang. He has ideals and drives. In fact, I think Captain Xu could consider giving such comrades more opportunities to demonstrate their abilities.”

Xu Da Mu looked at her in astonishment and said, “You’re even speaking up for Xiao Zhang?”

Xiao Zhang told him that Comrade Su should be very dissatisfied with him. Xiao Zhang had preemptively warned Captain Xu that Su Xiaoxiao might report on him. Setting aside their professional abilities, Xiao Zhang’s mindset was far inferior to that of Su Xiaoxiao, a female comrade.

Su Xiaoxiao continued to shake her head, saying, “I’m not speaking up for anyone. I’m just speaking the truth.”

In the end, Xu Da Mu only mentioned that if she encountered any difficulties in her daily life while Director Han was away, she could send someone to the Propaganda Team to find him.

Su Xiaoxiao thanked him and watched him leave.

Life is full of ups and downs, whether it’s work, studies, or personal life. There are always bumps along the way. In her past life, she had been too passive, so perhaps this is the normal state of life.

As Su Xiaoxiao was about to turn and go back inside, the sound of a bicycle bell rang out. She turned around and saw Old Hu.

Perhaps it was Old Hu who couldn’t stay for too long, as he directly hung the items on her doorknob and rode away on his bicycle.

Su Xiaoxiao walked over and picked it up. To her surprise, they were two pig ears and a pig’s tail. Normally, pig ears are sold together with the pig’s head, but today Old Hu brought only the ears without any meat from the head. Su Xiaoxiao had never seen a pig’s tail being sold before. These were all good things. Old Hu probably knew that she liked these items since she often bought pig offal.

There was also a piece of paper inside that clearly stated the weight, price, and how much money was left.

Old Hu, despite appearing rough, actually had a caring heart.

Su Xiaoxiao turned around while holding the items, and her three children rubbed their eyes when they woke up.

Fantuan saw it clearly and frowned. “This thing looks ugly; will it taste good?”

Xiao Doubao walked over and reached out to pull the hair from the tip of the pig’s tail.

“It’s delicious. It’s made in the same way as braised large intestines. Once I make it, you’ll know.”

Xiao Fantuan couldn’t help but swallow his saliva and say “Then it must be very tasty.”

Zhuzi said, “Aunt Su never makes anything that isn’t delicious.”

Fantuan nodded. “That’s true.”

Xiao Doubao sometimes unconsciously put his hand in his mouth, so Su Xiaoxiao helped him wash his hands. “Once you’ve washed your hands clean, you shouldn’t touch them again, okay?”

Xiao Doubao bit his hand and nodded obediently.

Su Xiaoxiao looked at the hair on the pig’s ears and the pig’s tail with a bit of regret. “It’s a pity we don’t have a straw. Otherwise, we could use a straw to roast them, which would make them even more tasty and remove the hair.”

Xiao Zhuzi thought for a moment and said, “Aunt Su, I know where to find a straw.”

With Han Cheng not at home, Su Xiaoxiao didn’t want the children to go out. She shook her head and said, “We still have the lotus leaves we brought back from Grandma Zhang’s house last time. We can use lotus leaves for roasting.”

Xiao Fantuan has already gone to fetch the lotus leaves.

The two cubs have had very few opportunities to watch Su Xiaoxiao cook since they started going to school, so they curiously gathered around her.

Su Xiaoxiao found a chipped enamel plate and placed a lotus leaf on the bottom. She put the pig ears and pig’s tail inside and added a few more lotus leaves on top. She then roasted them, flipping them over once one side was almost done, and continued roasting until all sides were cooked.

The pig hair was making a sizzling sound, and the surface started to turn slightly golden brown. Su Xiaoxiao felt it was about done and extinguished the fire.

The family of four squatted on the ground. Fantuan and Zhuzi sniffed and looked at each other before saying in unison, “It smells so good!”

Xiao Fantuan asked again, “Mom, can I take a bite now?”

Su Xiaoxiao chuckled and shook her head. “It’s still raw. It will be even more delicious after it’s cooked.”

The cubs like to watch, so Su Xiaoxiao decided to take the knife and pliers outside to continue the process. While the hair had burned off, the hair follicles were still there, so the areas where the knife couldn’t scrape clean needed to be plucked with the pliers.

Fantuan wanted to help his mom and insisted on trying the plucking task. Su Xiaoxiao let him give it a try, but he didn’t have enough strength to do it.

Su Xiaoxiao finished her task and began assigning duties: “The sun is setting soon. You first feed the chicks and then water the vegetable garden. Since the big man is not at home, you little men need to take a bath before the sun sets. You also need to help Xiao Doubao wash up. Make sure you wash quickly and don’t catch a cold. Can you do it?”

The two older cubs nodded and said, “Yes!”

The little cub also nodded and said, “Yes~”

Su Xiaoxiao: “Okay, let’s divide the work and cooperate. I’ll go boil some water now.”

Since they were all boys, Han Cheng usually took care of bathing the children. Su Xiaoxiao didn’t participate, and Xiao Zhuzi had been bathing by himself for a while. After some time, Fantuan also started bathing by himself. Only Xiao Doubao had always been bathed by Han Cheng. While the sun was still up and the weather wasn’t too cold, Su Xiaoxiao wanted the two older brothers to help bathe him.