Chapter 83.2

The green beans are growing vigorously, climbing half the wall alongside the bamboo. There’s so much growth down below that they can’t even finish eating it, let alone the ones on the wall. Su Xiaoxiao plans to let the elders on the wall grow, so they’ll taste great when they’re just beans.

While everyone was doing their own duties at home, Han Cheng went to Zhao Xianfeng’s place to pick up the car; that’s why he came back a little later than usual. Even before he entered the courtyard, he could already smell the aroma of the food at home.

Su Xiaoxiao greeted him with her eyes squinting: “Why are you so late today?”

As Han Cheng was outside, his body temperature was lower than usual, so he didn’t dare touch his wife’s hand: “I went to Zhao Xianfeng’s to get the car. The car will be kept in our home from now on. It’s cold outside, let’s go inside.”

Su Xiaoxiao looked at him in surprise: “Keep it at our place? Is that okay?”

Han Cheng said, “Grandfather’s car was originally given as a reward to him. It’s for personal use, not as a public car. Zhao Xianfeng has official vehicles from the military. This car isn’t needed for the time being. He can let anyone use it.”

Su Xiaoxiao understood, “Stir-fry the green beans, and we can start the meal. It would be even better if we add a bit of cured meat.”

Han Cheng nodded and said, “I know. You and the children should tidy up, and we’ll have the meal right away.”

Han Cheng went to cook, and Su Xiaoxiao helped the cubs set the table.

Not long after, pigeon soup and stir-fried green beans with cured meat were served. The children followed them to the kitchen to get their food.

A plate full of vibrant green beans and only a few slices of cured meat, which seemed more like a side dish. Su Xiaoxiao distributed the cured meat into bowls for Han Cheng and the kids, giving each person just a couple of pieces.

Eating too much-pickled food is not good for the baby, so she tried to consume less. Everyone in the family knew about this, so they let her have more pigeon legs.
These days, it can’t be helped. Beans, green beans, and green peppers from the garden all tasted better with a bit of cured meat, even if they had to be sparing with it to enjoy it in multiple meals.

However, having pigeon soup this time provided ample nutrition, and the whole family ate warmly and heartily.

Now that the water is cold, Su Xiaoxiao doesn’t dare let the kids touch the water. They even scheduled baths for midday, and Han Cheng took care of washing the dishes after meals.

The next morning, Su Xiaoxiao put all the knives and matches in the kitchen and locked the kitchen door. She wasn’t worried about her two children at home, but she wanted to be cautious in case a bear came over to play with fire and knives.

Su Xiaoxiao also set up tasks for the two cubs and left them some fried rice cakes and milk candies. She instructed them to have a little snack if they came back late and reminded them not to go out before she returned.

Since entering school, the two cubs have become much more sensible. Especially Zhuzi, who was responsible and dependable like an older brother. Su Xiaoxiao felt at ease, leaving them alone for a while.

Xiao Doubao was still too young, so Su Xiaoxiao didn’t feel comfortable leaving him at home alone. She decided to take him with her.

Han Cheng first took them to the Propaganda Department and told Su Xiaoxiao, “I’ll come to pick you up at noon. Don’t come out, I’ll find you inside.”

“Got it.” Su Xiaoxiao wanted to hug Han Cheng, but with people coming and going, she waved Xiao Doubao’s little paw instead. “Say goodbye to Dad.”

“Goodbye, Daddy~~”Xiao Doubao’s voice was cute and crisp, and Han Cheng hugged him before driving away.

Su Minglan happened to be at the entrance and said with a strange tone, “Well, it’s true that clothes make the man. It turns out to be Comrade Su. I almost didn’t recognize you. Wasn’t that your Director Han just now? Personally, driving you to work? Even my husband Chen doesn’t drive me to work in a government car. Your stepmother role is quite impressive.”

Su Minglan was a few years older than Su Xiaoxiao. She was the second wife of Commander Chen, who was over a decade older than her. Today, she was wearing clothes similar in style to Su Xiaoxiao’s, but the quality was noticeably inferior. She was taller than Su Xiaoxiao, and with the addition of high-heeled shoes, even when she spoke with a smile, she exuded an imposing aura.

Although Su Xiaoxiao didn’t understand the meaning behind her words, she could sense her hostility. She had vaguely heard rumors that Commander Chen had initially been interested in Jiang Xue, but since Jiang Xue didn’t reciprocate his feelings, he married Su Minglan instead.

With all this gossip and hearsay, it was hard to distinguish between truth and falsehood. Su Xiaoxiao had heard enough of them, but she had no grievances with Su Minglan. She genuinely didn’t understand the source of this inexplicable animosity.

Su Xiaoxiao is not a soft persimmon at all, and she’s not the type of person who will back down easily. She retorted, “Indeed, I also feel quite impressive in my stepmother role. However, my husband Han Cheng’s car isn’t just any government car. Old Master Zhao from the Zhao family likes him and has him drive to pick me up for work. Everyone knows we’re all comrades named Su, all playing the role of stepmothers. If I didn’t know, I’d think you’re the Minister of Public Security. Why be so lenient? Excuse me.”

After saying this with a smile, Su Xiaoxiao held Xiao Doubao’s hand and walked ahead. Suddenly, Xiao Doubao turned around, stuck out his tongue, and made a funny face at Su Minglan.

He didn’t like this woman. If it weren’t for his mom telling him not to kick anyone, he would have kicked her already.

Su Minglan stomped her foot in frustration. Jiang Xue’s mysterious background after being transferred from the capital was something she didn’t quite understand. She had endured being suppressed by her for so many years. Why did she have to be overshadowed even by a girl from a small village with no background?

Su Xiaoxiao’s clothes were clearly of foreign brands, something that money couldn’t buy easily. They were probably much more expensive than the ones she was wearing. She, the wife of a senior officer in the art troupe, unexpectedly dressed worse than even a village girl. She even retorted to the point of being speechless, leaving her in a difficult situation. Where could she hide her face?

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Accompanied by Xiao Doubao, Su Xiaoxiao entered the minister’s office to give a report. Coincidentally, the chief designer was also present, and they discussed making on-the-spot improvements along with minor details, even proposing an additional alternative plan.

The minister was amazed by Su Xiaoxiao’s work efficiency and couldn’t help but sigh, “Comrade Su, if you could come and work full-time, we would be relieved.”

The drafts from the propaganda team were in disarray, constantly being revised and amended. Time was wasted on editing these drafts. If everyone worked like Su Xiaoxiao, who knows how much time and energy could be saved? Instead of the current situation of working overtime and still not completing the work.

Su Xiaoxiao shook her head: “Let’s talk about that later. Currently, my family and health conditions don’t allow it. But Minister, I’m just like my colleagues who work in the office. I also have to work late at home to come up with ideas and revise proposals to complete tasks. I am not the kind of genius who can easily come up with a design. It is all built with time and energy. I have to go back to my mother’s house this year. In these past few days, I’ve been either sleeping or rushing to finish drafts. Even meals are prepared by Han Cheng after he returns home.”

Su Xiaoxiao did not lie at all. Her family and her health condition did not allow it, and the meal was indeed prepared by Han Cheng. It wasn’t that she was intentionally pretending, but if she effortlessly finished the work that others struggled with, it wouldn’t highlight her skills, it would just invite resentment.

She couldn’t even manage to work in the office right now. With a child on the way and needing to take care of the child, even if she were exceptional, it wouldn’t be possible to get a promotion and raise in a short time. She didn’t want unnecessary attention.

Chief Designer Zhou Jianguo looked at Su Xiaoxiao with admiration and nodded repeatedly. “Indeed, when we look at the proposals, they seem easy, but only Comrade Su knows the amount of effort behind them. In our propaganda department, no work can be done casually. There’s sweat behind it, for every comrade.”

Upon hearing what they said, the minister also felt that he had taken her too much for granted. He nodded and said, “Alright, Comrade Su Xiaoxiao, you can start your vacation tomorrow. We will discuss any tasks when you come back from your hometown after the Chinese New Year.”

Su Xiaoxiao’s original idea was this: “That sounds good. Han Cheng at home is also on vacation tomorrow. I’ll go back and tidy up first, and try to go and return early.”

Checking the time, the minister suddenly remembered the presence of a child. He remarked, “Your child is quite well-behaved. He can sit quietly for so long at such a young age.”

Su Xiaoxiao rubbed Xiao Doubao’s head and said softly, “Our Xiao Doubao is very well-behaved. There are no elders at home to take care of him, so I take him with me wherever I go. Even in my class, I have to take him with me, and we’ve gotten used to this setup.”

The minister sighed about the difficulties faced by female comrades and asked if she received the New Year’s benefits.

Su Xiaoxiao shook her head and said, “No.”

The minister asked Zhou Jianguo, “Didn’t we distribute them? Why hasn’t anyone delivered them to Comrade Su? Go ahead and get me two copies immediately, and one for the child.”

Su Xiaoxiao repeatedly waved her hand and said, “No need, Minister. It won’t look good for a non-staff like me to receive that. If others see it, they’ll surely gossip.”

The minister’s tone became more serious, with the underlying meaning, “Tell Zhang Zhu to eat more.”

Su Xiaoxiao immediately realized that it was for that child. She thought it was for Xiao Doubao, but she no longer refused.

When Han Cheng arrived, Zhou Jianguo was carrying bags and boxes and said “Director Han is here to pick up Comrade Su from work, right? Perfect timing. These are all Comrade Su’s New Year’s benefits.”

‘This much? ’ Han Cheng looked at Su Xiaoxiao in confusion, and Su Xiaoxiao said, “The Chief especially gave this to the child. Let’s go back and talk about it.”

Zhou Jianguo helped load the items into the car and turned back only after the car had driven far away.

Su Minglan came out from inside and said, “Oh, our esteemed Chief Designer is working as a mover? How come Su Xiaoxiao has more benefits than us formal employees?”

Although Zhou Jianguo is not very fond of Su Minglan, it’s not easy to offend her due to her status: “Go ask the Minister. I only did what he asked me to do.”

After speaking, he turned around and left.

Su Minglan snorted coldly, ‘Were these men crazy? They all acted like lapdogs in front of Su Xiaoxiao. Just a turn of the head and they would show her a smiling face.’ Their actions really infuriated her.