Chapter 113 : County Party Committee Family Building

Old Mrs. Chang brought Su Xieqiu to the county party committee’s staff building.  

She unlocked a room on the second floor and said, “Comrade Su, please take a seat. I’ll go get you some water.”  

“Thank you, Auntie,” Su Xieqiu replied with a smile, sitting down and casually observing her surroundings. The house was quite spacious, with three rooms, a separate kitchen, and a bathroom.  

To live in such a large house, one must hold a certain level of social status.  

Little Guangming, curious and grateful, ran into his room and came back holding an iron box.  

“Auntie, these snacks are really tasty. I want to give them to you,” he said earnestly.  

At six years old, he was old enough to understand that this kind aunt had saved his life. To show his gratitude, he offered what he considered his best possession.  

Touched, Su Xieqiu smiled and picked up a piece of mung bean cake. “Thank you, Guangming. Auntie will just take one piece. You can keep the rest for yourself.”  

“No, take them all!” he insisted, pushing the box toward her again.  

Amused, she patted his head and said, “You’re such a good boy, but Auntie really can’t finish them all.”  

Just then, Old Mrs. Chang emerged from the kitchen carrying a cup of tea and a plate of snacks.  

“Comrade Su, please have some snacks first. Stay here for lunch,” she said warmly.  

“Aunt Chang, I have two children at home, so I won’t eat here,” Su Xieqiu politely declined.  

Old Mrs. Chang was taken aback. Comrade Su looked no older than seventeen or eighteen, so how could she already have two children?  

Unable to suppress her curiosity, she asked, “Comrade Su, aren’t you one of the educated youth from Hai City sent to the countryside? How come you already have children? Are you married?”  

With a calm smile, Su Xieqiu nodded. “Yes, Auntie, I’m married, and the two children are my husband’s. He works, so I help take care of them at home.”  

She didn’t elaborate further. Since this was the story circulating in the village, it was easier to stick with it to avoid suspicion.  

Hearing this, Old Mrs. Chang understood. Her husband was likely remarried, but given his good circumstances and job, there was no reason to look down on her.  

Her admiration and gratitude toward Comrade Su overshadowed any other thoughts. After all, this young woman had saved her grandson’s life.  

“Since you have children at home, I won’t keep you long,” Old Mrs. Chang said. “But I can’t let you leave hungry. Wait a moment, I’ll make you a quick bowl of noodles.”  

Before she could move, Su Xieqiu gently stopped her. “Aunt Chang, really, it’s not necessary. I had a meal before I left, so I’m not hungry. Anyway, I’ll visit you the next time I come to town.”  

She stood up as she spoke.  

Old Mrs. Chang, reluctant to let her leave empty-handed, said, “Wait here for a moment. I’ll get you something to take home.”  

She hurried into the room to pack some things. While she was busy, however, Su Xieqiu smiled, waved goodbye to little Guangming, and slipped out the door.  

“Grandma, Aunt Su is gone!” Guangming called out.  

“What? Why did she leave?” Old Mrs. Chang came out quickly, only to find that her guest had already run downstairs.  

When her son and daughter-in-law returned home from work at noon, Old Mrs. Chang recounted the events of the day and shared what she had learned about Su Xieqiu.  

“I was so helpless at that moment. If it hadn’t been for Comrade Su, I can’t imagine what would have happened today,” she said, still shaken by the memory.  

Li Xiao’e, her daughter-in-law, pulled Guangming close and anxiously asked, “Guangming, are you still feeling unwell?”  

“No, Mom, I’m fine now,” he reassured her. “I don’t feel anything uncomfortable anymore.”  

Li Xiao’e touched her son’s face, still a bit worried. “Mom, why don’t you take the child to the hospital for a checkup? We shouldn’t risk him having any complications.”  

Chang Xueqian observed his son carefully and reassured his wife, “As long as he’s spit it out, he should be fine. Don’t worry.”  

He then turned to Old Lady Chang. “Mom, you said it was an educated youth from the Hongqi Commune who saved Guangming?”  

“Yes, Comrade Su said she’s from Hai City and came to the countryside last year for work,” she replied, recounting what she had learned, including details about Comrade Su’s marriage.  

“I didn’t ask too much, but I know her husband is remarried and already has two children,” she added.  

The couple was surprised upon hearing this.  

Li Xiao’e asked, “Mom, didn’t you say she looked only seventeen or eighteen? Why would someone so young marry a man with children? Is her appearance ordinary?”  

Although her question was tactful, Old Lady Chang caught her meaning and smiled. “Comrade Su is very beautiful, prettier than the girls in the provincial art troupe. She’s also well-mannered and has an excellent character.”  

Chang Xueqian and Li Xiao’e exchanged glances. If Comrade Su had such good qualities, why would she willingly become a stepmother, especially to two children? Could her husband be someone exceptional?  

“Mom, what about Comrade Su’s husband?” Chang Xueqian asked.  

It wasn’t mere curiosity. Since she had saved their son, they wanted to appropriately show their gratitude.  

“Her husband is from the Sanhua Brigade. I believe he works in a factory, but I didn’t get many details. It’s not the most important thing,” Old Lady Chang replied.  

She then suggested, “Why don’t you two take a day off and visit Comrade Su to thank her? Saving a life is a big deal, and we shouldn’t come across as ungrateful.”  

Chang Xueqian had been transferred from the provincial capital to Nanping County two years ago to serve as the executive deputy county magistrate. His wife worked at the county women’s federation, and both were very busy. Old Lady Chang often helped take care of their children.  

Considering his mother’s words, Chang Xueqian thought for a moment and said to his wife, “Xiao’e, I can’t get away for the next couple of days. Why don’t you take Mom and the children and bring some food and daily necessities as gifts?”  

Li Xiao’e understood his position and smiled. “Mom, would it be okay for the two of us to go with the children?” she asked.  

Old Lady Chang glared at her son, teasingly scolding him. “You’re just like your father, never home and leaving everything to others!”  

Then, softening her tone, she smiled at her daughter-in-law. “Xiao’e, you’ve had to bear a lot being with Xueqian all these years.”  

“Mom, I don’t feel burdened at all. Xueqian is a good man, and he’s just busy with work. Besides, don’t we have you to help us?” Li Xiao’e replied with a grin.  

Li Xiao’e and Chang Xueqian had been college classmates and childhood friends. Their relationship was strong, and Old Lady Chang was a fair and understanding woman. There were no conflicts between the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, making for a harmonious family.  

Li Xiao’e had a fulfilling and happy life, and she truly felt no complaints.  

After finalizing their plans, the family discussed the gifts to bring and settled on visiting the day after tomorrow morning to express their gratitude to Comrade Su.