Chapter 138 : Returning a Favor

Su Xieqiu carefully packed the fried cornmeal into a cloth bag, and several old quilts were bundled into a sack.  

Next, she added the clothes Han Zhenyu had taken off the previous evening, along with seven or eight feet of cloth, a bag of vermicelli, and a bag of dried mushrooms and black fungus.  

After some thought, she wrapped up two pieces of bacon, about three pounds in total, and placed them in the bundle.  

Since they would need Director Chen’s help in the future, the gift had to be substantial not overly luxurious, but sufficient to demonstrate their capability. This would pave the way for smoother interactions moving forward.  

After discussing with Su Xieqiu, Han Zhenyu decided it was time to tell Chenchen about his recent encounter with Jiang Shaoting.  

Chenchen was a sensitive child. Though he rarely spoke about his parents, it was evident he often worried about their safety. On many nights, he woke up calling for his dad and mom in his sleep.  

Pointing to the big bag of supplies, Han Zhenyu gently said, “Chenchen, these things are for your parents and grandparents. They’re doing well now, so you don’t need to worry about them anymore.”  

Chenchen stared at him in disbelief, his eyes reddening before tears began to stream down his cheeks.  

His voice trembled as he asked, “Uncle Han, did you really see my dad, mom, and grandparents?”  

Smiling softly, Han Zhenyu nodded. “Yes, I saw your father. He’s working in a very secret place now. It was just by chance that I met him while on a business trip.”  

Chenchen’s eyes lit up with excitement. “Uncle Han, will you see my parents again? Can I go with you to meet them?”  

“Not yet,” Han Zhenyu said, pulling the boy onto his lap. He crafted a gentle lie.  

“Chenchen, your parents are on a very difficult and confidential mission right now. That’s why they can’t see you and An an for the time being.”  

At just four years old, Chenchen didn’t fully understand. But when Han Zhenyu explained that his parents were on an important mission, he believed it.  

Though he was slightly disappointed that he couldn’t visit them, knowing his family was safe filled him with joy. His demeanor brightened, and his energy returned.  

“Uncle Han, are my parents and grandparents really okay? Are my uncle, aunt, and cousins with them too?” Chenchen bombarded him with questions, unable to contain his excitement.  

Patiently, Han Zhenyu answered each question. Then, he gave Chenchen a serious reminder.  

“Chenchen, you can’t tell anyone about your parents. Their mission is very confidential. If word gets out, it could put them in danger. If anyone asks about your family, you should say that your father remarried and doesn’t want you anymore. Do you understand?”  

Chenchen quickly nodded. “Got it, Uncle Han. I won’t say anything I’m not supposed to.”  

—

Meanwhile, Su Xieqiu had finished preparing the supplies and went to check on An an. Seeing the little girl sound asleep, she returned to the kitchen.  

She packed the pancakes and eggs she had made for Han Zhenyu into a bag and added a jar of meat sauce for convenience.  

Long trips made carrying fresh food difficult, so dry goods were the best option.  

Glancing at the clock, she realized it was already 7:30 a.m. “An an isn’t awake yet. Let’s eat breakfast first so you’re not delayed,” she said to Han Zhenyu.  

“Alright,” he replied, setting Chenchen down and helping to serve the rice.  

As they sat down to eat, Chenchen muttered, “My sister is such a sleepyhead and eats like the pig at Sister Linglan’s house.”  

Hearing this, both adults burst into laughter.  

Playfully tapping his head, Su Xieqiu teased, “Chenchen, An an is adorable, well-behaved, and always smiling. How could you call her a pig?”  

“Aunt Su, she eats so much! She’s gained so much weight I can hardly hold her anymore,” Chenchen complained.  

He thought to himself, ‘Neither of us works, but we eat so much.’  

Chenchen felt full after regular meals, but his little sister seemed insatiable. She was constantly asking Aunt Su for more food, completely ignoring his warnings.  

Smiling, Su Xieqiu said, “Chenchen, do you know why you can’t carry your sister? It’s because you don’t eat enough! If you eat more, you’ll grow strong and be able to help Aunt Su with more chores.”  

“Aunt Su, I’m full every day,” Chenchen whispered in her ear. “The food you cook is so good. There’s so much meat, and we eat fine grains. It’s way better than what we had in Beijing.”  

“It’s good to be full. Then exercise more in the future, and you’ll gradually gain strength,” Su Xieqiu said as she handed him a peeled egg. “Eat it quickly.”  

“Thank you, Aunt Su,” Chenchen replied politely.  

After breakfast, Han Zhenyu carried two bags of items to the truck parked outside. Before leaving, he gave some parting instructions to Su Xieqiu.  

“Don’t go to work. I’ll buy food from the farm when I return, and that will be enough for us to eat.”  

“Okay, got it,” she said, handing him another bag. “Here are some pancakes and eggs for you to eat on the way.”  

At first, Han Zhenyu hesitated to take it, but then he accepted, knowing he’d need something for the overnight delivery trip to the city.  

“I’m leaving now. Don’t go out at night, and make sure to keep the door locked.”  

Su Xieqiu smiled and nodded, standing at the doorway. She watched the truck drive off into the distance before taking Chenchen back into the house.  

Now that she didn’t have to work outside and didn’t dare venture into the mountains alone, she focused on making clothes at home.  

When Gu Fangxun brought An An and Chenchen to her, he’d brought plenty of clothes for the children. But the two were growing quickly, and last year’s padded clothes were now a bit too small.  

A few days ago, Su Xieqiu had made thin cotton coats and trousers for them. But as the weather turned colder, they would need thicker ones.  

In addition, the cotton and quilt covers stored in her “space” were reaching their monthly limit. If she didn’t take them out soon, she’d miss this month’s chance to use them.  

She planned to make a few new quilts, two for Han Zhenyu’s grandparents and one each for his aunt and uncle’s wife.  

The elders had been exceptionally kind to her family. Now that she had the resources, she felt it was only right to show her gratitude.  

After all, there were more supplies in her space than she could ever use, and since she couldn’t sell them, giving them away to build goodwill was the best option.  

Comparing Chenchen and An An’s cotton coats, she noticed that one was much smaller. She called Chenchen over to ask.  

“Chenchen, these padded jackets and trousers are too small for you and An An. Auntie is planning to make new ones for you. Would it be okay if I gave these away?”  

She thought the clothes were still in good condition and could be passed on to Yan Daqiang and Yan Erqiang’s young sons, who were three and two years old. The sizes should fit them perfectly.  

However, since the clothes belonged to Chenchen, she wanted to ask for his permission. If he didn’t want to give them away, she’d keep them as a memento for him.  

Chenchen thought for a moment before asking, “Auntie, will making new ones cost a lot of money?”  

Since coming to live with Aunt Su, she had already made several sets of clothes for him and An An. Now she was planning to make even more, which surely cost money.  

Smiling, Su Xieqiu reassured him. “That’s not something you need to worry about. All you and An An need to do is eat well and sleep well. Uncle Han and I will take care of everything else.”  

Seeing the hesitation on Chenchen’s face, she added, “Then Auntie will decide and give these smaller clothes to the boys in Uncle Yan’s family, okay?”  

“Aunt Su, I’m happy to give them to them,” Chenchen replied with a grin.  

Next, Su Xieqiu found two small cotton coats and trousers for An An. She planned to give one set each to Aunt Aihua’s and Aunt Qiuye’s little grandsons.  

Although she wasn’t especially close to the two women, they had helped her when she was bullied and even took her side, which was a bold move in the village.  

Such gestures of kindness were rare, and she valued their friendship. These women were worth keeping close.  

As for Sun Dashu and Han Lei, who had taken action on her behalf, she planned to thank them as well.  

She also wanted to visit the captain to express her gratitude, but she couldn’t openly go to his house. It would have to wait until Han Zhenyu returned.  

At noon, after Han Zhenyu had left for work, Su Xieqiu prepared to take Chenchen and An An to the village to return the favors they owed.