Chapter 27

“Eh, it’s you, the capitalist’s daughter,” Su Qianqian didn’t expect to run into the refined woman she had clashed with earlier. No wonder she was so arrogant; everyone sitting here today held high-ranking positions.

Everyone paused, capitalist’s daughter? That phrase still had some sensitivity to it.

“Qianqian, don’t speak carelessly!” Cheng Yue said in a deep voice.

“If I had known it was you, I wouldn’t have come!” She slammed her chopsticks down heavily.

“Oh, then spit it out. Giving it to you was a waste!” Su Qianqian wasn’t holding back—she was ready to argue.

The others were a bit confused. What’s going on?

“Qianqian, what’s happening?” Wu Sufen asked.

It was well-known around the compound that Director Sun’s wife, Song Qianqian, was the hardest to get along with—delicate and quick-tempered.

“I ran into her at the market yesterday. She walked past me, and her skirt brushed against the bag I was holding. She said I was poor and had dirtied her skirt and that I couldn’t afford to pay for it. I told her my bag was clean, and she tried to scam me. Then she got angry and started yelling at me.”

“You’re talking nonsense! I’m scamming you? Do you think I need to scam you?” Song Qianqian yelled angrily. Her voice was sharp and irritating when she shouted like that.

Su Qianqian covered her ears. “Stop yelling! There are so many kids here, and if you scare them, you’ll have to pay for it!”

“You—!”

“Alright, alright, everyone, calm down. It’s just a misunderstanding. Let’s sit down and talk it over. We’re all from the same compound, we’ll see each other every day, and it’s important to live in harmony,” said Lin Xuemei’s husband, Wu Jin. He held the highest position among the men here, so his word was respected, and no one could argue with him.

Director Sun raised his glass and stood up. “My wife’s temper—I’ve been telling her about it, and she’s slowly improving. It just takes time, so I ask for everyone’s understanding. I’ll drink one for my wrongs.”

“It’s just a small thing. Once it’s sorted out, it’s fine,” He Hai also tried to smooth things over.

The issue was temporarily put to rest. Song Qianqian didn’t say anything else, but her face was dark, and she didn’t continue eating.

The atmosphere immediately became tense.

However, Lin Xuemei and Wu Sufen were still eating happily. They didn’t often get to eat such delicious food, especially Wu Sufen, who had always been frugal and wouldn’t have made so many dishes—too wasteful. She couldn’t bear it.

“Mom, I’m done eating,” Song Qianqian’s daughter said softly.

“Okay, if the child is full, it’s time to go home. You all enjoy yourselves, we’re leaving first.” Song Qianqian stood up and said to everyone, then took her daughter and left. Director Sun didn’t leave. If he left too, it would be awkward.

Director Sun adjusted his glasses apologetically and said, “She—she’s grown, but still acts like a child. I’ll have a good talk with her when we get home.”

“Everyone knows Director Sun spoils his wife, now we’ve seen it firsthand. Old Wu, you should learn from him and spoil me like that in the future,” Lin Xuemei said to her husband.

“Alright, I’ll try,” Wu Jin replied.

The men then started discussing work matters, while the three women moved away from the table to chat, mostly because they were full and there weren’t many dishes left on the table.

“Qianqian, do you still have pickled cucumbers and pickled chili peppers?”

“Yes, how many do you want?”

“Two jars of pickled cucumbers and one jar of pickled chili peppers,” Lin Xuemei said, pulling out a ten-yuan note and handing it to her along with some other tickets. “I won’t give you too much money, but I’ll give you these tickets. You’re new here, so you’ll probably need them to buy things.”

Su Qianqian’s eyes brightened, and she quickly accepted, “I won’t be polite, then.”

Wu Sufen was stunned. Three jars of things for ten yuan? Pickled cucumbers and pickled chili peppers were so common in the countryside. Qianqian’s flavor was good, but not worth ten yuan! And she’s giving so many tickets too!

“Don’t be polite with me. Whenever you make something delicious, send some over. I’ve got money!” Lin Xuemei gently nudged Su Qianqian with her elbow.

“Alright.”

“By the way, when I first saw you, your skin wasn’t this good. It’s only been half a month or so, how did it become so delicate and smooth?”

When Su Qianqian first arrived here, her skin was a bit rough and not as fair. Now, it’s become even whiter, and the sun spots on her face have faded a lot. Her skin has visibly become much more refined.

“Wait for a moment.”

She went inside, scooped some of her Vanishing Cream into a small container, and gave it to Lin Xuemei. “Here, try this when you get home. If it works, come find me.”

“This smells like Vanishing Cream.” Lin Xuemei was very familiar with the scent of Vanishing Cream because she used it every day.

“I added a secret ingredient. Just try it for now,” Su Qianqian whispered softly.

“Okay, I’ll take it home and try it.” Lin Xuemei had gone through some hardships in the past and her skin wasn’t great—there were fine lines and spots. She hadn’t thought much about it, but seeing Su Qianqian’s change, she decided to ask.

Su Qianqian also noticed that Lin Xuemei had some gray hairs, but they were hidden in her black hair and weren’t very noticeable.

She felt that Lin Xuemei would be a big customer for her, at least for now.

Wu Sufen didn’t know what they were talking about. She felt that Su Qianqian was deliberately trying to get on good terms with the city people, which made her a bit uncomfortable. City people already looked down on them, so why try to please them?

Once they had eaten enough, Director Sun and Lin Xuemei left first.

“Qianqian, with so many bowls and chopsticks, let me stay and help you clean up. He Hai, you take the kids and go home first.”

“No need, I’ll clean up myself. You’re the guest, how could I ask you to do it?” Su Qianqian felt a bit embarrassed.

“It’s fine. We’re neighbors. With so many bowls and chopsticks, it’ll take you a long time to clean up. I’m used to doing these kinds of chores. If we have guests at our house, you can come help too. A near neighbor is better than a distant relative,” Lin Xuemei said with a smile.

The platon leader and Cheng Yuan also stayed behind to help clean up, and they wouldn’t leave.

Cheng Yue felt he couldn’t just sit idle, so even though he was in a wheelchair, he helped tidy up the dishes on the table.

“Captain, you should rest. Leave it to me!” The platon leader quickly grabbed the dishes from his hands. “You rest.”

“It’s fine. Although my injury isn’t healed, this little bit of work I can handle,” Cheng Yue replied.

The platon leader wasn’t about to let him do it, but when Cheng Yue gave him a look, he weakly pulled his hand back.

“Alright, you do it, as long as you’re happy.”

Su Qianqian was a bit surprised when she saw Cheng Yue cleaning up. “Captain Cheng, please rest.”

“Huh?” Why is she calling him Captain Cheng?

“I’m not that precious. This small injury is nothing. I can still do some work. I can’t just sit here and let my wife do everything. What kind of man would I be?”

“That’s a good attitude. Alright, then you can do what you’re capable of,” Su Qianqian said.

Since he was being treated with spiritual water, his body was in good condition, so doing a little work wouldn’t hurt. Besides, women shouldn’t always pity men.

While washing the dishes, Wu Sufen looked around to make sure no one was nearby before speaking to Su Qianqian.

“Qianqian, let me give you some advice. You can’t spend money like this. You can’t just waste it. And, you know, people like Lin Xuemei and Song Qianqian are city folk. They look down on us. You don’t need to get close to them. If they influence you, it’ll be a problem.”

“Influence me?”