Chapter 9

Su Yue had barely stormed out when Su Nian arrived, carrying a lunchbox filled with dumplings from the state-run restaurant.

“Dad, you haven’t had dinner yet, right? I knew Aunt Yao would be busy today and probably wouldn’t have time to look after you. That’s why I brought your favorite dumplings.”

Su Daqiang’s stomach growled loudly. He had just been thinking about asking Yao Xiaojun to make him a bowl of noodles.

“You’re the thoughtful one, my girl. Come, sit next to Dad. You came just in time. I got paid today—take 80 yuan and buy yourself some new clothes.”

Su Gang also came over and sat on the other side, frowning a bit at the sight of only dumplings.

“Su Nian, you know I like braised pork. Dumplings aren’t as tasty as meat!”

Su Nian thought to herself, Of course I know you like braised pork, but I’m not willing to spend money on you. She was here today for that 80 yuan—no way she’d splurge on a big meal.

“You like it? Your likes aren’t as important as Dad’s!”

Su Daqiang looked at Su Nian with satisfaction. Recently, she had been sweeter with her words and prettier too. She truly felt like a warm, thoughtful daughter. The more he looked, the more pleased he was.

Then he looked at his dim-witted son again—what a headache. Better send him to the factory to screw bolts ASAP!

Truth be told, Su Daqiang wasn’t doing too badly in life. Although Su Gang was a little slow, he had a natural talent for fixing cars. Just from hanging around the factory a few times, he picked up the skills. One of the mechanics even came to their house, asking to take him on as an apprentice.

Despite his attitude, Su Gang was hungry and ended up eating a good bit too.

Meanwhile, Yao Xiaojun, who hadn’t eaten, was nearly in tears—and had to endure Su Nian’s snark.

“Aunt Yao, I’m not trying to stir the pot here, but I really think Dad should be the top priority in this house. What could possibly be more important than his health?

Of course, Su Gang is important too!

You really ought to focus on taking better care of them. And as for your relatives on your side of the family, maybe keep contact to a minimum. Honestly, if I didn’t earn a dime, I’d be embarrassed to be sending money to my own family.”

Yao Xiaojun was so furious she nearly had a heart attack.

This damn girl—how can she speak so sharply? Who is she throwing shade at now?

“Nian Nian, haven’t I treated you well all these years? And this is how you repay me—doing this to Yue Yue? Doesn’t your heart ache at all? Being sent to the countryside is basically a death sentence for her!”

Su Nian blinked innocently.

“Aunt Yao, so you do know going to the countryside is awful? I thought you didn’t—since you signed me up so quickly!

Don’t worry though—Fu Mingjun’s dad signed him up too. The married couple can take care of each other!”

At that, Su Daqiang threw his chopsticks at Yao Xiaojun’s head.

“And you still have the nerve to criticize my daughter? You call what you did ‘not too bad’? Then what is ‘bad’?

If you really feel guilty, you should give Nian Nian her money back!”

Yao Xiaojun, who was already strapped for cash, nearly lost it at the mention of “paying back.” She quickly fled to her room and buried herself under the covers, sobbing quietly.

Su Nian gave a thumbs-up. “Dad, you really are the man of the house!”

Su Gang was a simple boy who often copied others’ behavior. Seeing the family treat Su Nian well, he no longer dared to act out toward his sister. Thanks to Su Daqiang’s subtle guidance, his attitude had improved a lot.

“Hmph! Just wait until I start earning. I’ll give you money just like Dad does—you’ll see!”

Su Nian looked at Su Gang in delight. “My little brother’s amazing. I’ll be waiting for you to support me. I’ll definitely buy you braised pork when the time comes!”

After sweet-talking the father and son, Su Nian happily left with her money and empty lunchbox.

If she didn’t know that Su Daqiang would steadily climb the ladder and that even the simple-minded Su Gang would become a leader in the auto repair industry, she wouldn’t bother with this father and brother at all.

But those were the very resources that once belonged to the original heroine, Su Yue—now they were Su Nian’s.

Wonderful. Doing nothing and still getting income. If only she didn’t have to go to Heilongjiang Province, it’d be perfect. Unfortunately, that wasn’t an option.

In the Heilongjiang Agricultural Corps—

Fu Tingchuan also received a call from Hangcheng.

“Tingchuan, uncle thought about it and figured he still needed to tell you—Su Nian sold her job at the sugar factory to me. She said she’s going to your area for countryside labor. I don’t know what’s going on in that girl’s head!”

The deputy director was feeling guilty and wanted to explain to Fu Tingchuan.

On the other end, Fu Tingchuan’s hand trembled slightly as he held the phone. “I see. Thanks, Uncle. No need to worry—it was a fair deal, you paid for it.”

Truthfully, Fu Tingchuan barely remembered what the girl looked like.

His mother had always told him that Su Nian was his future wife. But he was a mischievous child at the time—how could he like a “wife”? He used to tease her mercilessly.

Later, his mom stopped bringing it up, and he never knew why.

Until she passed away.

When Wen Wan brought Su Nian to the funeral, he couldn’t hold back and asked Wen Wan why she distanced herself from his mother and broke off the engagement.

As a child, he thought his mother had died from depression because she lost Wen Wan’s support.

But Wen Wan told him that his father had an affair, and his mother lost faith in love, in men—even in her own son. That’s why she broke off the engagement and arranged for her relative, Fu Mingjun, to marry Su Nian instead.

That job offer at the sugar factory had been his way of trying to make it up to Su Nian.

But after all these years, the girl had probably forgotten him. Why would she choose to go to such a desolate place instead of keeping her job in the city?

Su Nian: Like I had a choice?

The sun rose and fell, and days passed quickly. Before she knew it, it was the day to head to the countryside.

At the train station, Fu’s father caught sight of a completely transformed Su Nian and regretted everything—too late. He had lost everything, even his dignity.

The food he had originally prepared for Su Yue was quickly handed to Su Nian instead.

“Nian Nian, Uncle specially prepared this food for you. It’ll be a long journey—make sure you don’t go hungry,” he said, still putting on his nice-uncle persona.

Su Nian smiled warmly and glanced toward Su Yue in the distance. “Thank you, Uncle.”

She had anticipated this exact situation—that’s why she deliberately didn’t prepare any food.

Even when Su Daqiang wanted to, she stopped him. In the end, he bought her a huge bag of goodies: peanuts, sunflower seeds, candy, canned food, milk powder… a whole sack full.

“Nian Nian, call me when you get there so I know you’re safe. And write letters whenever you can.

Your brother and I already agreed—on the fifth of every month, when we get our wages, we’ll send you 100 yuan. Don’t let yourself suffer. Do your best, but don’t force anything, okay?”

Su Gang nodded earnestly.

Su Nian hugged her dad and brother tightly. “You two take care of yourselves too. Eat better. Don’t waste away—otherwise, who knows where that money might end up going.”

Yao Xiaojun, catching the veiled jab, clenched her fists so hard her palms turned red.

Damn Su Nian—she always drags me into everything. One day I’m going to get a beating I’ll never recover from. And Su Daqiang, that softie, falls for it every time—yelling and hitting me the minute she says something!