Su Wenshan was still feeling aggrieved. He pouted at Chen Xiue but said nothing.
Chen Xiue ignored him and couldn't help worrying about her eldest daughter who was still in the countryside. "Her father, why does our Xiao Ling have such a hard life? She married into a 'black category' family in the countryside, and even while pregnant, she still has to suffer. Why doesn't she have the same good fortune as Xiao Yun?"
She sighed. "Thinking about it now, although our youngest daughter never had the chance to see this world, at least she was fortunate enough not to be sent to the countryside to suffer…"
Before she could finish, Su Wenshan took a sharp breath. He glanced toward the door to make sure no one was listening, then shot Chen Xiue a warning look and lowered his voice. "I've told you not to bring that up again! Why can't you remember? If Xiao Yun hears this, it'll be a disaster!"
Chen Xiue quickly covered her mouth, full of regret. "I just got carried away and said it without thinking. Don't worry—I'll keep this buried in my heart from now on and never mention it again!"
"You'd better remember that!"
---
Outside by the wash basin, He Hua came out carrying dishes. When she saw both Su Yun and Gu Hai there, she couldn't resist stepping forward to mock them.
But before she got close, Su Yun picked up a basin of dirty water and made a motion as if to splash her.
He Hua stopped in her tracks and glared viciously. "What are you so arrogant about? You're not even engaged yet, and you're already acting lovey-dovey with a man. Someone like you deserves to be paraded through the streets as a disgrace, pelted with rotten eggs!"
Splash!
A basin of dirty water was thrown at He Hua's feet.
Prepared this time, He Hua turned and ran immediately after shouting, even sticking her tongue out at Su Yun as she looked back.
But just as she turned, she tripped and fell to her knees with a loud thud!
At that moment, Aunt Wang came over from the backyard carrying dishes to wash. Seeing He Hua kneeling on the ground, she exclaimed in surprise, "Oh my, He Hua, it's not even New Year yet—why are you already kneeling?"
Su Yun burst into laughter.
Gu Hai couldn't help laughing as well.
Aunt Wang then looked at Gu Hai, clearly pleased. "This young man is so considerate—he cooks and even washes dishes. Unlike my husband, who's lived his whole life without ever stepping into the kitchen!"
She sighed with admiration. "Su Yun, you're truly blessed to have found such a thoughtful partner…"
Hearing this, Su Yun glanced awkwardly at Gu Hai, only to see him smiling with pride, clearly enjoying the praise.
---
At that moment, Xia Ying walked in from outside the courtyard with a satchel on her back. As she passed the annoyed He Hua, she snorted and rolled her eyes. "Good dogs don't block the way—move aside!"
She deliberately stepped on He Hua's foot as she walked past.
When she reached Su Yun and saw Gu Hai, she gave Su Yun a teasing, knowing smile. "Su Yun, didn't you keep insisting that he's not your boyfriend?"
That was indeed what Su Yun had said before.
But now she couldn't explain it clearly, so she simply laughed awkwardly and changed the subject. "Yingzi, why didn't you come over the past couple of nights?"
At the mention of this, Xia Ying looked troubled and sighed. "My aunt came over with my cousin, hoping my dad could help him get a job at the steel factory. After my dad refused, they just stayed at our house and won't leave."
Su Yun frowned. "Wasn't your aunt always on bad terms with your mom? I remember they even said they'd cut ties. Why is she coming back now?"
The story of Xia Ying's aunt went way back to when her parents were first introduced—long story short, Xia Ying's father had gone to meet her mother, but her mother's elder sister took a liking to him and tried to steal him, causing all kinds of outrageous drama.
Seeing that Xia Ying didn't want to talk about it, Su Yun wiped her hands and said, "Yingzi, let's go inside and talk."
---
After Su Yun and Xia Ying went into the room, Gu Hai quickly put away the dishes in the kitchen, then picked up a broom and started sweeping.
Seeing this, Chen Xiue hurried over to stop him. "Gu Hai, no need, no need! You've already washed the dishes—go rest and chat with me."
Then she turned and glared at Su Wenshan. "What, don't you have hands? Come sweep the floor!"
Su Wenshan tapped his pipe irritably. He wanted to argue, but seeing Chen Xiue's expression, he swallowed his words, got off the kang, and silently took the broom from Gu Hai, lowering his head to sweep.
Chen Xiue pulled Gu Hai to sit on the kang and went straight to the point with a smile. "Gu Hai, what do you think of our Xiao Yun?"
Gu Hai blushed deeply. Lowering his head shyly, he said, "She's wonderful… I… I really like her."
"Good! That's exactly what I wanted to hear!"
Chen Xiue immediately launched into praise. "Let me tell you, both of my daughters are outstanding girls in this whole area. Xiao Yun's elder sister was sent to the countryside, and who knows when she'll be able to return. Luckily, Xiao Yun has good fortune—she found a job at the recycling station and even brought home such a fine partner like you."
Then she changed the subject. "So, Gu Hai, when are you planning to come to our house with a marriage proposal?"
"Ahem—!"
Gu Hai choked in excitement.
Even Su Wenshan, who was sweeping, perked up his ears.
After coughing, Gu Hai's eyes shone with emotion as he said shyly, "That depends on Xiao Yun's wishes. As long as she agrees, I can come over anytime to propose."
"She'll definitely agree!"
Chen Xiue slapped her thigh. "You just need to prepare the betrothal gifts. You've already provided a bicycle and a sewing machine—just get Xiao Yun a wristwatch, and we won't ask for anything else!"
"What do you think, her father?"
Called upon, Su Wenshan straightened up. "Yes, I agree. Xiao Yun goes to work every day—having a watch would be convenient."
Hearing this, Gu Hai glanced at the watch on his wrist and thought to himself that Su Yun probably didn't lack one—after all, she had given him his watch.
But in front of his future in-laws, he obediently nodded. "Alright, I understand."
Whether Su Yun needed it or not was one thing—whether he gave it was a matter of sincerity. The two didn't conflict.
---
In the west room, Su Yun had no idea that Chen Xiue had already settled her marriage behind her back.
She was busy talking to Xia Ying about watches. "Yingzi, three Seagull watches, each costing 140 yuan. I'll bring them to you tomorrow night."
Xia Ying nodded. "Okay."
"Su Yun, at this rate, selling watches like this, we could easily make at least 100 yuan in less than a month. That's way better than working at the counter!"
"Freedom really is better. If our country ever allows private businesses, with my ability, I'd definitely become a 'ten-thousand-yuan household' and live a fairy-like life!"
Su Yun encouraged her, "Yingzi, that's a great ambition. I think it will definitely come true."
"Right? I think so too!" Xia Ying sighed. "Actually, I really want to go abroad someday—to see what the outside world is like and how people live there. It's just a pity…"
"There's no need to feel regret. The world is changing every day. Maybe one day, all your wishes will come true."
Su Yun's words filled Xia Ying with deep longing.
She truly yearned for the outside world. One day, she would definitely go out and see it for herself.