"Mm, I understand that. After all, I work at the Public Security Bureau. Over the past few days, I've been reading legal regulations in my spare time. Personally, I'd still prefer to report this case directly… But my mom's concerns aren't unreasonable. People at the bureau already believed He Qiang's nonsense and have misunderstandings about me. If this matter becomes public again, even if you helped clear my name, it might not make any difference."
As Su Xiu spoke, she let out a sigh.
The topic was too heavy, and Su Yun didn't want to dwell on it. She reached into her pocket, took out 20 yuan from her system balance, and handed it to Su Xiu. "Xiu Jie, take this money and buy some nutritious food for Second Uncle."
"No, I can't take it! You already paid for my dad's surgery and medical expenses. How could I possibly take more from you? Absolutely not!"
Su Xiu refused firmly.
Su Yun persuaded her, "I've already covered the surgery costs—what's a little extra for nutrition?"
Then she lowered her voice mysteriously. "To tell you the truth, I've got money now. My boyfriend has a batch of electronic goods that don't require ration tickets. For every item I help him sell, he gives me a ten-yuan commission. If anyone in your office wants to buy things like bicycles, watches, or electric fans, they can come to me. For every item you help sell, you'll also get ten yuan commission. Sell a few, and you'll earn this money back easily!"
Su Xiu's eyes widened. "There's such a thing? They're not smuggled goods, are they?"
As expected of someone working in law enforcement—her first concern was legality.
Su Yun reassured her, "Of course not. My boyfriend's father used to be the director of the Public Security Bureau. Do you think he'd do anything illegal?"
Su Xiu nodded in understanding.
After thinking for a moment, she clenched her teeth and said, "Alright, I'll do it!"
Her family desperately needed money. She had no choice—she couldn't just let her father lie in the hospital without proper care.
Just like that, with a few words, Su Yun gained another "downline."
---
Returning to the hospital ward, Su Yun didn't see Su Wenshan or Chen Xiue. Instead, she found Gu Hai leaning against the doorframe and asked, "Gu Hai, where are my parents?"
Gu Hai glanced at Su Xiu and replied, "They went home first."
Even without him saying it, Su Xiu could guess—her mother must have caused trouble again.
Feeling apologetic, Su Xiu said to Su Yun, "Xiao Yun, why don't you head back too? The hospital is chaotic, and you both have work tomorrow."
After thinking for a moment, Su Yun nodded. "Alright, we'll come back tomorrow to visit Second Uncle."
Su Xiu shook her head. "No need. My mom and I are enough. The ward is small—you won't have space anyway. Don't trouble yourselves."
Though Su Yun didn't insist, she made up her mind to bring some nutritional supplies the next day. After all, without ration tickets, even having money wouldn't buy much good food.
---
After leaving the hospital, Gu Hai rode the bicycle with Su Yun back toward the courtyard.
The moon hung high in the sky, dim streetlights illuminated the road, and everything around them was quiet.
Gu Hai was enjoying the peaceful moment alone with Su Yun when suddenly she questioned him, "Gu Hai, there's something I want you to explain."
"Why did you suddenly start calling my parents 'Dad' and 'Mom'?"
Facing away from her, Gu Hai smiled silently but replied seriously, "Your mom asked me to. She said calling them 'Dad' and 'Mom' feels more affectionate, and she told me to call them that from now on."
"Impossible!"
Without hesitation, Su Yun reached out and pinched his shoulder—so hard that her own hand hurt.
She snorted. "Tell me the truth. What did my mom say to you after dinner? Tell me everything—word for word—or you'll regret it!"
Gu Hai didn't dare hide anything.
He immediately told her everything—how Chen Xiue asked him to come formally propose marriage.
Su Yun's expression instantly went blank. "So, you agreed with my mom to pick a date and come propose? And you even promised to give me a wristwatch as a betrothal gift?"
Just like that, she had been "given away"?
Wait… a watch!
She had always dreamed of having one!
Such a good opportunity—of course she had to seize it!
Thinking of the watch, Su Yun patted Gu Hai's back boldly. "Good brother, you did the right thing. Once I get the watch, I'll just say it was a gift from you! As for the proposal, I'll handle it myself—you don't need to worry!"
"..."
Gu Hai silently considered how to explain that he genuinely wanted to propose.
But before he could speak, Su Yun slapped his back again and shouted, "It's settled then! Gu Hai, ride faster—giddy up!"
---
After returning home, Su Yun immediately sold the Qin-era astronomical mirror to the system.
"Ding! One Qin-era astronomical mirror detected. Store it in the system warehouse?"
Surprised, Su Yun selected "Yes."
In the next moment, the mirror appeared in the second slot of the system warehouse.
She was puzzled.
None of the antiques she had previously sold had received such treatment.
Was there something special about this mirror?
After thinking for a while, she realized—
This was a "treasure-hunting system." Perhaps only truly valuable treasures were stored, while ordinary or damaged items were simply converted into money.
That meant that as long as something was valuable enough, she could not only earn money but also collect antiques!
At that moment, Su Yun made up her mind: from now on, she would go treasure hunting every holiday, find more historical artifacts, and contribute them to the country.
Excited, she was about to shut down the system and go to sleep when she noticed a blinking icon at the bottom of the screen.
"Huh? This thing's been blinking for days. What is it?"
She tapped it, and a series of notifications appeared:
"Ding! System balance exceeds 100,000. Reward: recipe 'Braised Shark Fin'!"
"Ding! System balance exceeds 1,000,000. Reward: recipe 'Stuffed Tenderloin'!"
"Ding! System balance exceeds 5,000,000. Reward: recipe 'Cherry Pork'!"
"Ding! System balance exceeds 10,000,000. Reward: recipe 'Buddha Jumps Over the Wall'!"
"Ding! System balance exceeds 15,000,000. Reward: recipe 'Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix'!"
Su Yun: "..."
Was the system trying to get her to open an imperial cuisine restaurant?
Her cooking skills weren't even half as good as Gu Hai's!
Wait… Gu Hai!
She could just give him the recipes and have him cook for her.
Perfect!
How was she so clever?
Pleased with herself, Su Yun drifted off to sleep.
---
The next morning, as soon as she stepped outside, she heard Chen Xiue complaining:
"You just had to show off—insisting on donating blood to your brother. Now look at you, you can't even get up!"
Su Yun frowned and walked into the main room, asking with concern, "Mom, what happened to Dad?"