"Cough, cough..."
Su Wenshan's old face flushed red as he shot his wife a reproachful look.
"You're talking nonsense in front of the children."
Only then did Chen Xiu'e realize the unintended implication of her words. Embarrassed, she scratched her head awkwardly.
Su Yun blinked and instinctively glanced at Gu Hai. There was a trace of regret in her eyes that made him unconsciously clamp his legs together, completely at a loss.
At that moment, Widow He's loud voice rang out from outside the door.
"Oh my, what delicious food is the Su family secretly eating? It smells amazing! You've even shut the door. Are you afraid us neighbors might come begging for a bite?"
As soon as Widow He finished speaking, Aunt Wang's voice followed.
"Of course they'd guard against you! Xiuying said it herself—you've always had sticky fingers. Besides, don't you lock your own door whenever your family eats meat? How can you criticize others?"
Hearing the commotion, Chen Xiu'e immediately got up and opened the door.
The moment it opened, the lingering aroma of braised pork drifted outside, making Widow He's mouth water instantly.
Outside stood not only Widow He and Aunt Wang, but also Chen Jie and his wife from next door, Aunt Li from the back courtyard, and several children from the compound.
Pretending not to see Widow He, Chen Xiu'e addressed everyone else.
"What do you mean, secretly eating? It's just hot outside, and there are too many mosquitoes. We closed the door so they wouldn't fly in."
"Our family's meat coupons were used up long ago. Gu Hai kindly brought us some meat. Old Su and I barely got a taste of it before our Little Five finished most of it!"
As she spoke, Su Baoguo darted out of the house with an oily mouth.
The Wang brothers immediately surrounded him.
"Baoguo, the meat from your house smells incredible! We could smell it all the way from the back courtyard. It definitely smells better than Widow He's braised meat!"
Su Baoguo proudly lifted his chin.
"Of course! My second brother-in-law's cooking is the best! Even the chefs at the state-run restaurant aren't as good as him!"
Then, with practiced skill, he redirected the conversation.
"But don't worry. Sister He Hua is getting married soon anyway. Widow He said that on her wedding day, she'll invite everyone in the courtyard to the banquet. We'll be able to eat as much roast chicken and braised meat as we want!"
"That's right! Widow He really said that!"
"We want meat too!"
The children all started shouting "Widow He" this and "Widow He" that, causing her face to darken instantly.
"You little brats! Where are your manners? I'm your aunt!"
The tallest among the children, Wang Jinsuo, immediately stepped forward and grinned.
"Aunt He, so are you really going to invite everyone in the courtyard to the banquet?"
"Yeah! You're not just bragging, are you?"
Widow He immediately puffed out her chest.
"Who's bragging? My future son-in-law is the eldest son of the deputy factory director of the steel mill! He's a proud truck driver! How could he not afford a few banquet tables?"
Aunt Wang burst out laughing.
"Well, that's wonderful. We all heard you say it. When the time comes, we'll just show up for the feast. Don't back out."
Provoked by those words, Widow He stiffened her neck and declared loudly,
"I, Yang Jinhua, always keep my word! Just wait for the banquet!"
With that, she lifted her head proudly and strutted back to the He family home like a victorious hen.
As soon as she left, Gu Hai came out carrying dishes and chopsticks. After greeting everyone, he walked over to the courtyard water basin and began washing the dishes.
Seeing this, Aunt Wang immediately showered him with praise.
"Xiuying, you're truly blessed. The young man your Su Yun found is absolutely wonderful—capable, considerate, hardworking. Your family's good days are still ahead."
Chen Jie, standing nearby, nodded in agreement.
His wife, Jiang Yuling, immediately shot him a sideways glance.
"What are you nodding for? Look at yourself. After eating, you don't do a single thing around the house, yet you're nodding like you qualify for comparison. Look at Comrade Gu Hai, then look at yourself. You're both men—why is the difference so huge?"
Chen Jie looked aggrieved.
"Wife, I may not wash dishes, but I cook! How can you act like I'm completely useless?"
"So what?"
As she spoke, Jiang Yuling gave him a hard shove.
Chen Jie's body tilted sideways, and he nearly fell over.
He quickly flailed his arms and barely managed to regain his balance.
Then he heard Jiang Yuling demand,
"Chen Jie, what's that on your wrist?"
Chen Jie was instantly alarmed and hurriedly tried to hide the mechanical watch.
Unfortunately, it was too late.
Jiang Yuling grabbed his wrist and scolded loudly,
"You bought a mechanical watch? Something that costs several hundred yuan, and you just bought it without discussing it? Your old watch was only a few years old! Have you lost your mind?"
"Tell me—who helped you get this watch?"
At that moment, Chen Jie was terrified. His mind went completely blank, and instinctively he looked toward Chen Xiu'e.
Chen Xiu'e also looked guilty. Without thinking, she immediately turned toward Gu Hai at the water basin.
A chill ran down Gu Hai's spine.
Slowly turning around, he instantly understood.
"That's right. It was me."
Seeing that Gu Hai had willingly taken the blame, Chen Xiu'e laughed awkwardly and quickly changed the subject.
Looking at Aunt Wang, she said,
"Sister Wang, our Xiao Yun brought home a watermelon a couple of days ago. We haven't even eaten it yet. I'll have Old Su cut it up so everyone can have a taste."
Before she could finish speaking, the children erupted into cheers.
Su Baoguo shot back into the main room like a firework, urging Su Wenshan to bring out the watermelon.
Su Wenshan worked quickly, slicing it up and carrying it outside.
Since it came from the Treasure-Hunting System, the watermelon was naturally guaranteed to be of exceptional quality. Everyone who tasted it praised it enthusiastically.
By the time Widow He came running out after hearing the excitement, hoping to get a share, every last piece had already been distributed.
That evening, Chen Jie's watch was confiscated by Jiang Yuling, and he was ordered to stay home and reflect on his actions.
As for Gu Hai, carrying yet another black pot of blame on his head, he left the courtyard under the watchful eyes of the Su family.
The next morning, before heading to work, Su Wenshan quietly put his mechanical watch back on.
Chen Xiu'e noticed. Her lips moved as if she wanted to say something, but in the end, she remained silent.
The sun was shining brightly once again.
Seated behind the counter at the recycling station, Gu Hai was tutoring Su Yun when a low commotion suddenly came from outside.
Three voices could be heard politely arguing.
"Second Brother, you go in first..."
"No, no, Teacher said ladies first. You should go first. Besides, I've already seen her before when I came with Big Brother to sell recyclables. You haven't met her yet, so you should go."
"That won't do. Teacher also said we should respect our elders and care for the young. Junzi is the youngest, so let him go first."
Before he could react, Gu Jun was shoved into the recycling station.
At the same time, a worn cloth sack was tossed inside and landed at his feet.
Gu Hai looked up.
Their eyes met immediately.
A bright smile spread across Gu Jun's