After hearing this, Su Fu felt a deep respect — a good life is earned through generations.
So she couldn’t expect Su Yi or anyone else to work alone; one must also rely on grandparents… or rather, relying on herself is more practical.
“Your elders are really impressive.”
Li Mingyu nodded.“My brother and sister-in-law are also amazing. The most useless one in the family is me.”
Su Fu scooped the prepared tomato-meat sauce into bowls and washed the pan to start boiling noodles.
“You’re amazing too. At least in the reincarnation lottery, no one can beat you.”
Li Mingyu secretly tasted a spoonful — so hot it made her grimace.
“Mmm… this is so good! I’ve known you for so long and didn’t know you could cook this well!”
Su Fu turned and smiled.“Are you falling for me?”
Li Mingyu nodded vigorously.“Yes, yes, I don’t even want you to leave!”
She had to find a way to keep Su Su around. If they went long without meeting, their friendship might fade.
Su Fu couldn’t just cling to Li Mingyu.She wasn’t a saint, but she knew right from wrong.
She took out two bowls, added lard, soy sauce, salt, a pinch of scallions, and some water.
Then she drained the noodles and poured two spoonfuls of the tomato-meat sauce over each — a steaming bowl of tomato-meat sauce noodles was ready.
At the dining table, Su Fu let her damp hair down and sat by the fan.
Li Mingyu ate noodles while still complimenting her.
“When I first went to the countryside, I should’ve teamed up with you — slept, ate together. I’d cover the food costs.”
That would probably help her gain a few pounds before returning to the city — what a pity.
Su Fu laughed.“Back then, with my reputation, would you dare get close?”
Although feudal superstitions were discouraged, “Disaster Star” was still not a good label.
Privately, some even said she was a reincarnated deadly spirit — anyone she touched would have bad luck.
Li Mingyu paused mid-bite.“If I really minded that, I wouldn’t have taken the carrot.”
Her expression was serious. Su Fu stared for a while before joking:“Wasn’t it because you love carrots? I thought you were a rabbit at first.”
Li Mingyu gave a mock glare and returned to her noodles.
When Su Fu’s hair had mostly dried, she tied it up casually and started eating.
After all that fuss, when they finished, Li Mingyu carried her bowl to the kitchen.
When she returned, Su Fu had already fallen asleep on the sofa.
Li Mingyu quietly brought a blanket and tucked it over her stomach.
“Honestly, I would’ve taken whatever you handed me that day. My grandmother says people with round faces are lucky. Su Su is definitely not a disaster star.”
The room was quiet except for the hum of the fan.
Outside, the sun was setting. A security guard walked slightly behind Li Zhengshan, carrying vegetables.
“Sir, aren’t we going to the train station today?”
Li Zhengshan stopped.“Buses are everywhere on the roads. She can’t take one herself?”
She had dared to secretly go to the countryside, so she must face the consequences.
Xiao Zhang had followed Li Zhengshan for five years — he knew immediately his boss was just sulking with his daughter.
He said nothing, opened the door, and froze seeing neatly stacked sacks in the yard.
He quickly made way. Li Zhengshan knew immediately Li Mingyu had returned.
Hmph, good thing he didn’t go to meet her — otherwise he would’ve looked ridiculous.
He still felt frustrated and strode into the living room.“You…”
Two girls slept soundly on the small sofa, so his words died in his throat.
Li Zhengshan gave a glance; Xiao Zhang quietly put the vegetables in the kitchen, saluted, and left.
From the moment they entered, Su Fu had noticed, and knowing it was Li Mingyu’s home, she continued sleeping peacefully.
The elders wanted to peek at their daughter — this young guest simply satisfied the father’s heart.
Seeing his daughter’s grayish face, dry hair, and calloused hands, Li Zhengshan’s heart ached.
Why did she insist on hardships?
He worked so hard — wasn’t it for his children to live well?
He sighed, hoping this time she would understand.
When Xu Wenfang returned, she noticed the lights were off and was puzzled.“Old Li working late again?”
Opening the door and seeing the sacks, her heart skipped. She rushed into the living room.“Is my little girl back?”
Hearing the familiar voice, Li Mingyu woke instinctively.
She sat up groggily, looked around, and muttered,“Was I dreaming again?”
Xu Wenfang switched on the light, red-eyed, and hugged her daughter.“No dream. Don’t be afraid, Mom’s here.”
Feeling a bit in the way, Su Fu quietly stood, making room for the reunited mother and daughter.
Li Mingyu cried loudly.“Mom, wuu wuu…”
Li Zhengshan glanced at Su Fu, then sat beside his daughter.“Will you sneak off like that again?”
Xu Wenfang glared at him.“Trying to scare her away again, huh?”
Li Zhengshan muttered,“I didn’t mean that…”
Su Fu sat on the stairs, watching the warm family scene.
For a moment, she felt like a mouse hiding in the gutter, peeking at someone else’s happiness.
Her father said her mother loved him deeply, willing to sacrifice her life.
But Su Fu had never experienced it, couldn’t imagine it.
Her father probably loved her too, but that love was brief and faded over time.
Her godparents loved her, but it was somehow different.
Su Fu scratched her head — no one had taught her how to love others. The Su family only schemed.
When her father died, he schemed over compensation, property, and her.
Her memory returned to when she was five — that day Wang Xiao Jiao kindly left her a chicken leg.
Su Fu thought… maybe she had a conscience, maybe she could feel some affection.
But after finishing it, she woke up in the firewood room, with a strange old woman at the door.
Words like “child bride” and “sold” came to mind.
From that moment, Su Fu knew no one was good to her without reason.
She spent five hours escaping the mountains, finally knocking on the Li family’s door in town.
That day, her feet were battered, but she didn’t feel pain.
“Su Su… Su Su…”
Li Mingyu called for a long time with no response, gently shaking her.“Su Su, what’s wrong?”
Su Fu looked up, forced a smile.“Did you talk to your family?”
Li Mingyu pulled her up and led her to the sofa.“Mom, this is my best, best, best friend Su Su — full name Su Fu.”
Su Fu smiled warmly.“Hello, Auntie.”
Her voice was slightly hoarse, making her obedient face even more gentle.
Xu Wenfang gestured for them to sit.“No need to be formal — treat it like home.”
Su Fu, perceptive and polite, said,“Then I won’t be formal. Auntie, you don’t know — Li Li often secretly cried…”
Li Mingyu huffed,“No exposing me like that!”
Xu Wenfang smiled.“Good girl, go wash up first. Dinner will be ready soon.”
Before leaving, Li Mingyu gave Su Fu a few warning glances, signaling her not to reveal embarrassing stories.
Su Fu: I choose temporary blindness for ten seconds.