After hanging up the phone, Sun Ningde asked Gao Weiguo, “Deputy Factory Director Gao, how do you plan to deal with that fat woman?”
Gao Weiguo had a bit of a headache. With ordinary female secretaries, he only needed to spread malicious rumors, because Wang Dafu’s wife was extremely jealous and would storm into the office to make a scene.
Wang Dafu cared about his reputation and would directly fire them.
The last capable female secretary by Wang Dafu’s side, Yang Wenqing, had been driven out this way.
But with Su Wanqing’s appearance, no one would believe such rumors even if they were spread.
Sun Ningde cautiously suggested, “Should we deal with Su Wanqing the same way we dealt with Yang Wenqing?”
Gao Weiguo shook his head. “With Su Wanqing being that fat, Wang Dafu’s wife wouldn’t believe it unless she was blind.”
Sun Ningde was somewhat annoyed. This Su Wanqing was indeed difficult to handle—she was just too unattractive.
Gao Weiguo said, “Secretary Sun, think of a way to get this eyesore, Su Wanqing, out of here.”
Sun Ningde replied, “Deputy Factory Director Gao, don’t worry. I will definitely find a way to drive her away.”
Gao Weiguo patted Sun Ningde on the shoulder and said with great trust, “Good, then I’ll leave it to you.”
Su Wanqing returned to the office and handed Feiliya’s procurement requirements to Wang Dafu. After looking at them for a while, Wang Dafu was so delighted that he paced back and forth in the office. “Comrade Su, you’re truly amazing.”
Wang Dafu was skilled at utilizing people. Since Su Wanqing had helped him so much, he immediately rewarded her with ten yuan and gave her a box of expensive imported chocolates.
Su Wanqing accepted without hesitation. “Thank you, Director Wang.”
Wang Dafu said, “Comrade Su, as long as we secure Feiliya’s order, I’ll give you another bonus.”
“Great! I’ll do my very best.”
Working under such a leader was motivating—no empty promises, just direct rewards.
Su Wanqing left work happily, taking Xia Yue with her. Xia Yue asked, “You’ve really changed since coming back this time—you seem especially confident.”
Su Wanqing smiled. “I have both ability and money, so of course I’m confident. Xia Yue, don’t worry. As long as I’m at the factory, I’ll make sure you’re well-fed and healthy.”
Xia Yue had long suffered from malnutrition, and even her hair had turned yellowish. Su Wanqing felt that such a good girl shouldn’t be like this.
She noticed that Xia Yue had delicate features. If she could get her hands on some boswellin, retinol, and niacinamide, she was sure to make this girl fair and smooth-skinned.
Xia Yue laughed happily. “Wanqing, you’re so good to me.”
“You saved me, after all.”
The two chatted and laughed all the way home. After dropping off Xia Yue, Su Wanqing went to the market as usual to buy groceries, planning to make chicken noodle soup for the children when she got home.
The weather was getting colder, and eating something warm would make sleeping at night more comfortable.
Just as she left the market, she ran into Chen Cai’e again. Seeing the chicken and noodles in Su Wanqing’s hands, Chen Cai’e was furious.
She rushed forward to snatch the chicken from Su Wanqing’s hands, cursing viciously, “How dare you, you wretched girl, eat well and live comfortably while our whole family has to scrimp and save?”
Su Wanqing kicked Chen Cai’e directly and said coldly as ice, “If you don’t want Su Daqiang and Su Jianjun to be fired, you’d better not provoke me.”
Hearing this, Chen Cai’e trembled in fear. Last night, the father and son had been beaten so badly. She had thought that with the deputy factory director’s support, Su Wanqing would be the one to suffer, but instead, it was the two of them who were punished.
However, Chen Cai’e wasn’t one to give up so easily. She plopped down on the ground, wailing and crying, “What an unfilial daughter, hitting her own mother!”
Passersby pointed and whispered, many of them from the machinery factory.
Su Wanqing shouted loudly, “She tried to snatch the chicken from my hands! She wants the four of us to starve every day, taking all the food for herself. This is murder! How can there be such a cruel mother in this world?” She began to wail as well—when it came to shamelessness, who couldn’t do it?
Everyone felt Su Wanqing made sense and started blaming Chen Cai’e.
Using magic to defeat magic—Su Wanqing wasn’t going to indulge her.
From the crowd, Qiu Mingjie stepped forward. He tilted his head and looked at Chen Cai’e, saying, “If you can’t keep your mouth shut, I don’t mind helping you.”
The fear Qiu Mingjie had instilled last time hadn’t faded, and Chen Cai’e, terrified, scrambled to her feet and scurried away.
Su Wanqing said to Qiu Mingjie, “Thank you. How about coming to my place tonight for chicken noodle soup?”
“Sure!”
When they reached her doorstep, Qiu Mingjie noticed the bruises on Su Wanqing’s face. “What happened?”
Su Wanqing explained how Su Daqiang and his son had beaten her. Qiu Mingjie said, “How shameless! No wonder you always gave them money before. If you didn’t, they’d really kill someone. Do you want me to teach them a lesson?”
Su Wanqing replied, “Not for now. If I really need help, I’ll come find you.” She didn’t like owing favors, especially to someone like Qiu Mingjie, who would eventually turn into a major villain. It was best to avoid provoking him if possible.
Back home, Su Wanqing distributed the chocolate to the children, who were overjoyed, happier than during New Year celebrations.
But it wasn’t surprising—children in every era loved chocolate, especially in these times of scarcity.
Su Wanqing reminded them, “Each of you can only have one piece. If you eat too much, you won’t have room for dinner later.”
Qiu Mingjie looked at her as if she were a monster. “With how they look, do you really think they won’t have room for chicken noodle soup?”
Su Wanqing scratched her head and said, “Snacks might be tasty, but they aren’t as nutritious as a proper meal.”
Such ideas didn’t exist in this era, but after a few days apart, her three children did look noticeably healthier.
After saying this, Su Wanqing went into the kitchen to prepare the chicken. An hour and a half later, steaming bowls of chicken noodle soup were served.
The children were practically drooling. Su Wanqing served Qiu Mingjie the largest bowl. He ate it and found it truly delicious, thinking that Su Wanqing had changed dramatically.
Su Wanqing gave the two chicken drumsticks to the two younger children. Lu An’an wasn’t jealous at all. “The tasty parts should go to the younger siblings.”
Su Wanqing felt fortunate to have such a well-behaved child.
The five of them finished the entire chicken.
After the meal, Su Wanqing walked Qiu Mingjie to the door. She kindly advised him, “You’re making money as a speculator now, but wouldn’t it be better to start a legitimate business? The government will crack down hard next year, and your line of work will face trouble.”
Qiu Mingjie asked curiously, “How do you know?”
Su Wanqing replied, “I guessed from the news. The future will definitely be a market economy, so you should seize the market first. Opportunities are everywhere now. You could consider opening an imported food store—many people want to pursue a higher standard of living. And the foreign guests stationed in China are a huge demand.”
Qiu Mingjie had heard about Su Wanqing fluently receiving foreign guests in English, so he took her words seriously.
“Alright, I’ll think about it.”
Qiu Mingjie added, “I’m going to the Research Institute on Sunday to deliver something to Lin Yunshi. Do you want me to bring anything to Lu Changfeng?”
Su Wanqing thought for a moment and said, “I’ll bring it. Come over on Sunday afternoon to pick it up. And we can take the kids to see him—they miss their dad.”
“Alright.”
After Qiu Mingjie left, Su Wanqing returned home and continued knitting sweaters for the children. As she knitted, she said, “I managed to get a TV ticket. We can go buy a television this Sunday.”
The three children cheered in unison, “Mom is the best!”
Especially Lu An’an, whose eyes sparkled like stars as she hugged Su Wanqing’s neck. “Mom, you’re so good to us now. When I grow up, I’ll earn money to spend on you.”
Su Wanqing smiled. “Mom doesn’t need it. Your money should go to your wife and children.”
Lu Tiantian snuggled into Su Wanqing’s arms. “Mom, I want to be your precious darling forever.”
Su Wanqing patted her little head. “You are Mom’s precious little darling.”
The family was filled with warmth and joy.
Meanwhile, on Lu Changfeng’s side, it was already nine o’clock at night, and he was still busy in the laboratory.