When they arrived at the Qin family home, Qin’s mother was furious upon learning why Su Su had come to Heicheng. She looked as if she wanted to storm straight to Shanghai to scold someone.
“That Zhao Guoxiang is truly despicable! Su Ya, you did the right thing!”
Qin’s grandfather sighed and said, “Your grandpa always had a good eye for people, but unfortunately Zhao Guoxiang hid his true self too well.”
Qin’s father added, “Luckily, Su Ya is clever, or else she would have suffered greatly.”
At that moment, Qin Xiaofeng suddenly interrupted, “Don’t you get it yet!? She has absolutely no money left and had no choice but to come to Heicheng to find my brother! She’s using him as a backup!”
Qin’s mother slapped Qin Xiaofeng on the back angrily. “What do you know! Su Ya is my Qin family’s daughter-in-law. If she hadn’t come to your brother, where else would she go!?”
Qin Xiaofeng pouted in disagreement.
Qin Xutao said in a serious tone, “I plan to marry Su Su.”
Hearing this, Qin’s mother immediately brightened up, “Of course we agree! Finally, you’ve come to your senses!”
Since the topic of marriage had come up, Su Su could no longer pretend nothing had happened. She took the initiative and said, “I was immature before and insisted on breaking off the engagement. But after everything that’s happened, I’ve thought it through. I want to marry Comrade Qin Xutao.”
Qin’s mother wiped her tears, both excited and touched. “Wonderful. Forget the past. If Qin Xutao ever treats you badly, I won’t let him off.”
“Su Ya, today you’ll get a taste of my cooking!”
With that, she and Granny Qin went into the kitchen, bustling about.
Su Su wanted to help, but they chased her out.
“Now that you’re in our home, just enjoy life. You don’t need to do these things; just wait to taste your aunt’s cooking. If you get bored, Qin Xutao can take you for a walk at the foot of Bai Mao Mountain. He’ll be collecting firewood, but don’t wander into the woods!”
Su Su felt a warm sense of comfort—this family was really good to her.
Qin Xutao had already rolled up his sleeves, revealing the smooth lines of his muscular forearms. In his hands was a sickle, and a bamboo basket was slung over his back. Any soldier in the unit seeing him like this would surely be stunned.
So even Captain Qin had chores to do at home!
He looked at Su Su and said, “I’ll take you for a walk.”
Su Su nodded and followed his steps.
At this time of year, Bai Mao Mountain had many dry branches that snapped and creaked pleasantly underfoot.
Su Su followed behind him, curiously observing the surroundings.
Suddenly, her forehead bumped against Qin Xutao’s back.
“What’s wrong?”
Qin Xutao turned around, his gaze heavy and intense on her.
“Su Su, I’ll ask you one last time,” he said.
“Have you truly decided to marry me?”
“Once we submit the marriage application, there will be no turning back.”
Hearing this, Su Su nodded, her expression serious. “Qin Xutao, then I’ll say it one last time, listen carefully. I’ve made up my mind—I want to marry you.”
Having said this, Su Su ran ahead toward the Qin family, a bit annoyed that he insisted she be so explicit.
When Qin Xutao returned to the Qin household, Qin’s mother had already prepared a large table full of dishes and called out, “Su Ya, come and eat!”
Su Su sat on the warm kang (heated brick bed), looking at the table and feeling even more the care and importance the Qin family placed on her.
There was golden crispy fried pork, chicken stewed with wild mushrooms, sauerkraut blood sausage, pork stewed with vermicelli, stir-fried potatoes and eggplant, sautéed meat chunks, braised pork bones, sticky bean buns, rice cakes, dumplings, pan-fried flatbreads, large rice buns, and in the center, canned fruits and frozen pears.
Qin’s mother sat at the head of the kang. “Su Ya, eat!”
Qin Xiaofeng pouted, “Mom, didn’t you say there was no blood sausage left? How come it’s back just because Su Su came? Hmph, you’re biased. I’m not eating!”
“Eat if you want, don’t eat, fine.”
Qin’s mother busied herself serving Su Su, and soon her bowl was piled high.
Su Su ate until her stomach was full and round.
After finishing, the table was cleared. Qin’s mother took out a metal box and handed it to Su Su.
“This is your betrothal gift, a total of 900 yuan. There are also receipts for a bicycle, a watch, and a sewing machine—the ‘big three’.”
Qin Xiaofeng’s eyes went red with envy. She had wanted a watch for so long, but her mom never gave her one. Now Su Su had received all of them!
What spell had Su Su cast? If she married into this family, would there still be room for her in the household?
Understanding that it was Qin’s mother’s kind gesture, Su Su didn’t refuse. She smiled and held her hand. “Thank you, Aunt.”
Since Qin Xutao still had a task in the afternoon, after finishing the meal, Su Su left with him.
Back at the military quarters, from a distance, they saw a figure sneaking around the dormitory entrance, peeking through the door crack.
The figure looked like Fang Yingqiu.
Qin Xutao frowned, about to speak, but Su Su stopped him.
A playful smile curved on Su Su’s lips as she suddenly shouted, “Miss Fang!”
Fang Yingqiu was so startled that she fell backward onto the ground.
She turned and saw Qin Xutao standing beside Su Su, her face turning pale and red in quick succession.
She hurriedly got up, straightened her clothes, lowered her head, and shyly said, “Big Brother Qin, you’re back?”
Su Su smiled, “Miss Fang, come to deliver sweets again? You can’t fit them through the door crack.”
Fang Yingqiu’s expression darkened. She looked at Qin Xutao helplessly. “Sister Su, no, you’ve misunderstood me. I wanted to invite you to the ice-skating competition in the military. All the military spouses can join.”
“If you don’t want to skate, that’s okay too. You can just cheer for us.”
Fang Yingqiu felt smug.
This capital girl from Shanghai surely couldn’t skate; she couldn’t compare to someone like her, who had been skating since childhood.
She would shine at the competition, and then Big Brother Qin would see who was the right one for him.
Su Su squinted, realizing that Fang Yingqiu had set her sights on her.
“All right, I’ll participate!”
She turned to Qin Xutao and pouted, “But I don’t really know how. Can you teach me? I really want to join.”
Qin Xutao pressed his lips and nodded, “Fine, I’ll teach you.”
Fang Yingqiu’s face turned pale with anger. She gritted her teeth, thinking, You don’t know your place. You’ll see what it means to be humbled.
“Miss Fang, why are you still standing there? We’re heading back to the dorm.”
Reluctantly, Fang Yingqiu stepped aside.
Watching them enter the dorm together, the door slammed shut.
Once inside, Qin Xutao said to Su Su, “You don’t need to join the competition if you can’t skate.”
Su Su removed her hat and scarf in one go, saying nothing.
“Are you upset?”
Qin Xutao asked, puzzled.
Su Su glanced at him and asked directly, “Why did Fang Yingqiu call you ‘Big Brother Qin’? What’s your relationship with her?”
Qin Xutao frowned. “The girl at the door just now? I’ve met her a couple of times.”
“She’s called Fang Yingqiu?”
Su Su’s anger immediately faded. Ah, so it was just a one-sided crush. Qin Xutao didn’t even know who she was.
Feeling pleased, Su Su said, “I learn quickly. Just show me once, and I’ll get it. Please, Teacher Qin.”
Qin Xutao nodded. Since she wanted to learn, he had no reason to refuse.