Zhang Weiguo sat on the sofa, took a deep drag of his cigarette, and said, “Child, since Yingqiu knows she was wrong, let’s give her another chance to make things right.”
Fang’s mother actually couldn’t bear it either.
She knew how much effort it took for Yingqiu to leave her hometown.
She also knew that if Fang Yingqiu went back home, she would only be married off to some worthless man to pay for her brother’s bride.
Fang’s mother softened her expression and helped the still-kneeling Fang Yingqiu to her feet.
“All right. Tomorrow, you’ll come with me to Captain Qin’s house to apologize to Su Su. If she forgives you, then that’s the end of it. I’ve watched you grow up, so of course I care about you. In the future, I’ll help you find a good match. But as for Captain Qin—you just forget about him.”
Fang Yingqiu lowered her head, covering her already red cheeks, her eyes full of resentment. Her other hand clenched so tightly that her nails dug into her palm. She nodded slowly, “Okay… I’ll do as you say. I’ll go apologize to Su Su tomorrow.”
The next morning, right after Su Su finished freshening up, there was a knock at the door.
“Is Captain Qin home? I’m Fang’s mother.”
Fang’s mother? What’s she doing here?
Su Su wondered, just as Qin Xutao opened the door.
Fang’s mother’s face was full of smiles, and behind her was Fang Yingqiu, looking pale with red-rimmed eyes.
“I heard from Weiguo that Captain Qin took the day off,” she said.
“I thought I’d bring Yingqiu over to apologize to Miss Su.”
With that, she nudged Fang Yingqiu.
With a thud, Fang Yingqiu knelt at the doorway, tears streaming continuously down her cheeks.
“Su Su, I’m sorry. I was too scared after falling into the water yesterday. When I got ashore, I spoke nonsense without thinking.”
Su Su had lost her appetite for breakfast.
Although she was angry inside, seeing Fang Yingqiu like this, she couldn’t really say anything. Besides, Fang Yingqiu kneeling there in front of others could be embarrassing and reflect poorly on Qin Xutao as well.
So Su Su said, “I don’t care whether it was intentional or not, but this is your only chance. I hope you can handle it properly.”
Seeing Su Su relent, Fang’s mother immediately wore an even brighter smile and said several words of thanks to Su Su.
Then she left.
Before leaving, Fang Yingqiu cast a few mournful glances at Qin Xutao, but didn’t get a single look from him.
Su Su nodded in satisfaction and turned to Qin Xutao.
“Did you take the day off just to be with me today?”
Her eyes sparkled as she spoke, drawing attention effortlessly.
Qin Xutao nodded, “Yes.”
Su Su felt a warm, happy glow inside. She realized that he knew they were coming to apologize, but he had taken the day off to help her handle Fang’s mother and Fang Yingqiu—so she wouldn’t have to deal with it alone.
This man was thoughtful indeed.
Since they finally had some free time, she wanted to take him out to explore the city.
“Then today you’ll come with me to the city, okay?” she asked.
Qin Xutao pressed his lips together and replied, “Sure. I’ll go get the car. Meet me at the entrance of the military family housing.”
It was Su Su’s first time going to the city with Qin Xutao, and she felt a little excited.
She put on a red wool coat with a white fur collar around her neck, making her look even more beautiful.
Su Su took out makeup from her space and applied a subtle, natural-looking look.
When they stepped out of the housing, sure enough, a car was parked by the roadside.
As Su Su got in, Qin Xutao’s eyes fell on her face, and he slightly frowned.
Su Su pouted, thinking, “What’s with that expression? Is something wrong with my makeup today?”
So she asked directly, “Do I look good today?”
Qin Xutao couldn’t deny it. Anyone would be captivated by Su Su’s beauty and unable to look away. He was no exception.
He nodded and answered truthfully, “You look good.”
Su Su immediately brightened. “Let’s go!”
Time flew by on the way to the city. They first went to the clothing section of the supply and marketing cooperative.
Black City didn’t have many clothing styles, and most were loose and bulky. Su Su looked through everything but didn’t find anything satisfactory.
It would be great if she could have something custom-made according to her figure.
Right! A tailor shop would work.
Su Su asked a nearby woman and learned that there was a very famous tailor shop in the city.
Following the directions, Su Su and Qin Xutao found the tailor shop in an alley.
The exterior walls were patched with old, tattered newspapers.
Pushing the door open, the shop was small, filled with all sorts of fabrics and sewing machines.
Hearing the noise, an old man came out. “Do you want clothes made or repaired?”
Su Su hurriedly said, “I want to have two sets of clothes made here.”
“These are the design sketches.”
She had already designed inconspicuous but comfortable clothes for herself.
The old man took a look and his eyes lit up.
“Designs like this? Amazing!”
“How come I’ve never seen anything like this before?”
“Where did you learn this?”
Su Su smiled, “I’m interested in it, so I explored and figured it out myself.”
The old man stopped asking and said, “I can make these clothes. Come pick them up in three days, but you must pay a deposit first. If you don’t come, I’ll take a loss!”
Su Su nodded and smiled, “Of course!”
Just as she reached for her pocket to pay, Qin Xutao handed over the money.
“I’ll pay.”
The old man laughed heartily, “Good, young man. Smart move to pay proactively.”
Then he said to Su Su, “I can see that this young man is someone you could marry—no mistake there.”
Su Su left the tailor shop smiling.
It was almost noon.
She and Qin Xutao spotted a state-run restaurant.
Su Su was instantly interested. She had never experienced what a restaurant in this era was like. She turned to Qin Xutao, “Let’s eat inside!”
Qin Xutao nodded, and they entered together.
Today he wasn’t wearing his uniform, just regular clothes.
The restaurant staff, seeing the young couple, immediately frowned.
“If you don’t have money, don’t bother coming in. Otherwise, cleaning up the tables will take forever.”
The waitress rolled her eyes. Though she didn’t name anyone, it was obvious who she meant.
Su Su’s anger flared. Ignoring her, she dragged Qin Xutao to a table and said, “I want to order food.”
The waitress’s face darkened. “Are you really not understanding, or pretending not to?”
Su Su stared at her and said clearly, word by word, “How do you know we don’t have money?”
“Fine, fine, here’s the menu. Order. But if you try to eat and run, don’t blame me—I’ll call the police and have you arrested.”