Su Bai Cha knew she had hooked Su Chengguang. After hesitating for a moment, she nodded slightly.
“Mm, I remember the address.”
She had memorized Jiang Island’s address down to the bone.
In a few years, she would bring an outstanding man like Mei Xinhang—along with the children they would have—to the Lu family to show off.
Su Chengguang looked at her with satisfaction.
“Good. Your second aunt was right—you’re a good one. When we go back, I’ll give you a proper dowry.”
Seeing everyone looking at him with admiration, he felt as if he had returned to his days in the capital. His posture straightened instantly.
Su Jiyè quickly shoveled a few mouthfuls of rice. Only after finally feeling somewhat full did he speak firmly:
“And Dad, I want Su Yueheng to send me tasty food. I’m not getting enough to eat here.”
Bai Tingxin proudly looked at Su Bai Cha and gently said:
“As long as it doesn’t make Yueheng uncomfortable.”
Then she turned to Su Jiyè and praised Su Bai Cha softly:
“Second Uncle, look how filial our Bai Cha is. Once this is over, I want to adopt her as my goddaughter—what do you think?”
She had wanted to bring this up several times in the capital, but feared Su Chengguang might suspect something. Now, after enduring hardship together, she felt there was nothing to worry about.
Su Chengguang nodded lightly.
“Eat.”
That night, after writing a letter to Su Yueheng, Su Chengguang casually set it aside.
Bai Tingxin walked in from outside, carefully taking out skincare products she had brought from the capital, and complained softly:
“Second Uncle, my skincare is almost used up. Have Yueheng buy some and send it over.”
She spoke without any burden. Then she sighed dramatically:
“I just wonder if Yueheng will blame me… after all, she isn’t my biological daughter.”
She turned her face slightly and pretended to cry behind her hand.
Su Chengguang was very receptive to this. He immediately comforted her:
“It’s Yueheng who is being unreasonable. You’ve always cared about her. I’ll talk to her.”
He then took out another sheet of paper and began writing—a letter full of criticism.
Bai Tingxin was not illiterate; in fact, she was quite cultured and could converse with Su Chengguang on refined topics.
Standing behind him, she massaged his shoulders. As she read his words, a satisfied smile appeared on her lips.
White Shu, your daughter is being dealt with by me—how satisfying!
She quickly concealed her expression again.
“Second Uncle, should I write to the Bai family? The Bai family surely won’t be in trouble.”
She looked at him pitifully.
For a moment, Su Chengguang was tempted. The Bai family was well-established and had many heroes who had sacrificed for the country.
If they could gain their support, life would be much easier.
He hesitated.
“It’s been years since we contacted them, and Bai Shu is gone now. They might not want to deal with us poor relatives.”
Bai Tingxin gave a bitter smile.
“Second Uncle, it’s all my fault. If I hadn’t chosen to be with you back then, the Bai family—because of Yueheng—wouldn’t have ignored us.”
Su Chengguang’s male pride was satisfied. He wrapped his arm around her waist, ignoring the cramped surroundings as if they were back in their old villa.
He patted her hand.
“If it really doesn’t work, we can tell them about Su Yueheng. Old Master didn’t allow the Bai family to contact her before, but now that he’s gone, there’s no need to hide it.”
Bai Tingxin leaned obediently on his shoulder, a flash of light quickly passing through her eyes.
“But Yueheng has always thought I’m her real mother… she might not be able to handle it.”
Her tone was full of concern.
Su Chengguang sighed.
“You’re still so kind. Let’s think about it later.”
Bai Tingxin’s lips twitched slightly. In truth, she didn’t want the Bai family to meet Su Yueheng either. Given how much they valued Bai Shu, they would surely dote on Yueheng even more.
But these days, living in filth and hardship had already pushed her to the limit.
With Su Yueheng’s previous attachment to her, even if she reunited with the Bai family, Yueheng would still remain close to her.
That night, each of them harbored their own schemes.
The next morning, Su Chengguang brought Su Bai Cha early to the doorstep of the production brigade leader and village head.
The brigade leader had just stepped out when he saw Su Chengguang and frowned.
“What are you doing here so early instead of going to work and carrying manure?”
Suppressing his dislike of the man’s contemptuous gaze, Su Chengguang forced a smile.
“My son-in-law is a soldier in the army. I want to write him a letter and ask him to send us some supplies.”
Then he added, pointing to Su Bai Cha:
“This is my niece. According to my family’s arrangements, she is engaged to a family in the village—the Mei family. I think the name is Mei Xinhang.”
The brigade leader frowned.
“This name isn’t on record.”
Su Bai Cha smiled gently.
“I only recently learned about my engagement, so it hasn’t been recorded yet. Sorry for the trouble.”
The brigade leader waved his hand.
Mei Xinhang had a bad reputation in the village—known as a local troublemaker who flirted with widows and young girls.
If he really got married, maybe he would settle down.
“Come with me. I’ll take you to the Mei family.”
After Su Chengguang left, the brigade leader said lazily, “Give me your letter. I’ll send it for you.”
His tone was distant, but better than before. In this era, soldiers were highly respected, and being a soldier’s in-law carried weight.
Su Chengguang gratefully thanked him and left.
The brigade leader led Su Bai Cha through winding alleys until they reached an old tree at the center. Inside it was a three-courtyard compound, divided among several families.
The Mei family lived in the deepest section.
Mei Xinhang had three older brothers and two older sisters.
Although the sisters were already married, the household was still cramped.
When Su Bai Cha saw the crowded, shabby environment, her composed expression instantly cracked.
Her delicate floral blouse, fashionable jeans, and refined makeup all screamed sophistication—yet the reality of Mei Xinhang’s poverty hit her hard.
She suddenly just wanted to run away.