On Saturday, only a half-day of work was required.
Su Manman idled away the entire morning, and when the time came, she slung her bag and left.
First, she strolled through the city center, bought two candied hawthorns she liked, then took a bus to the mountainous southern suburbs.
Her little gu insects in the greenhouse had gradually awakened, and the food she brought was nearly used up.
Her grandmother had once said that when she was young, she lived in Beijing with her grandfather for several years. In winter, they often went to the southern suburbs’ Yuyuan Mountain to stock food for the gu insects.
There was a naturally formed hot spring there that wasn’t affected by the cold weather, and it was full of insects.
If lucky, one could even find gu insects suitable for refining.
The bus reached its terminal. Su Manman followed the sign pointing toward the hot spring and walked inside.
Outside, the mountains were covered in thick white snow, but inside it felt like spring.
Green trees shaded the area, and a gentle breeze blew.
Mist floated around like smoke and fog, making it look like a fairyland.
However, compared to her hometown scenery, this place was still far inferior.
She avoided the tourists coming for the hot springs, found a hidden spot, and scattered insect-attracting powder.
Soon after, various crawling insects appeared one after another.
She put on special gloves and caught them, quickly filling her handmade cloth bag before heading home.
As she stepped through the gate, she heard lively voices inside.
Going around the screen wall, she saw two elderly women chatting in the courtyard.
One wore a navy blue traditional buttoned cotton coat.
The other wore a dark purple double-breasted cotton coat, its fabric subtly glossy and clearly of fine quality.
Not far from them, near the wall, stood two girls around seventeen or eighteen, both wearing red cotton coats. One was eating snacks, the other skipping rope—the rope was hers.
Su Manman spoke directly, “Please put down my rope.”
Both elderly women looked up at the same time.
The woman in the navy coat looked confused. “Who is it?”
The woman in the purple coat paused, then smiled kindly. “You must be Manman, right?”
She stood and walked closer, examining her.
Tall, fair-skinned, with beautiful features.
Two long braids, black and shiny.
White cotton jacket, black pants, handmade cloth shoes.
A simple, even slightly rustic outfit—but it couldn’t hide the girl’s beauty.
“You’re even prettier than your grandmother was when she was young.”
Su Manman’s eyes flickered as she tested, “Mother-in-law?”
Old Madam Qin laughed brightly. “Smart girl, guessed it right away. Your father-in-law said you’re working as a mediator in your second sister-in-law’s unit. Are you adjusting well?”
“Yes,” Su Manman replied, glancing at the others in the courtyard.
Old Madam Qin introduced them, “This is your aunt. Those two girls are from your third aunt’s family. The elder one is Si Di, and the one skipping rope is Pan Di.”
Su Manman understood.
The woman in navy was her mother-in-law’s younger sister.
She greeted them openly, “Aunt, Si Di, Pan Di, hello.”
The aunt responded quickly, “Hello, hello. You’re really pretty. I came in a hurry and didn’t know the third son got married, so I didn’t prepare a gift. That’s a bit embarrassing.”
Su Manman said nothing.
She was young, but not ignorant of social manners.
This “aunt” deliberately brought up gifts—meaning she had likely given marriage gifts to other children in the past through her in-laws.
Logically, those gifts would be returned when Qin Lin got married.
Yet she mentioned giving one to her instead.
No matter whether Su Manman accepted or refused, it would make her look like she didn’t respect her mother-in-law.
After all, such matters should be handled by the elders, not her.
Setting a trap right here?
Good thing she was sharp.
She stepped forward and took the rope from Pan Di’s hand.
“This was made by my grandmother for me. If you want one, ask your own grandmother to make it for you.”
Pan Di froze.
The aunt was slightly displeased but didn’t say anything, only scolded lightly, “Pan Di, you shouldn’t touch other people’s things without asking. Apologize to your aunt-in-law.”
Pan Di reluctantly stepped forward, head lowered, saying nothing.
The atmosphere stiffened.
Old Madam Qin laughed to ease the tension. “It’s nothing, nothing at all. Manman’s rope is indeed pretty. Not only did Pan Di like it, even I did. But I’m too old to skip rope now. Still, this is your grandmother’s keepsake. If Pan Di wants one, I’ll have your uncle buy her one later.”
With a few words, she smoothed things over for both sides.
The aunt followed the lead. “Hurry and thank your great-aunt.”
Pan Di whispered, “Thank you, great-aunt.”
“Don’t mention it. Make yourself at home,” Old Madam Qin said, turning back to Su Manman.
“I’ll go back to my room,” Su Manman said, then left.
The aunt tugged at Old Madam Qin’s arm. “Sister, I’m not trying to stir trouble, but this girl has quite a temper. All over a rope she made such a fuss. Your third son is so busy with work—if she keeps acting like this, won’t he get annoyed? Won’t they argue in the future?”
Old Madam Qin had already heard from Old Master Qin that the girl was wild and a bit temperamental, and needed tolerance.
Seeing her now, it was indeed true.
Most people would just tolerate it and complain later.
But this girl took it back immediately on the spot.
Quite adorable.
Her son had been steady and proper all his life—meeting a girl who didn’t play by the rules… he’d probably be fascinated, not annoyed.
She smiled. “Let the younger generation handle their own matters. We elders shouldn’t interfere.”
The aunt frowned. “Even marriage arrangements?”
Old Madam Qin replied, “If the third son doesn’t like her, no arrangement will work. If he does like her, then it’s just going with the flow.”
With such a beautiful girl delivered to his doorstep, if he refused, he’d be foolish.
The aunt still wanted to say more.
At that moment, Old Master Qin and Aunt Zhao arrived from outside carrying a basket of meat.
Old Madam Qin smiled. “Still able to buy meat at this hour?”
Old Master Qin replied, “I asked someone to save it yesterday since you were coming today.”
The aunt looked at the meat and swallowed.
Life in the city was too good. In the countryside, even with money, meat wasn’t always available.
Old Master Qin added, “It’s meat ration coupons from the third son’s unit. Not expensive.”
The aunt sighed. “College graduates really have everything. In the village, we can only buy expensive meat if we’re willing to spend.”
Old Master Qin changed the topic. “It’s getting late. Manman should be back. Have you seen her?”
“She’s here,” Su Manman said, pulling aside the curtain and pressing her face against the window.
Old Master Qin glanced over. “Why are you hiding in the room as soon as you’re back? The sun is so good—you should get more sunlight.”
Su Manman immediately shut the curtain.
Forget it.
He never learns.
Old Master Qin: “……”
That girl…
He forced a smile. “Aunt Zhao is making dumplings. Auntie, do you want pork-and-scallion filling or pork-and-sauerkraut?”
The aunt smiled as well.
Both were fine.
She was in a good mood.
Everything here in the city… really was nice.