Chapter 169: Surprise

“No, if anything happens to Ghost Shadow, I will sense it.” Su Yan’s answer was quite definitive.

Sun Mang let out an exaggerated sigh of relief. “It’s good that he’s fine then.”

“However, it’s not quite appropriate for you to call him Brother Ghost Shadow.” Su Yan suddenly blurted out.

Sun Mang looked at her in confusion.

Su Yan said unhurriedly, “Ghost Shadow has been dead for hundreds of years. Calling him 'Grandpa' would still be an understatement.”

Uh.

Sun Mang’s mouth twitched uncontrollably.

Grandpa Ghost Shadow?

Even though his surname was Sun, he hadn't reached the point where he could just randomly become a ghost's grandson.

A few hours later, as the car drove into the county town, Su Yan’s expression completely relaxed.

Although the provincial capital was prosperous, it wasn't her hometown after all.

The two got out of the car, and Sun Mang stretched his waist, full of energy.

“Su Yan, what are our plans after this? Are we just staying at home, or continuing to go out?”

“No activities.”

Su Yan’s answer left Sun Mang somewhat disappointed.

“What about training? Are we still going to the small woods every day?”

Going with her to slay demons and monsters was much more interesting than doing weighted training in the woods.

To his surprise, Su Yan shook her head.

“Don't go anywhere for the next few days. Stay home and accompany Grandma peacefully.”

They had spent half a month in the provincial capital for this trip; Grandma Sun didn't have much time left.

Thinking of Grandma Sun, Su Yan’s expression turned serious.

“Is that so good? I can move around freely?” Sun Mang didn't realize the implication of her words at all.

Looking at his carefree attitude, Su Yan slapped him directly.

“I'm telling you to rest at home, not to go out and play. Have you finished your homework? Do you know how to read your books?”

She hit him a bit hard this time, making Sun Mang grimace in pain.

If Su Yan hadn't reminded him, he really would have tossed his studies and homework to the back of his mind.

But then again, studying didn't seem important right now.

“The most important thing for you right now is studying. Even if you truly choose our path in the future, having knowledge is very important. So, besides training, I have another requirement for you: you must get into university in next year's Gaokao.” Su Yan spoke with utmost seriousness.

“Ah, Su Yan, you're not joking, right? You know my grades; it's impossible...”

“There is nothing impossible in this world; it just depends on whether you are willing to do it.” Su Yan gave Sun Mang no chance to finish.

Teaching him skills was not an excuse for him to neglect his education.

Sun Mang’s face completely fell into a wail.

This was absolutely asking the impossible.

“Fine, I'll work hard.”

“Go back and buy some delicious food for your grandmother. Show her some filial piety; that is also something you should do.” This was all Su Yan could do for him.

Sun Mang nodded earnestly and then parted ways with Su Yan.

***

Evening.

The textile factory shift ended, and people began walking out in small groups.

Su Yan stood quietly by the entrance, waiting.

“Su Yan, are you here to pick up Deputy Factory Director Su from work?”

Many employees lived in the residential compound and naturally recognized her.

Su Yan: “Mm.”

“Do you want us to go call Deputy Factory Director Su for you?” the other party asked kindly.

“No need, I'll just wait here.” Su Yan wanted to give her father a surprise.

“Alright then, we'll be going.”

“Sister Wang, is that girl Deputy Factory Director Su's eldest daughter?”

“Yes, she is.”

“I heard she was born to Deputy Factory Director Su and his first wife, and was sent to the countryside when she was little?”

“Yes, that's how it happened.”

“Then that girl is truly pitiful. She lost her mother as a child and was then sent to the countryside by her father. Even if she's been brought back now, will that stepmother tolerate her? It really fits that saying: 'Having a father but no mother, eyes brimming with tears.' What happened to her eyes? Is she blind?”

“Her eyes were damaged by an illness when she was young. But the girl is quite polite and well-behaved; many people in the compound like her. Deputy Factory Director Su's affairs aren't for us to gossip about; every family has its own troubles.”

As the people walked further away, Su Yan could hear their hushed discussions clearly, but she didn't show even a hint of reaction.

Some people who didn't recognize her couldn't help but steal a few glances as they left, but gradually, the crowd thinned out.

Su Jianguo finally emerged, pushing his bicycle at an unhurried pace.

“Deputy Factory Director Su, your daughter is here to pick you up!”

Someone shouted, causing him to pause for a moment, and then he saw Su Yan waiting at the main gate.

A bright, excited smile instantly bloomed on his calm face.

He pushed his bicycle and ran toward Su Yan.

“Yan Yan, you're back!”

Upon reaching Su Yan, he nearly dropped his bicycle.

“Daughter, when did you get home? Why didn't you call me in advance so I could pick you up at the station!” Su Jianguo kept checking to ensure she looked fine, and his long-held anxiety finally eased.

“Dad, I'm not a child anymore.” Su Yan said with a half-smile, while simultaneously observing his complexion.

Although he looked a bit thinner than when she left, his spirit seemed very good.

“You came specifically to pick me up?” Su Jianguo was so excited he could hardly believe it.

Su Yan gave him a definitive answer, “Yes, I thought I'd wait for you to finish work so we could eat out together.”

“Alright, alright!” Su Jianguo agreed readily.

Seeing people walking out from the factory area, he immediately began introducing her. “Old Li, this is my daughter, Su Yan!”

“Xiao Zhao, this is my daughter, Su Yan. Isn't she beautiful?”

Su Yan didn't know whether to laugh or cry. “Dad, let's go.”

“Okay.” Su Jianguo said, looking quite proud.

This was the first time father and daughter were going out to eat at a restaurant.

***

The Su Residence, Residential Compound.

Su Mo looked at the food laid out on the table with a face full of disdain.

Lately, the quality of the food at home had plummeted. Previously, they ate white flour steamed buns every meal, but now, aside from cornmeal buns and pickles, there wasn't a single bit of meat.

“Mo Mo, go call Qiang Qiang over. We'll eat once your father gets back.”

Li Qiuhua was busy setting out the bowls and chopsticks.

“Mom, are you doing this on purpose? You know my body is weak and I need nutrition the most, yet you still only let me eat this every day?” Su Mo snapped.

During these days, whenever Su Jianguo wasn't home, Su Mo would lose her temper from time to time; Li Qiuhua had grown used to it.

“Mo Mo, things at home are indeed a bit difficult lately. But just wait a few more days until your father gets his salary, and Mom will make something delicious for you both.”

Su Mo didn't listen to her consolation at all. “If you hadn't given all the family's money to your own parents, how could we be living such a hard life? Mom, sometimes I really don't know what you're thinking. Qiang Qiang and I are your only relatives; how can you give our family's money to outsiders?”

Facing Su Mo's accusations, Li Qiuhua's expression turned awkward.

Seeing her like this, Su Mo felt even more contemptuous.

“No wonder my dad wants to divorce you. Who could stand a wife who always sides with outsiders?”

“Mo Mo...”

Li Qiuhua's face burned with shame; being scolded like this by her own daughter felt terrible.

“My dad will be back soon. While Su Yan isn't home, hurry up and mend your relationship with him. We absolutely cannot let that blind girl succeed in her schemes,” Su Mo reminded her with a stern face.

She felt that this half-month of Su Yan's absence was the best opportunity for mother and daughter.