Chapter 16: There is Another Reason

“Does Yan Yan mean she wants to try Traditional Chinese Medicine?”

This was the first thing Wu Qi thought of subconsciously.

Su Yan knew he hadn't quite understood her meaning, but it wasn't easy to speak plainly in front of Su Jianguo.

“Actually, many times when a sudden illness occurs, especially one that is hard to cure, one can consider other aspects of the situation.”

Both the Wu Qi couple and Su Jianguo were left completely bewildered.

A few seconds later, Wu Qi nodded quite kindly.

Su Yan did not say anything more until they left.

***

The next day.

Early in the morning, Li Qiuhua was nowhere to be seen.

By the time Su Jianguo was about to go out to look for her, she returned, looking radiant.

Not only was she carrying soy milk and steamed buns, but she also held a thick stack of newspapers.

“Since when did you become so willing to go out and buy breakfast?” Su Jianguo teased, a rare occurrence.

Most of the family's money was with Li Qiuhua. As the deputy factory director, his salary was naturally enough to support the family, but even so, she pinched every penny, saving wherever she could.

Li Qiuhua’s eyes crinkled into slits as she smiled, spreading the newspapers out before him in a show of pride.

“You bought all of these?” Black lines appeared on Su Jianguo’s forehead.

By estimation, they all looked the same; there must be dozens of them.

“What triggered you? Are you buying all these newspapers to paste on the walls?”

“I feel like I didn't buy enough! Hurry up and open them to look!” Li Qiuhua urged impatiently.

Only then did Su Jianguo open them. Upon seeing the reports about him inside, he finally understood where her abnormal behavior came from.

“There’s no need to buy so many.”

“You don't understand. It's not just for us to read; of course, we have to share them with the neighbors in the courtyard!” Li Qiuhua spoke as if it were the most natural thing in the world, her chin tilted so high with pride it nearly touched the sky.

Understanding her intentions, Su Jianguo felt somewhat speechless.

“This is classic showing off. It’s not good. Many people do good deeds without leaving their names; doing this makes it look like our moral awareness is low.”

The moment Li Qiuhua, who had been excited just a second ago, heard this, it was as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over her, and her enthusiasm vanished.

“I... I just wanted everyone to see. It won't bring any bad influence to you, will it?”

Looking at her anxious expression, Su Jianguo thought she truly had no backbone; whatever he said, she simply accepted.

“It won't go that far. Just put these newspapers away; don't go giving them to the people in the compound anymore.”

Su Mo, who had been listening to their conversation without making a sound, suddenly wanted to make an impression in front of Su Jianguo.

“Dad, I think Mom did a great job. This is your glory, and of course, the more people know, the better. Besides, Uncle Wu's illness hasn't improved; the more popular you are in the compound, the more importance you will surely be given in the future.”

Su Mo felt she was incredibly clever after saying this.

Her father was currently the deputy factory director. If Uncle Wu stepped down due to illness, her father could be promoted to factory director.

This was a good thing!

The relaxed atmosphere came to an abrupt halt because of Su Jianguo’s frown.

Su Jianguo found it hard to believe she could say such things, and his expression gradually turned serious.

Su Mo immediately realized something was wrong. “Dad, did I say something wrong?”

Su Jianguo’s gaze toward her was cold and disappointed. “Mo Mo, how can you have such thoughts? Dad has never thought about being valued by anyone; the only thing to do is perform one's duties well. Moreover, compared to a promotion, I would much rather Uncle Wu be in good health.”

Su Mo’s heart trembled. Only then did she realize she had said something she shouldn't have, and her face flushed bright red.

“Dad, I didn't mean it like that. I also hope Uncle Wu gets better...”

Li Qiuhua felt like giving her a couple of slaps. How could such a normally clever girl suddenly act so foolish?

“Jianguo, children just speak without thinking; she won't dare do it again. Let's just eat first, shall we?”

She forcibly diverted Su Jianguo's attention, not wanting him to continue reprimanding Su Mo.

Su Yan and Su Qiang had already started eating, completely ignoring the conversation between the three.

This morning began with Li Qiuhua's happiness and ended with Su Mo's embarrassment.

***

“Su Yan, wait a moment.”

As they passed by Wu Qi's doorstep, Wang Jinhua, who was sweeping the courtyard, saw Su Mo and Su Yan walking past one after the other. She immediately grabbed her broom and chased after them.

The one who stopped first was actually Su Mo.

Subconsciously, she assumed Wang Jinhua was calling her.

In this compound, the family with the highest status was the Wu family. After all, Wu Qi was the factory director, and besides the Gu family, almost everyone living here was a worker from the textile factory. Therefore, everyone treated the Wu couple with exceptional respect.

To gain their favor was naturally an honor.

“Auntie, is something the matter?”

Su Mo put on her well-behaved and sensible persona again.

However, Wang Jinhua was looking at Su Yan. “Su Yan, can I speak to you alone for a moment?”

The smile on Su Mo's face froze instantly, and a resentful gaze immediately fell upon Su Yan.

Her father had just taken that blind girl to the Wu house last night, and today she was specifically called out. How could she not be jealous?

And how important must the words be that required speaking alone?!

Su Yan walked up to Wang Jinhua. Wang Jinhua carefully pulled her to the side, ensuring no one else could hear, before lowering her voice.

“Su Yan, what exactly did you mean last night?”

Wang Jinhua had been pondering it all night and felt something wasn't quite right.

It was Su Yan's first time at her house; why would she suddenly utter such a random, contextless sentence?

As the saying goes, "desperate people turn to any doctor"; she wanted to get a clear answer now.

A faint, almost imperceptible smile appeared at the corner of Su Yan's mouth. “Auntie, even if I say it, you might not believe me.”

“As long as it can cure Uncle Wu's illness, anything is fine! Just speak boldly!” Wang Jinhua offered a reassurance first, waiting for Su Yan to speak.

“Although Uncle Wu's illness is in his waist and legs, it shouldn't be to the point where he cannot even stand up.”

As soon as Su Yan spoke, she hit the nail on the head, making Wang Jinhua nod incessantly.

Although Wu Qi's illness used to flare up frequently, it had never been as severe as this time, which was why they were so worried.

Seeing that Wang Jinhua's face was full of sincerity without any look of contempt or doubt, Su Yan continued: “The reason Uncle Wu has become like this is due to another cause.”

Wang Jinhua's breath hitched, and her expression changed instantly. She asked urgently, “What cause?”

Not far away, Su Mo could have gone to school first, but she hadn't left. Instead, she pricked up her ears, wanting to know what they were talking about.

But no matter how hard she tried, aside from seeing Wang Jinhua's abnormal expression, she couldn't hear a thing.

“A curse.”

When Su Yan uttered those two words, Wang Jinhua's head went numb, and she found herself unable to even think normally.

(End of Chapter)