Chapter 4: You Want Me to Swallow Her!

Before Su Jianguo could notice anything amiss, Su Mo immediately stepped forward and said, "After school, I ran into your classmates. They said you were going to stay the night at a friend's house."

Su Yan turned her head to "look" at her.

Although her eyes were covered by a black cloth, for some reason, Su Mo suddenly felt as if she had been seen right through.

Subconsciously, Su Mo clutched the hem of her shirt, nervously preparing to deal with further questioning.

"They were mistaken. I was just wandering around the school and got delayed."

Su Yan's answer left Su Mo completely stunned; she had no idea what was going on in her mind.

"You're a child who can't see, how could you be wandering around outside? Your father was worried to death," Li Qiuhua complained, then looked at her suspiciously. "It's so dark out, and you walked back all by yourself?"

This didn't make sense. Although the distance from the compound to the school wasn't huge, it was still several streets away. Today was her first day at school; could a blind person really be this capable?

"Whether it's dark or not makes no difference to me," Su Yan said quite casually.

Whether it was in the daylight or in the pitch-black of night, her eyes could see everything clearly.

However, these words fell on Su Jianguo's ears with a different meaning. His heart ached, and he shot a lethal glare at Li Qiuhua.

If you don't know how to talk, then don't!

"Even though my Yan-yan's eyes have some issues, her ears and nose are sharp. She can do things that ordinary people can't!"

Although it was a compliment, Su Yan still wished he would shut up too.

The four of them entered the house together.

Su Yan's room used to be Su Mo's. Su Jianguo said that when Su Mo learned they were bringing her back, she specifically gave up her room and moved to the room on the far west side used for storing clutter.

She didn't react when she heard this, nor did she refuse.

The room wasn't large, but compared to her place in Big Willow Tree Village, it was far more spacious and comfortable.

The walls were no longer made of adobe, and even the floor was smoothed over with cement.

A five-foot bed, a single-door wardrobe, and a desk were all provided.

However, no matter how comfortable it was here, her true home remained Big Willow Tree Village, where Granny Li was.

"Daughter, the kettle has freshly boiled hot water in it. Make sure to pour it out first when you drink so you don't get burned. You didn't get to eat dinner either; if you feel hungry, eat this bag of walnut cookies. I've also placed these two boiled eggs by your bedside so you can reach them while lying down."

Su Jianguo was like a fussy mother, giving instructions on every little detail.

Afraid that Su Yan wouldn't be able to find them, he moved the oil-paper-wrapped cookies to several of the most conspicuous spots.

"Alright, go to sleep."

No matter how enthusiastic he was, Su Yan only responded coldly.

Su Jianguo rubbed his hands together, not intending to leave immediately.

"Daughter, can Dad discuss something with you?"

He sat down cautiously beside her, though there was a full half-meter gap between them.

"Go ahead." Su Yan was distracted, her full attention focused on wiping down that black rod.

"Can I pick you up from school from now on?" Su Jianguo asked with a pleading look. If the people at the factory saw him like this, their jaws would surely drop.

Was this really their usually uncompromising Deputy Factory Director?

"There's no need for that." Su Yan knew he was worried, but it really wasn't necessary.

Besides, he had work to attend to.

Su Jianguo was deeply disappointed. "Then can you stop staying out so late in the future?"

"That's not certain. I have my own things to do."

Su Yan was telling the truth; the things she did were never very convenient to handle during the day.

Rejected twice in a row, Su Jianguo looked like he had been wounded.

Su Yan sensed his mood. "I'll try my best."

Su Jianguo's cloudy expression finally cleared. "I knew Yan-yan was the most obedient. Get some rest now. If you need anything tonight, just call me or your Auntie Qiuhua."

He gave one last instruction and finally stood up.

However, he first glanced at Su Yan to make sure she wasn't paying attention, then picked up the coat she had left on the hanger and quietly tucked ten yuan into her pocket.

Su Yan was naturally aware of his every move.

"I don't need money."

Su Jianguo, who had specifically turned his back to her, shuddered in fright.

Sometimes he really felt that even though his daughter couldn't see and wore a black blindfold, her eyes were sharper than anyone else's.

"It's not like being at home here; you need money for everything. Buy whatever you want when you're out, and don't you dare try to save money for Dad."

After saying that, fearing Su Yan would refuse his money too, he hurried out as fast as he could.

Su Yan felt a bit helpless. Ever since they had reunited, he had been trying to please her in every way possible, even speaking to her with extreme caution.

She held no hatred toward Su Jianguo. After all, he had made those choices back then to ensure she could survive.

Even when he remarried later, she felt it was only natural; he was still young and had no reason to remain celibate for his deceased wife for the rest of his life.

But Su Jianguo clearly didn't see it that way; from beginning to end, he acted as if he owed her a debt.

However, Su Jianguo's actions just now served as a reminder. Life in the city was indeed different from the village. She would need to send money back to Granny Li, so it was time to consider some worldly matters.

Deep in the night.

The door to Su Yan's room slowly opened.

Su Mo crept in on tiptoe.

She had truly had enough. She couldn't figure out how Su Yan had managed to walk out of that abandoned building, and she had even begun to suspect that her blindness was just an act!

Because the room was so dark, she moved with extreme caution, finally managing to grope her way to the bedside.

She leaned in close to the sleeping Su Yan and saw that she was still wearing the black blindfold, which only confirmed her suspicions.

After all, there was no need for it while sleeping.

Just as she was about to reach out and pull off the blindfold, a chill suddenly struck her back, and the hair all over her body stood on end.

Something was behind her!

The sense of horror came so quickly that her mind went blank, leaving nothing but fear.

Too terrified to turn around and forgetting what she had intended to do, she scrambled toward the door and fled in a panic.

The moment she ran away, a mocking smile curled on Su Yan's lips.

"Hiss!"

A pained gasp came from outside; Su Mo had clearly bumped into something, but soon, silence returned both inside and outside the room.

"Is it fun?"

Su Yan remained lying down, not moving a muscle.

A ghostly shadow slowly emerged in the corner. "My Lady, this woman's heart is more vicious than ours. Are you just going to let her do as she pleases? Why don't you let me swallow her whole and be done with it?"

"I kept you around so you could swallow people alive?"