Seeing Ma Suyun’s complexion turning uglier, Qin Lihua couldn’t help but ask, “Auntie Liu, what’s wrong with you? Do you also want to work at Auntie Si’s shop? You should talk to Auntie Si, she will agree, Auntie Si is a very nice person.”
Ma Suyun forced a smile.
Her going to ask Lin Chuxia for a job?
Not to mention she didn’t want to, if her family’s Qin Wen found out about this, wouldn’t he divorce her?
No one understood better than her what kind of existence Qin Yang was in Qin Wen’s heart.
And she would definitely not bow her head to that couple.
She would rather draw circles at home and curse them, wishing their business would bottom out.
Looking up and seeing Qin Lihua still looking at her with a puzzled face, she smiled again, “Just now, your mom and them were talking about helping you find a match, I see you seem to have someone in mind?”
“Auntie Liu… What are you talking about?”
Qin Lihua playfully rebuked, yet her small face turned red.
Seeing this, Ma Suyun guessed she was right and continued, “Hey, don’t be shy with Auntie Liu. Tell me, Auntie Liu will give you some advice. Don’t worry, Auntie Liu is not like your Auntie Er, who only introduces you to old men. I think she’s up to no good. After all, I consider you like my own daughter.”
“Actually, Manager Su is indeed different from the typical old men.”
Although she really didn’t fancy Su Wensong, it had to be said that Su Wensong’s conditions were not bad, and everyone working at the Bun Shop thought he was impressive, second only to Auntie Si.
“Alright, Auntie Liu knows you’re clever, but just because you’re clever doesn’t mean you can let people treat you like a fool. Marriage is a lifetime matter, we can’t be controlled by them,” Ma Suyun pursed her lips and curiously asked, “Tell Auntie Liu, who have you taken a fancy to? If you really have someone, tell Auntie Liu, I’ll help you.”
A figure suddenly flashed before Qin Lihua’s eyes, but admitting it…
“Auntie Liu, it’s not… I just…”
Seeing her hesitating, Ma Suyun said, “What’s the use of hiding it from me? Are you still counting on your mother to find you someone from the village who farms the land?”
As far as she knew, besides the old man Su Wensong at Lin Chuxia’s shop, there were also a couple of riff-raffs.
She didn’t understand what the fourth son’s wife was thinking, hiring such people to work in the shop, not afraid of bringing bad luck.
If Lihua really fancied such a person…
Ma Suyun thought of her sister-in-law, who looked easy to talk to, but was not a pushover.
If she led her daughter astray, wouldn’t she have torn into the fourth son’s wife?
She patted Qin Lihua’s hand, “Don’t you trust Auntie Liu? Don’t worry, Auntie Liu will definitely help you.”
Qin Lihua lowered her head, her small face blushing, and her voice barely audible, “It’s just… I think Cai Jun from Auntie Si’s shop is quite nice, but I just think he’s… good…”
“Cai Jun? The one who always delivers cooked food to your shop?”
Ma Suyun often ran into town for nothing and was close to Qin Lihua, frequently inquiring about the Bun Shop, so she knew quite a bit about its affairs.
The one who delivered cooked food was one of the riff-raffs Lin Chuxia used.
Qin Lihua hurriedly shook her head, “Not him, Cai Jun isn’t in our shop nor from the cooked food side, he is in the main branch, ah Auntie Liu… stop asking, I just find him… and he’s quite familiar with Manager Sun…”
“You don’t have to say, Auntie Liu has been through it all, I understand,” Ma Suyun acted like she knew everything and was only thinking of Qin Lihua’s best interest, “He’s familiar with Manager Sun, does that mean they are in a relationship?”
Qin Lihua shook her head, “I haven’t heard anything like that.”
“Then it’s settled? Working in the same shop, everyone is familiar with everyone, don’t worry about those things. Since you like him, you should pursue him. Isn’t freedom in love the trend now?”
“But… I am a woman…”
“What does being a woman have to do with anything? As the old saying goes, ’for a man pursuing a woman, mountains stand in the way; for a woman pursuing a man, only a layer of gauze stands in the way.’ Our Lihua is so beautiful, as long as you’re willing, what kind of man can you not pursue?”
Seeing Qin Lihua still hesitant, Ma Suyun whispered, “Don’t worry, Auntie Liu is here. She will definitely help you.”
The small courtyard was tranquil and peaceful, decorated with remnants of firecrackers, adding a festive atmosphere of the New Year.
Granny Su was making dough by the window and smiled even more when she saw her grandson enter in new clothes.
Her grandson had returned to the city a year ago, and for most of this past year, he had been working with Lin Chuxia, spared from weathering the sun and wind. His skin, previously tanned and rough from the countryside sun, had recovered. He was starting to resemble his father more and more—in his composure, a touch of scholarly elegance.
Clothes make the man just as a saddle makes the horse. With money in hand, he took care of his appearance. Such a grandson stood out even more among the crowd.
“Granny, what are you smiling about? Why aren’t you wearing the new clothes I bought for you?”
To celebrate the New Year, one should wear new clothes and hats.
This year, Su Wensong had made some money and bought a complete new set for Granny Su.
Granny Su chuckled, “At my age, it doesn’t matter what I wear. You better save your money; there’s no need to spend it on me. Wait until you get married and have children, and then buy them new clothes.”
“Granny, I have the money, even enough to buy more new clothes and hats. Just wear them with ease.”
Granny Su gave him a look, “You know that’s not what I’m talking about. I saw a box on the table in your room, quite a nice one. Were you planning to give it to someone? Didn’t get a chance to give it away?”
She observed her grandson’s expression as she spoke and, seeing his ears redden, knew her guess was right.
Some frustration, feeling like she couldn’t make steel out of iron, “You are colleagues, and she has helped Granny so much. It’s only proper to give her a gift for the festival—to thank her on behalf of Granny.”
Ah, what a tongue-tied boy, driving this old lady mad.
“You said her and Xiao Cai, but I don’t see anything between them. Are you overthinking it?”
“It was her elder brother who told me. Don’t mention it anymore, Granny, I know what’s in my heart.”
Hearing this, Granny Su felt a tinge of disappointment, frustrated that her grandson wasn’t showing initiative.
“You see, Xiao Cai hasn’t been here long, but you’ve known each other for a while. Now look what happened; a good girl has been snatched up by someone else. What will you do? Let me tell you, this year you must bring me a bride. Granny’s health is failing, and if you drag your feet, I may never live to see my great-grandchildren.”
“Granny, why bring this up during the New Year celebrations? I will listen to you, and I will definitely bring you a bride this year.”
Hearing this promise, Granny Su finally showed a smile again.
“That’s right. You’re almost 30, and you have a job. It’s time to think about settling down for good. Right, later on go visit Uncle Qi’s family. Aunt Qi loves matchmaking. Visit their house more often, and I’ll talk to Aunt Qi myself—I guarantee she’ll find you a beautiful bride.”
“Okay, I got it.”
Su Wensong nodded in agreement and helped Granny Su make dumplings.
Suddenly Granny Su remembered something, “During this New Year, you didn’t visit your uncle’s house, did you?”
“No.”
Su Wensong lowered his head, a glint of coldness in his eyes as he mentioned Su Dazhuang.
“Granny, don’t mention it. Even if I were left without a single relative, I wouldn’t acknowledge Su Dazhuang as an uncle.”
Granny Su agreed, “Such a relative is not worth acknowledging. I heard that Su Wenmao worked in the machinery factory for most of the year without being made permanent. The relationship he talked about before fell through. Su Wenmao got a shock from that, lost all drive, and now loafs around at home, eating and drinking—serves him right.”