"Mom, I want to know, back then, who spread the word about me in the military compound? Do you know?" Su Xiaonuan wanted to confirm some things.
“We don’t know either. By the time the news reached us, everyone in the courtyard knew,” Ye Mei said. “At first, we thought it was the Jiang family who told them, but the Jiang family members all said it wasn’t them. I’ve been wondering who told the people in the courtyard about this.”
The Jiang family members are all of good character, and they certainly wouldn't go around spreading rumors. Ye Mei and Su Ming both agreed on this point.
"Mom, has Xiang Qiuyun come to see you?"
"When she came to see us, your affair was already the talk of the town." Ye Mei exclaimed, "Huh?" "You don't suspect Qiu Yun, do you? This matter shouldn't have anything to do with her. The military compound isn't so easy to get into, don't you think?"
"Besides her, who else would spread my shameful stories? The only people who went to the countryside with me were Jiang Yi and Xiang Qiuyun. As for the other educated youth in the team, they didn't even know where my home was, and they definitely weren't the ones spreading them," Su Xiaonuan snorted. "You can't get into the military compound, but can't the aunties and grandmas inside just come out to buy groceries? They could just tell a few gossipy people about it, and then it would spread."
"How could that be? She's your best friend!"
"What best friend? I don't have a best friend like that." Xiao Nuan snorted. "Be careful when you see this person in the future. She's been eyeing Jiang Yi all along. I was so stupid that I didn't realize it."
As soon as Su Ming entered the yard carrying his vegetable basket, he learned that his daughter's family had returned. He rushed into the house, and before they even arrived, his voices were already there.
"Xiao Nuan, is that you back?"
Su Ming's tall figure appeared particularly upright in the backlight, and every gesture he made exuded the demeanor of a soldier.
Su Xiaonuan was a soldier in her previous life, so she felt an inexplicable affinity for Su Ming. She immediately stood at attention and said, "Reporting, sir, Su Xiaonuan has arrived!"
"You little rascal, why are you getting more and more naughty?" Su Ming handed the vegetable basket to his wife and affectionately patted her head.
"Dad, I'm so sorry. It's all because I'm such a disappointment that you have to live like this." She looked around the simple house and said, her voice choked with sobs.
"This is good. It's a relief to have nothing to do. Xiao Nuan, don't blame yourself. Your mother and I are doing very well. We don't have to deal with those complicated interpersonal relationships. The people in this compound are very friendly. Besides, we took early retirement and have a salary that is enough for us to live on."
Su Ming is a man who can adapt to any situation; he can hold an important position or live the life of an ordinary citizen.
"But I heard you're doing business by setting up a street stall, so this place must be rented, right?"
“That’s because your mother and I can’t stay idle. When we’re free, we set up a stall. It’s not to make money, it’s just to pass the time.” Su Ming laughed heartily. “As for this house, it’s public rental housing. The rent is very low, only three yuan and eighty cents a month. It’s very down-to-earth to live here. Your mother and I both like this courtyard. It’s easy to get along with these people.”
The fact that public rental housing cost only 38 yuan a month was a revelation to Su Xiaonuan; money was really valuable back then.
Having a public rental apartment that costs only a few dollars a month means there's really no pressure.
Moreover, such public rental housing can be rented long-term, avoiding the hassle of frequent moves.
Ye Mei went into the kitchen, put down the vegetable basket, and came out. "Xiao Nuan, your dad is right. We really like this courtyard. The people here are very kind. They don't look down on the weak or flatter the strong. Everyone is equal. You really don't need to blame yourself."
DouDou and GuoGuo had been looking up at it for a while, but when they saw their mother and grandfather talking, the two little ones got upset and went up to hug Su Ming's legs to get his attention.
"Grandpa, my dear grandpa."
"Grandpa, look at us!"
Ye Mei and Su Ming both smiled, their eyes crinkling.
He bent down, looked the two children over and over, then looked up at Xiao Moran. "Hmm, not bad, they have the demeanor of the children of the Su family."
“Dad, they inherited all the best features from me and Xiao Nuan.” Xiao Moran seized the opportunity to strike up a conversation with his father-in-law. “Look, their noses, eyes, and small mouths are like Xiao Nuan’s, and their face shapes are like mine.”
"Grandpa, my nose is so straight."
"Grandpa, my eyes are so bright!"
After saying that, she hugged Su Ming and kept kissing him.
He kissed Su Ming's face until it was covered in saliva.
"Look, Grandpa's face is covered in drool." Su Xiaonuan quickly took out a handkerchief to wipe Su Ming's face.
Ye Mei got jealous and quickly stole the attention her two grandchildren were giving her husband, pressing her face against his and letting her two grandsons kiss her to their hearts' content.
Su Ming then stood up and looked Xiao Moran up and down. "Hmm, not bad, people who have served in the military are easier to look at."
"Dad, sit down and let's talk!" Su Xiaonuan pressed him down into a chair and began to massage him.
Massage was the technique the original owner used most often at home. She would use this trick to please her parents when she wanted pocket money.
"You silly child..." Su Ming choked up, raising her hand to gently pat the back of her daughter's hand. "Still as cunning as ever. You're a mother now, you wouldn't still try to use this trick to get pocket money, would you?"
"Dad, you're so stingy!" Su Xiaonuan didn't want the atmosphere to be so oppressive. "I don't want you to give me pocket money. Now that I'm all grown up, it's my turn to give you money. In the future, I will take good care of you and make sure you live a good life."
Xiao Moran immediately presented the red envelope he had prepared to Su Ming. "Dad, this is a small token of our appreciation from Xiao Nuan and me. Please accept it."
"I've accepted the gifts, but I won't accept this red envelope." Su Ming had already noticed the things on the coffee table. "Keep them for the children. Raising two children isn't easy, and you live in the countryside with little income."
"Dad, you really underestimate us." Su Xiaonuan pouted. "Our village is no longer the village it used to be. Everyone is working hard to get rich and live a comfortable life. The villagers' lives have improved. Moran is also working in the provincial capital and earning a good income. So, our family has officially moved back to the provincial capital to live."
"Is it true?" Ye Mei was reluctant to part with her daughter and two beloved grandchildren.
“Mom, it’s true.” Xiao Moran wanted to show off. “Our family is temporarily renting in Yaleju. In two months, I plan to buy a bigger house in Yaleju and bring you all to live with us.”
"You're staying at the Elegant Residence?"
Su Ming and Ye Mei both exclaimed in surprise.
Yaleju is a landmark building in the provincial capital, and the people who live there are either rich or powerful.
A house that costs several hundred yuan per square meter is really not something many people can afford.
In the days when monthly wages were only a few dozen yuan, buying a house was an astronomical sum.
Even those who rent houses there are wealthy people; otherwise, they wouldn't choose to rent there.
“Yes, we’ll be staying at Yaleju.” Su Xiaonuan nodded. “From now on, we’ll be in the provincial capital, so we can come back to see you anytime.”
"That's wonderful!" Ye Mei clapped her hands happily.
DouDou and GuoGuo imitated their grandmother, clapping and saying "That's so good!" repeatedly, filling the room with laughter.
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