The next day, when Lu Xiaoting got home from selling marinated goods with Susu, he ran into Lao Liu waiting at his doorstep.
"Lao Lu, I came to tell you that we've arrested those three thugs from yesterday."
Before Lu Xiaoting could say anything, Susu immediately gave Lao Liu a thumbs-up, "You are truly the people's police, the efficiency is just so fast. Brother Liu, you guys are amazing. Having public security officers like you working for the people is really a blessing for us folks..."
Lao Liu was beaming with joy at the praise, saying modestly, "No, no," while his happy mouth couldn't close properly.
Watching his wife with the lively expressions, Lu Xiaoting struggled to suppress a smile and pulled Lao Liu into the house to join them for dinner.
Lao Liu was naturally embarrassed but was still dragged into the house by Lu Xiaoting.
Seeing the cousin bustling in the kitchen, Susu made a quick mention and went out to buy meat and vegetables herself.
Lao Liu, watching the bustling figure, asked in confusion, "I remember your little sister is still studying, how come? She's not studying anymore?"
"That's my cousin from my uncle's family. She's here to help with work," Lu Xiaoting didn't elaborate.
By the time Susu returned, her hands full with big and small packages, Lu Xiaoting, who was entertaining the guest in the house, quickly came out to help.
"Ah, sister-in-law, why did you buy so much? We could have just had a simple bite for lunch," said Lao Liu somewhat embarrassedly.
Susu shook off her hands and laughed, "Brother Liu is here, how can we be so casual. Brother Liu, you sit with Lu Xiaoting for a while, I'll go get busy."
Kitchen
Susu was the main cook, with her cousin Xian Yue helping beside her, the two women bustling in a well-organized manner.
Before long, the other people of the Lu Family also returned one after another.
Chasing the little ones who wanted to help and grandma Mrs. Lu out of the kitchen, the two sisters-in-law continued to be busy.
As the smell of food wafted from the kitchen, Lao Liu expressed his envy to his brothers.
"Time for dinner—"
Everyone looked at the dishes on the dining table - braised pork, stir-fried pork with green peppers, potato stewed chicken chunks, scrambled eggs with tomatoes, and cold mixed vegetables-all sending enticing aromas into their nostrils.
Lao Liu's eyes nearly popped out with eagerness; after a bite, he immediately praised, "Sister-in-law's cooking is so delicious, Auntie, Uncle, you are so fortunate to have such a filial and excellent cook for a daughter-in-law."
Mrs. Lu loved hearing her second daughter-in-law praised. She was smiling so broadly she could hardly close her mouth, continuously serving dishes to Liu Gong'an.
Lu Xiaomei didn't speak and just focused on eating, as her sister-in-law's cooking was too delicious.
After selling the marinated goods in the afternoon, and with time to spare, Susu took Lu Xiaoting to a store. They bought a packet of brown sugar, a tin of powdered malt milk, and a packet of white sugar, planning to visit Xiao Sun's family.
"Knock, knock, knock—"
"Ah, coming. Who is it?"
The door was opened by an old lady, who squinted at the couple, seemingly trying to remember who they were.
Susu smiled widely, raising her voice, "Granny Sun, it's me. Remember, when those ruffians tried to rob me the other day, Xiao Sun brought me to your house to hide. Don't you remember me?"
"Oh my, young lady, it's you! Come in, come in," Granny Sun quickly invited them into the house to sit.
Susu stopped Granny Sun from pouring water for her and looked around the house, asking, "Granny Sun, are you alone at home? Where are Xiao Sun and Grandpa Sun?"
"The two of them went down to the countryside to gather firewood; we're poor, and gathering firewood in the countryside saves us quite a bit," she explained.
Looking at the impoverished Sun Family home, Susu felt an unbearable sadness in her heart.
During their conversation, there was a noise from outside.
Granny Sun and her grandchild pushed a small flat cart into the courtyard, the single wheel carrying wood the thickness of a child's arm.
Seeing the cart full of wood, one couldn't tell how long the two had toiled before returning.
Xiao Sun looked at the two people outside his door and was momentarily stunned.
"Xiao Sun, I want to ask you to sell our family's braised dishes on the street. The base salary is 20 yuan a month, with a separate commission. You can think about it," Susu got straight to the point.
Xiao Sun was dumbfounded, pointing incredulously at himself, "Me? Really?"
"Really! Once you have decided, you can come to my place to find me," Susu nodded.
Xiao Sun swallowed hard, instinctively pinched his own arm, and only when the pain traveled up his arm did he dare to believe it wasn't just a daydream.
"I'm willing, I'm willing."
Susu found Xiao Sun's actions both amusing and a bit sad, "Okay, come to my place at 7 a.m. tomorrow. I'll take you for one day, and you can sell on your own once you get used to it."
"Yes! Sister, I will definitely do a good job!"
Xiao Sun wiped his face with his sleeve and assured her with a pat on his chest.
"Alright! See you tomorrow."
Having said that, Susu pulled Lu Xiaoting away.
"Oh! Little miss, you left your things behind," Granny Sun hurried after her, carrying the items and calling out urgently.
"Granny Sun, I bought that specifically to thank Xiao Sun, and it also happened to be a little something for you and Grandpa Sun to nourish yourselves," Susu called back without turning her head, speeding up her steps.
Who would have thought, Xiao Sun chased after them with the items, insisting that the two take them back.
In the end, it was only after Susu put on a stern face and talked at length that Xiao Sun reluctantly took the items back home.
Lu Xiaoting watched his wife's changing expressions with amusement. His gaze followed down her arm and found her slender, fair hand tightly clutching his own large palm.
Walking out on the street, Susu looked at the glances from the passing old men and women in confusion.
But as they walked, the reaction from everyone was consistently the same. It was only after she finally followed their gazes that she noticed she was holding onto the man's hand.
With a "swoosh," Susu immediately let go of the man's arm, her cheeks burning red.
Watching her hurry ahead, her ears red enough to bleed, Lu Xiaoting chuckled softly, his eyes filled with mirth.
Hearing the man's laughter, Susu turned back and glared fiercely at him.
Hmph! Stinky man!
Lu Xiaoting quickly caught up to his upset wife and patted her on the head, "Wife, why are you walking so fast?"
Susu glared and quickened her pace, trying to shake off the man.
But she was effortlessly caught up to by the man within three steps, and after several attempts, Susu was left gasping for breath, while the man at her side hadn't even broken a sweat.
"Huff, huff, huff～～"
Susu shot a glare at the detestable man and simply slowed down, not wanting to wind herself.
Seeing this, Lu Xiaoting also slowed down, walking shoulder to shoulder with his wife.
Susu tilted her head and saw the man's smiling eyes and was momentarily caught off guard. She had to admit the man had a really nice smile.
The next second, remembering the man's earlier antics, Susu deliberately bumped into him.
Her smugness didn't last three seconds before she twisted her ankle and fell onto the ground before she could react.
Lu Xiaoting promptly helped her up, frowning, "How is it? Is your foot injured?"