Volume One, Chapter 14: I Only Made You Lose Your Bearings

Su Li handed the clothes in her hand to Li Mo, took out forty-five yuan from her wallet, paid, and then pulled Li Mo along to leave.

“Li’er, you’re awesome! To deal with such a little bitch, that’s exactly how it should be done. I admire you! Can we handle Liu Hongmei the same way?”

Su Li waved her hand dismissively, deliberately putting on a haughty air. “Not yet. She’s still useful to me for now. I can’t afford to burn bridges at this moment.”

Li Mo looked puzzled. “What use is someone who’s coveting your husband?”

Su Li smiled without answering. “Come with me to buy a fountain pen.”

Yesterday, Fu Jinzhou had helped her so much that she felt she had to show some gratitude.

Su Li and Li Mo left the clothing store and went directly to the stationery shop on the first floor. When she saw a Hero fountain pen, Su Li was very satisfied.

It wasn’t expensive and was practical. The black pen body glowed faintly, and Su Li inexplicably felt it matched Fu Jinzhou perfectly.

Since she had to visit the Shao family in the afternoon, after buying the pen, Su Li parted ways with Li Mo early.

When she got home, the women’s gathering in the courtyard had not yet dispersed.

Su Li didn’t particularly enjoy chatting about trivial household matters with these gossiping women, but seeing Aunt Zhang there, she stopped to greet her. “Aunt Zhang, haven’t you started cooking yet?”

“Teacher Su, you’re back,” Aunt Zhang said cheerfully as she rose. “Isn’t today the weekend? The men aren’t working, and the kids aren’t in school, so we’re just chatting with Aunt Li and the others.”

“Aunt Zhang, I promised to treat you all to sesame lamb. I just happened to pass by and bought some,” Su Li said, looking at the women gathered around the stone table. She turned with a smile, “Since everyone’s here, why don’t we eat together? I’ve lived in the courtyard for so long but haven’t really had a chance to chat with you all.”

Not only Aunt Zhang, but the other daughters-in-law and older women also looked at Su Li with eager eyes when they heard “sesame lamb.”

Aunt Li shyly said, “Oh, that wouldn’t be appropriate. That kind of thing isn’t cheap.”

“Aunt Li, don’t be so polite. A distant relative isn’t as good as a close neighbor. We live upstairs and downstairs like one big family.”

Su Li then unwrapped the sesame lamb wrapped in oiled paper and laid it out on the stone table. The aroma wafted far and wide.

She insisted everyone have a taste and eat together. The courtyard soon filled with laughter from the daughters-in-law and older women.

“Teacher Su, we were just talking about you this morning while you were out.”

Aunt Li noticed Shao Ting’an and Zhao Xinran leaving one after another and then returning in the same way. Thinking back to what she had seen last night, she felt something was off and was chatting idly with the other women.

“What were you saying about me?”

Su Li was almost certain it had something to do with Shao Ting’an and Zhao Xinran, but she pretended ignorance.

Aunt Li clicked her tongue and whispered, “Teacher Su, don’t blame an old woman for gossiping, but when you’re not at home, it’s better not to let that student of yours be alone with young Shao.”

“Aunt Li, you’re overthinking. Don’t you know what kind of person Ting’an is?” Su Li smiled gently. “Xinran and I are like sisters. During the famine, her mother gave me a corn bun. Now her child is my student. I have to repay that kindness.”

“Teacher Su, it’s still wise to be cautious. Captain Shao might not be, but it’s not certain that a young girl like that has no other intentions.”

“Thank you all for your concern. I will be careful. It’s getting late; I’ll head upstairs now.”

Once suspicion takes root, it’s not easily uprooted.

The more Shao Ting’an’s image remained untarnished, the deeper it entrenched itself, and the harsher his fall would be when the truth came out.

When Su Li arrived home, Zhao Xinran was cooking in the kitchen, and Shao Ting’an was studying his blueprints at the desk.

Everything was as before—so natural and harmonious—but upon closer inspection, also unnatural.

A man and a woman alone in a room felt no awkwardness; instead, it was like a family.

“Ting’an, look at the dress I bought. Is it pretty?”

For the first time, Su Li proudly displayed her new dress in front of Zhao Xinran and Shao Ting’an.

She held the dress against herself, gesturing back and forth, her joy and fondness for the skirt openly displayed on her face.

Shao Ting’an nodded. “It’s quite pretty. I’ve never seen you wear pink before, and it suits you.”

“Mm, I liked the style at first glance.”

Zhao Xinran came out of the kitchen and saw the pink dress on Su Li; her eyes lit up—it was really beautiful.

Su Li noticed Zhao Xinran and slowly put the dress away, her smile turning into a shy expression.

“Oh, I forgot Xinran was home.”

Su Li apologized, “I was in a hurry today and didn’t have time to bring you anything. I promise I won’t forget next time.”

“It’s okay, Teacher Su, you’ve already given me quite a lot.”

Zhao Xinran’s eyes remained fixed on the pink dress in Su Li’s hands. She loved that soft pink color the most.

As for Su Li, she had never worn pink before. When she saw this dress today, the first thought that came to her mind was that Zhao Xinran would like it.

Su Li put down her things and went to help in the kitchen.

“Xinran, you take a break. I’ll cook.”

“Teacher Su, I’m almost done. You just came back, and you look sweaty.”

“I’m not hot. I’ll help you wash the pot.”

Su Li said as she took a bowl of water to wash the pot. Turning around, she accidentally bumped into Zhao Xinran, colliding with her fully.

“Oh, sorry, Xinran. I didn’t help you and even got your clothes wet,” Su Li apologized, pulling Zhao Xinran toward the door. “Go change quickly.”

“Teacher Su, my clothes aren’t dry yet. It’s not very wet; it’ll dry soon.”

Zhao Xinran had a spare set of clothes at Su Li’s house since she hadn’t brought hers over during the holidays.

“That won’t do. How can you take the exam tomorrow if you catch a cold? I have clothes. I’ll give you one of my skirts.”

Unable to refuse Su Li’s kindness, Zhao Xinran followed her to the room. Taking the old dress from Su Li, she forced a smile. “Thank you, Teacher Su!”

“You go change first; I’ll head back to the kitchen.”

Su Li smiled warmly, just as before—still the good teacher, the good sister.

Watching Su Li leave, Zhao Xinran reached out to touch the new dress on the bed, her hand gripping the old dress tightly, knuckles whitening.

Shao Ting’an looked at Zhao Xinran as she came out of the bedroom, his gaze darkening slightly.

Zhao Xinran was bigger than Su Li, slender but not petite. So the dress fit her a little tight, especially around the chest and hips.

It looked very alluring, clearly carrying a hint of impropriety.

Su Li looked at her with a bit of scrutiny, making Zhao Xinran somewhat embarrassed. “I’m not as pretty as Teacher Su. I look ugly in it.”

“Don’t be modest. You look better than me in it, with more feminine softness.”

Actually, Zhao Xinran felt she was more womanly than Su Li—in modern terms, she was sexy.

“Teacher Su, you’re praising me again. Lately, you keep flattering me. Aren’t you afraid I’ll get arrogant?”

Su Li smiled, thinking: If you get arrogant, it’s not because of my praise; I’m just making you lose your bearings.

“You’re so outstanding, it’s hard not to praise you. I even complimented you when I wrote to your mother.”

The two chatted and laughed, and even during the meal, Shao Ting’an’s eyes occasionally flicked toward Zhao Xinran. Su Li pretended not to notice.

“Ting’an, if there are any good young men at your factory, remember to keep an eye on Xinran. She’s already a sophomore and can start dating.”

Startled by Su Li’s sudden remark without naming anyone, Shao Ting’an choked on his noodles, coughing with tears in his eyes.