Chapter 70: Su Yun Got A Shock
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
On the afternoon of the Lantern Festival, the 15th of the lunar new year, Su Yun made a trip to the market for some fresh fruits. Then, she went to the specialty shop and bought a small box of Tie Guan Yin 399 tea. She spent less than $500 in total.
Su Yun muttered as she carried her goods, “It’s just some small gifts. Dad and Mom urged me to build good relations.h.i.+ps with those in leaders.h.i.+p positions. This is ok!”
…
Su Yun had arrived at Manager He’s home in Room 402 of apartment No. 12 in Happiness Court.
Ding dong!
Ding dong!
After pressing the doorbell twice, the door was opened. A young man stood in front of her.
“It’s you?” Chen Jin was slightly stunned. He silently took his measure of her. Standing at the doorway, she was wearing a white knit s.h.i.+rt and a woolen coat. Her long, slim legs were encased in thick, black leggings. Her medium-length s.h.i.+ny hair fell over her shoulders. She also wore a yellow woolen scarf tied around her neck. She had a slender and tall physique with clear, pale, and exquisite features. Her overall impression was rather striking, and somewhat cold.
Su Yun lowered her head and gave a light hum. “Mmm..” Her pretty face was slightly flushed and she felt a little awkward. Her heartbeat increased. She had only met this tall and handsome man once. He was Manager He’s son. She had went on a blind date with him as per Manager He’s request. It was part of an act set in a war of wills between mother and son where they employed various manipulation methods against each other. Finally, her son, who had a flair for the theatre, lost. She was amused over it for a long time. She thought that Manager He and her family were too interesting.
Manager He’s young son had transformed the impression that she had of the children of the party members. She thought that the son of a certain manager had a rather good personality. He was well-mannered, easy-going, and kept a low profile. In addition, he was also easy to communicate with, and somewhat funny in a wacky way. He had left a good impression on her. After the fake blind date session, the two had never met again. She had only occasionally heard Manager He talking about her son’s situation. She never thought that they would meet again today. Su Yun also did not know why she felt slightly nervous.
“Come in, um, please change your shoes.” Chen Jin greeted her and called in the direction of the kitchen, “Mom, someone’s here to offer you their new year’s greetings!”
“Coming!” With an ap.r.o.n tied around her waist, He Li walked out from the kitchen. Spotting Su Yun in the living room, she acknowledged, “Little Su, what are you doing here?” Looking at the items that she was carrying, He Li shook her head with a serious expression on her face, “Little Su, you can come as you are, there’s no need for gifts. We have to follow the Party Provisions.”
Su Yun explained, “Manager, it’s just some fruit of common variety and a small box of tea leaves. They don’t cost more than $500 so it’s not against the rules. How can I feel good coming here empty-handed when you’ve helped me so much?”
“Why are you standing on ceremony with me? Coming here empty-handed would mean that I have ‘clean hands’. I would be equally happy with that. But, since you’ve already bought those, just put them on the table. Have lunch with us.”
Su Yun was elated. “Ok, thank you Manager He!” She put down her things on the gla.s.s coffee table.
Chen Jin went to the water dispenser, poured a cup of tea, and gave it to Su Yun.
“Thank you!” Taking the cup, Sun Yun displayed a smile. As she sat on the sofa for a while, Su Yun gave a meaningful sweep of the room from the corner of her eyes. Her attention was caught by something in the living room.
A round doll head, with two tiny antennas as ears and a mechanical arm holding a brush. A Wa-wah robot? Why would a Wa-wah robot be in Manager He’s room? What channel did she buy it from that it was delivered so speedily?
When she ordered the purchase of the Wa-wah robot online, the order brief stated that delivery would only start after two to four weeks. Many netizens in the forums were calling it a “cheap trick to get more profits.” At the same time, she realized that her calculations were off-course. The plan to curry some favor with Manager He was killed off before it was even executed.
Since Manager He already had a Wa-wah cleaning robot in her home, there was no need to give away the unit that she ordered. Manager He did not lack the robot in her home, so what’s the point in giving her another one?
Therefore, she felt a little depressed and disappointed. She had spent a lot of thought trying to repay the training and progress that Manager He had contributed to in her development. However, she found out that she could not give Manager He anything significant as repayment. She neither lacked nor needed anything.
…
At the dining table, He Li repeatedly put food in Su Yun’s bowl. “Here, Su Yun, eat more. Have a taste of my culinary skills. Does it suit your taste?”
Su Yun praised in between bites, “Yes, it’s good! Manager He, the food that you cook is especially delicious. It’s more delicious than my mom’s!”
He Li shook her head. “You silly child. The best dishes in the world are always those prepared by your own mother. How can my dishes be more delicious than those by your mom?” Her subordinate was excellent in all aspects. It was just that her behavior was over-enthusiastic, making her seem slightly immature. She needed more experience to toughen up.
Su Yun explained, “It’s true, Manager He. Most of the food at home is prepared by my Dad. My mom has to go to work every day; she has basically never prepared a meal. But the dishes that my Dad makes are really delicious too.”
With a strange expression, He Li asked, “Your dad cooks and your mom works?”
“That’s how it is….” Su Yun explained her story at length. Her father originally worked a job that was very physically demanding and difficult. After all, he had to provide for three children. Her mother stayed home and took care of the children. But, her father’s spine was damaged in a workplace accident where he fell from a height of over 10 meters. He had essentially lost his ability to work such physically demanding jobs, and could only stay home to cook and take care of the children. Her mother had to go out to work. She set up a vegetable stall in the market. No matter rain or s.h.i.+ne, she would go to work early and come home late. Hence, the days pa.s.sed like that.
He Li rubbed the reddened corners of her eyes. “Ah… Child, what a hard life. You have good parents. When they’re old, you have to be a filial daughter and treat them well.”
“Yes, I definitely will!” Su Yun’ s eyes shone with an inner light. She worked so hard in her job because she wanted her parents to feel proud of her.
After chatting about a few more topics, looking at the Wa-wah robot cleaning in the living room, Su Yun felt an impulse. She could not help but ask, “Manager, is that cleaning robot a Wa-wah robot? Recently, this model of robot has been very popular online. Many people are rus.h.i.+ng to buy it. Manager, where did you buy this Wa-wah robot?”
“Little Su, you know about the Wa-wah robot too?!” He Li was very surprised, and a trace of pride appeared on her face.
“Last night, I stayed up late to grab one. And they were out of stock by the next morning. Also the delivery is very slow. It takes at least two weeks before the goods are sent out.”
“Little Su, you bought one too?!”
He Li was even more shocked, and then she praised her profusely. “You have taste, little Su, you really have great taste! You know your products. Like me, you know what a good product is! And when you meet a good product, you’ll immediately fork out money to buy it. This is a good point. Hahaha… Hahahaha…..” He Li’s face was flushed. Her body trembled in her fits of laughter and her brows danced with joy. It was as if her foot was being tickled.
Su Yun was confused. She did not understand why Manager He was so happy. She simply laughed along with her. Then she raised a question. “The Wa-wah robot is pretty good, it’s just that the delivery is too slow. Manager He, how did you get this so quickly?
He Li laughed. “I’ve used this robot for half a month. My son invented it, how can I not be the first to use it?”
What?!
Feeling as if she was struck by lightning, Su Yun swiveled her gaze towards Chen Jin, who was tinkering with the robot in the living room. She was stunned for some time. Her thin lips parted slightly; her beautiful eyes were rounded and full of disbelief.
Manager He’s son was the inventor was of the Wa-wah robot?