Xia Ying snorted. "I don't believe it. Anyway, I don't think Comrade Gu Hai would bend over for just fifty cents. He must have feelings for you and is using this as an excuse to get close to you."
Su Yun sighed. "You really have quite the imagination. Anyway… in short, Comrade Gu Hai and I only share a pure revolutionary friendship. It's impossible for him to be looking for a partner."
In her previous life, Gu Hai had remained single the entire time. Although she didn't know the reason, if he chose not to marry, it must have been after careful consideration. She shouldn't indulge in unrealistic fantasies.
Xia Ying grinned mischievously. "Then why wouldn't he look for a partner? Could it be… he has some kind of hidden condition?"
At those words, Su Yun instantly recalled the time she had secretly stared at his crotch.
Judging by the size, it didn't seem like he had any such issue…
Unless…
Could it be that Gu Hai only looked good on the outside but wasn't actually capable?
In an instant, Su Yun felt as though she had uncovered a huge secret. She covered her mouth in shock, her eyes wide.
Xia Ying asked curiously, "Su Yun, what's wrong with you?"
Su Yun shook her head firmly. "Yingzi, stop talking about this. Let's focus on preparing for the college entrance exam!"
Other people's private matters shouldn't be speculated about!
That evening, the Su and Xia families had dinner together. Everyone was in high spirits.
Especially Su Yun—thinking about how her father's misfortune from her previous life had been avoided, she felt incredibly happy and even ate an extra bowl of rice.
---
The next day, when Su Yun arrived at the recycling station and saw Gu Hai walk in, she instinctively glanced at his crotch again… then sighed and shook her head.
"What a pity…"
She had discovered the future tycoon's big secret, but she couldn't tell anyone. Otherwise, it would be unfair to Gu Hai.
Hearing her sigh, Gu Hai couldn't help asking, "Comrade Su Yun, what do you mean by 'what a pity'?"
Su Yun looked at him with sympathy. "Comrade Gu Hai, don't worry. I won't tell anyone. I'll keep this secret buried in my heart forever."
Gu Hai: "?"
What did she mean?
His secret… had Su Yun found out?
Gu Hai's face instantly turned red. He didn't dare meet her eyes and asked shyly, "Comrade Su Yun… you… you know?"
Su Yun nodded. "I know everything!"
Now even Gu Hai's ears turned red. Nervously, he asked, "Then… do you have anything you want to say?"
Su Yun replied seriously, "I just want to tell you that having a hidden condition isn't something to be afraid of. As long as you maintain the right mindset and achieve success in the future, no one will dare laugh at you. Instead, they'll envy you and wish they could be you."
"Comrade Gu Hai, you must stay strong. No difficulty can defeat you, right?"
Gu Hai: "…"
He didn't understand a single word she said.
Had Su Yun recently learned some new philosophical concept?
Even though he didn't understand, he still cooperated enthusiastically and nodded. "Yes, Comrade Su Yun, what you said makes perfect sense!"
Su Yun fell silent, her eyes filled with even more sympathy.
She made up her mind—she would raise Gu Hai's pay. From now on, she would give him one yuan a day.
Gu Hai had already lost happiness, so he must at least earn money. Money could replace happiness!
Completely unaware of her thoughts, Gu Hai picked up the math book and continued teaching her seriously, doing his best to help her achieve full marks as soon as possible.
---
Meanwhile, at the Jiang family's apartment building, Deputy Factory Director Jiang returned home, greeting his neighbors warmly along the way.
The moment he entered and shut the door, he threw his briefcase aside and slammed the table.
Startled, Mrs. Jiang came out from the inner room, supporting her waist, and asked timidly, "What's wrong? Did someone at the factory upset you? Who dares to do that? I'll go scold them for you!"
Deputy Director Jiang shot her a disdainful look. "You can barely walk properly, and you still want to go scold someone?"
Then he calmed himself and said, "Prepare yourself over the next few days. When Guangzong returns from his trip, we'll bring gifts to the Su family. We must make sure Su Yun marries into our family."
Hearing this, Mrs. Jiang felt uncomfortable all over. "That Su Yun looks like a little vixen—big chest, curvy figure. Just looking at her, she doesn't seem like a good woman! With Guangzong's conditions, he can find anyone. Why insist on her?"
"In my opinion, the factory director's daughter would be much better. She and Guangzong grew up together and looks like someone who could bear sons…"
"What do you know?" Deputy Director Jiang snapped, cutting her off. "Do as I say and don't interfere. Otherwise, I have plenty of ways to deal with you!"
Hearing this, Mrs. Jiang shrank back instinctively, clearly afraid.
"Alright… I understand. I'll prepare the gifts…"
Once that little vixen Su Yun married into their family, she would deal with her slowly. Then she would see how Su Yun could continue to charm her husband and son!
---
Back at the courtyard, when Su Yun returned from work, she saw Widow He and He Hua standing at her doorstep, holding sunflower seeds and watching the commotion while chatting.
Aunt Gao, Aunt Wang, and several others were also present.
As soon as He Hua saw Su Yun, she called out happily, "Su Yun, your house has guests. Aren't you going back to entertain them?"
Su Yun frowned slightly.
At that moment, a woman was pushed out of the house by Chen Xiue, nearly falling to the ground.
The woman got up, dusted off her clothes, and said sarcastically, "Sister-in-law, you're really stingy. Your husband just got a twenty-yuan reward from the steel factory, and I only asked to borrow ten yuan. Yet you keep refusing. I've never seen such a miserly sister-in-law!"
Chen Xiue's face turned pale with anger. She pointed at her and shouted, "Get out! I won't lend you a single cent! You shameless troublemaker—don't even think about coming back! Even if you die in the future, I won't step foot into your house!"
"Get lost!"
After being scolded repeatedly, the woman's expression turned sour. "Fine! You said it yourself. Don't regret it later—once this opportunity is gone, it's gone for good!"
As she turned to leave, she spotted Su Yun.
Her expression changed instantly, and she put on a wide smile, walking over and trying to grab Su Yun's hand. "Xiao Yun, Second Aunt came today to tell you some very good news—"
"Zhao Manfen, shut your mouth!"
Before she could touch Su Yun, Chen Xiue grabbed a broom and rushed forward, striking her hard and driving her out of the courtyard.
Su Yun had no idea what had happened—she only saw her mother chasing her second aunt out like a madwoman.
Aunt Gao and Aunt Wang quickly went out to help, while Widow He and her daughter stayed behind to watch the show.
Widow He cracked sunflower seeds and said, "They're all relatives—how can you chase someone away with a broom? That's too much…"
He Hua chimed in, "Exactly! Su Yun, you should persuade your mother. They came with good intentions to arrange a marriage for you. How can she treat them like that? It's so rude!"
At that moment, Doctor Jiang from next door sneered and said to He Hua, "If your relatives came to arrange a marriage with a fool for you, would you accept it?"
He Hua replied confidently, "Of course I would! If I could marry the only son of the supply and marketing cooperative director, even if he were a fool, I'd still agree!"
Su Yun immediately turned around. "Alright then, I'll go call my second aunt back and tell her you're willing to marry that fool. You two would be a perfect match—talented and beautiful together!"