The dumplings were ready. Gu Hai picked up a few first and placed them into the lunchbox, letting Su Yun eat.
Su Yun hesitated for a moment. "If I finish eating first, the dumplings in the water will overcook. This lunchbox isn't like a pot—the water will dry up quickly."
"We should… we should just eat together."
Hearing this, Gu Hai's already flushed face turned even redder—he looked like he could fry an egg on it.
In a hoarse voice, he said, "Th-then… we'll eat together."
At the same time, he sped up, quickly picking all the dumplings out of the water.
Neither of them realized that the other lunchbox—previously used for water—was now empty. They didn't actually need to keep sharing the same one.
During the meal, Gu Hai felt both nervous and strangely happy. As for what the dumplings tasted like, he had no idea.
After Su Yun finished eating, she left the last dumpling for Gu Hai.
Just as he put it into his mouth, a middle-aged man's voice came from outside—
"Su Yun? Su Yun? Are you there?"
Su Yun's hand trembled, and she almost knocked the lunchbox straight onto Gu Hai's face!
In a flurry, she shoved the lunchbox into Gu Hai's arms and stood up, calling out to cover her panic, "Yes, I'm here! Who's looking for me? Come in!"
The man outside entered. He wore old work clothes and carried a heavy load over his shoulder.
Taking a closer look, Su Yun realized—it was her second uncle, Su Yonghe!
Feeling guilty, she quickly walked out from behind the counter and asked loudly, "Second Uncle, what brings you here?"
Su Yonghe set down his load, wiped the sweat from his forehead, and said in a low voice, "I heard from Xiu'er that you usually eat lunch here at the recycling station. I figured you'd need to light a stove, so I brought you a hundred coal briquettes."
Su Yonghe worked at a state-owned coal mine, under one of its branches. His job was to deliver coal briquettes—hard, labor-intensive work that started early and ended late.
Although he was only one year younger than Su Wenshan, years of physical labor had made him look much older. His face had more wrinkles, and his body had grown slightly hunched from carrying heavy loads. He lacked vitality.
But ever since Su Xiu joined the Public Security Bureau, Su Yonghe seemed more spirited than before. The fact that he had even taken the initiative to bring coal briquettes to Su Yun was quite rare!
Su Yun didn't stand on ceremony. She asked him to place the briquettes in the corner, then naturally turned and called out, "Gu Hai, come help!"
The moment she said it, she regretted it—wishing she could slap herself!
Gu Hai finally swallowed the dumpling, his face flushed. He put down the lunchbox and came over without a word, immediately starting to unload the coal.
Su Yonghe stared at him in surprise.
Just now, Gu Hai had been sitting behind the counter, and Su Yonghe hadn't noticed him at all.
After looking at Gu Hai, Su Yonghe turned to Su Yun and asked, "Su Yun, is he your boyfriend? I heard your neighbors talking the other night—you found a collector as your partner. Is it this young man?"
"Cough, cough, cough…"
Su Yun choked before she could speak.
Gu Hai felt delighted inside, but he waved his hands and looked at Su Yun's expression, pretending otherwise. "No, no, Second Uncle. I'm just Su Yun's friend, not her boyfriend."
At least—not yet.
But in the future…
Su Yonghe nodded knowingly.
He's already calling me 'Second Uncle,' and still says he's not!
"I understand. Young people are shy—it's perfectly normal."
After saying that, he looked at Gu Hai with satisfaction. Seeing his new clothes and shoes, along with his handsome and sunny appearance, Su Yonghe patted his solid shoulder.
"What a fine young man. You look capable—good, very good…"
Then he turned to Su Yun. "No wonder you weren't interested in the supply cooperative director's foolish son. So you've already found such an energetic partner."
In Su Yonghe's mind, that foolish son had always been a good match.
After all, he had endured hardship his whole life. To him, although the man was foolish, his family conditions were excellent, and he was an only child. If Su Yun married him and had a child, she could easily secure a comfortable life.
But now, seeing Gu Hai, he finally understood—how could Su Yun possibly fancy that foolish man when she already had someone like this?
When Gu Hai heard the word "fool," he frowned slightly, though he remained outwardly calm, and looked at Su Yonghe questioningly.
But Su Yonghe didn't understand his look at all and simply appeared confused.
Only then did Su Yun finally get a chance to speak. She quickly changed the subject, asking, "Second Uncle, how is Sister Xiu adjusting to her job at the Public Security Bureau? And about her fiancé—I really think you and Second Aunt should reconsider. That man doesn't seem reliable, and Sister Xiu clearly doesn't like him. Maybe it's better to call it off?"
Su Yonghe nodded. "Your Second Aunt said the same thing. She already went to the He family yesterday to cancel the engagement. Xiu'er is now a proud member of the People's Police—we're not in a hurry to arrange a live-in son-in-law anymore."
Hearing this, Su Yun felt relieved.
As long as Su Xiu could get away from that man, her life in this lifetime shouldn't be so miserable.
After Gu Hai finished unloading all the coal, Su Yonghe picked up his load and prepared to leave. "Su Yun, if you ever need coal briquettes, just tell me. I'll bring you more."
Su Yun tried to stop him. "Second Uncle, I haven't paid you yet!"
Su Yonghe brushed her hand aside and left with a stern face. "You helped Xiu'er get such a good job, and you think I'd charge you for a few briquettes?"
Before she could say anything more, he had already disappeared from the entrance of the recycling station.
Su Yun withdrew her hand and turned back with a sigh.
Gu Hai looked a bit nervous. He licked his lips and deliberately said, "Comrade Su Yun, I'm really sorry—your Second Uncle misunderstood our relationship."
Su Yun waved her hand tiredly. "It's fine…"
After all, he wasn't the only one who had misunderstood.
At this point, those spreading rumors, those repeating them, and those believing them—all were present.
Sigh.
Su Yun let out a long breath.
Then she heard Gu Hai ask, "What was that about the 'fool' your uncle mentioned?"
Su Yun's eyes widened as she shot him a sharp look. "Comrade Gu Hai, don't spread rumors! I have nothing to do with that fool!"
Then she suddenly realized something. "Wait—why did you call him 'Second Uncle' again?"
Gu Hai coughed and defended himself, "That was just a slip of the tongue."
Su Yun reminded him, "Be careful next time. If others hear it, they'll start spreading rumors again."
"Alright."
Gu Hai acknowledged his mistake—though he fully intended to do it again next time.
After cleaning up, a few more people came to sell scrap.
With Gu Hai there, Su Yun hardly needed to do anything. She simply sat behind the counter writing receipts, completely at ease.
After the customers left, Gu Hai sat down beside Su Yun. Reaching into the bag he had brought, he took out a small black box and handed it to her.
"Comrade Su Yun, take a look at this for me. Can it be exchanged for some money?"
Curious, Su Yun took it—and immediately, the system's prompt sounded in her mind:
"Ding! Detected: one rosewood box, well-preserved. Recycling price: 1,000 yuan. Do you wish to sell?"
Su Yun: "…"
Honestly, she was jealous.