Seeing this, Chen Xiue was just about to scold Su Yun, but Su Yun quickly changed the subject first and asked Su Wenshan:
"Dad, didn't you and Mom go to see Factory Director Qin today? How did it go? Did everything go smoothly?"
Su Wenshan's expression stiffened.
Chen Xiue coughed lightly and answered vaguely,
"What could possibly go wrong? Your father didn't do anything wrong, so of course the factory director would be on our side."
"Enough. Don't worry about these things. Hurry up and eat."
As she spoke, Chen Xiue picked up some food and placed it into Su Yun's bowl.
Still suspicious, Su Yun was about to ask more questions when Su Wenbing suddenly said enviously:
"Uncle, Auntie, your family atmosphere is really wonderful. Everyone is harmonious and loving. No wonder you were able to raise such a capable daughter like Comrade Xiao Su!"
Hearing this, Chen Xiue felt pleased, though she deliberately acted dismissive.
"What abilities does our Xiao Yun really have? Her only talent is good luck—she found herself a great job and also met such an outstanding partner like Gu Hai!"
As she spoke, Chen Xiue intentionally revealed the watch on her wrist.
"Look, this watch was given to me by Gu Hai. The only reason I can wear a watch in this lifetime is thanks to him!"
After Chen Xiue finished speaking, Su Wenshan quietly revealed his own watch as well, showing it off to Su Wenbing.
Su Wenbing was instantly stunned by the mechanical watch on Su Wenshan's wrist.
But he quickly remembered why he had come today and immediately said:
"Brother Hai really is excellent, but I think Comrade Xiao Su is even more capable. Without Comrade Xiao Su's help, Brother Hai and I wouldn't have been able to ride the latest model bicycles. Comrade Xiao Su, she—ah!"
Before he could finish, Su Wenbing suddenly cried out in pain!
Clutching his calf, he looked at Gu Hai in confusion and asked,
"Brother Hai, why did you kick me?"
"Comrade Xiao Su helped us exchange for so many good things. I was only trying to express my gratitude. I didn't do anything wrong, did I?"
Gu Hai: "..."
It was over.
He had finally remembered what he had forgotten.
He had forgotten to warn Su Wenbing that these things absolutely could not be mentioned!
Su Yun's heart nearly stopped as well. She carefully glanced at Chen Xiue and Su Wenshan's expressions.
Chen Xiue looked at her with furrowed brows, clearly waiting for an explanation.
Even Su Wenshan wore a grave expression. He had already put down his chopsticks as he asked in a deep voice:
"What exactly is going on here?"
Su Yun thought for only a few seconds before immediately turning to Gu Hai with an innocent expression.
"That's right, Gu Hai. What exactly is going on? What is your childhood friend talking about? Why don't I understand anything?"
The moment she said this, Gu Hai—the designated scapegoat—instantly understood his role.
He immediately stood up and admitted fault with complete sincerity.
"Dad, Mom, I'm sorry. I lied…"
"This is all my fault. I didn't want other people knowing what I was doing, so I falsely claimed that Xiao Yun was the one helping me get the bicycles. Wenbing didn't know the truth, which is why he said that."
As soon as Gu Hai finished speaking, Su Wenbing hurriedly protested:
"Brother Hai, that's not true! Clearly it was Comrade Xiao Su—ow!"
This time, the one who kicked him was Su Yun.
After kicking him, she immediately put on a completely innocent expression.
Su Wenbing looked miserable. After glancing back and forth between Su Yun and Gu Hai several times, he finally understood.
It seemed he had flattered the wrong people at exactly the wrong time.
After realizing this, Su Wenbing tightly shut his mouth and didn't dare say another word.
The atmosphere at the dinner table instantly turned cold and silent.
Chen Xiue was obviously furious.
She had already been upset over the misunderstanding involving Su Wenshan and Factory Director Qin. Tonight, Gu Hai had unfortunately walked right into the line of fire.
Without much thought, Chen Xiue raised her hand, removed the watch from her wrist, and stuffed it back into Gu Hai's hand.
"Gu Hai, take this watch back. It's getting late now. You and your friend should head home first. We still have family matters to handle, so we won't keep you here for dinner."
After saying this, Chen Xiue shot Su Wenshan a look.
Su Wenshan sighed heavily and also removed his mechanical watch, returning it to Gu Hai.
Gu Hai's expression changed instantly.
Panicked, he said,
"Dad, Mom, I can explain this…"
"Don't call us Dad and Mom. If others hear it, they might misunderstand your intentions."
Chen Xiue made a firm gesture toward the door.
Anxious, Gu Hai quickly turned to Su Yun.
Su Yun awkwardly scratched her chin and tried to reassure him with her eyes before casually saying to Chen Xiue:
"Mom, isn't this a bit much? Why not let Gu Hai finish dinner before leaving?"
"Eat what dinner? I'm already full from anger! None of you ever give me peace of mind!"
Chen Xiue shot Su Yun a glare.
As she stood up, she noticed the tin airplane Su Baoguo had placed on the heated brick bed.
Just as she was about to grab it, Su Baoguo reacted quickly. He snatched the airplane first, hugged it tightly to his chest, and shouted:
"This airplane was given to me by Second Sister's husband!"
Chen Xiue's face darkened.
"I'm your mother. Can't I even touch your airplane? Hand it over now!"
"No!"
Su Baoguo looked stubborn and defiant.
Chen Xiue was burning with anger. Without thinking further, she grabbed a broom and chased after Su Baoguo, hitting him as she yelled:
"Are you giving it to me or not? Are you?"
"I'm not! I'm not!"
In only a few moments, Su Baoguo had already taken quite a beating.
Unable to watch anymore, Su Yun quickly signaled Gu Hai with her eyes, telling him to leave first.
Gu Hai was also afraid Chen Xiue truly meant to cut ties with him.
He immediately grabbed Su Wenbing, and the two of them fled empty-handed as quickly as possible.
After Gu Hai left, Su Yun rushed over and finally rescued Su Baoguo.
His face was soaked with tears, yet he still stubbornly clutched the tin airplane without letting go.
Seeing this, Chen Xiue looked deeply aggrieved.
She forcefully threw the broom aside, turned around, sat down on the brick bed, lowered her head, and wiped away tears.
Su Wenshan sighed heavily and moved closer, softly saying:
"Why are you taking your anger out on the child…"
Chen Xiue clenched her teeth.
"Do you think I'm just venting my anger? That tin airplane was given by Gu Hai. I wanted to return it to him, but Xiao Wu is so stubborn. For a broken toy, he embarrassed us in front of our guests!"
After saying this, Chen Xiue turned sharply to glare at Su Yun and raised her voice.
"Xiao Yun, and you too!"
"Now that all the outsiders are gone, tell me honestly—was what Su Wenbing said true?"
Su Yun immediately put on an innocent expression.
"Huh? What did he say? I don't know!"
Chen Xiue snapped:
"Your father and I are not fools. What Su Wenbing meant was that all those valuable things in Gu Hai's hands were exchanged with your help. Stop hiding it and tell us the truth—what exactly is going on?"
Su Wenshan's face filled with anxiety as he followed up urgently:
"Xiao Yun… you haven't been engaging in illegal profiteering, have you? Did you go to the black market?"
Hearing that, Chen Xiue was horrified, nearly shrieking:
"Su Yun, how bold can you possibly be? You actually dared to go to a place like the black market? Do you know that if you're caught there, you could be shot!"
Su Yun immediately shook her head.
"I've never been to the black market. I haven't engaged in illegal profiteering either. I truly don't know what's going on. I'm innocent!"