Chapter 59: Celebration
Chun E saw such a large bottle of scar removal cream, which cost two taels of silver, and she dared not accept it.
The two of them kept pushing it back and forth, until Zhang Zhaodi shoved the scar removal cream into Chun E’s arms, sternly saying, "We genuinely want to befriend you, or do you look down on us?"
Chun E couldn’t help but laugh and cry, "Aunt, you really know how to hit the mark, you always strike where it hurts. Since Aunt and Sister are so enthusiastic, I’ll shamelessly accept it."
Su Yaoguang also taught Chun E how to match several outfits, shared some tips, and seeing that it was almost time to go or else stay for lunch, they finally bid farewell.
Just as the mother and daughter stepped out of the Clothing Shop, a young man dressed in the academy’s uniform approached. When he got closer, Zhang Zhaodi was the first to notice him.
"Daughter, it’s Wang Shu."
Su Yaoguang looked up and indeed saw Zhou Wangshu.
"What brings you here?" Su Yaoguang asked.
Zhou Wangshu replied warmly, "Today is market day, so I specifically came to check if you all entered the city. It’s lunchtime now, so I got permission from the teacher to come, I’ll return for afternoon classes."
Su Yaoguang appraised Zhou Wangshu’s new outfit, "This attire looks quite spirited on you. How is the academy? Are the people there easy to get along with?"
"Daughter, it’s lunchtime, let’s find a place to sit and chat!" Zhang Zhaodi reminded.
"Right, we earned a lot today, let’s not be frugal. Since everyone is here today, let’s have a good meal at the big restaurant." Su Yaoguang pointed to the tallest building.
"Isn’t that too extravagant?" Zhang Zhaodi hesitated, "I heard the buns there cost ten cents each, and a plate of stir-fried vegetables is twenty cents."
"Mom, just ask yourself if you’re happy today?" Su Yaoguang asked while holding Zhang Zhaodi’s arm.
"Of course, I’m happy!" Zhang Zhaodi beamed with joy. "I’ve never been this happy before."
"Since it’s such a happy day, shouldn’t we celebrate well?" Su Yaoguang continued, "If Wang Shu weren’t here, we could wait, but now that he is, our whole family is here."
"Alright, we’ll do as you say. You’re the one in charge of our home now." Zhang Zhaodi affectionately touched Su Yaoguang’s hair, full of pride.
Zhong Lanhua always boasts about her book-smart son and used to insult her, claiming our family was doomed because we had no reliable successors. She wished she could throw the silver box at her head to make her see clearly. Her daughter, isn’t she hundred times better than Zhong Lanhua’s worthless son? And her daughter, what if she’s beautiful? She’s always so delicate, as if she’d keel over any second, which is just infuriating to watch.
Su Yaoguang, holding hands with Jiang Jing, talked about getting her a roasted duck she liked later.
Zhou Wangshu’s gaze lingered on Jiang Jing.
Su Yaoguang suddenly remembered she hadn’t introduced Jiang Jing yet. One of the reasons for coming to the city today was to let Zhou Wangshu know they had a new family member.
"Wang Shu, this is my sister Jiang Jing. Jiang Jing, this is my... husband, Zhou Wangshu." Su Yaoguang glanced at Zhang Zhaodi beside her and swallowed the word "brother."
Though Su Yaoguang introduced it this way, Jiang Jing already knew about the Su Family’s past and had heard from Su Yaoguang about her agreement with Zhou Wangshu.
Upon hearing about Su Yaoguang and Zhou Wangshu’s situation, Jiang Jing found this sister excessively kind, overly innocent, and all too trusting. She brought strangers into the household one after another, providing for them generously; she truly could be called a Living Bodhisattva.
Zhou Wangshu appraised Jiang Jing, displaying a harmless smile, "While I was away, the house got another member; it’s getting lively."
"It used to be just mother and me depending on each other, but now there are two of you, our home is even more bustling." Su Yaoguang said while holding Jiang Jing’s arm, "Wang Shu, Jiang Jing is a good sister to me, make sure you get along well in the future."
Zhou Wangshu pursed his lips.
How could they become close sisters in just a few days? Did she know the other’s background? Did she understand her nature?
Fool.
"Yaoguang’s sister is my sister too, we will definitely get along well." Zhou Wangshu said smiling at Jiang Jing.
Jiang Jing: "..."
For some reason, she felt a chill all over.
Though Zhou Wangshu was smiling, she had the urge to keep her distance.
The group entered the big restaurant. As soon as they sat down, a waiter came over with the menu to take their order.
Su Yaoguang looked at the menu, which included both text and pictures, making it easy for those who couldn’t read to quickly choose their favorite dishes.
Su Yaoguang passed the menu to Zhang Zhaodi to order.
Zhang Zhaodi looked at the pictures and pointed to a lotus root porridge.
"Mom, we’re here to eat something good, I can make lotus root porridge at home for you." Su Yaoguang said, "Should I order instead?"
Zhang Zhaodi knew today her daughter wanted to be really happy. Being frugal all her life, she found it hard to spend too much money, so ordering was a kind of torment for her.
Not wanting to spoil the mood any further, the best approach was to remain silent and eat whatever her daughter ordered.
Su Yaoguang ordered two dishes that Zhang Zhaodi loved, a roasted duck for Jiang Jing, and then handed the menu to Zhou Wangshu for him to order something.
Zhou Wangshu took it and ordered a beggar’s chicken.
"Last time Yaoguang mentioned she wanted beggar’s chicken, so today it must be included."
Su Yaoguang felt a small sense of warmth in her heart.
She had mentioned it casually last time, and Zhou Wangshu remembered it. It felt truly good to be cared for and valued, enveloping her whole being in a comforting happiness.
"Brother Xiao, your Longevity Star Painting this time is really excellent. Landlord Zhang couldn’t stop praising your skills and expressed a desire to pay a high price for a Pine Crane Painting from you."
A few scholars walked in, and among them was the last person Su Yaoguang wanted to see – Xiao Yanci.
Xiao Yanci was surrounded by them, and judging by their solicitous demeanor, one could imagine how well Xiao Yanci had been doing recently.
Xiao Yanci also noticed the Su family.
His gaze lingered on Zhou Wangshu, a mocking glint in his eyes.
"Brother Xiao, with such grace, how did you end up in this backwater?" one of the students asked, "Did something happen at home?"
Xiao Yanci dared not reveal he was a descendant of a guilty official. With his status, he should have become a servant in some frozen land by now. Even though he is currently a servant, at least the country folk are easy to deceive. If he were truly an Armored Person’s slave, he’d probably live each day in fear of death, as those people are far less easier to fool.