Chapter 117: Do You Like It?

Chapter 117: Chapter 117: Do You Like It?

Aunt Zhao returned after delivering chestnuts to the neighbors. "Wanwan," she said to Su Wan, "everyone was so pleased. After a visit like this, I bet once we get to know each other better, I’ll be able to get cheaper prices when I go grocery shopping."

"These folks have lived here for so many years. They must have their own little tricks for getting by."

Su Wan didn’t quite understand these things. She just went to the supply and marketing co-op when she needed something, and if she was short on money, she found a way to earn more.

Whether it was by translating English or repairing various machines.

With multiple sources of income, she didn’t pay much mind to little details like discounts.

If it weren’t for that, she wouldn’t have been accused of having a bourgeois lifestyle.

"Thank you for your hard work, Aunt Zhao."

"It was no trouble at all. It’s what I’m here for."

Aunt Zhao turned and entered the kitchen to knead some dough. She was planning to make braised chicken for Su Wan for lunch and steam some noodles on top, so there would be no need for rice.

But just as Aunt Zhao went in, she turned and came right back out, holding a bag of white sugar and a bag of high-grade flour.

"Wanwan, where did this sugar and high-grade flour come from? I just checked—our own supplies are still in the cupboard, and nothing is missing."

Su Wan looked at the unopened packages.

She had a suspicion. "Do you think Yanyan left them?"

"I didn’t notice if Miss Xu went into the kitchen this morning." Aunt Zhao slapped her own forehead in frustration.

"It’s all right. This bag of sugar and high-grade flour... just set them aside for now. We can use the flour we already have open for the noodles."

"Alright." Aunt Zhao placed the items on top of a cupboard to keep them away from any water.

Su Wan didn’t see Su Jue again until he returned in the afternoon.

"Third Brother, why didn’t you come home for lunch?"

Su Wan had already taken her afternoon nap. Perhaps because carrying twins was more difficult, she could clearly feel she had less energy than before. She spent most of her time sleeping, but thankfully, her energy returned after she got enough rest. It was clearly a side effect of the pregnancy.

"I ate out. Besides, I brought two steamed buns with me when I left this morning."

Su Jue explained casually, but his eyes subtly scanned the room.

"Third Brother, are you looking for Yanyan?" Su Wan had been watching him and asked out of the blue.

Su Jue’s expression froze for an instant before returning to normal. He cleared his throat. "No."

"Third Brother, come here." Su Wan didn’t press the issue, simply beckoning him over.

Though confused, Su Jue followed her into the kitchen.

Su Wan pointed to the sugar and high-grade flour on the cupboard. "Yanyan must have secretly left these here."

"She already brought me protein powder, so there was no need for her to sneakily leave flour as well. Do you know why she would?"

Su Jue pursed his lips. "It’s probably because I paid for her room at the guesthouse last night."

"This bag of flour costs about the same as a night at the guesthouse. The sugar is likely her way of saying thank you."

Su Wan thought that explanation made perfect sense and nodded. "Mhm, knowing Yanyan’s personality, that sounds exactly like something she would do."

"Third Brother, by the way, there’s something I wanted to ask. Didn’t you tell Yanyan you were going to pick her up this morning? How come you never showed? You’re not the type to go back on your word." Su Wan decided to ask on her friend’s behalf, figuring she could always just keep the answer to herself.

’I need to find out if Third Brother actually likes Yanyan. If he has no feelings for her at all, then they should stop seeing each other. He needs to give her a straight answer.’

’I won’t let my brother string someone along.’

"...Yesterday, I went downstairs and saw a lot of men staying at the guesthouse. I was worried they’d get bad ideas if they knew a pretty woman like her was staying there alone, so I deliberately shouted that to scare them off."

Su Wan understood. Her brother hadn’t done anything wrong, but of course Yanyan wouldn’t know that, which was why she was upset.

"Then why don’t you go explain that to Yanyan, Third Brother? She waited for you for a long time this morning, but she was still very polite. That’s because she’s a good person, don’t you agree?" Su Wan didn’t bully people herself, and she couldn’t tolerate her family doing so, even by mistake.

The same went for matters of the heart.

Su Jue heard the dissatisfaction in her voice and couldn’t help but look up at her, feigning a wounded expression. "Wanwan, you’re taking an outsider’s side against me? I’m heartbroken."

"Stop trying to be cute, Third Brother. I’m being serious."

Su Jue’s expression turned serious too. "Fine. I don’t think it’s a good idea for me to see Miss Xu Yan."

"Third Brother, is it that you... actually like Yanyan a little? Is that why you don’t want to see her? So that if nothing ever starts, no one can get hurt?" Suddenly, Su Wan saw a sense of inferiority in her brother.

’It was a strange realization. Su Wan had never imagined her third brother could feel insecure.’

’He had always been such a positive person, someone who refused to accept his lot in life and had the brains to build a better future for himself.’

"Yes." This time, Su Jue wasn’t ambiguous. He gave a firm, definite nod.

’Su Wan hadn’t expected to hear her brother admit it so openly.’

’That was a rare thing indeed. Her brother hadn’t liked anyone for years. Now, he finally had feelings for someone, and it was one of her own closest friends. Su Wan had complete faith in Xu Yan’s character.’

’She felt that her brother would be incredibly lucky to end up with someone like Yanyan.’

"Third Brother, if you like Yanyan, why are you rejecting her? She likes you too. Isn’t this a case of mutual affection?" Su Wan was confused. ’Shouldn’t this be the start of a sweet romance?’

Su Jue gave her a speechless look. "Wanwan, have you forgotten? I told you before. Our family’s circumstances are average. Miss Xu Yan comes from a good background. She has absolutely no need to marry me and endure hardship."

"But, Third Brother..." Su Wan was baffled. "It’s because Yanyan is well-off that she can afford to look for love! If she just wanted to marry someone with good prospects, she would have been married long ago. She’s interested in you because she likes *you*. She doesn’t care about your circumstances."

"She doesn’t care because she’s a good person and she’s kind to me." Su Jue slowly lifted his gaze. "But as a man, am I supposed to just stand by and watch the woman I like endure hardship?"

"Any man with a shred of responsibility wouldn’t do that," Su Jue said, his tone as casual as if he were discussing what to have for dinner.

Su Wan was left speechless, but she still couldn’t help but try to argue on her friend’s behalf.

"Then... Third Brother... when do you plan on getting married?"

"I’ll get married after I graduate, at the earliest." Su Jue knew what she was getting at. He shot her a look and said pointedly, "That’s four years from now. A man can wait, but you can’t hold a woman back like that."

’Su Wan was at a loss for words. She could understand her brother’s choice, but understanding was one thing, and agreeing with it was another entirely.’

"Mom probably won’t let you wait that long to get married, will she?"

"I’m not going home, so don’t you tell Mom, Wanwan. Besides, getting married right after I graduate isn’t that late. By then, I’ll have a state-assigned job and a stable life. I’ll be able to provide a good life for my wife. That’s the proper time to do it."

Su Jue stated rationally.

’In truth, Su Wan was a rational person herself. When she had married Lu Zhengchuan, hadn’t her main consideration been whether their life together would be a stable one? Whether it would be a practical partnership for building a life?’