Chapter 2: Sister Huang

Sister Huang helped Su Qiao sit up and brought the brown sugar water to her lips.

The sweet brown sugar water soothed her throat, and Su Qiao’s dizziness seemed to ease.

She had good reason to suspect that this body suffered from hypoglycemia. Seizing the moment, she drank most of the jar of brown sugar water in one go, helped by Sister Huang’s steady hand.

Seeing Su Qiao’s complexion improve, Sister Huang urged her to finish the rest of the drink.

Obediently, Su Qiao drank it all and felt fully refreshed.

Sister Huang smiled warmly. “People always say brown sugar water is good for you—I never believed it before. But after seeing you drink it today, I’m convinced.”

Sister Huang was the head of logistics at the machinery factory, a kind and dependable elder sister figure. Seeing that Su Qiao could now care for herself, she said, “Xiao Qiao, rest a bit longer.”

“I…” Su Qiao began.

“Don’t rush. Let me finish first.”

“Okay,” Su Qiao nodded.

“I’m going to ask the leadership to grant you leave and get you an introduction letter. How does that sound?”

“Thank you, Sister Huang.”

“No need to thank me—we’re like sisters,” Sister Huang said before stepping out of the infirmary.

She was efficient and soon returned. “Here’s the introduction letter. I had it written for fifteen days.”

“Thank you, Sister Huang.”

“I also asked my old Liu to book three train tickets for you—this afternoon at 3:30. Tomorrow morning, you’ll be able to see Xiaoying.” She handed Su Qiao the letter.

Tears welled up in Su Qiao’s eyes again. She was truly grateful for Sister Huang’s help.

“No need to thank me. Between us, no formalities,” Sister Huang said, glancing at Su Qiao’s pale face with a sigh.

It wasn’t easy for a woman to raise two children alone, especially with the Fang family being so heartless. “Sigh!”

Checking the time, Sister Huang said, “Xiao Qiao, rest a little longer. I have to get back to work.”

“Okay, Sister Huang.”

She left, thoughtfully closing the door behind her.

Alone in the room, Su Qiao began to sort through the original owner’s memories and her own thoughts.

She recalled the two tempting voices offering compensation and felt her consciousness slipping away.

When she saw herself standing in front of that supermarket, she couldn’t help but exclaim softly, “My goodness, it really exists.”

Delighted to have her own lucky break, Su Qiao straightened her back.

She knew well that this supermarket had seven floors in total.

The basement level was the parking lot.

Page 2

The first floor housed the supermarket, selling tobacco, alcohol, sweets, tea, cooking oils and condiments, rice, flour, grains, various meats, seafood, vegetables, fruits, snacks, bottled water, and daily necessities like toiletries.

The second floor was the women’s section, including maternity and baby products and a jewelry store.

The third floor featured men’s clothing and outdoor gear.

The fourth floor was dedicated to home appliances.

The fifth floor was the food court, offering a wide array of snacks.

The sixth floor was the leisure and entertainment area, with a cinema, gym, billiards room, table tennis room, and a nostalgic little shop.

Time was tight, so Su Qiao only had a chance to browse the first floor. Looking at the dazzling array of goods—all hers now—she smiled from ear to ear.

…

When Fang Xiaofeng returned with his uncle after asking for leave, he found his mother lying on the hospital bed with her eyes closed.

“Mom, Mom.”

“I’m fine,” Su Qiao opened her eyes and saw her cousin Su Mu had also arrived.

“Sis, are you okay? Xiaoying’s situation—Xiaofeng already told me everything. Don’t worry, I’ll go with you to see Xiaoying.”

There was no time for sentimentality. Su Qiao immediately agreed and told Su Mu that Director Liu from Sister Huang’s family had booked their train tickets for 3:30 that afternoon.

“Alright, Sis. I’ll go back and apply for leave, and I’ll tell Xiao Na. We’ll meet at the train station at three.”

“Okay.”

Su Mu hurried away, and Fang Xiaofeng helped his mother greet Doctor Li before preparing to go home.

Doctor Li, worried that Su Qiao might suffer another fainting spell on the way, gave her some common medications to take with her.

In this era, these medicines were precious—money alone couldn’t always buy them.

“Thank you, Nurse Li.”

“No need. You all should hurry home.”

At the machinery factory, everyone knew Su Qiao from the main cafeteria. She was kind, beautiful, and hardworking. Her only misfortune was becoming a widow at such a young age.

Many had taken an interest in Su Qiao over the years, but the Fang family had blocked them all. Especially that old Mrs. Fang; if anyone sent a matchmaker to their door, she would stand outside wailing, scaring others away so they would avoid Su Qiao altogether.

Mrs. Fang shamelessly declared, “If Su Qiao wants to remarry, she must leave her job at the Fang family.”

The original owner was gentle but would never give up her job cheaply to the Fangs. And with Su’s father around, the Fang family dared not push too far.

…

Fang Xiaofeng supported his mother back to their small courtyard home before noon. This was the factory’s residential area; at this hour, adults were at work and children at school or daycare. The neighborhood was quiet.

“Mom,” Fang Xiaofeng unlocked the courtyard and front door, wanting his mother to rest inside.

“Xiaofeng, I’m fine sitting here.”

“Mom?”

“Listen to me: take out all the remaining white flour in the house and make scallion and egg pancakes.”

“Okay.” Both Fang Xiaofeng and his sister could cook, and making pancakes was no problem.

While Fang Xiaofeng boiled water and mixed the flour, Su Qiao smuggled out thirty eggs from the supermarket and reminded him, “Son, use three eggs when mixing the batter. The rest should be boiled.”

“Got it.”

Su Qiao was surprised at how natural it felt to call him “son,” with no pressure at all.

Seeing Fang Xiaofeng making the pancakes skillfully, she packed a lunch box with some pickled vegetables from the supermarket before preparing their travel bags.

Su Qiao finished packing everything they needed, and Fang Xiaofeng finished cooking the scallion and egg pancakes.

“Mom, the pancakes and eggs are ready.”

“Let’s eat some first, and pack the rest in the lunch box for the road.”

“I’ll make some soup too.”

“Good.”

During the meal, Su Qiao brought out half a bowl of pickled vegetables. Fang Xiaofeng took one bite and immediately loved the flavor.

“Mom, what kind of vegetables are these? They’re so delicious.”

“Delicious, right? They’re pickled vegetables.”

“These pickled vegetables are amazing—so fragrant.”

“They have oil in them, that’s why.”

“No wonder! Mom, is this a new recipe you just made?”

“Yes!” Su Qiao answered confidently.

“Mom, you have to make more of these. I love them, and I’m sure everyone else will too.”

“Well then, thanks for the support, Xiaofeng.”

Su Qiao was relieved she knew the recipe and pickling steps well, or she might have slipped up.

Worried about her strength, she ate a bit more than usual at this meal.

Fang Xiaofeng ate sparingly and kept glancing at his mother, afraid she might faint again.

Su Qiao noticed but pretended not to.