"Cough, cough, cough..." Su He choked and coughed, grabbing tissues to rescue her phone. After this lesson, she decided it was best not to drink water while playing on her phone, especially when communicating with her adoptive mother, Tang Jiaojiao.
Once she recovered, Su He sent over a shy emoji.
Not long after, Tang Jiaojiao called to discuss the family dinner. Su He had been busy with the Lu family's affairs and hadn't seen her adoptive parents in quite some time. So, she readily agreed.
Rather than pick another day, they decided to have dinner that evening at Chunfeng Deyi Lou, the most renowned establishment in the north of the city. It was said to be an ancestral restaurant, with a history spanning over a hundred years. Despite the passage of time, the restaurant still retained its original appearance, a pure wooden structure, exuding an antique charm. At the entrance stood two human-height vases, both incredibly expensive.
Su He stated her room number, and a waitress led her upstairs with a warm smile.
The restaurant was divided into three floors.
The lowest floor was the main hall, which had no seating. Instead, it featured a miniature Jiangnan garden landscape, where guests could take photos, drink tea, and chat.
The second floor was the banquet hall, capable of accommodating up to a hundred tables. It was also used for walk-in guests, though reservations were required. The third floor housed the VIP private rooms, twelve in total, each decorated in a distinct and refreshing style, named after constellations.
Naturally, the higher one went, the more expensive it became. Su He recalled someone mentioning that a meal here could cost half a year's salary. The private rooms on the third floor, in particular, operated on a membership basis, meaning even money couldn't guarantee a reservation.
"Susu?" Her adoptive mother, Tang Jiaojiao, came out to take the call and immediately rushed forward to give Su He a bear hug upon seeing her at the door. Despite Tang Jiaojiao's sweet demeanor and petite frame, she possessed astonishing strength.
Su He felt as if she might suffocate from the hug.
"Ms. Tang, a little gentler..." Su He patted her back, signaling her to loosen her grip.
Tang Jiaojiao realized she had been too forceful and quickly let go. "It's just been a while since I've seen you, I got too excited... Old Su, quickly see who's here!"
Soon, a man in a floral shirt, swim trunks, and flip-flops appeared before Su He. His smile stretched from ear to ear upon seeing her. "Girl, you're back?"
Su He dutifully called out, "Dad."
"That's wonderful! My Susu has finally made it!" Su Dazhi, though rugged in appearance, was surprisingly sentimental and began to cry.
Su He felt an immense pressure.
She and Tang Jiaojiao tried to console him for a while without success. It was only when Tang Jiaojiao let out a lion's roar that he finally stopped crying.
"Wife, I was just happy to see our girl..." Su Dazhi pleaded for comfort with a wronged expression.
Tang Jiaojiao rolled her eyes exasperatedly. "Anyone who knows you would say you're doting on your daughter. Those who don't might think you're at a funeral!"
After her scolding, Su Dazhi dared not utter another word.
"Hey, old man, why did you book a table here? It's so expensive!" While Tang Jiaojiao stepped out to take a call, Su He quietly whispered to Su Dazhi. "And I heard it's by membership. How did you get a reservation?"
Her adoptive father made a living collecting scrap metal and lived a frugal life. Where did he get so much money to dine at such a high-class restaurant? If he had secretly saved up private funds from Tang Jiaojiao, that would be a double offense!
Su Dazhi chuckled and said, "It's not as fancy as people say! It was quite a coincidence. The owner of this restaurant used to live upstairs from us, remember the bald man with the big beard? I happened to run into him a few days ago when I was collecting scrap in his neighborhood, and he gave me a VIP card."
Su He: ...
Aren't VIP cards supposed to be rare and valuable? How could it be given away so casually?
However, reflecting on her years with her adoptive parents, Su Dazhi truly had remarkable luck. When collecting old appliances, he once found a wad of cash in a safe; stumbling in a field, he found a new mobile phone; even when encountering scammers, he managed to turn the tables and have them willingly hand over their money.
He was practically a walking lucky charm!
Su He couldn't help but sigh: perhaps this was the best illustration of God closing a door but opening a window for you!
As Tang Jiaojiao pushed open the door, Su He was popping a pastry into her mouth. After finalizing the divorce with Lu Jingyang, she was so overjoyed that she had forgotten to eat lunch. It was well past the usual mealtime, and she was ravenously hungry.
"Look at this child, she's skin and bones! Did you not eat enough at the Lu family's? My poor child!" Tang Jiaojiao affectionately pulled Su He into her embrace.
Su He was overwhelmed by the perfume emanating from her. "Ms. Tang Jiaojiao, have you changed your perfume again?"
"Does it smell good?" Tang Jiaojiao's attention was immediately diverted. "It's this season's new arrival from D. A fresh woody scent, perfect for a sophisticated beauty like me!"
Su He found it both amusing and exasperating.
Ms. Tang Jiaojiao had no other major hobbies besides shopping for luxury goods. Especially perfumes and handbags; she could open a small exhibition!
It was just that this hobby was quite costly.
As the three of them were talking, a server knocked and entered, bringing a succession of exquisite and expensive dishes to the table.
Su He counted them; there were eighteen in total!
They had certainly spared no expense!
Su He patted the bank card in her pocket, feeling a pang of regret. Although it was a celebration for her, she couldn't possibly let her adoptive parents foot such a bill. Thus, she knew she would ultimately be the one to settle this.
"It's just the three of us, ordering this much is such a waste..." Su He attempted to salvage the situation. "Um, these dishes haven't been touched yet, can they be returned?"
The latter part was directed at the server.
The waitress replied with a smile that didn't reach her eyes, "I'm sorry, but once the dishes are served, they cannot be returned."
Su Dazhi waved his hand and said, "Don't listen to her, just bring out whatever good dishes you have!"
The waitress smiled and nodded, then turned and left.
"Susu, come, eat!" Tang Jiaojiao pulled Su He to sit down and incessantly piled food onto her plate. In no time, Su He's bowl was stacked high like a small mountain.
Su He didn't want to refuse their good intentions, so she could only bury her head and eat.
However, on second thought, the dishes at Chunfeng Deyi Lou were indeed excellent. Especially the seafood dishes; they were prepared masterfully, whether braised or charcoal-grilled, bringing out the utmost freshness.
As Su He ate, her heart gradually found peace.
For the sake of such delicious food, the money was well spent!
Halfway through the meal, Su He suddenly remembered something.
"Are you free tomorrow? I want to go look at houses," Su He said, wiping her mouth with a tissue.
"You want to move out?" Tang Jiaojiao looked at her with surprise.
"No, it's to buy a place for you. The houses in the old village are dilapidated and small, and not safe. It's time to get you a new one." Su He boldly placed her bank card on the table.
"Susu... Actually, where we live now is quite good..." Su Dazhi attempted to persuade Su He to abandon the idea. "We know all the neighbors, and the surrounding facilities are complete. There's no shortage of hospitals, malls, or farmer's markets..."
"And most importantly, there are many old customers there, who stop by from time to time... Don't you agree?"
Tang Jiaojiao, uncharacteristically, sided with Su Dazhi and chimed in, "Your dad is right! As long as a house is livable, its age doesn't matter. Besides, I've lived here for decades; I'm already used to it..."
Su He's mouth fell open in surprise. "Ms. Tang, didn't you complain a while ago that you didn't have enough space for your bags and perfumes? If we get a bigger house, you can display all your treasures!"
"Oh, I was just saying that, you took it seriously." Tang Jiaojiao pursed her lips and smiled. She took Su He's hand and put the bank card back into it. "Your thoughtfulness is greatly appreciated by Old Su and me! This money wasn't easy to save, so you should keep it for yourself."
"But..."
"Don't flash your wealth, understand? You must keep this money safe and absolutely do not let those people know, lest someone gets any crooked ideas and targets you!" Su Dazhi chimed in.
Su He knew exactly who "those people" were without needing further explanation. Besides Su Chenghai's family, who else could it be!