"I've graduated and plan to focus on creative work at home for now. I'll take care of things here," Su Ciliang said.
"I don't think that's a good idea. Second Brother, you need to concentrate on your calligraphy and painting. How can you do that with the noisy restaurant around?" Su Xiaosi objected.
"How about we hire someone? Doesn't Grandpa Dong know many retired soldiers?" Su San Gong suddenly offered a suggestion.
This matter had always been a concern for Grandpa Dong, as many rural soldiers found themselves without work after returning home. Rongfa Business had already hired several retired soldiers. It would be even better if the restaurant could also employ retired soldiers. This proposal was indeed met with approval from the brothers.
Li Linlin had not been at the restaurant lately due to her wedding preparations. She returned with the Su brothers after hearing the news. Knowing that they would be cooking for guests that evening, she voluntarily went to help in the kitchen. Seeing that Liang Xiu also looked unwell, she took on the role of head chef.
Liang Xiu, while picking vegetables on a small stool, realized she was truly upset, her heart still pounding erratically. "Third Mom, you shouldn't be busy here. Please rest outside, and leave the kitchen matters to me!" Li Linlin said considerately.
"How can I do that? There are many people today; let's work together to finish quickly," Liang Xiu replied.
"But..."
"I'm fine, I was just very anxious and angry, and my heart is beating a bit fast! If something like this happens again, I'll definitely develop heart disease."
More serious than Liang Xiu was Grandma Su. Grandma Su was sitting on a stool at the bar, her complexion very poor. "Grandma, why don't you go upstairs and lie down for a bit?" Su Shouwen coaxed, seeing Grandma Su's unwell appearance. Su Shouwen felt distressed seeing the elders of the family suffer such undeserved misfortune. Grandma was no longer young; although she appeared spirited usually, it was due to her good spirits.
"I'm fine, I'll just sit and recover!" Grandma Su couldn't possibly lie down by herself, not when Grandpa hadn't returned yet. Grandpa had been in so much pain when he left; she wondered if his bones were injured! Grandpa had always believed in being kind to others and had never suffered such a loss; he must have been furious too!
"Grandma, we're back!" Just as Grandma Su was thinking of Grandpa Su, she heard Su Xiaotian's voice. Grandma Su quickly stood up. Indeed, she saw Su Xiaotian and Grandpa Su returning with others. Grandpa Su was being supported by Su Lao San as he walked in, looking somewhat better than before.
"Old man, are you alright?" Grandma Su hurried to meet him.
"I'm fine. I've stumbled through life, and this is nothing," Grandpa Su comforted with a smile.
"You are getting on in years; you must be more careful!"
"Grandma, it's okay. The doctor said no bones were injured, just a bad bruise. And Grandpa is old, so they told him to rest for a few days." When Su Xiaotian accompanied Grandpa Su to the hospital, she had quietly taken his pulse and could generally confirm that Grandpa Su was alright. Going to the hospital was merely for an X-ray to be more reassured!
Hearing Su Xiaotian's words, Grandma Su finally felt completely at ease. "Starting tomorrow, old man, you'll stay home and rest. Since the children aren't in school, leave two of them at home to keep you company!" Grandma Su decided without room for argument. Grandpa Su didn't really want to stay home, but he knew his wife was always firm in her decisions, so he could only agree.
Grandma Su then remembered the young orderly who had accompanied Grandpa Su to the hospital. "Why didn't that young man come back with you?"
"He went to deliver a message to Second Grandpa, saying Second Grandpa was definitely waiting!" Su Xiaotian replied. Before this, she had never considered using her connections to bully others; this was her first time. But this feeling was damn good. If Second Grandpa hadn't intervened today, their family would have definitely suffered this loss. Su Xiaotian couldn't help but feel a sense of pity and lament!
Director Li noticed Su Xiaotian's contemplation and asked with a smile, "Student Su Xiaotian, what are you thinking about?"
"Director Li, why is it that even when you called the police, those people wouldn't even show up?" Director Li, as the Director of the Education Bureau, being unable to get them to come was rather inexplicable.
"We are not in the same system, and they don't know me!" Director Li said with a wry smile. As the Director of the Education Bureau, he had prestige within the education system, but in the public security system, he was practically invisible.
"You said, if I hadn't called to report it, how would things have turned out today?" Su Xiaotian had actually thought about this question for a long time. Not just Su Xiaotian, but Director Li had also thought about it for a long time. He recalled that after his unsuccessful attempt to report it, he saw Su Xiaotian beating up those hooligans when he arrived at Yiming Pavilion. This little girl truly had a vengeful nature. However, such children were the best. But today, if Director Duan hadn't come personally, Su Xiaotian would have likely suffered more. Those people had been beaten by Su Xiaotian; it was impossible for them not to retaliate. Since they had connections with the police station, they would inevitably have the police station intervene. At that time, it was uncertain who would be arrested. Director Li felt quite a sense of dread thinking about such an outcome. Not only Director Li, but Su Xiaotian had also thought of it. She had beaten those people; if she didn't have strong backing at home, she would have been the one drinking tea at the police station. It couldn't be said that all police stations were like this, but clearly, the one she encountered was unjust. She wondered how Director Duan would handle this matter.
"Director Li, can't this situation be changed?" Director Li sighed and said, "It can be changed, but the people who just experienced this are unsettled. I believe things will change in a couple of years."
"Will it change?" Su Xiaotian didn't feel very optimistic.
"Xiaotian, you're about to go to university. Have you thought about what you want to do in the future?" Director Li asked, not expecting that he had hit the nail on the head. The Su children had all planned their futures well, except for Su Xiaotian, who was completely lost about her own future. She didn't even have a clear plan for what she wanted to do in the future. She shook her head.
"What?" Director Li was stunned!
"Director Li, I really don't know what I should do in the future," Su Xiaotian said, scratching her head, feeling quite embarrassed. Director Li was initially shocked, but then he thought about Su Xiaotian's age. Although this girl was participating in the college entrance examination, she was still young, and it was understandable for her to be lost about the future. For the first time, Director Li felt that forcing growth, or "pulling seedlings to encourage growth," might not be suitable for these children. He decided to immediately report this issue to his superiors; the recruitment for the gifted program needed to be more cautious than ever.