After coming out of the academy, Cheng Su and Ying Xiaoya returned to the city and parted ways to go home. Just as she reached the courtyard gate, she saw Third Uncle Cheng hesitantly standing there.
"Third Uncle, youâre back? Why arenât you going in?" Cheng Su was quite surprised.
"The gatekeeper said you went out and havenât come back, Taiguo isnât here either, so there was no way to get in, I just thought Iâd wait here!" Third Uncle Cheng replied with a smile.
"If I didnât come back, would you have waited until it got dark?" Cheng Su playfully scolded, taking the things from his hands: "Why so many things?"
"Theyâre all prepared by your mom and your Third Aunt, worried you might miss the taste of home. They made some pastries and brought some homemade preserves." Third Uncle Cheng replied.
"Itâs so far, thereâs no need to bring these, come in quickly." Cheng Su led the way in front.
These days Guiying was about to give birth, so she didnât go to work. She carried a large belly and took a pot to the kitchen. Upon seeing Cheng Su, she greeted and curiously glanced at the man behind her.
"This is my Third Uncle." Cheng Su introduced.
Guiying promptly greeted him.
Third Uncle Cheng smilingly responded, "Hello, hello."
Once inside, Cheng Su served him tea, sat down, and said, "I thought you might stay at home for a few more days, didnât expect youâd be down here so quickly!"
"Thereâs work in the renovation crew, the boss giving three days off is already generous, canât make it hard for others, right?" Third Uncle Cheng explained.
Which made sense, Cheng Su nodded, smiled, and said, "Dazhi praised you in front of me, saying you do a good job, picking things up quickly, and that once you get skilled enough, youâll definitely be able to make it on your own!"
"Really?" Third Uncle Cheng rubbed his hands.
Cheng Su smiled and nodded, "Would I joke with you?"
Third Uncle Cheng felt a bit embarrassed and said, "Iâm just learning."
"Third Uncle, youâre doing great, first learn the craft well, then you can do things on your own. Donât mind the hard work or low pay, unlike that..." Cheng Su paused.
Third Uncle Cheng saw the anger on her face and said, "Are you talking about Zhang Jisheng not being good?"
"Heâs so capable, always complaining, but doesnât see his own limits. If not for considering my Elder Sister, I wouldnât bother with him." Cheng Su, having started, just continued speaking.
Third Uncle Cheng thought for a while and said, "His thinking has changed, it wasnât like this in the beginning, but later on it just..."
"Third Uncle, who does he usually hang out with? In your renovation crew, there are a few not-so-proper ones, right?" Cheng Su recalled Zhang Jisheng going to prostitutes; they say you become like those you associate with, so how could he do such things if he wasnât influenced?
"There are some, but in the renovation crew, thereâs always one or two like that. Jisheng usually hangs out with them, drinking and eating, once I even saw them whistling and teasing little girls passing by. Sigh." Third Uncle Cheng hesitated before saying.
"Really a bunch of scoundrels, such disgrace." Cheng Su was furious, thinking maybe Dazhi should fire him, let him go back to his hometown, thatâd be better than causing trouble here.
"Su Girl, donât concern yourself with his issues, just remind your Elder Sister to keep an eye on the money." Third Uncle Cheng cautiously said, "After all, youâre just a sister-in-law, meddling with your Elder Sisterâs matters might upset people."
"I know, Iâm merely feeling itâs unfair for my Elder Sister." To have a man like that, really unlucky.
Third Uncle Cheng was about to say something more when suddenly there was a loud crash outside, startling the two of them.